The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1RomanceKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 1 of 3)In the bustling heart of the City, Robert Streightley navigates high-stakes finance with bold intellect and daring ambition, challenging established power while maintaining a humbl…
Level C1RomanceKing--of the Khyber Rifles: A Romance of AdventureAthelstan King, a British officer deeply entwined with India, is summoned to Peshawur amid the brewing tensions of war.
Level C1RomanceKing Penda's Captain: A Romance of Fighting in the Days of the Anglo-SaxonsIn a land torn by faith and war, the fierce pagan King Penda rallies his allies to challenge the rising Christian powers, while young warrior Feargus, pledged to Penda, rises amids…
Level B2RomanceKing Arthur's Knights: The Tales Re-told for Boys & GirlsJourney into a world of magic, valor, and chivalry where King Arthur and his knights embark on daring quests to protect the weak, uphold truth, and defend honor in a land alive wit…
Level C1RomanceKing Arthur in history and legendStep into the blurred line between history and myth as the tale of King Arthur unfolds, revealing a legendary king whose true origins and court remain shrouded in mystery amid a ri…
Level B2RomanceKing Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableStep into a world of chivalry, magic, and noble quests with King Arthur and his legendary knights as they face battles, enchantments, and the search for the Holy Grail in a realm w…
Level B1RomanceKilo : being the love story of Eliph' Hewlitt, book agentA devoted book agent journeys through rural Iowa, armed with an encyclopedia and dreams of love, as he navigates the challenges of selling knowledge—and perhaps winning a heart—at…
Level C1RomanceKilmeny of the OrchardAmid the hopeful spring air of Queenslea College, two cousins face their futures—one a charming, practical graduate, the other a determined doctor rising from humble beginnings—set…
Level B2RomanceKidnapped at the Altar; Or, The Romance of that Saucy Jessie BainA chance glimpse of the elusive Jessie Bain haunts Hubert Varrick, a man bound to marry another, stirring jealousy and doubt amid a glamorous summer setting.
Level C1RomanceKeith of the Border: A Tale of the PlainsA rugged plainsman navigates the vast, hostile frontier in 1868, caught between restless Native tribes united against settlers and his dangerous mission to deliver crucial news acr…
Level C1RomanceKatrine: A NovelIn the lush landscapes of North Carolina, a fearless Irish singer named Katrine captivates with her golden voice and boundless loyalty, entwining her fate with the enigmatic Frank…
Level B2RomanceKathleen's Diamonds; or, She Loved a Handsome ActorA young heiress haunted by the tragic suicide of her mother finds herself captivated by a mysterious stranger who once saved her life, challenging societal expectations and stirrin…
Level C1RomanceKatharine Frensham: A NovelIn a grand Surrey estate surrounded by wild heather, a family confronts the painful unraveling of a marriage that has long been strained.
Level C1RomanceKaterfelto: A Story of ExmoorIn 1763 England, amid political turmoil and spirited tavern debates, a group of gentlemen navigate loyalty, defiance, and intrigue.
Level C1RomanceKate Vernon: A Tale. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a bleak autumn marked by social unrest and military exile, officers find solace and intrigue at a grand festival in Carrington, where the mysterious presence of a graceful gentl…
Level B2RomanceKate Bonnet: The Romance of a Pirate's DaughterIn 17th-century Barbados, bright young Kate Bonnet contemplates her father’s mysterious ship and secretive plans to cruise the islands, while a hopeful suitor watches from the rive…
Level C1RomanceJust sweethearts: A Christmas love storyOn a sunlit Christmas day in the South, a charming young man spots a captivating stranger and, inspired by a sudden impulse, risks a bold encounter that could change both their liv…
Level C1RomanceJulia And Her Romeo: A Chronicle Of Castle Barfield: From "Schwartz" by David Christie MurrayIn a frost-bitten 1820s English countryside, two feuding families—the Reddys and the Mountains—carry a bitter legacy of hatred, while young Richard Reddy dares to defy ancestral gr…
Level C1RomanceJudith Moore; or, Fashioning a PipeA determined young farmer battles rugged land and stubborn stumps to transform his woodland clearing, embodying patience and strength amidst nature’s challenges.
Level C1RomanceJude the ObscureAn ambitious young scholar leaves his village for the university city of Christminster, chasing dreams of learning and ordination.
Level C1RomanceJuanaIn war-torn Tarragona, a fiercely brave but unruly Italian regiment faces chaos and pillage amidst a French occupation.
Level B2RomanceJolly Sally Pendleton; Or, the Wife Who Was Not a WifeIn a summer village where wealthy hearts and social ambitions collide, two dazzling sisters vie for the attention of a charming young millionaire determined to escape society’s exp…
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 2 of 2Caught between the soaring ideals of young love and the harsh reality of a mundane banking job, John grapples with disillusionment and the search for meaning beyond duty and routin…
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 1 of 2After a frightening accident leaves Kate Crediton unconscious, she awakens in a haze, surrounded by mysterious caregivers and haunted by a pair of anxious eyes.
Level B2RomanceJohn Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon WarIn the rugged frontier of Utah during the Echo Canyon War, John Stevens navigates love and loyalty amidst pioneer hardships and stirring conflicts.
Level B2RomanceJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 2 (of 3)In a summer estate where love and secrets intertwine, a mysterious letter sets a young woman’s heart and fate in turmoil, unraveling hidden truths and testing the bonds between fam…
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 3 (of 3)Amid a fierce winter storm, newlyweds set off on a perilous journey through a snowbound landscape, carrying hidden sorrows and fragile hopes.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 2 (of 3)Caught between shifting affections and social intrigues, Mirelle struggles to find her place amid cold rivals and unwanted admirers in a West of England household.
Level C1RomanceJohn Herring: A West of England Romance. Volume 1 (of 3)In the wild West of England, the savage Cobbledick clan lives apart, shrouded in mystery and rustic dialect, their lives intertwined with ancient monuments and untamed moorland.
Level A2RomanceJohn Henry Smith: A humorous romance of outdoor lifeAt the Woodvale Golf and Country Club, John Henry Smith navigates the quirks of outdoor life, Wall Street intrigue, and a captivating new arrival—Grace Harding, the glamorous heire…
Level C1RomanceJohn Burnet of Barns: A RomanceA young boy escapes his strict tutor to fish in the sun-scorched woods of Tweed, embarking on a journey through stirring times and strange scenes that reveal the trials and triumph…
Level C1RomanceJohn Bull on the Guadalquivir: From "Tales from All Countries"An Englishman bound for Seville navigates a marriage proposal entwined with family alliances and cultural contrasts, while a determined Spanish woman challenges his romantic expect…
Level C1RomanceJohn BrentIn the rugged California frontier, a gold miner wrestles with barren quartz and dashed hopes, revealing a raw tale of perseverance, human ambition, and the harsh laws of nature whe…
Level B2RomanceJock's inheritanceWhen a penniless mother and her spirited daughter arrive unexpectedly, Orris must navigate family tensions and uncertain futures while considering a fresh start in the countryside…
Level C1RomanceJoan, the CurateAmidst the wild marsh coast plagued by smugglers and wreckers, a courageous curate’s daughter races against time to aid a wounded sailor from a daring revenue cutter, braving tempe…
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level B2RomanceJim of Hellas, or In Durance Vile; The Troubling of Bethesda PoolOn a fading island once alive with whaling fleets, weathered sea captains gather in the Upper House, where memories and maritime treasures tell tales of a bygone era.
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 3Caught between loyalty and temptation, a young man navigates complex family ties and shifting affections as he wrestles with love, jealousy, and the schemes of his uncle in a tale…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 2Amid lively family dinners and witty banter, a young man navigates the complexities of love and marriage under his uncle’s watchful eye, uncovering schemes and secrets that challen…
Level C1RomanceJessamine: A NovelConfined by illness yet captivated by a stirring sermon, a young woman finds hope and heroism in the voice that echoes through her quiet church.
Level C1RomanceJerryAn American traveler’s summer plans are upended when a surprising letter from his sister arrives, promising unexpected family reunions and restless adventures in picturesque Europe…
Level C1RomanceJennie Gerhardt: A NovelA young woman and her family struggle against relentless poverty in 1880s Ohio, as they seek work and hope for better days while facing illness and mounting debts.
Level C1RomanceJeff Briggs's Love StoryCaught in a storm at a struggling frontier inn, Jeff Briggs confronts loneliness, loss, and the weight of his family’s legacy while awaiting a delayed stagecoach and the promise of…
Level B2MysteryJeanne of the MarshesIn a world of whispered suspicions and social exile, Major Forrest seeks refuge from an unseen threat among scarce allies and uncertain loyalties.
Level B1RomanceJean Craig Finds RomanceAn aspiring artist torn between her dreams and a budding romance, Jean Craig navigates family adventures and unexpected challenges in their new country home, while her spirited sis…
Level C1MysteryJason: A RomanceIn the fragrant dusk of Paris, Ste.
Level C1RomanceJanice Meredith: A Story of the American RevolutionAmid the strict discipline of colonial life, spirited Janice Meredith navigates friendship, rebellion, and the stirrings of young love during the turbulent days of the American Rev…
Level C1RomanceJane Seton; or, The King's Advocate: A Scottish Historical RomanceAmid 16th-century Scotland’s turbulent politics and fierce clans, a passionate romance unfolds involving Jane Seton and the King's Advocate, set against a backdrop of royal intrigu…
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.