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 C1PoetryEventide: A Series of Tales and PoemsUnder the starlit calm of Wimbledon, gentle whispers of romance and hidden struggles unfold amid blooming gardens and shadowed groves, where the lives of village folk intertwine in…
Level C1PoetryEvenings at Home; Or, The Juvenile Budget OpenedA collection of engaging tales and lessons crafted to delight and instruct children from ages four to fourteen, blending simplicity with wisdom to inspire young minds and nurture t…
Level C1ClassicsEvenings at Donaldson Manor; Or, The Christmas GuestStep into the warm glow of Donaldson Manor, where heartfelt stories and moral lessons unfold around the Christmas hearth, revealing the power of love, charity, and family bonds dur…
Level C1PoetryEvening songsImmerse yourself in tender, lyrical verses that capture the heartfelt emotions and romantic spirit of a bygone Czech era, inviting youthful hearts into a world of fragrant evening…
Level C1ClassicsEvening Dress: FarceExhausted from a sleepless train journey, Edward Roberts must summon the will to attend Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsEvelyn InnesIn a dimly lit London room, a devoted musician restores ancient instruments and revives forgotten chants, nurturing his daughter Evelyn’s unique gift for early music amid fading dr…
Level C1RomanceEvelyn ByrdAmid the relentless grind of Civil War, a scholarly artillery captain confronts the harsh realities of battle and loss, as loyalty, destruction, and endurance intertwine on Virgini…
Level C1MysteryEveline MandevilleA young woman defies her father's wishes, suspecting a wealthy suitor's fortune is tied to a secret gang of horse thieves.
Level C1RomanceEvelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the WorldA young woman's letters reveal her delicate navigation through London society, filled with romance, wit, and the challenges of her mysterious lineage.
Level C1RomanceEvelina's GardenBehind a towering hedge lies Evelina's secluded garden, where mystery and melancholy bloom alongside vibrant flowers.
Level C1HistoricalEve: A NovelIn a remote Devonshire hunting lodge, a troubled man confronts a harsh visitor demanding the whereabouts of Eve, a vanished woman whose absence haunts the shadowed halls and stirs…
Level C1ClassicsEve's RansomIn the shadowy dusk of a grim industrial station, two men—one prosperous, one troubled—meet with tense recognition and sharp words, setting the stage for a story of clashing pasts…
Level C1HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 3A young Eve delights in the vibrant beauty and creatures of her world, seeing wonder in every color and animal—even a towering brontosaurus she dreams to tame.
Level C1HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 2In a vivid diary, Eve explores her emotions, nature’s beauty, and the mysterious man who seems indifferent to her world, while she discovers the wondrous and dangerous element of f…
Level C1ClassicsEve and DavidDavid Séchard, driven by love and ambition, struggles to invent a method for making cheap paper to support his wife Eve and her brother Lucien’s dreams amid the challenges of pover…
Level C1RomanceEvangeline: A Tale of AcadieIn the peaceful Acadian village of Grand-Pré, young Evangeline embodies hope and devotion amid idyllic farms and faithful hearts, but the shadows of fate loom over this tranquil la…
Level C1ClassicsEvan Harrington — CompleteIn a seaside town, the death of Melchisedec Harrington, a beloved and eccentric tailor known as "the great Mel," stirs the community, revealing the quirks and debts of those he lea…
Level C1HistoricalEutropiusChart the rise and struggles of Rome from its legendary founding through wars, revolts, and political transformations up to the first civil war, guided by clear Latin text designed…
Level C1PhilosophyEuthyphroSocrates confronts Euthyphro, who is prosecuting his own father for murder, to unravel the true meaning of piety before his own trial for impiety.
Level C1PhilosophyEuthydemusTwo sophists engage in witty, paradox-filled debates that challenge the nature of knowledge and logic, revealing the roots of fallacious reasoning in philosophy’s infancy.
Level C1ClassicsEurope and elsewhereAn adventurous youth rises from river pilot to worldly traveler, navigating shifting tides of fortune and society with sharp humor and keen insight.
Level C1HistoricalEuphorion - Vol. II: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the RenaissanceExplore the intricate balance between realism and idealism in Renaissance portrait art, revealing how artists blend decorative beauty with faithful likeness to capture both the rea…
Level C1ClassicsEugenie GrandetIn a quiet French town where ancient houses hold centuries of history, a young woman named Eugenie Grandet navigates a world shaped by tradition, commerce, and the relentless duel…
Level C1ClassicsEugene PickeringAt a bustling gaming resort, a shy, awkward young man caught in the whirl of society intrigues becomes an unlikely figure of fascination amid music, mystery, and the lure of chance…![Cover of Eugene Oneguine [Onegin]: A Romance of Russian Life in Verse by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da7feqeqoens73dd6iog.webp)
Level C1ClassicsEugene Oneguine [Onegin]: A Romance of Russian Life in VerseA disenchanted aristocrat wanders through the glittering yet suffocating social world of early 19th-century Russia, revealing its manners and contradictions in a rich poetic narrat…
Level C1ClassicsEugene Field, a Study in Heredity and Contradictions — Volume 2Explore the close friendship and daily life of Eugene Field through intimate letters, poems, and anecdotes revealing his struggles, humor, and the deep bonds that shaped his world…
Level C1PoetryEugene Field, a Study in Heredity and Contradictions — Volume 1Step into the quirky life of a man who preferred whimsical fiction over boring facts, spinning outrageous tales about friends and himself.
Level C1MysteryEugene Aram — CompleteA scholar with a dark secret, Eugene Aram’s story unfolds through a blend of tragedy and mystery, exploring the fine line between genius and guilt as buried truths threaten to surf…
Level C1ClassicsEthelyn's MistakeOn the morning of her wedding day in a quiet New England town, Ethelyn faces a restless heart and a future clouded with doubt, as her devoted Aunt Barbara prepares for a celebratio…
Level C1HistoricalEtheldreda the Ready: A School StoryHoliday cheer turns to mystery as the Saxon family faces a sudden, unexplained change in their lives, culminating in a surprising holiday summons to a remote country house.
Level C1RomanceEstherAmid the vast, untamed Oregon Trail, a radiant young woman named Esther embraces the wild beauty and peril of westward expansion, where every step stirs the echoes of vanished peop…
Level C1ClassicsEstherIn a refined French tragedy unfolding within a single day and place, a gripping tale of character and passion emerges, rooted in biblical history and crafted with classical eleganc…
Level C1ClassicsEstherIn the vibrant new church of St.
Level C1PhilosophyEssays, or discourses, vol. 4 (of 4)Explore surprising paradoxes in natural philosophy that challenge conventional beliefs, such as elemental fire not being the hottest and air being colder than commonly thought, rev…
Level C1HistoricalEssays, or discourses, vol. 3 (of 4)Explore the intricate art of historical writing through sharp critiques of famed historians, revealing the challenges and controversies behind recording the past.
Level C1PhilosophyEssays, or discourses, vol. 2 (of 4)A newly appointed judge receives a stern letter from his father, warning of the heavy burdens and moral challenges that come with dispensing justice impartially.
Level C1PhilosophyEssays, or discourses, vol. 1 (of 4)Explore a collection of thoughtful discourses from a learned Spanish clergyman, addressing philosophy, history, and society with candor and wide-ranging knowledge, while thoughtful…
Level C1ClassicsEssays — Second SeriesExplore the profound role of the poet as the embodiment of beauty and truth, revealing the deep connection between soul, nature, and expression beyond mere form or action.
Level C1ClassicsEssays on thingsAwaken to the majestic drama of dawn, where celestial music and the promise of renewal unfold in vivid detail.
Level C1ClassicsEssays on Work and CultureExplore a world where versatility is seen as weakness and specialization reigns supreme, challenging the notion that a man can excel in multiple fields without suspicion.
Level C1ClassicsEssays on Various Subjects, Principally Designed for Young LadiesGuiding young women through the delicate balance of virtue and society, these essays explore the unique strengths and qualities of femininity, offering thoughtful reflections on ch…
Level C1HistoricalEssays on Scandinavian LiteratureExplore the fierce spirit and cultural roots of Norway through the life and works of Björnstjerne Björnson, whose poetry and drama embody the nation's soul and struggle, shaping it…
Level C1HistoricalEssays on Russian NovelistsExplore the rise of Russian literature from its youthful origins to its profound impact through giants like Pushkin, Gogol, and Dostoevski, revealing a nation's character shaped by…
Level C1HistoricalEssays on Paul BourgetAn incisive foreign observer attempts to teach America about itself, applying a scientific method of classification and analysis that may reveal unsettling truths—if only the natio…
Level C1HistoricalEssays on Modern NovelistsExplore the lives and works of modern novelists who found success later in life, revealing how experience and perseverance shape timeless stories.
Level C1PhilosophyEssays on Life, Art and ScienceExplore thought-provoking essays that delve into the intersections of life, art, and science, challenging established ideas on evolution, creativity, and language while inviting re…
Level C1ClassicsEssays of TravelExperience a vivid voyage across the Atlantic, where the uneasy camaraderie of emigrants unfolds aboard a vast ocean steamer.
Level C1ClassicsEssays of Robert Louis Stevenson: Selected and Edited With an Introduction and Notes by William Lyon PhelpsExplore the vibrant mind behind iconic tales through essays that reveal his personality, philosophy, and humor, offering intimate insights into a restless spirit shaped by illness,…
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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.