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 C1ClassicsThe Abandoned FarmerA delicate boy’s health prompts his parents to consider uprooting their urban life for a rustic farm, sparking hopes and doubts about trading city comforts for the unpredictability…
Level C1ClassicsThe 13th District: A Story of a CandidateA weary candidate returns to a raucous welcome from his loyal supporters in a bustling district, where political battles have tested his endurance and spirit.
Level C1RomanceThe 'Scots Brigade,' and other talesA young lieutenant in the famed Scots Brigade struggles to balance his forbidden love for the enchanting Dolores against his stern uncle's ironclad military discipline.
Level C1ClassicsThe 'Mind the Paint' Girl: A Comedy in Four ActsIn London’s theatrical world, Lily Parradell’s drawing room becomes the stage for wit, romance, and social intrigue as friends and admirers converge amid flowers and gifts, reveali…
Level C1HistoricalThe 'Blackwood' GroupExplore the vibrant life and legacy of John Wilson, a towering Scottish literary figure whose wit and warmth shaped a brilliant circle of writers, blending spirited outdoor adventu…
Level C1HistoricalThe "free press"Explore the harsh realities behind the myth of a free press in America, revealing how democracy’s promise clashes with the immense financial and institutional barriers that limit w…
Level C1ClassicsThe "Characters" of Jean de La BruyèreSharp and insightful portraits reveal the quirks, follies, and passions that shape human nature, exposing the timeless vices and virtues of society.
Level C1AdventureThe "B. O. W. C.": A Book For Boys: IllustratedAs spring vacation begins at Grand Pré School, a mysterious group known as the “B.
Level C1RomanceThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 3Tensions rise as May's quiet morning is disrupted by the arrival of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 1After a scandalous elopement and a failed military career, Augustus Cheffington faces the harsh judgments of society and family while struggling to secure a respectable place for h…
Level C1ClassicsThat StickA modest clerk’s life is transformed overnight when he unexpectedly inherits property, stirring hope and change for his devoted fiancée, a humble governess.![Cover of That Reminds Me: A Collection of Tales Worth Telling by Anonymous [Compiler]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf5nioe1ofc73dhbk0g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThat Reminds Me: A Collection of Tales Worth TellingDive into a lively collection of witty anecdotes and humorous tales that reveal the quirks and character of American life, blending truth and jest to entertain and enlighten reader…
Level C1ClassicsThat Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle WestA determined young man escapes a harsh childhood of poverty and neglect, setting out to build a better life amid the struggles of a bustling Midwestern town.
Level C1HistoricalThat Marvel—The Movie: A Glance at Its Past, Its Promising Present and Its Significant FutureExplore the rise of motion pictures from crude beginnings to a powerful new art form with the potential to unite humanity and influence civilization's future.
Level C1MysteryThat Mainwaring AffairIn the sweltering offices of a New York brokerage, Hugh Mainwaring prepares to finalize a will that will shift loyalties and fortunes within his estranged English-American family—s…
Level C1ClassicsThat Lass O' Lowrie's: 1877In the harsh coal-mining town of Riggan, Joan Lowrie, a fiercely independent pit-girl, defies the brutal world around her, while a compassionate engineer and a troubled clergyman s…
Level C1RomanceThat Girl in Black; and, BronzieA spoiled yet charming young man struggles between social expectations and his own restless heart at a modest reception, where old loyalties and quiet kindness stir memories and hi…
Level C1Children'sThat FortuneA twelve-year-old boy swings atop a towering hickory, captivated by the wild beauty of his rural valley and the rich history woven into its landscape—from ancient Indian trails to…
Level C1ClassicsThat Boy of Norcott'sA young boy’s custody becomes the battleground between estranged parents, revealing the turmoil of a fractured marriage and the consequences of a scandalous union between a soldier…
Level C1MysteryThat Affair Next DoorOn a quiet Gramercy Park night, a mysterious visit to an empty house sparks suspicion and intrigue.
Level C1RomanceThankful BlossomIn the harsh winter of 1779 New Jersey, a restless Continental Army captain waits under a frosty elm for a secret meeting that hints at love and longing amid the desolation of war.
Level C1PoetryThamyrisWhen the ancient Muses perform before the Heavenly Host, their haunting melodies stir unexpected emotions, yet modern poetry's evolving forms perplex the angels.
Level C1PoetryThalaba the DestroyerAn epic tale unfolds beneath the roots of the sea in a seminary of evil magicians, where ancient Arabian myths come alive through a rich, flowing verse that captures the harmony of…
Level C1HistoricalThaisIn the austere deserts along the Nile, devout hermits and monks battle temptations both earthly and demonic, striving for purity amid visions of beauty and spiritual warfare.
Level C1HistoricalThaddeus of WarsawAmid the ashes of a fallen Poland, a solitary refugee marches with silent resolve through London’s streets, embodying the spirit of a nation’s lost independence and stirring a tale…
Level C1ClassicsThackerayana: Notes and AnecdotesDiscover the intimate world of a beloved novelist through his personal sketches, school memories, and reading notes, revealing the humor, character, and inspirations behind his tim…
Level C1ClassicsThackerayExplore the paradoxes of English character and genius through an insightful examination of Thackeray’s life and legacy, revealing how truth is often grasped by the wrong end and ho…
Level C1ClassicsThackerayExplore the life of a renowned English writer whose journey from a challenging childhood in India to literary fame is revealed through anecdotes and personal reflections, illuminat…
Level C1HistoricalTh' History o' Haworth Railway: fra' th' beginnin' to th' end, wi' an ackaant o' th' oppnin' serrimonyIn a quaint Yorkshire town long overlooked, locals rally to build a railway that will bring progress and connection to their remote city.
Level C1RomanceTetherstonesIn a sunlit cathedral garden, Frances Thorold wrestles with the dullness of her life and the weight of unseen chains, until a charming stranger disrupts her solitude with wit and c…
Level C1ClassicsTestimony of the Sonnets as to the Authorship of the Shakespearean Plays and PoemsExplore a provocative analysis suggesting the Shakespearean Sonnets were penned not by Shakespeare himself, but by a hidden poet whose intimate emotions and struggles are unveiled…
Level C1Children'sTess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure WomanA young woman’s journey challenges society’s harsh judgments and explores the complex truths beneath a well-known tragedy, revealing the resilience and spirit that persist beyond c…
Level C1ClassicsTerryAn introverted bacteriology lecturer endures the awkwardness of a high-society dinner party, revealing the quiet struggles behind a reserved exterior in a world of dazzling persona…
Level C1MysteryTerror keepIn the eerie confines of Broadmoor Asylum, the infamous John Flack, a genius criminal confined for nine murders, has penned a vast encyclopedia of crime—an obsession that could unl…
Level C1PoetryTerrible Tractoration, and Other PoemsDive into a sharp-witted satire where Dr.
Level C1MysteryTeresa of Watling Street: A Fantasia on Modern ThemesIn the bustling heart of London's financial district, a determined young specialist steps into a powerful bank's directors' parlour, poised on the brink of a life-changing opportun…
Level C1ClassicsTerence's Andrian, a comedy, in five actsIn ancient Athens, tangled romances and mistaken identities collide in a witty comedy where love and social customs challenge youthful hearts and clever minds alike.
Level C1ClassicsTenterhooksIn a London flat, family dynamics unfold around the birth of Aspasia Matilda, a child whose name sparks playful rivalry and subtle tensions.
Level C1PoetryTennyson's Life and Poetry: And Mistakes Concerning TennysonExplore the life and works of Alfred Tennyson through a comprehensive study that uncovers errors in previous biographies and offers accurate insights into his poetry and personal h…
Level C1ClassicsTennyson and his friendsStep into the intimate world of a family shaped by love, discipline, and the shadow of loss, as recollections unfold from childhood memories, schooling, and the steadfast presence…
Level C1PoetryTennysonExplore the delicate harmony between art and nature through the eyes of a poet who captures beauty not in raw wilderness but in the crafted elegance of human creation, amid a world…
Level C1ClassicsTennessee's PartnerIn a lawless California mining camp, a self-appointed justice system grapples with crime and order amid the gold rush chaos.
Level C1ClassicsTen minute storiesLost on a mysterious moorland, a weary traveler follows an unsettling path where strange signs, cryptic encounters, and hidden forces blur reality—drawing him into a secret world n…
Level C1AdventureTen Years LaterA decade after their legendary exploits, D’Artagnan and the three musketeers navigate new intrigues and shifting loyalties amid the turbulent reign of Louis XIV, where friendship a…
Level C1ClassicsTen Thousand a-Year. Volume 3.In a small English town suddenly caught in a fierce election battle, rival candidates wage a strategic and colorful campaign amid political intrigue, shifting alliances, and unexpe…
Level C1ClassicsTen Thousand a-Year. Volume 2.In a riveting legal battle over a disputed estate, cunning lawyers navigate courtroom tactics, forged deeds, and high-stakes consequences.
Level C1ClassicsTen Thousand a-Year. Volume 1.A young shopman wakes in a cramped London attic, facing the weariness of daily toil and the promise of a life beyond his modest means.
Level C1ClassicsTen TalesExplore ten vivid tales of humble lives and quiet struggles, from poignant sacrifices to subtle moments of daily grace, set against the backdrop of Parisian streets and heartfelt h…
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.