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 C1MysteryThe Champdoce MysteryTravel through the French countryside reveals the imposing ruins of the Champdoce estate and its eccentric duke, whose pride and past cast a shadow of mystery and tension over his…
Level C1ClassicsThe Champagne StandardAmidst stormy nights and restless seas, a writer wrestles with inspiration, only to encounter a mysterious black cat whose presence hints at secrets deeper than mere words—a whimsi…
Level C1ClassicsThe ChallonersIn a serene English summer, Helen Challoner finds solace in forbidden books and quiet rebellion, while her brother Martin offers a contrasting carefree spirit—together, they naviga…
Level C1RomanceThe Chalice Of Courage: A Romance of ColoradoIn the rugged Colorado canyons, a sudden, heart-stopping scream shatters a man's careless ride, launching him into a desperate search for a fallen woman whose fate hangs on a peril…
Level C1HistoricalThe Chaldean Magician: An Adventure in Rome in the Reign of the Emperor DiocletianIn the twilight of ancient Rome, two friends from different worlds reunite amid the bustling city’s fading light.
Level C1HistoricalThe Chainbearer; Or, The Littlepage ManuscriptsAmid rising tensions over land rights and deep-rooted prejudices, a family's manuscripts reveal the unfolding conflicts shaping their country’s future, exploring justice, liberty,…
Level C1Science FictionThe Certainty of a Future Life in Mars: Being the Posthumous Papers of Bradford Torrey DoddAfter years of scientific study and personal tragedy, a man uncovers astonishing wireless messages revealing evidence of life beyond Earth—on Mars.
Level C1HistoricalThe Centurion's StoryAn aged Roman centurion recounts the harrowing day he led the procession of a condemned man—Jesus of Nazareth—through Jerusalem’s crowded streets to Golgotha, witnessing the clash…
Level C1Science FictionThe Centaurians: a novelA wealthy heir returns to his ancestral lands, burdened by a mysterious cursed jewel that has brought fortune—and heartbreak—to his family for centuries.
Level C1ClassicsThe CentaurA mysterious stranger with an overwhelming presence captivates a curious wanderer, sparking a journey beyond civilization’s confines into the wild, where the boundaries between spi…
Level C1ClassicsThe CelibatesDive into the intertwined tales of Parisian bachelors and old maids, where sharp social observations and complex characters reveal the quirks and challenges of celibate life amid b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Celebrity, CompleteA rising young lawyer, once unremarkable, suddenly bursts into literary fame with a collection of intriguing short stories that captivate society’s elite.
Level C1ClassicsThe Caxtons: A Family Picture — CompleteA thoughtful family portrait unfolds through the eyes of Pisistratus, a young man whose restless energy captures the spirit of youth and the quest for meaning beyond the familiar h…
Level C1HistoricalThe Cavalry GeneralExplore the rigorous duties and strategic insights of an Athenian cavalry general, from maintaining horses and training troopers to enforcing discipline and inspiring loyalty, all…
Level C1RomanceThe Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 2 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionIn a tempest as wild as his own tormented soul, a desperate rider defies nature’s fury and fate itself, plunging into a world of madness and rebellion.
Level C1RomanceThe Cavaliers of Virginia, vol. 1 of 2: or, The Recluse of Jamestown; An historical romance of the Old DominionIn the turbulent wake of Cromwell's death and the Restoration of Charles II, Jamestown becomes a battleground of rival factions—Cavaliers and Roundheads—clashing amid political int…
Level C1HistoricalThe Cavalier Songs and Ballads of England from 1642 to 1684Explore the fiery loyalty and spirited wit of Cavalier ballads that fueled royalist hearts during England’s tumultuous 17th-century conflicts, revealing the passions and politics s…
Level C1RomanceThe CavalierAmid the chaos of a Confederate cavalry camp in Mississippi, a young soldier grapples with duty, dreams, and unexpected encounters when a strikingly elegant lady from New Orleans c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Cattle-Baron's DaughterAmid the scorching heat of New York, Hetty Torrance, a self-reliant daughter of a wealthy cattle baron, faces a life-changing decision between love, wealth, and independence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cathedral: A NovelIn a storm-wracked cathedral town, Archdeacon Brandon commands respect and wields power with the confidence of a man destined to rule.
Level C1ClassicsThe CathedralIn a wind-swept French town, a man finds solace in the shadowy forest near Chartres Cathedral, where silent processions and sacred mysteries intertwine with visions of the Virgin M…
Level C1AdventureThe Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient EgyptIn ancient Egypt, a young prince finds himself caught in a dangerous web of war, loyalty, and sacred traditions—where even the accidental killing of a cat can mean death, and the f…
Level C1HorrorThe Castle of OtrantoIn a haunted ancient castle, mysterious supernatural events unfold, including the appearance of a giant armored hand, plunging noble families into terror and dark secrets.
Level C1FantasyThe Castle of Ehrenstein: Its Lords Spiritual and Temporal; Its Inhabitants Earthly and UnearthlyA young nobleman braves a stormy night to explore the shadowy, abandoned halls of the ancient Castle of Ehrenstein, uncovering eerie secrets and confronting the whispers of its gho…
Level C1ClassicsThe Castle of Andalusia: A Comic Opera, in Three ActsIn a rugged cavern, a band of merry banditti led by the spirited Don Cæsar revels in freedom and mischief, blending bold camaraderie with comic escapades.
Level C1MysteryThe Castle Of The ShadowsA young woman’s desire to own an idyllic olive grove leads her into a remote, shadowed valley where silence and mystery hang heavy, and an ominous old château watches from the dusk…
Level C1AdventureThe Castle InnIn 1767, a mysterious young lord arrives at a bustling inn near Oxford, setting the stage for intrigue, duels, and high-stakes adventure amidst the colorful characters and restless…
Level C1AdventureThe CastawaysA recovering naval officer embarks on the clipper ship City of Cawnpore, seeking health and renewal on a voyage to Calcutta.
Level C1AdventureThe CastawaysStranded in a small boat on a tropical sea after a shipwreck, six survivors—including a determined captain and his two children—grapple with starvation, despair, and the haunting p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Casque's Lark; or, Victoria, the Mother of the CampsAmid the decline of Roman power, the fierce clash between the invading Franks and the native Gauls unfolds in a saga of struggle, freedom, and the dawn of Christianity.
Level C1MysteryThe Cask of AmontilladoBeneath the carnival's revelry, a wine connoisseur is lured into the eerie Montresor catacombs by a friend whose chilling promise of rare Amontillado hides a deadly secret.
Level C1HistoricalThe Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.Delve into a profound cultural clash as a devoted disciple confronts the artist he once idolized, challenging the very ideals that shaped European art and society.
Level C1MysteryThe Case of SummerfieldIn 1871 San Francisco buzzes with a chilling tale of secret power—could a man wield potassium to set water aflame and threaten the world’s destruction?
Level C1ClassicsThe Case of Richard MeynellIn a village shaped by the powerful State Church and rising religious tensions, Richard Meynell confronts the clash between ancient faith and modern thought, exploring the struggle…
Level C1ClassicsThe Case of General Ople and Lady CamperA retired general finds solace in a quaint English estate, only to be intrigued by the arrival of an eccentric, wealthy lady next door whose aloofness challenges his military pride…
Level C1Children'sThe Carved CupboardFour sisters face upheaval when their aunt’s home is taken over by a scheming cousin, forcing them to choose between independence and unity as they plan a new life together away fr…
Level C1AdventureThe Carpet from BagdadA young man torn between practical business sense and vivid imagination navigates the world of Oriental rugs and his own identity, caught between tradition and dreams in a tale of…
Level C1HistoricalThe Carlovingian Coins; Or, The Daughters of Charlemagne: A Tale of the Ninth CenturyIn the twilight of Charlemagne's empire, a venerable Breton warrior and his young grandson journey to Aix-la-Chapelle amid shifting power and conquest, embodying the fierce clash b…
Level C1RomanceThe Career of Katherine BushA sharp-minded typist from a modest background navigates the complexities of class and ambition in Edwardian London, using her wit and charm to explore a world far beyond her stati…
Level C1ClassicsThe Career of ClaudiaA young woman arrives alone at her cousins’ quiet country home, expecting warmth but finding unexpected solitude.
Level C1RomanceThe Cardinal's snuff-boxAmid the serene Italian landscape, Peter finds himself enchanted by a mysterious, elegant woman—the landlady of a grand castle—whose presence stirs his heart and sets the stage for…
Level C1MysteryThe Cardinal MothIn a lavish London orchid-house, Sir Clement Frobisher, a wealthy and audacious man with a shadowy past, awaits a mysterious visitor whose arrival could unravel secrets beneath the…
Level C1AdventureThe Card, a Story of Adventure in the Five TownsIn the gritty Five Towns, Denry Machin’s audacious spirit and quick wit set him on an unconventional path from schoolboy trickery to social ambition, intersecting with the enigmati…
Level C1ClassicsThe Carcellini Emerald, With Other TalesIn New York’s elite circles, Ashton Carmichael reigns as a captivating yet mysterious social dictator, wielding influence despite his obscure origins and modest living.
Level C1HistoricalThe CarbonelsIn 1822, newly inherited Greenhow Farm becomes home to the Carbonel cousins as they navigate rural life, repairs, and social challenges, all while uncovering the quirks and hardshi…
Level C1ClassicsThe CaptivesWhen the Reverend Charles Cardinal suddenly collapses, his daughter Maggie must confront the mysteries that surround his death and the arrival of her troubled Uncle Mathew, reveali…
Level C1AdventureThe Captain's Toll-GateSet sail on a thrilling adventure with daring pirates, secret loves, and historic buccaneers as a captivating tale unfolds along the rugged coasts, blending humor, romance, and dan…
Level C1AdventureThe Captain of the Wight: A Romance of Carisbrooke Castle in 1488Amid the turbulent dawn of the Renaissance, a noble knight rises as Captain of the Isle of Wight, leading fearless men through chivalrous battles and courtly intrigue in 1488 Engla…
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.