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 Beaux-StratagemTwo charming rogues devise a clever scheme to marry rich women and escape their debts, sparking a whirlwind of wit, deception, and romance that unfolds in a single, lively day and…
Level C1RomanceThe Beauty and the BolshevistA passionate socialist editor faces a personal and political dilemma when his brother announces engagement to the daughter of a wealthy capitalist.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beauty Of The VillageIn the quaint village of Aberleigh, Hannah Colson reigns as the undeniable beauty, adored yet spoiled by family and neighbors alike.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beautiful and DamnedA young man, heir to a vast fortune and burdened by high society's expectations, grapples with irony, honor, and his place in a world teetering between grandeur and decay.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beautiful Wretch; The Pupil of Aurelius; and The Four MacnicolsSeventeen-year-old Nan Beresford, dubbed the "Beautiful Wretch" for her sharp wit and independent spirit, wanders the serene English coast, navigating the challenges of youth, fami…
Level C1RomanceThe Beautiful Miss BrookeAt a lively ballroom, Paul Middleton finds himself reluctantly dancing with the enigmatic and stunning Miss Brooke, an American heiress whose presence stirs intrigue and challenges…
Level C1ClassicsThe Beautiful LadyA young Neapolitan actor's dreams of the stage are dashed, forcing him into a humiliating role as a living billboard in the heart of Paris.
Level C1FantasyThe Beautiful Eyes of YsidriaBeneath the shadow of Tamalpais, a young botanist returns to his California rancho, where superstition and herbal magic collide.
Level C1FantasyThe Beasts of TarzanTarzan faces a new nightmare when his wife’s plea reveals their infant son has been kidnapped, plunging him into a desperate quest to outwit a ruthless enemy recently escaped from…
Level C1ClassicsThe Beast in the JungleA man attends a grand estate tour, where a chance encounter with a mysterious woman stirs a forgotten past and unspoken tensions, setting the stage for a haunting exploration of me…
Level C1AdventureThe Beach of Dreams: A RomanceAmidst the harsh life aboard the Albatross, two sailors wrestle with bitter memories and simmering resentments as the ship battles treacherous seas en route from Cape Town to Melbo…
Level C1AdventureThe Battle of the Strong: A Romance of Two Kingdoms — CompleteAmidst the tightly woven traditions of the Channel Island of Jersey, a gripping romance unfolds, where characters struggle against the weight of centuries-old customs, sparking a f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Battle of the Books, and other Short PiecesAmidst a fierce literary quarrel between defenders of Ancient and Modern writers, a sharp-witted scholar navigates rivalries with wit and satire.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of TalaveraAmid the ancient city of Talavera, battered by centuries of war, a fierce battle unfolds between vastly outnumbered British and Spanish forces against the elite French army.
Level C1ClassicsThe Battle of LifeAmidst the peaceful English countryside lies a forgotten battlefield, where nature thrives over the scars of a fierce and bloody fight.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of Hexham; or, Days of Old: a play in three actsAmid the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses, a disguised heroine braves perilous roads and uncertain loyalties to reach the camp of Henry VI.
Level C1FantasyThe Battle of DorkingWhen secret annexations ignite war, an unprepared Britain faces devastating invasion and military defeat on its own soil, revealing a nation caught between complacency and urgent p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of Bunkers-HillAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, this dramatic play captures the fierce spirit and heroic struggle of patriots during the Battle of Bunker's Hill, offering a vivid glim…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle GroundIn a Southern landscape shadowed by slavery and change, children navigate innocence and harsh realities—where whispers of conjuring, lost lives, and fading plantations stir the air…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battaile of AgincourtAmidst the echoes of England’s storied past, this epic poem vividly recounts the fierce and fateful Battle of Agincourt, capturing the valor and national pride that shaped a pivota…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bath Keepers; Or, Paris in Those Days, v.2: (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VIII)In a stormy Paris night, Ambroisine confronts the turmoil of family strife and unexpected visitors, revealing a world of hardship, loyalty, and secrets among the city's bath keeper…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bath Keepers; Or, Paris in Those Days, v.1: (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII)In 1634 Paris, where superstition rules and nightly dangers lurk in darkened streets, a young man navigates a city where duels, thieves, and rigid social codes shape every encounte…
Level C1RomanceThe Bath ComedyIn the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where wit, gallantry, and high society collide, a cast of charming characters navigate love, scandal, and social intrigue amid the refined ple…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76As American forces advance through Canada in 1775, young militia officer Roderick Hardinge stands vigilant atop Quebec’s citadel, determined to defend the city and prove his comrad…
Level C1Children'sThe Basket of FlowersIn a distant village long ago, a devoted gardener’s daughter finds joy and purpose in tending flowers alongside her father, learning life’s deepest lessons of faith, love, and resi…
Level C1Children'sThe Basket Woman: A Book of Indian Tales for ChildrenExplore enchanting tales where nature and myth intertwine, revealing how children perceive the living spirit in trees, streams, and animals.
Level C1RomanceThe Bashful Lover (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIX)At a grand 1818 wedding, a seasoned sixty-nine-year-old marquis marries the forty-four-year-old Aménaïde, a woman whose heart remains untouched by love.
Level C1ClassicsThe Barton ExperimentIn a small town united against alcohol, a grand temperance meeting brings together clergy, citizens, and reformers for a stirring call to battle King Alcohol.
Level C1RomanceThe Barrier: A NovelIn a New England city ruled by old money and a ruthless political boss, a young reform-minded businessman faces betrayal and loss, threatening both his career and the woman he love…
Level C1ClassicsThe Baronet's Bride; Or, A Woman's VengeanceIn a grand estate shadowed by impending tragedy, Sir Jasper Kingsland faces a harrowing night as his wife lies gravely ill, forcing him to confront his past and the weight of his o…
Level C1PoetryThe Baron's Yule Feast: A Christmas RhymeStep into a medieval world where ancient ruins inspire tales of romance, feudal power, and festive celebration.
Level C1ClassicsThe Baritone's Parish; or, "All Things to All Men"In a city church where pulpit and choir rarely connect, the new baritone singer forms an unexpected bond with the pastor, revealing the complex harmony between music, faith, and pe…
Level C1HistoricalThe Barber of ParisIn a rain-soaked, crime-ridden Paris of 1632, a mysterious barber returns home under the shadow of danger and intrigue.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Banquet (Il Convito)Explore a profound feast of medieval philosophy where human desire for knowledge meets divine love, revealing the soul’s quest for truth amid the limits of earthly understanding an…
Level C1PoetryThe Banks of Wye: A PoemA spirited journey unfolds along the wild and scenic Wye River, where nature’s beauty and historic castles inspire poetic reflections.
Level C1PoetryThe Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent.: A Poem, addressed to a friend, with other piecesA man reflects on his descent from youthful folly and reckless spending into the harsh realities of bankruptcy, exploring the painful process of debt, disgrace, and the hope for re…
Level C1RomanceThe Banished: A Swabian Historical TaleIn sixteenth-century Swabia, a stirring historical tale unfolds amid vivid national customs and dramatic events, inviting readers to explore a land of picturesque beauty and deep-r…
Level C1RomanceThe Bandolero; Or, A Marriage among the MountainsIn a city ruled by corrupt clergy and shadowed by majestic mountains, weary invaders arrive expecting battle but find a complex world of intrigue and forbidden romance.
Level C1MysteryThe BandboxAn American writer in London longs for home but finds himself drawn into a mysterious adventure when he crosses paths with a shadowy figure at a crowded steamship booking office.
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire: Transcribed from Private Manuscripts, Rare Broadsides, and Scarce Publications; with Notes and a GlossaryDiscover a rich collection of Yorkshire's ballads and songs, drawn from rare manuscripts and broadsides, capturing tales from historic battles to legendary abbeys, all preserved wi…
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads & Songs of Derbyshire: With Illustrative Notes, and Examples of the Original Music, etc.Discover over fifty rare and intriguing ballads and songs rooted in Derbyshire’s history, brought to life with notes on their origins and performances by local minstrels like the l…
Level C1HistoricalThe BalladistsExplore the mysterious origins and timeless passion of Scottish ballads, where nameless poets capture fateful love and sorrow beneath open skies, weaving songs that echo through ge…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ballad of the White HorseA legendary King Alfred faces the dark forces threatening his land, blending myth and history in a stirring tale of courage, faith, and the enduring power of tradition amidst the c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ball at SceauxA steadfast royalist and war hero struggles to reclaim his lost honor and fortune in post-revolutionary France, only to face cold indifference and political intrigue at the royal c…
Level C1FantasyThe Ball and the CrossSoaring above the earth in a fantastical flying ship, a brilliant inventor and a wise, holy monk embark on a journey that pits scientific skepticism against ancient faith, explorin…
Level C1RomanceThe Bakhtyār Nāma: A Persian RomanceDive into the captivating world of Prince Bakhtyār, where grounded tales of love and adventure unfold without the usual magic and extravagance of Eastern romances.
Level C1PoetryThe Bakchesarian Fountain and Other PoemsIn a secluded harem ruled by a ruthless eunuch, captive beauties endure a life of sorrow and silence, while Khan Giray grapples with a mysterious anguish that shadows his once prou…
Level C1RomanceThe BagpipersAmid the rustic backdrop of 18th-century Berry, a humble peasant named Étienne Depardieu recounts the vivid tales and heartfelt adventures of his youth, revealing the wisdom and pa…
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.