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 Bag of DiamondsIn a fog-shrouded London street, a policeman stumbles upon a mysterious trio carrying an injured, bearded man near a doctor's surgery, where secrets and danger lurk in the shadows…
Level C1Children'sThe Bad Family & Other StoriesIn a neighborhood where two families stand side by side, one is known as the Good Family and the other the Bad Family, whose six mischievous children—each with a troublesome trait—…
Level C1RomanceThe Bachelors: A NovelTwo unlikely friends—a reserved lawyer and a dynamic businessman—forge a deep bond amid club life and social expectations, exploring the complexities of friendship and bachelorhood…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babylonian Story of the Deluge as Told by Assyrian Tablets from Nineveh: The Discovery of the Tablets at Nineveh by Layard, Rassam and SmithUnearth the lost library of the Temple of Nebo at Nineveh, revealed through the excavation of ancient Assyrian tablets that shed light on a civilization's history, culture, and the…
Level C1PoetryThe Babes in the Wood: One of R. Caldecott's Picture BooksWhimsical verses and charming illustrations bring to life beloved nursery rhymes and playful tales, inviting readers of all ages to laugh and explore a world of imagination and hum…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babees' Book: Medieval Manners for the Young: Done into Modern EnglishExplore the intricate codes of medieval English manners, customs, and social rituals, revealing the origins of chivalry and courtesy through vivid treatises translated into modern…
Level C1ClassicsThe Babe, B.A. : being the uneventful history of a young gentleman at Cambridge UniversityA young undergraduate navigates the ordinary yet chaotic life of Cambridge University, where cricket, football mishaps, and academic trials shape the uneventful but spirited days o…
Level C1PoetryThe Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a SavoyardA witty collection of humorous and whimsical ballads and songs, accompanied by lively illustrations, blending clever satire with charming storytelling.
Level C1AdventureThe Aztec Treasure-HouseA dedicated scholar embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind ancient Aztec mysteries, facing danger and revolution as he seeks the legendary treasure hidden deep w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ayrshire Legatees; Or, The Pringle FamilyWhen Dr.
Level C1HistoricalThe Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern EnglishA medieval guide reveals the Ten Commandments' spiritual meaning and the path to repentance, urging readers to cleanse their conscience and live in harmony with divine law.
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening: (The Resurrection)In the oppressive confines of a city jail, a young woman named Maslova prepares to face trial, embodying the harsh clash between nature's renewal and human cruelty in a world blind…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening, and Selected Short StoriesIn a vibrant coastal retreat, a woman begins to question the confines of her marriage and the roles imposed on her, as her restless spirit stirs beneath the surface of everyday lif…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening of Spring: A Tragedy of ChildhoodAdolescents grapple with the harsh realities of ignorance and societal repression in a stark exploration of youthful innocence confronted by natural instincts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening of Helena RichieIn a small town marked by secrets and solitude, a widow's quiet life stirs curiosity as a doctor seeks a home for an orphaned boy.
Level C1MysteryThe AvengerA tense midnight confrontation unfolds when a distinguished woman unexpectedly intrudes into Herbert Wrayson's apartment, armed with a mysterious key and a hidden agenda.
Level C1MysteryThe Avalanche: A Mystery StoryIn post-earthquake San Francisco, Price Ruyler senses a hidden secret behind his wife's sudden change in temperament and guarded past, revealing a tangled mystery beneath the city'…
Level C1FantasyThe Automaton Ear, and Other SketchesAn inventor becomes obsessed with capturing all the sounds ever made by creating a device that can hear the inaudible vibrations lingering in the air.
Level C1PoetryThe Autocrat of the Breakfast-TableEngage in witty, philosophical conversations at the breakfast table where the Autocrat shares sharp observations on life, language, and learning, blending humor and intellect in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of an Ex-Colored ManBorn into a post-Civil War South, a fair-complexioned Black boy navigates the complex, often painful realities of race in America, uncovering hidden truths about identity, prejudic…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Super-TrampExperience the candid journey of a man living on society's edges, whose simple, poetic reflections reveal the raw truths of a life spent wandering as a super-tramp, untouched by li…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a SlanderIn a sleepy town where gossip reigns, a scandalous slander comes to life, weaving through social intrigues and whispered secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Play: Papers on Play-Making, IIExplore the art of play-making through the meticulous craft and human insight of a pioneering American dramatist, revealing how thoughtful construction and deep sympathy shape comp…
Level C1HistoricalThe Autobiography of a Journalist, Volume IIAmid a cholera outbreak and strict quarantines, a determined consul navigates political intrigue and local tyranny in Crete, confronting a ruthless pasha while asserting justice in…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Journalist, Volume IA journalist reflects on his life’s journey from strict New England Puritan roots to intellectual freedom, sharing personal and public experiences that shaped his unique perspectiv…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of Mark Rutherford, Edited by his friend Reuben ShapcottA reflective soul wrestles with the weight of lofty ambitions and the pursuit of happiness amid ordinary life’s demands.
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of Goethe: Truth and Poetry: From My Own LifeJourney through a lifetime of poetic creation and self-reflection as a renowned artist arranges his works chronologically, revealing the passions, influences, and intellectual purs…
Level C1PoetryThe Authoress of the Odyssey: Where and when she wrote, who she was, the use she made of the Iliad, and how the poem grew under her handsUncover the mystery behind the Odyssey’s creation, exploring who the poetess was, where and when she composed this epic, and how it evolved from the Iliad’s legacy through a detail…
Level C1ClassicsThe Author's CraftA young, naive puppy’s fatal encounter with a motor-bus sparks a quiet spectacle of public opinion, authority, and human indifference on the streets of Fulham Road.
Level C1ClassicsThe Author of BeltraffioA young American writer nervously seeks out the elusive and brilliant author of "Beltraffio," hoping for insight into art and genius during an intimate visit in the English country…
Level C1ClassicsThe Auction BlockA family faces tough choices as political ambitions clash with small-town loyalties, pushing them toward a new life in the bustling, corrupt world of New York politics.
Level C1HistoricalThe Attic theatreExplore the rich history of ancient Athenian drama through the lens of its theatrical practice, uncovering insights from inscriptions, ruins, and art that reveal the cultural and p…
Level C1RomanceThe Attic Guest: A NovelIn a quaint Virginian town preparing to host an important religious gathering, a young woman balances youthful excitement with family concerns over the mysterious "attic guest"—an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Attack on the Mill, and Other Sketches of WarAmid the grim realities of war, vivid sketches reveal moments of haunting terror, raw humanity, and the clash between youthful idealism and harsh survival.
Level C1ClassicsThe Attaché; or, Sam Slick in England — CompleteAn outspoken Canadian wit arrives in England, offering sharp political views and quirky humor as he navigates new social landscapes.
Level C1HistoricalThe Athenian ConstitutionExplore the intense struggle between aristocracy and oppressed masses in ancient Athens, revealing the origins of its political offices, laws, and the rise of Solon as a champion o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 3/3A determined boy confronts his mother to uncover his family's tangled past, revealing secrets of forgery, betrayal, and a disgraced lord poised for political power.
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 2/3Two young girls step into the enchanting world of a riverside villa, captivated by its beauty and the mysterious guests within.
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 1/3Two sisters, alike in dress but distinct in spirit, navigate the bustling streets of suburban London, their innocence and differences unfolding amid everyday life and family ties.
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. CompleteTwo sisters, alike in dress but strikingly different in spirit and beauty, navigate life’s modest challenges in a bustling London suburb.
Level C1ClassicsThe Atheist's MassA brilliant surgeon renowned for his scientific genius and staunch atheism confronts the mysteries of life and death with unyielding skepticism, challenging the very nature of the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'Explore the celestial wonders woven into a timeless epic as ancient astronomy illuminates Milton’s cosmic vision.
Level C1ClassicsThe Astonishing History of Troy TownIn a genteel seaside town thriving on tradition and propriety, social rituals and whispered scandals shape the lives of its inhabitants.
Level C1ClassicsThe Associate HermitsA young couple defies tradition by refusing a wedding trip, proposing instead that their parents take the honeymoon journey while they begin married life at home.
Level C1HistoricalThe Assassination of Christopher Marlowe (A New View)In turbulent Elizabethan London, the arrest of playwright Thomas Kyd on charges of atheism sparks a dangerous web of political intrigue, jealousy, and ambition that threatens the c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Aspirations of Jean ServienBorn into humble beginnings and nurtured by a mother's lofty dreams, Jean Servien navigates a life shaped by family ties and quiet struggles in a Parisian neighborhood.
Level C1ClassicsThe Aspern PapersA determined scholar schemes to live as a lodger in a reclusive Venetian palace to uncover the elusive, priceless letters of the celebrated poet Jeffrey Aspern, guarded by two prou…
Level C1MysteryThe Ashiel mysteryAs Sir Arthur Byrne battles a mysterious illness and seeks healing at the spa town of Vichy, he becomes captivated by the enchanting widow Mrs.
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.