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 C1HistoricalTwo Little ConfederatesIn the quiet Virginia plantation of Oakland, two young boys, Frank and Willy, navigate childhood adventures and the looming shadow of war.
Level C1AdventureTwo Knapsacks: A Novel of Canadian Summer LifeTwo bachelors, united by a love of literature and science, seek escape from city life for a tranquil summer filled with fishing, friendship, and adventure.
Level C1MysteryTwo Ghostly Mysteries: A Chapter in the History of a Tyrone Family; and the Murdered CousinA young woman recounts the eerie disappearance of her ailing sister during a journey home, unraveling dark family secrets and mysterious events in the quiet countryside of Tyrone.
Level C1AdventureTwo Gallant Sons of Devon: A Tale of the Days of Queen BessTwo young men of Devon—an imaginative apothecary’s assistant and a strong, practical shipwright apprentice—set out one summer evening for a simple sail that soon plunges them into…![Cover of Two Dyaloges (c. 1549): Wrytten in laten by the famous clerke, D. Erasm[us] of Roterodame, one called Polyphemus or the gospeller, the other dysposyng of thynges and names, translated in to Englyshe by Edmonde Becke. by Desiderius Erasmus](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6p00a2orus73fpjq2g.webp)
Level C1PhilosophyTwo Dyaloges (c. 1549): Wrytten in laten by the famous clerke, D. Erasm[us] of Roterodame, one called Polyphemus or the gospeller, the other dysposyng of thynges and names, translated in to Englyshe by Edmonde Becke.In a lively exchange between Poliphemus and Cannius, the nature of language, names, and scripture sparks thoughtful debate, inviting readers into a witty philosophical dialogue on…
Level C1ClassicsTwo College FriendsTwo college friends navigate the complexities of loyalty and secrecy when one hides a budding romance, stirring jealousy and concern.
Level C1ClassicsTwin Tales: Are All Men Alike, and, The Lost TitianA spirited young heiress chafes against the stifling expectations of her wealthy world, craving freedom and adventure beyond the gilded cage of high society.
Level C1ClassicsTwilight sleepIn a whirlwind of New York society’s relentless schedules and social causes, a young woman navigates her demanding mother’s tireless activism and the restless energy of youth seeki…
Level C1ClassicsTwilightSeeking solitude to escape illness and intrusive loved ones, a woman rents a shabby seaside house where she discovers mysterious letters and diaries hinting at haunting secrets.
Level C1HistoricalTwice-Told TalesIn a tense New England gripped by tyranny under King James II, townspeople gather amid fear and whispered rebellion as Governor Andros parades his troops, stirring a silent but pow…
Level C1ClassicsTwice Killed: A Farce in One ActA lovestruck suitor plots a daring rescue to reach his secret beloved hidden behind guarded windows, while a devoted servant schemes to win his own sweetheart with an unusual gift.
Level C1ClassicsTwenty-six and One, and Other StoriesImmerse yourself in vivid tales drawn from the harsh realities of a baker's cellar and the wandering life of tramps, where raw human struggles and resilience unfold with unflinchin…
Level C1Children'sTwenty-Two GoblinsA mighty king uncovers a hidden world of goblins and magic when a mysterious monk leads him to a haunted cemetery and a laughing corpse.
Level C1ClassicsTwenty-Three Stories by Twenty and Three AuthorsA solitary visitor explores the hauntingly majestic, centuries-old manor of Kerfol, where silence and shadowed history weigh heavily in the autumn light.
Level C1HistoricalTwentieth Century French Writers: Reviews and ReminiscencesExplore the vibrant literary landscape of early 20th-century France, where bold new voices challenge tradition and reflect a nation divided between conservative and avant-garde ide…
Level C1HistoricalTwelve TypesExplore the fierce, unvarnished truths beneath Victorian society through the lives and works of the Brontës, where outward appearances mask profound inner passions and the raw esse…
Level C1Science FictionTwelve Stories and a DreamA brilliant but overlooked scientist races against time and rivals to perfect a revolutionary flying machine that promises to change warfare and human life forever.
Level C1ClassicsTwelve MenAmid the backdrop of 1890s America, Peter emerges as a spirited, unconventional artist who embraces life's contradictions with humor and insight, challenging societal norms and fin…
Level C1MysteryTutt and Mr. TuttIn a bustling law office, two partners face a chilling confession: a client who openly admits to murder and shows no remorse.
Level C1Children'sTurquoise and RubyAt an elite girls' school famed for its noble education, Nora defies expectations by refusing the coveted role of Helen of Troy, sparking tensions as the annual prize distribution…
Level C1Children'sTurns of Fortune, and Other TalesIn a cold, shadowed room, Sarah Bond tends to her ailing father, their modest life marked by hardship and quiet resilience.
Level C1AdventureTurned AdriftA swift, sleek clipper races against time to secure a monopoly on the London-Natal passenger trade, but when a mysterious burning scent spreads aboard, the crew must confront dange…
Level C1Children'sTurkish fairy tales and folk talesIn a desert where survival seems impossible, a prince transforms into a stag after drinking a mysterious puddle, forcing him and his sister to navigate a strange new life together.
Level C1PoetryTurkish Literature; Comprising Fables, Belles-lettres, and Sacred TraditionsExplore the rich tapestry of Turkish literature through fables, poetry, and sacred traditions shaped by the vibrant cultural crossroads of Constantinople.
Level C1ClassicsTurgenev: A StudyExplore the profound humanity and timeless emotions captured in the life and works of a Russian artist whose delicate portrayal of love and character reveals the soul of a nation a…
Level C1ClassicsTurandot: The Chinese SphinxIn imperial Peking, Prince Kalaf returns from exile to find Turandot, the deadly princess who challenges her suitors with riddles—failure means death.
Level C1HistoricalTumbleweedsAs settlers surge westward, old Joe Hinman reflects on the vast untamed lands still barred by ancient treaties, while his younger companion faces a choice between chasing fortune e…
Level C1AdventureTuffy Todd's Adventure: A True StoryJoin Tuffy Todd on a thrilling summer adventure in the Catskill Mountains, chronicled through charming verses that capture the real-life excitement and warmth of a memorable vacati…
Level C1PoetryTudor and Stuart Love SongsExplore the passionate and refined love poetry of Tudor and Stuart England, where noblemen inspired by European courtly romance crafted sonnets and verses that capture the timeless…
Level C1ClassicsTubal CainA struggling lawyer faces a crushing career failure and a strained engagement, his health unraveling as he contemplates a desperate change at a remote iron forge.
Level C1RomanceTruxton King: A Story of GraustarkA restless young adventurer returns from exotic travels across Asia and Africa, disillusioned by the absence of true romance in a modern world.![Cover of Truth [Vérité] by Émile Zola](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf7cnoe1ofc73dhc430.webp)
Level C1MysteryTruth [Vérité]In a French school world rife with clerical intrigue, a heinous crime is falsely pinned on a Jewish schoolmaster, unleashing a wave of anti-Semitism fueled by the Roman Catholic Ch…
Level C1RomanceTrusia: A Princess of KrovitchA battle-hardened veteran turned financier reflects on his Cuban campaign and the mysterious past of his loyal valet, whose hidden nobility may unlock secrets amid rising tensions…
Level C1AdventureTrue to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of IndependenceAmid rising tensions on the American frontier in 1774, a young boy is sent westward to learn frontier life and witness the unfolding conflict between loyal British settlers and reb…
Level C1ClassicsTrue to his Colours: The Life that Wears BestIn a village transformed by coal and industry, a skilled yet wayward ironworker wrestles with his scepticism, indulgence, and a self-made code of morality that challenges both fait…
Level C1HistoricalTrue to a Type, Vol. 1 (of 2)In sultry New Orleans, a hopeful young sailor returns after three long years, only to find the home and loved ones he expected changed and shrouded in unsettling silence.
Level C1AdventureTrue TildaA sharp-witted girl recovering in a hospital ward becomes entwined in the mysterious fevered pleas of a bedridden woman, sparking a quest to uncover the identity of the elusive Art…
Level C1HistoricalTrue Stories of History and BiographyAn ancient oak chair carries young listeners through vivid tales of eminent historical figures, blending authentic events with imaginative details that bring the private lives of t…
Level C1RomanceTrue Love: A Story of English Domestic LifeIn a modest English home shadowed by loss and favoritism, two sisters face contrasting destinies—one cherished, the other overlooked—while love and fortune quietly reshape their li…
Level C1Children'sTroublesome Comforts: A Story for ChildrenA lively family embarks on a bustling train journey full of spirited children, playful mischief, and tender moments, capturing the joys and challenges of childhood adventures by th…
Level C1ClassicsTriviaA reflective journey through everyday moments, where quiet village life, nature’s rhythms, and fleeting chances reveal the elusive pursuit of happiness and meaning in an ordinary w…
Level C1ClassicsTriumph of the Egg, and Other StoriesStep into a world where restless tales gather outside the mind’s door, each brimming with raw human longing and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsTristram of Blent: An Episode in the Story of an Ancient HouseAn editor wrestles with revealing a scandalous passage from a deceased friend's diary, uncovering a tale of a young woman whose tangled past and unexpected news promise to upend so…
Level C1HistoricalTrilbyana: The Rise and Progress of a Popular NovelIn the bohemian Latin Quarter of 1850s Paris, a young artist falls for Trilby, a captivating model with a stunning voice yet no ear for music, whose pure heart and mysterious allur…
Level C1RomanceTrilbyIn bustling Paris, a disillusioned soldier turns artist, immersing himself in a vibrant studio filled with art, music, and bohemian charm.
Level C1ClassicsTrifles for the Christmas HolidaysExperience the warmth and bustle of Christmas morning through vivid scenes of joyful children, lively household chatter, and the sweet chaos of holiday traditions, capturing the sp…
Level C1ClassicsTrials and Confessions of a HousekeeperA housekeeper navigates the challenges of modest living, balancing family needs and her longing for beauty, as a mysterious peddler offers to trade cherished china for worn-out clo…
Level C1MysteryTrial of John Jasper, lay precentor of Cloisterham Cathedral in the County of Kent, for the murder of Edwin Drood, engineerIn a stormy Christmas Eve gathering, John Jasper faces trial for the mysterious disappearance and presumed murder of his nephew, Edwin Drood.
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.