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 C1ClassicsPaul Rundel: A NovelIn a mountain village, young Paul Rundel struggles against bullying and harsh family hardships while carrying the weight of his ailing father and a cold mother.
Level C1AdventurePaul Prescott's ChargeA determined boy faces strict discipline and mischievous adventures under the watchful eye of his stern father, while carrying the weight of a solemn charge from his dying parent t…
Level C1ClassicsPaul PatoffA reflective narrator invites you into a tale woven with the restless whispers of the south wind, exploring the tension between youthful hope and the inevitable shadows of aging an…
Level C1ClassicsPaul KelverIn the shadowed streets of London's East End, a worn man revisits a crumbling house that holds memories of a troubled past and faded family hopes.
Level C1AdventurePaul JonesA daring naval commander fights to establish the American navy’s honor during the Revolutionary War, facing overwhelming odds with unmatched skill and bravery.
Level C1AdventurePaul Gosslett's Confessions in Love, Law, and The Civil ServiceAn uneasy mission unfolds as a man skilled in Italian is tasked with negotiating with brigands holding a wealthy baronet’s son hostage in Calabria.
Level C1AdventurePaul Gerrard, the Cabin BoyCaught in a fierce November storm, a young cabin boy aboard the frigate Cerberus navigates the harsh realities and camaraderie of naval life, where loyalty and courage are tested o…
Level C1ClassicsPaul Faber, SurgeonIn a tranquil English countryside, a spirited surgeon and a benevolent rector cross paths, revealing glimpses of their intertwined lives amidst rural charm, humor, and the quiet pu…
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 07Amidst the harsh judgments of the law and the looming shadow of disgrace, Lucy struggles to protect her love and her innocence while powerful forces conspire to control her fate th…
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 06In a world of cunning thieves and sharp wits, a group of rogues revel in their spoils, weaving loyalty and treachery into a dangerous game.
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 05A brooding outlaw navigates secret rendezvous and shadowy plans in a world where loyalty and danger intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsPaul Clifford — Volume 04In a shadowy alehouse, a band of roguish companions plot their next daring exploit, blending wit, rivalry, and ambition as they navigate the blurred lines between gentlemanly charm…
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 03Under the pale moonlight near Warlock, masked horsemen prepare for a daring adventure, their secretive plans shadowed by tension and a mysterious new ally.
Level C1ClassicsPaul Clifford — Volume 01A gripping exploration of crime and punishment unveils the harsh realities of a young man shaped by a corrupt prison system and society’s brutal justice.
Level C1RomancePatsyAn aging earl mourns lost ancestral lands stolen centuries ago, while his grandson, restless and ambitious, dreams of carving his own path beyond the weight of heritage.
Level C1ClassicsPatrins: To Which Is Added an Inquirendo Into the Wit & Other Good Parts of His Late Majesty King Charles the SecondFollow a reflective scholar’s musings on knowledge, youth, and the pursuit of wisdom through poetic wanderings and sharp critique, as he navigates the tensions between learning and…
Level C1AdventurePatrañas; or, Spanish Stories, Legendary and TraditionalA journey to a remote Spanish village turns into an unexpected adventure when a storm traps two travelers in a rustic inn, leading to captivating tales of local legends and the ric…
Level C1ClassicsPaths of JudgementIn a serene yet solitary house surrounded by vibrant gardens and sweeping landscapes, tensions stir between Mrs.
Level C1PoetryPastoral Poems by Nicholas Breton, Selected Poetry by George Wither, and Pastoral Poetry by William Browne (of Tavistock)Immerse yourself in the tender world of pastoral poetry, where love, nature, and rustic joys intertwine through the heartfelt verses of Breton, Wither, and Browne, capturing the se…
Level C1Science FictionPastoral AffairOn a desolate Arabian island, Colonel Glinka searches for the elusive Sidi Doctor Stephens amid wary locals and harsh landscapes, uncovering a strange microcosm where survival and…
Level C1HistoricalPastiche and prejudiceExplore the delicate art of literary pastiche as theatrical imitators attempt to revive Sheridan’s classic characters, blending historical style with modern theatrical nuances in a…
Level C1ClassicsPaste JewelsA newlywed couple embarks on married life with high hopes, only to discover that managing household servants—each with their own quirks and loyalties—poses unexpected challenges th…
Level C1PhilosophyPast and Present: Thomas Carlyle's Collected Works, Vol. XIII.England thrives with wealth and industry, yet millions of workers languish in workhouses, trapped by a mysterious curse that forbids them from benefiting from their own labor.
Level C1PhilosophyPast and PresentExploring England’s social and political woes, a powerful thinker confronts the nation’s illusions and calls for honesty, labor dignity, and a new nobility born from work.
Level C1ClassicsPast Redemption: A Drama in Four ActsIn a rustic barn under moonlight, farmers and young women gather for a husking, where lively banter reveals budding romances, rivalries, and the art of courting amidst the simple r…
Level C1ClassicsPassion fruitIn the tropical harbor of Noumea, a charming young officer’s chance encounter with the enigmatic Ribot sisters—beautiful twins with a mysterious past—unfolds amid lingering passion…
Level C1ClassicsPassamaquoddy TextsExplore the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Passamaquoddy and Maliseet peoples of Maine and New Brunswick through their unique language, wampum records, and oral tradi…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the French and Italian Notebooks, Volume 2.Explore the rich history and art of Florence through vivid descriptions of the Uffizi gallery's masterpieces, ancient busts, and the enigmatic characters behind them, revealing the…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the French and Italian Notebooks, Volume 1.Embark on a wintry journey through England and France, where biting cold and unfamiliar customs challenge a traveler’s resolve and reveal the stark beauty and subtle hardships of 1…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the French and Italian Notebooks, CompleteEmbark on a chilly mid-19th century journey from England to France, where frosty landscapes and cultural barriers set the stage for a thoughtful exploration of travel, language, an…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the English Notebooks, Volume 2.Step into the intellectual heart of 1856 London, where dissenters and influential writers gather at the Milton Club, sharing speeches, debates, and revealing glimpses of the era’s…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the English Notebooks, Volume 1.Step into the private journals of a keen observer navigating 1850s England, where candid reflections and vivid insights reveal the mind behind the artist.
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the English Notebooks, CompleteExperience the reflective journey of an American artist living in England, as he shares candid journal entries revealing his keen insights, personal doubts, and the delicate balanc…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 2.Experience the trials and humor of communal living at Brook Farm, where the narrator learns farming, confronts unruly cows, and bonds with a quirky group of settlers striving to bu…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1Immerse yourself in vivid walks through 1830s Salem, where natural beauty and keen observations bring to life seaweed-strewn shores, lively pastures, and the curious habits of pigs…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from a Relinquished Work (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A young man chafes under the stern guardianship of a village parson, rejecting conventional careers to embrace a wandering life as a storyteller.
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)Gawain embarks on perilous quests filled with enchantments, fierce battles, and complex alliances, weaving through castles and courts where love, honor, and magic collide in a rich…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)A young knight embarks on a spiritual and chivalric quest to find the Holy Grail, facing trials that test his honor, faith, and courage in a richly woven Arthurian world.
Level C1ClassicsPartners: A Novel.On a serene spring afternoon, a young woman confronts her guardian's cold calculations about marriage, wealth, and duty, challenging the harsh realities of love and ambition in a w…
Level C1AdventurePartners of the Out-TrailIn the harsh wilderness of British Columbia, a telegraph operator’s solitary life is interrupted when two exhausted strangers, lost in a fierce snowstorm, seek refuge in his remote…
Level C1HistoricalPartial PortraitsExplore the refined intellectual world of a man whose life unfolds quietly in Concord, shaped by literature, nature, and a serene moral landscape.
Level C1AdventureParson KellyIn snowy 1719 Paris, two old friends—one a deposed parson, the other a one-armed colonel—reunite amidst political plots and secret dealings, setting the stage for a daring adventur…
Level C1RomanceParrot & Co.In the dusty frontier of colonial Burma, an unlikely pair—a loyal Eurasian guide and a resilient American traveler—navigate a desolate land where civilization teeters on the edge,…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. VExplore a rich collection of witty parodies that reimagine the celebrated poems of English and American authors, from Gray’s haunting elegies to the stirring songs of the Civil War…
Level C1PoetryParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IVDive into a witty collection of parodies that cleverly lampoon beloved English and American ballads, songs, and odes, revealing the humor and homage behind each playful imitation o…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IIIExplore witty and insightful parodies that playfully critique renowned English and American poets, turning their grand themes and styles on their head to reveal the absurdities ben…
Level C1ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IDive into a witty collection that playfully exposes the absurdities and quirks of renowned English and American poets through sharp, clever parodies.
Level C1PhilosophyParmenidesPhilosophical giants Parmenides and Zeno engage Socrates in a profound dialogue exploring the paradoxes of unity and multiplicity, challenging foundational ideas about reality and…
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.