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 C1RomanceOther Things Being EqualIn a San Francisco summer, Ruth Levice navigates the complex tensions between family duty, social expectations, and cultural divides, as whispers of her mother’s illness and uneasy…
Level C1ClassicsOther Tales and Sketches: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")A traveler approaches Niagara with a mix of anticipation and hesitation, capturing the awe and personal reflections inspired by the mighty falls.
Level C1MysteryOther People's MoneyIn the quiet Rue St.
Level C1RomanceOther People's Business: The Romantic Career of the Practical Miss DalePersis Dale juggles caring for her eccentric, bedridden brother and managing the lively demands of her small-town life, all while navigating the complexities of romance and practic…
Level C1ClassicsOther Main-Travelled RoadsAmid the rugged Iowa prairie, a hardworking farmer finds unexpected moments of warmth and romance as spring breathes new life into the land and the promise of love stirs beside the…
Level C1HistoricalOther Fools and Their Doings, or, Life among the FreedmenIn post-Civil War South Carolina, old tensions ignite as Deacon Atwood and Captain Black plot to reclaim power from freedmen and carpetbaggers.
Level C1RomanceOswald Cray: A NovelIn a town divided by progress and tradition, the once-majestic Abbey stands as a silent witness to change and loss.
Level C1ClassicsOssianic controversyExplore the heated debate ignited by the discovery and translation of ancient Gaelic poems, as literary figures clash over their authenticity and origins, revealing deep cultural b…
Level C1AdventureOsceola the Seminole; or, The Red Fawn of the Flower LandIn a land where eternal bloom masks a turbulent past, a heroic chief rises to defend his people's freedom and homeland.
Level C1MysteryOscar the Detective; Or, Dudie Dunne, The Exquisite DetectiveIn the gritty streets of New York, a seemingly simple gentleman with exquisite airs becomes the target of a mischievous gang, but beneath his delicate exterior lies a detective rea…
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde: An Idler's ImpressionStep into the vibrant world of Oscar Wilde, where wit and brilliance mask a turbulent fate.
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde, a studyExplore the remarkable life of a brilliant poet and playwright whose rise from scholarly success to theatrical fame is shadowed by scandal and imprisonment, revealing the complexit…
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde, His Life and Confessions. Volume 2 (of 2)Imprisoned for his scandalous life, a brilliant artist faces two years of harsh labor and isolation, forced to confront whether he will be broken or transcend his suffering.
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde, His Life and Confessions. Volume 1 (of 2)Delve into the turbulent life of Oscar Wilde, a brilliant artist ensnared by English puritanism and scandal.
Level C1HistoricalOscar Wilde, His Life and Confessions — Volume 1Dive into the tumultuous life of a brilliant artist condemned by society and justice, revealing the tragic clash between genius and rigid morality.
Level C1PhilosophyOscar Wilde, Art and Morality: A Defence of "The Picture of Dorian Gray"Explore the fierce defense of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" against Victorian moral outrage, revealing how art challenges societal norms and asserts the artist's true individuality…
Level C1ClassicsOscar Wilde in outlineExplore the complex life and art of a literary figure whose brilliance and contradictions shaped his work, from his dramatic flair to his challenge against societal norms and his p…
Level C1ClassicsOscar WildeDive into the tumultuous life of a dazzling literary genius whose wit and scandal captivated Victorian society.
Level C1PoetryOs Lusiadas (The Lusiads), vol. 1 of 2Embark on a poetic voyage celebrating Portugal's heroic Age of Discovery, where valor, love, and glory intertwine in epic verse that reveals the soul of a nation and the spirit of…
Level C1HistoricalOrville College: A StoryAt Orville College, near London, students return for a new term at a sprawling, uneven school led by the warm-hearted Dr.
Level C1RomanceOrrain: A RomanceBanished from his family estate by a bitter stepbrother, a young nobleman torn between a church career and the call of arms must navigate betrayal, inheritance, and honor to reclai…
Level C1GothicOrmond; Or, The Secret Witness. Volume 3 (of 3)Orphaned and under the strict care of an austere guardian, a young woman struggles against confinement, unwanted advances, and oppressive teachings, yearning for freedom and friend…
Level C1GothicOrmond; Or, The Secret Witness. Volume 2 (of 3)In a world shadowed by deception and ruined reputations, a mysterious letter draws Ormond into a tangled web of family betrayal, false identities, and dark secrets that threaten to…
Level C1GothicOrmond; Or, The Secret Witness. Volume 1 (of 3)A painter's son returns from Europe to New York, torn between his passion for art and the harsh demands of survival after his father's death.
Level C1ClassicsOrlóff and His Wife: Tales of the Barefoot BrigadeIn the grimy cellar of a dilapidated house, the fierce, turbulent clash between the shoemaker Orlóff and his wife erupts into violent chaos, witnessed by eager neighbors drawn to t…
Level C1ClassicsOrley FarmA family feud over a contested will ignites a legal battle surrounding Orley Farm, pitting an eldest son against the youngest in a dispute that unearths secrets, loyalty, and the c…
Level C1RomanceOrlando FuriosoIn a world of magic, war, and tangled love, knights Orlando and Ranaldo vie for the enchanting Angelica amid battles between Christians and heathens.
Level C1RomanceOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 3 (of 3)At Yewridge Hall, the Marchmonts grapple with illness, societal expectations, and the weight of appearances, as Fulvia navigates sleepless nights and strained hopes for acceptance…
Level C1Children'sOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 2 (of 3)Caught in a web of family tension and unspoken desires, a young woman’s delicate health and spirit become the battleground for love, power, and control.
Level C1Children'sOriole's daughter, a novel, Volume 1 (of 3)An English sculptor in Rome wrestles with loss and independence as she pursues her art amid the city's timeless beauty and social challenges.
Level C1Children'sOriginal stories from real life: With conversations, calculated to regulate the affections, and form the mind to truth and goodness.Two young girls, Mary and Caroline, learn to shed their careless prejudices and cultivate kindness and truth under the patient guidance of Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 10In a bleak Breton village, a ship's surgeon witnesses the harsh customs and the devastating grip of alcohol on a rugged coastal community, revealing a chilling tale of tradition, s…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 06A struggling clerk from a fallen aristocratic family seizes a rare chance to brighten his family's bleak existence with a country outing, but his inexperience and pride may turn th…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 03A group sets out on a serene autumn morning along the Normandy coast, where an old painter begins to recount his saddest love affair, blending memories of rustic romance with the e…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 02Amid the harsh aftermath of war, a determined French colonel leads his exhausted troops through a snow-covered landscape, where a mysterious encounter with a vulnerable woman spark…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 01Explore vivid tales rooted in the landscapes and lives of Normandy, where youthful discovery and literary passion intertwine to reveal the early inspirations of a master storytelle…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Plays, Second SeriesOn a mystical island where love and sorrow intertwine, a deformed dwarf hides secrets that unravel amid veils and moonlight.![Cover of Original Plays [First Series] by W. S. Gilbert](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dackl4fvk76c73frb4l0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Plays [First Series]In a whimsical fairyland above the clouds, ethereal beings grapple with love and desire when mortal knights descend, igniting passions and conflicts that blur the lines between mag…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Letters and Biographic EpitomesA detailed critique delves into the ambitious yet flawed depiction of "Ecce Homo," exploring the tension between artistic skill and spiritual expression in this intense portrayal o…
Level C1Children'sOriental tales, for the entertainment of youth: Selected from the most eminent English writersTwo brothers face fortune and misfortune after their merchant father’s death—one cast out, the other prospering—leading to a tale of rivalry, redemption, and unexpected reconciliat…
Level C1ClassicsOratory Sacred and Secular; Or, The Extemporaneous Speaker: With Sketches of the Most Eminent Speakers of All AgesExplore the art of extemporaneous speaking through practical guidance and reflections on the power of natural, spontaneous speech, drawing on insights from history’s most eminent o…
Level C1ClassicsOration on VoltaireIn the shadow of revolution and social upheaval, a powerful oration celebrates Voltaire’s legacy as a beacon of progress and reason, challenging old creeds and inspiring humanity t…
Level C1ClassicsOranges and lemonsWhen a distant island governor’s wife entrusts her delicate daughter to a reluctant bachelor uncle, old family tensions and cultural clashes surface, challenging notions of duty, i…
Level C1AdventureOrange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and LimerickAmid the ruins of Castle Davenant, young Walter Davenant navigates the fierce aftermath of Cromwell's conquest in Ireland, where land is seized, loyalties are divided, and ancient…
Level C1ClassicsOptionsIn post-Civil War Georgia, Colonel Telfair takes the helm of The Rose of Dixie magazine, determined to revive Southern pride through literature and history while navigating the cha…
Level C1ClassicsOpinionsExplore the restless mind of a novelist grappling with the life of opinions—how they form, change, and shape both writer and character alike.
Level C1ClassicsOpenings in the Old TrailA boy’s simple journey to the post-office turns into a curious adventure when he encounters a mysterious woman near the mining tunnels, sparking a tale of youthful tenacity, secret…
Level C1ClassicsOpening a Chestnut BurrA weary young man battles physical and spiritual exhaustion amid the harsh realities of city life, searching for renewed strength and purpose.
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.