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 C1ClassicsMiltonExplore the life and work of a towering poet through a deep reflection on literary criticism, the challenges of understanding genius, and the intricate relationship between author,…
Level C1MysteryMilly DarrellAt nineteen, a young governess leaves her loving home to face the bleak, lonely world of Albury Lodge, where cold halls and stern faces challenge her courage and resolve.
Level C1AdventureMilitary Memoirs of Capt. George CarletonAn English captain’s firsthand account reveals daring naval battles and sieges across Europe and Spain during the turbulent reigns of King Charles and King James II.
Level C1AdventureMiles Wallingford: Sequel to "Afloat and Ashore"Amidst political unrest and personal trials, a seasoned mariner confronts the turbulent social currents of his time while battling peril at sea and the fragile bonds of family loya…
Level C1RomanceMiles Tremenhere: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 2A husband’s deep love spirals into dark jealousy as he battles haunting fears of losing his wife’s affection, revealing a fragile heart caught between passion and despair in their…
Level C1RomanceMiles Tremenhere: A Novel. Vol. 1 of 2Seventeen years old and orphaned, Minnie yearns for the elusive love she’s only just beginning to imagine, caught between the watchful eyes of her aunts, uncle, and a trio of suito…
Level C1Children'sMiles LawsonIn a secluded mountain valley, the old Lawson homestead, known as "The Yews," shelters a family bound by faith, tradition, and the enduring strength of nature’s ancient guardians.
Level C1Children'sMildred KeithAs the Keith family prepares to leave their beloved village of Lansdale for Indiana, young Mildred faces the bittersweet challenge of new beginnings, unexpected adventures, and the…
Level C1ClassicsMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)In a bustling legal office, new conductor Mr.
Level C1RomanceMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)A young college boy, forbidden from entering the exclusive Bishop’s Garden, finds a golden locket belonging to the spirited Georgina Beauclerc and dares to deliver it himself, spar…
Level C1ClassicsMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a town divided by class and commerce, William Arkell, a well-educated gentleman, chooses to join his father’s manufacturing business, navigating the tensions between aristocracy…
Level C1Children'sMildredA stormy evening brings a mysterious letter to Judge Howell, offering him a baby girl to adopt, just as his son returns home burdened by love and loss.
Level C1ClassicsMike Fletcher: A NovelIn the lively heart of London’s Temple district, a young man entangles himself in the bohemian world of artists, courtesans, and idealists while drawing a nun away from her convent…
Level C1Children'sMighty Mikko: A Book of Finnish Fairy Tales and Folk TalesDive into enchanting Finnish folklore where clever animals and mystical figures weave tales filled with charm, humor, and the rich spirit of lakes and forests.
Level C1HistoricalMidwinter: Certain Travellers in Old EnglandIn 1763, a curious manuscript emerges, revealing secret episodes from Samuel Johnson’s life and his complex feelings about Scotland during turbulent times.
Level C1AdventureMiddy and EnsignAboard Her Majesty’s ship “Startler,” a spirited midshipman and a proud young ensign clash amid the vivid tropical backdrop of the Malay peninsula, where British forces prepare for…
Level C1Science FictionMicromegasA towering philosopher from Sirius embarks on a cosmic journey to Saturn, challenging earthly perspectives with wit and wisdom.
Level C1ClassicsMicrocosmography: or, a Piece of the World Discovered; in Essays and CharactersDive into vivid essays that reveal the quirks, vices, and virtues of 17th-century life through sharp character sketches, blending wit, piety, and keen observation to uncover the wo…![Cover of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da63fmi7a4gs73ek2680.webp)
Level C1RomanceMichel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — CompleteAmidst the turmoil of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a tender romance unfolds between Michel de la Foret and Angele Aubert, whose love story is pieced together from faded letters and chu…
Level C1AdventureMichael, Brother of JerryA passionate exposé reveals the brutal cruelty behind trained-animal performances, urging readers to confront the dark reality masked by spectacle.
Level C1ClassicsMichael's CragA reluctant landlord returns to his bleak Cornish estate, haunted by dark memories and bound by duty to his ancestral home.
Level C1ClassicsMichael and His Lost Angel: A Play in Five ActsIn a world where celestial battles mirror human struggles, Michael confronts overwhelming darkness and personal exile.
Level C1AdventureMichael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the CzarAmidst a glittering palace fête, urgent news arrives of a severed telegraph line and a missing dispatch from Tomsk, thrusting an officer of the Czar into a tense mission through a…
Level C1PoetryMichael Robartes and the dancerDive into a mystical world where dreams blur with memory, as Michael Robartes unravels ancient secrets and explores the enigmatic visions that connect past lives, love, and the elu…
Level C1PoetryMichael FieldDiscover the enchanting world of Michael Field, the joint pseudonym of two women poets whose lyric and dramatic works captivated Victorian literary circles.
Level C1HistoricalMicah Clarke: His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734Amidst the turbulent aftermath of the Stuart reign, a veteran recounts his youth in a Hampshire village divided by faith and conflict, revealing the fierce battles and personal sac…
Level C1ClassicsMga Paquigpulong sa Iningles ug BinisayaExplore a practical guide bridging Cebuano and English through thematic word lists, translated sentences, sample letters, and pronunciation tips, designed to help speakers navigate…
Level C1ClassicsMetzerott, ShoemakerA young shoemaker with socialist ideals navigates life in a humble workshop and kitchen, balancing his hopes for the future with the weight of family duty and community gatherings.
Level C1ClassicsMethods of AuthorsExplore the fascinating and varied methods behind the craft of writing, as this volume reveals how great authors—from Plato to Trollope—conceive, research, and refine their works,…
Level C1AdventureMesser Marco PoloA young man is summoned to care for a mysterious ninety-year-old Ulster clansman living far from home, sparking a journey steeped in haunting Irish legends, ancient traditions, and…
Level C1ClassicsMerton of the MoviesA daring New York society girl faces danger on the wild border, threatened by a ruthless outlaw until a strong, silent protector arrives just in time.
Level C1ClassicsMerry-Garden and Other StoriesStep into the faded charm of Merry-Garden, a once-thriving cherry orchard now surrendered to time and memory, where echoes of laughter and forgotten traditions linger amid crumblin…
Level C1HistoricalMerry TalesAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a group of inexperienced men form the Marion Rangers, a makeshift militia led by a spirited young captain and a second lieutenant caught between…
Level C1HistoricalMerrie England in the Olden Time, Vol. 2Step into the lively world of Tudor England, where ballad-singers, festive garlands, and Queen Elizabeth's spirited escapades paint a vivid picture of merriment, music, and the col…
Level C1ClassicsMerrie England in the Olden Time, Vol. 1Step back into the lively customs and colorful pastimes of old England, where jesters, conjurers, and merry-makers fill the scene with laughter and wonder.
Level C1PoetryMerlin: A PoemStep into the mystical world of Merlin, where poetry weaves a tale of magic, destiny, and timeless enchantment.
Level C1ClassicsMerkland; or, Self SacrificeIn a household shadowed by a scandalous family secret, Anne Ross confronts the arrival of Alison Aytoun, whose presence threatens to stir old wounds and challenge loyalties.
Level C1ClassicsMerely Mary AnnIn a humble South London terrace, a quiet young woman known only as Mary Ann navigates the hardships of her modest life, capturing the attention of a moody lodger whose world is as…
Level C1HistoricalMere literature, and other essaysExplore the clash between scientific skepticism and the enduring power of literature as this collection examines how education shapes our understanding of classic works, challengin…
Level C1ClassicsMercy Philbrick's ChoiceIn a New England village shadowed by loss and secrets, a widow’s haunted past and a vanished sea-faring son set the stage for Mercy Philbrick’s difficult choice between duty and de…
Level C1Science FictionMercia, the astronomer royal: A romanceIn a future where peace is enforced by the terrifying power of science, women rise to claim their rightful place alongside men, challenging centuries of inequality and forging a ne…
Level C1AdventureMercedes of Castile; Or, The Voyage to CathaySet in 15th-century Spain, this adventure follows the perilous voyage inspired by Columbus’s quest to reach Cathay, intertwining historical figures and untold stories amid treacher…
Level C1HistoricalMenotah: A Tale of the Riel RebellionAmidst the shadowed forests of the Canadian North-West, a passionate tale unfolds, revealing the harsh realities behind the Riel Rebellion and the struggle for justice faced by Ind…
Level C1PhilosophyMenoA probing dialogue explores whether virtue can be taught by first seeking its true definition, challenging assumptions through Socratic questioning and an extraordinary demonstrati…
Level C1AdventureMenhardocA young Cornish lad on the brink of manhood learns the hard truths of life and strength from his rough but loyal fisherman companion amid the rugged sea and village life.
Level C1HistoricalMenexenusExplore the intricate debates surrounding the authenticity of ancient writings attributed to a legendary philosopher, as scholars weigh evidence, tradition, and style to distinguis…
Level C1ClassicsMen, Women, and GhostsA serene wedding day conceals the complex truths behind vows of love and trust, as the narrator reflects on marriage’s deeper realities and the stories that unfold beyond the cerem…
Level C1HistoricalMen, Women, and BooksExplore the sharp contrasts in the life and work of Dean Swift, whose biting wit and coarse humor clash with moments of genuine affection and literary brilliance.
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.