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 C1HistoricalJohn Ermine of the YellowstoneIn the bustling gold rush town of Alder Gulch, the rugged life of miners and fortune seekers unfolds against a backdrop of dusty streets and wild stories.
Level C1HistoricalJohn EnderbyIn 17th-century Lincolnshire, John Enderby defies King Charles’ attempt to knight him, refusing to sacrifice his estate to royal taxes.
Level C1HistoricalJohn Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 2: Religious and Scriptural: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedExplore the powerful grip of the Scottish church in the last century, revealing its vast landholdings, political influence, and the stark contrast between the clergy’s corrupt live…
Level C1ClassicsJohn Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedExplore the vibrant world of 19th-century Scottish chap-books, revealing raw, humorous, and unfiltered glimpses into rural life, popular beliefs, and peasant culture through the ey…
Level C1ClassicsJohn CaldigateA stern country squire mourns his lost family while struggling to connect with his rebellious son, whose wild pursuits and affection for lively cousins clash with his father's rigi…
Level C1RomanceJohn Burnet of Barns: A RomanceA young boy escapes his strict tutor to fish in the sun-scorched woods of Tweed, embarking on a journey through stirring times and strange scenes that reveal the trials and triumph…
Level C1ClassicsJohn Bull; Or, The Englishman's Fireside: A Comedy, in Five ActsIn a rustic Cornish inn, Dennis Brulgruddery grapples with ill fortune and a new marriage, while sharp wit and lively characters expose the follies and generosity of human nature i…
Level C1ClassicsJohn Bull's Other IslandWhen Broadbent, a spirited civil engineer, receives a curious visitor from Ireland, he prepares for a journey to the island that promises unexpected encounters and lively adventure…
Level C1RomanceJohn Bull on the Guadalquivir: From "Tales from All Countries"An Englishman bound for Seville navigates a marriage proposal entwined with family alliances and cultural contrasts, while a determined Spanish woman challenges his romantic expect…
Level C1RomanceJohn BrentIn the rugged California frontier, a gold miner wrestles with barren quartz and dashed hopes, revealing a raw tale of perseverance, human ambition, and the harsh laws of nature whe…
Level C1ClassicsJohn BarleycornA man reflects on his lifelong struggle with alcohol, exploring its grip as both a tormentor and a revealer of harsh truths.
Level C1HistoricalJohn Ames, Native Commissioner: A Romance of the Matabele RisingAmid rising tensions in a Matabele kraal, a clash brews between native chiefs and the colonial police enforcing government orders, sparking fierce resentment and simmering conflict…
Level C1ClassicsJoe Miller's Jests, with Copious AdditionsDive into a lively collection of sharp jests, witty repartees, and clever anecdotes attributed to the famously humorless Joe Miller, whose name ironically became synonymous with ti…
Level C1ClassicsJoe Miller's Jests, or The Wits Vade-MecumDive into a lively collection of the wittiest jests, sharp repartees, and amusing short stories, capturing the vibrant humor and social quirks of the age with sparkling dialogue an…
Level C1ClassicsJocelynGiles Legard confronts a stirring transformation as he grapples with the stark realities of life during a sunlit afternoon in Hôtel Milano, where isolation and desire intertwine wi…
Level C1RomanceJoan, the CurateAmidst the wild marsh coast plagued by smugglers and wreckers, a courageous curate’s daughter races against time to aid a wounded sailor from a daring revenue cutter, braving tempe…
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level C1HistoricalJoan of Arc: A Play in Five ActsA mysterious young peasant woman claims divine guidance to rally France’s faltering hopes during the Hundred Years’ War, challenging court intrigues and skeptical nobles as she see…
Level C1ClassicsJoan of Arc of the North WoodsIn the timber-rich Tomah country, young Ward Latisan clashes with the powerful Comas Paper Company over control of the forests, igniting a fierce battle between independent operato…
Level C1Children'sJoan and Peter: The story of an educationBorn into a world of new ideas during Queen Victoria’s reign, young Peter’s story unfolds in a bright nursery filled with love and modern hopes, as his thoughtful parents navigate…
Level C1Children'sJoan and Co.In the glittering world of New York’s social season, Dicky Burnett wrestles with his feelings for the captivating Joan Fairburne, whose sincere aloofness both intrigues and frustra…
Level C1ClassicsJoan Thursday: A NovelCaught between youthful hope and harsh reality, a tired young woman navigates the relentless grind of city life and the looming threat of lost employment, all while striving to mai…
Level C1ClassicsJoan HasteIn a windswept coastal village shadowed by ancient ruins, Joan Haste, a bright and restless young woman, wrestles with her lowly station, unfulfilled desires, and a haunting sense…
Level C1ClassicsJinny the CarrierIn a charming rural landscape inspired by Essex, Jinny the Carrier navigates love and life among simple, kindly country folk, capturing the spirit and dialect of a timeless village…
Level C1ClassicsJimmy Quixote: A NovelAn aging countryman returns from the bustling city burdened with mysterious parcels and a mission tied to "Old Paul's babies," blending nostalgia and quiet determination in a quain…
Level C1ClassicsJimmie Moore of BucktownIn the harsh slums of Bucktown, young Jimmie Moore carries burdens far beyond his years, seeking help for his ailing, desperate family.
Level C1AdventureJimgrim and Allah's PeaceIn the turbulent aftermath of World War I, a journalist arrives in Jerusalem, a city teeming with political intrigue, religious tensions, and conflicting promises.
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 3Caught between loyalty and temptation, a young man navigates complex family ties and shifting affections as he wrestles with love, jealousy, and the schemes of his uncle in a tale…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 2Amid lively family dinners and witty banter, a young man navigates the complexities of love and marriage under his uncle’s watchful eye, uncovering schemes and secrets that challen…
Level C1ClassicsJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 1An idle young man drifts through a monotonous life in a sleepy French town under the watchful eye of his charming but reckless army major father.
Level C1AdventureJill, Vol. 1 (of 2)An intrepid young woman challenges the notion that adventure is a man's realm, revealing a restless spirit that drives her away from monotony and into a life full of bold departure…
Level C1ClassicsJezebel's DaughterTwo strangers die on the same day, leaving behind widows bound by fate and secrets.
Level C1FantasyJewel sowers: a novelOn the upside-down planet Lucifram, where kings are chosen for their frailties and worshippers bow before a three-tailed golden Serpent, customs invert reality and challenge all no…
Level C1ClassicsJewel WeedIn a bustling Western city, young Ellery Norris navigates new friendships and ambitions amid a gathering that contrasts worldly ambition with mysterious Eastern spirituality, where…
Level C1MysteryJewel Mysteries, from a Dealer's Note BookOn a gloomy day in Piccadilly, a mysterious man arrives at a jeweler’s shop, unveiling an extraordinary opal of dazzling beauty and intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsJessie GrahamAn aging deacon reflects on loss and legacy beneath a towering maple tree, while his young grandson Walter carries the weight of a sorrowful past as the family navigates grief, lov…
Level C1Children'sJessieA young girl, facing the loss of her family home and dreams, finds hope in the kindness of neighbors who offer her a new home and a chance to pursue education while working to supp…
Level C1MysteryJessica Trent: Her Life on a RanchA spirited horseback chase through narrow canyon trails leads a stranger to the remote Sobrante ranch, where he meets Jessica Trent, a fearless rider who shares her unique life amo…
Level C1MysteryJesse James' Desperate Game; Or, The Robbery of the Ste. Genevieve BankIn a lively Missouri spring town where danger lurks beneath carefree revelry, three sharply dressed outlaws led by Jesse James blend into the crowd, plotting a daring $10,000 bank…
Level C1ClassicsJesse CliffeIn a secluded, marshy English landscape, a once-grand farmstead stands abandoned, shrouded in silence and decay.
Level C1RomanceJessamine: A NovelConfined by illness yet captivated by a stirring sermon, a young woman finds hope and heroism in the voice that echoes through her quiet church.
Level C1AdventureJessIn scorching Transvaal heat, a weary soldier stumbles upon a fierce ostrich attacking a young woman, forcing him into a sudden, dangerous confrontation that will change his quiet l…
Level C1ClassicsJerusalemIn a steadfast Swedish parish, a powerful religious revival shakes the lives of the Ingmarsson family and their neighbors, leading many to forsake their ancestral homes and embark…
Level C1AdventureJerry of the IslandsStranded in the perilous Solomon Islands, an Irish terrier named Jerry embarks on a gripping adventure through a world of headhunters and danger, where loyalty and survival are tes…
Level C1RomanceJerryAn American traveler’s summer plans are upended when a surprising letter from his sister arrives, promising unexpected family reunions and restless adventures in picturesque Europe…
Level C1Children'sJeremy and Hamlet: A Chronicle of Certain Incidents in the Lives of a Boy, a Dog, and a Country TownIn a quaint English town of 1894, a boy named Jeremy and his dog Hamlet navigate the bittersweet rhythms of childhood, loyalty, and the quiet dramas unfolding beneath the kitchen w…
Level C1ClassicsJenny: A Village IdylAs a train journeys through a quiet countryside, strangers bound by their worries and hopes share fleeting moments—a fierce woman traveling to care for her ailing child, a young wo…
Level C1Children'sJenny: A NovelAmid the bustling streets and timeless beauty of Rome, a young traveler named Helge is drawn into the city's vibrant life and history, discovering unexpected emotions and the thril…
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.