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 C1HistoricalIn colonial daysStep back into colonial Boston and explore the faded grandeur of the Old Province House, where echoes of royal governors and Revolutionary history linger in every shadowed room and…
Level C1HistoricalIn and About Drury Lane, and Other Papers, Vol. 2 (of 2): Reprinted from the pages of the 'Temple Bar' MagazineStep into the turbulent early 19th century, where English society navigates war, scandal, and royal drama—from daring prison escapes and high-stakes gambling losses to the complex…
Level C1ClassicsIn and About Drury Lane, and Other Papers Vol. 1 (of 2): Reprinted from the pages of the 'Temple Bar' MagazineStep behind the scenes at Drury Lane Theatre on Boxing Day, 1865, where a bustling pantomime rehearsal contrasts sharply with the grim streets outside.
Level C1AdventureIn a Hollow of the HillsThree horsemen navigate a dark, windswept mountain ridge, haunted by mysterious lights and eerie silence as they search for shelter in an unforgiving wilderness where shadows and s…
Level C1ClassicsIn a Green Shade: A Country CommentarySet in a tranquil village, this reflective commentary explores the rhythms of rural life, the wisdom gleaned from nature, and the enduring connections between neighbors, all seen t…
Level C1MysteryIn a Glass Darkly, v. 3/3A sinister count and a cold-hearted countess conspire in a shadowy room, unfolding a tense drama of hidden treasures and dark intentions.
Level C1MysteryIn a Glass Darkly, v. 2/3A young Englishman traveling through post-Napoleonic Europe encounters a mysterious noblewoman veiled in black, whose gratitude and gaze hint at secrets beneath her elegant exterio…
Level C1MysteryIn a Glass Darkly, v. 1/3A mysterious clergyman suffers sudden, inexplicable collapses during his sacred duties, prompting a curious physician to unravel the strange affliction haunting him between his Lon…
Level C1ClassicsIn a German PensionIn a German pension, guests navigate quirky cultural clashes and lively debates over food, health, and customs, revealing the peculiarities of daily life through sharp, humorous co…
Level C1ClassicsIn a Canadian Canoe; The Nine Muses Minus One, and Other StoriesDrift along the tranquil Backs of the Colleges in a Canadian canoe, where the whims of wind and water guide your journey through art, nature, and quiet meditation.
Level C1MysteryIn White RaimentA respected London doctor hides a secret as he unravels a series of strange, startling events amid the city's stark contrasts of wealth and poverty.
Level C1RomanceIn Trust: The Story of a Lady and Her LoverA determined young woman defies her father’s warnings and threatens their family fortune to stand by a man he distrusts—a charming lawyer with a past she chooses to believe in.
Level C1Children'sIn Touch with Nature: Tales and Sketches from the LifeAmid a fierce winter storm, a family bonds over tales and tender care for fragile Maggie May, recovering from a terrifying runaway horse accident; warmth and love fill their cottag…
Level C1PoetryIn The Yule-Log Glow—Book 3: Christmas Poems from 'round the WorldStep into a cozy Yule-log gathering where timeless Christmas poems and carols from around the world come alive, evoking the warmth, goodwill, and festive spirit shared beneath snow…
Level C1PoetryIn The Yule-Log Glow, Book IVStep into a festive world where ancient carols, heartfelt hymns, and timeless Christmas ceremonies come alive through a rich collection of poetry and song, capturing the spirit and…
Level C1HistoricalIn Taunton town : a story of the rebellion of James Duke of Monmouth in 1685In 1685 Somerset, a farmer’s son recounts his family's deep ties to Taunton and the brewing inns at the heart of James Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion, revealing a vivid portrait of l…
Level C1AdventureIn Strange Company: A Story of Chili and the Southern SeasA peaceful English bachelor is thrust into a thrilling mystery when a cryptic letter from Valparaiso sparks a globe-spanning adventure filled with danger, secrets, and a fortune wo…
Level C1RomanceIn Spite of All: A NovelIn a wintry Hereford garden, childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities as Gabriel faces a fierce mastiff’s bite, while news of political turmoil and sacrifice looms—where tr…
Level C1RomanceIn Silk Attire: A NovelA passionate marquis wrestles with jealousy and societal scandal as he prepares to declare his love for Annie Napier, London's captivating actress, risking everything for a chance…
Level C1MysteryIn SecretAmid the silent tension of a secretive decoding office, a young woman uncovers a mysterious coded letter that could unravel hidden dangers and shift the fate of war.
Level C1Science FictionIn Search of the UnknownAn ex-government official takes on a new role managing exotic waterfowl at a New York zoological garden, where a mysterious letter hints at the existence of a legendary, supposedly…
Level C1RomanceIn Search of MademoiselleAmid the fierce clash between French and Spanish colonists in 16th-century Florida, a mariner’s fierce love and hatred intertwine with historic battles and deceptions, revealing a…
Level C1MysteryIn Queer StreetIn a boarding-house named The Home of the Muses, a prim landlady upholds old-fashioned ideals while a flamboyant new boarder disrupts the staid atmosphere, setting the stage for my…
Level C1ClassicsIn Pursuit of SpringA reflective journey unfolds through spring’s awakening landscapes and bustling city life, capturing moments of beauty and fleeting joy amid the crowd’s relentless pace.
Level C1ClassicsIn Partnership: Studies in story-tellingA tale unfolds through letters, news clippings, and documents revealing the scandalous decline and mysterious fate of a once-honorable British family, as gambling debts and secrets…
Level C1ClassicsIn Paradise: A Novel. Vol. IIA city sophisticate inherits a lakeside villa he never wanted, challenging his disdain for nature and solitude with unexpected encounters and reflections in this serene retreat nea…
Level C1ClassicsIn Paradise: A Novel. Vol. I.On a quiet summer Sunday near Munich, artists labor passionately in a sunlit studio surrounded by blooming gardens and scattered sculptures, where the sacred fire of creativity bur…
Level C1ClassicsIn Our Convent DaysA convent school where childhood innocence meets strict discipline is stirred by the arrival of Marianus, a mysterious young priest whose presence ignites the imaginations and secr…
Level C1HistoricalIn Old MadrasAmid the sweltering streets of colonial Madras, a determined young Englishman arrives to unravel the mystery of his missing uncle, stirring echoes of old secrets and guarded promis…
Level C1ClassicsIn Old KentuckyIn the rugged Kentucky mountains, a spirited young woman rides an ox through spring's vibrant wilderness, defying both nature’s dangers and the encroaching progress marked by railr…
Level C1HistoricalIn Naaman's HouseIn a village where faith and tradition shape every life, a young girl from a mixed heritage struggles to find her place and prove her worth amidst suspicion and cultural divides.
Level C1ClassicsIn Mr. Knox's CountryIn a wild, rugged landscape where ancient paths wind among cliffs and furze, a mysterious fox den draws the attention of hunters and locals alike.
Level C1ClassicsIn Madeira Place: 1887In a quiet alley near the docks, a diverse group of immigrants gathers nightly at Maison Sorel, where balloons, old war stories, and silent understanding reveal the hopes and hards…
Level C1HistoricalIn MacaoIn the vibrant city of Macao, a chance encounter between an American heir and a mysterious Portuguese priest spirals into a deadly confrontation, unveiling secrets beneath the sunl…
Level C1ClassicsIn Luck at LastIn a tucked-away London bookshop where faded charm meets the hum of city life, the delicate art of second-hand bookselling unfolds, revealing a world where history, mystery, and th…
Level C1ClassicsIn League with Israel: A Tale of the Chattanooga ConferenceAn old rabbi’s deep faith and music intertwine with the lives of a young man and his sister caught between traditions and new friendships.
Level C1HistoricalIn Kings' BywaysA humble clerk, newly married and hopeful, finds his life shattered when a grave error at the Bishop of Beauvais’ court turns him into a target of cruel punishment and scorn.
Level C1HistoricalIn Kedar's TentsAmid the stormy backdrop of 1838 England, a radical gentleman and determined miners join a forbidden Chartist meeting, where rising unrest threatens to ignite violent clashes betwe…
Level C1ClassicsIn Honour Bound: An Original Play, in One Act.: (Suggested by Scribe's Five Act Comedy, "Une Chaine.")In a richly appointed study, a seasoned lawyer unravels the tangled affairs of love and law, while a young man returns from travels, confessing a new engagement that promises more…
Level C1MysteryIn Her Own RightA devastating financial collapse shatters fortunes and reveals ruthless betrayals among high society’s elite, where friendship is a facade and survival demands sharp wits.
Level C1ClassicsIn Great Waters: Four StoriesOn the island of Marken, a mad fisherman haunted by tragedy wields a mysterious curse feared by all, while love and rivalry entwine among the villagers who navigate the wrath of th…
Level C1ClassicsIn God's Way: A NovelExplore the rich inner life and moral struggles of Norway through a vivid, sympathetic narrative that reveals the true spirit of its people beyond picturesque landscapes.
Level C1AdventureIn Freedom's Cause : A Story of Wallace and BruceIn a wild Scottish valley torn by feuds and shifting power, young Archie Forbes grows up under his mother's cautious care, learning to navigate the dangers that threaten their ance…
Level C1ClassicsIn Exile, and Other StoriesIn a rugged Californian mining valley, a schoolmistress and a young miner's helper explore a hidden spring, uncovering the stark beauty and challenges of frontier life as unexpecte…
Level C1AdventureIn Doublet and Hose: A Story for GirlsIn the heart of the ancient New Forest, spirited Francis Stafford defies expectations with her daring hunts and sharp wit, challenging the old ways while navigating the perils of t…
Level C1PoetryIn Divers TonesA medley of heartfelt poems weaves through themes of nationhood, nature, and human experience, blending solemn reflection with bursts of lyric beauty.
Level C1RomanceIn Direst PerilAn honorable soldier of fortune recounts how a daring theft won the hand of the woman he loves, setting the stage for a romance born amidst danger, loyalty, and irresistible attrac…
Level C1AdventureIn Desert and WildernessTwo children, Nell and Stas, navigate the tense mysteries of colonial Egypt, caught between family ties, political intrigue, and the looming threat of the Mahdi’s uprising, as they…
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.