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 C1HistoricalGladstonian GhostsIn a sharp critique of early 20th-century British politics, this essay dissects the clash between idealistic reforms and entrenched party interests, revealing the complex interplay…
Level C1ClassicsGlad ghostsAmid post-war tensions, an unlikely bond forms between an ambitious yet conflicted aristocrat and a struggling artist, united by a shared yearning to break free from societal conve…
Level C1RomanceGiven in MarriageIn the lush hills of Southern India, two planter cousins navigate the mysteries of gold rumors and estate life until a lost stranger arrives, setting in motion unexpected encounter…
Level C1PoetryGitanjaliExperience a journey through profound spiritual and poetic reflections that blend nature, love, and divine contemplation, revealing a rich cultural tradition where poetry and relig…
Level C1Children'sGirls New and OldA shy fifteen-year-old girl begins a new chapter at a prestigious school, navigating the excitement and challenges of friendship, self-discovery, and growing independence amid the…
Level C1AdventureGirlhood and Womanhood: The Story of some Fortunes and MisfortunesA laird haunted by a deadly duel struggles with remorse while his daughter Joanna takes on the heavy burden of managing their family’s fortunes and misfortunes.
Level C1FantasyGiphantia: Or a View of What Has Passed, What Is Now Passing, and, During the Present Century, What Will Pass, in the World.A daring traveler ventures into the scorching deserts beyond Guinea, enduring a terrifying sandstorm, only to discover a hidden, fertile plain filled with unexpected wonders.
Level C1ClassicsGinx's Baby: His Birth and Other Misfortunes; a SatireIn a crowded London home, Ginx and his wife struggle with the relentless challenges of poverty, family, and society as their many children—each birth a public spectacle—highlight t…
Level C1AdventureGilian The Dreamer: His Fancy, His Love and AdventureA boy bearing grave news journeys through misty hills and blooming gean-trees, caught between sorrow and duty in a world where nature’s whispers echo his lonely path.
Level C1HistoricalGiles Corey, Yeoman: A PlayIn a tense Salem Village home, whispers of witchcraft and eerie noises stir fear among family and friends, as suspicion and superstition threaten to unravel their lives.
Level C1MysteryGilead Balm, knight errantA young government clerk with sharp wit and a kind heart becomes fascinated by the mysterious appeals in a newspaper’s Agony Column, sparking a romantic quest that promises intrigu…![Cover of Gifts of Genius: A Miscellany of Prose and Poetry by American Authors by Samuel etc.] Osgood](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daglnfmicedc739b63o0.webp)
Level C1PoetryGifts of Genius: A Miscellany of Prose and Poetry by American AuthorsA heartfelt collection of original prose and poetry by distinguished American authors, united to support a beloved teacher who, after losing her sight, inspires through resilience…
Level C1HistoricalGideon's Band: A Tale of the MississippiAmid the bustling steamboat levee of New Orleans in 1852, diverse characters converge around the elegant new riverboat Votaress, poised for its maiden upriver voyage to Louisville,…
Level C1HistoricalGibbonBorn into frailty and loss, a young Edward Gibbon battles illness and isolation while cultivating an early passion for history, setting the stage for a life marked by resilience an…
Level C1HistoricalGiants in the earthNorwegian settlers face the brutal realities of prairie life as homesickness and hardship test their endurance and spirit.
Level C1HistoricalGiant Hours with Poet PreachersExplore the stirring call for a new social order where Christian ideals transform society, weaving brotherhood and justice into the fabric of industry and civilization through the…
Level C1Children'sGiannellaIn a struggling artist community in Rome, two friends face a heartbreaking dilemma: how to care for the orphaned daughter of their late comrade amidst poverty and indifference.
Level C1ClassicsGhosts I Have Met and Some OthersEncounters with bizarre, grotesque spectres lead a skeptical narrator to confront the supernatural with wit and curiosity rather than fear.
Level C1MysteryGhost Stories of an Antiquary Part 2: More Ghost StoriesIn a sprawling old school near London, a new master with mysterious charm stirs unease among students as strange, ghostly happenings begin to unfold, challenging their notions of r…
Level C1ClassicsGhetto TragediesIn an East End Jewish community, Zillah’s fervent fasting finally brings a long-awaited son, Brum, whose frail health challenges their faith and hopes.
Level C1ClassicsGhetto ComediesAn artist sets out to paint a realistic portrayal of the Man of Sorrows, challenging traditional depictions by seeking a deeper truth rooted in reality and cultural identity.
Level C1ClassicsGetting MarriedIn a world where marriage laws are harsh and often hypocritical, rebellious spirits challenge tradition while grappling with the undeniable social and legal pressures to wed.
Level C1ClassicsGet-Rich-Quick Wallingford: A Cheerful Account of the Rise and Fall of an American Business BuccaneerA charming con artist with nothing but a hundred dollars and boundless confidence arrives in a new city, plotting a brilliant scheme to turn the world’s money his way.
Level C1ClassicsGet Next!A day at the racetrack turns into a whirlwind of colorful characters, wild bets, and tall tales as John Henry and his friends navigate the thrills and pitfalls of horse racing in t…
Level C1ClassicsGertrude's MarriageAn unexpected inheritance thrusts a young man into the challenges of rural estate life, forcing him to reconsider his ambitions and the practicalities of love and marriage amid a c…
Level C1HistoricalGerminie LacerteuxIn 19th-century Paris, a stark and unflinching look at the hidden lives of the working poor unfolds, exposing raw human suffering and resilience far from the glittering salons of h…
Level C1ClassicsGerminalUnder a starless sky, a lone man journeys through harsh coal-mining lands, embodying the struggles of a working-class community facing relentless hardship.
Level C1HistoricalGermania and AgricolaExplore the detailed accounts of Roman-era Germany and the military career of Agricola, enriched with scholarly insights into language, history, and culture, offering a rigorous ye…
Level C1ClassicsGerman FictionExplore the unique landscape of German fiction, where characters are shaped by the world’s pressures and inner life takes precedence over outward action, revealing a deep psycholog…
Level C1RomanceGerfaut — CompleteIn the secluded valleys of Lorraine, a young traveler navigates a landscape where nature and human endeavor collide, setting the stage for a poignant romance entwined with high soc…
Level C1AdventureGerald Fitzgerald, the Chevalier: A NovelIn the shadow of ancient Rome’s ruins, a destitute alley known as Thieves’ Corner hides the proud descendants of a fallen empire, living on the edge of survival and legacy.
Level C1ClassicsGerald Eversley's Friendship: A Study in Real LifeTwo boys from vastly different backgrounds arrive at St.
Level C1RomanceGeorgina's ReasonsA naval lieutenant falls for Georgina, a striking and enigmatic woman whose charm captivates yet confounds him, as they navigate love amid family tensions and unspoken doubts in Ne…
Level C1Children'sGeorgina of the RainbowsA vivid childhood memory sparks a lifelong fear in young Georgina Huntingdon after witnessing an old man’s surprising mishap by the sea.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Walker at SuezA Londoner exiled to the harsh desert town of Suez struggles with isolation and British exclusiveness, but an unexpected reunion sparks a week of surprising encounters and small tr…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Silverman's ExplanationBorn into poverty and orphaned young, a boy’s harsh childhood in a cellar unfolds with raw honesty and dark humor as he grapples with loss, hunger, and the cruel world around him.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Sand: Some Aspects of Her Life and WritingsExplore the life of Aurore Dupin, better known as George Sand, whose prolific writing and bold ideas challenged 19th-century norms on love, society, and politics, revealing the com…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge SandExplore the life and influence of George Sand, a pioneering woman who challenged societal norms and championed the social independence and equality of women, reshaping literature a…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Meredith: A StudyDelve into an intellectual exploration of George Meredith’s literary craft, tracing the evolution of the 19th-century novelist whose work challenges conventions and invites readers…
Level C1HistoricalGeorge LeatrimA stern clergyman’s zealous efforts to reform a wayward parish reveal the clash between harsh judgment and tender faith, while the story of his beloved son unfolds amid trials that…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot; a Critical Study of Her Life, Writings and PhilosophyExplore the life and mind behind some of the 19th century’s most insightful novels, as this study delves into the personal experiences, intellectual influences, and social surround…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 3 (of 3)Journey through the intimate letters and journals revealing the personal travels, intellectual pursuits, and social encounters of a remarkable literary mind.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 2 (of 3)Delve into the intimate letters and journals revealing the early triumphs and doubts behind a celebrated literary debut.
Level C1ClassicsGeorge Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 1 (of 3)Explore the intimate world behind a literary genius through her letters and journals, revealing the private thoughts, daily life, and evolving intellect of a woman whose work shape…
Level C1ClassicsGeorge EliotExplore the intellectual legacy and unique perspective of a groundbreaking English author as her life and theories on women's literary influence unfold through rare letters and fir…
Level C1HistoricalGeorge Du Maurier, the Satirist of the VictoriansExplore the sharp wit and keen observations of a Victorian satirist who captures the clash between old aristocracy and rising mercantile power through art and imaginary conversatio…
Level C1PoetryGeorge Crabbe: Poems, Volume 3 (of 3)Explore a rich collection of poems revealing early drafts, unpublished pieces, and detailed notes on landscapes and portraits, offering an intimate glimpse into the creative proces…
Level C1PoetryGeorge Crabbe: Poems, Volume 2 (of 3)Explore vivid human tales and reflective poetry that delve into society, intellect, and personal merit, framed by a voice that honors greatness while revealing the poet’s own grati…
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.