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 C1RomanceFata Morgana: A Romance of Art Student Life in ParisIn the vibrant heart of Paris, an American painter reawakens memories of Helia, a captivating circus girl turned muse, as he prepares a grand artistic tribute to the legendary Quee…
Level C1ClassicsFashions in LiteratureExplore the evolving tastes and ideals in literature through thoughtful essays that blend humor, morality, and keen observation of human nature, revealing the subtle relationship b…
Level C1PhilosophyFashionable Philosophy, and Other SketchesIn a lively London drawing-room, fashionable guests gather to debate the religion of the future, revealing the clash between social pretension, emerging philosophies, and the searc…
Level C1ClassicsFashion and FamineIn bustling 19th-century New York, vivid market scenes and diverse characters intertwine amid the city's awakening.
Level C1ClassicsFarquharson of GluneIn the desolate moors of Perthshire, two starkly different men venture toward the haunted, poverty-stricken estate of Glune, where mystery and sorrow cling to every shadowed corner…
Level C1ClassicsFarmingtonA reflective narrator retraces his childhood in a narrow Pennsylvania valley, revealing how his self-centered view shapes his memories and understanding of life’s truths and contra…
Level C1PoetryFarm LegendsExplore the heartfelt and honest tales woven through rural life, where every character—whether humble or seemingly flawless—reveals the comic, tragic, and profound moments that sha…
Level C1PoetryFarm BalladsTensions rise between Betsey and her husband as years of small disagreements and stubborn pride push their marriage to the breaking point, forcing them to confront what it truly me…
Level C1RomanceFarinaIn a vibrant Rhineland city ruled by fierce devotion, young men battle for the favor of Margarita, the dazzling White Rose, whose beauty ignites fierce loyalty and fierce rivalry a…
Level C1ClassicsFarewell Love! A NovelIn a vivid portrait of Southern Italian life, a woman lies motionless under a white coverlet, hinting at hidden struggles and passions beneath the surface.
Level C1HistoricalFarewellTwo old schoolfellows, a weary magistrate and a lively soldier, navigate the oppressive heat and tangled paths of the French countryside, their contrasting spirits tested by a day…
Level C1ClassicsFardorougha, The Miser: The Works of William Carleton, Volume OneOn a clear August night, a midwife rushes to the remote cottage of Fardorougha Donovan, a miser whose childless marriage has been marked by suspicion and silence.
Level C1ClassicsFar-away StoriesA once-celebrated violinist now lives quietly in London, his life a tapestry of music, memory, and fading fame.
Level C1FantasyFar off thingsA celebrated literary figure recalls a transformative vision that transports him from a bustling London banquet to a quiet, mysterious country lane in Wales.
Level C1RomanceFar from the Madding CrowdIn the peaceful countryside, steady farmer Gabriel Oak’s life shifts when a young woman arrives in a bright spring wagon, setting the stage for a story of love, change, and the qui…
Level C1ClassicsFar above rubies (Vol. 3 of 3)Caught in the tangled web of a dubious company, Arthur Dudley grapples with betrayal, financial ruin, and the harsh realities of London life far from his peaceful farm.
Level C1ClassicsFar above rubies (Vol. 2 of 3)In a lively dining-room debate, sharp-witted Miss Hope and the cunning Mr.
Level C1ClassicsFar above rubies (Vol. 1 of 3)Escape to the tranquil beauty of Berrie Down Hollow, a remote country lane teeming with wildflowers and timeless charm, where nature’s seasons unfold in vivid detail far from the b…
Level C1HistoricalFar Off; Or, Asia and Australia Described: With Anecdotes and IllustrationsExplore distant lands and meet their people through vivid tales of missionaries, sacred places, and real events that inspire young minds to cherish truth and faith over fiction.
Level C1ClassicsFar Away and Long Ago: A History of My Early LifeJourney through vivid childhood memories on the vast South American plains, where wild birds, colorful characters, and turbulent historical events shape a young boy's early life in…
Level C1RomanceFar Above RubiesA young Scottish poet, Hector Macintosh, lives a quiet life of idealized love and distant dreams, untouched by true passion or connection—until a bright morning brings a mysterious…
Level C1ClassicsFantasy: A NovelIn a vivid portrait of Italian life, a determined woman overcomes hardship and societal constraints to pursue her passion for literature and journalism, revealing the fierce realit…
Level C1ClassicsFantastic FablesA Moral Principle and a Material Interest confront each other on a narrow bridge, setting the stage for sharp, satirical fables that explore human nature, politics, and morality wi…
Level C1RomanceFanshaweIn a secluded New England valley, Harley College stands as a modest seminary where rough, hardy students grapple with academic and moral challenges under the watchful eye of the le…
Level C1PoetryFanny, with Other PoemsA shy young woman named Fanny navigates the hopes and hardships of youth amid New York’s social climb and family ambition, as a poet reflects on love, society, and the transformati…
Level C1ClassicsFanny's First PlayIn a quirky country house, a group of literary guests gather as a mysterious Count, dressed in outdated finery, reveals his yearning for genuine beauty and integrity amid a society…
Level C1ClassicsFanny's First NovelIn a lively household influenced by the theatrical spirit of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsFanny and the Servant ProblemNewlywed Lady Bantock arrives at her grand estate, where her aunts anxiously prepare her boudoir and wonder if she lives up to their expectations.
Level C1ClassicsFanny Burney and Her Friends: Select Passages from Her Diary and Other WritingsDelve into the intimate world of a gifted musical family in 18th-century England, where young Frances Burney’s early life unfolds amid artistic pursuits, complex family ties, and t…
Level C1ClassicsFanny Burney (Madame D'Arblay)Explore the rich Burney family history, tracing the roots and remarkable musical legacy of Charles Burney, father of Fanny Burney, amidst 18th-century England’s artistic and social…
Level C1HistoricalFancy's Show-Box (From "Twice Told Tales")An aging man confronts a haunting question: can guilt stain the soul from mere thoughts, without deeds?
Level C1ClassicsFancies Versus FadsExplore a spirited critique of modern theories and fads through sharp, playful essays that celebrate traditional sanity as the key to truly imaginative insight.
Level C1ClassicsFan : The Story of a Young Girl's LifeIn a bleak London tenement, a young girl named Fan struggles to survive amid poverty and familial strife, selling matches while enduring the harshness of her parents' troubled live…
Level C1HistoricalFamous funny fellowsExplore the rise of American newspaper humor through vivid sketches of iconic humorists, including the mischievous early life and adventurous career of Mark Twain as a steamboat pi…
Level C1HistoricalFamous Women: George SandExplore the extraordinary life of a woman born of noble and humble origins, whose unique lineage and turbulent early years shaped her rise to literary fame and unconventional path…
Level C1Children'sFamous Stories Every Child Should KnowJourney through timeless tales that blend everyday life with vivid imagination, inspiring wonder and nurturing the soul’s craving for joy, virtue, and the magic found in stories pa…
Level C1HistoricalFamous Reviews, Selected and Edited with Introductory Notes by R. Brimley JohnsonExplore the evolution of literary criticism through influential reviews and essays from renowned journals, revealing sharp judgments and insightful praises that shaped the receptio…
Level C1HistoricalFamiliar Studies of Men and BooksExplore vivid portraits of remarkable figures across ages and cultures, where sharp insights and personal perspectives reveal the complex interplay of character, history, and liter…
Level C1HistoricalFamiliar Studies in HomerExplore the vibrant world of Homeric epics brought to life through archaeological discoveries that connect myth to history.
Level C1ClassicsFamiliar QuotationsExplore a rich treasury of familiar quotations drawn from original sources, revealing the profound influence of language shaped by timeless authors and sacred texts.
Level C1ClassicsFamiliar Letters: The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 06 (of 20)Explore the intimate letters of a contemplative mind balancing rustic charm with keen intellect, revealing the everyday kindness, wit, and philosophical reflections behind the cele…
Level C1Children'sFalse Friends, and The Sailor's ResolveA young man struggles between his mother's loving warnings and the tempting influence of two dubious companions, risking his honor and future in a world shadowed by debt and deceit…
Level C1HistoricalFallen FortunesAmid the thunder of battle at Ramillies, a young traveler and his servant witness the clash of armies and the rise and fall of fortunes, drawn into the sweep of war and the stirrin…
Level C1ClassicsFalkner: A NovelIn a secluded Cornish village, a solitary girl visits a shadowed churchyard, hinting at a tale woven with loss, nature’s beauty, and quiet mystery where the sea meets the cliffs.
Level C1ClassicsFalkland, CompleteA solitary recluse retreats to a decaying estate, seeking refuge in thought and nature while reflecting on the weariness beneath society's gaiety.
Level C1RomanceFalkland, Book 4.Torn between love and societal judgment, Emily faces a heart-wrenching choice as Erasmus demands a final farewell, challenging their fragile bond amid scandal and sacrifice.
Level C1RomanceFalkland, Book 3.Torn between love and guilt, Lady Emily Mandeville grapples with a passionate, forbidden connection to the enigmatic Falkland, whose intense devotion threatens to unravel the caref…
Level C1RomanceFalkland, Book 2.Caught between a loveless marriage and the intoxicating allure of Falkland’s genius, Emily Mandeville's heart awakens to desires that challenge her very existence.
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.