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 C1ClassicsEnsign Knightley, and Other StoriesIn a besieged Tangier, a mysterious lieutenant wrestles with lost memories and hidden passions as danger looms and loyalties are tested amidst the chaos of war and intrigue.![Cover of English-Bisaya Grammar, in Twenty Eight Lessons by Pedro [Editor] Jiménez](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf13ege1ofc73dhaan0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsEnglish-Bisaya Grammar, in Twenty Eight LessonsExplore the intricacies of the Bisaya language through clear lessons on grammar, articles, and pronunciation, designed to bridge communication between English speakers and the Bisa…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish literary criticismExplore the evolution of English literary criticism from its Renaissance beginnings to the 19th century, revealing how poets and critics wrestle with classical ideals, poetic geniu…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish as she is spoke; or, a jest in sober earnestA comically earnest attempt to teach English through literal, often baffling translations from Portuguese reveals a quirky guide where language lessons turn into hilarious misunder…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish as She is Wrote: Showing Curious Ways in which the English Language may be made to Convey Ideas or obscure them.Discover a collection of hilarious and bewildering English language blunders, where earnest attempts at communication often lead to unintended meanings and charming confusion, reve…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VIIIDive into a rich collection of English and Scottish ballads where cunning riddles, medieval wit-combats, and timeless tales unfold through clever dialogues between kings, abbots, a…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VIIDive into the fierce clash between Scots and English at Otterbourne, where valor and strategy collide in a brutal border skirmish led by legendary warriors Hotspur and the Earl of…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VIDive into the rugged tales of border outlaws, blind harpers, and ancient feuds as Scottish and English ballads unfold stories of daring thefts, legendary strength, and royal encoun…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VExplore the legendary exploits of Robin Hood, the noble outlaw of Sherwood, as his daring adventures, loyalty, and love of justice unfold through ancient ballads that blur the line…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IVDive into a rich collection of traditional English and Scottish ballads, where ancient tales of love, valor, and mystery unfold through beautifully preserved versions and rendition…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IIIDive into haunting tales of love, betrayal, and ancient customs woven through English and Scottish ballads, where ghostly lights and age-old superstitions illuminate the dark myste…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IIExplore haunting tales of love, betrayal, and legend through traditional English and Scottish ballads, where ancient melodies reveal timeless human dramas woven into the fabric of…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish SatiresExplore the evolution of English satire through centuries of sharp wit, irony, and social critique, tracing its roots from personal lampoons to powerful literary commentary on soci…
Level C1PoetryEnglish Men of Letters: CrabbeExplore the life and work of an English poet whose vivid portrayals of rural poverty and human nature challenged poetic norms, offering a compelling glimpse into 18th-century coast…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish Men of Letters: ColeridgeExplore the life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, tracing his journey from early years through literary triumphs, struggles with health and opium, and profound influence on poetry and p…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Literature: ModernExplore the transformative Renaissance, where the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Latin texts ignites Italy's intellectual and artistic revival, reshaping literature, philosophy,…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking WorldExplore the vibrant evolution of English literature from Anglo-Saxon times to the Victorian Era, uncovering how historical events, national ideals, and individual lives shape timel…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Literature and Society in the Eighteenth CenturyExplore how eighteenth-century English literature reflects and shapes society, revealing the dynamic interplay between cultural ideas, social conditions, and philosophical thought…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Lands, Letters and Kings, vol. 4: The Later Georges to VictoriaJourney through England’s literary and royal landscapes from the Lake District’s poetic hills to the vibrant salons of London and Edinburgh, encountering iconic figures, stirring h…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Lands, Letters and Kings, vol. 3: Queen Anne and the GeorgesStep into early 18th-century England, where Queen Anne’s reign teeters between political intrigue and shifting alliances amid the rise of the Hanoverian Georges.
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Lands, Letters and Kings, vol. 2: From Elizabeth to AnneStep into early 17th-century England, where the Tudor reign ends and the Stuarts rise amidst bustling London streets, flourishing trade, and the golden age of Shakespeare.
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Lands, Letters and Kings, vol. 1: From Celt to TudorExplore the rich tapestry of England’s history, literature, and landscapes through engaging talks that connect iconic writers and historic sites, revealing the stories etched into…
Level C1ClassicsEnglish Jests and Anecdotes, Collected from Various SourcesDive into a collection of sharp wit and humorous tales from England’s past, where clever jests and amusing anecdotes reveal the quirks of historical figures and everyday life with…
Level C1Children'sEnglish Fairy TalesA brave young knight, marked by mysterious signs, escapes a wicked enchantress and embarks on a quest to save a land plagued by a fearsome dragon.
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Critical Essays: Nineteenth CenturyExplore the evolution of English literary criticism during the nineteenth century, tracing the shift from Neo-classicism to Romanticism through seminal essays and poetic theories t…
Level C1ClassicsEngland, My EnglandAmid ancient Hampshire commons and a timeworn cottage, a young couple, Egbert and Winifred, seek to revive a fading England through love, tradition, and the wild beauty of their la…
Level C1HistoricalEngland's AntiphonExplore the evolution of England’s religious poetry as it intertwines with the nation's history, revealing how heartfelt song and worship unite generations in a timeless chorus of…
Level C1HistoricalEnglandExplore how a small, water-soaked island with infertile soil rose from obscurity to dominate global trade and influence, becoming the heart of a civilization that reshaped the worl…
Level C1ClassicsEneas AfricanusAmid the turmoil of the Civil War South, a loyal old negro named Eneas embarks on a perilous journey carrying a precious family silver cup, weaving a tale of faithfulness, loss, an…
Level C1ClassicsEn RouteIn the quiet of St.
Level C1ClassicsEmpty chairsStep behind the scenes of Victorian theatre life, where royal visits, unexpected dramas, and heartfelt friendships illuminate the world beyond the stage.
Level C1HistoricalEmpress Josephine: An Historical Sketch of the Days of NapoleonAmidst the sweeping tides of revolution and empire, a graceful woman’s charm and unwavering loyalty illuminate the turbulent life of the Empress Josephine, whose love and strength…
Level C1Children'sEmmy Lou's Road to Grace: Being a Little Pilgrim's ProgressA young girl named Emmy Lou struggles to reconcile her innocent understanding of right and wrong with the confusing lessons of home, church, and school.
Level C1GothicEmmeline, the Orphan of the CastleIn the decaying Mowbray Castle, young Emmeline, orphaned and neglected, grows up under the care of loyal servants, unaware of her mysterious lineage and the secrets tied to the nob…
Level C1ClassicsEmmanuel Burden, merchant, of Thames St., in the city of London, exporter of hardwareFollow the life and legacy of Emmanuel Burden, a London merchant and Justice of the Peace, whose story intertwines commerce, faith, and empire.
Level C1AdventureEmmanuel Appadocca; or, Blighted life, Volume 2 (of 2)A small cutter carries Agnes and other captives across a perilous ocean, battling relentless winds and waves as hope flickers with the fading sight of their only companion ship.
Level C1AdventureEmmanuel Appadocca; or, Blighted life, Volume 1 (of 2)Amid the lush, tranquil waters of the Gulf of Paria, a story unfolds of a sensitive man navigating the brutal realities of slavery on a Caribbean plantation, confronting the harsh…
Level C1RomanceEmmaHandsome, clever, and rich Emma Woodhouse enjoys a life of comfort and influence but faces the sudden loneliness left by her closest friend’s marriage.
Level C1HistoricalEminent Authors of the Nineteenth Century: Literary PortraitsExplore intimate literary portraits of nine influential 19th-century authors from diverse nations, revealing their unique minds and the modern spirit shaping their works through ps…
Level C1ClassicsEmily Fox-Seton : being The making of a marchioness and The methods of Lady WalderhurstA resourceful and good-natured woman navigates London life on a slender income, using her practical skills and charm to carve a place for herself among the idle and helpless.
Level C1HistoricalEmily BrontëExplore the intense, passionate imagination that brings the wild moors and haunting characters to vivid life, offering a unique vision of nature and human emotion beyond ordinary e…
Level C1Children'sEmilie the PeacemakerTwo girls escape a chilly spring evening for a primrose hunt by the sea, revealing the challenges of childhood and family dynamics through the eyes of Emilie, a patient governess,…
Level C1ClassicsEmile ZolaWitness the fierce struggle of an epic poet torn between romantic roots and relentless realism, as he crafts grand narratives that capture life's raw truths yet wrestle with the li…
Level C1HistoricalEmerson and Other EssaysExplore the fierce struggle between individual liberty and societal tyranny as a provocative voice challenges the idealization of the masses, advocating instead for the cultivation…
Level C1AdventureEmelian the Fool: a taleIn a Russian village, Emelian the fool, known for his laziness, unexpectedly captures a magical pike that promises to grant his every wish—unleashing a whimsical adventure that rev…
Level C1PoetryEmbers, Volume 3.Explore the tender reflections of youth, love, and memory woven through evocative verses that trace the passage of time and the lingering presence of past joys and sorrows in every…
Level C1PoetryEmbers, Volume 1.A collection of heartfelt verses captures youth, memory, and fleeting impressions, weaving tales of love, loss, and longing against a backdrop of pastoral and distant lands.
Level C1PoetryEmbers, CompleteA collection of heartfelt poems capturing youthful memories, love, and longing across landscapes both near and far.
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.