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 C1ClassicsChristian's MistakeA young governess unexpectedly marries the reserved Master of Saint Bede's College, thrusting her into a world of social change and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsChristian MelvilleOn a cold December evening, Christian Melville, a thoughtful woman burdened by sorrow, faces the bittersweet emotions stirred by her brother's impending marriage.
Level C1ClassicsChristian Gellert's Last Christmas: From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' CorporationIn 1768 Leipzig, beloved poet and moral lecturer Christian Gellert faces his final lessons with a heavy heart, questioning the true impact of his teachings on youth and the world.
Level C1ClassicsChrist in FlandersIn a remote Flemish village where aristocrats and commoners share a tense boat journey, mysterious arrivals spark whispered legends and deep social divides.
Level C1ClassicsChoice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader: Being Selections from the Chief American WritersExplore a curated collection of extended excerpts from America’s foremost writers, spanning religious, historical, and literary voices from the seventeenth century onward.
Level C1ClassicsChitra, a Play in One ActA warrior princess raised as a son grapples with her identity and love when Arjuna, a famed prince and ascetic, enters her forest realm, challenging her strength and awakening her…
Level C1HistoricalChita: A Memory of Last IslandJourney through Louisiana’s mysterious bayous and shimmering sea-islands to discover a haunting archipelago where old legends stir beneath sun-drenched oaks and ghostly shores, wea…
Level C1Children'sChit-chat, or Short Tales in Short WordsDelight in a series of charming, illustrated tales designed to introduce young readers to fascinating topics—from ancient mines and majestic forests to grand ships and iconic Londo…
Level C1RomanceChiquita, an American Novel: The Romance of a Ute Chief's DaughterBorn into a once-respected family shadowed by a reckless father's downfall, Jack Sheppard navigates the tensions of heritage, hardship, and hope in a New England valley where love…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 5: Miscellaneous Later EssaysExplore the passionate defense of individual liberty against society’s constraints, reflecting on the evolution of freedom from John Stuart Mill’s era to modern England, questionin…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 4: Essays Chiefly on the Science of LanguageExplore the origins and evolution of language through detailed lectures and essays on comparative philology, tracing ancient tongues and their connections across cultures.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 3: Essays on Literature, Biography, and AntiquitiesExplore the rich history of German literature, from ancient epic poems and Gothic languages to the cultural ties that bind England and Germany.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 1: Essays on the Science of ReligionExplore the origins of human thought and religion as they unfold through ancient languages and traditions, revealing timeless elements that shape belief and understanding across cu…
Level C1HistoricalChippings with a Chisel (From "Twice Told Tales")An elderly tombstone carver arrives on Martha’s Vineyard, seeking work among the island’s simple, long-lived inhabitants.
Level C1HistoricalChippinge BoroughAmid the turmoil of a dissolved Parliament and the fervor for the People’s Bill in 1831 London, young barrister Arthur Vaughan navigates a city brimming with hope, political intrig…
Level C1ClassicsChinese fables and folk storiesExplore the enchanting world of Chinese fables and folk stories, revealing the rich imagination, wisdom, and cultural insights of a people whose tales have long remained hidden fro…![Cover of Chinese Poems by Charles [Translator] Budd](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daci5s5l9p5c73fhjurg.webp)
Level C1PoetryChinese PoemsExperience the timeless emotions and vivid imagery of ancient China through evocative translations that reveal the universal nature of human feelings across millennia.
Level C1Children'sChildren's Rhymes, Children's Games, Children's Songs, Children's Stories: A Book for Bairns and Big FolkDive into a lively collection of Scottish children's rhymes, games, songs, and stories, capturing the playful spirit and timeless charm of childhood through traditional verses and…
Level C1Children'sChildren's Literature: A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training ClassesA practical guide designed to equip teachers with a curated collection of traditional stories, rhymes, and folklore essential for children's literature education.
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the desertAmid the vast, unforgiving desert borderlands, Harboro, a stoic railroad man with a mysterious past, marries Sylvia in a small town where weddings are rare and lives intersect unde…
Level C1Children'sChildren of the WildIn the heart of the wild Silverwater woods, a curious boy known as the Babe embarks on a quest to understand the creatures around him, guided by the cautious Uncle Andy and the ima…
Level C1MysteryChildren of the WhirlwindIn a grimy New York street, the enigmatic Duchess’s pawnshop hides tangled secrets as young Maggie Carlisle and Larry Brainard’s lives intertwine, setting the stage for a turbulent…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the TenementsIn the grim tenements of New York, a struggling immigrant family battles poverty, sickness, and ruthless landlords to protect their most precious treasure—their child, known only a…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar PeopleWithin the narrow streets of London’s Jewish Ghetto, a vibrant community struggles with poverty, tradition, and the weight of history, weaving dreams and faith amid hardship and ch…
Level C1AdventureChildren of the FrostAn intrepid explorer ventures beyond the known Arctic Barrens to discover hidden spruce forests and an uncharted Eskimo village, encountering a mysterious survivor who has lived is…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Dear CotswoldsAmid the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds, returning soldiers and locals reconnect with their cherished homeland, revealing the deep bonds between people and place during a time of…
Level C1HistoricalChildren of destinyBeneath the golden harvest skies of Virginia, a young boy named Lewis navigates a world steeped in nature's beauty and human complexities, finding solace only in the companionship…
Level C1PoetryChildhood's happy home, and other versesExplore heartfelt verses that reflect on family milestones, memories, and loss, capturing the tender moments and enduring bonds within a loving home.
Level C1PoetryChildhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories: The Young Folks Treasury, Volume 1Delve into a carefully curated treasury of fairy tales, myths, and legends designed to nourish young imaginations and prepare children for a life of learning, heroism, and beauty.
Level C1AdventureChild of StormAmid the fierce rivalry between Zulu princes Cetewayo and Umbelazi, the battle for succession unfolds with bloodshed and honor, revealing a world of warrior valor, witchcraft, and…
Level C1ClassicsChild and Country: A Book of the Younger GenerationA family escapes the weariness of city life to build a home on the lakeshore, discovering health, creativity, and a new vision for educating children at home.
Level C1PoetryChild Verse: Poems Grave & GayDiscover a collection of poems that dance between whimsy and wisdom, capturing the innocence and imagination of childhood through verses both lighthearted and profound.
Level C1Children'sChild Life in ProseDiscover a rich collection of prose stories and sketches that celebrate childhood’s innocence, imagination, and enduring charm, inviting readers of all ages to revisit the wonder a…
Level C1FantasyChild Christopher and Goldilind the FairIn a land so dense with trees that one can travel treetop to treetop, a young prince named Christopher is born amidst war and loss.
Level C1HistoricalChicot the JesterIn the turbulent court of Henri III, a lavish wedding sets the stage for intrigue, rivalry, and the mischievous antics of Chicot, the royal jester who blurs the line between fool a…
Level C1ClassicsChetwynd CalverleyIn a grand Cheshire estate, estranged siblings reunite amid their father's grave illness, unveiling family tensions and mysterious silences that hint at deep secrets and shifting l…
Level C1PoetryChenodia: Or, the Classical Mother GooseNursery rhymes take on classical form and ancient languages in a playful collection blending Latin, Greek, and English verses.
Level C1MysteryCheckmateAmid the shadowed grandeur of Mortlake Hall, a mysterious figure named Longcluse watches a gathering where whispered talk of a brutal murder stirs unease.
Level C1ClassicsCheckers: A Hard-luck StoryOn Derby Day in Chicago, a novice racegoer navigates the thrilling chaos of betting, crowds, and horse racing odds, uncovering unexpected stakes and secrets beneath the surface of…
Level C1HistoricalCheap Jack ZitaIn a quaint cathedral town, a bold Cheap Jack sets up shop before the sacred Galilee porch, stirring scandal and curiosity among clergy, townsfolk, and youths alike, while a myster…
Level C1RomanceChaucer's Works, Volume 2 — Boethius and TroilusImprisoned and awaiting execution, a philosopher confronts fate and seeks solace in reason, exploring fortune, free will, and the divine order.
Level C1Children'sChaucer for Children: A Golden KeyEnter a world where love’s fierce battles, irresistible temptations, and the shadow of death intertwine in vivid tales brought to life for young readers.
Level C1HistoricalChaucer and His EnglandStep back into 14th-century England, where the vibrant world that shaped a literary genius unfolds in vivid detail.
Level C1HistoricalChaucerExplore the meticulous reconstruction of Geoffrey Chaucer's life through rare documents and poetic clues, revealing the challenges of piecing together the biography of England's fa…
Level C1ClassicsChattertonIn a cramped London garret, the young poet Chatterton wrestles with poverty and pride while clinging to his dreams and the fragile hope of recognition, even as those around him dis…
Level C1HistoricalChata and Chinita: A NovelA weary stranger arrives at the imposing Tres Hermanos hacienda seeking shelter, amid wary glances and rustic life in Mexico’s fertile Bajio region.
Level C1ClassicsChastelard, a TragedyIn the shadowed chambers of Holyrood, the four Maries weave songs of love and longing, while whispers of courtly passion and scandal stir around the enigmatic figure of Chastelard,…
Level C1ClassicsChaste as Ice, Pure as Snow: A NovelIn bustling London during May, a striking woman of contrasting elegance and simplicity faces the vibrant world around her, while hidden stories of hope, struggle, and art unfold am…
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.