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 C1ClassicsBy Force of Impulse: A Drama in Five ActsPowerful wills clash and passions ignite in a drama filled with stern Puritans, noble sons, eccentric lawyers, and impulsive beauties, set against a backdrop of societal expectatio…
Level C1AdventureBy England's Aid; or, the Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604)As England transitions from cautious supporter to active ally, witness the dramatic shift in a fierce struggle for Dutch independence against Spain’s might, with daring battles at…
Level C1ClassicsBy Birth a LadyA gentleman’s daring hunt ends in a devastating fall, leaving him gravely injured at a rural inn.
Level C1RomanceBy Berwen BanksIn a sleepy Welsh town, Caradoc Wynne returns home burdened by family secrets and a restless heart, as the lingering shadows of his past and the quiet rhythms of Berwen Banks set t…
Level C1PoetryBuzz a Buzz; Or, The BeesDiscover the bustling world of bees through witty verses and vivid illustrations that reveal the hive’s secret life, from vigilant sentinels to the queen’s grand fete, blending hum…
Level C1HistoricalBushyAmid the rugged Rockies, a young girl named Bushy embarks on a journey with her father after family tragedy upends their life in Iowa.
Level C1ClassicsBush studiesA lone woman journeys through a stormy, eerie Australian bush, haunted by memories of home and the instinct of impending motherhood.
Level C1RomanceBurning SandsIn the sultry heat of Cairo, Lady Muriel Blair navigates society’s expectations and the complexities of her new life as the Residency’s mistress, where romance and intrigue simmer…
Level C1AdventureBurning DaylightIn a fading frontier saloon, the arrival of Burning Daylight electrifies the weary miners and gamblers, promising a night of wild celebration and daring feats as he prepares to mak…
Level C1ClassicsBurlesquesIn a bustling city market, a young man drifts between the vibrant chaos of commerce and the quiet depths of love and tragedy.
Level C1PoetryBurlesque Plays and PoemsDive into sharp, witty parodies that mock storytelling excesses and chivalric tales, from Chaucer’s loquacious knights to satirical stage plays, blending humor and critique in a li…
Level C1AdventureBurlIn a turbulent Kentucky frontier fraught with Indian raids and fierce survival, settlers navigate a harsh wilderness where law and safety are scarce.
Level C1ClassicsBuried Alive: A Tale of These DaysIn a gloomy London house, a solitary fifty-year-old bachelor wrestles with loneliness and unfulfilled desires, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic success of the elusive artist…
Level C1RomanceBurgo's RomanceIn the lush conservatory of a London house, Burgo Brabazon wrestles with love and rivalry as he vies for Clara Leslie’s heart amid society’s intrigues and competing suitors.
Level C1ClassicsBurgess Unabridged: A new dictionary of words you have always neededDive into a lively, inventive dictionary that captures the ever-evolving, playful spirit of English, blending slang, neologisms, and fresh expressions to reflect the language of 19…
Level C1ClassicsBureaucracyIn the heart of Parisian bureaucracy, Xavier Rabourdin navigates the rigid corridors of power, ambition, and love, caught between his modest origins and the dazzling prospects of m…
Level C1Children'sBunyan's Pilgrim's Progress: In Words of One SyllableA man burdened by a heavy load and fearful of his fate embarks on a journey to escape destruction and find eternal peace.
Level C1ClassicsBunyan Characters (3rd Series)A vivid spiritual battle unfolds as Mansoul is besieged, captured, and defended in this allegory of faith and conflict, drawing deep from biblical wars and the author's own wartime…
Level C1ClassicsBunyan Characters (2nd Series)A brisk, well-dressed young gentleman embarks on a challenging pilgrimage, contrasting sharply with two weathered travelers who warn him of the difficulties ahead.
Level C1PhilosophyBunyan Characters (1st Series)Explore the profound nature of moral character through vivid portraits inspired by Bunyan’s timeless figures, as this philosophical inquiry unpacks how acts shape habits, and habit…
Level C1HistoricalBunyanRaised in humble surroundings and haunted by vivid religious visions, a young boy wrestles with his own flaws and fears in a world where every event is seen as a battle between goo…
Level C1ClassicsBunner SistersIn a fading New York neighborhood, two sisters run a modest shop amid decline and dust, clinging to neatness and quiet pride.
Level C1ClassicsBunker BeanA timid young man named Bunker Bean longs to transform himself into the confident, dashing figure he imagines—tall, stylish, and magnetic—while navigating the challenges of life an…
Level C1HistoricalBungay Castle: A Novel. v. 1/2Amid the haunting ruins of Bungay Castle, where legends of ghostly warriors and lost loves linger, a tale unfolds blending romance, history, and imagination to revive the vanished…
Level C1ClassicsBunch Grass: A Chronicle of Life on a Cattle RanchExperience the rugged life of a Southern California cattle ranch in the 1880s, where pioneers, outlaws, and settlers clash amid the transforming wildlands.
Level C1ClassicsBully McGraneIn the rough-and-tumble town of Pistol Gap, marshal Bully McGrane rules with an iron fist, but the arrival of the enigmatic and defiant Tud Drury stirs tension and threatens the fr…
Level C1MysteryBulldog CarneyIn the rough frontier town of Edmonton, a mysterious rider known as Bulldog Carney ignites tension and intrigue as he confronts lawmen and outlaws alike, setting the stage for a gr…
Level C1RomanceBulldog And Butterfly: From "Schwartz" by David Christie MurrayIn the quiet English countryside of 1850, Bertha Fellowes navigates life at the weathered Oak House, balancing rustic charm with a tender, resolute spirit amid the rhythms of rural…
Level C1PoetryBulchevy's Book of English VerseExplore a curated journey through English verse from the 13th to the 19th century, featuring lyrical and epigrammatic poems chosen for their enduring beauty and emotional power, wi…
Level C1MysteryBuffalo Bill's ruseIn a dusty frontier town, the fierce and relentless Pizen Kate storms in, hunting down the husband who fled her, stirring up trouble and drawing curious onlookers into a tale of wi…
Level C1Children'sBuff: A Collie, and Other Dog-StoriesA unique puppy, a mix of collie and pit-terrier, defies expectations with her size, strength, and spirit as she grows up on a farm where purebreds reign.
Level C1ClassicsBuell HamptonAt Lake Geneva, a thrilling tennis match sparks a tale of love and ambition, weaving together the lives of an American heiress, an English nobleman, and the mysterious Major Buell…
Level C1ClassicsBuds and Bird Voices (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")As spring finally thaws a long, harsh winter, the world awakens in vivid bursts of green and life, inviting reflection on nature’s gentle power to revive both earth and spirit.
Level C1ClassicsBud: A NovelIn a sleepy town awakened by a playful New Year's bell and lively songs, the spirited Bell Dyce stirs from her bed, setting the stage for a tale of warmth, humor, and the joyful ch…
Level C1AdventureBucky O'Connor: A Tale of the Unfenced BorderA bold sheriff disrupts a transcontinental train with a daring act, sparking tension and intrigue aboard the Coast Limited.
Level C1AdventureBuckskin Mose: Or, Life From the Lakes to the Pacific, as Actor, Circus-Rider, Detective, Ranger, Gold-Digger, Indian Scout, and Guide.Journey from the lakes to the Pacific unfolds through the eyes of a restless adventurer—actor, scout, gold-digger, and guide—who reveals the harsh realities of frontier life and th…
Level C1ClassicsBruvver Jim's BabyAmid a vast Piute tribe hunt in Nevada, a tiny, frightened boy is accidentally left behind, clinging to a fallen rabbit in a silent, desolate valley.
Level C1AdventureBruno; or, lessons of fidelity, patience, and self-denial taught by a dogIn the rugged Alps, a brave hunter and his loyal dog Bruno face a fierce wolf threatening their home, embarking on a daring adventure that teaches lessons of fidelity, patience, an…
Level C1AdventureBruceA delicate female collie, deemed a "second" for her rebellious ears and gender, struggles against prejudice and obscurity in a world that prizes male dogs and flawless show specime…
Level C1ClassicsBrownlows: A NovelIn a well-known family burdened by debts and divided loyalties, John Brownlow inherits his father’s estate and legal practice, facing the challenge of upholding honor and stability…
Level C1PoetryBrowning's Shorter PoemsExplore vivid poems brimming with lively narration, high optimism, and profound reflections on the soul’s journey, crafted to engage young readers with imagination and insight thro…
Level C1ClassicsBrowning's England: A Study in English Influences in BrowningExplore the deep English influences shaping Robert Browning’s poetry, from youthful admiration of Shelley and Keats to the complex interplay of personal belief and artistic vision…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning as a Philosophical and Religious TeacherExplore the profound moral and religious philosophy woven through Browning’s poetry, where poetic art meets deep ethical inquiry and idealistic faith, inviting readers to consider…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning and the Dramatic MonologueExplore the challenges of understanding Browning’s innovative dramatic monologues, where traditional storytelling gives way to deep psychological insight and complex human motives,…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning and His CenturyExplore the intense 19th-century clash between mind and spirit as evolving scientific knowledge challenges inherited religious and moral traditions, revealing a profound struggle s…
Level C1ClassicsBrowning and Dogma: Seven Lectures on Browning's Attitude Towards Dogmatic ReligionExplore the complex faith and spiritual quest of a poet who wrestles with dogmatic religion, doubt, and truth through powerful dramatic voices and personal conviction.
Level C1PoetryBrown leaves and other versesExplore heartfelt reflections on nature, life’s seasons, and the tender moments that connect childhood, love, memory, and hope in a collection of verses that celebrate the beauty a…
Level C1AdventureBrown Wolf and Other Jack London Stories: Chosen and Edited By Franklin K. MathiewsIn a rugged mountain setting, a mysterious brown wolf with the heart of a dog forms an unbreakable bond with a couple, blending wild instincts with deep loyalty.
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.