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 C1HistoricalBallades and Rondeaus, Chants Royal, Sestinas, Villanelles, etc.Explore the enchanting world of traditional fixed-form poetry, from ballades to villanelles, as this anthology showcases the revival and artistry of old French rhythms adapted into…
Level C1PoetryBallad BookDive into the enchanting world of ancient ballads where superstition, tradition, and romance intertwine in rugged language and haunting refrains, inviting readers to discover the r…
Level C1ClassicsBalcony StoriesOn summer nights in a sun-drenched land, women gather on balconies to share stories of love, loss, and life, their whispered voices weaving a tapestry of memories and secrets benea…
Level C1ClassicsBakemono Yashiki (The Haunted House), Retold from the Japanese Originals: Tales of the Tokugawa, Volume 2 (of 2)In the tumultuous era following the fall of the Hōjō clan, a web of loyalty, power struggles, and military strategy unfolds around Tokugawa Iyeyasu’s rise to shogunate in Edo.
Level C1AdventureBahama Bill, Mate of the Wrecking Sloop Sea-HorseA powerful diver plunges into the clear Bahama waters to salvage a sunken brig rumored to hold a fortune in silver and revolutionary arms.
Level C1ClassicsBagh O Bahar, or Tales of the Four DarweshesJourney into a vibrant garden of tales where four wandering mystics share stories steeped in Eastern thought, language, and fantastical beings like jinns and angels, revealing the…
Level C1ClassicsBad HughIn a mysterious Kentucky estate weathering a fierce winter storm, Hugh Worthington returns home to a life shaped by an enigmatic past and the complex ties of family, solitude, and…
Level C1ClassicsBaconian EssaysExplore the controversial theory that the plays and poems attributed to Shakespeare were actually penned by hidden authors, challenging long-held beliefs about literary history and…
Level C1PhilosophyBacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the AncientsDive into timeless reflections on human nature, politics, and philosophy through sharp essays and mythological fables that reveal the wisdom behind ancient stories and practical ad…
Level C1HistoricalBacon is Shake-Speare: Together with a Reprint of Bacon's Promus of Formularies and EleganciesExplore the compelling argument that Francis Bacon, a man of unparalleled learning and courtly experience, is the true author behind Shakespeare's masterpieces, supported by lingui…
Level C1HistoricalBacon and ShakspereExplore the mystery behind Shakespeare's notoriously inconsistent signatures, revealing a man seemingly unable to write or spell his own name, challenging long-held assumptions abo…
Level C1HistoricalBacon and ShakespeareDive into the fiery debate over the true authorship of Shakespeare’s plays as this book challenges the Baconian theory, dissecting the characters, evidence, and controversies that…
Level C1HistoricalBaconA brilliant mind driven by a passionate quest for knowledge rises to great heights, yet struggles with personal flaws and moral compromises in a turbulent political world.
Level C1ClassicsBacklog StudiesIn a world losing its hearth and home, one man reflects on the fading warmth of family and tradition amid modern life's artificial comforts.
Level C1PhilosophyBack to Methuselah: A Metabiological PentateuchExplore the tumultuous dawn of Darwinism and the clash between tradition and modern science as society grapples with evolution, heredity, and the shifting foundations of knowledge…
Level C1AdventureBack to God's Country and Other StoriesA relentless Great Dane’s fierce legacy shapes a wild northern frontier where men, nature, and survival collide in a gripping tale of loyalty, conflict, and the untamed spirit of t…
Level C1MysteryBack homeA Texas Ranger returns from secret business in Mexico, encountering a mysterious white stranger with a scarred face aboard the train.
Level C1Children'sBack at School with the Tucker TwinsA year after starting boarding school, a girl reunites with her friends at the train station, where lively adventures and heartfelt moments await the spirited Tucker twins and thei…
Level C1ClassicsBack Home: Being the Narrative of Judge Priest and His PeopleIn a small Kentucky town where the Civil War's legacy lingers, a newcomer faces suspicion after killing the county clerk without witnesses—setting the stage for a vivid portrayal o…
Level C1ClassicsBack HomeA candid, humorous reflection on the simple pleasures and restless nights brought on by a modest book, offering a fresh perspective on life beyond youthful romances.![Cover of Babylonian and Assyrian Literature by Epiphanius etc.] Wilson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagil34up3dc73d99be0.webp)
Level C1PoetryBabylonian and Assyrian LiteratureUnearth the ancient world of Assyria and Babylonia through their enduring cuneiform tablets, revealing epic poems, hymns, and royal inscriptions that illuminate a civilization olde…
Level C1ClassicsBabylon, Volume 3Caught between the decaying grandeur of Rome and the harsh realities of artistic failure, Hiram Winthrop struggles to find his true voice amid squalor, disappointment, and fleeting…
Level C1ClassicsBabylon, Volume 2A young sculptor, yearning to escape his modest apprenticeship, dreams of studying in Rome to master his craft and prove his talent.
Level C1ClassicsBabylon, Volume 1In a stark rural American farm, young Hiram finds solace in a wild blackberry lot, a rare patch of nature amid endless, barren fields.
Level C1ClassicsBaboo Jabberjee, B.A.An earnest Indian graduate striving to master English prose offers his refined essays and poetry to a London periodical, challenging the prevailing vulgarities of local writing wit…
Level C1ClassicsBabes in the BushA family faces financial ruin in England and is tempted by a letter offering a new start on a vast Australian estate.
Level C1ClassicsAztec place-namesExplore the rich meanings and linguistic patterns behind Aztec place-names, revealing how geography, nature, and culture blend in their composition through detailed analysis and ex…
Level C1FantasyAyesha, the Return of SheImmortal and enigmatic, Ayesha resurfaces as fate intertwines with the lives of Leo and his guardian, drawing them into a mysterious saga of love, destiny, and ancient power that d…
Level C1ClassicsAyala's AngelTwo penniless sisters, Ayala and Lucy Dormer, navigate the shadows of their late artist father's debts and their wealthy, estranged relatives.
Level C1PoetryAwd Isaac, The Steeple Chase, and Other Poems: With a glossary of the Yorkshire DialectExplore heartfelt poems rooted in Yorkshire life and dialect, blending local tales with moral reflections and spiritual grace.
Level C1RomanceAwakeningAn English artist encounters a mysterious and captivating Eastern woman at a Riviera hotel, inspiring him to capture her elusive beauty in his art.
Level C1HistoricalAvril: Being Essays on the Poetry of the French RenaissanceExplore the vivid poetry of the French Renaissance through essays that reveal the cultural and historical ties shaping Europe’s literary heritage, as England and France begin to re…
Level C1ClassicsAverilOn a gloomy, rain-soaked day in Lincoln's Inn, the timid yet determined Averil braves the weather to seek counsel from the ever-optimistic Mr.
Level C1ClassicsAvarice--Anger: Two of the Seven Cardinal SinsIn the bustling streets of Paris, young Mariette, burdened by poverty and illiteracy, entrusts a kind old scrivener to give voice to her secret plea, setting in motion a tale of ha…
Level C1PoetryAutumnal leaves: tales and sketches in prose and rhymeIn a world divided by class and beauty, a young man’s admiration for a humble, radiant nursery maid challenges societal norms and sparks quiet rebellion against convention and prej…
Level C1PoetryAutumn Leaves: Original Pieces in Prose and VerseIn a quiet New England town, a mysterious old man and a lively group in vintage attire gather to revive Christmas traditions in a warmly decorated church, sparking wonder in a loca…
Level C1PoetryAutumn LeavesExplore the cycles of life and hope through heartfelt poems that reflect on love, loss, and renewal amid nature’s changing seasons.
Level C1ClassicsAutumn Glory; Or, The Toilers of the FieldIn a fading rural world, a steadfast farmer faces harsh demands and deep distrust from his absent Marquis and a threatening steward, while struggling to protect his land, family, a…
Level C1ClassicsAutres Temps...: 1916A woman returns from exile to New York, haunted by her troubled past and her daughter's scandalous choices, as she confronts the judgment and mysteries of a society that never lets…
Level C1ClassicsAutobiography: Truth and Fiction Relating to My LifeDive into the complex life of a towering European intellect whose profound influence and artistic spirit shaped a generation.
Level C1HistoricalAutobiography, Letters and Literary Remains of Mrs. Piozzi (Thrale) (2nd ed.) (2 vols.)Dive into the intimate letters and diaries of a prominent literary figure, revealing her vibrant life, friendships, and the intricate relationship with the towering lexicographer D…
Level C1ClassicsAutobiography of a Pocket-HandkerchiefAn embroidered pocket-handkerchief narrates its unique journey through French and American societies, unveiling sharp critiques of economic exploitation and social pretensions whil…
Level C1HistoricalAutobiography of a Female SlaveBorn to a slave mother and raised in a Kentucky farmhouse, a bright, fair-skinned girl navigates the complexities of slavery and education, cherished yet confined.
Level C1ClassicsAutobiography of a ChildA neglected child finds solace and love with her devoted nurse and stepfather amid a harsh, unloving home.
Level C1ClassicsAutobiographic SketchesExplore a deeply personal collection of writings that reveal the trials of publication, the struggle for authenticity, and the evolving nature of an author's voice as he revises an…
Level C1HistoricalAuthors of GreeceExplore a world where ancient Greek literature mirrors our own society's struggles with democracy, war, and ideology, revealing timeless lessons through the voices of iconic poets,…
Level C1ClassicsAuthors at home: Personal and biographical sketches of well-known American writersExplore the intimate lives of renowned American writers as they invite you into their homes, revealing personal tastes, surroundings, and the unique atmospheres that shape their cr…
Level C1HistoricalAuthors and Writers Associated with Morristown: With a Chapter on Historic MorristownExplore the rich literary heritage of Morristown, New Jersey, where historic Revolutionary War sites and notable authors intertwine.
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.