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 C1ClassicsAt the Sign of the EagleIn a world where social status clashes with raw ambition, a wounded explorer's chance encounter with two enigmatic men sets the stage for a tale of adventure, business, and unexpec…
Level C1RomanceAt the Sign of the Cat and RacketIn the heart of old Paris, a young man becomes captivated by a mysterious, crumbling house marked by a whimsical sign of a cat playing rackets—uncovering secrets woven into the cit…
Level C1ClassicsAt the Relton ArmsIn a West End musician’s studio, a gathering of society’s elite reveals tangled ambitions, hidden talents, and impassioned debates on art and socialism.
Level C1AdventureAt the Point of the Bayonet: A Tale of the Mahratta WarAmidst the turbulent Mahratta War, Major Lindsay struggles to maintain order in a wild Indian district while British forces face mismanagement and fierce resistance.
Level C1HistoricalAt the Mercy of TiberiusIn a world shadowed by pride and desperation, a young woman faces a painful mission to seek aid from a distant, estranged family patriarch.
Level C1ClassicsAt the Ghost Hour. The House of the Unbelieving ThomasIn a shadowed street of ancient German houses, a decaying mansion known as "The Unbelieving Thomas" harbors dark secrets and eerie legends.
Level C1ClassicsAt the Gate of SamariaIn a stern, Puritan-rooted household, a young woman’s rebellious artistic ambitions clash with her family’s rigid expectations, revealing tensions between social class, morality, a…
Level C1HistoricalAt the Emperor's Wish: A Tale of the New JapanAn aging samurai struggles to reconcile his fading status and traditional values with the sweeping changes of Meiji Japan, where loyalty to the Emperor remains his guiding light am…
Level C1Science FictionAt the Earth's CoreA daring inventor and his companion test a revolutionary drilling machine that burrows deep into the Earth, uncovering a hidden, prehistoric world teeming with strange creatures an…
Level C1RomanceAt love's costA cynical man reluctantly joins a charming, wealthy companion on a rainy, misty journey to a mysterious lakeside estate, drawn into unexpected adventure and intrigue despite his be…
Level C1FantasyAt a Winter's FireLost in a haunting Alpine gorge under a full moon, a traveler encounters eerie spirits and a mysterious figure plagued by a strange affliction tied to the lunar light—where nature’…
Level C1MysteryAt War with Society; or, Tales of the OutcastsDive into the shadowy world of Edinburgh’s streets, where a cunning female thief, Jean Brash, outwits the law with charm and guile, revealing the gritty battle between crime and ju…
Level C1PoetryAt Sundown, and other poems: Part 5 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of evocative poems blending nature’s quiet moments with stirring reflections on history, faith, and human resilience, capturing the spirit of winter’s hush, th…
Level C1PoetryAt Minas Basin, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid landscapes and timeless legends from the Basin of Minas, where nature’s beauty and myth intertwine through evocative poetry that captures the spirit of se…
Level C1RomanceAt Last: A NovelA devoted matchmaker with a tender heart and firm convictions, Mrs.
Level C1PhilosophyAt LargeA solitary bachelor escapes the constraints of society by retreating to a quiet country home in the mysterious fenlands, seeking freedom, friendship, and the elusive solace of soli…
Level C1MysteryAt His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)In a country house where social niceties mask simmering tensions, a mysterious guest stirs unease among the family, especially young Ned, who senses threats lurking behind polite c…
Level C1MysteryAt His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)Haunted by betrayal and loss, Helen confronts a man who has stolen her husband's good name and shattered their lives, igniting a fierce battle of truth and justice within the shado…
Level C1MysteryAt His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a charming Kensington home, a talented but cautious painter and his proud, ambitious wife navigate the clash between art, ambition, and social expectation, where personal dreams…
Level C1RomanceAt FaultA grieving Creole widow inherits a vast Louisiana plantation and faces the challenges of preserving her late husband's legacy amid changing times, suspicious neighbors, and unwelco…
Level C1ClassicsAt Close RangeA restless traveler embarks on a grueling overnight journey through snowy towns, exploring the hidden depths of human character and unexpected kindness found along the way.
Level C1RomanceAt BayIn vibrant Paris, a wealthy lady and a sharp financier navigate high society, secret missions, and tangled relationships, where trust and fortune hang in delicate balance.
Level C1AdventureAt AgincourtAmidst the bitter feud ravaging France, a noble English household prepares to join the fray, bringing skilled archers and knights to a land torn by civil war.
Level C1HistoricalAstronomical Lore in ChaucerExplore the medieval world where celestial movements govern daily life and fate, intertwining astronomy and astrology in poetry.
Level C1AdventureAstoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky MountainsJourney beyond the Rockies unfolds as fur traders and explorers brave treacherous wilderness, negotiate with Native tribes, and establish the ambitious Astoria trading post, reveal…
Level C1RomanceAsphodelBeneath a blazing midsummer sun in the enchanting Fontainebleau forest, free-spirited Daphne revels in nature’s wild beauty and the freedom from schoolroom confines, setting the st…
Level C1HistoricalAspects and ImpressionsStep into the Victorian literary world through vivid impressions of George Eliot and her contemporaries, exploring the powerful influence and complex rivalries shaping English pros…
Level C1RomanceAspasiaIn ancient Athens, a captivatingly beautiful woman stirs awe, desire, and envy as she strides through the Agora, igniting silent tensions and unspoken conflicts.
Level C1ClassicsAsmodeus; or, The Devil on Two SticksA witty and satirical devil offers a devilish perspective on human folly, blending sharp comedy and social critique.
Level C1RomanceAslauga's KnightA noble knight devoted to ancient legends becomes enchanted by the story of Aslauga, a hidden princess turned queen, while a mysterious veiled woman seeks his aid to reclaim lost h…
Level C1MysteryAshton-Kirk, CriminologistA brilliant criminologist with a flair for the artistic side of crime teams up with his strong-handed friend to unravel a complex, arabesque murder.
Level C1MysteryAshes to ashesA desperate man clings to risky investments to maintain his lifestyle and inheritance, while his wife mysteriously ventures into the heart of the financial district.
Level C1ClassicsAshes (Cenere): A Sardinian StoryOn a midsummer night in rural Sardinia, fifteen-year-old Olì embarks on a secret love affair with a mysterious young farm laborer, drawn by dreams of escape and passion amid the fa…
Level C1HistoricalAshcliffe Hall: A tale of the last centuryIn an old English manor, two sisters navigate the expectations of their genteel world, while secrets and quiet tensions simmer beneath the genteel surface.
Level C1RomanceAscanioAmidst the splendor and intrigue of Francis I's French court, passionate rivalries and political schemes unfold as a young favorite rises to power, challenging queens and captivati…
Level C1ClassicsAsbeïn: From the Life of a VirtuosoIn sunlit Rome, a chance encounter reignites the charged relationship between Princess Natalie and the passionate, solitary violin virtuoso Boris Lensky, setting the stage for a ta…
Level C1ClassicsAs a woman thinksExplore the intimate journey of a woman’s mind as she reflects on how her thoughts shape her courage, character, and life amid the everyday challenges and humor of ordinary people.
Level C1MysteryAs a thief in the nightA sudden visit from a concerned clergyman uncovers alarming truths about the frail Harold’s health, setting off a tense quest for a second medical opinion.
Level C1ClassicsAs We Were SayingExplore a thoughtful meditation on shifting tastes and values, as the humble rose yields to the flamboyant chrysanthemum—a symbol of modern life's bold colors and restless fashions…
Level C1ClassicsAs We GoExplore a thoughtful collection of essays that examine democracy, privilege, and social change in America, reflecting on how leadership is earned and the power of the people to sha…![Cover of As Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and Poem by G. Thompson [Editor] Hutchinson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8pd0lnmvfc73bifsd0.webp)
Level C1PoetryAs Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and PoemJourney through the year with vivid poems and pictures that celebrate the changing seasons, from the frozen stillness of January to the blooming promise of spring and the golden ha…
Level C1ClassicsAs Others See Us: Being the Diary of a Canadian DebutanteA young Canadian debutante arrives in a bustling city of wealth and society, eager to navigate dances, teas, and the complexities of high-class life.
Level C1HistoricalAs Others Saw Him: A Retrospect, A.D. 54In a vivid recounting from Jerusalem, a man with fiery zeal disrupts the Temple's commerce, revealing a complex figure torn between righteous fury and tender compassion.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was in the BeginningA weary inventor is offered a dreamlike escape: a voyage to Canton, China, tasked with escorting a grieving woman back home.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was Written: A Jewish Musician's StoryA restless musician’s solitary life is transformed when he encounters Veronika, a pale and mysterious beauty, on a moonlit New York evening.
Level C1ClassicsArundelAmid the sun-drenched plains of colonial India, a steadfast colonel returns from a taxing day of military duty, his thoughts anchored to his regiment and home life.
Level C1ClassicsArtists' WivesIn a dimly lit artist’s studio, two friends—poet and painter—debate the perilous balance between creative genius and marriage, exploring whether love nurtures or hinders the artist…
Level C1RomanceArtist and Model (The Divorced Princess)In 1860 St.
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.