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 C1HistoricalArachne — CompleteAmid the tranquil waters and mysterious islands of ancient Egypt, a young woman seeks prophecy and guidance as her family’s fate intertwines with secrets of piracy, power, and roya…
Level C1PhilosophyArabian Wisdom: Selections and Translations from the ArabicExplore timeless Arabian proverbs and philosophical insights that bridge Eastern and Western thought, revealing profound moral truths and the shared human spirit through carefully…
Level C1RomanceArabella Stuart: A Romance from English HistoryIn a turbulent era marked by ruthless ambition and shifting power, the tragic story of Arabella Stuart unfolds, revealing the clash of passion, politics, and betrayal within the ha…
Level C1HistoricalApu Ollantay: A Drama of the Time of the IncasSet during the reign of Inca Pachacuti, this drama unfolds the forbidden love between a noble chief and the Inca's daughter, weaving ancient Andean culture, dramatic tradition, and…
Level C1ClassicsApril's Lady: A NovelA long-silent letter from a distant relative disrupts the fragile peace of the Monkton family breakfast, where sibling rivalries and parental lessons unfold amid underlying tension…
Level C1RomanceApril HopesAt a lively Class Day celebration filled with youthful charm and elegance, Elbridge Mavering reunites with an old friend, sparking unexpected encounters and stirring reflections on…
Level C1ClassicsAppreciations and Criticisms of the Works of Charles DickensExplore the sharp insights and social foresight of a keen critic who reveals how Dickens captured a fading Victorian world and anticipated the turbulent shifts of modern society wi…
Level C1PhilosophyApologia DiffidentisA shy man wrestles with the isolating weight of his own reticence, revealing the silent struggles and lost joys of youth shadowed by self-consciousness and despair.
Level C1ClassicsApes and AngelsA devoted night watchman at a wax museum finds friendship and humor among lifelike figures of history and legend, weaving adventure and romance into his nightly rounds.
Level C1AdventureApache devilUnder the silver moonlight of an Arizona night, a young Apache war chief known as the Black Bear wrestles with loss, loyalty, and forbidden love as he leads his people through a pe…
Level C1ClassicsAnything OnceIn a dusty rural road, a mysterious girl finds an injured, well-dressed stranger with a strange past and only days to unravel a puzzle.
Level C1AdventureAntony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen AdventurersIn an age of exploration under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, two young gentlemen reunite in Plymouth, sparking tales of daring sea voyages and the thrilling promise of treasure and adve…
Level C1HistoricalAntonioA young monk newly ordained in war-torn Portugal grapples with doubt, duty, and desire for peace as his country emerges from years of conflict and civil strife.
Level C1HistoricalAntonina; Or, The Fall of RomeAmid the desolate Alps in 408 AD, as Gothic invaders carve a path toward Rome, a hidden cavern shelters secrets that capture the spirit of a crumbling empire on the brink of barbar…
Level C1RomanceAntoniaIn 1785 Paris, young painter Julien Thierry, burdened by debts and the shadow of loss, seeks solace in his art and the steadfast love of his mother amid the fleeting beauty of spri…
Level C1HistoricalAnting-Anting Stories, and Other Strange Tales of the FilipinosIn a war-torn Philippine village, a mysterious native risks everything to retrieve a strange leather-bound book from a fallen comrade, revealing the power of the enigmatic anting-a…
Level C1HistoricalAntimachus of Colophon and the Position of Women in Greek Poetry: A fragment printed for the use of scholarsExplore the transformation in Greek poetry’s portrayal of love and women, tracing the shift from male-male affection in early works to the romantic ideal of male-female love in Ale…
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 3.: Part 3 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmidst the silent city of Derne, Christian slaves endure captivity while a daring rescue unfolds, revealing the fierce struggle for freedom and the profound sacrifices made in the…
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 1.: Part 1 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPowerful poems give voice to the fight against slavery and oppression, celebrating heroes like William Lloyd Garrison and Toussaint L’Ouverture while stirring the conscience with v…
Level C1RomanceAnthony the AbsoluteA restless traveler aboard a ship to Yokohama navigates a sea of eccentric passengers, including a pompous judge and a serene Japanese merchant, while wrestling with his own solitu…
Level C1ClassicsAnthony Trollope; His Work, Associates and Literary OriginalsExplore the life and times of Anthony Trollope through intimate accounts, personal recollections, and insights into the inspirations behind his novels, revealing the man behind the…
Level C1MysteryAnthony Trent, Master CriminalA master criminal strikes under the cover of night, leaving a baffling burglary and a defiant butler whose cool demeanor challenges the inspector’s suspicions.
Level C1ClassicsAnthology of Russian literature from the earliest period to the present time, volume 2 (of 2)Explore the evolution of Russian literature in the 19th century through critical essays and key works that illuminate its dramatic shifts—from the poetic brilliance of Pushkin to t…
Level C1ClassicsAnthology of Russian literature from the earliest period to the present time, volume 1 (of 2)Explore the rich evolution of Russian literature from the 10th to the 18th century through carefully selected excerpts and insightful commentary, revealing the language, culture, a…
Level C1ClassicsAntennaeA restless boy sneaks out at night, seeking escape from the torment of growing up in a world that feels both confining and mysterious.
Level C1RomanceAntar: A Bedoueen RomanceBorn into slavery yet rising through unmatched bravery and poetic genius, Antar navigates the fierce honor and passion of Bedouin life, weaving a tale of love and valor set against…
Level C1ClassicsAnswering the Phone: A FarceIn a bustling household, a new hired girl must navigate the challenges of answering the elusive telephone, juggling unexpected visitors and household demands, all while trying to k…
Level C1ClassicsAnother Study of WomanAmid the glittering salons of Paris, a sharp-witted gathering reveals the intricate dance of society, where sparkling conversation and subtle intrigues expose the changing nature o…
Level C1HistoricalAnother SheafAfter the harrowing toll of war, a weary column of soldiers marches home through the dawn, their bodies broken but spirits longing for peace.
Level C1Science FictionAnother EarthIn a groundbreaking space test, an astronaut inside a sealed capsule experiences a baffling breakdown in communication, revealing unsettling mysteries about the human mind and surv…
Level C1ClassicsAnnouchka: A TaleA young man, nursing a recent heartbreak, seeks solace in the quiet German town of Z.
Level C1FantasyAnno Domini 2000; or, Woman's DestinyIn a stark future where wealth and want collide, a once-promising man’s tragic fall exposes the brutal inequalities haunting society.
Level C1MysteryAnnihilationIn a rain-soaked, grimy waterfront district, a former detective's quiet stroll turns urgent when he discovers a mysterious, dying man whose last moments hint at dark secrets lurkin…
Level C1RomanceAnnie o' the Banks o' DeeIn the serene setting of Bilberry Hall by the Dee River, young Annie Lane navigates the tender complexities of youth and love, caught between the ardent affections of two suitors a…
Level C1ClassicsAnnie Kilburn : a NovelAfter the death of her father, Annie Kilburn leaves behind the comforts of Rome to return to the modest town of Hatboro', Massachusetts, driven by a mysterious longing to find purp…
Level C1MysteryAnne: A NovelIn a small island chapel, young Anne Douglas balances strength and vulnerability as she navigates family ties and hidden tensions during a quiet winter evening.
Level C1HistoricalAnne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 2 (of 2)An English merchant’s journey through the harsh and unwelcoming inns of Alsace reveals a stark contrast between cultures, where hospitality is scarce and survival depends on grit.
Level C1AdventureAnne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 1 (of 2)In a time of political intrigue and ancient grudges, a mysterious maiden emerges amidst the mist-shrouded Alps, weaving a tale of adventure, danger, and the clash of noble bloodlin…
Level C1ClassicsAnne PageIn the twilight garden of Fairholme Court, Anne Page, a woman of timeless beauty and quiet grace, awaits evening guests amid the enchanting scent of roses and lavender.
Level C1HistoricalAnne FevershamIn Elizabethan England, a revered playwright contemplates the tragic fate of a young nobleman condemned for treason, revealing a world where art, politics, and danger entwine benea…
Level C1HistoricalAnne Bradstreet and Her TimeExplore the life of Anne Bradstreet, the pioneering woman poet of Colonial America, who, despite societal constraints, left a lasting literary legacy and became the matriarch of a…
Level C1ClassicsAnnals of a Quiet NeighbourhoodA reflective vicar, grappling with doubt and the passage of time, invites you into a quiet parish where the unseen struggles of faith and purpose unfold.
Level C1ClassicsAnnajanska, the Bolshevik EmpressIn a turbulent military outpost, a weary general confronts the chaos of shifting powers and shattered loyalties amid revolution.
Level C1ClassicsAnna the AdventuressA woman flees a terrifying incident and assumes her sister Anna’s identity, enduring a scandalous reputation in Paris.
Level C1GothicAnna St. IvesEmbark on a spirited journey through bustling cities and enchanting landscapes as a young woman anticipates reunion, romance, and unexpected intrigues during her travels from Engla…
Level C1HistoricalAnna Seward, and Classic LichfieldExplore the life and legacy of Anna Seward, England’s celebrated 18th-century poetess, as her story intertwines with the historic city of Lichfield and its rich literary and eccles…
Level C1ClassicsAnna ChristieA hardened captain returns to the gritty waterfront tavern where old ties and secrets linger like the whiskey on the bar.
Level C1RomanceAnn Veronica: A Modern Love StoryA young woman returns home determined to confront her father and break free from the constraints of her stifling suburban life, eager to embrace independence and new experiences in…
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.