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 C1ClassicsAn account of the giants lately discoveredA daring captain discovers a hidden tribe of towering giants along the Patagonian coast, sparking a mysterious encounter filled with silence, strange gestures, and an unspoken invi…
Level C1HistoricalAn account of some recent discoveries in hieroglyphical literature, and Egyptian antiquitiesUnravel the mysteries of ancient Egypt through groundbreaking discoveries in hieroglyphics and rare manuscripts, revealing the painstaking efforts behind decoding a language lost f…
Level C1ClassicsAn Unsocial SocialistIn an old English country-house, a strict teacher confronts a group of rebellious young women whose daring antics challenge the rules and reveal the tensions beneath their discipli…
Level C1AdventureAn Unprotected Female at the PyramidsA journey to Cairo unites a determined English family with intriguing international companions as they venture toward the mysterious pyramids.
Level C1ClassicsAn Unpardonable LiarIn a cozy gathering, a mysterious chant from outside disrupts a lively performance, stirring eerie memories and hidden tensions among the guests.
Level C1HistoricalAn Unofficial PatriotA Southern clergyman and former slave-owner struggles with his conscience and the law in a turbulent Virginia steeped in religious revival and shifting moral landscapes.
Level C1RomanceAn Unknown LoverIn a dim old house shadowed by loss, siblings Katrine and Martin navigate the lingering grief of a vanished bride whose memory haunts every room.
Level C1AdventureAn Undivided UnionFollow Major Deck Lyon and the Riverlawn Cavalry through daring Civil War battles around Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga, as they navigate perilous campaigns and fierce…
Level C1RomanceAn Uncrowned King: A Romance of High PoliticsIn the turbulent halls of power, Viscount Usk faces political betrayal and personal rebellion as he navigates the ruthless game of high-stakes government and society, caught betwee…
Level C1HistoricalAn Outline of Russian LiteratureExplore the rich origins of Russian literature, tracing its roots from ancient Slavic settlements and Norse influences to the profound impact of Eastern Christianity and Byzantine…
Level C1ClassicsAn Outcast; Or, Virtue and FaithIn a Charleston gripped by fear and disease, society retreats while the city’s darkest vices simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsAn Outcast of the IslandsA worn-out European drifts through a shadowy tropical settlement, shunned and mysterious, carrying the heavy burden of a past betrayal that haunts both him and those around him.
Level C1AdventureAn Outback Marriage: A Story of Australian LifeOn a stifling summer evening in Sydney, three men prepare to meet a new arrival whose reputation promises adventure and clash in the rugged Australian outback, where old rivalries…
Level C1ClassicsAn Orkney MaidAmid the rugged Orkney Islands, a community shaped by Viking heritage and shifting sovereignties faces the challenges of progress and peril.
Level C1RomanceAn Original BelleAmid the glitter of high society and the turmoil of the Civil War, a young belle confronts the limits of her beauty and charm, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and moral aw…
Level C1ClassicsAn Open-Eyed Conspiracy; An Idyl of SaratogaIn the sultry shade of Saratoga’s parks, an observant traveler notices a striking young woman whose beauty masks complex relationships and hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Woman's Tale: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")In a sleepy Connecticut village where time seems to pause, a young couple from fading fortunes contemplates love beneath ancient elms, while an old woman’s tales blur the line betw…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 2 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In a quaint village, young lovers navigate social divides and festive preparations, while a quirky friend crafts a homemade flag to honor a returning lieutenant—unfolding a charmin…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 1 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In struggling Mecklenburg, a tenant farmer faces bankruptcy and the auction of his life's work, reflecting a time of hardship, resilience, and the stark realities of rural poverty…
Level C1RomanceAn Old Sailor's YarnsDive into the gripping tales of daring sailors, smuggling escapades, and fierce sea battles in the Pacific, where lawless traders face peril, rescue, and romance on the high seas.
Level C1RomanceAn Old Meerschaum: From Coals Of Fire And Other Stories, Volume II. (of III.)In the vibrant market of Trieste, a chance reunion sparks a journey to Constantinople where unexpected encounters and subtle romantic tensions unfold.
Level C1HistoricalAn Old Man's PrayerAn intimate tale unfolds through the heartfelt reflections of an old man, capturing the quiet moments and enduring bonds of New England life with poignant simplicity and grace.
Level C1RomanceAn Old Man's LoveA wealthy country gentleman wrestles with his conscience and society’s expectations as he contemplates offering shelter and a new future to Mary Lawrie, a young woman left alone af…
Level C1RomanceAn Old Man's DarlingA radiant young beauty’s carefree summer stroll turns ominous when a mysterious old fortune-teller warns her that her charm will invite both love and dark sorrow, foreshadowing a l…
Level C1RomanceAn Old MaidIn a provincial French town, the charming yet financially strained Chevalier de Valois navigates courtly society, gallantry, and fading nobility with wit and elegance, all while ha…
Level C1PoetryAn Old Babylonian Version of the Gilgamesh EpicJourney alongside the hero Gilgamesh as he grapples with grief and the search for immortality, confronting the harsh truth that death is humanity's inescapable fate, framed by anci…
Level C1AdventureAn Ocean TragedyWhen Sir Wilfrid Monson arrives unexpectedly, his nervous passion and troubled past hint at a family haunted by madness and mystery, setting the stage for an ocean-bound adventure…
Level C1HorrorAn Occurrence at Owl Creek BridgeA condemned man stands on a bridge, bound and facing imminent execution by hanging, yet his mind races with desperate plans for escape and the haunting ticking of his watch.
Level C1ClassicsAn Obscure Apostle: A Dramatic StoryIn a society trapped in ancient customs and deep divisions, a hidden world unfolds where education and brotherhood struggle against ignorance and prejudice.
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle of Surrey: A NovelIn the quiet dusk by South London's canal, a group of men gossip about the mysterious new occupant of Crawford's House, stirring curiosity and suspicion in this gritty tale of secr…
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle in the WaterA widower’s new wife rules the island with children and charm, erasing the memory of his first, deceased wife—except for a faithful dog and eerie whispers of a ghost haunting the q…
Level C1PoetryAn Irish Crazy-Quilt: Smiles and tears, woven into song and storyFive drummers in Dublin hatch a mischievous plan to challenge the fiery new magistrate, Major Boomerang, whose tales of tiger hunts and harsh rule promise a clash of wit and will o…
Level C1ClassicsAn Irish Cousin; vol. 2/2At a lively supper after a spirited dance, a young woman navigates social tensions and secret engagements, caught between the charms of Nugent and the elusive Willy.
Level C1ClassicsAn Irish Cousin; vol. 1/2A restless traveler crosses the Atlantic to Ireland, where family tensions and new destinies await amidst the rolling green hills and changing tides.
Level C1PoetryAn Introduction to the Study of Robert Browning's PoetryExplore the intricate world of poetic psychology through detailed analysis of dramatic monologues and linguistic nuances, revealing the complex genius behind the soul’s deepest exp…
Level C1PoetryAn Introduction to the Study of BrowningExplore the multifaceted genius of Robert Browning, whose poetry blends drama, philosophy, humor, and lyricism into a vast, passionate vision.
Level C1ClassicsAn International EpisodeTwo young Englishmen arrive in bustling New York City, encountering its vibrant streets, diverse culture, and unfamiliar customs.
Level C1ClassicsAn Idyl of the East Side: 1891A frail young man from the Black Forest carries his beloved canary-birds across the ocean to New York, chasing dreams of family, fortune, and a lost childhood love in a new land fu…
Level C1RomanceAn Iceland FishermanAmid the icy seas and rugged Breton coast, a fisherman’s life intertwines with love, hardship, and the haunting call of the ocean.
Level C1HistoricalAn I.D.B. in South AfricaIn the heart of the Kimberley Diamond Fields, secrets and suspicion swirl around a dazzling woman and a mysterious diamond dealer whose arrest sparks a thrilling mystery of betraya…
Level C1MysteryAn Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)In 1803, amid the grandeur of the Gondreville estate, a tense family moment unfolds as Michu, a man with a fearsome gaze and a rifled carbine, prepares to hunt an elusive lynx—whil…
Level C1PoetryAn Heroic Epistle to the Right Honourable the Lord Craven (3rd Ed.)A satirical poetic letter unfolds around Lord Craven’s commanding presence and a notable legal dispute, revealing sharp wit and social commentary in 18th-century England’s politica…
Level C1MysteryAn Eye for an EyeIn the bustling heart of London, two journalists uncover a baffling mystery intertwining love, deceit, and crime beneath the city's surface.
Level C1ClassicsAn Eye for an EyeConfined in a luxurious asylum, a tormented lady obsessively demands justice for a past wrong, while her tragic story unfolds beyond the walls of Scroope Manor—a grand but somber e…
Level C1HistoricalAn Estimate of the Value and Influence of Works of Fiction in Modern TimesExplore the profound impact of fiction on modern thought through the eyes of a philosopher who champions intellectual rigor and elevates literary criticism beyond the superficial,…
Level C1FantasyAn Essence of the Dusk, 5th EditionIn a land gripped by famine and ancient legends, a traveler witnesses the eerie eclipse caused by the demon Ráhu and embarks on a haunting journey through India's desolate plains,…
Level C1HistoricalAn Essay on the Lyric Poetry of the AncientsExplore the origins of lyric poetry through a neoclassical lens, tracing its roots in imagination, pastoral scenes, and ancient myth-making, while revealing its role in civilizatio…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on War, in Blank Verse; Honington Green, a Ballad; the Culprit, an Elegy; and Other Poems, on Various SubjectsExplore the life of Nathaniel Bloomfield, a humble apprentice turned devoted family man, whose poetic reflections intertwine faith, resilience, and the quiet dignity of everyday 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.