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 C1ClassicsAmy HerbertIn a quaint village beside an ancient forest, Amy Herbert’s peaceful childhood unfolds in a charming cottage filled with love, learning, and simple joys, where nature and nurturing…
Level C1ClassicsAmy FosterIn a quiet coastal village, a country doctor encounters Amy Foster, a simple woman marked by tragedy and misunderstood by those around her.![Cover of Amusing prose chap-books by Robert Hays [Editor] Cunningham](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeugr8e1ofc73dh9e2g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsAmusing prose chap-booksExplore the lively world of chap-books—cheap, popular literature crafted by and for the common people from the eighteenth century onward—offering vivid insights into the superstiti…
Level C1PoetryAmusing Trial in which a Yankee Lawyer Renders a Just VerdictIn a gripping poetic trial, a clever Yankee lawyer confronts the harsh realities of slavery, weaving justice and mercy into a powerful verdict that challenges cruelty and champions…
Level C1ClassicsAmphitryonWhen Jupiter, king of the gods, disguises himself as Amphitryon to win his wife Alcmene’s love, divine deception intertwines with mortal passion, setting the stage for a night wher…
Level C1FantasyAmos Kilbright; His Adscititious Experiences: With Other StoriesAn earnest stranger with awkward charm arrives selling tickets to mysterious séances, sparking a lawyer's curiosity about the strange world of spiritualists and unexplained phenome…
Level C1FantasyAmong the gnomesVenture into the mysterious Untersberg mountain, where gnomes, fairies, and elemental spirits dwell in hidden caves and marble halls.
Level C1HistoricalAmong the Pines; or, South in Secession TimeJourney into the heart of the South on the eve of secession, as a Northern visitor travels with a Southern planter and his trusted servant, uncovering intimate glimpses of plantati…
Level C1ClassicsAmong the Humorists and After Dinner Speakers, Vol. 1: A New Collection of Humorous Stories and AnecdotesDive into a lively collection of witty anecdotes and humorous stories that capture the sharp wit of famous humorists and after-dinner speakers, blending clever jokes with social in…
Level C1PoetryAmong the Hills, and other poems: Part 5 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierBask in the serene beauty of rural life and the quiet dignity of honest toil, as vivid scenes of nature and homestead struggles unfold in poetic reflections on love, labor, and the…
Level C1AdventureAmong the Esquimaux; or, Adventures under the Arctic CircleTwo young men embark on a daring voyage aboard the "Nautilus" to York Factory, a remote Hudson Bay trading post surrounded by icy wilderness and fur-bearing animals.
Level C1AdventureAmong the BrigandsTrapped in a land of mystery and danger, young David and his companions face ruthless brigands, treacherous guides, and haunting legends as they journey through sunlit Italy's anci…
Level C1ClassicsAmong My Books. First SeriesExplore the evolution of English poetry through vivid reflections on Dryden, Pope, and Wordsworth, revealing the tensions between tradition and innovation that shaped the literary…
Level C1HistoricalAmong Famous BooksExplore the timeless conflict between earthly desires and spiritual ideals as it unfolds through classical, sixteenth-century, and modern literature, revealing humanity's unchangin…
Level C1PhilosophyAmiel's Journal: The Journal Intime of Henri-Frédéric AmielDive into the introspective world of a solitary thinker whose private journal reveals a deeply philosophical mind wrestling with language, life, and legacy over three decades.
Level C1ClassicsAmericans and OthersExploring the nature of American manners through thoughtful essays, this collection questions the roots of societal behavior, youth's self-absorption, and the evolving concept of p…
Level C1HistoricalAmericanisms and Briticisms; with other essays on other ismsExplore the evolving English language through lively essays tracing unique American, British, Australian, and colonial expressions, revealing how new worlds reshape words and ident…
Level C1ClassicsAmerican short storiesExplore the evolution of American storytelling through a vivid collection that traces the short story’s growth from early experimental tales to a unique, distinctly American art fo…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican nights entertainmentExplore the vibrant world of early 20th-century literature through intimate portraits and behind-the-scenes stories of celebrated authors, revealing the personalities and secrets t…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican literary mastersExplore the lives and works of nineteen influential American writers shaping national literature from 1809 onward.
Level C1ClassicsAmerican ideas for English readersExplore the fervent loyalty and noble ideals that define American identity through the eloquent speeches and letters of a distinguished diplomat bridging two great nations, advocat…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican War Ballads and Lyrics, Volume 2 (of 2): A Collection of the Songs and Ballads of the Colonial Wars, the Revolutions, the War of 1812-15, the War with Mexico and the Civil WarExplore the stirring songs and ballads that capture the spirit and strife of America’s wars, from colonial battles to the Civil War, revealing the voices of soldiers and citizens t…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican War Ballads and Lyrics, Volume 1 (of 2): A Collection of the Songs and Ballads of the Colonial Wars, the Revolutions, the War of 1812-15, the War with Mexico and the Civil WarDive into a stirring collection of American war ballads spanning from colonial conflicts to the Civil War, capturing the spirit, sentiments, and voices of soldiers and patriots thr…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican Thumb-prints: Mettle of Our Men and WomenDive into the spirited saga of Kansas pioneers whose fierce idealism and relentless experiments in liberty shape a new American frontier, blending Puritan zeal with bold social ref…
Level C1ClassicsAmerican Literary Centers (from Literature and Life)Explore the shifting landscape of American literature, where no single city holds sway but many sparks of creativity ignite across regions—from Boston's early prominence to the vib…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican Languages, and Why We Should Study ThemExplore the rich legacy of American aboriginal languages, tracing their echoes in countless place names and uncovering their vital role in understanding the continent’s original pe…
Level C1ClassicsAmelia — CompleteAmidst the English constitution and the harsh realities of prison life, Captain Booth’s tale unfolds through surprising adventures, tender moments, and complex characters, revealin…
Level C1ClassicsAmbrose Gwinett; or, a sea-side story: a melo-drama, in three actsA weary traveler seeking refuge in a crowded seaside town stumbles upon a mysterious lodging and a strange companion, setting in motion a gripping tale of intrigue, survival, and u…
Level C1ClassicsAmaryllis at the FairIn an English springtime setting, the story delicately reveals the intimate lives of the Iden family, capturing their struggles, passions, and the stirring rural landscape around t…
Level C1RomanceAmadis of Gaul, Vol. 4In a world of chivalry and conflict, Amadis and his loyal knights embark on a daring rescue to protect Princess Oriana from powerful enemies, igniting a bold quest that tests their…
Level C1RomanceAmadis of Gaul, Vol. 3Knights betrayed by their own king must choose between loyalty and rebellion as they face exile and mounting conflict.
Level C1RomanceAmadis of Gaul, Vol. 2When Princess Oriana is kidnapped by the villainous Arcalaus, the valiant Amadis races against time, wielding the king’s sword, to rescue her from a cruel fate and confront treache…
Level C1Children'sAmabel ChanniceIn a somber, convent-like estate, Lady Channice navigates loneliness and memories while awaiting her son’s return, surrounded by faded portraits and pale roses that hint at a quiet…
Level C1HistoricalAlvira: The Heroine of VesuviusA young woman disguises herself as a man, commits a shocking crime, and rises through the ranks of the army amid the chaos of Vesuvius.
Level C1HistoricalAlton Locke, Tailor and Poet: An AutobiographyAmidst the turbulent rise of labor unions and social reform in 19th-century England, a passionate tailor and poet confronts the struggles of the working class, wielding his words a…
Level C1ClassicsAlter Ego: A TaleIn a diverse Canadian town, a progressive and fearless new minister challenges narrow minds and confronts local corruption, inspiring hope and stirring controversy as he preaches a…
Level C1HistoricalAlroy: The Prince of the CaptivityIn twelfth-century Persia, the Prince of the Captivity leads his Hebrew people amid the decline of the Caliphate and rising threats from rival powers.
Level C1ClassicsAlphabetical Vocabularies of the Clallum and LummiExplore the rich linguistic heritage of the Clallam and Lummi tribes through detailed vocabularies and local names, revealing unique sounds and cultural distinctions from the Pacif…
Level C1GothicAlonzo and Melissa; Or, The Unfeeling Father: An American TaleTwo young Yale graduates forge an unbreakable friendship amid the turmoil of the American Revolution, but when Alonzo steps in to escort Edgar’s sister Melissa, their lives intertw…
Level C1ClassicsAlonzo Fitz, and Other StoriesTrapped indoors by a fierce Maine winter, Alonzo Fitz Clarence seeks solace from his isolation with witty banter and unexpected conversations, revealing the quirks of high society…
Level C1PoetryAlong the ShoreImmerse yourself in a world where the changing shore mirrors the shifting moods of life, blending nature’s beauty with profound reflections on love, time, and the human spirit thro…
Level C1AdventureAlong the Mohawk Trail; Or, Boy Scouts on Lake ChamplainA determined Boy Scout races against time to catch his troop’s train, embodying the spirit of adventure and the challenge of balancing duty and good deeds along the Mohawk Trail.
Level C1AdventureAlone on an IslandStranded aboard the troubled letter-of-marque Wolf, young midshipman Humphry Gurton confronts mutiny, harsh officers, and the perils of the sea as he embarks on a perilous adventur…
Level C1AdventureAlone on a Wide Wide Sea, Vol. 3 (of 3)Aboard a ship where life’s contrasts are as vast as the sea, passengers wrestle with hidden fears and quiet desperation.
Level C1ClassicsAlone on a Wide Wide Sea, Vol. 2 (of 3)A lone woman aboard a vast sailing ship grapples with isolation and mystery, her identity unknown as she navigates the silent, star-lit ocean.
Level C1AdventureAlone on a Wide Wide Sea, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a peaceful West England town, a family’s serene Sunday tea hints at deeper tales to come, set against a richly described landscape.
Level C1ClassicsAloneIn the wake of a heartbreaking funeral, a young woman clings desperately to her departed mother’s coffin, confronting the stark reality of loss and the fragile bonds of family.
Level C1HistoricalAlmoran and Hamet: An Oriental TaleTwin princes Almoran and Hamet inherit vastly different destinies and temperaments under their dying father’s reign, setting the stage for a tale of power, faith, and contrasting v…
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.