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 C1ClassicsAlmayer's Folly: A Story of an Eastern RiverStranded on a remote Bornean river, Almayer clings to dreams of wealth and escape from a life of failure and exile.
Level C1MysteryAllworth AbbeyIn the shadowy halls of ancient Allworth Abbey, a noble family is haunted by a web of crimes and dark secrets that threaten to unravel their legacy.
Level C1ClassicsAllison Bain; Or, By a Way She Knew NotIn a rain-soaked Scottish valley, a devoted minister and his son journey through familiar hills to comfort Allison Bain, a young woman facing sorrow after her father’s death and th…
Level C1AdventureAllan's WifeVenture into the wild African veldt where Allan Quatermain recounts the gripping story of his beloved wife and the perilous adventures that shaped their lives, against a backdrop o…
Level C1HistoricalAllan RamsayIn 18th-century Edinburgh, a talented young wigmaker and poet navigates the vibrant city’s literary circles and a blossoming romance with the cultured Christian Ross, set against t…
Level C1FantasyAllan QuatermainGrieving the loss of his son, a seasoned hunter longs to leave behind civilized life and return to the untamed wilderness where adventure, danger, and memories await amid the wild…
Level C1ClassicsAll-Wool Morrison: Time -- Today, Place -- the United States, Period of Action -- Twenty-four HoursIn a single bustling day in Marion, a city gripped by political intrigue, steadfast mill owner and reluctant mayor Stewart Morrison balances his dedication to honest manufacturing…
Level C1RomanceAll-Hallow Eve; or, The Test of Futurity.In a remote Irish valley framed by mysterious mountains and a sparkling lake, the rustic Midge’s Bridge becomes the setting for a tale where romance intertwines with Celtic legends…
Level C1PhilosophyAll's for the BestA disillusioned man confronts his loss of faith in everything, challenged by a friend who urges him to see beyond the material world and discover enduring truths through reason, ex…
Level C1AdventureAll the World Over: Interesting Stories of Travel, Thrilling Adventure and Home LifeJourney through vibrant Spanish cities alive with colorful characters—from muscular beggars with secret codes to dancers and musicians who bring the streets to life.
Level C1ClassicsAll the Sad Young MenA portrait of privilege and isolation, this collection delves into the lives of wealthy young men navigating the complexities of status, identity, and the elusive search for meanin…
Level C1ClassicsAll the Days of My Life: An Autobiography: The Red Leaves of a Human HeartBorn in 1831 England, a spirited soul recounts a life shaped by both joy and sorrow, seeking to inspire and comfort women through candid reflections on growth, resilience, and the…
Level C1ClassicsAll on the Irish Shore: Irish SketchesAmid the muddy fields and tangled woods of Ireland, a spirited hunt unravels with mischievous hounds, determined hunters, and a chaotic clash with local tinkers.
Level C1RomanceAll in the darkIn the quiet village of Saxton, a young man returns to Gilroyd Hall, where his whimsical aunt and spirited little cousin, Violet, turn a slow country holiday into a charming blend…
Level C1HistoricalAll for Love; Or, The World Well Lost: A TragedyIn a world torn by political intrigue and passionate loyalties, a tragic love unfolds against the backdrop of England’s turbulent Elizabethan era, blending Shakespearean richness w…
Level C1HistoricalAll Things are PossibleChallenging European ideals, a restless Russian spirit wrestles with inherited culture and the soul’s creative freedom, proclaiming that all things are possible when one breaks fre…
Level C1ClassicsAll Things ConsideredDive into a sharp and candid collection of essays tackling the weighty issues of modernism, philanthropy, and society’s fleeting trends, all penned with wit and urgency amidst the…
Level C1ClassicsAll Sorts and Conditions of Men: An Impossible StoryIn the vibrant heart of East London and the scholarly calm of Cambridge, two women grapple with their futures and the value of a single life.
Level C1ClassicsAll Roads Lead to CalvaryA young writer seeking inspiration in an ancient London church uncovers vivid stories of its past inhabitants, from literary figures to early feminists, as she navigates history, f…
Level C1PhilosophyAll Men are GhostsExplore a provocative dialogue where ghosts dismiss human existence as inferior, challenging our understanding of reality and the spiritual world through a philosophical lens that…
Level C1ClassicsAll God's chillun got wings, and WeldedIn a vibrant New York neighborhood divided by race, two children—Ella and Jim—navigate the challenges of friendship and identity amid teasing and societal barriers, revealing the t…
Level C1Science FictionAll Around the MoonAn audacious plan to reach the Moon unfolds as a colossal cannon fires a hollow projectile carrying three intrepid explorers on a daring journey through space, challenging the limi…
Level C1AdventureAll Aboard; or, Life on the Lake: A Sequel to "The Boat Club"At Wood Lake, a new season of adventure unfolds as Charles Hardy joins a spirited boat club where friendship, courage, and moral lessons steer the boys through exciting races, secr…
Level C1HistoricalAlkibiades, a tale of the Great Athenian WarA boy of noble birth in ancient Athens, Alkibiades grows under the tutelage of the great Perikles, grappling with his heritage and the turbulent world of war and politics that shap…
Level C1RomanceAlide: an episode of Goethe's life.A young theological student with a restless spirit arrives at a country parsonage, where the beauty of autumn and the promise of new connections stir his heart.
Level C1HistoricalAlida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.: Founded on FactAmid the turmoil of the late American War, personal tragedies and enduring friendships unfold as Alida navigates loss, education, and unexpected encounters that intertwine with the…
Level C1RomanceAlice, or the Mysteries — CompleteIn a tranquil Devonshire cottage, a young woman faces the weight of a late husband's wishes and the looming decision of marriage to a man of questionable character, while those aro…
Level C1RomanceAlice of Old VincennesIn the fading frontier town of Vincennes, a mysterious cherry tree and a lost estate ignite a tale woven from faded letters and historic whispers, blending romance with the turbule…
Level C1FantasyAlice in Blunderland: An Iridescent DreamTrapped indoors on a rainy day, Alice reunites with her whimsical friends who invite her to visit Blunderland, a model city where absurdity reigns and strange creatures like the Co…
Level C1ClassicsAlice Sit-By-The-FireIn a charmingly detailed room filled with handcrafted treasures, a clever seventeen-year-old girl named Amy navigates family tensions and hidden emotions, while her brother wrestle…
Level C1MysteryAlias the Lone WolfA gentleman burdened by the past navigates a web of intrigue and lost connections in post-war England, where friendship, loyalty, and hidden dangers collide.
Level C1HistoricalAlhalla, or the Lord of Talladega: A Tale of the Creek War.: With Some Selected Miscellanies, Chiefly of Early Date.Amid the turbulent aftermath of the Creek War, a fierce Native American leader grapples with loyalty, power, and survival as his people face relentless conflict and cultural upheav…
Level C1ClassicsAlfred TennysonExplore the life and work of a poet who embodies wisdom and self-control, navigating sorrow and success with enduring strength and renown.
Level C1HistoricalAlfgar the Dane or the Second Chronicle of Aescendune: A Tale of the Days of Edmund IronsideAmid the brutal clash between English and Danish invaders, a dark age unfolds where loyalty is tested, treachery lurks, and the seeds of a united Christian nation are sown.
Level C1AdventureAlf the Freebooter, Little Danneved and Swayne Trost, and Other BalladsA daring pirate known as Sir Alf commands the seas, capturing ships and challenging kings, while facing capture and royal wrath in a tale of adventure, honor, and redemption.
Level C1ClassicsAlexander's BridgeA philosophy professor visiting Boston encounters the enigmatic Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsAlexander PopeExplore the intricate life and legacy of a towering English poet through a detailed survey of biographers, critics, and unpublished letters that reveal the complexities behind his…
Level C1HistoricalAleph, the Chaldean; or, the Messiah as Seen from AlexandriaTravel down the Nile to Alexandria with two striking travelers—one a seasoned Greek returning after decades, the other a mysterious young man whose features defy easy origin.
Level C1ClassicsAlec Forbes of HowglenIn a quiet Scottish farmyard, a somber gathering confronts death and the struggles of a worn man who strove for goodness amidst harsh realities.
Level C1PhilosophyAlcibiades IISocrates engages Alcibiades in a probing dialogue about prayer, wisdom, and madness, challenging assumptions about human discretion and the divine.
Level C1PhilosophyAlcibiades IDelve into a rigorous examination of the authenticity and authorship of ancient philosophical texts, exploring the challenges of attributing works to Plato amidst a backdrop of for…
Level C1FantasyAlbrechtIn the shadowy depths of the Schwarzwald, mysterious and invisible forest beings weave enchanting melodies that lure mortals into their realm.
Level C1ClassicsAlbert SavarusIn Restoration Besancon, the devout Baronne de Watteville hosts a circle where politics, law, and religion collide, centering on the brilliant young lawyer Albert Savarus, whose le…
Level C1ClassicsAlas! A NovelOn a stormy night in Oxford, an uneasy reunion unfolds as a reluctant man is drawn into a peculiar social gathering where readings and strained conversations hint at deeper divides…
Level C1ClassicsAlarms and DiscursionsA priest builds a radiant temple to honor the sun, but after a brutal pirate invasion, the islanders embrace a new, wild vision—crafting a cathedral adorned with grotesque creature…
Level C1ClassicsAlamo Ranch: A Story of New MexicoIn the sunlit expanse of New Mexico's Alamo Ranch, a group of consumptive boarders seek healing in the dry air and rugged landscape, forging bonds of hope, humor, and courage amid…
Level C1PoetryAladdin or The Wonderful LampStep into a world of colorful wonder and magic where a mysterious lamp holds secrets beyond imagination, enchanting children with tales as vivid as the finest illustrated alphabets…
Level C1ClassicsAladdin of London; Or, LodestarIn the shadowed halls of Whitechapel, a desperate orator recounts his brutal past and ignites a revolutionary fervor among London's oppressed masses, challenging the city's authori…
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.