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 C1ClassicsA memoir of Miss Hannah AdamsAn introspective journey through a life shaped by frailty, solitude, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, revealing the quiet struggles and triumphs of a woman who defied early…
Level C1MysteryA master handIn 1883 New York, a seasoned legal observer recounts a baffling crime that eluded authorities for decades, weaving a tale of friendship, fortune, and mystery among a circle of indu…
Level C1AdventureA man's womanTrapped on the Arctic ice after their ship sinks, a determined expedition battles brutal conditions and treacherous terrain in a desperate march toward Wrangel Island, clinging to…
Level C1MysteryA man of markIn the struggling young Republic of Aureataland, a determined bank manager arrives amid political upheaval and economic stagnation.
Level C1ClassicsA man made of moneyA man trapped by debt struggles to maintain his dignity while his wife’s relentless demands for money reveal the sharp tensions beneath their domestic life.
Level C1RomanceA lovers' taleIn a rugged land where the Mell river meets the sea, two brothers live under the shadow of their Viking father’s legacy—one steady and silent, the other a fierce, poetic soul explo…
Level C1ClassicsA little girl in tearsA restless clubman seeks thrills beyond his quiet life by venturing into a gritty East Side tenement, where a tearful young girl mistakes him for an undertaker—igniting an unexpect…
Level C1PoetryA little child's wreathA tender collection of sonnets unfolds the profound grief and abiding love of a mother mourning her beloved young nephew.
Level C1HistoricalA literary history of Rome in the Silver AgeExplore the rich literary landscape of Rome's Silver Age, tracing the national character and cultural achievements of Latin literature amid the empire's peak power, revealing the l…
Level C1PoetryA line-o'-verse or twoDive into whimsical verses where an anchorite’s fierce self-discipline clashes with a mystical book’s bold claim that pain is merely a state of mind, blending humor, faith, and iro…
Level C1ClassicsA laugh a day keeps the doctor awayDive into a collection of witty, short humorous stories that capture the spirit of American storytelling, from clever anecdotes to timeless jokes shared across the nation.
Level C1AdventureA knight of the airA young gentleman racing to test his scientific invention finds himself shadowed by mysterious strangers, sparking a high-stakes chase through London streets.
Level C1FantasyA kiss for Cinderella: A comedyIn a wartime London studio, a solitary painter’s quiet evening is interrupted by a stern policeman and a striking Venus of Milo statue, setting the stage for a whimsical encounter…
Level C1FantasyA journey to the world under-groundAfter a modest academic career, a curious philosopher embarks on a daring descent into a mysterious, sound-emitting cave atop a Norwegian mountain, plunging into an unknown subterr…
Level C1PhilosophyA journey round my roomConfined to his room for forty-two days, a traveler embarks on a unique voyage of discovery within its walls, finding endless fascination and solace in the ordinary.
Level C1Children'sA journey of joyTwo women plan an adventurous journey across the sea to sunny Italy, promising independence, discovery, and the forging of unexpected friendships amid the excitement and challenges…
Level C1HistoricalA history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 3 (of 3), Modern criticismExplore the evolution of literary criticism through centuries, focusing on the dense and transformative nineteenth century, as the author examines critical works with a scholar’s p…
Level C1HistoricalA history of criticism and literary taste in Europe, from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 1 (of 3), Classical and mediæval criticismExplore the evolution of literary criticism from ancient Greece to the medieval era, tracing the ideas and figures that shaped the art of judging authors and texts.
Level C1HistoricalA history of criticism and literary taste in Europe from the earliest texts to the present day. Volume 2 (of 3), From the Renaissance to the decline of eighteenth century orthodoxyExplore the rich evolution of European literary criticism from the Renaissance through the eighteenth century, spotlighting the vibrant debate between English, French, and German c…
Level C1HistoricalA history of Italian literatureExplore the rich tapestry of Italian literature, tracing its deep classical roots and profound influence on European culture, while uncovering the complexities of its development t…
Level C1HistoricalA history of English literatureExplore the rich origins and evolution of English literature from its mysterious beginnings through the Old English period, tracing historical events and literary milestones that s…
Level C1ClassicsA haunted lifeIn the vibrant London season, two old friends reunite amid the grandeur of Hyde Park’s Coaching Club, as one returns from India on a secret mission tied to a widow named Ida.
Level C1MysteryA hat in the radio ringIn a tightly controlled political machine threatened by the rise of radio broadcasts, a tense dinner meeting unfolds where a favored speaker’s words could sway a pivotal state conv…
Level C1ClassicsA happy half-century, and other essaysExplore intimate reflections on a half-century of cultural shifts, literary fame, and the bittersweet charm of bygone eras where moral platitudes once passed for art.
Level C1ClassicsA fisher girl of FranceElise, a determined fisher girl, sets sail with her younger brother Firmin to secure their future after their father’s tragic death at sea.
Level C1HistoricalA few days in Athens: being the translation of a Greek manuscript discovered in HerculaneumIn turbulent Athens, young Theon grapples with the clash between Stoic and Epicurean philosophies as he confronts dark secrets and moral decay beneath the city's ancient wisdom.
Level C1ClassicsA fatal silence, vol. 3 (of 3)A young doctor brings hope and new life to Deepdale as Hal welcomes his wife Paula and their newborn daughter amid tension and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsA fatal silence, vol. 2 (of 3)In a quiet village, Paula's past marriage and her fragile son's condition cast a shadow over her new life with Hal Rushton.
Level C1ClassicsA fatal silence, vol. 1 (of 3)In a bustling village market, a young schoolmistress, Miss Stafford, struggles to conceal her beauty and restless spirit beneath a modest guise, as whispers and doubts shadow her q…
Level C1ClassicsA dramatization of Longfellow's Hiawatha: A spectacular drama in six actsIn a vivid six-act drama, the Great Spirit urges Native American tribes to embrace peace, setting the stage for Hiawatha’s journey from childhood to heroic manhood as he woos Minne…
Level C1ClassicsA divided heart, and other storiesIn a world shaped by refined culture and literary ambition, a young scholar navigates the delicate balance between poetic dreams and dramatic reality, revealing a life where intell…
Level C1AdventureA desert dramaA diverse group of travelers embarks on a steamboat journey up the Nubian Nile, traversing a haunting landscape of ancient ruins and desert wilderness.
Level C1PhilosophyA dead man's diaryA soul recounts its journey beyond death, challenging vivid and conflicting visions of the afterlife with a deeply personal diary of spiritual experiences.
Level C1PoetryA day with the poet BurnsFollow the rugged ploughman-poet through the Scottish countryside as he wrestles with bitter memories, finds solace in nature’s harsh beauty, and lets his spontaneous songs capture…
Level C1ClassicsA daughter of HethAmid a fierce village skirmish, five brothers make a desperate stand behind the stone walls of their family Manse, defying a relentless mob with courage and quick wit.
Level C1RomanceA crown of strawIn a shadowy room in Stuttgart, three men prepare a loaded pistol, setting the stage for a gripping tale of romance entwined with a dramatized, tragic event in contemporary history…
Level C1Children'sA crown of shame, volume 1 (of 3)In a fever-ravaged San Diego, Liz, a courageous and compassionate doctor’s daughter, tends to suffering families while facing the shadows of disease, starvation, and unrest that th…
Level C1ClassicsA creel of Irish storiesIn a remote Irish valley untouched by time, a mysterious stone known as "The Keys of the Chest" stands sentinel, drawing curious visitors along a faint, winding path.
Level C1ClassicsA collection of short-storiesExplore the evolution of storytelling through a curated selection of short stories designed to engage and educate high school students, enriched with author biographies, literary c…
Level C1Children'sA child's guide to readingEmbark on a literary adventure guided by a seasoned companion who helps young readers climb from simple stories to the greatest writers in history.
Level C1ClassicsA candle in the windAt a gathering honoring a heroic explorer, Diane struggles to mask her grief over the tragic loss of Overton while confronting the complex emotions stirred by his charismatic survi…
Level C1ClassicsA callIn a world of high society and whispered secrets, Robert Grimshaw navigates the glittering yet treacherous waters surrounding Pauline Lucas’s marriage, revealing complex ties of fo…
Level C1FantasyA brother to dragons, and other old-time talesIn 1586, amidst family feuds and whispered hauntings, a skeptical man confronts a fiery ghost said to inhabit a castle’s blue chamber, challenging beliefs and stirring tensions bet…
Level C1RomanceA broken blossom, vol. 3 of 3Amid the vibrant autumnal beauty of St.
Level C1RomanceA broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3In a fading château filled with relics of former grandeur, a noble but impoverished Baron welcomes guests into a world where delicate Venetian glass and a restless wolf hint at sec…
Level C1ClassicsA broken blossom vol. 1 of 3Grieving the sudden loss of her beloved mother and confidante, a young woman confronts loneliness and despair while clinging to memories and uncertain hopes of a future journey abr…
Level C1ClassicsA book of martyrsA respected minister mysteriously abandons his stable life, leaving friends puzzled by his sudden disappearance.
Level C1HistoricalA blighted lifeA noblewoman battles relentless persecution and injustice as she exposes the cruel misuse of lunacy laws that allow her husband to imprison her in a madhouse.
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.