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 C1RomanceA bitter reckoning;A chilling telegram threatens to upend a joyous eighteenth birthday ball, as Rosamond Arleigh braces for a dark reckoning from her past.
Level C1Children'sA bit of rough roadIn a London drawing-room, lively Hope St.
Level C1ClassicsA bird of passageIn the remote Andaman Islands, an elderly colonel anxiously awaits the arrival of his grown daughter after thirteen years apart, setting the stage for a reunion filled with hope, m…
Level C1HistoricalA battle pieceAmid the tense night before the Battle of Long Island, weary Continental soldiers grapple with impatience and uncertainty under General Putnam's watchful eye, while Washington stra…
Level C1RomanceA bankrupt heart, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a London mansion, the elegant and devoted housekeeper Miss Llewellyn receives a mysterious letter from her absent employer, Lord Ilfracombe, hinting at secrets and unexpected ne…
Level C1HistoricalA bad pennyIn a fading New England seaboard town, a spirited boy destined for the ministry clashes with his strict Puritan aunt while dreaming of the sea and adventure beyond his rigid upbrin…
Level C1AdventureA backwoods princessIn the rugged wilderness of Blackburn’s Post, a fierce young woman known as the Princess rules her domain with untamed spirit and sharp temper, surrounded by loyal handmaidens and…
Level C1ClassicsA Young Man's YearOn a bleak Monday morning, Arthur Lisle, an unremarkable young lawyer with no briefs, suddenly finds himself unexpectedly thrust into court to "hold" a case at short notice.
Level C1AdventureA Young Macedonian in the Army of Alexander the GreatAt the ancient Olympic Games, young Charidemus, crowned champion runner, faces a shocking challenge to his Greek identity that threatens his honor and place in society.
Level C1RomanceA Young Girl's WooingA young girl, long regarded as an invalid and orphaned, navigates the complexities of family and society while a charming, lively brother of her sister’s husband brings unexpected…
Level C1ClassicsA Yorkshire TragedyIn a crumbling household, a reckless husband’s gambling debts and debauchery push his family toward ruin, while servants gossip of betrayal and despair.
Level C1AdventureA Yellow God: An Idol of AfricaIn the heart of London, a shrewd financier unexpectedly gains a fortune tied to a mysterious yellow idol of uncanny beauty and sinister power.
Level C1ClassicsA Yellow Aster, Volume 3 (of 3)Caught between duty and disquiet, Gwen conducts careful experiments on her own heart, while a near-tragedy at the station forces her and her husband to confront the fragility of li…
Level C1ClassicsA Yellow Aster, Volume 2 (of 3)A penniless young man’s life turns upside down when he unexpectedly inherits a vast fortune and a title, thrusting him into a world of family secrets and new responsibilities.
Level C1ClassicsA Yellow Aster, Volume 1 (of 3)In the gentle haze of a June afternoon, the spirited children of Waring Park challenge the boundaries of childhood cruelty and curiosity, while their parents grapple with the unset…
Level C1ClassicsA Yankee from the West: A NovelA rugged traveler arrives in the rolling hills of northern Illinois, seeking a farm to rent amid a landscape both wild and inviting.
Level C1ClassicsA Writer's Recollections — Volume 2Step into the vibrant literary and political circles of London in the 1880s, where sharp intellects clash and friendships form amid debates on liberty, politics, and conscience, re…
Level C1ClassicsA Writer's Recollections — Volume 1A reflective journey into a literary life begins with a vivid childhood voyage from Tasmania to England, exploring memories shaped by family legacy, education, and the passage of t…
Level C1PoetryA Wreath of Virginia Bay Leaves: Poems of James Barron HopeImmerse yourself in the stirring verse of a devoted Virginian whose poetry captures the spirit of his homeland and honors its historic heroes.
Level C1Children'sA Wreath of Indian StoriesIn a land where faith and tradition entwine, a devoted woman’s steadfast belief challenges her husband’s pride and understanding, leading him to a dream that tests his virtue and t…
Level C1AdventureA Wounded NameIn the rugged deserts of Arizona, Lieutenant Blake confronts the sly rancher Sancho over stolen property, only to uncover tangled loyalties and mysterious family ties that hint at…
Level C1ClassicsA Woodland Queen ('Reine des Bois') — CompleteIn a remote, forested region, Justice Destourbet embarks on a journey to the mysterious Chateau of Vivey to oversee the unsealing of a deceased owner’s property, uncovering secrets…
Level C1ClassicsA Woman-HaterIn a quiet Homburg hotel, a determined young woman hunts through visitors' names with a secret purpose, crossing paths with a desperate agent racing to find a replacement singer in…
Level C1ClassicsA Woman's War: A NovelIn a quiet town under a moonlit sky, Catherine Murchison returns home to find her husband asleep after a long day, but a mysterious scene in his study hints at secrets beneath thei…
Level C1RomanceA Woman's LoveTwo young American cousins return to their English ancestral home, sparking curiosity and prejudice among high society.
Level C1MysteryA Woman's Burden: A NovelIn the fog-shrouded streets of London, an elderly gentleman ventures into a world of shadows and despair, where poverty, mystery, and danger intertwine on the eerie Waterloo Bridge…
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of the Ice AgeAmid the vast Ice Age, two prehistoric souls, Lhatto and Ogga, defy the stereotype of primitive man, embodying beauty, love, and complex emotion in a harsh, evolving world where su…
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of YesterdayIn a remote Vermont village, Anna Mallison faces a turning point as she prepares to join her father's church, confronting the weight of her past and the promise of a new, disciplin…
Level C1HistoricalA Woman of ThirtyIn Napoleonic Paris, a young woman and her aging father navigate a world of social intrigue and impending historical upheaval.
Level C1ClassicsA Woman of No ImportanceIn the refined English countryside, a spirited American visitor navigates the complexities of high society, where friendship, reputation, and social expectations collide during a s…
Level C1ClassicsA Woman of GeniusA gifted woman wrestles with the social expectations and personal sacrifices that come with her tragic acting genius, revealing the hidden struggles behind her artistic pursuit and…
Level C1Children'sA Woman PerfectedA sudden stroke leaves Donald Lindsay incapacitated amid a mysterious scene of burning papers and locked doors.
Level C1RomanceA Woman MartyrA graceful young woman, torn between duty and desire, faces a sudden, unexpected reunion with the man who has long captivated her heart.![Cover of A Witch of the Hills, v. 2 [of 2] by Florence Warden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8as9sv7nos73d6pt10.webp)
Level C1RomanceA Witch of the Hills, v. 2 [of 2]A man struggles with rekindled passions and awkward courtship as he tries to win the love of a woman who has grown into maturity, navigating misunderstandings and societal expectat…![Cover of A Witch of the Hills, v. 1 [of 2] by Florence Warden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daevdj8e1ofc73dh9np0.webp)
Level C1RomanceA Witch of the Hills, v. 1 [of 2]An aristocrat’s sudden fortune thrusts him into a world of shallow society and fleeting pleasures, but the haunting Deeside hills and memories of past loves beckon him to confront…
Level C1Science FictionA Witch Shall Be BornIn a shadow-haunted palace, Queen Taramis confronts a sinister doppelgänger claiming to be her long-lost twin sister marked by a deadly curse—an eerie tale of dark magic, betrayal,…
Level C1ClassicsA Window in ThrumsIn a humble house atop a steep Scottish brae, Jess waits by a single window, her heart heavy with longing for a son who never returned.
Level C1ClassicsA Will and No Will; or, A Bone for the Lawyers. (1746) The New Play Criticiz'd, or the Plague of Envy. (1747)A tangled inheritance forces lawyers to navigate a complex marriage contract and a disputed will, while satire targets lawyers, physicians, and itinerant preachers in this sharp tw…
Level C1RomanceA Wife's Duty: A TaleTorn between duty and desire, a young bride navigates the complexities of love, loyalty, and societal expectations as her heart clings to a past affection while forging a new life…
Level C1ClassicsA Widow's Tale, and Other StoriesDelve into a collection of finely crafted stories revealing the depth and resilience of women beyond youth, framed by poignant insights and tender love, all woven with the grace an…
Level C1RomanceA Whirl AsunderAn Englishman arrives in rugged California, weary from travel and wary of marriage, only to encounter the fierce independence of a wealthy heiress known for her pride and passion.
Level C1ClassicsA Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIVIn a somber, candlelit chamber, a young man confronts death’s quiet finality, grappling with loss and memory.
Level C1AdventureA Whaleman's WifeIn the tranquil Vermont countryside, young Reuben grapples with uncertain love for Priscilla, whose heart remains elusive amid the simplicity of farm life and the quiet faith of th…
Level C1ClassicsA Week's Tramp in Dickens-Land: Together with Personal Reminiscences of the 'Inimitable Boz' Therein CollectedEmbark on a week-long journey through the landscapes and stories that inspired Dickens, blending personal reminiscences, vivid descriptions, and literary insights to bring the worl…
Level C1Children'sA Week of Instruction and Amusement,: or, Mrs. Harley's birthday present to her daughter :: interspersed with short stories, outlines of sacred and: prophane history, geography &c.A devoted mother rewards her daughter's good conduct with a special book filled with stories and lessons designed to inspire kindness, virtue, and knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsA Wedding TripA young bride from a modest background embarks on a wedding trip surrounded by a vivid cast of middle-class guests, revealing the contrasts between social classes and the intimate…
Level C1MysteryA Warning to the Curious, and Other Ghost StoriesAn antiquarian’s rare doll’s house hides more than miniature treasures—unseen forces stir as its new owner unpacks, awakening a chilling mystery that blurs the line between curiosi…
Level C1RomanceA Ward of the Golden GateIn a rain-soaked San Francisco, a determined woman seeks powerful allies to become guardians of her hidden daughter, setting the stage for a tale of secrets, society, and unexpecte…
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.