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 Modern Chronicle — CompleteBorn into privilege and tragedy, Honora Leffingwell navigates a world shaped by heritage, loss, and high society.
Level C1AdventureA Modern BuccaneerBorn to a sea captain in early Sydney, a boy dreams of adventure aboard South Sea traders and whalers, where danger, exotic treasures, and fierce island conflicts await on the open…
Level C1AdventureA Modern Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Adventures of Oliver Munier: An Extravaganza in Four ActsIn a quiet town, a mysterious, richly adorned stranger arrives in a lavish coach, sparking curiosity and whispers of hidden treasures and ageless secrets reminiscent of the legenda…
Level C1RomanceA Mock IdylTwo lifelong friends—one a rebellious sailor, the other a hopeful schoolmaster—reunite as the idealistic tutor sets out to transform a ragtag group of boys with a new educational v…
Level C1ClassicsA Mixed Proposal: The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 9.Two determined gentlemen, Major Brill and Halibut, unexpectedly find themselves rivals as they prepare to propose to the same lady on the very same day, sparking a humorous and ten…
Level C1ClassicsA Miscellany of MenExplore the complex dance of attraction and conflict between the sexes, where instinct and societal change collide in sharp, witty reflections on feminism, marriage, and the nature…
Level C1RomanceA Minion of the Moon: A Romance of the King's HighwayA young couple flees under the moonlit sky, racing against a furious guardian determined to keep them apart.
Level C1MysteryA Millionaire of YesterdayTwo unlikely companions endure filth and danger in a remote, hostile land, driven by a desperate mission that tests their courage and resolve.
Level C1ClassicsA Millionaire of Rough-and-ReadyA miner finally strikes a rich vein of gold, but his sudden fortune brings unexpected unease and complicated family obligations.
Level C1FantasyA Midnight FantasyOn a tranquil midnight walk through Boston’s Common, a man’s thoughts drift from a haunting Shakespearean tragedy to the bittersweet fate of mismatched lovers, blending fantasy, re…
Level C1AdventureA Middy of the Slave Squadron: A West African StoryIn the sweltering darkness off West Africa, a British sloop named Psyche lies in wait to intercept a suspected slaver ship.
Level C1AdventureA Middy in Command: A Tale of the Slave SquadronAmid the dawn-lit waters near the Congo, a young midshipman aboard H.
Level C1ClassicsA Michigan Man: 1891In the shadowed pine forests of Michigan, seasoned lumberman Luther Dallas faces haunting superstitions and a life-altering accident that forces him from the woods to the bustling…
Level C1ClassicsA Message from the SeaIn a steep, picturesque cliffside village alive with fishermen and their families, Captain Jorgan arrives, drawn into local life and secrets by a young fisherman and his hopeful sw…
Level C1RomanceA Mere Chance: A Novel. Vol. 3In a society buzzing with gossip and shifting alliances, Rachel faces a sudden engagement that promises status but leaves her uncertain and isolated.
Level C1RomanceA Mere Chance: A Novel. Vol. 2An idle man surprises everyone by rushing to meet the woman who holds his heart, igniting a tense reunion filled with unspoken regrets and uncertain promises.
Level C1RomanceA Mere Chance: A Novel. Vol. 1A young woman of humble origins is thrust into Melbourne’s high society after her father’s death, navigating newfound wealth, admiration, and the delicate intrigues of a world eage…
Level C1ClassicsA Mere AccidentIn the tranquil English countryside, a young man wrestles with his conflicting feelings toward his family estate—an architectural oddity reflecting deeper tensions between idealism…
Level C1AdventureA Memory of the Southern Seas: 1904Venture into the wild Southern Seas alongside the notorious Captain “Bully” Hayes, a complex figure feared and admired for his daring exploits, sharp wit, and turbulent temper.
Level C1AdventureA Mediterranean mysteryA scholarly vicar’s quiet life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of his enigmatic younger brother, stirring memories and mysteries that threaten to unravel his orderly world.
Level C1Science FictionA Matter of ProportionIn a dark, frost-bitten world where sabotage means survival, a Special Corps team risks everything to destroy vital enemy supply lines.
Level C1AdventureA Master of Fortune: Being Further Adventures of Captain KettleCaptain Kettle, a seasoned mariner down on his luck, takes a perilous piloting job on the Congo River, navigating treacherous waters and a ruthless colonial regime to secure a futu…
Level C1PoetryA Masque of Days: From the Last Essays of Elia: Newly Dressed & DecoratedStep into a whimsical banquet where every day of the year gathers to celebrate the passing of time, from festive holidays to rainy afternoons, each with its own character and story…
Level C1ClassicsA Marriage in High Life, Volume IIEmmeline struggles with a cold and distant husband, trapped in a marriage shadowed by suspicion and unspoken pain.
Level C1RomanceA Marriage in High Life, Volume IA young bride from a bustling London family steps into the glittering world of high society through a sudden marriage to a nobleman whose nervousness hints at deeper turmoil.
Level C1RomanceA Marriage at SeaUnder cover of night, a daring escape unfolds from a French harbor as a lover and his loyal crew prepare for a secret rendezvous aboard a stealthy yacht, driven by a romantic lette…
Level C1HistoricalA March on London: Being a Story of Wat Tyler's InsurrectionIn a turbulent 14th-century England, a young scholar's son grapples with a society rife with serfdom and unrest, as peasants rise to challenge their harsh fate under a weak king’s…
Level C1RomanceA Manifest DestinyOn a voyage to England, Bettina Mowbray’s striking beauty and dual nature—marked by deep sorrow and fierce ambition—capture the eyes of high society, as she sets her sights on marr…
Level C1RomanceA Man: His Mark. A RomanceHigh on Mt.
Level C1RomanceA Man's HearthA chance encounter in a city park sparks a quiet connection between a guarded man and a mysterious woman lost in dreams of what life might hold beyond the river.
Level C1HistoricalA Man of the People: A Drama of Abraham LincolnIn the wilderness of 1820 Indiana, a young Abraham Lincoln confronts a deadly plague threatening his family and neighbors, revealing the courage and resolve that will shape a natio…
Level C1ClassicsA Man of the MoorsA rough quarryman returns to his isolated moorland home, where his harsh nature clashes with his sensitive wife’s quiet strength.
Level C1RomanceA Man of HonorA strong-willed young professor faces a crossroads as he wrestles with lost opportunities and a troubled heart, determined to overcome self-doubt and forge his own path through lif…
Level C1ClassicsA Man of BusinessIn the lively Parisian world of debtors and creditors, a spirited group of artists, lawyers, and a charming lorette gather for a Carnival evening filled with witty banter and sharp…
Level C1AdventureA Man in the OpenIn the rugged wilderness of Labrador, Jesse Smith—a man caught between his genteel heritage and the harsh realities of frontier life—narrates a raw and honest tale of survival, fai…
Level C1ClassicsA Man from the NorthA young man from the North Country dreams of London’s dazzling streets and cultural pulse, eager to claim his place amid its relentless bustle.
Level C1ClassicsA Man and a WomanTwo lifelong friends navigate the rugged challenges of nature, ambition, and conscience as one man’s fierce individuality clashes with the shifting world around him, while a myster…
Level C1AdventureA Man and His MoneyA down-and-out stranger seeking work stumbles into a shabby music shop, where his unexpected voice might just open doors to adventure, ambition, and the pursuit of success amidst t…
Level C1ClassicsA Maid of the Silver SeaIn a quiet island transformed by the rush of silver mining, a young girl and boy hide among cliffs, watching the upheaval that threatens their peaceful home and family ties.
Level C1HistoricalA Maid of Many MoodsOn a frosty Christmas Eve at the bustling One Tree Inn, spirited Debora defies her father's thrift to light up the house in joyous anticipation of Darby's long-awaited homecoming.
Level C1AdventureA Maid at King Alfred's Court: A Story for GirlsIn the autumnal forests of ancient Wessex, a young maiden named Egwina journeys with her aging harpist grandfather toward King Alfred’s court, hoping her song will win favor and a…
Level C1HistoricalA Madeira PartyIn a cozy, old-fashioned Philadelphia parlor, four gentlemen gather to savor and discuss fine Madeira wines, exploring the nuances of taste, tradition, and refined indulgence in a…
Level C1PoetryA Lowden Sabbath MornExperience a tranquil Scottish Sabbath morning through vivid poetry and heartfelt reflection, capturing the spirit of rural parish life and the timeless presence of its ministers a…
Level C1PoetryA Lover's Diary, Volume 1.A young man’s soul unravels through sonnets of love, doubt, and self-discovery, revealing a tender journey from innocence to poignant parting.
Level C1RomanceA Lover's Diary, CompleteA young mind wrestles with love, doubt, and societal conventions, revealing a soul transformed by passion and self-renunciation.
Level C1RomanceA Love Story Reversed: 1898Two lifelong friends share a quiet, heartfelt conversation by the fire, revealing the tender struggles of shyness and unspoken love.
Level C1RomanceA Love StoryAmid the sprawling Delmé estate, a young heir grapples with honor, duty, and youthful recklessness.
Level C1RomanceA Love EpisodeIn a softly lit Parisian room, a quiet drama of love and human frailty begins to unfold, revealing the delicate interplay of passion, heredity, and destiny in everyday life.
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.