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 Country Gentleman and His FamilyA brilliant Oxford student defies convention, choosing personal passions over expected academic success, sparking concern among his mentors.
Level C1ClassicsA Country Doctor and Selected Stories and SketchesOn a warm November day, a weary woman struggles through darkening fields, carrying a sleeping child toward a mysterious farmhouse light.
Level C1ClassicsA Counterfeit Presentment; and, The Parlour CarTwo young artists seek inspiration and friendship in a quiet rural hotel as autumn approaches, battling creative frustrations and life's uncertainties.
Level C1HistoricalA Conspiracy of the CarbonariAmid the brutal clash of the 1809 Battle of Aspern, Austria fights to reclaim Vienna and shatter Napoleon’s invincibility.
Level C1ClassicsA Commonplace Book of Thoughts, Memories, and Fancies.: 2nd ed.Explore a rich tapestry of personal reflections, literary musings, and ethical insights gathered from a lifelong habit of thoughtful note-taking.
Level C1ClassicsA Comedy of Masks: A NovelIn the fading shipbuilding district of Blackpool Dock, a young artist finds inspiration amid the picturesque decay and quiet bustle of a forgotten riveryard, capturing its haunting…
Level C1HistoricalA Colonial Reformer, Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst the rugged challenges of colonial life, a decisive and shrewd pastoralist navigates tense negotiations and uneasy alliances, revealing the harsh realities and intricate powe…
Level C1HistoricalA Colonial Reformer, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a Sydney society ball, reformer Ernest Neuchamp wrestles with his disdain for shallow festivities while secretly longing to see Antonia Frankston.
Level C1HistoricalA Colonial Reformer, Vol. 1 (of 3)A determined scion of an ancient English family sets out for New South Wales with a noble mission: to uplift and reform a rugged colonial society through vision and unselfish toil.
Level C1RomanceA College GirlIn a lively household where three spirited sisters navigate the challenges of youth and family dynamics, fifteen-year-old Darsie shines with charm and confidence, capturing hearts…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Stories, Reviews and EssaysIn a harsh Nebraska homestead, a worn old fiddler clings to memories of his musical past while his stern son demands toil and sacrifice.
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 4Unearth rare Jacobean dramas including a mysterious double tragedy blending a chilling murder with a haunting tale akin to the Babes in the Wood.
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3Dive into a witty and lively early 17th-century comedy where verbal sparring and merriment unfold around the affectations of a foolish knight and the sincere friendship between nob…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2Step into the world of early English drama with newly unveiled plays that blend sharp wit, stirring sea adventures, and lessons of Christian charity, featuring the daring exploits…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1Dive into a vivid revival of forgotten Elizabethan drama where the ruthless spectacle of Nero’s reign unfolds through sharp wit, fierce conspiracies, and haunting classical echoes…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Kachári Folk-Tales and RhymesExplore the rich folklore and unique linguistic blend of the Kachári people through tales and rhymes collected from Assam's hill tribes, revealing a fascinating fusion of vocabular…
Level C1PoetryA Collection of BalladsUnearth timeless tales of love, battle, and magic woven through traditional ballads, revealing the raw voices of history and legend captured in song.
Level C1MysteryA Coin of Edward VII: A Detective StoryIn a festive household shadowed by suspicion, the enigmatic governess Anne Denham captivates a handsome young squire, while whispered scandals hint at deeper secrets beneath the ch…
Level C1PoetryA Cluster of Grapes: A Book of Twentieth Century PoetryStep into a poetic journey through time and emotion, where contemporary voices craft vivid verses that beckon readers to savor the sweetness of beauty, truth, and the human spirit.
Level C1HistoricalA Clerk of Oxford, and His Adventures in the Barons' WarA grieving youth, orphaned and penniless, sets out from his quiet monastery life to face the harsh world beyond, seeking his place amid the turmoil of the Barons' War.
Level C1ClassicsA Circuit Rider's WifeA young bride joins her Methodist circuit-riding preacher husband, stepping into a world of rugged faith, church politics, and the struggles of rural ministry.
Level C1ClassicsA Cigarette-Maker's RomanceIn a modest Munich tobacconist's shop, lives intertwine against a backdrop of everyday struggle and quiet ambition, revealing the complex dramas hidden beneath ordinary existence i…
Level C1HistoricalA Chronicle History of the Life and Work of William Shakespeare: Player, Poet, and PlaymakerDelve into a meticulously researched narrative tracing Shakespeare’s life beyond gossip—exploring his acting companies, theatrical collaborations, and the true chronology behind hi…
Level C1ClassicsA Christmas Story: Man in His Element: or, A New Way to Keep HouseA widowed woman overwhelmed by managing servants and household chaos confronts her bachelor brother’s bold claim that men should run the house instead.
Level C1PhilosophyA Christmas SermonAs time slips away, a reflective voice meditates on the meaning of a life well-lived—where true heroism lies in kindness, honesty, and patient endurance rather than grand gestures…
Level C1Children'sA Christmas PosyTwo sisters face a lonely Christmas Eve in a Paris apartment, their hearts heavy with the loss of their beloved grandmother.
Level C1PoetryA Christmas FaggotCelebrate the joy and sacred mystery of Christmas through a collection of heartfelt poems inspired by the Nativity, blending art, faith, and festive reflection to kindle the spirit…
Level C1Children'sA Christmas CarolA miserly businessman, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late partner Marley and three spirits who offer him a chance at redemption.
Level C1ClassicsA Christian WomanA noblewoman reflects on her journey from limited education to intellectual empowerment amid Spain’s social upheaval, revealing the struggles and triumphs of a woman determined to…
Level C1ClassicsA Chosen Few: Short StoriesExplore a world where science meets imagination as a retired professional invents a device to control "negative gravity," a force that repels the earth’s pull, promising to lighten…
Level C1ClassicsA Chilhowee Lily: 1911Amid the rugged wilderness, a group of mountaineers contemplates a risky nocturnal venture under a luminous August moon, where delicate Chilhowee lilies bloom in striking contrast…
Level C1Children'sA Child's Book of SaintsJourney through enchanting forests and meet whimsical Oak-people in a world where saints come alive with childlike wonder, guiding young explorers through tales of prayer, miracles…
Level C1ClassicsA Child of the JagoIn the squalid streets of Shoreditch’s Jago, a child is born into a world of poverty and crime with little hope for escape.
Level C1ClassicsA Child of the Glens; or, Elsie's FortunesSet against the rugged beauty of Ireland’s northeastern coast, a proud, rebellious man wrestles with his divided family and ancient religious divides, revealing the quiet tension a…
Level C1ClassicsA Chicago PrincessA down-and-out traveler in Nagasaki contemplates his dwindling fortunes and distant dreams while gazing on a bustling harbor, caught between despair and a faint glimmer of hope tha…
Level C1PoetryA Chesterton Calendar: Compiled from the writings of 'G.K.C.' both in verse and in prose. With a section apart for the moveable feasts.Start each day with provocative reflections and witty paradoxes drawn from verse and prose, exploring courage, renewal, and the mysteries of life through a unique blend of philosop…
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IIIIn a genteel household simmering with quiet resentments and unspoken grievances, a strained marriage unfolds between Castalia and Algernon, revealing fragile pride, subtle manipula…
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IIAmid social soirées and musical rivalries, Algernon navigates the delicate tensions of admiration and jealousy within a circle of elegant acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IA concerned mother seeks advice about her son Algernon's unique genius and a tempting offer from a cousin, while a thoughtful young schoolmaster weighs the prospects and challenges…
Level C1RomanceA Charmed LifeCaught between love and duty, a young correspondent heads to war despite his beloved’s desperate pleas to stay safe, believing their love will shield him.
Level C1AdventureA Chapter of AdventuresIn a bustling fishing village where tides rule daily life, a spirited young lad returns from sea, caught between rugged tradition and the stirrings of new dreams.
Level C1ClassicsA Changed Man, and Other TalesA newly arrived cavalry regiment stirs curiosity in a quiet town, haunted by a mysterious, bone-rattling specter that follows them everywhere.
Level C1RomanceA Changed Heart: A NovelIn foggy Speckport, Miss Jeannette McGregor hosts a grand gathering that reveals the city's sharp social divides and vibrant characters.
Level C1ClassicsA Change of AirA man seeks a refreshing escape from his troubled life, but finds that a change of air brings unexpected humor, danger, and a deep, tragic undercurrent.
Level C1ClassicsA Change in the CabinetIn a London household overlooking Hyde Park, Sir Charles Repton, a seasoned politician and wealthy solicitor, navigates the demands of high office and personal ambition during a tu…
Level C1ClassicsA Chance AcquaintanceA young woman embarks on a picturesque voyage up the Saguenay River, carrying the hopes and legacy of her abolitionist family.
Level C1ClassicsA Chambermaid's DiaryA chambermaid navigates the treacherous social terrain of Parisian households, recording sharp observations and biting critiques in her diary.
Level C1ClassicsA Chair on the BoulevardDive into a witty exploration of human nature where happiness is found not through pursuit but by chance, and cheerfulness prevails even amid life's snags.
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.