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 C1FantasyThe doings of Raffles HawAmid biting winter storms and the shadows of lost fortune, a struggling family clings to hope and love in a quiet village, where an unexpected visitor might change their fate forev…
Level C1PoetryThe dog's book of verseCelebrate the loyalty, courage, and companionship of dogs through a heartfelt collection of poems that explore their playful puppyhood, steadfast friendship with humans, brave deed…
Level C1PhilosophyThe doctor, &c., vol. 7 (of 7)Dive into a rich tapestry of philosophical reflections and linguistic interplay, where Latin, Greek, and English mingle to challenge and enlighten scholars and readers alike.
Level C1PhilosophyThe doctor, &c., vol. 6 (of 7)Explore a reflective journey through human folly, virtue, and the complexities of reform as a thoughtful physician-narrator navigates the challenges of truth, satire, and societal…
Level C1HistoricalThe doctor, &c., vol. 2 (of 7)Explore the intertwining lives and historical events of Doncaster through the eyes of a thoughtful observer, as he reflects on justice, society, love, and the pursuit of knowledge…
Level C1HistoricalThe doctor looks at literatureDelve into the intricate relationship between psychology and literature as a physician explores how fiction reveals the mysteries of the human mind, behavior, and life’s complexiti…
Level C1ClassicsThe divine and moral songs of Isaac WattsDiscover the timeless hymns and moral songs crafted to teach children faith and wisdom through simple, heartfelt verses.
Level C1HistoricalThe discovery and decipherment of the trilingual cuneiform inscriptionsUnravel the century-long scholarly quest to decode the mysterious trilingual cuneiform inscriptions of ancient Persia, revealing the languages and histories carved in stone by king…
Level C1PhilosophyThe discipleA young man grapples with the moral and national crises facing France after defeat and turmoil, exploring how personal and collective responsibility shape the nation's soul and fut…
Level C1HistoricalThe discarded daughter; or, The children of the isleAmid the lush, mysterious islets of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, old rivalries and hidden secrets simmer near the once-promising town of St.
Level C1ClassicsThe diary of a superfluous man, and other storiesOn the brink of death, a weary man begins a candid diary, reflecting on his troubled upbringing, the stark contrasts between his virtuous mother and flawed father, and his own sens…
Level C1HistoricalThe devil in a nunnery, and other mediaeval talesIn medieval Buckinghamshire, a mysterious young pilgrim arrives at a devout nunnery, challenging the strict rules of sanctuary and stirring whispers among the cloistered sisters.
Level C1ClassicsThe despot of Broomsedge CoveIn the rugged wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains, a young psalmist rides fiercely between faith and frontier life, his fervent spirituality clashing with the practical demands…
Level C1RomanceThe desire of the moth ;In a vast, untamed landscape, John Wesley Pringle embarks on a leisurely journey westward, seeking new horizons beyond prosperity and routine.
Level C1ClassicsThe deserted wifeIn a society where marriage is often entered into lightly and dissolved easily, a young bride faces abandonment, ill health, and social ruin, revealing the harsh realities behind d…
Level C1FantasyThe descent of the sun: A cycle of birthJourney into a mystical solar myth where the sun’s descent symbolizes the profound cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, intertwining divine light, darkness, and the eternal dance be…
Level C1ClassicsThe demon ship, or The pirate of the MediterraneanA young soldier's unrequited love for Margaret Cameron leads him to India, only to return and discover a devastating loss that shatters his hopes and alters his destiny amid myster…
Level C1PhilosophyThe decadentAmidst the grime and chaos of a bustling industrial city, Malcolm McCann arrives at a bleak station, uncertain of what awaits him.
Level C1RomanceThe dead trystTwo cousins, bound by a childhood betrothal, face the arrival of a dashing English officer who stirs conflicting emotions amidst the looming siege of Paris; loyalty, love, and duty…
Level C1RomanceThe day will comeJoy bells ring through the village as an ambitious self-made man returns to his ancestral estate with his new bride, sparking hopes and rivalries in a remote Dorsetshire community.
Level C1ClassicsThe daughter of JorioIn the rugged Abruzzi, ancient customs clash with forbidden love as a daughter defies tribal bounds, stirring passion and tragedy in a land where old blood and new desires collide.
Level C1HistoricalThe dark year of DundeeAmid the looming shadow of pestilence in 1544 Dundee, Mary Wigton faces hardship and lost family lands while navigating a town gripped by turmoil and uncertain loyalties during the…
Level C1ClassicsThe darkA weary terrorist on the brink of a critical assassination seeks refuge in a brothel, confronting his inner turmoil and unfamiliar desires as he prepares for a deadly mission that…
Level C1ClassicsThe dangerous inheritanceIn a fading artist’s studio, a young singer’s rare talent draws the attention of a powerful patron who offers a fortune to secure her future—on the condition she forsakes love and…
Level C1ClassicsThe daft daysOn a frosty New Year’s morning, a cheerful, quirky bell stirs a sleepy town into waking merriment, setting the stage for lively characters and unexpected joys amid the festive, sno…
Level C1ClassicsThe cynic's breviary: Maxims and anecdotes from Nicolas de ChamfortDive into a sharp, witty collection of maxims and anecdotes that reveal the cynical yet insightful mind of a man who navigated the dazzling and turbulent society of 18th-century Fr…
Level C1MysteryThe curse of the ReckavilesAmidst the roaring chaos of a fiercely contested hospital rugby final, Sefton’s triumph is shattered by a sudden, desperate telegram: his father is dying.
Level C1ClassicsThe curse of goldIn the grim confines of a pauper’s hospital ward, two young women lie on the edge between life and death, bound by hardship and secrets.
Level C1RomanceThe curse of CliftonTwo cavalry officers navigate treacherous mountain passes shrouded in fog, their contrasting personalities hinting at deeper mysteries.
Level C1ClassicsThe cup; and The falconIn a Galatian city under Roman rule, a sacred cup stirs devotion and destiny amidst priestesses and warriors, while in an Italian cottage, sharp wit and simmering emotions unfold a…
Level C1ClassicsThe cruise of the NonaEmbark on a reflective voyage from Holyhead to the Wash, where sea adventures blend with sharp observations on life, letters, and human nature.
Level C1HistoricalThe crow's-nestConfined to a garden chair and barred from the comforts of home, an observant woman must find meaning and inspiration in the subtle dramas of nature and human behavior unfolding ar…
Level C1MysteryThe crime codeA privileged Londoner’s life unravels overnight, plunging him into a desperate fight to prove his innocence and evade capture.
Level C1ClassicsThe cost of wings, and other storiesA celebrated aviator’s thrilling conquests in the skies contrast sharply with the silent anguish of his wife, whose patience and love are tested by years of neglect and unfulfilled…
Level C1FantasyThe corsair; or, the little fairy at the bottom of the seaDive into a world of underwater magic and treacherous corsairs, where water spirits dance in coral temples and a daring pirate battles through stormy seas and exotic slave bazaars…
Level C1AdventureThe corsair; a romantic legend of Hell Gate: illustrating the beauty of innocence. Date of the action: Midsummer, 1627Amid the perilous waters of Hell Gate in 1627, a pirate’s daughter faces eerie omens and ancient superstitions as their ship navigates treacherous straits steeped in history and my…
Level C1MysteryThe copper boxCaught in a relentless April snowstorm on the wild Border country, a determined traveler stumbles upon a mysterious, fortress-like house with no windows below and an ominous door.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 3 (of 3)A young woman from a quiet coastal town faces the overwhelming bustle and isolation of London society, struggling to find her place amid its dazzling yet indifferent crowds.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 2 (of 3)A seasoned politician turned sixty reluctantly steps into the role of a provincial justice of the peace, navigating the absurdities and rituals of lawmaking he once helped create.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 1 (of 3)In a turbulent era marked by war and political intrigue, a shrewd heir balances ambition and leisure amidst the picturesque backdrop of Hornscliff Abbey.
Level C1HistoricalThe conspirators; or, The chevalier d'HarmentalIn early 18th-century Paris, a young baron urgently recruits a daring captain to join a duel that could change everything.
Level C1ClassicsThe conquest of RomeA restless deputy journeys through the night toward Rome, clutching a precious medal that symbolizes his hard-won political triumph.
Level C1ClassicsThe congressman's wife, a story of American politicsIn the heart of Washington’s political whirl, a Congressman and his wife navigate the social demands and personal sacrifices behind public life.
Level C1PoetryThe complete works of John Gower, volume 4Explore the rich Latin verses and insightful introductions tracing John Gower’s life and legacy, unveiling the mysteries behind the poet’s origins and the historical context of his…
Level C1Science FictionThe coming of the AmazonsIn a near future where scientific speculation blurs the line between life and death, a biologist’s daring experiments with hypnotic catalepsy and prolonged freezing hint at revolut…
Level C1ClassicsThe coming of peace (A family catastrophe)On a snowy Christmas Eve in a remote Brandenburg country house, the Scholz family prepares for a holiday gathering that reveals deep social tensions and personal struggles, blendin…
Level C1ClassicsThe comingA vicar in a tranquil English village wrestles with faith and doubt amid the shadow of war, haunted by his son’s heroic exploits in the skies and the sea.
Level C1Science FictionThe colour out of spaceA remote New England valley harbors an eerie, lifeless patch of land known as the blasted heath, where no vegetation grows and an unsettling silence prevails.
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.