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 C1HistoricalThe Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76As American forces advance through Canada in 1775, young militia officer Roderick Hardinge stands vigilant atop Quebec’s citadel, determined to defend the city and prove his comrad…
Level C1Children'sThe Basket of FlowersIn a distant village long ago, a devoted gardener’s daughter finds joy and purpose in tending flowers alongside her father, learning life’s deepest lessons of faith, love, and resi…
Level C1Children'sThe Basket Woman: A Book of Indian Tales for ChildrenExplore enchanting tales where nature and myth intertwine, revealing how children perceive the living spirit in trees, streams, and animals.
Level C1RomanceThe Bashful Lover (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIX)At a grand 1818 wedding, a seasoned sixty-nine-year-old marquis marries the forty-four-year-old Aménaïde, a woman whose heart remains untouched by love.
Level C1ClassicsThe Barton ExperimentIn a small town united against alcohol, a grand temperance meeting brings together clergy, citizens, and reformers for a stirring call to battle King Alcohol.
Level C1RomanceThe Barrier: A NovelIn a New England city ruled by old money and a ruthless political boss, a young reform-minded businessman faces betrayal and loss, threatening both his career and the woman he love…
Level C1ClassicsThe Baronet's Bride; Or, A Woman's VengeanceIn a grand estate shadowed by impending tragedy, Sir Jasper Kingsland faces a harrowing night as his wife lies gravely ill, forcing him to confront his past and the weight of his o…
Level C1PoetryThe Baron's Yule Feast: A Christmas RhymeStep into a medieval world where ancient ruins inspire tales of romance, feudal power, and festive celebration.
Level C1ClassicsThe Baritone's Parish; or, "All Things to All Men"In a city church where pulpit and choir rarely connect, the new baritone singer forms an unexpected bond with the pastor, revealing the complex harmony between music, faith, and pe…
Level C1HistoricalThe Barber of ParisIn a rain-soaked, crime-ridden Paris of 1632, a mysterious barber returns home under the shadow of danger and intrigue.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Banquet (Il Convito)Explore a profound feast of medieval philosophy where human desire for knowledge meets divine love, revealing the soul’s quest for truth amid the limits of earthly understanding an…
Level C1PoetryThe Banks of Wye: A PoemA spirited journey unfolds along the wild and scenic Wye River, where nature’s beauty and historic castles inspire poetic reflections.
Level C1PoetryThe Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent.: A Poem, addressed to a friend, with other piecesA man reflects on his descent from youthful folly and reckless spending into the harsh realities of bankruptcy, exploring the painful process of debt, disgrace, and the hope for re…
Level C1RomanceThe Banished: A Swabian Historical TaleIn sixteenth-century Swabia, a stirring historical tale unfolds amid vivid national customs and dramatic events, inviting readers to explore a land of picturesque beauty and deep-r…
Level C1RomanceThe Bandolero; Or, A Marriage among the MountainsIn a city ruled by corrupt clergy and shadowed by majestic mountains, weary invaders arrive expecting battle but find a complex world of intrigue and forbidden romance.
Level C1MysteryThe BandboxAn American writer in London longs for home but finds himself drawn into a mysterious adventure when he crosses paths with a shadowy figure at a crowded steamship booking office.
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire: Transcribed from Private Manuscripts, Rare Broadsides, and Scarce Publications; with Notes and a GlossaryDiscover a rich collection of Yorkshire's ballads and songs, drawn from rare manuscripts and broadsides, capturing tales from historic battles to legendary abbeys, all preserved wi…
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads & Songs of Derbyshire: With Illustrative Notes, and Examples of the Original Music, etc.Discover over fifty rare and intriguing ballads and songs rooted in Derbyshire’s history, brought to life with notes on their origins and performances by local minstrels like the l…
Level C1HistoricalThe BalladistsExplore the mysterious origins and timeless passion of Scottish ballads, where nameless poets capture fateful love and sorrow beneath open skies, weaving songs that echo through ge…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ballad of the White HorseA legendary King Alfred faces the dark forces threatening his land, blending myth and history in a stirring tale of courage, faith, and the enduring power of tradition amidst the c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ball at SceauxA steadfast royalist and war hero struggles to reclaim his lost honor and fortune in post-revolutionary France, only to face cold indifference and political intrigue at the royal c…
Level C1FantasyThe Ball and the CrossSoaring above the earth in a fantastical flying ship, a brilliant inventor and a wise, holy monk embark on a journey that pits scientific skepticism against ancient faith, explorin…
Level C1RomanceThe Bakhtyār Nāma: A Persian RomanceDive into the captivating world of Prince Bakhtyār, where grounded tales of love and adventure unfold without the usual magic and extravagance of Eastern romances.
Level C1PoetryThe Bakchesarian Fountain and Other PoemsIn a secluded harem ruled by a ruthless eunuch, captive beauties endure a life of sorrow and silence, while Khan Giray grapples with a mysterious anguish that shadows his once prou…
Level C1RomanceThe BagpipersAmid the rustic backdrop of 18th-century Berry, a humble peasant named Étienne Depardieu recounts the vivid tales and heartfelt adventures of his youth, revealing the wisdom and pa…
Level C1MysteryThe Bag of DiamondsIn a fog-shrouded London street, a policeman stumbles upon a mysterious trio carrying an injured, bearded man near a doctor's surgery, where secrets and danger lurk in the shadows…
Level C1Children'sThe Bad Family & Other StoriesIn a neighborhood where two families stand side by side, one is known as the Good Family and the other the Bad Family, whose six mischievous children—each with a troublesome trait—…
Level C1RomanceThe Bachelors: A NovelTwo unlikely friends—a reserved lawyer and a dynamic businessman—forge a deep bond amid club life and social expectations, exploring the complexities of friendship and bachelorhood…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babylonian Story of the Deluge as Told by Assyrian Tablets from Nineveh: The Discovery of the Tablets at Nineveh by Layard, Rassam and SmithUnearth the lost library of the Temple of Nebo at Nineveh, revealed through the excavation of ancient Assyrian tablets that shed light on a civilization's history, culture, and the…
Level C1PoetryThe Babes in the Wood: One of R. Caldecott's Picture BooksWhimsical verses and charming illustrations bring to life beloved nursery rhymes and playful tales, inviting readers of all ages to laugh and explore a world of imagination and hum…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babees' Book: Medieval Manners for the Young: Done into Modern EnglishExplore the intricate codes of medieval English manners, customs, and social rituals, revealing the origins of chivalry and courtesy through vivid treatises translated into modern…
Level C1ClassicsThe Babe, B.A. : being the uneventful history of a young gentleman at Cambridge UniversityA young undergraduate navigates the ordinary yet chaotic life of Cambridge University, where cricket, football mishaps, and academic trials shape the uneventful but spirited days o…
Level C1PoetryThe Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a SavoyardA witty collection of humorous and whimsical ballads and songs, accompanied by lively illustrations, blending clever satire with charming storytelling.
Level C1AdventureThe Aztec Treasure-HouseA dedicated scholar embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind ancient Aztec mysteries, facing danger and revolution as he seeks the legendary treasure hidden deep w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ayrshire Legatees; Or, The Pringle FamilyWhen Dr.
Level C1HistoricalThe Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern EnglishA medieval guide reveals the Ten Commandments' spiritual meaning and the path to repentance, urging readers to cleanse their conscience and live in harmony with divine law.
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening: (The Resurrection)In the oppressive confines of a city jail, a young woman named Maslova prepares to face trial, embodying the harsh clash between nature's renewal and human cruelty in a world blind…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening, and Selected Short StoriesIn a vibrant coastal retreat, a woman begins to question the confines of her marriage and the roles imposed on her, as her restless spirit stirs beneath the surface of everyday lif…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening of Spring: A Tragedy of ChildhoodAdolescents grapple with the harsh realities of ignorance and societal repression in a stark exploration of youthful innocence confronted by natural instincts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening of Helena RichieIn a small town marked by secrets and solitude, a widow's quiet life stirs curiosity as a doctor seeks a home for an orphaned boy.
Level C1MysteryThe AvengerA tense midnight confrontation unfolds when a distinguished woman unexpectedly intrudes into Herbert Wrayson's apartment, armed with a mysterious key and a hidden agenda.
Level C1MysteryThe Avalanche: A Mystery StoryIn post-earthquake San Francisco, Price Ruyler senses a hidden secret behind his wife's sudden change in temperament and guarded past, revealing a tangled mystery beneath the city'…
Level C1FantasyThe Automaton Ear, and Other SketchesAn inventor becomes obsessed with capturing all the sounds ever made by creating a device that can hear the inaudible vibrations lingering in the air.
Level C1PoetryThe Autocrat of the Breakfast-TableEngage in witty, philosophical conversations at the breakfast table where the Autocrat shares sharp observations on life, language, and learning, blending humor and intellect in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of an Ex-Colored ManBorn into a post-Civil War South, a fair-complexioned Black boy navigates the complex, often painful realities of race in America, uncovering hidden truths about identity, prejudic…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Super-TrampExperience the candid journey of a man living on society's edges, whose simple, poetic reflections reveal the raw truths of a life spent wandering as a super-tramp, untouched by li…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a SlanderIn a sleepy town where gossip reigns, a scandalous slander comes to life, weaving through social intrigues and whispered secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Play: Papers on Play-Making, IIExplore the art of play-making through the meticulous craft and human insight of a pioneering American dramatist, revealing how thoughtful construction and deep sympathy shape comp…
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.