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 C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 6In a bustling European spa town, a wealthy Dutchman plots a marriage shrouded in deception and hidden motives, while a wandering traveler uncovers the vibrant lives and secret intr…
Level C1AdventureTales from "Blackwood," Volume 5A daring venture into the untamed Texas prairie unfolds as a Marylander stakes claim to a vast, unknown land filled with promise and peril.
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 4Caught in the throes of financial panic, a determined investor grapples with plummeting stocks and mounting debts amid a tightening economy.
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 3A mismatched group of Oxford undergraduates embarks on a summer "reading party" in the remote Welsh town of Glyndewi, where academic ambition collides with rustic charm and unexpec…
Level C1HistoricalTales from "Blackwood," Volume 2Amid the hardships of the Siege of Gibraltar, a detailed journal reveals the daily struggles and rare moments of respite for soldiers and civilians alike, capturing vivid anecdotes…
Level C1ClassicsTales from "Blackwood," Volume 1A penniless gentleman and his equally impecunious friend navigate the wild railway mania sweeping Scotland, blending satire and adventure in a world where aristocratic pride meets…
Level C1RomanceTales for Young and OldAmidst war and suspicion, a young bride embarks on a perilous journey to join her husband, only to face betrayal and deadly schemes from those entrusted to escort her.
Level C1Children'sTales for Fifteen; Or, Imagination and HeartA young girl's vivid imagination, fueled by romantic novels, leads her to believe her fantasies are real, blurring the line between reality and fiction in a charming, whimsical tal…
Level C1FantasyTales for Christmas EveIn a richly detailed Victorian London setting, two devoted friends navigate the challenges of finding the perfect home, uncovering the quirks and secrets of high society along the…
Level C1ClassicsTales by Polish AuthorsBartek, a simple village man, faces the upheaval of war as he is called from his peaceful life to fight against the French, leaving his family and homeland behind.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Stories: Now First CollectedExplore the profound and haunting tales woven by a pioneering author whose imagination gave birth to unforgettable characters and themes of compassion amidst horror.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 10: HelenYoung Helen faces a heartbreaking reversal when her beloved uncle’s death reveals devastating debts instead of the fortune she expected, forcing her to navigate sorrow, financial r…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 09A young boy’s innocent London evening turns eerie when a mysterious old man, Simon the Jew, appears with tales that blur fear and fascination.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 08Amid tangled family loyalties and social ambitions, Alfred Percy’s impending marriage stirs old resentments and fragile reconciliations, revealing the costs of pride, debt, and sac…![Cover of Tales and Novels — Volume 07: Patronage [part 1] by Maria Edgeworth](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6bp72pmtvc73csj140.webp)
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 07: Patronage [part 1]In a stormy coastal night, siblings Rosamond and Godfrey debate love, pride, and humanity while watching a mysterious light near the beacon—setting the stage for a tale exploring m…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 06In the glittering social whirl of Lady Clonbrony’s gala, secrets and ambitions simmer beneath polished manners and whispered gossip.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 05: Tales of a Fashionable LifeIn a world where social maneuvering and delicate stratagems govern every interaction, a young woman navigates family secrets and the subtle art of influence, revealing the complex…
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 04Step behind the scenes of Irish gentry life through the candid, unvarnished memoirs of Thady, an old steward whose tales reveal the true characters and domestic dramas behind noble…
Level C1RomanceTales and Novels — Volume 03: BelindaA young woman raised with country values faces the high society world of Bath and London, where her ambitious aunt schemes to secure her a wealthy marriage.
Level C1ClassicsTales and Novels — Volume 02: Popular TalesIn the depths of Cornwall’s tin mines, the mysterious disappearance of a lame stable boy sparks eerie tales of ghostly sightings and local legends, inviting readers into a world wh…
Level C1Children'sTales and Novels — Volume 01: Moral TalesA young man shuns society's polished manners, valuing independence and sincerity above all, while a collection of moral tales explores virtue, education, and the challenges of grow…
Level C1PoetryTales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — CompleteDive into a rich collection of fables, tales, and poetic stories that blend wit, wisdom, and timeless human nature, revealing the quirks and morals of society through charming char…
Level C1ClassicsTales and FantasiesJohn Nicholson, a well-meaning but clumsy young man, navigates the strict, austere world of his Scots family and their rigid principles while clinging to a rebellious friendship th…
Level C1ClassicsTales Of HearsayAn aging officer recounts the harrowing retreat of Napoleon’s Grand Army through a frozen Russian landscape, revealing the grim reality of war where valor meets despair amid relent…
Level C1FantasyTales From the "Phantasus," etc. of Ludwig TieckAmid the turmoil of a faithless Europe, a man confronts the deepest moral and existential questions, navigating a world where virtue and vice intertwine with the supernatural.
Level C1ClassicsTalbot's AnglesAs the sun sets over quiet farmland, Linda Talbot faces a painful choice between family loyalty and independence when her brother’s widow claims control of their inherited home, fo…
Level C1ClassicsTaking the Census: A FarceA determined census taker visits Mrs.
Level C1AdventureTaking ChancesDive into the gritty world of horse racing and high-stakes poker, where gamblers wrestle with luck, deception, and the allure of big wins.
Level C1AdventureTaken by the EnemyA wealthy captain returns from a cruise to shocking news that unsettles his normally composed demeanor, setting the stage for a gripping tale of conflict and loyalty amid the linge…
Level C1MysteryTaken AliveA mysterious visitor disrupts the quiet life at a remote mine, setting off a chain of events filled with suspense and unexpected revelations.
Level C1ClassicsTagalog Texts with Grammatical AnalysisExplore the first scientific phonetic transcription and analysis of Tagalog through the vivid speech and stories of an educated native speaker, revealing unique accentuation and li…
Level C1HistoricalTacitus on GermanyExplore the rugged lands and fierce tribes of ancient Germany through vivid accounts of their origins, customs, and warrior spirit, revealing a culture both mysterious and unyieldi…
Level C1HistoricalTacitus and Bracciolini. The Annals Forged in the XVth CenturyUncover a riveting historical investigation that challenges the authenticity of Tacitus's Annals, proposing they were a fifteenth-century forgery by the Renaissance figure Poggio B…
Level C1PhilosophyTabletsExplore the profound connection between humanity and nature through meditations on gardens, orchards, and rural life as symbols of civilization, wisdom, and virtue.
Level C1ClassicsTable Talk: Essays on Men and MannersExplore the quiet joys of painting and the reflective pleasures of art in essays that reveal the intimate struggles and triumphs of creativity, where Nature becomes both adversary…
Level C1ClassicsT. TembaromA resilient ten-year-old boy, orphaned and impoverished in Brooklyn, navigates hardship with a bright grin and fierce determination.
Level C1ClassicsSynge and the Ireland of His TimeStep into the turbulent world of early 20th-century Ireland, where the provocative plays of a daring playwright ignite fierce debate and challenge patriotic ideals, revealing the c…
Level C1Science FictionSymzonia: Voyage of DiscoveryEmbark on a daring voyage to the mysterious southern polar regions, where a captain discovers an unknown continent and enters a hidden internal world inhabited by advanced beings w…
Level C1PhilosophySymposiumAt a banquet celebrating a tragic victory, guests take turns delivering profound speeches honoring love, exploring its divine and earthly forms, its power to inspire courage and vi…
Level C1RomanceSylvie: souvenirs du ValoisA young poet haunted by lost love and memories of the French countryside seeks a mysterious maiden named Sylvie, whose enchanting songs and rustic charm evoke the fading beauty of…
Level C1HistoricalSylvia's Lovers — CompleteIn the rugged coastal town of Monkshaven, where whaling fortunes shape lives, a young apprentice navigates the harsh sea and social tides of the late 18th century, caught between t…
Level C1HistoricalSylph Etherege: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")In a secluded garden, two observers watch a young girl enchanted by an imaginary cousin she has never met, while a mysterious figure schemes to disrupt her delicate fantasy.
Level C1ClassicsSydney SmithDiscover the intriguing life of Sydney Smith, tracing his rise from humble beginnings to a celebrated figure through letters, memoirs, and personal accounts that reveal his wit, ed…
Level C1RomanceSybil, Or, The Two NationsIn the opulent world of 1837 high society, wagers and whispered intrigues set the stage for a dramatic exploration of England’s stark social divides.
Level C1HistoricalSybil Chase; or, The Valley Ranche: A Tale of California LifeIn a rugged California valley transformed by the gold rush, a once peaceful ranche becomes a hotspot of lawlessness and wild adventure.
Level C1ClassicsSwords ReluctantAmid the chill of a bitter winter, Gabrielle Silvester returns from a stirring peace meeting, caught between the quiet of her suburban life and the urgent call for a new world orde…
Level C1ClassicsSword and Gown: A NovelIn the mild December climate by the Mediterranean shore, Harry Molyneux and the enigmatic Royston Keene reflect on nature’s beauty and hidden depths.
Level C1AdventureSwiss Heroes: An Historical Romance of the Time of Charles the BoldAmidst the turbulent ambitions of Charles the Bold, three Swiss heroes rise to defend their homeland, weaving courage, sacrifice, and fierce patriotism into a gripping tale set aga…
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.