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 C1ClassicsThe Odd Volume; Or, Book of VarietyA grotesque traveler with an enormous mouth and surprising manners captivates a room of strangers in a lively inn, blending humor and mystery as his peculiar presence promises an u…
Level C1ClassicsThe Octoroon; or, Life in Louisiana. A Play in Five actsAmidst the sprawling Terrebonne plantation in Louisiana, tensions simmer between heirs, overseers, and enslaved children, unraveling a complex web of family duty, financial ruin, a…
Level C1HistoricalThe OctoroonAmidst the glittering ballrooms of London’s elite, a vivacious American heiress captivates society while the shadow of her Southern plantation’s dark past looms quietly behind her…
Level C1AdventureThe Ocean Waifs: A Story of Adventure on Land and SeaStranded on the vast Atlantic after their ship, the Pandora, catches fire and explodes, a group of desperate survivors cling to makeshift rafts, facing hunger, despair, and the hau…
Level C1ClassicsThe Observations of Professor MaturinA scholarly bachelor known for his eccentricities invites a friend into his world of intellectual curiosity, where the pleasures of the table and the pursuit of happiness intertwin…
Level C1MysteryThe Oakdale AffairUnder cover of night, a young burglar with uncanny knowledge of the Prim household sneaks into a wealthy Oakdale home, targeting a hidden safe in the daughter’s room—only to be sta…
Level C1HistoricalThe O'Donoghue: Tale of Ireland Fifty Years AgoIn the remote Irish valley of Glenflesk, rugged mountains and wild rivers conceal stories of solitude and struggle, where a solitary traveler’s journey reveals the haunting beauty…
Level C1RomanceThe O'Conors of Castle Conor, County Mayo: From "Tales from All Countries"An outsider arrives in rural Ireland, seeking camaraderie and adventure among country huntsmen, only to find unexpected hospitality and complex ties at Castle Conor.
Level C1Children'sThe Nürnberg StoveIn a snowy, medieval town rich with history and mystery, young August braves the cold to deliver a precious jug of beer, uncovering the quiet magic and warmth hidden within its anc…
Level C1Children'sThe Nuts: A Christmas Story for my Children and GrandchildrenA wounded colonel captivates children with tales that blur the line between reality and fantasy, sharing stories filled with magic, memories, and the spirit of Christmas as a young…
Level C1ClassicsThe NurserymatographStep behind the scenes of early cinema as a skilled operator battles timing, flickering images, and elusive smiles to bring silent films to life, all while navigating the quirks of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Novel; what it isExplore the nature and purpose of the novel as an intellectual artistic luxury, crafted to amuse and engage readers while navigating the delicate balance between storytelling and m…
Level C1ClassicsThe Novel on the TramA chance encounter on a Madrid tram sparks a revealing conversation between two acquaintances, uncovering scandal, secrets, and social intrigues swirling around a troubled countess…
Level C1ClassicsThe Novel and the Common SchoolExploring the impact of popular education on intellectual habits, this work investigates how widespread schooling shapes reading tastes, particularly the appetite for fiction, and…
Level C1MysteryThe Notting Hill MysteryA private investigator delves into a baffling case of sudden death and multiple life insurance policies, uncovering suspicious circumstances and hidden secrets surrounding Madame R…
Level C1ClassicsThe Notorious Mrs. EbbsmithIn Venice during Easter, a circle of English expatriates navigates illness, loyalty, and controversial ideals amidst the city's faded grandeur.
Level C1MysteryThe Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692)A notorious criminal’s tangled web of deception unravels in a gripping narrative blending fact and fiction, revealing the life and exploits of William Morrell.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Note-Books of Samuel ButlerDive into a vast mosaic of thoughts and reflections spanning philosophy, literature, art, and life, meticulously captured over decades in intimate notebooks that reveal the restles…
Level C1HistoricalThe Norwegian account of Haco's expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII.A formidable Norwegian fleet embarks on a perilous expedition against Scotland, entangling fierce maritime clans and fragile alliances in a struggle for control of the Hebrides.
Level C1AdventureThe North Pacific: A Story of the Russo-Japanese WarIn the tense build-up to the Russo-Japanese War, two shrewd Japanese agents discreetly inspect a powerful new Russian battleship under construction, setting the stage for a dramati…
Level C1AdventureThe Norsemen in the WestIn a remote Norse settlement on Greenland’s icy frontier, mysterious hairy creatures lurk nearby, sparking tension between the hardy settlers and the wild inhabitants of the frozen…
Level C1PoetryThe Norse king's bridalVenture into a world of Viking valor and cursed swords as a forgotten daughter, raised in obscurity, embraces her fierce heritage and seeks a deadly weapon that promises doom and d…
Level C1ClassicsThe Noble Spanish SoldierIn a world of political intrigue and broken promises, a noble Spanish soldier navigates loyalty and betrayal amid royal schemes and shifting alliances.
Level C1RomanceThe Noble RogueIn the opulent courts of Louis XIV’s Paris, a humble tailor secures a papal promise to elevate his daughter Rose Marie to English nobility, setting the stage for a stirring tale of…
Level C1HistoricalThe Nobel Prize winners in literatureExplore the origins and impact of the Nobel Prize in Literature through the life of Alfred Nobel, whose inventive genius and personal struggles shaped a legacy celebrating humanity…
Level C1MysteryThe Nine of Hearts: A NovelAmidst a gripping murder trial, Edward Layton refuses legal counsel, determined to defend himself against the charge of poisoning his wife.
Level C1PoetryThe Nightingale, the Valkyrie and Raven, and Other BalladsA knight discovers a nightingale trapped by a wicked spell, revealing a tale of transformation, love, and dark magic amid castle turrets and enchanted forests.
Level C1AdventureThe Night-BornIn a rugged, untamed valley beyond the Rockies, a seasoned prospector recalls the fateful encounter with Lucy, a mysterious blue-eyed woman among a hidden tribe untouched by white…
Level C1RomanceThe Night of TemptationIn a stifling English rectory filled with bitterness and discord, Regina Marlow finds solace and hope in the beauty of nature and her own radiant spirit, challenging the harsh real…
Level C1AdventureThe Night HorsemanA brilliant scholar and surgeon, Randall Byrne confronts the limits of mind and body as he wrestles with profound questions of truth and existence, all while facing a mysterious co…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Nicomachean ethics of AristotleExplore the nature of human character and virtue within their social and political context, as ethical inquiry reveals how the state and law shape individuals toward happiness and…
Level C1ClassicsThe NibelungsIn a world of heroes and ancient legends, young Siegfried rises unmatched in strength and valor, destined to wield mighty swords and claim a legendary treasure.
Level C1PoetryThe NibelungenliedAmidst the courts and castles of medieval Germany, knights and ladies navigate a world of loyalty, betrayal, and fierce battles.
Level C1PoetryThe NibelungenliedDive into a legendary saga of heroism, betrayal, and vengeance as Siegfried and the Burgundians navigate love, war, and fate in a richly woven tapestry of medieval adventure and ro…
Level C1ClassicsThe NewspaperExplore the intricate organization and global influence of the newspaper press, revealing its pivotal role in shaping public opinion and modern communication.
Level C1ClassicsThe Newcomes: Memoirs of a Most Respectable FamilyIn a vivid pastoral scene where cunning animals don disguises and clash with nature’s order, a wolf in sheep’s clothing threatens innocence while a donkey's roar shakes the meadow—…
Level C1PoetryThe Newcastle Song Book; or, Tyne-Side Songster: Being a Collection of Comic and Satirical Songs, Descriptive of Eccentric Characters, and the Manners and Customs of a Portion of the Labouring Population of Newcastle and the NeighbourhoodDive into a lively collection of comic and satirical songs capturing the eccentric characters, customs, and vibrant dialect of Newcastle's laboring population in the early 19th cen…
Level C1PoetryThe New-York Book of PoetryExplore the rich voices of New York through a vibrant collection of poems capturing local landscapes, history, and emotions, bringing together voices both familiar and newly discov…
Level C1ClassicsThe New Woman: An Original Comedy, in Four ActsIn a lively drawing-room debate, a traditional colonel and his friend grapple with the rising tide of the "New Woman"—educated, independent, and challenging societal norms—while aw…
Level C1RomanceThe New WardenAmidst the shadow of war and the timeless halls of Oxford, a new Warden grapples with loss, duty, and the stirring hope for England’s future.
Level C1MysteryThe New TenantAt the tranquil Thurwell Court, a serene morning conceals dark secrets as a mysterious new tenant arrives, sparking suspicions and unearthing deadly rivalries.
Level C1PhilosophyThe New SpiritExplore the transformative power of individuality and creativity as visionary artists and thinkers challenge tradition, blending nature, dreams, and emotion to reveal fresh perspec…
Level C1HistoricalThe New RectorIn a quiet Warwickshire town, the long-serving rector has died, leaving the parish in suspense over his successor.
Level C1ClassicsThe New Pun BookDive into a witty collection of clever puns and sharp wordplay, where language twists and turns with unexpected juxtapositions, delivering humor and insight without resorting to sl…
Level C1PoetryThe New Poetry: An AnthologyDiscover a vibrant revival of poetry that breaks free from Victorian excess, embracing simplicity, sincerity, and the pulse of contemporary life.
Level C1PoetryThe New Penelope, and Other Stories and PoemsExplore the rugged, untamed Pacific Coast through intimate stories and poems revealing the raw humanity and unique challenges of pioneer life.
Level C1PhilosophyThe New Paul and Virginia; Or, Positivism on an IslandAboard a luxurious ocean liner, two captivating figures—Professor Paul Darnley, a renowned modern thinker, and Virginia St.
Level C1ClassicsThe New Mistress: A TaleA proud woman faces the harsh realities of reduced circumstances as she begins her new life teaching in a small, struggling town.
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.