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 C1AdventureThe MissionAn elderly man haunted by a tragic shipwreck sets his son on a perilous African expedition to uncover the fate of lost loved ones, navigating wild landscapes, dangerous tribes, and…
Level C1AdventureThe Missing Ship: The Log of the "Ouzel" GalleyStranded in a merciless calm, the crew of the Ouzel Galley battles fever and dwindling hope until a sudden gale tests their resilience and courage.
Level C1AdventureThe Missing MerchantmanAmidst the sunlit charm of Weymouth’s bustling bay, young Edward Damerell, a skilled seaman bound for the merchant service, embarks on a journey where adventure and the sea intertw…
Level C1ClassicsThe Missing LinkA cunning trickster known as Nickie the Kid navigates a world where honesty is scarce and survival depends on wit and deception.
Level C1HistoricalThe Missing BrideSet against the backdrop of the ancient Luckenough manor, a young heiress with a fragile spirit faces the looming uncertainties of war and family legacy, where buried secrets and u…
Level C1ClassicsThe Misses Mallett (The Bridge Dividing)On a radiant spring day in the countryside, Rose Mallett enjoys the freedom of her familiar land but faces a complicated affection from Francis Sales, whose worry over family duty…
Level C1Science FictionThe Miserly RobotA meticulous robot, programmed solely to save money, manages the finances of a young man desperate for an advance on his allowance.
Level C1ClassicsThe MiserIn a Parisian household ruled by a miser whose greed alienates his own children, secret loves and cunning schemes unfold as young lovers risk everything to win approval and happine…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mirror of the SeaSet sail on a voyage through the eyes of a seasoned seaman, exploring the rituals, solitude, and spirit behind a ship’s departure from land to the vast unknown sea.
Level C1FantasyThe Mirror of Kong HoAn earnest observer from the Celestial Empire ventures into the strange lands of London, recording with exacting care the customs, strange devices, and mysterious demons that power…
Level C1ClassicsThe Miraculous RevengeA restless outsider returns to Dublin, seeking meaning amid cold family ties and the city's shadows.
Level C1ClassicsThe Miracle ManIn the shadowy Bowery, a twisted figure known as the Flopper struggles for survival amid a chaotic crowd of rich and poor, vice and innocence.
Level C1AdventureThe Minute Boys of the Mohawk ValleyIn the tense spring of 1777, a band of spirited boys armed with wooden guns unwittingly deters a fierce Mohawk sachem and his warriors, shaping the fate of the Mohawk Valley amid t…
Level C1PoetryThe Minstrel; or the Progress of Genius: with some other poemsFollow the journey of a young poet as he rises from humble beginnings to become a revered minstrel, capturing the sacred art of poetry and music in a harmonious blend of verse insp…
Level C1HistoricalThe Minister's WooingIn a quiet New England seaport, the formidable Widow Scudder commands respect with unmatched skill and grace, navigating life’s hardships while quietly shaping her community’s fort…
Level C1ClassicsThe Minister's WifeIn a remote Scottish cottage where gentility meets humble roots, twin sisters Margaret and Isabel grapple with family divisions and the challenge of embracing their stepmother and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Minister's Charge; Or, The Apprenticeship of Lemuel BarkerA young poet clings to hope after a minister praises his verses, sparking dreams that may clash with reality.
Level C1HistoricalThe Minister of Evil: The Secret History of Rasputin's Betrayal of RussiaDelve into the secret confessions of Rasputin’s trusted secretary, revealing the dark betrayals and political intrigues that led to the downfall of Imperial Russia.
Level C1HistoricalThe Mines and its WondersIn a coal-mining village overshadowed by towering chimneys and relentless machinery, families live in constant fear of deadly explosions beneath the earth.
Level C1ClassicsThe Mimic Stage: A Series of Dramas, Comedies, Burlesques, and Farces for Public Exhibitions and Private TheatricalsStep into a charming seaside setting where simple folk and city visitors cross paths in lighthearted dramas and comedies designed for intimate theatrical performances.
Level C1MysteryThe Millionaire MysteryA weary tramp arrives in a quiet village where whispers of a wealthy man's funeral and an eerie family vault stir intrigue.
Level C1MysteryThe Millionaire BabyA desperate father offers a fortune for the return of his six-year-old daughter, the Millionaire Baby, who vanished without a trace.
Level C1PoetryThe Miller and His Golden DreamA miller’s simple tale unfolds without magical embellishments, revealing a moral truth through pure poetry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Miller Of Old ChurchIn a fading tavern at a rural crossroads, a returning stranger stirs old tensions and new possibilities amid the changing landscape of a Southern village.
Level C1PoetryThe Millennium, and Other Poems: To Which is Annexed, a Treatise on the Regeneration and Eternal Duration of MatterProphetic verses envision a glorious millennium where ancient Israel is restored, deserts bloom, and divine power reshapes the earth.
Level C1MysteryThe Millbank Case: A Maine Mystery of To-dayA respected Maine lawyer becomes entangled in the complex affairs of a deceased judge's estate, revealing secrets beneath the surface of a small town.
Level C1RomanceThe Mill on the FlossSet against the tranquil yet stirring backdrop of the Floss river and Dorlcote Mill, a family’s hopes for education and social ascent intertwine with the rhythms of rural life, whe…
Level C1MysteryThe Mill MysteryA struggling young woman, burdened by loneliness and poverty, finds unexpected hope in the kindness of her soon-to-be-married roommate—just as a mysterious commotion erupts outside…
Level C1RomanceThe Milkmaid of Montfermeil (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XX)A charming lieutenant grapples with love, loyalty, and society’s hypocrisies as he navigates multiple romances and the complexities of human kindness on a journey through Montferme…
Level C1HistoricalThe Military Sketch-Book. Vol. 1 (of 2): Reminiscences of seventeen years in the service abroad and at homeA young officer’s vivid memoirs reveal the exhilaration and challenges of his first military appointment in 1809 London, blending truth with lively imagination from seventeen years…
Level C1AdventureThe Military Sketch-Book, Vol. 2 (of 2): Reminiscences of seventeen years in the service abroad and at homeIn the camaraderie-filled guard-house, soldiers share songs and stories that bring to life vivid memories of distant battles and the poignant mix of duty and longing experienced on…
Level C1AdventureThe Military Adventures of Johnny Newcome: With an Account of his Campaign on the Peninsula and in Pall MallA young British officer navigates the trials of military life during the Peninsula Campaign, confronting harsh conditions, cultural clashes, and the chaos of war while striving to…
Level C1HistoricalThe Militants: Stories of Some Parsons, Soldiers, and Other Fighters in the WorldIn a sunlit village by the sea, a dignified bishop encounters the spirited young Eleanor Gray Preston, whose innocence and wit spark an unexpected friendship, weaving tales of fait…
Level C1MysteryThe Mikado JewelIn a dilapidated Bayswater mansion known as The Home of Art, young aspiring artists gather under the care of a kind landlady, while a mysterious mission unfolds one foggy night whe…
Level C1AdventureThe Midnight QueenAmid the devastating plague-ridden streets of 1665 London, where death and debauchery rule, a dashing courtier navigates a city in chaos, defying fate with reckless charm and fiery…
Level C1MysteryThe Midnight Passenger : A NovelA cautious business manager carries a heavy secret in a bustling city, yearning for freedom beyond the relentless grind.
Level C1ClassicsThe MidlanderTwo brothers embody contrasting worlds: Harlan, the fastidious aristocrat, and Dan, the spirited rebel thriving in mischief and adventure.
Level C1ClassicsThe Middle-Class GentlemanA wealthy middle-class man hires music and dance masters to transform himself into a refined gentleman, unaware of their amusement at his naive attempts to grasp high society's art…
Level C1MysteryThe Middle of ThingsA young gentleman and his keen aunt share a passion for crime novels, but their differing views on reality spark intrigue as they explore mysteries that blur the line between ficti…
Level C1HistoricalThe Middle Five: Indian Boys at SchoolDiscover the lives of five Omaha boys navigating the challenges of school life, language barriers, and cultural identity as they strive to be seen beyond their heritage and uniform…
Level C1ClassicsThe Mettle of the PastureOn the eve of a life-changing choice, a young woman lingers between the comfort of her childhood home and the thrilling promise of love and marriage, capturing the delicate tension…
Level C1PoetryThe Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidus Naso in English blank verse Vols. I & IIJourney through a world emerging from chaotic elements as gods shape earth, sea, and sky, culminating in the dawn of mankind and the golden age of innocence and harmony.
Level C1PoetryThe Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VIIDive into a vivid tapestry of ancient Greek and Roman myths, where gods and mortals intertwine through tales of transformation and timeless legend.
Level C1Science FictionThe Metal MonsterA scientist haunted by extraordinary adventures shares a mysterious manuscript revealing encounters with unknown creatures and forces in hidden Asian gorges.
Level C1RomanceThe MessengersAinsley retreats to a rocky Connecticut farm, hoping isolation will test the true friendship and love of Polly Kirkland, the woman he adores but who doubts he is the man she cannot…
Level C1ClassicsThe MessengerIn a world poised on the edge of social change, a young government aide becomes entangled with the enigmatic Miss von Schwarzenberg and the fiercely independent Madge McIntyre, who…
Level C1ClassicsThe MessageTwo young lovers share a fleeting, intense bond during a coach journey, confessing their passionate affairs with older women.
Level C1AdventureThe Mesa TrailA rugged woman driving a stubborn old car through the New Mexico desert stumbles upon a mysterious, starving man lying in the road.
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.