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 American Mind: The E. T. Earl LecturesExplore the profound influence of geography, climate, and social conditions on American literature and national character through a series of insightful lectures that trace the roo…![Cover of The American Joe Miller: A Collection of Yankee Wit and Humor by Robert [Compiler] Kempt](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dacjop7vk76c73frarf0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe American Joe Miller: A Collection of Yankee Wit and HumorDive into a rollicking collection of American wit, where tall tales and broad humor bring to life the larger-than-life characters and exaggerated feats that define Yankee spirit an…
Level C1ClassicsThe American Diary of a Japanese GirlA young Japanese woman prepares to leave her homeland for America, capturing her hopes, dreams, and cultural reflections in a heartfelt diary as she embarks on a transformative jou…
Level C1ClassicsThe American ClaimantAn American inventor unexpectedly inherits an English earldom, prompting a chaotic collision of identities, schemes, and romance as he navigates high society and his new title.
Level C1RomanceThe AmericanAn American gentleman, strong and shrewd yet new to the world of art, finds himself both fascinated and perplexed while exploring the masterpieces of the Louvre, setting the stage…
Level C1ClassicsThe AmbassadorsLambert Strether journeys to Paris to reclaim a young man from a frivolous life, but amidst the charm and freedom of the city, he confronts his own regrets and the possibility of l…
Level C1HistoricalThe Amazing YearsAs a genteel family debates the best route for their upcoming Channel crossing, tensions simmer beneath the surface of this holiday journey.
Level C1RomanceThe Amazing Marriage — CompleteAmid whispers of scandal and high society’s intrigues, the captivating Countess of Cressett navigates a world of art, gossip, and daring exploits.
Level C1MysteryThe Amateur InnA wealthy man returns to his ancestral New England farm to build a grand estate, stirring resentment among the local villagers.
Level C1AdventureThe Amateur GentlemanBarnabas, born into hardship but yearning for gentility, sets out for London to claim his true place in society.
Level C1MysteryThe AmateurAmid a fierce February storm, a sharp-eyed reporter and sleuth boards a ship bound for London, tasked with uncovering the truth behind a mysterious widow’s disappearance and the cu…
Level C1RomanceThe AlternativeIn a prestigious New York club amid a fierce blizzard, old family legacies and sharp social tensions simmer as the aristocratic Van Pyckes navigate tradition, rivalry, and the rele…
Level C1ClassicsThe Altar of the DeadHaunted by the death of his beloved Mary, a man dedicates himself to honoring the memory of the dead through a solemn, personal ritual—a spiritual altar that offers solace amid los…
Level C1ClassicsThe Altar FireA profound exploration of suffering and the soul’s resilience reveals the hidden strength in pain and the shared humanity of those who endure it.
Level C1MysteryThe Allen House; Or, Twenty Years Ago and NowA dedicated doctor braves a relentless storm to save a feverish baby, revealing the weight of duty amid life's harsh choices and lingering regrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe AlkahestIn a tranquil Flemish town, where tradition and architecture reveal the secrets of its people’s steady, sensuous happiness, explore the steady pulse of a society shaped by history,…
Level C1ClassicsThe AlhambraStep into the enchanted Alhambra, a Moorish palace where history and legend intertwine amid sunlit gardens and shadowed courts.
Level C1ClassicsThe AlchemistEnter the world of a bold, combative playwright navigating the fierce rivalry and intrigue of Elizabethan theater, where ambition, talent, and personal struggles collide amidst the…
Level C1PoetryThe Album Writer's Friend: Comprising More Than Three Hundred Choice Selections of Poetry and Prose, Suitable for Writing in Autograph Albums, Valentines, Birthday, Christmas and New Year Cards.Discover a rich collection of heartfelt verses and prose crafted to inspire meaningful inscriptions in autograph albums, greeting cards, and special occasions—offering timeless ref…
Level C1MysteryThe Albert Gate Mystery: Being Further Adventures of Reginald Brett, Barrister DetectiveWhen a mysterious crime unfolds at an Albert Gate mansion housing Turkish dignitaries and secretive diamond experts, barrister-detective Reginald Brett is drawn into a web of intri…
Level C1ClassicsThe Albany Depot : a FarceAt a bustling train depot, Mrs.
Level C1AdventureThe AlaskanIn the wild, untamed beauty of Alaska, a seasoned captain encounters a mysterious young woman whose tense resolve hints at secrets beneath her calm exterior.
Level C1Science FictionThe Air TrustIn a world where monopolies control every resource, a ruthless billionaire seeks to dominate the very air we breathe, threatening humanity with slavery or violent revolt.
Level C1MysteryThe Air PirateIn a world where air piracy once threatened the skies, the Chief Commissioner of the British Air Police confronts a new, urgent mystery that could unravel the fragile peace of tran…
Level C1AdventureThe Air Patrol: A Story of the North-west FrontierIn the rugged mountain passes of Northern India, three Englishmen and their native escorts navigate perilous terrain as they prepare for a daring aerial campaign that could decide…![Cover of The Agony Column of the "Times" 1800-1870 by Alice [Editor] Clay](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8ljrtnmvfc73bie070.webp)
Level C1HistoricalThe Agony Column of the "Times" 1800-1870Dive into a hidden world of secret messages, romantic intrigue, and coded pleas from the 19th-century Agony Column of the Times newspaper, revealing the private lives and passions…
Level C1MysteryThe Agony ColumnIn sweltering London on the brink of war, an American man becomes captivated by the mysterious personal notices in the newspaper’s Agony Column, where secret messages of love, intr…
Level C1HistoricalThe Age of TennysonExplore the vibrant literary landscape from 1830 to 1870, where poetry, prose, and philosophy wrestle with truth and understanding amid a shifting cultural order.
Level C1HistoricalThe Age of ShakespeareExplore the birth of English tragedy through the bold verse and sublime imagination of Christopher Marlowe, whose pioneering plays blend fierce passion, poetic mastery, and hauntin…
Level C1Science FictionThe Age of Science: A Newspaper of the Twentieth CenturyA groundbreaking invention, the Prospective Telegraph, allows communication across time, revealing a newspaper from the year 1977 that showcases a future where science dominates ev…
Level C1HistoricalThe Age of Pope: (1700-1744)Explore the vibrant literary landscape shaped between 1700 and 1744, where satire and wit rise to prominence amid the legacy of Dryden.
Level C1RomanceThe Age of InnocenceIn the glittering world of 1870s New York society, Newland Archer navigates the delicate rituals of love and tradition amid the grandeur of the opera and the strict codes of the el…
Level C1HistoricalThe Age of DrydenStep into the vibrant literary revolution following England’s Restoration, where the reign of Charles II sparks a transformation from Elizabethan imagination to clarity, reason, an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Age of ChivalryStep into a world where myth and legend shape the ideals of knighthood and heroism.
Level C1ClassicsThe Aftermath; Or, Gleanings from a Busy Life: Called upon the outer cover, for purposes of sale, Caliban's Guide to LettersStep into the disciplined life of Dr.
Level C1MysteryThe Affair at the Semiramis HotelWhen the elusive Mr.
Level C1PoetryThe Aeneid of VirgilExiled Trojan prince Aeneas braves divine wrath and tempestuous seas to fulfill his destiny of founding a new homeland in Italy, while Queen Juno’s relentless fury threatens to des…
Level C1PoetryThe AeneidAfter years of wandering, Aeneas and the remnants of Troy face Juno’s wrath and a deadly storm as they seek a new homeland in Italy, while divine forces and fateful passions shape…
Level C1ClassicsThe Advocate: A NovelIn early 19th-century Montreal, a sharp-witted advocate wrestles with love, marriage, and duty as he navigates complex relationships and moral dilemmas, all while preparing for a p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Adventurous Simplicissimus: being the description of the Life of a Strange vagabond named Melchior Sternfels von FuchshaimA rustic youth named Melchior Sternfels von Fuchshaim embarks on a wild journey through war, hardship, and transformation, learning to read, fight, and survive in a chaotic world w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of an Ugly GirlShunned for her plain looks and overshadowed by a beautiful sister, a sensitive girl braces herself for the arrival of her father’s new wife, hoping for the first time to find a tr…
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventures of a Widow: A NovelIn a rapidly changing New York, Bond Street's genteel past clashes with a dark, unsolved murder that shakes the city's social order.
Level C1AdventureThe Adventures of a Squirrel, Supposed to be Related by HimselfA charming squirrel recounts his capture, captivity, and daring escapes while navigating the curious and chaotic world of his human captors, revealing a whimsical adventure filled…
Level C1Children'sThe Adventures of a Pincushion, Designed Chiefly for the Use of Young LadiesIn a quiet May afternoon, sibling rivalry and mishaps over cherished tea china lead two sisters to create a beautiful pincushion, weaving lessons of kindness, forgiveness, and crea…
Level C1RomanceThe Adventures of a Modest ManTwo Long Island gentlemen confront the ennui of routine, spurred by a curious purchase: a pig.
Level C1AdventureThe Adventures of a Marmotte: Sold for the Distressed IrishA young marmot recounts its journey from the rugged Alps to a new life in a valley, capturing the charm of its adventures and the kindness of a boy named José, all while hoping to…
Level C1Children'sThe Adventures of a Dog, and a Good Dog TooDiscover the heartfelt tale of a noble dog whose loyalty and kindness bridge the natural divide between cats and dogs in the lively city of Caneville, revealing the true language a…
Level C1Children'sThe Adventures of a Cat, and a Fine Cat Too!Follow the charming Miss Minette Gattina as she shares her true-life adventures from Caneville, revealing the tender, loving nature of cats beyond their fierce reputation.
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.