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 C1ClassicsMarie ClaireA young working seamstress in Paris defies hardship and limited opportunities by embracing her passion for writing, revealing the quiet strength and depth of her life through heart…
Level B2HistoricalMarie Antoinette and Her SonAmidst the grandeur of Versailles and the cheers of Paris, a radiant queen presents her children to the nation, embodying hope and maternal pride.
Level C1Children'sMarieFleeing a harsh troupe leader, a young violinist named Marie embarks on a new life, carrying her precious instrument and her hopes through a quiet village where children and music…
Level C1RomanceMarianson: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899Amid the tense backdrop of the 1812 British invasion, a young Canadian voyageur flees through the wilds of Mackinac Island, seeking refuge in a mysterious cave where he encounters…
Level B2ClassicsMarianelaA determined traveler loses his way in the mysterious, silent hills near the famed mines of Socartes, where eerie solitude and tangled paths test his resolve.
Level B2RomanceMarian GreyIn the shadowed halls of Redstone, a dying guardian wrestles with a haunting secret and urges young Marian to marry his son, intertwining love, loyalty, and a mysterious past that…
Level C1ClassicsMaria; Or, The Wrongs of WomanTrapped in a suffocating marriage, a woman with a sensitive, intelligent mind battles the crushing injustices imposed by society’s partial laws and customs.
Level C1ClassicsMaria EdgeworthDelve into the intertwined lives of Maria Edgeworth and her visionary father, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, as their family legacy shapes Ireland’s history through ambition, invention,…
Level B2RomanceMaria Chapdelaine: A Tale of the Lake St. John CountryIn a remote, snowbound village by Lake St.
Level B2Children'sMari, Our Little Norwegian CousinStep into the simple, hardworking life of Mari, a spirited Norwegian girl learning to bake traditional flat-bread and care for her family amid the rugged beauty of her homeland, wh…
Level C1PoetryMarguerite; or, The Isle of Demons and Other PoemsA haunting poetic journey into the tragic legend of Marguerite, set against the eerie Isle of Demons and the harsh realities of early Canadian colonization.
Level C1HistoricalMarguerite de ValoisOn the eve of a royal wedding between bitter enemies from Catholic and Protestant factions, political intrigue and deadly secrets simmer beneath the lavish festivities at the Louvr…
Level C1ClassicsMarguerite Verne; Or, Scenes from Canadian LifeOn a starry New Year's Eve in St.
Level C1RomanceMarguerite De Roberval: A Romance of the Days of Jacques CartierIn 1539 France, daring seaman Jacques Cartier longs to escape cramped streets and return to the New World where gold, diamonds, and adventure await, while his loyal companion warns…
Level C1ClassicsMargret Howth: A Story of To-dayAmid the shadow of war and despair, explore the quiet heroism and enduring hope found in ordinary lives battling the persistent enemy within.
Level B2RomanceMargie's ventureAs Harry departs on a year-long voyage, young Margie faces family hardships and the pressure to marry amid financial struggles.
Level B2ClassicsMargery DawAfter a devastating train collision near Chesterham, a mysterious woman lies lifeless while a young child, her striking double, is found alone amidst the wreckage—sparking question…
Level C1HistoricalMargery (Gred): A Tale Of Old Nuremberg — CompleteAmidst the faded pages of a 15th-century manuscript, a German housewife named Margery Schopper begins to chronicle her life in old Nuremberg, revealing intimate memories, family so…
Level C1ClassicsMarge AskinforitA sharp-witted woman named Marge navigates her eccentric family’s quirks and scandals with biting humor, revealing a world where beauty, ambition, and misadventure collide in the s…
Level C1RomanceMargaret Vincent: A NovelIn the quiet English countryside, a disillusioned gentleman seeks refuge from society's noise and expectations, stumbling upon Woodside Farm where family secrets and unexpected rom…
Level C1RomanceMargaret Tudor: A Romance of Old St. AugustineHeld captive in 1670 San Augustin, Margaret Tudor pens a desperate plea for freedom while navigating perilous seas, lost loved ones, and a blossoming love with a noble kinsman amid…
Level C1HistoricalMargaret Smith's Journal: Part 1 from Volume V of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierIn 1678 Massachusetts Bay, a young woman begins a heartfelt journal chronicling her arrival, the stark new land, and the complex society she encounters—from kind relatives to stern…
Level C1HistoricalMargaret Smith's Journal, and Tales and Sketches, Complete: Volume V of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierA young woman chronicles her journey from England to the challenging yet hopeful New England colony of 1678, revealing vivid portraits of early settlers and the harsh realities of…
Level C1ClassicsMargaret MaliphantAmidst the ancient ruins and quiet marshlands of Sussex, two sisters from a once-proud farming family navigate the weight of heritage and changing fortunes, where past glories ling…
Level C1ClassicsMargaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli)Explore the remarkable life of Margaret Fuller, a pioneering spirit who challenged her era's conventions through intellect, activism, and literary influence, while navigating frien…
Level C1RomanceMargaret DashwoodAmid the quiet trials of reduced means, Margaret Dashwood navigates family tensions and shifting affections with calm observation and gentle resilience.
Level C1RomanceMargaret Capel: A Novel, vol. 3 of 3In the quiet seclusion of Ashdale, Margaret Capel seeks solace from her sorrows, enduring unwanted attentions while finding healing in the wild beauty of the autumn shore.
Level C1ClassicsMargaret Capel: A Novel, vol. 2 of 3Set against the breathtaking cliffs and tranquil seas of southern England, a young woman returns home from Italy, where her journey has transformed her spirit.
Level C1HistoricalMargaret Capel: A Novel, vol. 1 of 3When seventeen-year-old Margaret Capel arrives under the guardianship of her distant relative, tensions simmer over her future and inheritance.
Level C1AdventureMare Nostrum (Our Sea): A NovelA young boy's imagination is ignited by ancient legends and noble histories as he navigates the mysterious legacy of an empress buried in a forgotten chapel, set against the backdr…
Level C1FantasyMardi, and a voyage thither, Vol. 2 (of 2)In the mysterious isle of Maramma, ruled by the enigmatic High Pontiff, a perilous pilgrimage to the shadowed Peak of Ofo beckons those daring enough to seek its secrets.
Level C1AdventureMardi, and a voyage thither, Vol. 1 (of 2)Embark on a restless voyage from the South Pacific to the enigmatic Galápagos Islands aboard the Arcturion, where the monotony of the sea fuels a yearning for adventure and the elu…
Level B2AdventureMarcy, the RefugeeAmid Civil War turmoil, Marcy Gray, a loyal North Carolina boy, risks dangerous blockades and rebel foes to support the Union cause, navigating secret alliances and perilous waters…
Level B2AdventureMarcy the Blockade RunnerA young pilot caught between loyalty and suspicion navigates dangerous waters as secret enemies threaten his family and his cause during a turbulent time.
Level C1Children'sMarcus; or, The Boy-TamerA young boy learns to guide and inspire his peers through everyday adventures, discovering the power of self-governance and moral growth in a series of heartfelt lessons grounded i…
Level B2AdventureMarcus: the Young CenturionIn the sun-drenched Roman villa, young Marcus, son of a famed senator, awakens from a heat-induced nap to the sounds of mischief in the vineyard—setting the stage for an adventurou…
Level B2RomanceMarcia SchuylerAmid preparations for her sister Kate’s wedding, young Marcia yearns for a new dress and a life beyond her unnoticed role.
Level B2AdventureMarching on Niagara; Or, The Soldier Boys of the Old FrontierAmidst the turmoil of French and Indian hostilities, young frontiersmen David and Henry Morris navigate the dangers of a contested wilderness, joining forces with colonial leaders…
Level B2ClassicsMarching MenIn the grim mining town of Coal Creek, a fiery red-haired boy named Beaut McGregor is marked by intense hatred for his fellow men and dreams of discipline and purpose in a disorgan…
Level C1ClassicsMarch HaresOn his thirtieth birthday, a disillusioned man contemplates despair amid London's bustling streets but finds unexpected clarity and hope in the city's ceaseless rhythm—and the myst…
Level C1RomanceMarcellaA young woman inherits an ancient estate, stepping into a world of privilege and mystery as she seeks to leave behind a troubled past.
Level C2ClassicsMarcel Proust, an English TributeExplore a rich collection of reflections and critiques from English writers on Marcel Proust’s life and work, unveiling the unique charm and complexity of a literary figure whose i…
Level C1ClassicsMaradick at Forty: A TransitionA coastal town shrouded in mist sets the stage for the Maradick family’s annual departure, where social rituals and quiet tensions unfold amid the ebb and flow of seaside life and…
Level B1AdventureMappo, the Merry Monkey: His Many AdventuresIn a lush forest far away, Mappo, the clever little monkey boy, embarks on thrilling adventures with his playful siblings—dodging fierce tigers, learning to swing through trees, an…
Level B2AdventureMaori and Settler: A Story of The New Zealand WarIn the midst of the New Zealand Wars, young Wilfrid Renshaw faces upheaval and conflict as settlers and Maori tribes clash over land, law, and survival.
Level B2ClassicsMany inventionsAmid the eerie fog of the English Channel, a lighthouse keeper and a visitor share tales of sea voyages, shipwrecks, and the vital role of lighthouses guiding vessels through treac…
Level B2ClassicsMany happy returns of the day!Celebrate the quirks and reflections of birthdays through the eyes of a man who finds humor and meaning in marking another year alive, amidst a world where millions share the same…
Level B2ClassicsMany cargoesA quirky skipper’s obsession with medical diagnoses turns a slow voyage aboard the John Elliott into a humorous tale of feigned illnesses and shipboard antics, as crew members adop…
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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