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 B2MysteryThat Little Girl of Miss Eliza's: A Story for Young PeopleIn the isolated, struggling community of Shintown, Eliza Wells stands out with her vibrant spirit and unconventional ways, tending her unique golden-brown home and blossoming flowe…
Level B2Children'sThat Little BeggarA weary traveler faces a long, hot walk after missing her carriage, only to encounter a tearful little boy and his injured dog.
Level C1ClassicsThat Lass O' Lowrie's: 1877In the harsh coal-mining town of Riggan, Joan Lowrie, a fiercely independent pit-girl, defies the brutal world around her, while a compassionate engineer and a troubled clergyman s…
Level C1RomanceThat Girl in Black; and, BronzieA spoiled yet charming young man struggles between social expectations and his own restless heart at a modest reception, where old loyalties and quiet kindness stir memories and hi…
Level B2MysteryThat Girl MontanaIn the rugged North, a young woman shrouded in mystery carries the weight of suspicion for a deadly crime she did not commit, while navigating a world of gold prospectors, wild lan…
Level C1Children'sThat FortuneA twelve-year-old boy swings atop a towering hickory, captivated by the wild beauty of his rural valley and the rich history woven into its landscape—from ancient Indian trails to…
Level B2HistoricalThat EurasianA gripping autobiography reveals the struggles and societal injustices faced by the Eurasian offspring of European and Asian heritage in British India, exposing dark abuses and cul…
Level C1ClassicsThat Boy of Norcott'sA young boy’s custody becomes the battleground between estranged parents, revealing the turmoil of a fractured marriage and the consequences of a scandalous union between a soldier…
Level B2ClassicsThat Awful Letter: A Comedy for GirlsWhen a city girl learns her father wants to invite a rustic cousin to visit, she panics—worried the country girl’s manners and clothes will ruin her chances with high society.
Level C1MysteryThat Affair Next DoorOn a quiet Gramercy Park night, a mysterious visit to an empty house sparks suspicion and intrigue.
Level B2ClassicsThankful's InheritanceCaught in a fierce storm on a treacherous coastal road, a widow embarks on a daunting journey to claim her late uncle’s inheritance in the remote village of East Wellmouth, where t…
Level B2Children'sThankful RestIn a quiet Connecticut homestead known as Thankful Rest, the stern siblings Joshua and Hepzibah Strong face unexpected challenges when they must take in their late sister’s orphane…
Level C1RomanceThankful BlossomIn the harsh winter of 1779 New Jersey, a restless Continental Army captain waits under a frosty elm for a secret meeting that hints at love and longing amid the desolation of war.
Level C1PoetryThamyrisWhen the ancient Muses perform before the Heavenly Host, their haunting melodies stir unexpected emotions, yet modern poetry's evolving forms perplex the angels.
Level C1PoetryThalaba the DestroyerAn epic tale unfolds beneath the roots of the sea in a seminary of evil magicians, where ancient Arabian myths come alive through a rich, flowing verse that captures the harmony of…
Level C1HistoricalThaisIn the austere deserts along the Nile, devout hermits and monks battle temptations both earthly and demonic, striving for purity amid visions of beauty and spiritual warfare.
Level C1HistoricalThaddeus of WarsawAmid the ashes of a fallen Poland, a solitary refugee marches with silent resolve through London’s streets, embodying the spirit of a nation’s lost independence and stirring a tale…
Level C1ClassicsThackerayana: Notes and AnecdotesDiscover the intimate world of a beloved novelist through his personal sketches, school memories, and reading notes, revealing the humor, character, and inspirations behind his tim…
Level C1ClassicsThackerayExplore the paradoxes of English character and genius through an insightful examination of Thackeray’s life and legacy, revealing how truth is often grasped by the wrong end and ho…
Level C1ClassicsThackerayExplore the life of a renowned English writer whose journey from a challenging childhood in India to literary fame is revealed through anecdotes and personal reflections, illuminat…
Level C1HistoricalTh' History o' Haworth Railway: fra' th' beginnin' to th' end, wi' an ackaant o' th' oppnin' serrimonyIn a quaint Yorkshire town long overlooked, locals rally to build a railway that will bring progress and connection to their remote city.
Level B2ClassicsTh' Barrel OrganAs autumn deepens over the wild Forest of Rossendale, a solitary wanderer climbs moorland paths to a remote quarryman’s cottage, where rustic tales and the serene beauty of nature…
Level C1RomanceTetherstonesIn a sunlit cathedral garden, Frances Thorold wrestles with the dullness of her life and the weight of unseen chains, until a charming stranger disrupts her solitude with wit and c…
Level C1ClassicsTestimony of the Sonnets as to the Authorship of the Shakespearean Plays and PoemsExplore a provocative analysis suggesting the Shakespearean Sonnets were penned not by Shakespeare himself, but by a hidden poet whose intimate emotions and struggles are unveiled…
Level B2Science FictionTest Rocket!A mysterious rocket identical to their own but built on an unknown scale lands unexpectedly, carrying an alien man who cannot read his instruments.
Level B2Science FictionTest ProblemA student faces a high-stakes final exam that challenges him to mentally recreate an entire star system—including all its life forms—from raw space materials.
Level B2AdventureTessa: 1901A fever-stricken trader battles harsh tropical heat and treacherous shipmates aboard the rusted steamer Motutapu in the Equatorial Pacific.
Level B2Children'sTessa, Our Little Italian CousinIn a humble Italian village, young Tessa and her brother Beppo dream of a brighter future when an American artist invites them to Rome to become models for his painting, promising…
Level B2Children'sTessa Wadsworth's Discipline: A Story of the Development of a Young Girl's LifeA young woman’s innocent heart stirs with new feelings as she navigates the confusing attentions of a distant, bookish suitor whose own emotions remain tangled in pride and self-ab…
Level C1Children'sTess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure WomanA young woman’s journey challenges society’s harsh judgments and explores the complex truths beneath a well-known tragedy, revealing the resilience and spirit that persist beyond c…
Level B2RomanceTerry: A Tale of the Hill PeopleIn the snow-covered hills, Terry, a young man torn between tradition and his own spirit, embarks on a winter hunt that leads him back to a rigid village where old codes rule and qu…
Level B2AdventureTerry's Trials and TriumphsIn the gritty streets of Halifax, young Terry fights to protect his friends and escape a harsh life shadowed by poverty and a troubled family.
Level C1ClassicsTerryAn introverted bacteriology lecturer endures the awkwardness of a high-society dinner party, revealing the quiet struggles behind a reserved exterior in a world of dazzling persona…
Level C1MysteryTerror keepIn the eerie confines of Broadmoor Asylum, the infamous John Flack, a genius criminal confined for nine murders, has penned a vast encyclopedia of crime—an obsession that could unl…
Level C1PoetryTerrible Tractoration, and Other PoemsDive into a sharp-witted satire where Dr.
Level B2MysteryTerminal CompromiseIn a high-stakes battle for America's future, a vengeful tycoon unleashes a devastating cyberattack, while a determined journalist and an FBI agent race to unravel a shadowy conspi…
Level C1MysteryTeresa of Watling Street: A Fantasia on Modern ThemesIn the bustling heart of London's financial district, a determined young specialist steps into a powerful bank's directors' parlour, poised on the brink of a life-changing opportun…
Level C1ClassicsTerence's Andrian, a comedy, in five actsIn ancient Athens, tangled romances and mistaken identities collide in a witty comedy where love and social customs challenge youthful hearts and clever minds alike.
Level C1ClassicsTenterhooksIn a London flat, family dynamics unfold around the birth of Aspasia Matilda, a child whose name sparks playful rivalry and subtle tensions.
Level B2ClassicsTensionAuntie Iris’s sudden success as a published author sparks excitement and chaos in a genteel household, revealing family tensions and social awkwardness beneath the surface.
Level C1PoetryTennyson's Life and Poetry: And Mistakes Concerning TennysonExplore the life and works of Alfred Tennyson through a comprehensive study that uncovers errors in previous biographies and offers accurate insights into his poetry and personal h…
Level C1ClassicsTennyson and his friendsStep into the intimate world of a family shaped by love, discipline, and the shadow of loss, as recollections unfold from childhood memories, schooling, and the steadfast presence…
Level C1PoetryTennysonExplore the delicate harmony between art and nature through the eyes of a poet who captures beauty not in raw wilderness but in the crafted elegance of human creation, amid a world…
Level C1ClassicsTennessee's PartnerIn a lawless California mining camp, a self-appointed justice system grapples with crime and order amid the gold rush chaos.
Level C2PoetryTender Buttons: Objects—Food—RoomsExplore everyday objects through a kaleidoscope of language where glass, color, and texture shift in unexpected ways, inviting you to see the ordinary anew in a playful dance of wo…
Level C1ClassicsTen minute storiesLost on a mysterious moorland, a weary traveler follows an unsettling path where strange signs, cryptic encounters, and hidden forces blur reality—drawing him into a secret world n…
Level C1AdventureTen Years LaterA decade after their legendary exploits, D’Artagnan and the three musketeers navigate new intrigues and shifting loyalties amid the turbulent reign of Louis XIV, where friendship a…
Level C1ClassicsTen Thousand a-Year. Volume 3.In a small English town suddenly caught in a fierce election battle, rival candidates wage a strategic and colorful campaign amid political intrigue, shifting alliances, and unexpe…
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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
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.