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 B2Science FictionThe Ethical WayIn a future where humans are rescued from self-destruction to become slaves for a galactic race, ethical debates clash with profit and survival.
Level C1AdventureThe Eternal MaidenIn a frozen world where life stirs beneath ancient spirits, a passionate chase unfolds between a maiden transformed into the sun and a youth turned into the moon, shaping the fate…
Level B2ClassicsThe Eternal FeminineA spirited young woman navigates the quirky challenges of daily life, from reclaiming a lost handbag to learning the ropes of banking, all while asserting her independence and wit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Eternal CityIn the chilly streets of London’s Italian quarter, a poor boy clings to survival with his accordion and a caged squirrel, navigating hardship and harsh realities.
Level C1Children'sThe Eternal Boy: Being the Story of the Prodigious HickeyIn a lively classroom, young Hickey’s cheeky antics and quick wit clash with the strict Mr.
Level C2PhilosophyThe Essays or Counsels, Civil and MoralExplore timeless reflections on truth, virtue, and human nature as this collection of essays delves into the complexities of morality, wisdom, and society, offering insights that r…
Level C1HistoricalThe Essays of "George Eliot": CompleteDive into a collection that unveils the intricate workings of human motives through sharp analysis and literary critique.
Level B2ClassicsThe Esperanto Teacher: A Simple Course for Non-GrammariansUnlock the fundamentals of Esperanto with straightforward lessons designed for those unfamiliar with grammar.
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 2, No. 3Dive into the mysterious "Chapel of Bones" in Malta, where human remains form haunting, intricate mosaics blending beauty and mortality, and explore the vibrant world of Esperanto’…
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 2, No. 2Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto advocacy and historical drama, featuring gripping tales like Henry Tudor’s bold entry into Shrewsbury.
Level C2PoetryThe Esperantist, Vol. 2, No. 1Explore the vibrant world of Esperanto as this gazette charts the language's growing international movement, sharing news, reflections, and the passionate efforts to unite civilize…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 9Dive into the world of Esperanto as enthusiasts share news, resources, and strategies to spread this international language, from typewriters equipped for Esperanto to youth educat…
Level B2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 6Explore the rise of Esperanto, an international language designed for easy learning and global communication, through discussions, lessons, and the passionate efforts of early 20th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 5Explore the vibrant world of Esperanto advocacy in this early 20th-century gazette, featuring debates on language reforms, community news, and tools for learning the international…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 4Discover the passionate efforts of the London Esperanto Club as they champion a universal language to unite diverse nations, overcoming prejudice and ignorance with hope and determ…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 3Dive into the early 20th-century movement to spread Esperanto, featuring heartfelt testimonials, practical resources, and community efforts to unite speakers worldwide through a sh…
Level C1PoetryThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 2Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto enthusiasts striving to spread the international language through poetry, stories, and lively discussions, while navigating critiques and a…
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 14Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto with this international gazette, featuring bilingual articles, language lessons, and updates on the spread of the universal language that a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 13Dive into the vibrant world of Esperanto advocacy with insights on international communication, organizational challenges, and cultural connections, including a Himalayan monk's em…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 12Join a pioneering community united by Esperanto, as this gazette spreads the international language that bridges nations, shares knowledge, and fosters global connection through ar…
Level C2PoetryThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 11Dive into a dedicated gazette that champions Esperanto, offering a blend of short stories, poetry, and community updates from a sole editor passionate about uniting readers worldwi…
Level C2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 10In a shadowed forest, a wealthy merchant embarks on a risky journey home with a large sum of money, despite his family's fearful warnings.
Level B2ClassicsThe Esperantist, Vol. 1, No. 1A passionate call to unite humanity through Esperanto, this gazette champions the international language as a simple, necessary tool for global communication and cooperation in the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Esperantist, CompleteDiscover the passionate movement behind Esperanto, a universal language designed to unite people across nations with ease and hope.
Level B1AdventureThe Eskimo TwinsIn a remote Arctic village where the sun disappears for months, five-year-old twins Menie and Monnie live adventurous days with their twin dogs, Nip and Tup.
Level C1Children'sThe Eskdale Herd-boy: A Scottish Tale for the Instruction and Amusement of Young PeopleIn the scenic Eskdale, young John Telfer navigates loss, service, and moral lessons under the guidance of a kind pastor, while the local community reveals the power of perseverance…
Level B2ClassicsThe Escape; Or, A Leap For Freedom: A Drama, in Five ActsIn a Southern household shadowed by slavery, tensions rise as a doctor’s ambitions clash with rigid social hierarchies and the lives of enslaved people intertwine with those of the…
Level B2MysteryThe Escape of Mr. Trimm: His Plight and other PlightsA disgraced bank president, handcuffed and headed to a federal penitentiary, contemplates his fate and the tangled intrigue behind his conviction.
Level B2HistoricalThe Errand Boy; Or, How Phil Brent Won SuccessCaught in a bitter family rivalry, Phil Brent faces harsh challenges from his stepbrother and stepmother while striving to carve out his own path in a snowy town.
Level B1AdventureThe Erie Train BoyA young train boy from the countryside embarks on his first trip to New York City, encountering new acquaintances and navigating the bustling world beyond his farm.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Epicurean: A TaleIn a decadent Athens where pleasure masks philosophy, a young leader of the Epicurean sect seeks to revive its grand festivals amid the clash of fading paganism and rising Christia…
Level C1HistoricalThe Epic: An EssayExplore the origins of epic poetry as it emerges from the fiery Heroic Age, where private individuality bursts forth from rigid tribal societies, shaping the timeless tales of Home…
Level C1PoetryThe Epic of SaulA fierce opponent of early Christians, Saul of Tarsus embarks on a relentless campaign against the new faith, only to face profound inner conflict and transformation.
Level C1HistoricalThe Epic of PaulAmidst deadly conspiracies and Roman trials, an apostle’s journey unfolds—from Jerusalem’s plots to a fateful voyage to Rome—revealing his steadfast faith, stirring speeches, and t…
Level C1PoetryThe Epic of Hades, in Three BooksJourney beyond the fabled river into the shadowy realm of Hades, where restless souls endure eternal solitude and torment.
Level C1PoetryThe Epic of Gilgamish: A Fragment of the Gilgamish Legend in Old-Babylonian CuneiformIn ancient Erech, the mighty king Gilgamish dreams of a wild companion, Enkidu, who must be tamed by civilization’s rites.
Level C1ClassicsThe Entire March Family TrilogyA newly married couple embarks on a quiet wedding journey through America, navigating love, regret, and the unpredictable storms of both nature and life.
Level B2PoetryThe Entertaining History of Jobson & NellIn a lively village near the Bell, cobbler Jobson and his wife Nell navigate the humorous trials of daily life, from missed church shoes to stolen roast beef, blending mischief and…
Level C1MysteryThe Entailed Hat; Or, Patty Cannon's TimesIn a small Eastern Shore town, two eccentric men are marked by their distinctive hats—one a worn beaver hat, the other a mysterious century-old steeple crown—unraveling a tale stee…
Level C1ClassicsThe Entail; or, The Lairds of GrippyIn a richly drawn Scottish landscape, the tangled inheritance of the Grippy estate unravels through vivid characters and sharp social insight, revealing the complex ties that bind…
Level C1HistoricalThe Englishman from ParisA Frenchified Englishman returns home, transformed into an effeminate fop at odds with his family and friends, sparking witty satire and social comedy that gently ridicules extreme…
Level B2PoetryThe Englishman and Other PoemsExplore a stirring collection of poems that celebrate the spirit and heritage of the Englishman, the bonds between England and its colonies, and the call of progress and destiny in…
Level C1HistoricalThe English novelExplore the evolution of the English novel from its earliest days through the life of Joseph Conrad, guided by a writer’s personal reflections and insights drawn from decades of li…
Level C1FantasyThe English at the North Pole: Part I of the Adventures of Captain HatterasA mysterious brig, the Forward, prepares for a daring expedition to uncharted polar seas, sparking speculation and intrigue among sailors about its secretive captain and perilous d…
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 4 (of 5)Dive into the rugged borderlands where honor clashes with betrayal in ballads like Hobie Noble's tale of exile, loyalty, and daring escapes.
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 3 (of 5)Dive into the rugged world of border ballads where a defiant young hunter, Johnie Cock, defies game laws, battles seven foresters, and relies on a loyal bird to send messages to hi…
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 2 (of 5)Discover the rich tapestry of English and Scottish ballads, where ancient tales of miracles, folklore, and legendary heroes come alive through captivating narratives and timeless s…
Level C1ClassicsThe English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 1 (of 5)Dive into a rich collection of English and Scottish ballads painstakingly gathered from manuscripts and oral traditions, revealing centuries-old tales preserved through dedicated s…
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.