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 C1ClassicsThe Author of BeltraffioA young American writer nervously seeks out the elusive and brilliant author of "Beltraffio," hoping for insight into art and genius during an intimate visit in the English country…
Level C2PoetryThe Auld Doctor and other Poems and Songs in ScotsImmerse yourself in lively Scots verse that captures rustic life, quirky characters, and sharp humor—from a hardworking country doctor’s daily trials to whimsical tales of local fo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Auction BlockA family faces tough choices as political ambitions clash with small-town loyalties, pushing them toward a new life in the bustling, corrupt world of New York politics.
Level C1HistoricalThe Attic theatreExplore the rich history of ancient Athenian drama through the lens of its theatrical practice, uncovering insights from inscriptions, ruins, and art that reveal the cultural and p…
Level C1RomanceThe Attic Guest: A NovelIn a quaint Virginian town preparing to host an important religious gathering, a young woman balances youthful excitement with family concerns over the mysterious "attic guest"—an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Attack on the Mill, and Other Sketches of WarAmid the grim realities of war, vivid sketches reveal moments of haunting terror, raw humanity, and the clash between youthful idealism and harsh survival.
Level C1ClassicsThe Attaché; or, Sam Slick in England — CompleteAn outspoken Canadian wit arrives in England, offering sharp political views and quirky humor as he navigates new social landscapes.
Level C1HistoricalThe Athenian ConstitutionExplore the intense struggle between aristocracy and oppressed masses in ancient Athens, revealing the origins of its political offices, laws, and the rise of Solon as a champion o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 3/3A determined boy confronts his mother to uncover his family's tangled past, revealing secrets of forgery, betrayal, and a disgraced lord poised for political power.
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 2/3Two young girls step into the enchanting world of a riverside villa, captivated by its beauty and the mysterious guests within.
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 1/3Two sisters, alike in dress but distinct in spirit, navigate the bustling streets of suburban London, their innocence and differences unfolding amid everyday life and family ties.
Level C1ClassicsThe Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. CompleteTwo sisters, alike in dress but strikingly different in spirit and beauty, navigate life’s modest challenges in a bustling London suburb.
Level C1ClassicsThe Atheist's MassA brilliant surgeon renowned for his scientific genius and staunch atheism confronts the mysteries of life and death with unyielding skepticism, challenging the very nature of the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'Explore the celestial wonders woven into a timeless epic as ancient astronomy illuminates Milton’s cosmic vision.
Level C1ClassicsThe Astonishing History of Troy TownIn a genteel seaside town thriving on tradition and propriety, social rituals and whispered scandals shape the lives of its inhabitants.
Level C1ClassicsThe Associate HermitsA young couple defies tradition by refusing a wedding trip, proposing instead that their parents take the honeymoon journey while they begin married life at home.
Level C2PoetryThe Assemble of GoddesAmidst solitary musings by a lake, a seeker strives to harmonize reason and desire, setting the stage for a divine assembly where gods convene to explore the complexities of human…
Level C1HistoricalThe Assassination of Christopher Marlowe (A New View)In turbulent Elizabethan London, the arrest of playwright Thomas Kyd on charges of atheism sparks a dangerous web of political intrigue, jealousy, and ambition that threatens the c…
Level C1ClassicsThe Aspirations of Jean ServienBorn into humble beginnings and nurtured by a mother's lofty dreams, Jean Servien navigates a life shaped by family ties and quiet struggles in a Parisian neighborhood.
Level C1ClassicsThe Aspern PapersA determined scholar schemes to live as a lodger in a reclusive Venetian palace to uncover the elusive, priceless letters of the celebrated poet Jeffrey Aspern, guarded by two prou…
Level C1MysteryThe Ashiel mysteryAs Sir Arthur Byrne battles a mysterious illness and seeks healing at the spa town of Vichy, he becomes captivated by the enchanting widow Mrs.
Level C1FantasyThe Ashes of a GodIn a world where the god of Love is reduced to ashes by divine wrath, passion proves immortal—its remnants sparking longing and regret that bind even the wisest sage.
Level C1PoetryThe Ascent of ManExplore the rugged beauty and spiritual struggles of early Christian monks, where faith, love, and human passion collide in vivid poetic narrative and stirring sonnets that illumin…
Level C1ClassicsThe Asbestos Society of Sinners: detailing the diversions of Dives and others on the playground of Pluto, with some broken threads of drop-stitch history, picked up by a newspaper man in Hades and woven into a Stygian nights' entertainmentA newspaper man receives a mysterious assignment to explore Hades, the playground of Pluto, weaving together dark humor and historical tales from the underworld in a witty and imag…
Level C2HistoricalThe Arte of English PoesieDelve into the art of poetry with a detailed exploration of poets, their craft, and the divine inspiration behind their creations, revealing how poets shape worlds from imagination…
Level C2ClassicsThe Art or Crafte of RhetorykeDelve into the art of persuasive speech and instruction as a dedicated tutor crafts a guide to rhetoric for young scholars destined for law, diplomacy, or teaching in a flourishing…
Level C1ClassicsThe Art of the Moving PictureExplore the emergence of cinema as a revolutionary art form, blending architecture, sculpture, and painting in motion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Art of Theatrical Make-upExplore the transformative world behind the stage as actors harness makeup to breathe life into characters, blending psychology, art, and craftsmanship.
Level C1ClassicsThe Art of Public SpeakingMaster the art of public speaking by focusing on authentic self-expression and inner confidence rather than rigid rules or mimicry.
Level C1PoetryThe Art of PoliticksDive into a witty poetic satire that transforms Horace’s art of poetry into a sharp critique of 18th-century politics, blending rhetoric, political history, and social commentary w…
Level C1PoetryThe Art of Poetry: an Epistle to the Pisos: Q. Horatii Flacci Epistola Ad Pisones, De Arte Poetica.Explore the timeless guidance of a master poet who instructs young writers on the art of composition, blending criticism and creativity in an epistle that reveals the essence of po…
Level C1HistoricalThe Art of LettersDelve into the vivid diary of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Art of LecturingUnlock the secrets to captivating an audience with expert guidance on voice training, personal magnetism, and crafting compelling openings.
Level C1HistoricalThe Art of Kissing: Curiously, Historically, Humorously, Poetically ConsideredExplore the fascinating history and cultural significance of kissing, from ancient religious rites and biblical symbolism to poetic musings and scientific insights, revealing how t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Art of DisappearingWhen a train crash strands Horace Endicott alongside a Monsignor carrying holy oils, an unexpected bond forms amid chaos and questions of faith, duty, and the true meaning of life…
Level C1ClassicsThe Art of Being Bored: A Comedy in Three ActsIn a lively drawing-room at Madame de Céran’s château, a missing letter sparks a search among witty characters embodying the quirks and boredom of high society.
Level C1PoetryThe Art of Architecture: A Poem in Imitation of Horace's Art of PoetryExplore the passionate struggles of an 18th-century architect who seeks to define the art of architecture through poetic form, blending humanist principles with the challenge of a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three ActsIn a Southwestern tribe, a gifted woman known as the Chisera holds the mysterious power of the Medicine Woman, caught between her divine gifts and the tribe’s demands.
Level C1AdventureThe Arrow of Gold: A Story Between Two NotesIn 1870s Marseilles, a young adventurer is drawn into a clandestine plot to smuggle arms to Carlist rebels in Spain, navigating a world of bohemians, sailors, and political intrigu…
Level B2Children'sThe Arrival of Jimpson, and Other Stories for Boys about BoysAmidst rain-soaked cheers and college spirit, a shy newcomer named Jimpson joins the Harvard football team, sparking curiosity and camaraderie as he strives to prove himself on and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Arnold Bennett CalendarExplore daily reflections on art, life, love, and human nature through a unique calendar that offers wisdom, wit, and insight, inviting readers to ponder the passions and complexit…
Level C1AdventureThe Armourer's PrenticesAmidst the lush beauty of Tudor England’s New Forest, two young apprentices navigate loyalty, family legacy, and adventure beneath the carved royal shields and ancient woodlands su…
Level B2AdventureThe Armed Ship America; Or, When We Sailed from SalemTwo teenage lads join the privateer ship America as it sets sail from Salem during the War of 1812, embarking on a daring cruise to challenge British forces and claim fortune on th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Arm-Chair at the InnA charming Normandy inn becomes the setting for warm camaraderie as the landlord prepares a feast and a roaring fire for his close-knit group of friends, each room steeped in histo…
Level C1PoetryThe Arm ChairDiscover a rich tapestry of history and heartfelt stories woven around an armchair crafted long ago, capturing the lives and legacies of those who once gathered near it.
Level B2AdventureThe Ark of 1803: A Story of Louisiana Purchase TimesIn 1803, a spirited group of youths in Fish Creek prepare to embark on a daring river journey aboard a newly built ark bound for New Orleans, navigating friendships, rivalries, and…
Level B2RomanceThe Arizona CallahanAmid the wild, treacherous shores of the Beaver Islands, a fierce storm hides a mysterious boatwreck and a lone man battling the elements in a fragile canoe.
Level C1HistoricalThe Argonauts of North LibertyIn a bleak 1850 Connecticut town, rigid churchgoers endure a cold, joyless Sabbath until a secretive, passionate encounter shatters the austere silence, setting the stage for intri…
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.