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 AlhambraStep into the enchanted Alhambra, a Moorish palace where history and legend intertwine amid sunlit gardens and shadowed courts.
Level B2ClassicsThe Alchemist's SecretAn aging widower clings to hope as he makes his nightly trek to the post office, waiting for a letter from his long-lost daughter Sallie who vanished fifteen years ago.
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 B1AdventureThe Airplane Boys among the Clouds; Or, Young Aviators in a WreckTwo young aviators test their newly built biplane over a vast lake, stirring curiosity and suspicion as mysterious men appear nearby.
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 B2AdventureThe Air Ship Boys : Or, the Quest of the Aztec TreasureTwo friends embark on a daring journey southwest aboard a mysterious railcar brimming with strange cargo, racing against time to unlock the secrets of the Aztec treasure.
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 B2AdventureThe African Trader; Or, The Adventures of Harry BayfordAfter his father’s death leaves his family destitute, young Harry Bayford embarks on a daring trading voyage to Africa, seeking fortune and adventure amid uncertain and perilous ne…
Level C2PoetryThe Affectionate ShepherdA shepherd's heartfelt laments unfold in elegant verse, capturing the pains of love and the solace found in pastoral life.
Level B2Science FictionThe Affair of the BrainsIn a universe shadowed by cunning space-pirates and deadly rivalries, a fearless adventurer known as Hawk Carse prepares to confront the sinister genius Ku Sui at a perilous rendez…
Level C1MysteryThe Affair at the Semiramis HotelWhen the elusive Mr.
Level B2ClassicsThe Affable StrangerA man finds liberation by pouring his worries into a book, freeing himself from life's burdens and embracing the carefree rhythms of nature during harvest time.
Level B2AdventureThe Aeroplane Boys on the Wing; Or, Aeroplane Chums in the TropicsRivalry ignites between two daring boys as they compete in thrilling aeroplane races and face unexpected challenges on their adventurous journey through tropical jungles.
Level B2AdventureThe Aeroplane Boys Flight; Or, A Hydroplane RoundupTwo young aviators, Frank and Andy Bird, face mechanical mishaps and fierce rivalry as they navigate thrilling adventures in their hydroplane over the scenic town of Bloomsbury.
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 B2AdventureThe Adventurous Seven: Their Hazardous UndertakingSeven determined siblings hatch a daring plan to join their father in New South Wales, embarking on a thrilling journey to transform their lives and embrace the challenges of a new…
PoetryThe Adventures of the Little Woman, Her Dog and the PedlarEmbark on a whimsical journey alongside a spirited little woman, her faithful dog, and a wandering pedlar as their intertwined tales unfold through charming verses of love and adve…
Level B2MysteryThe Adventures of the Eleven Cuff-Buttons: Being one of the exciting episodes in the career of the famous detective Hemlock Holmes, as recorded by his friend Dr. WatsonWhen the earl’s priceless cuff-buttons vanish, a bald visitor bursts into Holmes’s London flat seeking help.
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 B2AdventureThe Adventures of a Three-Guinea WatchAn adventurous watch recounts its early days, from being carefully crafted and regulated to the thrilling moment it’s chosen and taken into the wider world.
Level B2ClassicsThe Adventures of a SuburbaniteA couple escapes city flats for a country house, but Isobel struggles with the eerie silence of solitude and longs for the comforting presence of neighbors—real or imagined.
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 B2AdventureThe Adventures of a Special Correspondent Among the Various Races and Countries of Central Asia: Being the Exploits and Experiences of Claudius Bombarnac of "The Twentieth Century"A special correspondent embarks on a thrilling journey across Central Asia, reporting firsthand on the diverse cultures, landscapes, and people along the Grand Transasiatic railway…
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 B2HistoricalThe Adventures of a FreshmanA green freshman faces the intimidating traditions and hazing rituals of college life, standing his ground against the sophomores who challenge his place on campus.
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 B2AdventureThe Adventures of a Country Boy at a Country FairA determined boy sets out to run games at the county fair, borrowing money to buy his stock and dreaming of clearing his family’s debts.
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.