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 B2ClassicsThe "Genius"In a bustling Midwestern town, Eugene Witla grows up under the watchful eye of his hardworking family, navigating the hopes and struggles of American life in the late 19th century.
Level B2MysteryThe "Dock Rats" of New York; Or, The Smuggler Band's Last StandOn a moonlit shore, a mysterious girl warns a government detective of a deadly betrayal aboard a yacht, thrusting him into a dangerous game with ruthless smugglers determined to si…
Level C1ClassicsThe "Characters" of Jean de La BruyèreSharp and insightful portraits reveal the quirks, follies, and passions that shape human nature, exposing the timeless vices and virtues of society.
Level B2MysteryThe "Canary" murder caseWhen the glamorous Margaret Odell, a famed figure of New York’s nightlife, is found strangled in a ransacked apartment, the baffling crime defies all logic—until the brilliant anal…
Level C1AdventureThe "B. O. W. C.": A Book For Boys: IllustratedAs spring vacation begins at Grand Pré School, a mysterious group known as the “B.
Level B2HistoricalThat scholarship boyAt Torrington's school, the arrival of Horace Howard, a mysterious scholarship boy from a humble background, stirs rivalry and curiosity among students determined to uphold their s…
Level C1RomanceThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 3Tensions rise as May's quiet morning is disrupted by the arrival of Mr.
Level B2ClassicsThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 2After months away, May returns home to find her grandmother's health fading and old friends tangled in new intrigues; amidst whispered rumors and unspoken feelings, she must naviga…
Level C1ClassicsThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 1After a scandalous elopement and a failed military career, Augustus Cheffington faces the harsh judgments of society and family while struggling to secure a respectable place for h…
Level C1ClassicsThat StickA modest clerk’s life is transformed overnight when he unexpectedly inherits property, stirring hope and change for his devoted fiancée, a humble governess.![Cover of That Reminds Me: A Collection of Tales Worth Telling by Anonymous [Compiler]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf5nioe1ofc73dhbk0g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThat Reminds Me: A Collection of Tales Worth TellingDive into a lively collection of witty anecdotes and humorous tales that reveal the quirks and character of American life, blending truth and jest to entertain and enlighten reader…
Level C1ClassicsThat Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle WestA determined young man escapes a harsh childhood of poverty and neglect, setting out to build a better life amid the struggles of a bustling Midwestern town.
Level B2ClassicsThat Mother-in-Law of MineA newlywed man’s idyllic honeymoon is disrupted when his charming wife’s mother joins their summer trip—and threatens to haunt their married life forever.
Level C1HistoricalThat Marvel—The Movie: A Glance at Its Past, Its Promising Present and Its Significant FutureExplore the rise of motion pictures from crude beginnings to a powerful new art form with the potential to unite humanity and influence civilization's future.
Level C1MysteryThat Mainwaring AffairIn the sweltering offices of a New York brokerage, Hugh Mainwaring prepares to finalize a will that will shift loyalties and fortunes within his estranged English-American family—s…
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…
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.