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 C1Children'sTwenty-Two GoblinsA mighty king uncovers a hidden world of goblins and magic when a mysterious monk leads him to a haunted cemetery and a laughing corpse.
Level C1ClassicsTwenty-Three Stories by Twenty and Three AuthorsA solitary visitor explores the hauntingly majestic, centuries-old manor of Kerfol, where silence and shadowed history weigh heavily in the autumn light.
Level B2MysteryTwenty-Five Ghost StoriesA man haunted by guilt and madness recounts his chilling encounters with a mysterious black cat, blurring the line between natural events and supernatural horror in a tale of obses…
PoetryTwenty Six Choice Poetical Extracts: Selected from Celebrated Authors, and Printed from Copper Plates Engraved Expressly for the Work, Each Embellished with a Beautiful Vignette, Illustrative of the SubjectDiscover a curated collection of twenty-six exquisite poetic extracts, each paired with a beautifully engraved vignette that brings the verses to life and invites you into a world…
Level C2PoetryTwentyExplore a world of vivid emotion and timeless reflections as each poem unfolds moments of joy, loss, and the fleeting beauty of today.
Level C1HistoricalTwentieth Century French Writers: Reviews and ReminiscencesExplore the vibrant literary landscape of early 20th-century France, where bold new voices challenge tradition and reflect a nation divided between conservative and avant-garde ide…
Level C2PoetryTwelve poemsDive into a collection of twelve evocative poems that explore themes of mortality and reflection, inviting readers to contemplate the delicate balance between life and its inevitab…
Level C1HistoricalTwelve TypesExplore the fierce, unvarnished truths beneath Victorian society through the lives and works of the Brontës, where outward appearances mask profound inner passions and the raw esse…
Level C1Science FictionTwelve Stories and a DreamA brilliant but overlooked scientist races against time and rivals to perfect a revolutionary flying machine that promises to change warfare and human life forever.
Level C1ClassicsTwelve MenAmid the backdrop of 1890s America, Peter emerges as a spirited, unconventional artist who embraces life's contradictions with humor and insight, challenging societal norms and fin…
Level C2ClassicsTwelfth NightA lovesick duke pines for the inaccessible Olivia, whose mourning keeps her secluded, while shipwrecked Viola, disguised as a page, navigates the enchanting and tangled world of Il…
Level B1PoetryTwas the Night before Christmas: A Visit from St. NicholasOn Christmas Eve, a hush falls over the house as stockings are hung and children dream sweetly—until the sudden arrival of St.
Level C1MysteryTutt and Mr. TuttIn a bustling law office, two partners face a chilling confession: a client who openly admits to murder and shows no remorse.
Level C1Children'sTurquoise and RubyAt an elite girls' school famed for its noble education, Nora defies expectations by refusing the coveted role of Helen of Troy, sparking tensions as the annual prize distribution…
Level C1Children'sTurns of Fortune, and Other TalesIn a cold, shadowed room, Sarah Bond tends to her ailing father, their modest life marked by hardship and quiet resilience.
Level B2ClassicsTurns about TownExplore the quirky rituals and hidden charms of hotel life through the eyes of an avid traveler who finds humor and humanity in service, social codes, and the unexpected delights o…
Level C1AdventureTurned AdriftA swift, sleek clipper races against time to secure a monopoly on the London-Natal passenger trade, but when a mysterious burning scent spreads aboard, the crew must confront dange…
Level C1Children'sTurkish fairy tales and folk talesIn a desert where survival seems impossible, a prince transforms into a stag after drinking a mysterious puddle, forcing him and his sister to navigate a strange new life together.
Level C1PoetryTurkish Literature; Comprising Fables, Belles-lettres, and Sacred TraditionsExplore the rich tapestry of Turkish literature through fables, poetry, and sacred traditions shaped by the vibrant cultural crossroads of Constantinople.
Level C1ClassicsTurgenev: A StudyExplore the profound humanity and timeless emotions captured in the life and works of a Russian artist whose delicate portrayal of love and character reveals the soul of a nation a…
Level C1ClassicsTurandot: The Chinese SphinxIn imperial Peking, Prince Kalaf returns from exile to find Turandot, the deadly princess who challenges her suitors with riddles—failure means death.
Level C1HistoricalTumbleweedsAs settlers surge westward, old Joe Hinman reflects on the vast untamed lands still barred by ancient treaties, while his younger companion faces a choice between chasing fortune e…
Level A2AdventureTum Tum, the Jolly Elephant: His Many AdventuresA cheerful young elephant named Tum Tum lives happily in the dense jungle of India, where playful adventures and the ever-present threat of danger from hunters challenge his courag…
Level C1AdventureTuffy Todd's Adventure: A True StoryJoin Tuffy Todd on a thrilling summer adventure in the Catskill Mountains, chronicled through charming verses that capture the real-life excitement and warmth of a memorable vacati…
Level B2HistoricalTuen, Slave and EmpressAmidst the turmoil of the Tai-ping rebellion, a once-privileged family struggles through famine and ruin, while a remarkable slave girl rises from obscurity to become the powerful…
Level C1PoetryTudor and Stuart Love SongsExplore the passionate and refined love poetry of Tudor and Stuart England, where noblemen inspired by European courtly romance crafted sonnets and verses that capture the timeless…
Level C1ClassicsTubal CainA struggling lawyer faces a crushing career failure and a strained engagement, his health unraveling as he contemplates a desperate change at a remote iron forge.
Level B2HistoricalTry and Trust; Or, Abner Holden's Bound BoyA distant nephew is left orphaned and penniless, forcing a proud, wealthy family to decide whether to welcome him or send him away to labor.
Level B2Children'sTry Again; Or, the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West. A Story for Young FolksA modest boy living in a poorhouse faces the stern judgment of a pompous town official, sparking a tale of trials and triumphs in a small Massachusetts town.
Level C1RomanceTruxton King: A Story of GraustarkA restless young adventurer returns from exotic travels across Asia and Africa, disillusioned by the absence of true romance in a modern world.
Level B2ClassicsTruthful JaneStruggling as an unpaid governess in a grand London household, Jane Evelyn Aubrey-Blythe faces the sharp disdain of her aristocratic relatives while caring for mischievous children…![Cover of Truth [Vérité] by Émile Zola](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf7cnoe1ofc73dhc430.webp)
Level C1MysteryTruth [Vérité]In a French school world rife with clerical intrigue, a heinous crime is falsely pinned on a Jewish schoolmaster, unleashing a wave of anti-Semitism fueled by the Roman Catholic Ch…
Level C1RomanceTrusia: A Princess of KrovitchA battle-hardened veteran turned financier reflects on his Cuban campaign and the mysterious past of his loyal valet, whose hidden nobility may unlock secrets amid rising tensions…
Level B2ClassicsTrumpsIn a world where spotless linen and polished shoes symbolize success, Mr.
Level B2AdventureTrumpeter Fred: A Story of the PlainsIn the heart of Indian country, young trumpeter Fred rides with a small, vulnerable troop facing looming threats from war parties on the plains.
Level B2HistoricalTrue, and Other StoriesIn 1587 England, young lovers Guy and Gertrude face the turmoil of departing for the New World aboard Sir Walter Raleigh’s expedition to Roanoke Island, their bond tested by fate,…
Level B2FantasyTrue to typeA resentful typewriter, once loyal to a plagiarizing writer, takes matters into its own hands—typing a story of its own while its owner sleeps.
Level C1AdventureTrue to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of IndependenceAmid rising tensions on the American frontier in 1774, a young boy is sent westward to learn frontier life and witness the unfolding conflict between loyal British settlers and reb…
Level C1ClassicsTrue to his Colours: The Life that Wears BestIn a village transformed by coal and industry, a skilled yet wayward ironworker wrestles with his scepticism, indulgence, and a self-made code of morality that challenges both fait…
Level B2RomanceTrue to a Type, Vol. 2 (of 2)Stranded after a fierce storm, a group faces the challenge of surviving with scarce provisions while navigating tense relationships and the wild sea.
Level C1HistoricalTrue to a Type, Vol. 1 (of 2)In sultry New Orleans, a hopeful young sailor returns after three long years, only to find the home and loved ones he expected changed and shrouded in unsettling silence.
Level B2HistoricalTrue to His Home: A Tale of the Boyhood of FranklinExplore the formative years of Benjamin Franklin through a vivid blend of history and fiction, capturing the spirit of American patriotism and the influences that shaped one of the…
Level B2AdventureTrue to Himself; Or, Roger Strong's Struggle for PlaceThrown into hardship by their father's disgrace and imprisonment, Roger Strong and his sister Kate must navigate scorn and suspicion while fighting to clear their family name and c…
Level B2AdventureTrue heroismTrapped indoors by endless rain at Ivy Lodge, a lively group of children and their wise uncle face restless days and simmering conflicts, setting the stage for unexpected lessons i…
Level B2HistoricalTrue To His ColorsAs tensions rise in 1861, Southern boys at a military academy clash over loyalty and secession, with rival flags symbolizing a nation on the brink of civil war.
Level C1AdventureTrue TildaA sharp-witted girl recovering in a hospital ward becomes entwined in the mysterious fevered pleas of a bedridden woman, sparking a quest to uncover the identity of the elusive Art…
Level B2Children'sTrue Stories of Wonderful Deeds: Pictures and Stories for Little FolkDiscover the thrilling true stories of bravery and kindness, from King Charles hiding in a secret oak to Bonnie Prince Charlie's daring escape, brought to life with vivid pictures…
Level C1HistoricalTrue Stories of History and BiographyAn ancient oak chair carries young listeners through vivid tales of eminent historical figures, blending authentic events with imaginative details that bring the private lives of t…
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.