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 C1PoetryProvocationsExplore deeply personal and spontaneous reflections on war, loss, and nature through poignant poems that reveal the intimate provocations behind public events, capturing moments fr…
Level C1ClassicsProverbs of All Nations, Compared, Explained, and IllustratedExplore a rich tapestry of wisdom through proverbs from diverse cultures, carefully grouped and explained to reveal universal truths and unique perspectives on human experience.
Level C1PhilosophyProverbs and Their Lessons: Being the Subject of Lectures Delivered to Young Men's Societies at Portsmouth and ElsewhereDiscover the hidden wisdom and enduring charm of proverbs, exploring their origins, meanings, and cultural significance through engaging lectures that reveal why these timeless say…
Level C2PoetryProverbial Philosophy: The First and Second SeriesDelve into reflective poetry that weaves wisdom and truth through thoughtful musings on life, knowledge, and the human spirit.
Level C1Children'sProverb StoriesA spirited young girl dreams of attending Class Day in a dazzling new dress, sparking a heartfelt tale of ambition, creativity, and the challenges of modest means in a close-knit c…
Level C1HistoricalProverb Lore: Many sayings, wise or otherwise, on many subjects, gleaned from many sourcesExplore the timeless wisdom woven into proverbs from across the world, revealing shared human truths and enduring lessons on life, folly, friendship, and hope that connect diverse…
Level B1Children'sProud and Lazy: A Story for Little FolksA proud and lazy boy, accustomed to commanding others, faces the challenge of obedience and learning when sent to village school.
Level C1PoetryProud Signild, and Other BalladsIn a tale of betrayal and vengeance, Proud Signild is wed into a distant land where dark deeds unfold as she confronts her lord Sir Loumor and the deadly fate of her brothers.
Level B2ClassicsProud LadyIn a quiet town shadowed by war's aftermath, Mary Lavinia navigates the tense return of soldiers and the storm of emotions that follow, caught between duty, family strife, and a st…
Level C1PhilosophyProtagorasIn a compelling dialogue between Socrates and the sophist Protagoras, fundamental questions arise: Can virtue be taught?
Level C1ClassicsProsper Mérimée's Short StoriesDelve into intense tales of passion, danger, and exotic lands where love and lawlessness collide—from the fiery drama of Spain to gripping accounts of smuggling and battle, each st…
Level C1ClassicsProserpine and MidasDive into myth and poetry where ancient tales of gods and mortals intertwine, revealing the serene joy and quiet philosophy of a woman inspired by Italian skies and the romantic sp…
Level C1HistoricalProse remains of Arthur Hugh Clough, with a selection from his letters and a memoirExplore the rich family history and early life of Arthur Hugh Clough, tracing his Welsh ancestry and childhood across England, America, and the influences that shaped his literary…
Level C1ClassicsProse Masterpieces from Modern Essayists, Volume 3 of 3Explore the intricate challenges of interpreting history as a science, where facts are like letters that can spell any desired narrative.
Level C1ClassicsProse Idylls, New and OldExplore a nostalgic reflection on humanity’s fading connection with nature, as ancient springtime rituals and the vibrant songs of birds give way to modern indifference and lost ce…
Level C1ClassicsProse Fancies (Second Series)In a gritty London district where the sea meets the city’s industrial heart, a poor poet and his beloved carve out a fragile paradise atop a dilapidated office building, transformi…
Level C1ClassicsProse FanciesExperience a tender spring morning where nature awakens and a gentle procession of piglets embarks on their journey, guided by a kind driver whose patience stirs warmth and reflect…
Level C1PhilosophyProphets of Dissent : Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and TolstoyExplore the radical ideas and mystic introspections of Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche, and Tolstoy as they illuminate the profound social and spiritual upheavals shaping modern…
Level C1HistoricalProper pride : A novel. Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the breathtaking beauty of the Neilgherry Hills, Sir Reginald embarks on a transformative journey that intertwines nature’s splendor with intriguing local legends and the comp…
Level C1RomanceProper prideIn sunlit Malta, two British officers discuss the captivating Miss Saville, an orphaned heiress bound by guardianship and a looming marriage to a distant soldier.
Level C1PhilosophyPrometheus IllboundIn a world where ideas puppeteer human actions, a mysterious encounter on a Paris boulevard sparks a philosophical exploration of morality, desire, and the mind’s dominion over pas…
Level C1PoetryProfiles from China: Sketches in Free Verse of People and Things Seen in the InteriorImmerse yourself in vivid free verse portraits of China’s interior, where cormorants, scholars, storytellers, and ancient wells reveal a world of beauty, mystery, and quiet power b…
Level B2Children'sProfilesA thoughtful young woman embarks on her first solo trip, urged by her pastor to keep her "hands clean" in more ways than one.
Level B2ClassicsProfessor Tim & Paul TwyningIn a sunlit Irish farmhouse, Peggy and Hugh confront the shattering end of their love amid looming poverty and an impending auction, weaving a tale of heartbreak, pride, and the bi…
Level B1HistoricalProfessor JohnnyA young boy nicknamed Professor Johnny finds himself facing an unexpected crisis when a sudden fire threatens his home, forcing him to act quickly and courageously while caring for…
Level C1ClassicsProfessor HuskinsA professor grapples with conflicting truths revealed through mesmerized subjects, challenging the very nature of knowledge and consistency.
Level C1ClassicsProblematic Characters: A NovelTorn between restless ambition and inner turmoil, characters grapple with their inability to find satisfaction or mastery in life’s challenges.
Level C1HistoricalProbationIn the heart of a bustling Lancashire cotton factory, skilled workers navigate the relentless rhythm of looms and the sharp scrutiny of overseers, revealing a world where human pre…
Level B2ClassicsProbable SonsAn unexpected orphan niece arrives to disrupt the bachelor life of Sir Edward, who must navigate the challenges of guardianship, society’s expectations, and a fragile child’s quiet…
Level C1PhilosophyProbabilities : An aid to FaithExplore how reason and evidence build a bridge to faith, revealing the likelihood behind widely accepted truths through compelling historical and scientific examples.
Level B2RomancePrize of the airA daring pilot with a revoked license agrees to fly a banker and his spirited daughter across the country, navigating risky skies and unexpected tensions.
Level C1HistoricalPrivy Seal: His Last VentureIn turbulent Renaissance Paris, a learned English magister navigates political intrigue and personal desires while Latinizing secret letters between diplomats.
Level B2ClassicsPrivate Spud TamsonA rough but spirited recruit joins the quirky Glesca Mileeshy militia, facing the challenges of military life with humor and heart.
Level C1HistoricalPrivate Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 2 (of 2)Step into the intimate world of 18th-century politics and society through the candid private letters of a newly elected parliamentarian navigating public duties, personal connectio…
Level C1HistoricalPrivate Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)Delve into the intimate world of Edward Gibbon through a collection of his private letters, revealing the personal relationships, historical reflections, and literary legacy of one…
Level C1RomancePrisoners: Fast Bound In Misery And IronIn a sunlit Italian villa, a young English duchess navigates the complexities of an arranged marriage to a distinguished yet aging duke, caught between duty, desire, and the yearni…
Level C1HistoricalPrisoners of Hope: A Tale of Colonial VirginiaIn 1663 colonial Virginia, a spirited young woman eagerly awaits a sloop carrying fine fashions and letters from England, embodying the clash of Old World elegance and New World wi…
Level C1HistoricalPrisoners of ConscienceIn the rugged Shetland Islands, Liot Borson, a man torn between pagan heritage and Christian faith, grapples with an ancient family curse as he recounts the tragic saga of his doom…
Level C1AdventurePrisoners of Chance: The Story of What Befell Geoffrey Benteen, Borderman, through His Love for a Lady of FranceCaught between fierce Native tribes and colonial powers, Geoffrey Benteen’s adventurous journey reveals the tragic fate of a mysterious vanished people and a forbidden love that co…
Level B2PoetryPrison PoetryImprisoned yet unbroken, a poet’s soul transcends cold bars, voicing the raw, unfiltered emotions and hopes of those confined.
Level C1MysteryPriscilla's SpiesA celebrated schoolboy athlete and scholar embarks on a summer fishing trip in the wild west of Ireland, where his impeccable reputation and leadership may soon be tested beyond th…
Level C1RomancePriscilla of the Good Intent: A Romance of the Grey FellsIn a village where work and play intertwine, the blacksmith David Blake finds his steady rhythm disrupted by the spirited Priscilla and the enigmatic Billy the Fool, whose carefree…
Level C1ClassicsPriscilla and Charybdis: A Story of AlternativesTensions rise backstage at a country concert as the temperamental tenor clashes with his accompanist, threatening to upend the event treasured by local society.
Level C1HistoricalPrinciple in Art, Etc.Explore a rigorous defense of true artistic criticism, arguing that genuine judgment, grounded in principle rather than mere feeling, shapes and elevates art by cultivating a disce…
Level C1ClassicsPrinciple and Practice: The Orphan FamilyFive orphaned siblings, united by love and hardship, strive to build a hopeful future with limited means and the guidance of a trusted family friend.
Level B2HistoricalPrinceton StoriesAt Princeton in the late 19th century, fierce rivalry ignites during the infamous Cane Spree, a wild, midnight campus tradition where freshmen and sophomores battle for honor amid…
Level B2RomancePrincess ZaraA young princess arrives in New York, cloaked in mystery and commanding respect with her regal presence and retinue.
Level B2Children'sPrincess Sukey: The story of a pigeon and her human friendsWhen a sickly pigeon chick is rejected by its own family, a kind-hearted boy named Titus takes her in, sparking an unusual friendship filled with care and adventure amid the challe…
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.