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 B2Children'sPrincess Sarah, and Other StoriesAn orphaned girl, sheltered from the noisy city street, faces a sudden change when her late father's letter brings a mysterious aunt to her humble home—offering hope, kindness, and…
Level C1RomancePrincess PuckA spirited young woman, Wilhelmina, known as Bill, is sent to the countryside to "grow up," sparking doubts and hopes among her family.
Level B1Children'sPrincess Polly's PlaymatesAt Sherwood Hall, Princess Polly and her friends receive a heartfelt letter from lonely Rose, who longs for playful companionship in her grand but quiet new home.
Level B2Children'sPrincess Polly's Gay WinterIn a charming town called Avondale, young Rose Atherton moves into a grand new home beside her friend Polly and her elegant cat.
Level B2Children'sPrincess Polly At PlayPrincess Polly and her friends eagerly anticipate a summer of seaside adventures, sailing, and mystery at Cliffmore.
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 3 (of 3)In a world of wealth and ambition, Yseulte navigates the complex affections and duties surrounding her indifferent husband, Friederich Othmar, as powerful forces seek to shape thei…
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 2 (of 3)In a world of high society and sharp wit, Princess Nadine commands her mornings with swims, letters, and sharp-tongued banter, navigating intrigues and alliances beneath the polish…
Level C1ClassicsPrincess Napraxine, Volume 1 (of 3)An imperious princess arrives at her eagerly anticipated winter villa on the French Riviera, only to find the charming estate a chaotic jumble of architectural styles and unexpecte…
Level C1RomancePrincess MaritzaOn a radiant morning, a determined man burdened by a shadowed past meets a fiery, free-spirited young woman who yearns to break society’s bounds—sparking a clash of ambition, freed…
Level B2RomancePrincess Kiku: A Japanese Romance. A Play for GirlsIn a delicate Japanese garden, Princess Kiku faces mysterious curses and misunderstandings fueled by a cunning rival’s dark magic.
Level B2HistoricalPrincess Belle-EtoileThree radiant siblings, born with stars on their foreheads and jewels in their hair, are set adrift by jealous relatives but saved by a corsair's family.
Level C1ClassicsPrincessA family faces uproar and resistance as they prepare to leave city comforts for a Virginia farm, hoping the southern air will heal their ailing son.
Level B2RomancePrince or Chauffeur? A Story of NewportA naval lieutenant's chance encounter on a midnight train sparks intrigue as he crosses paths with a spirited young woman and her mother, setting the stage for a tale of mistaken i…
Level C1HistoricalPrince and HereticIn a world where alchemy and astrology shape destinies, a weary court alchemist struggles to unlock the philosopher's stone while the Protestant Elector of Saxony seeks cosmic guid…
Level C1RomancePrince Zilah — CompleteIn a world where passion and power collide, a noble prince navigates the complexities of love and duty.
Level C2MysteryPrince ZaleskiA troubled prince retreats to a shadowed palace filled with ancient relics and eerie mysteries, where a trusted friend visits to unravel a dark labyrinthine plot.
Level C1RomancePrince Rupert, the BuccaneerAmidst the Caribbean's ruthless buccaneers, Prince Rupert confronts the brutal fate of his loyal soldiers, now sold as mere cargo in a harsh new world where honor and survival coll…
Level B2FantasyPrince Ricardo of Pantouflia: Being the Adventures of Prince Prigio's SonIn a kingdom where fairy gifts shape destinies, Prince Ricardo defies expectations by shunning books and chasing wild adventures, much to his clever father King Prigio’s concern.
Level C1PoetryPrince Ragnal, and other holiday versesJourney through evocative holiday verses that weave legends of early Christian Ireland with timeless Christmas scenes, inviting reflection on faith, tradition, and the sacred momen…
Level B2FantasyPrince Prigio: From "His Own Fairy Book"In the whimsical kingdom of Pantouflia, where ancient legends awaken and dragons turn into princesses with a kiss, a royal baby boy is born amid skepticism about fairies and magic,…
Level C1FantasyPrince PrigioA royal baby’s christening turns magical when unseen fairies bestow enchanted gifts—like a purse that never empties and seven-league boots—sparking a fantastical tale of a prince d…
Level C1RomancePrince Otto, a RomanceIn the fading principality of Grünewald, Prince Otto embarks on a daring adventure amid rugged landscapes and political intrigue.
Level B2AdventurePrince Jan, St. BernardIn the snowy Alps, young St.
Level B2ClassicsPrince FortunatusAmid the dazzling world of London’s theatre, a curious matron and her brother are drawn backstage to uncover the secrets of stagecraft and high society’s hidden dramas.
Level C1HistoricalPrince Eugene and His TimesAmid court intrigues and fierce family rivalries, a young noblewoman defies arranged marriage to protect her heart, while powerful enemies and royal secrets threaten to unravel her…
Level B2AdventurePrince Dusty: A Story of the Oil RegionsTwelve-year-old Arthur, teased and outcast by his cousins, embarks on a daring adventure with his cousin Cynthia as they imagine themselves a prince and princess exploring a world…
Level C1RomancePrince CharlieIn the quiet seaside town of Wivernsea, a solitary writer seeks refuge and inspiration by the shore, where the arrival of a mysterious young woman promises to stir his carefully gu…
Level C1ClassicsPrimus AnnusDiscover a fresh approach to learning Latin through the Direct Method, where grammar is taught by imitation and oral practice, making the language come alive with spoken exercises…
Level C2PoetryPrimitive & Mediaeval Japanese Texts: Transliterated into Roman with introductions, notes and glossariesExplore early Japanese culture through romanized texts of ancient poetry, medieval tales, and theatrical works, accompanied by detailed notes and glossaries to unlock the language…
Level C1PoetryPrimavera: Poems by Four AuthorsFour young poets explore themes of youth, love, and melancholy with refined, delicate verses that blend restrained emotion and aesthetic grace, inviting readers into a world of sub…
Level C1ClassicsPride: One of the Seven Cardinal SinsA retired naval commander lives quietly with his fiery housekeeper, locked in a subtle but relentless battle over their shared garden and deep-seated political grudges, revealing h…
Level C1ClassicsPride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novelIn a refined English countryside, the spirited Elizabeth Bennet navigates societal expectations and complex relationships, especially with the proud yet intriguing Mr.
Level C1Children'sPride and His PrisonersIn a decaying Norman tower haunted not by ghosts but by the lingering spirits of Pride and Intemperance, a disinherited son lives overshadowed by family strife and ancient grudges—…
Level B2PoetryPretty Verses for All Good Children: In Words of One, Two, and Three SyllablesGentle tales and simple verses teach young readers the value of honesty, kindness, and the beauty found in everyday life—using only words of one, two, and three syllables to deligh…
Level B1Children'sPretty Tales for the NurseryA young girl cherishes her birthday gift—a book that opens a world of stories and lessons, inspiring her to learn and grow.
Level B2RomancePretty Madcap Dorothy; Or, How She Won a LoverIn a bustling book-bindery, young Dorothy Glenn dares to believe fate will bring her true love despite the hardships of working life.
Level B2RomancePretty Geraldine, the New York Salesgirl; or, Wedded to Her ChoiceIn the bustling heart of New York, a stunning salesgirl with starry eyes and a proud spirit stands at the crossroads of fate, where love and choice intertwine in a world of ambitio…
Level C1HistoricalPreston Fight; or, The Insurrection of 1715Amid the turbulent Jacobite uprising of 1715, a young, loyal nobleman leads a desperate defense of Preston against betrayal and overwhelming odds.
Level C1AdventurePrester JohnIn a coastal Scottish town, three adventurous boys escape the confines of a strict Sabbath to explore hidden caves and share tales of pirates, only to encounter a mysterious figure…
Level C1ClassicsPress CuttingsIn a world where suffragettes disrupt the status quo, a disguised Prime Minister turns to a wary General to navigate political upheaval and unexpected resignations, revealing the f…
Level C1MysteryPresent at a Hanging and Other Ghost StoriesWhen a mysterious peddler vanishes after visiting a suspicious old man’s isolated farm, a local minister encounters an eerie apparition that leads to a chilling discovery beneath a…
Level C1ClassicsPrescott of SaskatchewanIn a rough prairie town simmering with ethnic tensions and violence, Prescott navigates the harsh realities of frontier life and fractured communities.
Level C1HistoricalPrentice HughIn medieval Exeter, a courageous boy fends off a gang of bullies with the help of a loyal hound and the unexpected protection of a Franciscan friar, revealing a world of fierce loy…
Level C1PoetryPreludes 1921-1922In a world where love fuels courage and faith shapes destiny, a young shepherd faces a towering giant while his steadfast friend wrestles with doubt and honor on the battlefield.
Level C1ClassicsPrejudicesDelve into a candid exploration of human nature through the lens of our complex relationships with dogs, revealing how true affection and personal truths emerge in unexpected ways.
Level B2Science FictionPreferred RiskIn a world where a powerful Company controls every risk and weapon, an Adjuster arrives in Naples amid sudden, tense security measures and an urgent manhunt.
Level C1HistoricalPrefaces to Terence's Comedies and Plautus's Comedies (1694)Explore the challenges and intentions behind translating Terence's and Plautus's comedies into English, revealing 17th-century theatrical rivalries, neoclassical drama theory, and…
Level C1ClassicsPrefaces to Four Seventeenth-Century Romances: Roger Boyle, Lord Broghill, preface to Parthenissa (1655) Sir George Mackenzie, "Apologie for romances," prefixed to Aretina, the serious romance (1660) Nathaniel Ingelo, preface to Bentivolio and Urania (1660) Robert Boyle, preface to Theodora and Didymus (1687)Explore the 17th-century struggle to redefine Romance as a serious art form, balancing heroic tales with realism and style, through four prefaces revealing the authors’ quest for a…
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.