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 C1PhilosophyPlutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 3 (of 5)Explore timeless reflections on virtue, exile, family bonds, and the nature of happiness through philosophical essays that illuminate how to live wisely and harmoniously in any cir…
Level C1PhilosophyPlutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5)Explore timeless moral questions and ancient wisdom through lively dialogues, fables, and philosophical debates that examine governance, friendship, moderation, poetry, and human n…
Level C1PhilosophyPlutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5)Explore timeless reflections on ethics, virtue, and human nature through translations of Plutarch’s Morals, revealing insights shaped by centuries of scholarship and the challenges…
Level C2PhilosophyPlutarch's MoralsExplore timeless ethical reflections on education, virtue, friendship, and the challenges of human nature, offering practical guidance on living a moral and contented life within t…
Level C1PhilosophyPlutarch on the Delay of the Divine JusticeExplore profound reflections on divine justice as Plutarch addresses why punishment often seems delayed, revealing how forbearance, moral reform, and cosmic order intertwine in the…
Level B2AdventurePluck on the Long Trail; Or, Boy Scouts in the RockiesSix Boy Scouts of the Elk Patrol embark on a daring 100-mile journey through the Rocky Mountains, carrying a secret message and relying on their scout skills to navigate wild terra…
Level C1ClassicsPlotting the short storyUnlock the secrets of storytelling by discovering how to spot and develop germ-plots—those sparks of inspiration hidden in everyday life that can ignite unforgettable short stories…
Level B2PoetryPlish and PlumTwo mischievous dogs, Plish and Plum, turn a quiet summer day upside down with playful chaos, from daring rescues to garden raids, testing the patience of the Fittig family and the…
Level C1PoetryPlet: A Christmas Tale of the WasatchOn a harsh Christmas Eve in the Wasatch Mountains, two aging bachelors face a tragic snow-slide that claims lives and stirs deep memories of love and loss.
Level C1FantasyPleiades Club—Telegraphers' Paradise on Planet MarsOn Mars, a reunion of telegraphers celebrates Lincoln’s birthday, blending nostalgia with visions of harmony and eternal life.
Level A2Children'sPleasing Stories for Good Children with PicturesDiscover heartwarming tales that teach kindness, obedience, and the importance of helping others through the adventures of children like little Jane, who learns valuable lessons ab…
Level A2PoetryPleasing Poetry and Pictures: For the Mind and the EyeDelight in charming poems paired with vivid illustrations that teach young readers lessons on kindness, industry, and respect for nature.
Level B2ClassicsPlease pass the cream: A comedyA lively breakfast scene unravels as Mr.
Level C1HistoricalPlaywrights on playmakingExplore the enduring laws and conventions of drama through insightful essays that reveal how playwrights craft stories shaped by their audiences, actors, and times, blending theory…
Level C1ClassicsPlays: Complete Edition, Including the Posthumous PlaysExplore the intense moral and spiritual struggles that arise when a man challenges societal norms, demanding a radical new way of life.
Level C1ClassicsPlays: Being: An unhistorical pastoral: A romantic farce: Bruce, a chronicle play: Smith, a tragic farce: and Scaramouch in Naxos, a pantomime.Shipwrecked nobles return to their homeland after perilous sea voyages, haunted by lost sons and uncertain fates.
Level C1ClassicsPlays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the secondIn a bustling Covent Garden, the sharp-tongued Mrs.
Level C1HistoricalPlays, Acting and Music: A Book Of TheoryExplore the intricate world of stagecraft, where the art of puppetry challenges traditional acting by blending precision and illusion, revealing new dimensions of theatrical expres…
Level C2ClassicsPlays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; AntigoneA plague ravages Thebes, and King Oedipus must uncover the truth behind the city's suffering.
Level C1ClassicsPlays for small stagesStep into an intimate world where amateur players bring fresh, heartfelt dramas to life in a tiny neighborhood theater.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg: Creditors. Pariah.In a tense psychological drama, two men confront the enigmatic Tekla, revealing her complex debts and the intricate power struggles beneath her poised exterior.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Third SeriesDive into a collection that traces a playwright’s journey from naturalistic revolt to mystic symbolism, weaving Swedish folklore, fairy tales, and poetic drama into hauntingly beau…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Second seriesDive into a profound exploration of spiritual turmoil and redemption as characters confront crimes beyond the law—those against the soul and divine order—in a series of intense, my…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, Fourth SeriesIn the heart of Sweden's Dalecarlia, a deeply rooted community clings to ancient customs, rugged landscapes, and poetic traditions that shape their lives and stories.
Level C1ClassicsPlays by August Strindberg, First SeriesDive into a gripping collection where personal turmoil and existential reflection intertwine, revealing a man’s struggle with doubt, isolation, and the haunting shadows of his past…
Level C1ClassicsPlays by Anton Chekhov, Second SeriesExplore the subtle tensions and unspoken desires of Russian life through a collection of plays where characters wrestle with inaction, unfulfilled dreams, and the quiet tragedies h…
Level C1HistoricalPlays and PuritansExplore the clash between art and Puritanism in a society wary of true creativity, where religious and cultural tensions challenge the very essence of artistic expression and its p…
Level C1PoetryPlays and LyricsIn a moonlit Cypriot castle, intertwined destinies unfold amid Gothic and Saracenic shadows, where secrets, power, and passion collide.
Level C1ClassicsPlays : First SeriesIn a wealthy Liberal MP's home, a rebellious young man stumbles in late with a stolen reticule, sparking a tense clash between social classes as a disheveled stranger seizes the mo…
Level C1ClassicsPlaysExplore the gritty realities and moral complexities of 19th-century Russian merchant life through sharp satire and vivid drama, where family, commerce, and society collide in a wor…
Level B2ClassicsPlaysIn a quiet farmhouse kitchen, a mysterious death disrupts the daily routine, leaving neighbors and officials to unravel unsettling secrets hidden beneath ordinary domestic life.
Level B2Children'sPlaymate PollyJessie’s daily walk to school is filled with adventure and friendship, from crossing railroad tracks under Ezra’s watchful eye to sharing tales of speeding trains.
Level C1RomancePlaying with Fire: A Story of the Soudan WarA young captain returns home from war to the familiar grounds of childhood, where a delicate dance of love and friendship with his cousin unfolds amidst the backdrop of summer’s wa…
Level C1HistoricalPlaying With FireIn the industrious, misty city of Glasgow, a revered minister of the Church of the Disciples navigates the rigid expectations of faith, family, and duty, revealing the hidden tensi…
Level B2Children'sPlaying Santa Claus, and Other Christmas TalesTwo sisters awaken on Christmas Eve with a heartfelt plan to bring joy to less fortunate children, learning that true happiness comes from kindness and giving.
Level C1PoetryPlayful PoemsDiscover a lively collection of modernized medieval and classic poems, from Chaucer's tales to Burns's spirited verses, blending timeless wit and humor with accessible language tha…
Level B2RomancePlay the Game!A spirited girl raised among boys faces the challenge of attending an all-girls school, where she must navigate unfamiliar friendships and the expectations of her family.
Level C1HistoricalPlatform MonologuesExplore the power and beauty of great literature through a series of passionate monologues that delve into the essence of literary art, its sublime impact, and the pursuit of the e…
Level C1PoetryPlantation echoesExperience the vibrant rhythms and heartfelt stories of plantation life through original poems that capture the wisdom, humor, and spirit of African American culture in authentic d…
Level B2Science FictionPlanet in ReverseIn a forbidden zone beyond Uranus, a lone pilot encounters a mysterious, backward-walking girl on Neptune—her presence defying reality and challenging everything he knows about spa…
Level B2Children'sPlane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a MechanicA determined young mechanic sets out to master carpentry along the bustling Missouri River, navigating challenges both in his trade and in life.
Level B2Children'sPlain tales, chiefly intended for the use of charity schoolsTwo diligent charity schoolgirls find small ways to help their struggling families, learning lessons of kindness, resourcefulness, and the value of hard work amidst humble rural li…
Level C1HistoricalPlain Tales from the HillsIn the remote hills of India, Lispeth, a beautiful Hill girl raised in Christian faith, discovers love unexpectedly when she nurses a wounded English traveler back to health.
Level C1ClassicsPlain Living: A Bush IdyllIn the harsh Australian outback, pastoral tenant Harold Stamford battles a devastating drought that threatens his family’s station and legacy.
Level B2Children'sPlain Jane and pretty BettyA sensitive girl nicknamed "Plain Jane" leaves her harsh mining town behind, seeking a fresh start in Greenville with the Powells who took her in.
Level B2PoetryPlain JaneA studious and well-mannered girl hopes to reform her mischievous cousin during a visit filled with playful clashes and gentle lessons in good behavior.
Level C1HistoricalPlague and pestilence in literature and artExplore how ancient beliefs and artistic expressions reveal humanity’s struggle to understand and confront epidemic pestilence, blending magic, religion, and emerging science in a…
Level B2AdventurePixy's Holiday JourneyThree inseparable boys form a secret alliance inspired by the heroes of the Iliad, creating their own armory and adopting legendary names.
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.