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 C2HistoricalPharsalia; Dramatic Episodes of the Civil WarsAmidst the shattered streets and abandoned fields of Rome, rival armies of kin clash in a brutal civil war that threatens to tear an empire apart.
Level C1MysteryPharos, The Egyptian: A RomanceA mysterious visitor arrives bearing an urgent message from Cyril Forrester, a man caught between sanity and supernatural experience tied to his late Egyptologist father's legacy.
Level C1Science FictionPharaoh's Broker: Being the Very Remarkable Experiences in Another World of Isidor WernerA prominent Chicago broker vanishes mysteriously after a final plunge in the wheat market, leaving behind a strange steel rocket and a cryptic farewell.
Level C1RomancePharais; and, The Mountain LoversIn a world where dreams and reality intertwine, a writer explores the depths of spiritual and emotional duality, revealing a haunting romance shaped by nature, memory, and the elus…
Level B2MysteryPhantom of the ForestTrapped in a relentless snowstorm, a group stumbles upon a mysterious, brutally maimed body on a remote mountain road—one that defies explanation and hints at a deadly legend haunt…
Level C1ClassicsPhantom Fortune, a NovelIn the glittering world of London high society, scandal brews as Lady Maulevrier arrives amid whispers of a public inquiry and a dramatic fall from grace.
Level C1FantasyPhantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and WomenOn his twenty-first birthday, a young man unlocks a mysterious secretary left by his late father, uncovering a hidden world where dreams, nature, and spirits intertwine in a haunti…
Level B2FantasyPhantasmagoria and Other PoemsOn a cold winter night, a shy little ghost unexpectedly appears, ready to share the curious etiquette of haunting and the unseen world of spectres, phantoms, and goblins that dwell…
Level B2AdventurePhaeton Rogers: A Novel of Boy LifeThree adventurous boys set out on a thrilling morning ride through the countryside, facing wild dogs and learning the ropes of horseback riding.
Level C1PhilosophyPhaethon: Loose Thoughts for Loose ThinkersAmid a tranquil fishing morning, a heated debate unfolds over an unconventional American professor whose radical spiritual ideas challenge tradition and provoke deep reflection on…
Level C1PhilosophyPhaedrusPhilosophical dialogue unfolds beside a tranquil stream as Socrates and Phaedrus explore the nature of love, rhetoric, and the soul, challenging conventional views while weaving to…
Level C1ClassicsPhaedraIn a realm haunted by absence and secret passions, Hippolytus wrestles with his exile and forbidden desires while the shadow of Queen Phaedra’s mysterious illness looms over Troeze…
Level C1PhilosophyPhaedoIn the final hours before his death, Socrates engages in deep philosophical dialogue about the soul’s immortality and the nature of true wisdom, seeking to prepare his disciples fo…
Level C1HistoricalPeveril of the PeakIn the turbulent English Civil War, proud Royalist Sir Geoffrey Peveril defends his ancestral home and navigates loyalty, love, and survival amid battles, sieges, and shifting powe…
Level B2PoetryPetunia blossoms: Ballads and poemsJourney back to April 1865 aboard a slow sailing vessel trapped among towering icebergs in the North Atlantic, where memories of hardship and hope unfold through vivid ballads and…
Level B2ClassicsPetunia againIn a close-knit country town, life revolves around heartfelt welcomes for returning soldiers, bustling community events, and the simple yet rich rhythms of rural living.
Level C1RomancePetty Troubles of Married Life, Second PartTwo newlywed friends confide in each other about the hidden irritations and delicate tensions that color their early married lives, revealing the unspoken challenges behind the pol…
Level C1ClassicsPetty Troubles of Married Life, First PartExplore the delicate dance of marriage where fortunes, families, and social ambitions collide, revealing the petty yet profound troubles that test love and loyalty beneath the poli…
Level C1ClassicsPetty Troubles of Married Life, CompleteMarriage unfolds as a careful negotiation of fortunes, family expectations, and social standing, where love is entangled with dowries, inheritances, and the subtle power struggles…
Level C1RomancePetticoat RuleIn the glittering court of Louis XV, a young woman’s fierce loyalty to her homeland clashes with the seductive power of the Marquise de Pompadour and the intrigues of royal favor,…
Level C1HistoricalPetrarch, the First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters: A Selection from His Correspondence with Boccaccio and Other Friends, Designed to Illustrate the Beginnings of the RenaissanceDive into the intimate letters and confessions of a pioneering Renaissance thinker whose friendships and self-reflections illuminate the dawn of modern culture and the fading shado…
Level C2PhilosophyPetrarch's Secret; or, the Soul's Conflict with Passion: Three Dialogues Between Himself and S. AugustineA profound philosophical dialogue unfolds as a man confronts his inner passions through intimate conversations with Saint Augustine, revealing the soul's struggle between reason an…
Level B2Children'sPeterkinWhen young Peterkin is sent home alone but fails to arrive, his family’s worry grows as they search for him, revealing the tender bonds and fears of childhood in a household full o…
Level C1ClassicsPeter: A Novel of Which He is Not the HeroIn a timeworn bank where tradition reigns supreme, Peter meticulously guards the ledgers and enforces the relentless punctuality of the old moon-faced clock.
Level C1RomancePeter's MotherIn a secluded English estate, Lady Mary Crewys navigates the delicate balance of duty and desire within her confined world, where personal wishes are often eclipsed by family and s…
Level C1AdventurePeter the WhalerA young Irish vicar’s son faces stern warnings against poaching, risking disgrace and harsh punishment as he defies his father’s pleas.
Level B2HistoricalPeter of New Amsterdam: A Story of Old New YorkAn English boy orphaned and struggling in Dutch New Amsterdam navigates a harsh world shaped by religious exile and colonial ambition, offering a child’s eye view of early American…
Level B2Children'sPeter makes good, and stories of other dogsA fuzzy pup named Peter leaves his loving dog family to start a new life with two playful children, learning lessons about bravery, manners, and growing up in a wide new world full…
Level B2FantasyPeter and WendyWhen Wendy learns that growing up is inevitable, Peter Pan arrives to whisk her and her brothers away to the magical Neverland, where adventure, pirates, and never-ending childhood…
Level C1ClassicsPeter and Jane; Or, The Missing HeirAmidst family feuds and secrets, Mrs.
Level C1HistoricalPeter and Alexis: The Romance of Peter the GreatIn early 18th-century Russia, Tsarevitch Alexis Petrovitch faces the harsh realities of court life and deep religious turmoil, as old beliefs clash with a nation on the brink of We…
Level C1AdventurePeter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2A young naval officer embarks on thrilling maritime adventures filled with danger, duty, and discovery, navigating the unpredictable seas and the challenges of life aboard ship in…
Level C1AdventurePeter SimpleA young, awkward boy is destined for a naval career, sent away from his family to live under the strict care of a harsh sea-stock broker.
Level C1FantasyPeter SchlemihlA man loses his shadow in a mysterious pact, thrusting him into a surreal struggle between identity and isolation.
Level C1MysteryPeter Ruff and the Double FourA seemingly ordinary supper party at Daisy Villa conceals the beginnings of a gripping tale where appearances deceive and hidden identities spark a mystery that will change lives f…
Level A2PoetryPeter Pry's Puppet Show: Part the II.Step into a whimsical world where poetry dances between work and play, inviting readers to explore timeless rhythms through playful verses and charming puppetry.
PoetryPeter Prim's Profitable Present: To the little misses and masters of the United StatesDelve into a charming collection of playful verses crafted for young readers, where simple numbers and colorful imagery dance together to spark imagination and delight across the U…
Level B2HistoricalPeter Plymley's Letters, and Selected EssaysA witty and wise clergyman tackles the fiery political and religious debates of his time through sharp, ironic letters addressing his brother’s narrow views.
Level B2AdventurePeter Parley's Visit to London, During the Coronation of Queen VictoriaAn eager traveler crosses the Atlantic to witness Queen Victoria’s coronation, exploring London’s bustling streets and marveling at the dazzling new crown and royal treasures amid…
Level B2AdventurePeter Parley's Tales About America and AustraliaEmbark on a thrilling voyage with Columbus as he overcomes skepticism and treachery to set sail for the unknown Western World, unveiling the mysteries of America’s discovery and it…
Level C1HistoricalPeter Parley's Own Story: From the Personal Narrative of the Late Samuel G. Goodrich, ("Peter Parley")Follow the vivid personal narrative of a man who journeys from his early days in Ridgefield through war, literary pursuits, and diplomatic service, offering intimate glimpses of 19…
Level C1ClassicsPeter Paragon: A Tale of YouthA young boy is born into a household where his parents’ contrasting beliefs and temperaments quietly shape his future.
Level B2FantasyPeter Pan in Kensington GardensA baby who escaped the human world at just seven days old discovers he can fly and explores the magical Kensington Gardens, where fairies and wonders await—but he struggles to reme…
Level C1RomancePeter Jameson: A Modern RomanceAmid London's bustling cigar trade before World War I, Peter Jameson navigates family legacy, business rivalries, and the transformative upheaval of war that challenges his soul an…
Level C1FantasyPeter IbbetsonA man imprisoned for murder recounts his haunting life story from a criminal asylum, revealing mysterious connections to a noblewoman and the tragic events that led to his madness…
Level B2AdventurePeter Cotterell's TreasureIn the coastal town of Barmouth, sixteen-year-old Tom Hallett is offered an unexpected chance for adventure when a mysterious stranger seeks a skilled seaman for a secretive voyage…
Level B2ClassicsPeter Binney: A NovelA self-made poultry food magnate wrestles with a life-changing decision, contemplating a bold new direction beyond his business empire.
Level B2AdventurePeter Biddulph: The Story of an Australian SettlerAn orphaned boy rises from poverty on the banks of the Thames, navigating hardship and hope as he searches for a lost diamond ring that could change his fate.
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.