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 C2PoetryPeter Bell the ThirdA tale unfolds around Peter Bell, a man marked by profound dullness and transformation, navigating a world where the boundaries between the earthly and the infernal blur.
Level C1ClassicsPeterIn a sultry London flat, two young souls find themselves detached from the dull political chatter of their elders, caught between a world reshaped by war and the unbridgeable gap o…
Level B2PoetryPerverted Proverbs: A Manual of Immorals for the ManyWitty and irreverent verses twist familiar proverbs into sharp, humorous insights on human folly and vice.
Level C1RomancePersuasionIn a world where vanity and social standing reign, Anne Elliot navigates family expectations and lost love as her once-beautiful youth fades.
Level C1ClassicsPersonal reminiscences of Henry IrvingAn intimate friend recalls the remarkable life of Henry Irving, revealing the struggles, triumphs, and inner nature of a celebrated actor through personal anecdotes and reflections…
Level C1HistoricalPersonal Sketches and Tributes: Part 2 from Volume VI of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore stirring personal sketches and heartfelt tributes to notable figures like Charles T.
Level C1ClassicsPersonal Reminiscences in Book Making, and Some Short StoriesJourney into the untamed North American wilderness as a young clerk for the Hudson’s Bay Company, where fur trading, solitude, and rugged adventure unexpectedly shape a future lite…
Level C1ClassicsPersonal Recollections: Abridged, Chiefly in Parts Pertaining to Political and Other Controversies Prevalent at the Time in Great BritainExplore a life shaped by faith, politics, and personal trials through a series of candid letters revealing childhood memories, youthful struggles, and spiritual awakenings amidst 1…
Level B2HistoricalPersonal Recollections of Joan of Arc — Volume 2Amid the turmoil of war, a fearless young woman leads France with unshakable conviction, foretelling both victory and a tragic fate that haunts those around her.
Level C1HistoricalPersonal Recollections of Joan of Arc — Volume 1A young peasant girl rises from humble beginnings to command the French army, inspiring courage and honor in a brutal, corrupt age.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems, Complete: Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore heartfelt reflections and solemn tributes woven into poems that mourn loss, celebrate friendship, and honor enduring human kindness, capturing the intimate emotions and ste…
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems II: Part 2 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierEmbodying sacrifice and heroism, these poems honor individuals who face injustice and fight for freedom, weaving personal courage into a broader struggle for humanity and truth.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems I: Part 1 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of deeply personal poems weaving themes of friendship, loss, hope, and remembrance, capturing heartfelt tributes and reflections on human kindness and sorrow.
Level C1HistoricalPersian Literature, Ancient and ModernExplore the rich tapestry of Persian literature, tracing its origins from ancient civilizations through seven poetic eras marked by legendary poets known as “The Persian Pleiades.
Level C1AdventurePerseverance Island; Or, The Robinson Crusoe of the Nineteenth CenturyStranded naked on a remote South Pacific island, a lone castaway uses ingenuity and skill to survive and thrive beyond all predecessors.
Level C2PoetryPerpetual Light : a memorialHaunted by love and loss, a man reflects on a beloved companion whose spirit illuminates his darkest hours, weaving a poignant memorial through heartfelt verse and spiritual intros…
Level C1HistoricalPerpetua. A Tale of Nimes in A.D. 213In ancient Nemausus, a sacred fountain sustains the city’s life, but every seven years, a young girl is chosen by fate as a sacrificial offering to the god Nemausus.
Level C1MysteryPerlycross: A Tale of the Western HillsIn the tranquil village of Perlycross, a devoted curate and a battle-hardened squire navigate the delicate balance of duty, faith, and friendship in a changing world.
Level C1ClassicsPerkins, the Fakeer: A Travesty on Reincarnation: His wonderful workings in the cases of "When Reginald was Caroline", "How Chopin came to Remsen", and "Clarissa's troublesome baby"When Reginald and Caroline wake to find their minds swapped into each other's bodies, they must navigate the strange and humorous challenges of an uncanny and inexplicable psychica…
Level C1ClassicsPerkins of Portland: Perkins The GreatMeet Perkins, a peculiar ad man with a knack for catchy slogans and a bold plan to sell a plaster that doesn’t even exist—using the power of advertising to create demand before the…
Level C1AdventurePerils in the Transvaal and ZululandA young assistant master, determined to find his missing mother and sister, embarks on a daring journey from England to the distant colonies of Australia.
Level B2Science FictionPeril OrbitTrapped in a tiny spaceship orbiting perilously close to the sun, pilot Jim MacDonald battles scorching heat and dwindling hope as he drifts helplessly on a deadly, inescapable pat…
Level C2ClassicsPericles, Prince of TyreA daring prince confronts a deadly riddle posed by a king whose daughter’s beauty hides a sinister secret—solve it or face death.
Level B2ClassicsPerfection CityA newlywed bride arrives at Perfection City, a rugged prairie community where neighbors share labor and life under a dream of collective harmony.
Level C1RomancePeregrine's ProgressA young man’s quest begins amid lively inns, shadowy mysteries, and encounters with a captivating, elusive woman named Diana—part dryad, part goddess—whose fiery spirit and tender…
Level C1ClassicsPercy: A TragedyIn a series of intense scenes set at Raby Castle, conflicting loyalties and violent confrontations unfold amid a backdrop of honor and tragedy.
Level B1Children'sPercy's holidaysA young girl named Percy balances schoolwork, family duties, and personal growth during a summer holiday filled with lessons in responsibility and kindness.
Level C1PhilosophyPercy Bysshe Shelley as a Philosopher and ReformerExplore the life of a visionary thinker persecuted for challenging dogma, whose fragile yet fiery spirit fuels profound philosophy and reform.
Level C1ClassicsPercy Bysshe ShelleyExplore the tragic brilliance of a poet whose life was cut short just before his genius could fully mature, tracing his lineage, youth, and the promise of a literary legacy forever…
Level C1Children'sPercival's picture galleryConfined by illness, young artist Percival finds solace in painting and vivid tales of foreign art, longing to escape his lonely room through imagination and friendship.
Level C1AdventurePercival KeeneAmidst grand estates and whispered scandals, a young valet with charm but little wit serves a captain whose frequent visits stir hearts and rumors alike.
Level C1ClassicsPerch of the DevilIn the shadow of Montana’s shining mountains, a brilliant young rancher grapples with love, ambition, and the weight of heritage.
Level C1ClassicsPeradventure; or, The Silence of GodIn a world where faith and doubt intertwine, a man grapples with the silence of God and the human struggle to understand the divine.
Level C1PhilosophyPer Amica Silentia LunaeA reflective journey through the artist’s mind, exploring the contrast between outward conversations and inner truths, where dreams and art reveal the self beyond social masks and…
Level C1PoetryPepper & Salt; or, Seasoning for Young FolkA whimsical jester invites young readers to find joy and laughter amid life’s hardships through playful stories and moral poems, blending humor with gentle wisdom to season everyda…
Level C1ClassicsPepita XimenezIn a Spain torn by revolution and clashing ideals, a delicate story unfolds through subtle emotion and keen human insight, capturing the charm and complexity of passions amid socie…
Level B2AdventurePep: The Story of a Brave DogFollow the journey from fierce wolf ancestors to loyal companions in this thrilling tale of bravery and bond between man and dog, where courage and friendship shine through the wil…
Level C1ClassicsPeople of the Whirlpool: From The Experience Book of a Commuter's WifeAmid the quiet rhythms of a small town, a woman’s journal unfolds tales of family, nature, and the mischievous adventures sparked by two determined children and their inventive, do…
Level C1ClassicsPeople of PositionA battle with South American rebels leaves an Englishman dead and his friend Grierson facing a shattered past and uncertain future.
Level C1ClassicsPeople You KnowWryly observing the colorful characters and everyday follies of small-town life, this collection captures the humor and humanity found just around the corner, told in lively colloq…
Level C1ClassicsPeople Like That: A NovelA young woman embraces independence by moving into a neglected yet charming neighborhood, discovering freedom and self-discovery beyond societal expectations and old friendships.
Level C1HistoricalPenshurst Castle in the Time of Sir Philip SidneyIn the turbulent Elizabethan era, Mary Gifford faces family strife and harsh judgment while her spirited sister Lucy longs for freedom beyond their rural life.
Level C1ClassicsPens and typesDiscover practical guidance and expert tips from a seasoned proof-reader and educator to improve writing, printing, and reading accuracy.
Level C1Children'sPenrod and SamDive into the rambunctious world of childhood as two friends lead daring games of make-believe cavalry battles, where wooden swords and wild imagination turn neighborhoods into thr…
Level C1Children'sPenrodA twelve-year-old boy wrestles with the dread of playing Child Sir Lancelot in a children's pageant, seeking refuge in his secret sawdust stronghold while dreaming of freedom like…
Level B2RomancePenny of Top Hill TrailA rugged cattleman returns from the city with a new purpose after meeting a mysterious young woman trapped in a harsh Chicago dance hall.
Level C1ClassicsPenny PlainIn the misty town of Priorsford, the Jardine family shares quiet moments before young David embarks on his first term at Oxford, while the youngest, Gervase, turns everyday life in…
Level C1PoetryPennsylvania Pilgrim, and other poems: Part 6 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore the journey of German Pietists led by Francis Daniel Pastorius as they establish a harmonious settlement in Pennsylvania, blending faith, culture, and early advocacy agains…
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.