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 B2RomancePatty's PerversitiesAt a lively church picnic, spirited Patty Sanford navigates suitors, social expectations, and family quirks with playful defiance and charm.
Level B2Children'sPatty's Motor CarA curious young girl named Patty wrestles with puzzling riddles and schemes in a sunlit room filled with warmth and color, while navigating the lively social world of her stepmothe…
Level B2MysteryPatty's FriendsAmidst the vibrant social whirl of London’s season, young Patty juggles invitations and explores new friendships while navigating the charm and quirks of English society.
Level B2Children'sPatty's Butterfly DaysAt summer’s end, spirited Patty reluctantly leaves her beloved seashore home and cherished motor-car for a grand mountain adventure, balancing friendship, family, and the promise o…
Level B2Children'sPatty in the CityA young girl leaves her country home for a winter in New York City, where her father’s planned remarriage and a bustling new life promise adventures, challenges, and the chance to…
Level B2Children'sPatty in ParisA determined young girl faces a family debate over her education, resisting the idea of college and boarding school as she plans for a winter full of simple pleasures and unexpecte…
Level B2Children'sPatty at HomeA lively family debate unfolds as young Patty must decide between the charm of Vernondale and the allure of New York for her future home, weighing the joys of small-town life again…
Level B2MysteryPatty and AzaleaA young family settles into their grand new home, Wistaria Porch, where spacious rooms and charming surroundings promise comfort—but mysterious callers and hidden secrets hint that…
Level B2Children'sPatty FairfieldA spirited Southern girl embarks on a year-long journey to live with her four aunts in the North, discovering the diverse ways families live and learning the art of balance and pro…
Level B2RomancePatty BlossomTrapped indoors by an early snowstorm, spirited Patty Blossom finds unexpected delight and intrigue when the artistic and enigmatic Sam Blaney arrives at a cozy lakeside cottage, s…
Level B2ClassicsPatsyIn the wild Irish moors, Mr.
Level C1RomancePatsyAn aging earl mourns lost ancestral lands stolen centuries ago, while his grandson, restless and ambitious, dreams of carving his own path beyond the weight of heritage.
Level C1ClassicsPatrins: To Which Is Added an Inquirendo Into the Wit & Other Good Parts of His Late Majesty King Charles the SecondFollow a reflective scholar’s musings on knowledge, youth, and the pursuit of wisdom through poetic wanderings and sharp critique, as he navigates the tensions between learning and…
Level B2RomancePatricia Brent, SpinsterAt Galvin House, sharp tongues and rigid social codes confine Patricia Brent’s lonely existence, but beneath her quiet exterior lies a woman determined to defy judgment and find co…
Level B2Children'sPatriciaA spirited young girl discovers a scruffy, injured dog and sets out to find him a new home, navigating family objections and forging an unexpected friendship on a sunny June day.
Level C1AdventurePatrañas; or, Spanish Stories, Legendary and TraditionalA journey to a remote Spanish village turns into an unexpected adventure when a storm traps two travelers in a rustic inn, leading to captivating tales of local legends and the ric…
Level B2AdventurePatience Wins: War in the WorksA curious boy eagerly questions his clever uncles about Arrowfield, a mysterious industrial town shrouded in fire, smoke, and gloom.
Level B2ClassicsPatience Sparhawk and Her Times: A NovelIn the rugged pine woods of Monterey, spirited Patience Sparhawk wrestles with her restless nature and the slow pace of life around her, forging a bond with her gentle Spanish frie…
Level C1ClassicsPaths of JudgementIn a serene yet solitary house surrounded by vibrant gardens and sweeping landscapes, tensions stir between Mrs.
Level B2AdventurePathfinder; or, The Missing TenderfootA troop of eager Boy Scouts embarks on a thrilling wilderness adventure, following mysterious birch-bark messages and mastering the secrets of Indian picture writing to track a mis…
Level B2AdventurePat the Lighthouse BoyA frail boy, Pat, escapes a grim, crowded town for the isolated beauty of Lone Rock Lighthouse, where fresh sea air might save his life.
Level B2ClassicsPastorals of DorsetIn the windswept fields of Dorset, Farmer Joyce and his aging shepherd face the challenges of lambing season amid changing seasons and quiet struggles.
Level C1PoetryPastoral Poems by Nicholas Breton, Selected Poetry by George Wither, and Pastoral Poetry by William Browne (of Tavistock)Immerse yourself in the tender world of pastoral poetry, where love, nature, and rustic joys intertwine through the heartfelt verses of Breton, Wither, and Browne, capturing the se…
Level C1Science FictionPastoral AffairOn a desolate Arabian island, Colonel Glinka searches for the elusive Sidi Doctor Stephens amid wary locals and harsh landscapes, uncovering a strange microcosm where survival and…
Level C1HistoricalPastiche and prejudiceExplore the delicate art of literary pastiche as theatrical imitators attempt to revive Sheridan’s classic characters, blending historical style with modern theatrical nuances in a…
Level C1ClassicsPaste JewelsA newlywed couple embarks on married life with high hopes, only to discover that managing household servants—each with their own quirks and loyalties—poses unexpected challenges th…
Level C1PhilosophyPast and Present: Thomas Carlyle's Collected Works, Vol. XIII.England thrives with wealth and industry, yet millions of workers languish in workhouses, trapped by a mysterious curse that forbids them from benefiting from their own labor.
Level C1PhilosophyPast and PresentExploring England’s social and political woes, a powerful thinker confronts the nation’s illusions and calls for honesty, labor dignity, and a new nobility born from work.
Level C1ClassicsPast Redemption: A Drama in Four ActsIn a rustic barn under moonlight, farmers and young women gather for a husking, where lively banter reveals budding romances, rivalries, and the art of courting amidst the simple r…
Level C1ClassicsPassion fruitIn the tropical harbor of Noumea, a charming young officer’s chance encounter with the enigmatic Ribot sisters—beautiful twins with a mysterious past—unfolds amid lingering passion…
Level B2ClassicsPassing of the Third Floor BackA mysterious young stranger arrives at a gloomy Bloomsbury boarding house, where his presence stirs curiosity and unsettles the sharp-tempered landlady.
Level B2ClassicsPassing ByA young man navigates London society and office life while observing the comings and goings of acquaintances with varied ambitions and tastes, revealing a world of fleeting connect…
Level C1ClassicsPassamaquoddy TextsExplore the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Passamaquoddy and Maliseet peoples of Maine and New Brunswick through their unique language, wampum records, and oral tradi…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the French and Italian Notebooks, Volume 2.Explore the rich history and art of Florence through vivid descriptions of the Uffizi gallery's masterpieces, ancient busts, and the enigmatic characters behind them, revealing the…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the French and Italian Notebooks, Volume 1.Embark on a wintry journey through England and France, where biting cold and unfamiliar customs challenge a traveler’s resolve and reveal the stark beauty and subtle hardships of 1…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the French and Italian Notebooks, CompleteEmbark on a chilly mid-19th century journey from England to France, where frosty landscapes and cultural barriers set the stage for a thoughtful exploration of travel, language, an…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the English Notebooks, Volume 2.Step into the intellectual heart of 1856 London, where dissenters and influential writers gather at the Milton Club, sharing speeches, debates, and revealing glimpses of the era’s…
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the English Notebooks, Volume 1.Step into the private journals of a keen observer navigating 1850s England, where candid reflections and vivid insights reveal the mind behind the artist.
Level C1HistoricalPassages from the English Notebooks, CompleteExperience the reflective journey of an American artist living in England, as he shares candid journal entries revealing his keen insights, personal doubts, and the delicate balanc…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 2.Experience the trials and humor of communal living at Brook Farm, where the narrator learns farming, confronts unruly cows, and bonds with a quirky group of settlers striving to bu…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1Immerse yourself in vivid walks through 1830s Salem, where natural beauty and keen observations bring to life seaweed-strewn shores, lively pastures, and the curious habits of pigs…
Level C1ClassicsPassages from a Relinquished Work (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A young man chafes under the stern guardianship of a village parson, rejecting conventional careers to embrace a wandering life as a storyteller.
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)Gawain embarks on perilous quests filled with enchantments, fierce battles, and complex alliances, weaving through castles and courts where love, honor, and magic collide in a rich…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)A young knight embarks on a spiritual and chivalric quest to find the Holy Grail, facing trials that test his honor, faith, and courage in a richly woven Arthurian world.
Level C1ClassicsPartners: A Novel.On a serene spring afternoon, a young woman confronts her guardian's cold calculations about marriage, wealth, and duty, challenging the harsh realities of love and ambition in a w…
Level C1AdventurePartners of the Out-TrailIn the harsh wilderness of British Columbia, a telegraph operator’s solitary life is interrupted when two exhausted strangers, lost in a fierce snowstorm, seek refuge in his remote…
Level B1AdventurePartners of ChanceA young boy and his father leave their struggling ranch behind to journey south to Aunt Jane's Arizona ranch, facing the challenges of a broken family and the wild frontier ahead.
Level B2AdventurePartners ThreeA sixteen-year-old skipper navigates his slow, weathered sloop through the bustling harbor of Greenhaven, hoping for a profitable catch despite recent storms.
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.