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 B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 13In a desolate, haunting landscape, an old boatman reveals the eerie tale of Old Judas, a mysterious wanderer believed to be the legendary Wandering Jew, whose strange presence and…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 12A devoted widower dotes on his late wife's child, showering him with love and indulgence despite warnings from their stern nurse.
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 11In a household ruled by frugality and pride, a simple umbrella becomes a battleground of secrets and tempers, revealing the hidden tensions beneath a seemingly comfortable marriage…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 10In a bleak Breton village, a ship's surgeon witnesses the harsh customs and the devastating grip of alcohol on a rugged coastal community, revealing a chilling tale of tradition, s…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 09In a quaint Norman hamlet, the larger-than-life innkeeper Toine, famed for his fiery cognac and boisterous charm, holds court at "The Friends' Meeting-Place," where laughter, local…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 08In a rural village, a boy’s vivid memories of Mother Clochette—a mysterious, bearded seamstress with a captivating presence—unfold through haunting tales and simple adventures that…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 07A devoted husband mourns his virtuous wife who adored imitation jewelry, only to face financial ruin after her death.
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 06A struggling clerk from a fallen aristocratic family seizes a rare chance to brighten his family's bleak existence with a country outing, but his inexperience and pride may turn th…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 05A devoted father navigates the complexities of family tension and unspoken struggles during quiet moments with his son.
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 04In a rural farmstead, a dying man’s final hours cast a quiet shadow over daily life, revealing the harsh realities and stoic resilience of a peasant family as they prepare for the…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 03A group sets out on a serene autumn morning along the Normandy coast, where an old painter begins to recount his saddest love affair, blending memories of rustic romance with the e…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 02Amid the harsh aftermath of war, a determined French colonel leads his exhausted troops through a snow-covered landscape, where a mysterious encounter with a vulnerable woman spark…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Short Stories — Volume 01Explore vivid tales rooted in the landscapes and lives of Normandy, where youthful discovery and literary passion intertwine to reveal the early inspirations of a master storytelle…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Plays, Second SeriesOn a mystical island where love and sorrow intertwine, a deformed dwarf hides secrets that unravel amid veils and moonlight.![Cover of Original Plays [First Series] by W. S. Gilbert](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dackl4fvk76c73frb4l0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Plays [First Series]In a whimsical fairyland above the clouds, ethereal beings grapple with love and desire when mortal knights descend, igniting passions and conflicts that blur the lines between mag…
Level B2ClassicsOriginal Penny Readings: A Series of Short SketchesA spirited reflection on the value of hard work and contentment, this series of sketches challenges social pretensions and celebrates the sturdy worth of the common man amidst life…
Level C1ClassicsOriginal Letters and Biographic EpitomesA detailed critique delves into the ambitious yet flawed depiction of "Ecce Homo," exploring the tension between artistic skill and spiritual expression in this intense portrayal o…
Level C1Children'sOriental tales, for the entertainment of youth: Selected from the most eminent English writersTwo brothers face fortune and misfortune after their merchant father’s death—one cast out, the other prospering—leading to a tale of rivalry, redemption, and unexpected reconciliat…
Level B2Science FictionOrdeal in SpaceIn the depths of space, Lieutenant Mike Logan faces a deadly mission: transport the man who murdered his brother to Earth for execution, all while wrestling with his burning desire…
Level C1ClassicsOratory Sacred and Secular; Or, The Extemporaneous Speaker: With Sketches of the Most Eminent Speakers of All AgesExplore the art of extemporaneous speaking through practical guidance and reflections on the power of natural, spontaneous speech, drawing on insights from history’s most eminent o…
Level C1ClassicsOration on VoltaireIn the shadow of revolution and social upheaval, a powerful oration celebrates Voltaire’s legacy as a beacon of progress and reason, challenging old creeds and inspiring humanity t…
Level C1ClassicsOranges and lemonsWhen a distant island governor’s wife entrusts her delicate daughter to a reluctant bachelor uncle, old family tensions and cultural clashes surface, challenging notions of duty, i…
Level C1AdventureOrange and Green: A Tale of the Boyne and LimerickAmid the ruins of Castle Davenant, young Walter Davenant navigates the fierce aftermath of Cromwell's conquest in Ireland, where land is seized, loyalties are divided, and ancient…
Level C1ClassicsOptionsIn post-Civil War Georgia, Colonel Telfair takes the helm of The Rose of Dixie magazine, determined to revive Southern pride through literature and history while navigating the cha…
Level B2RomanceOpposite neighboursTwo soon-to-be-married couples prepare to start new lives as neighbors on Myrtle Street, where friendships, hopes, and hidden challenges bloom alongside their gardens.
Level B2Children'sOpportunitiesA young girl’s gentle spirit shines through a challenging morning as she navigates family tensions and reaches out to a troubled boy, discovering the promise of kindness and growth…
Level C1ClassicsOpinionsExplore the restless mind of a novelist grappling with the life of opinions—how they form, change, and shape both writer and character alike.
Level B2Science FictionOperation LorelieIn a post-apocalyptic world where war has wiped out life, two men venture into a ruined city to uncover the fate of missing teams.
Level C1ClassicsOpenings in the Old TrailA boy’s simple journey to the post-office turns into a curious adventure when he encounters a mysterious woman near the mining tunnels, sparking a tale of youthful tenacity, secret…
Level B2AdventureOpening the iron trailIn the thrilling race to build the transcontinental railroad, follow Terry Richards and his comrades as they battle the rugged plains and mountains, laying iron rails that will uni…
Level B2HistoricalOpening the West With Lewis and Clark: By Boat, Horse and Foot Up the Great River Missouri, Across the Stony Mountains and on to the Pacific, When in the Years 1804, 1805, 1806, Young Captain Lewis, the Long Knife, and His Friend Captain Clark, the Red Head Chief, Aided by Sacajawea, the Birdwoman, Conducted Their Little Band of Men Tried and True Through the Unknown New United StatesJoin Captains Lewis and Clark as they lead a daring expedition through uncharted American territories, navigating rivers, mountains, and meeting Native guides like Sacajawea, to cl…
Level C1ClassicsOpening a Chestnut BurrA weary young man battles physical and spiritual exhaustion amid the harsh realities of city life, searching for renewed strength and purpose.
Level C1PoetryOpen WaterExplore the bold lyric journey that challenges traditional rhyme and rhythm, unveiling the modern spirit's raw, intimate emotions through unbound verse and a fresh poetic voice bre…
Level B2HistoricalOowikapun, or, How the Gospel reached the Nelson River IndiansA young Indian hunter’s quiet life is shattered by a fierce encounter with a trapped wolf, sparking a profound inner awakening.
Level C1AdventureOonomoo the HuronIn the vibrant Ohio wilderness, a Dutchman married to a Shawnee widow navigates the challenges of family life amid the tensions and traditions of Native American village life, wher…
Level B2RomanceOnly one loveA young man lost in the ancient and mysterious Forest of Warden must navigate its shadowy paths as night falls, hoping for rescue amid the wild—and perhaps discovering more than ju…
Level B2ClassicsOnly an Irish GirlIn a windswept Irish village, young Honor Blake faces the legacy of her family's troubled past and the arrival of a charming Englishman, igniting passions and rivalries that threat…
Level B2Children'sOnly an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's FortunesA spirited Irish boy with a determined heart clashes with a proud young aristocrat as he seeks work and a place to belong in a new village, standing up for his family and himself a…
Level C1ClassicsOnly an IncidentIn the idyllic town of Joppa, where leisure and tradition reign supreme, the lives of refined inhabitants intertwine amid picturesque lakeside charm and societal expectations.
Level C1HistoricalOnly an Ensign: A Tale of the Retreat from Cabul, Volume 3 (of 3)In the tense aftermath of the Kabul retreat, a proud nobleman confronts a cunning solicitor amid opulent surroundings, where secrets, rivalries, and schemes threaten to unravel hon…
Level C1RomanceOnly an Ensign: A Tale of the Retreat from Cabul, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the harsh Afghan landscape, British officers navigate danger and duty in a beleaguered fort near Cabul.
Level C1HistoricalOnly an Ensign: A Tale of the Retreat from Cabul, Volume 1 (of 3)Amidst family pressures and societal expectations, a reluctant officer navigates the challenges of honor, duty, and personal desire during the harrowing retreat from Cabul.
Level A2RomanceOnly a girl's loveA gifted painter finds solace in the tranquil English countryside, where nature's beauty inspires dreams and unspoken passions.
Level B1AdventureOnly a farm boy; or, Dan Hardy's rise in lifeA determined farm boy toils under a harsh employer, dreaming of a better life after his mother's death leaves him penniless.
Level C1MysteryOnly a clodAn elegant young ensign, stuck in a harsh Tasmanian convict settlement, battles frustration and isolation while managing a motley crew under a relentless sun.
Level C1ClassicsOnly a Girl: or, A Physician for the Soul.In a neglected German estate, young Ernestine battles harsh authority and isolation, her fragile body mirroring the decay around her.
Level C1HistoricalOnesimus: Memoirs of a Disciple of St. PaulBorn a foundling and raised as a slave, Onesimus recounts his journey from abandonment and bondage to spiritual freedom through the teachings of St.
Level B2MysteryOne-Way Ticket to NowhereA space traveler returns to Earth to find his twin brother entangled in a dangerous web of family conflict and business intrigue.
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.