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 C1PoetryOklahoma and Other PoemsExplore the vibrant spirit and rich heritage of Oklahoma through stirring poems that celebrate its landscapes, people, and history, capturing the hopes and strength of a land forgi…
Level B2PoetryOklahoma SunshineExperience the heartfelt reflections and witty observations of everyday life in early Oklahoma, where humor, philosophy, and the simple joys of humanity shine through verse and pro…
Level B2MysteryOkewood of the Secret ServiceA struggling music-hall artist faces a sudden, unexpected opportunity just as his daughter rises through the ranks at the War Office, weaving a tale of ambition, hardship, and secr…
Level B2AdventureOh, You Tex!In the vast, sunlit Panhandle, a young line-rider named Texas roams alone, skillfully rounding up stray cattle across untamed desert expanses.
Level B2RomanceOh, Money! Money! A NovelA wealthy man struggles with how to spend his vast fortune and what will become of it after he's gone, wrestling with distrust of charities, reluctance to marry, and the meaning of…
Level B2RomanceOh! Susannah!: A Farcical Comedy in Three ActsIn a bustling London consulting room, devoted servant Aurora anxiously awaits her beloved doctor's return, unaware that his sudden departure and mysterious telegram may signal more…
Level C1AdventureOfficer and Man: 1901A loyal island resident confronts a high-ranking naval officer with urgent news about a Navy deserter, sparking tension amid the backdrop of colonial Levuka and the strict discipli…
Level C1ClassicsOff-Hand Sketches, a Little Dashed with HumorA devoted preacher faces the harsh realities of a remote, indifferent circuit, where poverty and ignorance challenge his faith and resolve.
Level B2AdventureOff to the Wilds: Being the Adventures of Two BrothersTwo English brothers navigate life on a remote Drakensberg farm, where wild adventures and unexpected friendships with local Zulu boys challenge their notions of loyalty and surviv…
Level B2AdventureOff to Sea: The Adventures of Jovial Jack Junker on his Road to FameA cheerful boy named Jack Junker grows up in a lively, blended family, navigating the challenges of a new stepmother and her unruly children while dreaming of a life at sea.
Level C1Science FictionOff on a Comet! a Journey through Planetary SpaceA sudden cosmic collision sweeps a diverse group of people onto a comet, transforming it into a strange new home with air, water, and fragments of Earth.
Level B2AdventureOff Santiago with SampsonA daring boy defies "Keep Out" signs to explore a bustling coal yard where a mighty iron steamer rests silent.
Level C1AdventureOff Sandy Hook, and other storiesA transatlantic voyage becomes a wild adventure as a reporter encounters a menagerie of exotic animals aboard a liner bound for New York, including a mysterious elephant and a roar…![Cover of Of the making of a book by D. Appleton and Company [Compiler]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da94cstnmvfc73bilhrg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsOf the making of a bookDiscover the meticulous craft behind turning a manuscript into a printed book, with practical guidance on preparing, submitting, and proofreading text to avoid common pitfalls and…
Level C1ClassicsOf the Orthographie and Congruitie of the Britan Tongue: A Treates, noe shorter than necessarie, for the SchoolesExplore the origins of English spelling and grammar through a rare manuscript penned by a renowned 17th-century Scottish schoolmaster, revealing the linguistic education and schola…
Level C1ClassicsOf one blood: or, The hidden selfIn a bleak Boston setting, Reuel Briggs grapples with isolation, poverty, and a haunting knowledge of supernatural phenomena that could upend scientific understanding.
Level B2ClassicsOf no accountA young man burdened by loss and hardship struggles to find hope and love in a bleak home where his mother has "given up.
Level B2ClassicsOf High DescentAmid rugged coastal cliffs and the relentless Atlantic currents, a sharp-witted fisherman navigates the challenges of sea, family, and the bustling harbor town below, where voices…
Level C1AdventureOf Captain MissionA daring pirate captain founds Libertalia, a radical utopia challenging the injustice and corruption of 18th-century society.
Level C1AdventureOdysseus, the Hero of Ithaca: Adapted from the Third Book of the Primary Schools of Athens, GreeceEmbark on the epic journey of Odysseus, a cunning hero whose adventures span from the fall of Troy to his perilous voyage home to Ithaca, blending bravery, wisdom, and the timeless…
Level B2RomanceOdeyne's marriageA charming yet impulsive young man faces the challenges of marriage to a country clergyman’s daughter, sparking concerns and hopes about how their union will transform their lives…
Level B2RomanceOdette's Marriage: A Novel, from the French of Albert Delpit, Translated from the "Revue des Deux Mondes," by Emily PrescottIn a sunlit seaside estate, Odette’s once vibrant spirit dims under society’s watchful eyes and her own restless heart, as she navigates the clash between personal freedom and rigi…
Level C1HistoricalOddsfish!A young English nobleman navigates the intricate politics and secret missions of 17th-century Europe, summoned unexpectedly to the Vatican for a mysterious audience with the Pope.
Level C1ClassicsOdds and endsStranded on a desolate Irish road as night falls, two determined ladies face a breakdown and the eerie solitude of the countryside.
Level B2Children'sOdd made evenBetty grapples with restless moods and life's disappointments beneath her mother's watchful eye in rainy London society.
Level C1ClassicsOdd Numbers: Being Further Chronicles of Shorty McCabeIn a bustling city, a good-natured local finds himself roped into helping a bashful stranger navigate the bewildering world of extravagant millinery, sparking a quirky adventure th…
Level B2Children'sOddIn a cozy nursery barred from the outside world, five spirited children pass the dull winter afternoons with tales spun from the muffin man's rounds—until jealousy, mischief, and p…
Level C2PoetryOctober, and Other Poems; with Occasional Verses on the WarExplore a collection of evocative poems capturing moments from peaceful autumn scenes to the turmoil of war, blending classical forms with stirring reflections on history, patrioti…
Level C1ClassicsOctober VagabondsAs summer fades, a weary soul retreats to a secluded woodland shack, seeking solace and renewal in nature's embrace.
Level B2HistoricalOctavia, the OctoroonAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a skilled quadroon named Simon rises to manage a vast Alabama plantation, navigating the harsh realities of slavery and war while his sister, Els…
Level C1AdventureOcean TrampsIn the sultry Pacific paradise of Papaleete, rugged seafarers Billy Harman and Davis plot a daring escape from a crooked past, caught between island beauty, treacherous deals, and…
Level C1PoetryOccasional Poems: Part 3 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore heartfelt reflections on nature, faith, and labor through evocative poems inspired by American landscapes and timeless themes of hope, toil, and renewal.
Level C1ClassicsObservations of a Retired VeteranA retired veteran reflects with humor and heartfelt insight on the small, vivid moments of life—from a boy's first bare feet of spring to the trials and joys found in everyday huma…
Level C1ClassicsObservations By Mr. DooleyDive into the witty and sharp observations of everyday life, culture, and human nature as seen through the eyes of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsOblomovA gentle, lethargic nobleman drifts through life in his worn Persian dressing gown, embodying a quiet apathy that blurs the line between grace and inertia.
Level B2RomanceObject: matrimonyStruggling to save his mortgaged buildings in a tough New York neighborhood, a sharp salesman faces fierce rivals and complicated family ties.
Level B2RomanceObject, MatrimonyIn a gaudy mansion called the Hall of Mirth, three men face a dull winter without dances or company, pondering the pleasures and pitfalls of women and marriage as they navigate lon…
Level C1HistoricalObiter DictaExplore a rich tapestry of criticism, biography, history, and philosophy as the author delves into the multifaceted legacy of Thomas Carlyle, revealing the complexities of a man wh…
Level C1ClassicsObil, Keeper of CamelsIn a land where whispers and legends intertwine, Obil, the mysterious keeper of camels, balances his wild desert heritage with a deep devotion to faith and family.
Level C1PoetryOberon and PuckDive into a rich collection of verses blending whimsy and wisdom, where fairy tales, classical dialogues, and reflective songs intertwine to evoke both laughter and thought.
Level B2Children'sOakleighIn a grand house named Oakleigh, siblings Edith, Jack, and Cynthia navigate family responsibilities and dreams, as Jack proposes a daring plan to raise chickens for profit—challeng…
Level C1AdventureOak OpeningsJourney through the vast, fertile West where the wonders of nature and the mysteries of Providence intertwine, revealing a landscape rich with adventure and profound truths about h…
Level C1ClassicsO. T., A Danish RomanceCelebrate the exhilarating moment when youthful scholars pass their first exam and step into newfound freedom, as a lively group of friends gather to honor their achievements with…
Level C1PoetryO. Henryana: Seven Odds and Ends, Poetry and Short StoriesDive into a collection where sharp wit meets tender moments, weaving poetry and poignant stories of love, struggle, and the human spirit—from a fevered bedside to a moonlit lunar d…![Cover of O. Henry memorial award prize stories of 1923 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daffjela8p2c739iu800.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry memorial award prize stories of 1923Dive into a diverse collection of the finest short stories of 1923, chosen by a committee of editors, critics, and writers for their compelling characters and masterful storytellin…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award prize stories of 1927 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafhudda8p2c739iukc0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award prize stories of 1927Dive into a captivating collection of the year’s finest short stories, featuring unforgettable characters and vivid tales that explore human dreams, justice, and the spirit beyond…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagisckup3dc73d99dg0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920Discover a curated collection of the finest American short stories from 1920, each reflecting the spirit and life of the era through award-winning narratives chosen by a distinguis…![Cover of O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919 by Society of Arts and Sciences [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jhtipmtvc73csnm4g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsO. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1919Dive into a curated collection of the finest American short stories of 1919, each chosen to honor the spirit and wit of a beloved New York storyteller, offering a rich tapestry of…
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.