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 C1PoetryO. Henry EncoreDive into a collection uncovering the early Texas years of a master storyteller, blending humor, sketches, and vivid life scenes from his days as a pharmacist, clerk, and writer fa…
Level B2AdventureO'er Many Lands, on Many SeasA sturdy ship and her brave crew face eerie calm and looming danger near a hostile shore in the Indian Ocean, where the mission to end slavery and piracy hangs on the mercy of the…
Level C1ClassicsO'Flaherty V.C.: A Recruiting PamphletAmidst the turmoil of 1916 Ireland, a bold recruiting sergeant appeals to discontented Irishmen seeking escape and adventure, challenging prejudices and stirring complex loyalties…
Level B2HistoricalO Pioneers!In a windswept Nebraska town struggling against the harsh prairie, a determined young woman faces the challenges of frontier life while caring for her family and their fragile hope…
Level C1PoetryO May I Join the Choir Invisible! and Other Favorite PoemsExplore stirring reflections on immortality, courage, and loss through evocative verses that celebrate the enduring power of spirit and the human connection across time and tragedy…
Level C1ClassicsNuttie's FatherIn a thriving town rich with schools, churches, and industry, a spirited choir gathers to plan a modest summer outing, stirring debates about culture, community, and the clash of o…
Level C2HistoricalNuts to crack; or Quips, quirks, anecdote and facete of Oxford and Cambridge ScholarsDive into the witty world of Oxford and Cambridge scholars, where quips, quirks, and anecdotes reveal the lively traditions and humorous debates behind these historic institutions.
Level C1ClassicsNuts to crack: A galaxy of puzzles, riddles, conundrums, etc.Dive into a collection of clever puzzles, riddles, and wordplay that challenge your wit and delight your mind with surprising twists and linguistic tricks.
Level C1ClassicsNuts and NutcrackersSatirizing the sensationalism of contemporary writers and society’s appetite for exaggerated tales, this sharp critique exposes the blurred lines between truth and fiction in the p…
Level A2Children'sNursery Lessons, in Words of One SyllableDelightful lessons in simple words teach kindness, nature, and hard work through charming scenes of children, animals, and everyday life, inviting young readers to explore the worl…
Level B1Children'sNursery Comedies: Twelve Tiny Plays for ChildrenA piece of the sky falls on Henny Penny’s head, sparking a whimsical journey with her animal friends to warn the Queen.
Level B2AdventureNurse Heatherdale's StoryA devoted nurse reflects on the day she first spotted a charming group of children, setting the stage for a heartfelt tale of care, companionship, and the quiet dramas of everyday…
Level C1ClassicsNurse ElisiaIn a Lincolnshire household fraught with tension and daily trials, Isabel Elthorne navigates the challenges of family duty and care amid her father’s irritable demands and concern…
Level C1Children'sNumber Three, Winifred PlaceIn a quiet London street, Mrs.
Level C1MysteryNumber SeventeenAmid the bustling streets of London, an artist’s chance encounter with a strikingly beautiful young woman and her enigmatic father sparks curiosity and intrigue, setting the stage…
Level C1MysteryNumber 70, Berlin: A Story of Britain's PerilIn wartime London, two influential businessmen plot to quietly dismiss a potentially dangerous employee who may have overheard their secretive plans.
Level C1ClassicsNumantiaAmidst siege and sacrifice, a city’s fate hangs in the balance as its defenders confront overwhelming odds with unyielding courage and honor, revealing the tragic power and endurin…
Level C1HistoricalNuma RoumestanIn the sun-drenched amphitheatre of Aps, a fervent crowd gathers to celebrate Numa Roumestan, a beloved statesman whose annual arrival stirs the town into a vibrant festival of adm…
Level C1AdventureNuggets in the Devil's Punch Bowl, and Other Australian TalesA fierce rivalry on the shearing board drives Bill Marlock to abandon his pride and set off on a mysterious journey into the rugged Australian wilderness, chasing a haunting dream…
Level C1AdventureNuala O'MalleyAmidst the ravaged lands of Cromwellian Ireland, a wounded horseman haunted by loss encounters a mysterious crone who foretells a storm of war and destiny tied to his bloodline—set…
Level C1AdventureNoémiA daring girl traps herself atop a sheer limestone cliff by destroying the only stairway to her hidden castle, daring anyone below to confront her bold challenge.
Level C1AdventureNow or Never; Or, The Adventures of Bobby Bright: A Story for Young FolksYoung Bobby Bright navigates the challenges of youth with sharp wit and strong principles, facing adventures that test his character and courage.
Level C1AdventureNovelas CortasA cunning gypsy boldly claims to have seen the infamous outlaw Parrón, a bandit who strikes fear across the Granada mountains.
Level C1ClassicsNovel NotesIn the shadowed streets of East London, a boy’s fascination with ghosts turns into a poignant reflection on life, memory, and lost innocence.
Level C1ClassicsNouvellettes of the musiciansStep into the vibrant world of 18th-century musicians where passion, rivalry, and the struggle for recognition unfold.
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 3 of 3In a lush, spring-warmed Cashmere, a young prince's presence stirs excitement as Nourmahal navigates court intrigues and mysterious visitors bearing news of a distant land and a di…
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 2 of 3Amidst the glittering courts and turbulent politics of Mughal India, a prince leads a growing rebellion against his father, the emperor, sparking a fierce struggle for power that t…
Level C1ClassicsNourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 1 of 3In the majestic Himalayan valleys, Kazim Ayas, a scholar and lover, embarks on a perilous quest through shadowy ravines and hidden lakes to rescue his cherished falcon, a precious…
Level C1ClassicsNoughts and Crosses: Stories, Studies and SketchesIn the sweltering heat of London, a diverse group of weary passengers share a silent journey on an overcrowded omnibus, until a young boy's first encounter with the city stirs long…
Level C1ClassicsNotwithstandingA young woman stands on the brink of despair along the turbulent Seine, wrestling with deep inner turmoil beneath the bright Parisian sun.
Level C1RomanceNotre-Dame de ParisIn 15th-century Paris, the ringing bells mark a day of festive chaos blending Epiphany, Feast of Fools, and mystery plays, setting the stage for a tale woven with medieval intrigue…
Level C1ClassicsNotre Coeur; or, A Woman's Pastime: A NovelIn a world where joy turns to misery and noble intentions mask cruel selfishness, a deeply emotional narrative unfolds, exploring the inevitable traps of human life and the relentl…
Level C1PoetryNothing to Say: A Slight Slap at Mobocratic Snobbery, Which Has 'Nothing to Do' with 'Nothing to Wear'A witty satire takes aim at snobbery and the false assumptions tied to wealth and fashion, unveiling the societal fallacies behind appearances with sharp humor and allegorical stor…
Level C1PoetryNothing to EatIn a city where famine is unknown, wealthy Mrs.
Level C1PoetryNothing to Do: A Tilt at Our Best SocietyExplore sharp social commentary and wit in a poetic reflection on the idleness and ennui plaguing society, revealing the ironies and challenges beneath the surface of our best soci…
Level C1RomanceNothing But the TruthA carefree young man faces financial ruin when his father falls on hard times, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of responsibility and the tempting alternative of marriag…
Level B2Science FictionNothing But the BestA man discovers he can travel between parallel worlds—each subtly different—and seeks out his counterpart to reveal the astonishing truth and the secrets that might change everythi…
Level C1PoetryNotes to the Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe ShelleyExplore the passionate and idealistic spirit behind poetry fueled by a relentless quest for human happiness and freedom, where imagination and heartfelt emotion intertwine in vivid…
Level C1ClassicsNotes on the Mangue: An Extinct Dialect Formerly Spoken in NicaraguaExplore the remnants of the Mangue language, once spoken in Nicaragua but now extinct, through rare notes and fragments collected from the last native speakers and historical recor…
Level C1HistoricalNotes on Novelists, with Some Other NotesDive into the intimate world of a beloved novelist whose vivid letters and stories blur the line between life and art, revealing the charm, romance, and secrets behind his celebrat…
Level C1ClassicsNotes on My BooksJourney into distant lands where vivid realities challenge misconceptions and reveal the shared humanity beneath exotic landscapes, as a writer reflects on his evolving relationshi…
Level C1HistoricalNotes on Life & LettersAn intimate collection of letters and essays reveals a reflective mind navigating literature, politics, and personal experience from the late 19th to early 20th century, offering a…
Level C2ClassicsNotes of a Son and BrotherStruggling with the harsh demands of Swiss schooling and a crushing fear of mathematics, a young man navigates family expectations and his own literary passions amid the scenic bac…
Level C1HistoricalNotes from the UndergroundA bitter, self-aware man trapped in spite and inertia confronts his own paralysis and society’s contradictions, revealing a darkly introspective portrait of a disillusioned soul in…
Level C1AdventureNotes By the Way in a Sailor's LifeExperience the perilous voyages and unexpected adventures of a sailor navigating the treacherous seas from China to America in the age of teaclippers, facing storms, mechanical fai…
Level C2MysteryNote Book of an English Opium-EaterDive into a darkly playful exploration where murder is dissected as a twisted art form, blurring the lines between horror and extravagance in a provocative reflection on human fasc…
Level C1HistoricalNotable Women Authors of the Day: Biographical SketchesExplore the lives of pioneering women authors as you step into intimate portraits and revealing conversations, tracing their struggles, ambitions, and breakthroughs in a world that…
Level B2Science FictionNot a Creature Was StirringIn a world where the sun sickens and humanity has mysteriously vanished, Tom Gannett awakens alone in a desolate Nevada desert, unaware he may be the last man on Earth.
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.