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 C1ClassicsMy New CurateWhen a beloved curate is abruptly transferred, his replacement arrives with a mysterious mix of roughness and charm, stirring the quiet parish into unexpected turmoil and revealing…
Level C1ClassicsMy Neighbors: Stories of the Welsh PeopleIn a tightly woven Welsh village, religion shapes every aspect of life—from the preacher's iron grip to the sacrifices of the faithful—revealing a community bound by faith, fear, a…
Level C1RomanceMy Neighbor Raymond (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XI)A chance encounter with a spirited flower girl on the Paris boulevards sparks a playful and determined pursuit through the city’s lively streets, blending wit and charm in a dance…
Level B2ClassicsMy Mother's Rival: Everyday Life Library No. 4Haunted by a dark family secret, Laura Tayne grows up amidst the grandeur of Tayne Abbey, grappling with the shadow cast by her father's crime.
Level C1ClassicsMy Mother's Gold Ring: Founded on FactA devoted wife watches her carpenter husband’s descent into alcoholism, as their once joyful home turns to hardship and heartache.
Level C1ClassicsMy Miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a remote Breton village, a mysterious stranger known as the Fiend-Fisherman defies superstition and isolation, casting a shadow over the lives of the locals while harboring secr…
Level C1ClassicsMy Miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 2)A collection of insightful essays and character sketches explores the art of conversation, social quirks, and human nature with wit and warmth, inviting readers to reflect on the e…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. VI, 1832 to 1833Step into 1830s Paris as an artist and writer navigates lavish costume balls, political unrest, and the looming threat of cholera, blending vivid social scenes with personal and hi…
Level C1HistoricalMy Memoirs, Vol. V, 1831 to 1832Amidst the turbulent political upheavals of 1831-1832 Paris, an artilleryman recounts his role in revolutionary events, encounters with key figures, and the clashes that define a n…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. IV, 1830 to 1831Experience the turbulent streets of Paris during the July Revolution of 1830 through the eyes of a passionate observer, as barricades rise, allegiances shift, and the fate of a nat…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. III, 1826 to 1830Follow the vibrant life of a young aspiring writer navigating the Parisian literary scene of the late 1820s, encountering duels, dramatic successes, and the turbulent cultural shif…
Level C1ClassicsMy Memoirs, Vol. II, 1822 to 1825A vivid journey through early 19th-century France unveils the author's youthful struggles, artistic awakenings, and complex social encounters, painting a rich portrait of ambition…
Level C1HistoricalMy Memoirs, Vol. I, 1802 to 1821Explore the vivid early years of a legendary figure whose family history intertwines with revolutionary France, military exploits, and encounters with Bonaparte, chronicling a turb…
Level C1HistoricalMy Mark Twain (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)Dive into the vivid recollections of a lifelong friendship with Samuel L.
Level B2ClassicsMy Mamie Rose: The Story of My RegenerationBorn into the harsh tenements of New York’s Fourth Ward, a man recounts his journey from illiteracy and hardship to self-belief and literary ambition, revealing the struggle and tr…
Level C1HistoricalMy Lords of Strogue, Vol. 3 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the UnionAmidst political turmoil and brutal repression in Ireland, young Robert Emmett confronts a society on the brink of upheaval, where loyalty clashes with tyranny and the struggle for…
Level C1HistoricalMy Lords of Strogue, Vol. 2 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the UnionAs tensions rise in Ireland, secret plots and shifting loyalties threaten to ignite rebellion against oppressive rule.
Level C1HistoricalMy Lords of Strogue, Vol. 1 (of 3): A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the UnionAmidst Dublin's jubilant crowds celebrating newfound freedom, the Irish Volunteers prepare to challenge a corrupt parliament and demand true representation.
Level C1ClassicsMy Lord DukeWhen a poet discovers a distant Australian heir to a noble title, he faces a choice between duty and passion.
Level B2ClassicsMy Little SisterTwo sisters grow up in the wide, green expanse of Duncombe, where innocence mingles with a protective mother’s stern warnings and the shadows of unspoken fears.
Level C1ClassicsMy Little LadyA young traveler stranded by a train delay finds himself in the quiet village of Chaudfontaine, where a chance encounter in a sunlit garden promises to change his journey—and his l…
Level C1Children'sMy Little BoyA curious little boy explores the world with wide-eyed wonder and fierce honesty, questioning tales and testing truths with innocent defiance.
Level C1ClassicsMy Literary ZooDiscover the whimsical world where famous writers reveal their affection for animals and insects, blending humor, history, and heartfelt stories about their beloved literary pets.
Level C1HistoricalMy Literary PassionsExplore a passionate journey through literary history as the author revisits beloved authors, debates realism versus romanticism, and reflects on the art of fiction and criticism f…
Level C1AdventureMy Life: or the Adventures of Geo. Thompson: Being the Auto-Biography of an Author. Written by Himself.An author candidly chronicles his life and literary career, blending personal faults, fierce independence, and remarkable adventures into a compelling auto-biography that reveals t…
Level C1ClassicsMy Life as an AuthorAn introspective author reluctantly opens a window into his literary life, reflecting on the challenges of autobiography and the delicate balance between personal truth and public…
Level C1ClassicsMy Life and Loves, Vol. 1 (of 4)A fearless memoir revealing a lifetime of love, defiance, and scandal, penned by a man who battles censorship and societal norms to tell his unvarnished truth about passion, art, a…
Level C1PoetryMy Lattice, and Other PoemsExplore a rich tapestry of poems that delve into history, myth, love, and valor, including the stirring saga of Dion of Syracuse—a noble warrior whose courage and tragedy shape an…
Level C1MysteryMy Lady's MoneyWhen a series of mysterious letters from a struggling artist threaten to unravel her late husband's legacy, Lady Lydiard must confront secrets tied to family, art, and unexpected d…
Level B2RomanceMy Lady of the NorthAmid the perilous backdrop of the Civil War, a young captain volunteers for a daring mission to deliver a vital message through enemy lines, risking everything to unite divided for…
Level B2ClassicsMy Lady of the Chimney CornerIn a humble Irish village, young Anna Gilmore’s beauty, devotion, and ambition to become a schoolmistress draw both admiration and concern from her community.
Level C1AdventureMy Lady of DoubtAmid the tense chill of a Revolutionary War winter, a young major is summoned for a secret, perilous mission that could shift the tide of battle.
Level B2Science FictionMy Lady SeleneA young astronaut with a secret family legacy embarks on a perilous moon mission where nothing is as it seems, and every memory blurs between reality and mystery in the cold silenc…
Level C1RomanceMy Lady Rotha: A RomanceAmid the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, a secluded county thrives under the shadow of a feared general’s legacy.
Level C1ClassicsMy Lady Nobody: A NovelOn a scorching July morning, Ursula Rovers toils quietly in her garden, caught between the gentle rhythms of nature and her father’s fervent sermons about life’s spiritual battles.
Level C1ClassicsMy Lady Nicotine: A Study in SmokeA man reflects on his struggle to quit smoking, motivated by love and the promise of marriage, as he navigates the challenges of breaking a deeply ingrained habit and the changing…
Level B2ClassicsMy Lady LudlowIn a world where old customs clash with changing times, a young girl is offered refuge and companionship in the grand household of Lady Ludlow, a proud and strict matriarch navigat…
Level C1RomanceMy Lady ClancartyAmidst blooming roses and political divides, Lady Betty Clancarty grapples with a mysterious marriage to an absent Irish rebel, caught between loyalty, love, and the wide gulf of s…
Level C1RomanceMy Lady CapriceAn author caught between societal expectations and true affection must navigate the sharp-willed Lady Warburton’s schemes to win back his beloved Lisbeth, whose future is threatene…
Level C1AdventureMy Kalulu, Prince, King and Slave: A Story of Central AfricaIn the vibrant lands near Zanzibar, young Selim, son of the noble Sheikh Amer, embarks on a daring expedition into Central Africa, navigating complex alliances, rich cultures, and…
Level B2Children'sMy HonourbrightIn a windswept Cornish fishing village, six Vandeleur sisters are scattered across England and France after tragedy strikes their family.
Level B2AdventureMy HildegardeIn the vibrant, rebellious city of Bolivar, a weary traveler seeks escape from a haunting past amid a dazzling festival of flowers and revolution.
Level C1HistoricalMy Garden AcquaintanceStep into a serene world where the minutiae of nature take center stage, as a thoughtful observer chronicles the habits of birds, insects, and even a beloved tortoise, revealing th…
Level B2RomanceMy Friend the ChauffeurAn English titled amateur automobilist offers ladies a unique tour through Europe, but when a surprising advertisement catches Lord Terence Barrymore's eye, a scheme to turn a moto…
Level B2Children'sMy Friend Smith: A Story of School and City LifeSent away from his village to a strict academy for "backward and troublesome" boys, a twelve-year-old orphan faces the challenges of school rivalries, unruly classmates, and the st…
Level C1RomanceMy Friend ProsperoIn sunlit Italy, Lady Blanchemain arrives at a grand castle promising art and history, only to face unexpected resistance from its guarded keeper.
Level C1ClassicsMy Friend Pasquale, and Other StoriesA young man confronts a brutal dog-fight among coal-heavers on a desolate London road, igniting a fierce and dangerous clash that will alter his life forever.
Level C1ClassicsMy Friend Annabel LeeAn intense friendship blossoms between a young woman and Annabel Lee, a mysterious Japanese statue brought to life by the sea's haunting presence.
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.