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 C1ClassicsMistress and Maid: A Household StoryIn a modest household where three sisters juggle teaching and endless chores, the arrival of a new maid promises change and challenges.
Level C1RomanceMistress WildingA tense, scandalous encounter erupts when a young man insults Mr.
Level C1HistoricalMistress Spitfire: A Plain Account of Certain Episodes in the History of Richard Coope, Gent., and of His Cousin, Mistress Alison French, at the Time of the Revolution, 1642-1644Amid the relentless rain and political turmoil of 1642-1644, Richard Coope grapples with restless boredom and family strife in a damp country house, longing for escape and meaningf…
Level C1RomanceMistress PenwickA young woman raised in a Quebec convent learns she must leave for England under the care of a stern Scottish guardian who controls her inheritance and marriage prospects.
Level C1HistoricalMistress Nell: A Merry Tale of a Merry TimeIn Restoration England, amidst royal intrigues and vibrant theatre nights, the spirited Nell Gwyn navigates a world of wit, revelry, and courtly charm, where love and laughter mask…
Level B2RomanceMistress Nancy Molesworth: A Tale of AdventureA proud young heir faces ruin when he inherits a heavily mortgaged estate, forcing him to choose between strict economy or a strategic marriage—despite his bitter distrust of women…
Level C1HistoricalMistress MargeryIn 1395 Lovell Tower bustles with springtime preparations, where the delicate yet accomplished Mistress Margery navigates her noble duties and secret scholarly pursuits, revealing…
Level B2ClassicsMistress AnneIn a quiet riverside lodge, a young schoolteacher yearns for youthful companionship and vibrant life beyond her simple, isolated world.
Level C1ClassicsMissy: A NovelAs Missy anxiously prepares for an unwelcome guest in her quiet, carefully arranged home, tensions rise between duty and personal feelings, hinting at complex family dynamics and t…
Level C1Children'sMissyAt ten years old, Melissa begins to experience a profound, new feeling during Sunday school—a mix of awe, music, and sunlight that stirs her soul and blurs the line between reality…
Level C1MysteryMississippi Outlaws and the Detectives: Don Pedro and the Detectives; Poisoner and the DetectivesIn the lawless post-war South, daring express robberies and elusive outlaws challenge the wits and courage of detectives determined to bring justice.
Level B2Science FictionMissionAn alien explorer from a dying Mars lands on Earth to assess its primitive tree-dwelling inhabitants and determine if the planet can sustain a Martian colony, wielding devastating…
Level B2ClassicsMissingAs war looms, two sisters navigate the fragile balance of duty and independence in a quiet Lakeland town, where love, loss, and the looming front test their bond and future.
Level C1MysteryMiss or Mrs.?Aboard a silent schooner yacht, tensions ripple beneath the calm sea as Richard Turlington oversees a holiday voyage with his medical attendant and the Graybrooke family, sparking…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Theodosia's HeartstringsMiss Theodosia returns home after years away to find unexpected chaos and charm in the care of spirited children, a mysterious Stefana, and the struggles of a hardworking mother.
Level B2ClassicsMiss Theodora: A West End StoryIn Boston’s old West End, Miss Theodora devotes herself to raising her orphaned nephew Ernest, determined to restore their family’s lost fortune and honor despite fading wealth and…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Stuart's LegacyAt an Indian railway station, a young Englishwoman arrives alone, clutching a wedding cake box, sparking curiosity and concern among seasoned Anglo-Indian residents who warn her th…
Level C1RomanceMiss Sarah Jack of Spanish Town, JamaicaIn a fading Jamaican paradise, Maurice Cumming battles relentless misfortune to keep his family sugar estate alive amid the island’s social upheaval and economic decline.
Level B2Children'sMiss Santa Claus of the PullmanIn a bustling little shop, young William discovers the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus through whispered tales and secret glimpses, while his caretakers prepare for a holiday fi…
Level C1HistoricalMiss Ravenel's conversion from secession to loyaltyIn the aftermath of Fort Sumter's fall, a loyal young lawyer in New Boston meets Miss Lillie Ravenel, a Southern exile torn between secession and loyalty.
Level C1Children'sMiss Prudence: A Story of Two Girls' Lives.Eleven-year-old Marjorie wrestles with the challenges of school, self-doubt, and the longing to be understood beyond her mistakes and absent-mindedness.
Level C1Children'sMiss Primrose: A NovelIn a quaint Devonshire village, the warm-hearted Letitia Primrose charms children and neighbors alike, weaving gentle tales of friendship and childhood wonder beneath grapevines an…
Level C1RomanceMiss PrimroseIn a bleak coastal town, determined Pauline confronts her indecisive father amid financial struggles and looming decisions, challenging family dynamics and the weight of unspoken r…
Level B1Children'sMiss Polly WigglesIn the charming countryside home called The Lilacs, three spirited sisters—Jeannette, Elizabeth (nicknamed Polly Wiggles), and little Evelyn—enjoy summer adventures filled with fri…
Level C1RomanceMiss Philly Firkin, The China-WomanIn bustling Belford Regis, Philadelphia Firkin runs a charming glass and china shop, blending business with sharp wit and local gossip.
Level B2AdventureMiss Peck's Adventures: The Second Part of The Conceited PigMiss Peck sets out alone through a dark, eerie lane on a mission to reach the Queen’s house, battling fearsome shadows and unexpected dangers.
Level B2RomanceMiss Numè of Japan: A Japanese-American RomanceBound by a promise made in childhood, Orito embarks on a journey to America for an education that will shape his future—and unite him with Numè, his spirited betrothed, amid the cl…
Level B2Children'sMiss Mouse and Her BoysIn a lively nursery filled with five mischievous boys, a quiet, curious little girl dressed in grey arrives, sparking gentle chaos and tender moments as she navigates the boisterou…
Level C1ClassicsMiss MoleMiss Hannah Mole navigates the constraints of her modest life as a companion, weaving small deceptions and adventures in the quiet streets of Radstowe.
Level B2ClassicsMiss Mink's Soldier and Other StoriesIn a small town gripped by war, a fiercely independent woman resists the call to host a soldier for Sunday dinner—until a mysterious Russian soldier chooses her, challenging her fe…
Level C1Children'sMiss Minerva and William Green HillA spirited boy from the plantation arrives at his Aunt Minerva’s home, bringing with him lively tales and a colorful family history that challenges her prim ways.
Level C1Children'sMiss Merivale's MistakeIn a cozy Chelsea flat, Miss Merivale and her young companions navigate school life, ambitions, and social intrigues, while discovering unexpected friendships and the charm of simp…
Level C1ClassicsMiss MeredithA young woman faces the bittersweet choice to leave her devoted family in London for a governess position in a grand Pisan palace, stepping into a world of art, culture, and new be…
Level C1MysteryMiss Mephistopheles: A Novel: (Sequel to Madame Midas.)On a gloomy Melbourne evening, two contrasting young men—an idealistic pianist-turned-journalist and a rugged sportsman-aspiring writer—find themselves drawn into a web of mystery…
Level C1ClassicsMiss Mehetabel's SonIn a forgotten New Hampshire crossroads, an old tavern clings to life amid fading mail-coaches and lost towns.
Level B2ClassicsMiss McDonaldA young man’s sudden decision to marry a mysterious sixteen-year-old girl with only her beauty to recommend her sparks suspicion and unease among those who know him best, as prepar…
Level C1RomanceMiss MarjoribanksAfter her mother's death, young Lucilla Marjoribanks resolves to transform her household and become the devoted sunshine of her widowed father's life, all while navigating the chal…
Level C1ClassicsMiss MappIn a quaint town, a sharp-eyed woman watches her neighbors with suspicion and curiosity from her strategic window, uncovering the secret lives and social intrigues of those around…
Level C1MysteryMiss Maitland, Private SecretaryAmidst the unraveling of a wealthy family's troubled marriage, secrets and societal judgments collide at Grasslands estate, where loyalties are tested and a private secretary might…
Level C1RomanceMiss MackenzieMiss Mackenzie navigates the complexities of family legacy and social expectations after inheriting wealth from her estranged relatives.
Level C1ClassicsMiss Lulu BettIn a quiet household where roles are rigid and voices gentle, Lulu Bett lives as the invisible burden beneath polite appearances.
Level C1Science FictionMiss Ludington's SisterA young woman’s vibrant youth is shattered by a devastating illness that leaves her disfigured and isolated, forcing her to confront a life overshadowed by loss and fading memories…
Level B2Children'sMiss Lochinvar: A Story for GirlsA lively family’s orderly life is upended when their cousin Janet arrives from the West to join them for the winter, stirring surprise, tension, and new connections amid the bustle…
Level C1MysteryMiss Hildreth: A Novel, Volume 3When Patricia Hildreth is suddenly arrested on a shocking criminal warrant, her friends race against time to uncover the truth and rescue her from the grim confines of prison, expo…
Level C1HistoricalMiss Hildreth: A Novel, Volume 2In the shadow of Russia’s oppressive Petropavlovsk fortress, young Ivor Tolskoi navigates a world of secret police, imperial intrigue, and forbidden love, where hope flickers amid…
Level C1RomanceMiss Hildreth: A Novel, Volume 1A broken engagement leads a woman to seek the comfort of an old love, stirring memories of youth, passion, and regret.
Level C1ClassicsMiss Heck's Thanksgiving Party; or, Topsy Up To DateIn a small town where servants are scarce, Miss Myra Heck, a clever and spirited young woman, navigates the challenges of her station with wit and flair.
Level B2Children'sMiss Grantley's Girls, and the Stories She Told ThemIn a charming suburban school, Miss Grantley nurtures a close-knit group of girls with stories, lessons, and laughter, blending education with warmth and imagination in the cozy Li…
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.