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 B2Children'sMilly and OllyTwo young siblings, Milly and Olly, learn they’re headed for a summer adventure not by the sea, but in the sparkling mountain valleys their mother loves—where nature, family, and p…
Level C1MysteryMilly DarrellAt nineteen, a young governess leaves her loving home to face the bleak, lonely world of Albury Lodge, where cold halls and stern faces challenge her courage and resolve.
Level A2Children'sMillions of catsAn elderly couple longs for a single cat but returns home followed by millions, sparking a chaotic contest of vanity among the cats.
Level B2ClassicsMillbank;As the old squire lies in state, his sudden death casts a shadow over Millbank, where his grandson Frank faces a future tied to the grand estate—and the complex family tensions tha…
Level B2Science FictionMilk RunA rusty freighter crew drifts through hyperspace on a routine run, unaware that the mysterious alien creatures they've loaded are awakening—and taking over their ship.
Level C1AdventureMilitary Memoirs of Capt. George CarletonAn English captain’s firsthand account reveals daring naval battles and sieges across Europe and Spain during the turbulent reigns of King Charles and King James II.
Level C1AdventureMiles Wallingford: Sequel to "Afloat and Ashore"Amidst political unrest and personal trials, a seasoned mariner confronts the turbulent social currents of his time while battling peril at sea and the fragile bonds of family loya…
Level C1RomanceMiles Tremenhere: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 2A husband’s deep love spirals into dark jealousy as he battles haunting fears of losing his wife’s affection, revealing a fragile heart caught between passion and despair in their…
Level C1RomanceMiles Tremenhere: A Novel. Vol. 1 of 2Seventeen years old and orphaned, Minnie yearns for the elusive love she’s only just beginning to imagine, caught between the watchful eyes of her aunts, uncle, and a trio of suito…
Level C1Children'sMiles LawsonIn a secluded mountain valley, the old Lawson homestead, known as "The Yews," shelters a family bound by faith, tradition, and the enduring strength of nature’s ancient guardians.
Level B2Children'sMildred's New DaughterFour young siblings navigate the tender challenges of illness and hope as their father battles sickness, while their devoted mother cares for him and they find comfort in family lo…
Level B2Children'sMildred's Married Life, and a Winter with Elsie Dinsmore: A sequel to Mildred and ElsieA newly married couple navigates the joys and small trials of domestic life, where love deepens amid charming routines and playful challenges.
Level B2Children'sMildred at Roselands: A Sequel to Mildred KeithA young girl’s health falters after devoted nursing, stirring her family’s hopes for a healing journey to a milder climate.
Level B2Children'sMildred at Home: With Something About Her Relatives and Friends.: A sequel to Mildred's married life.A young girl named Elsie navigates life at home with her loving father and devoted nurse, finding comfort amid quiet rooms and tender care.
Level B2Children'sMildred and ElsieAmidst a breathtaking mountain landscape, Mildred faces a heart-wrenching decision that could shape her entire future and beyond.
Level C1Children'sMildred KeithAs the Keith family prepares to leave their beloved village of Lansdale for Indiana, young Mildred faces the bittersweet challenge of new beginnings, unexpected adventures, and the…
Level C1ClassicsMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)In a bustling legal office, new conductor Mr.
Level C1RomanceMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)A young college boy, forbidden from entering the exclusive Bishop’s Garden, finds a golden locket belonging to the spirited Georgina Beauclerc and dares to deliver it himself, spar…
Level C1ClassicsMildred Arkell: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a town divided by class and commerce, William Arkell, a well-educated gentleman, chooses to join his father’s manufacturing business, navigating the tensions between aristocracy…
Level C1Children'sMildredA stormy evening brings a mysterious letter to Judge Howell, offering him a baby girl to adopt, just as his son returns home burdened by love and loss.
Level B2Children'sMike Marble: His Crotchets and Oddities.Discover the curious world of whims and peculiar fancies through lively tales that celebrate the quirky turns of the mind, inviting readers to embrace the odd and delightful crotch…
Level C1ClassicsMike Fletcher: A NovelIn the lively heart of London’s Temple district, a young man entangles himself in the bohemian world of artists, courtesans, and idealists while drawing a nun away from her convent…
Level B2ClassicsMike Flannery On Duty and OffA dedicated express company worker faces the challenge of delivering a delicate cargo—a deceased Angora cat—while navigating the quirks of his slow assistant and a particular custo…
Level B2Children'sMignon; or, Bootles' BabyA cavalry captain’s quiet night is shattered when he discovers a mysterious baby alone in his quarters, setting off a heartfelt tale of unexpected responsibility and compassion ami…
Level C1Children'sMighty Mikko: A Book of Finnish Fairy Tales and Folk TalesDive into enchanting Finnish folklore where clever animals and mystical figures weave tales filled with charm, humor, and the rich spirit of lakes and forests.
Level B2ClassicsMightier than the SwordA down-on-his-luck journalist races against time to catch the last train home, navigating London's bustling streets and the shifting world of journalism.
Level C1HistoricalMidwinter: Certain Travellers in Old EnglandIn 1763, a curious manuscript emerges, revealing secret episodes from Samuel Johnson’s life and his complex feelings about Scotland during turbulent times.
Level B2Children'sMidsummer at Hay-LodgeA boy returns home for midsummer, bringing joy and gifts to his family, while an unexpected invitation from their eccentric Uncle Paul promises haymaking, fishing, gardens, and new…
Level B2AdventureMidshipman MerrillA determined young midshipman crafts a perfect model ship to raise funds for his ailing mother, but faces ridicule and challenges from local youths in a rugged Maine seaport.
Level B2ClassicsMidnight WebsA seasoned commissionnaire with a missing sleeve recounts his overlooked wartime experiences alongside Her Majesty’s 156th Light Infantry, revealing grit, humor, and unexpected cam…
Level B2AdventureMidnight Jack, or The road-agentStranded in a remote valley, a whisky smuggler battles a broken wagon and relentless pursuit, while the notorious outlaw Midnight Jack lurks nearby, ready to turn the treacherous C…
Level B2MysteryMidnight In Beauchamp Row: 1895On a stormy Christmas Eve, a young bride is left alone with a bag of cash her husband must protect at all costs, setting the stage for a night filled with tension and mystery in a…
Level C1AdventureMiddy and EnsignAboard Her Majesty’s ship “Startler,” a spirited midshipman and a proud young ensign clash amid the vivid tropical backdrop of the Malay peninsula, where British forces prepare for…
Level C1Science FictionMicromegasA towering philosopher from Sirius embarks on a cosmic journey to Saturn, challenging earthly perspectives with wit and wisdom.
Level C1ClassicsMicrocosmography: or, a Piece of the World Discovered; in Essays and CharactersDive into vivid essays that reveal the quirks, vices, and virtues of 17th-century life through sharp character sketches, blending wit, piety, and keen observation to uncover the wo…![Cover of Michel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — Complete by Gilbert Parker](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da63fmi7a4gs73ek2680.webp)
Level C1RomanceMichel and Angele [A Ladder of Swords] — CompleteAmidst the turmoil of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a tender romance unfolds between Michel de la Foret and Angele Aubert, whose love story is pieced together from faded letters and chu…
Level C1AdventureMichael, Brother of JerryA passionate exposé reveals the brutal cruelty behind trained-animal performances, urging readers to confront the dark reality masked by spectacle.
Level C1ClassicsMichael's CragA reluctant landlord returns to his bleak Cornish estate, haunted by dark memories and bound by duty to his ancestral home.
Level C1ClassicsMichael and His Lost Angel: A Play in Five ActsIn a world where celestial battles mirror human struggles, Michael confronts overwhelming darkness and personal exile.
Level C1AdventureMichael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the CzarAmidst a glittering palace fête, urgent news arrives of a severed telegraph line and a missing dispatch from Tomsk, thrusting an officer of the Czar into a tense mission through a…
Level C1PoetryMichael Robartes and the dancerDive into a mystical world where dreams blur with memory, as Michael Robartes unravels ancient secrets and explores the enigmatic visions that connect past lives, love, and the elu…
Level B2HistoricalMichael Penguyne; Or, Fisher Life on the Cornish CoastA young fisherman on the rugged Cornish coast learns a life-changing secret from his father figure, setting him on a journey of identity, loyalty, and the harsh realities of the se…
Level B2ClassicsMichael O'HalloranIn the bustling city streets, young newsboy Mickey O'Halloran stands up against bullies and hardship with fierce loyalty and surprising courage, catching the attention of a compass…
Level B2ClassicsMichael McGrath, PostmasterIn the rugged Fraser Valley, a weary traveler encounters "Ould Michael," a proud ex-soldier turned postmaster whose orderly cabin and fierce loyalty hide stories of battle and surv…
Level C1PoetryMichael FieldDiscover the enchanting world of Michael Field, the joint pseudonym of two women poets whose lyric and dramatic works captivated Victorian literary circles.
Level B2HistoricalMichaelMichael, a man of quiet strength and refined taste, surprises his cousin Francis by resigning his army commission, setting the stage for a story about courage, friendship, and the…
Level C1HistoricalMicah Clarke: His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734Amidst the turbulent aftermath of the Stuart reign, a veteran recounts his youth in a Hampshire village divided by faith and conflict, revealing the fierce battles and personal sac…
Level C1ClassicsMga Paquigpulong sa Iningles ug BinisayaExplore a practical guide bridging Cebuano and English through thematic word lists, translated sentences, sample letters, and pronunciation tips, designed to help speakers navigate…
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.