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 C1HistoricalMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 5 (of 10)Delve into the vibrant literary world of the early 19th century, following a passionate collector of ancient lore who aids a renowned author by unearthing ballads, local legends, a…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 4 (of 10)Follow the intimate journey of a literary giant relocating to Abbotsford, where generosity meets hardship, and friendships bloom amid creative pursuits and heartfelt correspondence…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 1 (of 10)Delve into the detailed life and times of Sir Walter Scott through a richly annotated narrative that unveils his literary world, personal relationships, and the historical figures…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of WomanExplore the early life and resilient spirit of a remarkable woman who challenges the harsh confines of family and society to become a guiding force for change.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of a millionaireAmid the idle wealth and political apathy of Boston’s elite, a vibrant woman named Mildred Brewster challenges the complacency of her social circle, sparking a tale of vision, gene…
Level B2Children'sMemoirs of a country doll. Written by herselfA porcelain doll recounts her journey from a Soho bazaar to country adventures, May-day parties, and even falling ill, revealing the tender care and lively mischief of the children…
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs of a Surrey Labourer: A Record of the Last Years of Frederick BettesworthA weathered Surrey labourer shares vivid tales of village life, work, and fading strength, revealing a poignant glimpse into the passing of an era through his candid conversations…
Level C1AdventureMemoirs of a Cavalier: A Military Journal of the Wars in Germany, and the Wars in England.: From the Year 1632 to the Year 1648.A young gentleman embarks on a perilous journey from Oxford to the battlefields of Europe, serving as a volunteer officer in the Swedish army before fighting for King Charles I dur…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of William WordsworthExplore the life of a poet who sought to revive the true power of poetry, retreating to nature’s solitude to find inspiration and renew the art’s ancient, spiritual purpose amid a…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of My Dead LifeIn a candid exploration of life, love, and societal conventions, a provocative writer confronts the clash between artistic freedom and moral boundaries, challenged by unsettling le…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph: Extracted from her own Journal, and now first publishedA young woman’s journal reveals the harsh realities of virtue and misfortune, exploring how true goodness often meets with adversity in life, yet faith offers hope beyond worldly j…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli, Volume IIAmid the intellectual circles of 1839 Jamaica Plain, a fiercely independent and brilliant young woman challenges social conventions with her sharp wit, profound insights, and unyie…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli, Volume IBorn into a world of loss and longing, a young woman reflects on her childhood shaped by family, grief, and an early hunger for knowledge and truth.
Level C1AdventureMemoirs of Major Alexander Ramkins (1718)A young Highland officer joins the fierce battles and political intrigues of 17th-century Europe, revealing the harsh realities of war, loyalty, and cunning diplomacy through his t…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Life and LiteratureExplore a personal journey through Victorian England’s shifting social, religious, and intellectual landscapes, as reflections on family, society, and literature reveal the profoun…
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Joseph GrimaldiStep behind the curtain to explore the enchanting world of clowns, pantomimes, and theatrical magic through the eyes of a lifelong enthusiast.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Fanny HillAn orphaned young woman ventures from her rural village to London, seeking fortune and independence amid the city's dazzling sights and hidden dangers.
Level C1RomanceMemoirs of Emma CourtneyA passionate woman wrestles with the clash between virtue and desire, revealing the fragile nature of the human heart.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Eighty YearsAn octogenarian reflects on a lifetime shaped by family legacy, fleeting memories, and a quest for true education beyond mere knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Carwin the Biloquist (A Fragment)A curious boy defies his father's strict limits to pursue forbidden knowledge, driven by an insatiable thirst for mystery and discovery.
Level B2ClassicsMemoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 2 of 2]: With his Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical, Selected with Care from All His Published Productions, and Comprising Whatever Is Most Entertaining and Valuable to the General ReaderDiscover practical wisdom and timeless advice on industry, thrift, and self-improvement through engaging essays and letters that blend humor with philosophy, urging readers to seiz…
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 1 of 2]: With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and Philosophical, Selected with Care from All His Published Productions, and Comprising Whatever Is Most Entertaining and Valuable to the General ReaderRising from humble beginnings, a self-taught printer’s apprentice shares the secrets of his extraordinary journey to wealth, wisdom, and influence.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs of Arthur Hamilton, B. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge: Extracted from His Letters and Diaries, with Reminiscences of His Conversation by His Friend Christopher Carr of the Same CollegeA thoughtful soul navigates the tensions between tradition and dissent in religious and intellectual life at Cambridge, revealing the inner struggles of a reflective temperament.
Level C1HistoricalMemoirs and resolutions of Adam Graeme of Mossgray, including some chronicles of the borough of FendieBorn into solitude and sorrow, Adam Graeme of Mossgray reflects on a life shaped by loss, a distant father, and the haunting legacy of his ancestral home.
Level C1ClassicsMemoirs and Posthumous Works of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, Vol. 1Explore the formative years of a remarkable woman whose sharp intellect and resilient spirit overcome a harsh upbringing marked by familial indifference and strict discipline, reve…
Level C1HistoricalMemoirsA reflective scholar recounts his candid journey from a Quaker childhood in Philadelphia to scholarly pursuits across Europe, offering intimate glimpses into the transformative 19t…
Level C1ClassicsMemoir of a BrotherDiscover the quiet strength and steadfast principles of an unassuming English gentleman whose life, though free of sensational adventure, reveals the true ballast of a nation throu…
Level C1ClassicsMemoir of Jane AustenDiscover the intimate portrait of a beloved author through the memories of her nephew, revealing the warmth, character, and quiet life behind the timeless novels that continue to c…
Level B2Science FictionMembership DriveAn alien visitor accidentally lands on Earth and nonchalantly reveals his presence to stunned officials, challenging their assumptions about humanity's place in the galaxy while na…
Level C1ClassicsMembers of the FamilyJourney to a fading Wyoming where the wild antelope once roamed and cowboys ruled the plains, now transformed by progress and memory.
Level C1ClassicsMelomaniacsIn a haunting hall where music and faith collide, Baruch Mendoza faces the Grand Inquisitor's relentless demand to renounce his heresies.
Level B2Children'sMelody : The Story of a ChildA blind girl named Melody enchants everyone with her extraordinary singing and gentle connection to nature, brightening the lives of two devoted sisters bound by love and sacrifice…
Level C1FantasyMelmoth the Wanderer, Vol. 4In a world where faith, madness, and family secrets intertwine, a mother meticulously crafts a letter revealing her daughter’s fragile mind and impending arranged marriage, setting…
Level C1FantasyMelmoth the Wanderer, Vol. 3Trapped in a shadowy chamber filled with ominous symbols, a young man faces a harrowing choice between faiths under his father's intense and desperate guidance—an intense struggle…
Level C1HorrorMelmoth the Wanderer, Vol. 2Trapped in a convent where every glance breeds suspicion, a desperate man weaves secret letters and hidden plans to escape a life of confinement and spiritual torment.
Level C1HorrorMelmoth the Wanderer, Vol. 1A young student journeys to care for his reclusive, morose uncle whose mysterious past and austere life cast a shadow over his inheritance and future.
Level C1ClassicsMelmoth ReconciledIn a society where mediocrity is rewarded and genius is stifled, the life of a humble cashier unfolds—a man trapped in routine, bound by societal expectations, and caught between v…
Level C1ClassicsMelincourtIn a biting satire filled with political lampoon and sharp social critique, a cast of characters navigates a world rife with hypocrisy, mistaken ideals, and the clash of radical th…
Level C1Science FictionMeleagerA mysterious metal cylinder discovered in the Andes contains a manuscript written in English, revealing the strange disappearance of its author.
Level C1Children'sMelchior's Dream and Other TalesA spirited boy at a bustling family’s Christmas learns about sharing, responsibility, and the challenges of growing up with many siblings.
Level B2Children'sMelbourne HouseA thoughtful little girl named Daisy questions what it truly means to be a Christian, sparking tension with her indulgent parents who forbid her from attending a Sunday school that…
Level C1ClassicsMehalah: A Story of the Salt MarshesAmid the wild, shifting salt marshes between sea and land, a strong-willed girl defies hardship and fierce family ties, living on a remote island where nature’s beauty and danger i…
Level C1ClassicsMeg, of ValenciaA devoted mother faces heartache as her beloved son chooses a religious calling, shaped by his late father's faith, over a life of worldly joys and family hopes.
Level B2Children'sMeg's Friend: A Story for GirlsIn a fading London lodging house, silent Meg navigates a lonely childhood marked by unanswered questions about her mother and guarded secrets.
Level B2RomanceMeg of the heatherCaught between the wild beauty of the heath and a brewing storm, Meg finds a moment of freedom shattered by harsh realities.
Level B2Science FictionMeeting at the SummitAs global tensions soften, the President faces an extraordinary invitation to meet atop Mount Rainier—a mysterious conference that could alter the fate of the world and challenge e…
Level C1ClassicsMedoline Selwyn's WorkA young English ward embarks on a long, solitary journey through quiet countryside, navigating unfamiliar people and places while carrying the weight of her past and uncertain futu…
Level C1ClassicsMedley Dialect Recitations, Comprising a Series of the Most Popular Selections in German, French, and ScotchStep into lively scenes where German, French, and Scotch dialects bring humor and character to life through spirited recitations, perfect for readers and performers seeking charmin…
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