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 C1HistoricalMain Street: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")Step back through time on a mysterious Main Street, where ancient forests and indigenous rulers meet the dawn of a new civilization, revealing the layered history beneath a seeming…
Level B2PoetryMain Street, and Other PoemsStep into the quiet charm and heartfelt moments of everyday life, where snowy Main Street, cozy homes, and simple joys like a child’s snowman reveal the warmth beneath the ordinary…
Level C1ClassicsMain StreetIn a small Midwestern town where tradition reigns supreme, a young woman named Carol Milford yearns to break free from the confines of conformity and find her true self amidst the…
Level C1HistoricalMain Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 6. Young GermanyPolitical idealism clashes with reactionary forces in post-Napoleonic Germany, where hopes for unification and freedom are dashed by conservative powers determined to restore old o…
Level C1HistoricalMain Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 5. The Romantic School in FranceExplore the vibrant literary and political upheavals in France from 1824 to 1828, where the rise of the bourgeoisie and the clash between tradition and modernity shape a generation…
Level C1HistoricalMain Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 4. Naturalism in EnglandExplore the rise of Naturalism in early 19th-century English literature as it challenges classical conventions, ignites patriotic spirit, and champions the voices of common people…
Level C1HistoricalMain Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 3. The Reaction in FranceExplore the clash between tradition and reason as France grapples with restoring authority after the Revolution, revealing how religion, politics, and society intertwine in a drama…
Level C1HistoricalMain Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 2. The Romantic School in GermanyDive into the intricate world of the German Romantic School, where literature intertwines with life’s deepest emotions and cultural currents.
Level C1HistoricalMain Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 1. The Emigrant LiteratureExplore the turbulent literary landscape of early nineteenth-century Europe, where revolutionary ideals clash with fading Enlightenment values, tracing the rise and fall of key mov…
Level C1FantasyMaiden Mona the Mermaid: A Fairy Play for Fairy PeopleAmid moonlit caves and enchanted forests, a penniless Gnome King, an audacious rooster, and a mysterious mermaid weave a whimsical tale of magic, friendship, and fortune in a fairy…
Level C1ClassicsMaid of the MistA thrilling fox hunt turns perilous when riders face the treacherous Old Roman Road, testing their courage and endurance.
Level B2HistoricalMaid SallyAn overworked girl named Sally escapes her harsh reality through enchanting fairy tales and fleeting dreams of a magical place.
Level C1RomanceMaid Marian, and Other StoriesA reserved New York lawyer becomes captivated by a striking portrait of Maid Marian, stirring a deep, unexpected romantic sentiment within his practical life.
Level C1RomanceMaid MarianIn a forest abbey, a wedding is violently interrupted when the bride’s noble lover is accused of treason and drawn into a desperate fight for love and honor.
Level C1RomanceMaid Margaret of GallowayBound to a harsh convent against her will, a spirited young noblewoman wrestles with the stifling life imposed upon her and dreams of reclaiming the freedom and love she was denied…
Level C1PoetryMaha-bharata: The Epic of Ancient India Condensed into English VerseIn an ancient kingdom on the Ganges, rival princes—god-born sons of two royal brothers—vie for honor and power through a grand tournament of skill and valor.
Level C1ClassicsMagnum Bonum; Or, Mother Carey's BroodA compassionate young doctor and his devoted mother open their home to a vulnerable orphaned teacher, weaving a tale of kindness, duty, and unexpected connections in a world where…
Level C1ClassicsMagnhild; DustIn a rugged Norwegian valley, a mysterious traveler encounters Magnhild, a woman whose quiet strength and singular presence hint at untold stories woven into the wild landscape and…
Level C1FantasyMagic: A Fantastic ComedyIn a world where mighty fairies walk disguised among mortals, a mysterious stranger encounters Patricia, stirring questions of magic and reality.
Level C1ClassicsMagic words: A tale for Christmas timeOn Christmas Day, joyful reunions and warm hearths fill the countryside, yet a solitary traveler with a heavy heart returns to a home that feels distant.
Level B2AdventureMagicOn a vibrant South Seas island, two inseparable friends find their bond tested by love when both fall for the same girl, stirring a powerful tale of loyalty, jealousy, and the magi…
Level C1ClassicsMaggie: A Girl of the StreetsIn the gritty streets of a tough urban neighborhood, young Jimmie battles rival gangs and harsh realities, revealing the raw struggles of childhood survival amid poverty and violen…
Level C1ClassicsMaggie Miller: The Story of Old Hagar's SecretIn a secluded New England home shadowed by history and secrets, the proud and reclusive Madam Conway guards a mysterious past while neighbors watch warily from afar—until old Hagar…
Level C1ClassicsMaggie Lee!At a fashionable seminary, two young girls face sharply different futures: Arabella, groomed for society’s charms, and Mildred, destined to master the practical lessons of life.
Level C1ClassicsMagda: A Play in Four ActsIn a provincial city brimming with tradition and ceremony, the arrival of a commanding figure stirs tensions between old values and new passions, as a music festival sets the stage…
Level C1Children'sMaezli: A Story of the Swiss ValleysIn a quiet Swiss valley, children of the Bergmann family explore the mysteries of a silent, ancient castle rumored to be haunted.
Level C2RomanceMae MaddenA man haunted by a timeless dream finally glimpses the mysterious woman he’s sought through the ages on the shimmering canals of Venice.
Level C1ClassicsMadonna MaryIn the sweltering heat of an Indian bungalow, Major Ochterlony grapples with unsettling news that casts a shadow over his marriage and their future, while his wife Mary navigates t…
Level B2AdventureMadge Morton, Captain of the Merry MaidSent to spend her summer with a stern cousin who disapproves of her free spirit, young Madge Morton refuses to let a dull vacation hold her back and hatches a daring plan to turn h…
Level B2Children'sMadge Morton's VictoryAt a girls' school commencement, Madge Morton wrestles with the unexpected honor of delivering the valedictory speech while navigating a rift with her best friend Phyllis.
Level B2AdventureMadge Morton's TrustAmidst the challenges of caring for her family, Phyllis Alden finds joy in a cherished letter from her adventurous friend Madge, recalling their unforgettable summer on the "Merry…
Level B2HistoricalMadge Morton's SecretIn a sunlit Virginia orchard, Madge Morton escapes into her book, oblivious to visitors and urgent messages, until the promise of a chance encounter sends her racing against time t…
Level C1ClassicsMadge Hardwicke; or, The mists of the valleyAmidst the tranquil coastal village shrouded in morning mist, Madge Hardwicke's quiet life conceals a past full of tempests and unanswered questions.
Level C1MysteryMademoiselle of Monte CarloAt Monte Carlo's infamous "Suicide’s Table," a striking woman known as Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo captivates gamblers with her extraordinary luck, while a young Englishman seeks h…
Level C1ClassicsMademoiselle de Maupin, Volume 2 (of 2)A young woman grapples with the awakening of a profound love for her close friend Théodore, whose delicate beauty blurs gender lines and ignites a passionate, introspective journey…
Level C1RomanceMademoiselle de Maupin, Volume 1 (of 2)A daring tale of love and identity unfolds as Mademoiselle de Maupin navigates the complexities of passion and disguise in a world where appearances deceive and hearts are tested.
Level C1ClassicsMademoiselle Olympe ZabriskiIn a world where gossip fuels high society, a proud young millionaire’s mysterious troubles ignite whispers of scandal and forbidden love, challenging the rigid expectations of lin…
Level C1ClassicsMademoiselle Miss, and Other StoriesIn a lively yet melancholic Parisian spring, a close-knit group grapples with the departure of Mademoiselle Miss to England, revealing the deep, unspoken bonds and quiet sorrows th…
Level C1HistoricalMademoiselle FifiIn occupied France, a defiant Prussian major disrupts the uneasy calm of a country estate, stirring tensions that reveal the complex interplay of power, pride, and resistance durin…
Level B2ClassicsMademoiselle Blanche: A NovelA Parisian businessman with a passion for daring circus acts finds himself drawn to the mesmerizing Mademoiselle Blanche, the most beautiful acrobat in Paris, whose breathtaking fe…
Level C1ClassicsMadelon: A NovelAmidst a snowy village and haunting music, Burr Gordon navigates family tensions and inner conflicts as he contemplates a visit that stirs complex feelings of love and loyalty.
Level C1MysteryMadeline Payne, the Detective's DaughterRaised in loneliness and shadowed by cruelty, a young woman yearns for freedom and true happiness beyond her oppressive home.
Level B2RomanceMadelineIn a small New England town divided by fierce school disputes, a young Boston doctor is unexpectedly appointed sole inspector of common schools, tasked with examining local teacher…
Level C1ClassicsMadcapA spirited young heiress defies convention with reckless horse rides and a carefree attitude, navigating life’s pleasures and pitfalls in a grand house filled with admirers and adv…
Level C1ClassicsMadame de TreymesIn the elegant backdrop of Paris, a chance encounter between John Durham and the enigmatic Madame de Malrive unfolds, revealing the subtle tensions and unspoken possibilities benea…
Level B2ClassicsMadame X: a story of mother-loveA devoted father battles exhaustion and heartbreak as he tends to his fevered son, haunted by the memory of the mother who abandoned them both.
Level C1HistoricalMadame MidasA battered boat drifts toward a wild, blood-red coastline where two men seek freedom amid the savage cliffs and crashing waves.
Level C1AdventureMadame Gilbert's CannibalA daring woman who shaped the war through secret intrigues returns to London, navigating post-war life with charm and cunning.
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.