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 C1RomanceMadame Flirt: A Romance of 'The Beggar's Opera'In the gritty streets of St.
Level C1ClassicsMadame FirmianiIn a Parisian society where appearances and whispers shape reputations, Madame Firmiani’s world unfolds through the eyes of diverse characters—each revealing the delicate emotions…
Level C1ClassicsMadame DelphineIn the fading grandeur of New Orleans’ Rue Royale, an ancient house shelters the enigmatic Madame Delphine, a retired quadroon whose past intertwines with the city’s complex Creole…
Level C1ClassicsMadame De MauvesA young man at Saint-Germain-en-Laye encounters a mysterious American woman whose silent charm captivates him, sparking curiosity and an invitation that promises to unveil the intr…
Level C1ClassicsMadame ChrysanthèmeA French naval officer arrives in Japan, enchanted by its exotic beauty and culture, and dreams of marrying a local woman to escape his loneliness.
Level C1RomanceMadame Chrysantheme — CompleteA French naval officer finds himself enchanted and entangled in a delicate romance with Madame Chrysantheme during his exotic stay in Japan, navigating cultural mysteries and fleet…
Level C1ClassicsMadame Bovary: A Tale of Provincial Life, Vol. 1 (of 2)In a quiet provincial town, a young doctor's marriage to the beautiful but restless Emma Bovary sparks a yearning for passion and escape beyond mundane life, revealing the complexi…
Level B2ClassicsMadame BovaryA shy country boy struggles to fit into a strict, mocking school environment, revealing the harsh realities of provincial life and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsMadam: A NovelIn a grand country house, young Rosalind navigates a world of hidden tensions beneath serene luxury, confronting secrets and old grudges as a storm brews both outside and within th…
Level C1ClassicsMadam Crowl's Ghost and the Dead SextonAn aging nurse recounts her first eerie engagement at Applewale House, where whispers of a haunted lady and shadowy figures blur the line between the living and the spectral.
Level C1RomanceMadam ConstantiaAmid the turbulent backdrop of the American War of Independence, a British officer recounts his harrowing and unexpected experiences in the Carolinas, revealing the personal and po…
Level C1ClassicsMad: A Story of Dust and AshesSeptimus Hardon, awkward in appearance but with a heart full of unspoken love, lives a quiet life shadowed by his secret passion for Mary Phillips, betrothed to his friend Tom Grey…
Level C1ClassicsMad Shepherds, and Other Human StudiesIn a quiet village, a fiercely intelligent clergyman's wife defies social norms, while Snarley Bob, a tempestuous head shepherd, navigates fierce passions and complex human bonds—r…
Level C1HistoricalMad BarbaraA young girl discovers her father’s mysterious murder in a quiet autumn garden, clutching a cryptic golden chain that may unlock dark secrets.
Level B2AdventureMad Anthony's scouts; or, The rangers of KentuckyTwo seasoned frontiersmen forge an uneasy alliance in the untamed Kentucky wilderness, each hiding secrets amid the dangers of the forest and the threat of hostile forces.
Level C1ClassicsMacleod of DareIn the fading light of Castle Dare, a proud Highland family faces the weight of loss and legacy as the last son prepares to leave home.
Level C1HistoricalMackinac and Lake StoriesAmidst the dawn assault on Mackinac Island in 1812, a young Canadian voyageur deserts his British captors and seeks refuge in a mysterious cave where a sleeping woman waits, igniti…
Level C2ClassicsMacbethAmid thunder and prophecy, three witches set the stage for a Scottish general whose valor in battle earns him a dark new title—igniting a tale of ambition, fate, and the deadly cos…
Level C1ClassicsMacaulay's Life of Samuel Johnson, with a Selection from his Essay on JohnsonDiscover the early life and remarkable intellect of a prodigious boy whose love of reading and sharp wit set the stage for a brilliant career in letters, shaped by family, educatio…
Level C1RomanceMacariaA young man shoulders the burden of supporting his ailing cousin and mother amid financial hardship, driven by unyielding ambition and love.
Level C1ClassicsMabel: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by a past fire that scarred her both physically and emotionally, Mabel faces lingering trauma while cared for by those around her.
Level C1ClassicsMabel: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)In the aftermath of a devastating fire, a village grapples with suspicion and remorse as a mysterious stranger urges justice for a dark deed committed among them, while a repentant…
Level C1ClassicsMabel: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)A young officer, recently returned from India, seeks health and renewal in the tranquil English countryside, where the beauty of a peaceful village and its inhabitants slowly draw…
Level B2Children'sMabel's mishapOn a rainy day, imaginative Mabel pretends she has a twin to cure her boredom, but when curiosity about a mysterious auction leads her into new adventures, she discovers that a sim…
Level C1ClassicsMabel's MistakeIn a richly described autumnal valley near the Harlem River, an old mansion with a storied past sets the stage for a tale of family and hidden emotions, where nature's beauty contr…
Level B2Children'sMabel WynnIn a town divided between tradition and change, young Mabel Wynn steps forward with a passionate heart to renew her community’s Sunday-school, challenging old customs and inspiring…
Level C1PoetryMabel Martin, a Harvest Idyl; and other poems: Part 4 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierIn a tranquil New England valley, the memory of Susanna Martin, accused of witchcraft, lingers amid harvest celebrations and simple rural life.
Level C1ClassicsMa PettengillOn a quiet ranch, the formidable Ma Pettengill commands respect with her sharp tongue and surprising kindness as she guides a novice through the delicate art of knitting, revealing…
Level C1MysteryM. or N. "Similia similibus curantur."Amid a stormy Channel night, a haunted Englishman wanders Calais sands, burdened by grief and desperate memories of love, loss, and reckless devotion.
Level C1HistoricalLà-basIn a sharp debate on naturalism's limits and the soul's mysteries, a troubled thinker wrestles with art's purpose and the search for meaning beyond mere materialism, setting the st…
Level C1PhilosophyLysisSocrates engages two noble youths in a deep dialogue exploring the nature of friendship, questioning whether like truly loves like and probing the complex ties that bind us.
Level C1HistoricalLysbeth, a Tale of the DutchAmid the winter festivities of 16th-century Leyden, Lysbeth van Hout, a wealthy and admired young heiress, navigates the perils of a tyrannical era, where faith and freedom hang in…
Level C2PoetryLyrics selected from the works of A. Mary F. RobinsonDive into a rich collection of evocative poems exploring themes from nature and love to art and loss, each lyric inviting you to wander through pastoral scenes, timeless reflection…
Level C1PoetryLyrics of EarthImmerse yourself in a collection that captures the natural world's subtle beauty and profound moments, inviting reflection through vivid, lyrical poetry rooted in the earth’s timel…
Level C1PoetryLyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan AgeDiscover a rich anthology of Elizabethan lyrics where music and poetry intertwine, revealing rare songs from the era’s most celebrated composers and hidden gems unearthed from hist…
Level A2PoetryLyrics & Legends of Christmas-TideStep into a festive world where timeless carols and enchanting tales weave together, bringing the spirit of Christmas to life through captivating verse and legendary characters.
PoetryLyrical talesDive into a collection where poetic grace meets storytelling, weaving emotions and imagery into lyrical journeys that captivate the heart and imagination.
Level C1PoetryLyrical Ballads, with Other Poems, 1800, Volume 1Explore vivid emotions and rustic life through poems that challenge traditional verse, blending heartfelt nature and human passions with innovative style to reveal the profound in…
Level C1PoetryLyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems (1798)A weathered mariner halts a wedding guest to recount a haunting voyage from tropical seas to icy polar realms, where storms and strange occurrences challenge the boundaries of natu…
Level C1PoetryLyrical Ballads with Other Poems, 1800, Volume 2Explore haunting pastoral poems where nature and human passion intertwine, from thrilling hunts to quiet reflections by mountain springs, capturing moments of joy, love, and loss i…
Level B2ClassicsLyre and Lancet: A Story in ScenesAt Wyvern Court, the arrival of Rohesia, Sir Rupert’s strong-willed sister, and the enigmatic poet Clarion Blair stirs tension and intrigue among the guests, promising a clash of o…
Level C1PoetryLyra Heroica: A Book of Verse for BoysDive into stirring verses that celebrate heroism, adventure, and patriotism, as youthful spirits are called to witness the valor and nobility of historic battles like Agincourt, in…
Level C1PoetryLyra FrivolaWry and witty verses reveal the poet’s humble desires and keen observations, from the trials of writers abroad to the woes of seasonal ailments and holiday hardships, all delivered…
Level C2PoetryLyra Celtica: An Anthology of Representative Celtic PoetryExplore a rich collection of Celtic poetry spanning ancient to modern times, offering a glimpse into the vibrant traditions, myths, and history of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittan…
Level B2Children'sLydia of the PinesIn a quiet town nestled among rolling hills and primeval pines, a resourceful twelve-year-old girl watches over her sleeping sister while crafting tiny doll furniture, revealing a…
Level C1HistoricalLuxury--Gluttony: Two of the Seven Cardinal SinsAmid the luxurious halls of the Élysée-Bourbon, young Count Frantz navigates the intrigues and temptations of Parisian high society, where bravery and innocence clash with the sedu…
Level C1ClassicsLuttrell Of ArranIn the remote, savage landscape of Innishmore, a forgotten island off Ireland’s coast, a weary lord returns to reclaim his ancestral home among famine-stricken islanders clinging t…
Level C1PhilosophyLures of LifeA reflective journey through life's shifting allure—from the vibrant dreams of youth to the calm acceptance of age—exploring the profound emotions and philosophies that shape our p…
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.