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 C1PhilosophyThirty Letters on Various Subjects, Vol. 1 (of 2)A retired thinker challenges ingrained customs and urges readers to question accepted truths about wealth, pleasure, and human nature, blending sharp observations with a call for i…
Level B2Science FictionThirty Degrees CattywonkusNewlyweds Ernie and Melinee move into a vast house where an extra door mysteriously appears and disappears, shrouding their home—and their lives—in unsettling uncertainty.
Level B2ClassicsThirteen Years of a Busy Woman's LifeA man on the brink of despair finds unexpected hope in a chance encounter and a transformative book, inspiring a woman to chronicle her own struggles and resilience after sudden ha…
Level C1ClassicsThirteen StoriesDive into vivid sketches from a vanished era, where landscapes and lives once vibrant have faded into memory and desolation.
Level C1PoetryThink Before You Speak; Or, The Three WishesDiscover the timeless tale of three wishes that teaches the importance of thinking carefully before speaking, brought to life in a charming poetic form that delights young readers…
Level C1FantasyThings near & farWinding through ancient Welsh landscapes, two sisters eagerly await their brother John's return from Oxford, as whispers of old legends and village intrigues stir beneath the seren…
Level C1ClassicsThingsA concerned mother seeks help from a specialist when her once-close relationship with her rebellious seventeen-year-old daughter deteriorates into conflict and profanity.
Level B2MysteryThieves' Wit: An Everyday Detective StoryAn unassuming man in his thirties leaves behind a dull clerical life to become a detective, dreaming of high-class cases while navigating the vibrant theatre world.
Level C1AdventureThey of the High TrailsIn the rugged Sierra Blanca mountains, hopeful prospector Sherman Bidwell battles skepticism and hardship as he hunts for elusive gold, facing the harsh wilderness and the fierce d…
Level C1ClassicsThey and IA family debates the perfect house, juggling practical needs with lively dreams of billiards, dancing, and unconventional living spaces.
Level B2RomanceThey Looked and Loved; Or, Won by FaithA beautiful but penniless girl faces a desperate choice when an old, wealthy miser offers her a life of luxury in exchange for marriage.
Level C1ClassicsThese TwainIn a divided suburb where old traditions clash with modern ambitions, the lives of Bleakridge's residents unfold against a backdrop of social pride and change.
Level C1ClassicsTheresa RaquinIn the shadowed streets of Paris, Thérèse Raquin explores the dark passions and fatal impulses that drive two lovers into a web of desire and consequence, revealing the raw forces…
Level C1HistoricalTheresa Marchmont, or, the Maid of Honour: A TaleOn a stormy autumn evening in 1676, Lord Greville returns to his gloomy ancestral home, Greville Cross, to attend to a dying servant whose loyalty spans generations.
Level C1ClassicsThereby Hangs a Tale. Volume OneIn a grand country estate, the meticulous daily rituals of Sir Hampton Rea and his household unfold, revealing quirky characters, social tensions, and the charming eccentricities o…
Level B2ClassicsThere's not a bathing suit in Russia & other bare factsDive into a witty, satirical journey through post-revolution Russia, where exiled nobility navigate new lives far from their royal titles.
Level C1ClassicsThere's Pippins and Cheese to ComeA midday wander leads through bustling streets past tempting eateries and curious displays, capturing the sensory chaos and quiet mysteries of urban life.
Level C1RomanceThere was a King in EgyptAn English Egyptologist unearths ancient mysteries and mystical prophecies amid the tombs of Pharaohs, while the desert's timeless dawn reveals a world where history, faith, and ro…
Level C1ClassicsThere is a tideA young woman arrives in England, feeling out of place and uneasy, when a confident stranger with a mysterious past confronts her on a train, sparking tension and intrigue in this…
Level B2Science FictionThere Will Be School TomorrowIn a future where robotic teachers have replaced all humans, children suddenly vanish from schools without explanation, leaving parents desperate and fearful as the machines begin…
Level C1AdventureThere She Blows! Or, The Log of the ArethusaAn eager eighteen-year-old leaves home to seek fortune and finds himself drawn to the perilous life of a whaleman.
Level C1HistoricalThere Is Sorrow on the SeaA man flees his homeland under the cover of night, haunted by love and betrayal, as he embarks on a perilous journey to distant lands.
Level C1ClassicsThere Are Crimes and CrimesA man’s plunge from triumph to ruin, fueled by intoxicating excess, unfolds as he faces crimes beyond the law—transgressions against the spirit and God—leading to a profound spirit…
Level C1ClassicsThere & BackA baronet’s ill-fated marriage to a blacksmith’s daughter sparks scandal and regret, setting the stage for a tale of social divides, lost love, and the quiet strength of a woman ca…
Level C1HistoricalTheophanoIn a tense spring morning of 956, a noble youth lies wounded in a remote mountain hut, his fate entwined with the political and military upheavals of Byzantium.
Level C1HistoricalTheological Essays and Other Papers — Volume 2Amidst the 1844 upheaval, Scotland’s church faces a fierce schism sparked by disputes over clerical appointments and ecclesiastical authority, revealing hidden ambitions and deep-r…
Level C1PhilosophyTheological Essays and Other Papers — Volume 1Explore the hidden, powerful influence of Christianity as it weaves through political and social movements, revealing complexities that challenge our understanding of faith, histor…
Level B2ClassicsTheodosia ErnestA thoughtful young boy questions the varied practices of baptism he witnesses, challenging tradition with a desire to seek truth in scripture.
Level C2ClassicsTheodore Watts-Dunton: Poet, Novelist, CriticExplore the life and influence of a pivotal figure in English literature, whose critical essays and poetry shaped the art and culture of his time, revealing the depth behind his ce…
Level C1Science FictionTheodore Savage: A Story of the Past or the FutureTheodore Savage reflects on a life shaped by comfort and routine, unaware of the upheavals to come.
Level C1PoetryTheocritus, translated into English VerseExplore the art of translating ancient Greek bucolic poetry, where the challenge lies in capturing the original meter and rhythm without sacrificing meaning, as the translator deba…
Level C1PoetryTheocritus, Bion and Moschus, Rendered into English ProseExplore the pastoral beauty and rich traditions of ancient Greece through the bucolic idyls of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus, capturing a world where poetry blooms amidst cultural…
Level B2HistoricalTheobald, the Iron-Hearted; Or, Love to EnemiesIn the midst of a brutal 15th-century battle, a young boy and his grandfather discover a wounded chevalier left for dead.
Level C1RomanceTheo: A Sprightly Love StoryAmidst the humdrum struggles of a modest household, a restless young woman named Theo yearns for a life beyond duty and drudgery, seeking the spark of romance and adventure that sh…
Level B2HistoricalThen Marched the BraveIn the turmoil of 1776 Manhattan, a crippled boy yearns to prove his bravery as his mother mourns lost sons and battles fierce loyalty to freedom.
Level C1AdventureThen I'll Come Back to YouIn a sun-scorched valley transformed by ambition and change, Caleb Hunter finds himself caught between the old, lazy ways and the encroaching new world of industry and prosperity.
Level C1RomanceThelmaBeneath the ethereal glow of Norway's midnight sun, a solitary man is captivated by a haunting, unseen song that stirs deep yearnings and mysteries.
Level C1AdventureTheir island homeStranded on New Switzerland, the descendants of the Swiss Family Robinson face new mysteries and challenges as they explore uncharted lands and confront unexpected dangers on their…
Level B2RomanceTheir YesterdaysA young man faces the loss of his childhood home and the weight of growing into manhood, while a woman similarly revisits her past.
Level C1RomanceTheir Wedding JourneyA newly married couple embarks on a quietly charming wedding journey through familiar American landscapes, seeking intimacy and adventure despite a sudden summer storm.
Level C1ClassicsTheir Silver Wedding Journey — CompleteA weary magazine editor faces the prospect of a long-awaited European sabbatical, stirring dreams of youth and renewal alongside the comforts and challenges of his settled American…
Level C1ClassicsTheir PilgrimageAs spring dawns on the coast, Irene and her family arrive at the bustling Hygeia Hotel, a glass-enclosed winter resort teeming with eager travelers.
Level C1ClassicsTheft: A Play In Four ActsIn a world of power, politics, and conflicting ambitions, a determined woman and a reformist congressman navigate high society’s intrigues and moral compromises, revealing the comp…
Level C1HistoricalTheatrical and Circus Life: or, Secrets of the Stage, Green-Room and Sawdust ArenaStep behind the curtain to uncover the fascinating history and hidden secrets of the theatre and circus, from mesmerizing stage illusions to the colorful lives of performers.
Level C2PhilosophyTheaetetusDive into a rich philosophical dialogue where Socrates and Theaetetus explore the nature of knowledge through shifting viewpoints, irony, and relentless questioning, set in the vib…
Level C1PoetryThe Æneids of Virgil, Done into English VerseDriven by fate from fallen Troy, Æneas and his followers face storms, war, and divine intrigues as they seek a new homeland, encountering love and loss on their epic journey to fou…
Level C1PoetryThe Æneid of Virgil, Translated into English VerseEmbark on a grand journey that weaves Roman destiny, fierce love, and divine duty into a majestic epic poem.
Level C1PoetryThe Æneid of Virgil translated into English proseAn epic journey unfolds as a Trojan hero braves gods and fate to lay the foundations of Rome, weaving patriotism and destiny into a timeless tale of struggle and empire’s rise.
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.