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 C1FantasyIrish Fairy TalesIn a clash of old beliefs and new faiths, a determined abbot besieges a steadfast gentleman who refuses to abandon ancient gods and customs.
Level C1HistoricalIreton, a PoemJourney to the birthplace of General Ireton as this poem explores the moral and political struggles of England's great Civil War reformers, delving into the clash between monarchy…
Level C1RomanceIrene IddesleighIn the grand and mysterious Dunfern mansion, Irene Iddesleigh wrestles with sorrow and secrecy amidst ancestral legacies and locked rooms hiding untold stories.
Level C1HistoricalIreland in the Days of Dean Swift (Irish Tracts, 1720 to 1734)Dive into the turbulent political landscape of early 18th-century Ireland and England, where shifting alliances, royal intrigues, and the rise of Dean Swift intertwine with the fat…
Level C1HistoricalIranian Influence on Moslem Literature, Part IExplore the enduring legacy of Iranian culture through Arabic literature, revealing how Iranian history, language, and Zoroastrian traditions survived Arab conquest and continue to…
Level C2ClassicsIphigenia in TaurisIn a sacred grove before Diana's temple, Iphigenia serves as a priestess far from home, while Orestes and his loyal friend Pylades arrive, setting the stage for a dramatic reunion…
Level C2PoetryIonicaExplore a collection of 85 poems blending classical scholarship with personal reflection, tracing a scholar's journey from boyhood to intellectual maturity amidst themes of home, r…
Level C1HistoricalIonIn a lively dialogue, Socrates challenges Ion, a rhapsode who claims exclusive insight into Homer, probing whether true artistic skill is inspired madness or learned expertise.
Level C2PoetryIoläus: The man that was a ghostExplore a haunting collection of sonnets and poems that weave vivid imagery, spiritual reflection, and powerful symbolism, evoking the spirit of a new century through a rich tapest…
Level C1PhilosophyIoläus: An Anthology of FriendshipExplore the profound rituals and timeless customs of friendship across civilizations, from blood-bond ceremonies in African tribes to ancient Greek philosophies, revealing how deep…
Level C1FantasyIoleIn a remote mountain town, Clarence Guilford, a poet and visionary, stirs curiosity by dressing his daughters as boys and claiming the woods teem with goddesses, sparking a literar…
Level B2RomanceIolanthe's WeddingAt a somber funeral, a loyal friend vows to support the deceased's grieving son, Lothar, a proud dragoon burdened by his late father's debts and wild spirit.
Level C1ClassicsIola Leroy; Or, Shadows UpliftedAmid the upheaval of the Civil War and its aftermath, voices from the Anglo-African community reveal struggles for freedom, education, and dignity.
Level B2ClassicsInvincible MinnieA determined young woman named Minnie disrupts the quiet life of a stubborn old tenant and her landlord, challenging social norms with charm and cunning in a rural setting where pr…
Level B2Science FictionInvader From InfinityWhen a mysterious alien sphere invades the Solar System, Commander Jon McPartland must lead humanity’s fastest, deadliest space fighter in a desperate battle to protect Earth from…
Level C1HistoricalIntroduction to the Literature of Europe in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Centuries, Vol. 2Explore the shifting landscape of European literature from 1600 to 1650, where classical learning wanes and new educational methods emerge amid debates over language, style, and sc…
Level C1HistoricalIntroduction to the Literature of Europe in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Centuries, Vol. 1Explore the rich tapestry of European literature from the 15th to the 17th centuries, tracing the evolution of ideas, authors, and scholarly efforts that shaped a pivotal era of in…
Level C1ClassicsIntroduction to SallyIn a small shop, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsIntroduction and Publisher's AdvertisingDive into a meticulously crafted edition that unites early Folios and Quartos to reveal Shakespeare’s plays as never before, complete with detailed notes and thoughtful emendations…
Level C1PoetryIntroducing Irony: A Book of Poetic Short Stories and PoemsDive into a world where poetic stories blur the lines between reality and imagination, featuring vivid characters like the enigmatic Geroid Latour and a haunting dreamscape of emot…
Level C1AdventureInto the blueA disillusioned pilot, stuck at a dull seaside resort, unexpectedly reunites with a daring old friend and encounters a past love, sparking a thrilling journey beyond the confines o…
Level C1RomanceInto the Unknown: A Romance of South AfricaTwo English cousins and their fierce Zulu ally find themselves trapped under fire in the rugged South African wilderness, forced to face hidden enemies and deadly danger as they st…
Level C1AdventureInto the PrimitiveStranded on a savage Mozambique coast after a cyclone wrecks their ship, three unlikely survivors—an American engineer, an Englishman with secrets, and a determined heiress—must na…
Level C1MysteryInto the Highways and HedgesCaught between a stern guardian and her devoted father, young Margaret Deane navigates a world of wealth, family secrets, and conflicting ideals.
Level B2AdventureInto Mexico with General Scott: When attached to the Fourth United States Infantry, Division of Major-General William J. Worth, Corps of the famous Major-General Winfield Scott, known as Old Fuss and Feathers, campaign of 1847, lad Jerry Cameron marched and fought beside Second Lieutenant U. S. Grant all the way from Cera Cruz to the City of Mexico, where six thousand American soldiers planted the Stars and Stripes in the midst of one hundred and fifty thousand amazed peopleFollow young Jerry Cameron as he marches and fights alongside Second Lieutenant U.
Level C1Children'sInterruptedIn a bustling church society, Claire Benedict juggles leadership, friendship, and countless responsibilities with grace and determination, all while those around her wonder how muc…
Level C1HistoricalInterpretations of Poetry and ReligionExplore the profound connection between poetry and religion as expressions of human ideals rather than factual truths, revealing how both shape our understanding of life, morality,…
Level C1ClassicsInternational Short Stories: FrenchIn the turmoil of war, a privileged young duke abandons luxury to enlist in the French army, confronting harsh realities and unexpected camaraderie as he struggles to reconcile his…
Level C1ClassicsInternational Short Stories: AmericanA painter with the uncanny ability to capture not just a person's likeness but their very soul arrives in colonial America, stirring fascination and fear alike.
Level C1ClassicsInternational Language, Past, Present & Future: With Specimens of Esperanto and GrammarExplore the rise and potential of a universal auxiliary language designed to unite nations and streamline global communication amid rapid scientific and cultural exchange.
Level C1FantasyIntermereAfter surviving a shipwreck in a mysterious fog, a lost tourist awakens on a smooth sea surrounded by enchanting islands and meets strange, welcoming inhabitants—prompting him to q…
Level C1PoetryInterludes: being Two Essays, a Story, and Some VersesExplore the art and challenge of criticism as it dissects literary and artistic judgments, revealing why fair critique is both necessary and often resented in society.
Level C1ClassicsInterferenceIn a once-exclusive Irish town now fading into decay, a sharp-eyed old maid navigates the remnants of genteel society and lingering traditions against a backdrop of shifting fortun…
Level C1ClassicsIntentionsIn a witty dialogue set in a country house, two friends debate the nature of art, truth, and the imperfections of the natural world, challenging conventional views on lying and cre…
Level C1RomanceInstead of the Thorn: A NovelAmid the elegant South Shore Club, a spirited young woman dazzles with her vibrant charm, while her sensible sister navigates the complexities of family expectations and modern ide…
Level B2MysteryInside the LinesA spirited traveler’s lost luggage sparks a tense encounter at a busy train station, leading to an unexpected alliance with a mysterious stranger.
Level C1HistoricalInquiries and OpinionsAt the dawn of the twentieth century, literature grapples with the legacies of the nineteenth: scientific inquiry, democracy, nationalism, and cosmopolitanism.
Level C1RomanceInnocent : her fancy and his factA delicate young woman finds solace among birds and blooming gardens on an old farm, where nature’s beauty contrasts with the harsh realities of life and love.
Level C1ClassicsInnocentIn a charming old London house filled with history and hidden treasures, the Eastwood family navigates the complexities of modern life, with Ellinor, the unassuming yet indispensab…
Level C1ClassicsInkle and Yarico: An opera, in three actsIn a wild American forest, an ambitious merchant braves danger and native threats to pursue profit, sparking a dramatic tale of discovery, survival, and unexpected bonds.
Level C1MysteryInitials OnlyOn a snowy Broadway night, a mysterious man’s strange behavior sparks curiosity just before a sudden alarm at the Clermont Hotel reveals a shocking event involving a wealthy woman.
Level C1HistoricalInitial Studies in American LettersExplore the origins of American literature through vivid colonial narratives and early writings shaped more by survival and history than art, revealing how a young nation’s literar…
Level B2ClassicsIngleside;A young pastor arrives in a struggling town, bringing heartfelt sermons that reveal the hidden sorrows and spiritual struggles of its people, as a devoted community seeks peace and…
Level C1PhilosophyIngersollia: Gems of Thought from the Lectures, Speeches, and Conversations of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Representative of His Opinions and BeliefsExplore the stirring reflections and bold opinions of a fiery orator on topics from the joy of farm life and the independence of the individual to progress, politics, science, and…
Level C1ClassicsInfeliceOn a stormy night, a mysterious woman arrives at a parsonage seeking the absent Dr.
Level A2Children'sInfant's Cabinet of Birds & BeastsDiscover a charming collection of birds and beasts designed to delight young minds with simple, engaging illustrations and descriptions.
Level C1HistoricalInez: A Tale of the AlamoIn a gloomy boarding school, young Florence Hamilton navigates strict discipline and distant family ties, haunted by memories of her saintly mother and the cold pride of her widowe…
Level C2PoetryInebriety and The CandidateExplore the intoxicating power of drink as it weaves through society’s ranks, from rustic jesters to noble halls, revealing both the folly and frenzy that sway reason and ignite fi…
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.