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 B2ClassicsThe £1,000,000 bank-note, and other new storiesA penniless clerk washed ashore in London becomes the subject of a wealthy brothers’ wager when they entrust him with a million-pound bank-note, testing whether he can survive thir…
Level B2Children'sThe yule logA curious boy dreams of visiting a radiant star and is gifted with silver wings by an angel, granting him magical flights to a wondrous celestial realm.
Level B2Children'sThe youngest princessThree sisters huddle by the fire on a snowy evening, sharing tales of princesses and love for their father, while the youngest, Margerie, contemplates the cleverness and surprises…
Level B2AdventureThe young volcano explorersFive adventurous American boys and their professor set sail from Venezuela to explore the volcanic islands of the West Indies, encountering political upheaval, natural disasters, a…
Level B2Children'sThe young ship builderA young girl grows up amidst family secrets and shifting loyalties on Groundnut Hill, navigating the clash between faith, art, and identity as her mother remarries and life takes u…
Level B2Children'sThe young reporterAn eager young printer faces a tough choice between steady work at the sawmill and pursuing his dream as a reporter.
Level C1HistoricalThe young pioneers of the North-westA spirited young girl defies caution to ride alone across the vast, wild prairie surrounding a frontier fort, forging a unique bond with her cherished pony while navigating the dan…
Level B2Science FictionThe young naval captainAs the United States faces war declared by the entire world in 1936, young machinist Oscar Pelham races against time to help build advanced warships that might turn the tide.
Level B2AdventureThe young master of Hyson HallAt Hyson Hall, young Philip Berkeley spends summers exploring the wild Green Swamp and learning life’s lessons under the watchful eye of his uncle, Godfrey.
Level B1ClassicsThe young immigruntsA lively young boy recounts his family's move from Chicago to Connecticut, capturing the humor and chaos of their road trip and the quirks of his parents and siblings through the i…
Level C1MysteryThe wrong letterWhen the Home Secretary is found murdered at his own home, Superintendent Sinclair must navigate a deceptively intricate mystery where appearances deceive and the truth hides in pl…
Level C1ClassicsThe writing of fictionExplore the evolution of fiction as it shifts focus from grand historical tales to the intimate workings of the human soul, tracing the development of character and realism through…
Level C1ClassicsThe worship of the golden calf: A story of wage-slavery in MassachusettsIn a Massachusetts farm marked by harsh winter and harsher labor conditions, John Wycliff struggles against wage exploitation and debt while caring for his sick child, revealing th…
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 5 (of 5)In a lively comedy of wit and intrigue, a suitor navigates fortune and folly while courting a wealthy widow, weaving through mistaken intentions and clever schemes.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 4 (of 5)In the bustling streets of Cheapside, witty characters navigate marriage, social expectations, and lively debates on reason and folly in a sharp comedy filled with humor and intrig…
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 3 (of 5)In a bustling Milan, noblemen and servants navigate love, death, and deception with sharp wit and raw emotion.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 2 (of 5)A desperate gentleman plots to outwit his avaricious uncle by posing as a wealthy widow, hoping to turn his fortunes around through cunning deception and a clever ruse in the heart…
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Thomas Middleton, Volume 1 (of 5)Delve into the rare and comprehensive collection of Thomas Middleton’s surviving works, revealing the rich tapestry of early literature through rare texts and detailed editorial no…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 8 (of 8)In a stirring sermon delivered before the House of Lords, the speaker urges deep reflection and repentance amid national turmoil, challenging dangerous political ideologies and emp…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 7 (of 8)A corrupt governor and his adulterous wife confront the Apostle Paul, who boldly challenges their vices with truths of righteousness and impending judgment.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 6 (of 8)Dive into a thoughtful exploration of faith and duty, where a preacher’s wisdom is likened to a householder’s careful stewardship of treasures new and old, guiding believers throug…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 5 (of 8)Dive into a rigorous exploration of biblical prophecy, examining whether its predictions reveal divine inspiration or human invention.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 4 (of 8)Amidst the turmoil of war and religious persecution, a hopeful vision unfolds of a prince destined to champion liberty and faith across Europe, challenging tyranny and igniting the…
Level C2RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 3 (of 8)Explore the art of dialogue as ancient wisdom meets modern thought, unraveling debates on morals, government, and philosophy with wit and reverence.
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 2 (of 8)Explore the art of poetry as a pursuit of pleasure, where language transforms into vivid images and rhythmic beauty, inviting readers to discover how words enchant the mind beyond…
Level C1RomanceThe works of Richard Hurd, volume 1 (of 8)Explore the life and achievements of a devoted clergyman rising from humble beginnings to bishopric, guided by education, faith, and influential friendships.
Level C1PhilosophyThe works of Plato (Vol. 1 of 6)Socrates stands accused of impiety and corrupting youth, yet he refuses to abandon his quest for truth and integrity.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Mr. Thomas Brown, serious and comical : in prose and verse, with his remains in four volumes compleat; vol. IIJourney beneath the river Styx to a vivid underworld where the dead write letters to the living, and infernal politics mirror earthly intrigues.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 18Explore a spirited defense of women’s virtues and foibles through a lively dialogue enriched with wit, gallantry, and learned critique.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 17Dive into an extraordinary English translation of Plutarch’s Lives, enriched by scholarly notes and a compelling Life of Plutarch, revealing the grandeur of ancient heroes and the…
Level C1HistoricalThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Explore the devout life and miraculous works of Saint Francis Xavier through a richly detailed historical narrative, revealing the profound impact of faith and divine providence ac…
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 15Epic battles and divine interventions shape the fate of Æneas as he seeks aid from allies and faces relentless foes.
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 14Step into a world where poetic mastery meets profound reflection on nature and human life, as a devoted translator presents Virgil's Georgics with insightful commentary, exploring…
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 13Dive into a powerful essay on satire that honors a noble patron’s rise and explores the art of poetry, blending classical wisdom with personal reflection on genius, judgment, and t…
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 12Dive into a rich collection of poetic masterpieces, including Dryden’s modernized tales from Chaucer and translations of Ovid’s epistles, blending classical narratives with insight…
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 11Explore the early poetic epistles of a young scholar, revealing his sharp wit and evolving style amid the Restoration's shifting cultural tides.
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 10Dive into a powerful poetic discourse on faith and reason amid England’s religious and political turmoil, where the national church’s doctrines are explored with philosophical clar…
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 09Political and historical poems explore the complex figure of Oliver Cromwell, balancing admiration with restraint amid the tumultuous backdrop of civil war.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 08Dive into a witty reimagining of the ancient Roman comedy Amphitryon, where gods disguise themselves as mortals, sparking comic confusion, mistaken identities, and clever intrigues…
Level C1ClassicsThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 07Amidst the fierce political turmoil of Charles II’s reign, the stage becomes a battleground where drama and intrigue mirror real-life power struggles, religious conflict, and the f…
Level C1PoetryThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06Dive into a biting comedy that exposes the tangled scandals and hypocrisies of Charles II’s court, where satire cuts deep into the lives of nobles and mistresses alike, revealing a…
Level C1HistoricalThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 05Amidst brutal colonial conflict, English merchants in the Spice Islands face horrific torture and betrayal by the Dutch, igniting political and personal vengeance.
Level C1ClassicsThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 04Step into a world where chivalry and heroic valor shape the fate of kingdoms, as the mighty Moorish warrior Almanzor battles with unmatched prowess and unwavering devotion, embodyi…
Level C1RomanceThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03In Restoration London, the blundering Sir Martin Mar-All schemes to win the clever Mrs Millisent, but his foolish plots and meddling servants threaten to unravel his plans in this…
Level C1ClassicsThe works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02Dive into a collection of dramatic works that reveal the complexities of honor, love, and conquest, framed by heartfelt dedications and insightful prefaces exploring art, generosit…
Level C1ClassicsThe works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 5: Une Vie and Other StoriesExplore the nuanced lives and social challenges of 19th-century Normandy through vivid tales blending tenderness, cynicism, and keen observation, revealing the complexities of love…
Level B2RomanceThe wooing of LeolaA lavish reception sets the stage for Jessie Stirling’s determined quest to win back Chester Olyphant’s love, complicated by the mysterious charm of Leola Mead, whose wild beauty t…
PoetryThe woodsExplore the rhythms of nature and the human spirit through evocative poems that celebrate the seasons, wildlife, and life's deeper mysteries, inviting readers into the serene and s…
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.