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 C1ClassicsImpressions of Theophrastus SuchA solitary bachelor reflects deeply on the elusive nature of self-knowledge, exploring how others perceive him and the hidden follies he unknowingly shares with all humanity.
Level C1ClassicsImpressions and experiencesStep into the world of a 19th-century country newspaper, where a young boy’s memories blend with his father’s passionate fight against slavery through the printed word.
Level C1ClassicsImpressions and CommentsA series of personal reflections captures fleeting moments of life and thought, revealing humanity’s complexities through vivid urban scenes and meditations on nature, art, and soc…
Level B2PoetryImpertinent PoemsWitty and reflective poems tackle everyday struggles, social quirks, and the human spirit with a playful yet profound voice.
Level C1ClassicsImperium in Imperio: A Study of the Negro Race Problem. A NovelA devoted mother’s fierce determination to educate her children sets in motion a powerful narrative of race, loyalty, and rebellion within a secret African American organization.
Level C1ClassicsImogen; Or, Only EighteenAt the lively estate of Grey Fells Hall, the Helmont family thrives on endless summer visitors and spirited gatherings—until a young, inexperienced guest arrives, stirring tensions…
Level C1RomanceImogen: A Pastoral RomanceIn a richly imagined Welsh setting, ancient pagan traditions clash with emerging narratives as a mysterious manuscript reveals a pastoral romance steeped in classical beauty and de…
Level C1ClassicsImmortal MemoriesExplore eloquent tributes to literary giants and the vibrant intellectual circles of historic English cities, revealing the rich legacies of poets, scholars, and the enduring power…
Level C1RomanceImmenseeAn elderly man revisits memories of his youth and a cherished friendship with Elisabeth, unfolding a tender tale of childhood innocence and the bittersweet passage of time in a qui…
Level C1ClassicsImaginations and ReveriesDive into a rich mosaic of Irish nationalism, art, and spirituality as a restless intellect navigates the tensions between personal expression and collective identity, exploring th…
Level C1HistoricalImaginary PortraitsIn early 18th-century Valenciennes, young Antony Watteau, a gifted but unfulfilled painter, navigates the struggles of humble origins and artistic ambition, dreaming of triumph in…
Level C1ClassicsImaginary InterviewsStep into the storied Easy Chair, a witness to decades of literary reflection and spirited dialogue, as it revives memories and questions the worthiness of those who dare to fill t…
Level C1PoetryImaginary Conversations and Poems: A SelectionStep into a vivid dialogue between warriors Hannibal and Marcellus on the battlefield’s edge, where honor, power, and fate intertwine amid the looming clash of Rome and Carthage.
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of the author of WaverleyAmidst the turmoil of the Highland uprising, an honorable soldier and his noble adversary forge an unlikely bond of respect and protection, revealing a tale of loyalty, courage, an…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of taxationIn a town caught between tradition and progress, the heir to a long-abandoned estate returns to reclaim his family home, uncovering the tensions hidden beneath the surface of chang…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 9 (of 9)In a bustling household on Budge Row, Jane Farrer navigates the challenges of family, ambition, and unexpected news that could change their future.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 8 (of 9)In a remote village, a devoted philosopher navigates the silence between worlds, eagerly awaiting news from distant lands while finding solace in his telescope and the quiet compan…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 7 (of 9)Under a midsummer moon in drought-stricken Yorkshire, two women keep vigil by a fading spring, hoping to ease the harshness of thirst and hardship in their parched land.
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of political economy, Volume 6 (of 9)In 17th-century Amsterdam, amidst bustling markets and ships, the death of a prominent merchant sets the stage for exploring the intricate workings of bills of exchange and the flo…
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of political economy, Volume 5 (of 9)Exiled Polish prisoners march through the harsh Siberian wilderness, bound by iron bars and defiant songs of their homeland.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 4 (of 9)In a seemingly idyllic English county, harsh poverty underpins desperate lives, as laborers struggle with unemployment, crime, and fractured families amid fertile orchards and grow…
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 3 (of 9)In the industrial shadows near Manchester, a weary factory worker and his ailing daughter navigate the harsh realities of poverty, labor, and community strife.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 2 (of 9)In the vibrant tropics of Demerara, two siblings return to their ancestral plantation after years abroad, confronting the complex realities of slavery and colonial life.
Level C1ClassicsIllustrations of political economy, Volume 1 (of 9)Explore the vital principles of political economy, revealing how wealth is produced, distributed, and consumed within society.
Level C1HistoricalIllustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners:: with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.Delve into the rich world of Shakespearean insight, exploring ancient customs, the roles of clowns and fools, and the origins of popular tales and dances, all illuminated through d…
Level C1HistoricalIllustrated history of ancient literature, oriental and classicalExplore the origins and evolution of ancient Oriental and classical literatures, tracing languages and masterpieces that shaped civilizations.
Level C1ClassicsIlka on the Hill-Top and Other StoriesA determined father and his son embark on a grueling summer journey through the stunning yet unforgiving Tyrolean mountains, revealing the clash between ambition, social climbing,…
Level C1HistoricalIl Novellino: The hundred old talesStep into the lively courts and rustic camps of medieval Italy, where a minstrel weaves a hundred captivating tales—moral, witty, and spicy—drawn from biblical, classical, and exot…
Level C1ClassicsIgnorant EssaysEngage in a whimsical exploration of ghosts, dreams, and the unseen specters that haunt both waking and sleeping minds, as two friends debate the value and nature of illusions in e…
Level C1ClassicsIf, Yes and Perhaps: Four Possibilities and Six Exaggerations with Some Bits of FactExplore a whimsical collection of stories blending fact, fancy, and moral sketches that challenge the boundaries of truth and imagination, revealing human society through possibili…
Level B2Science FictionIf at First You Don't...In a future where satellites are relics of a bygone era, a historic orbital satellite faces destruction, sparking fierce political debates about preservation versus progress.
Level C1ClassicsIf Winter Don't: A.B.C.D.E.F. NotsomuchinsonA sharp-witted parody unfolds as Luke "Flap" Sharper navigates life with ironic misfortunes and peculiar habits, all while his lawyer friend recounts tales of his quirky past and c…
Level C1MysteryIf Sinners Entice TheeIn a quiet English village, Captain Erle Brooker returns from a life of high stakes and shady deals, determined to protect his daughter Liane’s happiness amid gossip and suspicion.
Level C1RomanceIf Only etc.A young doctor impulsively marries Bella, a charming and innocent music-hall performer, hoping for love amidst uncertain futures and the challenges of new family ties.
Level C1AdventureIf I Were KingIn a smoky tavern filled with rogues and rebels, a bold woman disguised as a man captivates with her fearless song and sharp wit.
Level B2ClassicsIf Any Man SinIn a mist-shrouded city, a disgraced man haunted by his past secretly follows a woman whose voice stirs deep emotions within him, forcing him to confront memories of disgrace and a…
Level C1ClassicsIermolaIn a remote corner of Wolhynian Poland, tradition clashes with change as noble families cling to old customs amidst a landscape untouched by modern roads or officials, where messen…
PoetryIdylls of the Skillet ForkExperience rural life and rustic charm through a series of bucolic poems that capture the humor, trials, and traditions of small-town characters along the Skillet Fork.
Level C1AdventureIdylls of the Sea, and Other Marine SketchesDrift into the serene yet mysterious world of the sea, where endless skies meet silent waves and sailors share solemn tales beneath starlit heavens.
Level C2RomanceIdylls of the KingAmid a land torn by war and wilderness, a young king rises to unite fractured kingdoms and tame wild beasts threatening his people.
Level C1PoetryIdylls of the BibleExplore a lush garden where a rose tree’s wish to transform every flower into a rose reveals a profound lesson about individuality, purpose, and the beauty found in diversity.
Level C2PoetryIdyllic Monologues: Old and New World VersesDive into a rich tapestry of verses that blend old and new worlds, capturing heroic deeds, timeless tales, and quiet moments of nature’s beauty.
Level C1AdventureIdonia: A Romance of Old LondonIn old London, a young man named Denis navigates his complex relationship with his scholarly father while uncovering mysterious family secrets.
Level C1Children'sIdols in the Heart: A TaleWhen their father marries a young, inexperienced woman from a humble background, three motherless siblings brace themselves for a new stepmother who threatens their carefully guard…
Level C1ClassicsIdolsA brutal murder sets off a chain reaction beneath the surface of four seemingly gentle lives, unraveling hidden passions and loyalties.
Level C1FantasyIdolatry: A RomanceIn 1853 Boston, two mysterious guests check into neighboring rooms at a grand hotel overlooking a graveyard, setting the stage for uncanny adventures that blur the lines between fa…
Level C1HistoricalIdling in Italy: Studies of literature and of lifeExplore Italy beyond its famed landscapes through intimate essays that blend literature, history, and the spirit of a nation rising from tyranny to new cultural heights amid the up…
Level B2ClassicsIdle Ideas in 1905Wry observations on social awkwardness and human nature unfold at a gathering where introductions and polite conversation reveal the quirks of societal expectations.
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.