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 C1PhilosophyGleanings from MaeterlinckDelve into profound reflections on death and existence, as a quest unfolds to understand the mysteries that shadow human life and the enduring legacy beyond the grave.
Level C1HistoricalGleaner TalesAmid the turbulent backdrop of 1813 Montreal, a detachment of soldiers prepares to escort a crucial ammunition train through contested lands, facing the looming threat of invasion…
Level C1PoetryGleams of Sunshine: Optimistic PoemsExplore heartfelt poems that seek light and love amid human struggle, offering hopeful reflections on faith, brotherhood, and the pursuit of peace in a world shadowed by war and ha…
Level C1ClassicsGlassesA painter on holiday in Folkestone becomes captivated by Flora Saunt, a striking young woman whose beauty and presence command attention amidst the seaside crowd.
Level C1ClassicsGladys, the ReaperAs summer sunshine revives a struggling farm, a young girl of uncertain origins finds herself entangled with a desperate group of Irish migrants at the farm’s gate, setting the sta…
Level C1HistoricalGladstonian GhostsIn a sharp critique of early 20th-century British politics, this essay dissects the clash between idealistic reforms and entrenched party interests, revealing the complex interplay…
Level C1ClassicsGlad ghostsAmid post-war tensions, an unlikely bond forms between an ambitious yet conflicted aristocrat and a struggling artist, united by a shared yearning to break free from societal conve…
Level C1RomanceGiven in MarriageIn the lush hills of Southern India, two planter cousins navigate the mysteries of gold rumors and estate life until a lost stranger arrives, setting in motion unexpected encounter…
Level C1PoetryGitanjaliExperience a journey through profound spiritual and poetic reflections that blend nature, love, and divine contemplation, revealing a rich cultural tradition where poetry and relig…
Level B2Children'sGirls togetherIn a lively university town during commencement, cousins Theo and Val navigate friendships, rivalries, and the bittersweet excitement of growing up alongside their graduate loved o…
Level B2Children'sGirls of the True BlueIn the shadow of her mother's illness and poverty, eleven-year-old Nan clings fiercely to her battered doll and her fading childhood, while a kind stranger promises to safeguard he…
Level B2Children'sGirls of the ForestTen spirited sisters roam freely around their charming but neglected Elizabethan home in the New Forest, facing the impending arrival of their strict Aunt Sophia who threatens to u…
Level B2Children'sGirls of Highland Hall: Further Adventures of the Dandelion CottagersSix girls from Northern Michigan step into the bustling streets of Chicago for a day of adventure, sweets, and unexpected discoveries under the watchful eye of a kind gentleman—whe…
Level B2FantasyGirls in BooklandTwo sisters face a lonely winter storm on their prairie home, longing for adventure and companionship.
Level C1Children'sGirls New and OldA shy fifteen-year-old girl begins a new chapter at a prestigious school, navigating the excitement and challenges of friendship, self-discovery, and growing independence amid the…
Level C1AdventureGirlhood and Womanhood: The Story of some Fortunes and MisfortunesA laird haunted by a deadly duel struggles with remorse while his daughter Joanna takes on the heavy burden of managing their family’s fortunes and misfortunes.
Level B2AdventureGirl Scouts in the RockiesA spirited troop of Girl Scouts embarks on a rugged Rocky Mountain adventure, learning to travel light and embrace the challenges of true wilderness camping far from home comforts…
Level B2AdventureGirl Scouts in the AdirondacksA spirited troop of Girl Scouts embarks on a thrilling adventure to their Adirondack camp, facing unexpected challenges like a worn-out car spring and looming storm clouds as they…
Level B2AdventureGirl Scouts in Arizona and New MexicoA spirited group of girl scouts eagerly prepare for an adventurous summer exploring the wild terrains of Arizona and New Mexico, following thrilling past expeditions through the Ro…
Level B2AdventureGirl Scouts at Dandelion CampFour girls start a club to earn money for summer camp by pulling dandelions, but their differing attitudes and dreams spark friendship, laughter, and the challenge of finding their…
Level C1FantasyGiphantia: Or a View of What Has Passed, What Is Now Passing, and, During the Present Century, What Will Pass, in the World.A daring traveler ventures into the scorching deserts beyond Guinea, enduring a terrifying sandstorm, only to discover a hidden, fertile plain filled with unexpected wonders.
Level C2PhilosophyGiordano BrunoOn Pentecost in a Paris dominated by Italian influence, a young Dominican monk challenges orthodox beliefs with radical ideas about the Spirit’s freedom and the unity of the visibl…
Level C1ClassicsGinx's Baby: His Birth and Other Misfortunes; a SatireIn a crowded London home, Ginx and his wife struggle with the relentless challenges of poverty, family, and society as their many children—each birth a public spectacle—highlight t…
Level B2ClassicsGinger-SnapsBiting wit and keen observation unravel the tedious rituals of social dinner parties, exposing the hollow customs behind lavish feasts and forced conversation.
Level B2PoetryGinevraIn a gloomy English castle, young Lady Ginevra grows under the watchful protection of loyal guardians, destined for sorrow despite her gentle spirit and beauty.
Level C1AdventureGilian The Dreamer: His Fancy, His Love and AdventureA boy bearing grave news journeys through misty hills and blooming gean-trees, caught between sorrow and duty in a world where nature’s whispers echo his lonely path.
Level C1HistoricalGiles Corey, Yeoman: A PlayIn a tense Salem Village home, whispers of witchcraft and eerie noises stir fear among family and friends, as suspicion and superstition threaten to unravel their lives.
Level C1MysteryGilead Balm, knight errantA young government clerk with sharp wit and a kind heart becomes fascinated by the mysterious appeals in a newspaper’s Agony Column, sparking a romantic quest that promises intrigu…
Level B2AdventureGil the Gunner: The Youngest Officer in the EastA hot-headed cad clashes with classmates and authority at a strict military academy, struggling with isolation and a fierce temper as he strives to prove himself worthy of command.![Cover of Gifts of Genius: A Miscellany of Prose and Poetry by American Authors by Samuel etc.] Osgood](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daglnfmicedc739b63o0.webp)
Level C1PoetryGifts of Genius: A Miscellany of Prose and Poetry by American AuthorsA heartfelt collection of original prose and poetry by distinguished American authors, united to support a beloved teacher who, after losing her sight, inspires through resilience…
Level C1HistoricalGideon's Band: A Tale of the MississippiAmid the bustling steamboat levee of New Orleans in 1852, diverse characters converge around the elegant new riverboat Votaress, poised for its maiden upriver voyage to Louisville,…
Level C1HistoricalGibbonBorn into frailty and loss, a young Edward Gibbon battles illness and isolation while cultivating an early passion for history, setting the stage for a life marked by resilience an…
Level C1HistoricalGiants in the earthNorwegian settlers face the brutal realities of prairie life as homesickness and hardship test their endurance and spirit.
Level C1HistoricalGiant Hours with Poet PreachersExplore the stirring call for a new social order where Christian ideals transform society, weaving brotherhood and justice into the fabric of industry and civilization through the…
Level C1Children'sGiannellaIn a struggling artist community in Rome, two friends face a heartbreaking dilemma: how to care for the orphaned daughter of their late comrade amidst poverty and indifference.
Level B2ClassicsGhosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three ActsIn a gloomy Norwegian fjord house, secrets and strained family ties simmer as a widow, her son, and their household confront the shadows of past sins and societal pressures, reveal…
Level C1ClassicsGhosts I Have Met and Some OthersEncounters with bizarre, grotesque spectres lead a skeptical narrator to confront the supernatural with wit and curiosity rather than fear.
Level C1MysteryGhost Stories of an Antiquary Part 2: More Ghost StoriesIn a sprawling old school near London, a new master with mysterious charm stirs unease among students as strange, ghostly happenings begin to unfold, challenging their notions of r…
Level C1ClassicsGhetto TragediesIn an East End Jewish community, Zillah’s fervent fasting finally brings a long-awaited son, Brum, whose frail health challenges their faith and hopes.
Level C1ClassicsGhetto ComediesAn artist sets out to paint a realistic portrayal of the Man of Sorrows, challenging traditional depictions by seeking a deeper truth rooted in reality and cultural identity.
Level C1ClassicsGetting MarriedIn a world where marriage laws are harsh and often hypocritical, rebellious spirits challenge tradition while grappling with the undeniable social and legal pressures to wed.
Level C1ClassicsGet-Rich-Quick Wallingford: A Cheerful Account of the Rise and Fall of an American Business BuccaneerA charming con artist with nothing but a hundred dollars and boundless confidence arrives in a new city, plotting a brilliant scheme to turn the world’s money his way.
Level B2Science FictionGet Out of My Body!An alien fugitive hides by possessing a young girl in Knoxville, sparking a tense hunt as a human tour-chief races against a looming alien intervention to capture him before disast…
Level C1ClassicsGet Next!A day at the racetrack turns into a whirlwind of colorful characters, wild bets, and tall tales as John Henry and his friends navigate the thrills and pitfalls of horse racing in t…
Level C1ClassicsGertrude's MarriageAn unexpected inheritance thrusts a young man into the challenges of rural estate life, forcing him to reconsider his ambitions and the practicalities of love and marriage amid a c…
Level C1HistoricalGerminie LacerteuxIn 19th-century Paris, a stark and unflinching look at the hidden lives of the working poor unfolds, exposing raw human suffering and resilience far from the glittering salons of h…
Level C1ClassicsGerminalUnder a starless sky, a lone man journeys through harsh coal-mining lands, embodying the struggles of a working-class community facing relentless hardship.
Level C1HistoricalGermania and AgricolaExplore the detailed accounts of Roman-era Germany and the military career of Agricola, enriched with scholarly insights into language, history, and culture, offering a rigorous ye…
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.