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 C1MysteryGeoffrey Hampstead: A NovelIn the bustling Victoria Bank of Toronto, young clerks balance numbers and social ambitions while harboring secrets beneath their polished exteriors.
Level C1ClassicsGeoffery GambadoDive into a witty collection of caricatures and sketches that aim to lift spirits and cure melancholy through humor and insight, revealing the quirks of society and the healing pow…
Level B2Children'sGeoff's little sisterIn the wake of their mother’s passing, Geoffrey and his brothers grapple with grief and the changes at home, while little Dodie remains unaware of the loss.
Level C1ClassicsGentlemen of the Jury: A FarceTwelve jurors locked in a room must decide the fate of Peter Popgun, accused of illegally manufacturing gunpowder.
Level C1RomanceGentle JuliaA young girl’s sharp tongue and lofty airs set the stage for a coming-of-age tale where pride, family expectations, and youthful dreams collide in a small town’s sunlit streets.
Level C1ClassicsGenius in Sunshine and ShadowExplore the enduring nature of genius through the shifting shadows of history, as this reflective collection examines the lives and legacies of great artists and thinkers whose fam…
Level C1ClassicsGenevra; or, the history of a portrait: by an American lady. A resident of Washington City.In Rome, two English friends grow restless as they wait for dinner and decide to explore the city’s ancient ruins and an artist’s studio, uncovering the clash between timeless gran…
Level C1PoetryGenesis ADive into an ancient retelling of Genesis, where celestial beings revel in divine majesty until pride leads one angel astray, setting the stage for a timeless battle between innoce…
Level B2Science FictionGenerals Help ThemselvesIn a tense future where a devastating defeat on Venus has shattered hope, an admiral entrusts a disgraced commander with the critical defense of Base Q, the Federation’s vital ener…
Level C2FantasyGeneral William Booth Enters into Heaven, and Other PoemsA bold and visionary march through heaven’s gates follows General William Booth as he leads society’s outcasts—lepers, convicts, and lost souls—into a transformed, radiant afterlif…
Level C1HistoricalGeneral Nelson's ScoutIn the divided heart of Kentucky during the Civil War, two young cousins face a fierce struggle of loyalty and belief as their state teeters between neutrality and conflict.
Level C1ClassicsGeneral John ReganIn the sweltering quiet of an Irish police barrack, Constable Moriarty battles boredom and duty, set against the stark realities of his military role.
Level C1AdventureGeneral Crook and the Fighting Apaches: Treating Also of the Part Borne by Jimmie Dunn in the days, 1871-1886, When With Soldiers and Pack-trains and Indian Scouts, but Employing the Stronger Weapons of Kindness, Firmness and Honesty, the Gray Fox Worked Hard to the End That the White Men and the Red Men in the Southwest as in the Northwest Might Better Understand One AnotherFollow General Crook, the "Gray Fox," as he leads soldiers and Indian scouts through the rugged Southwest, using kindness and honesty to bridge the divide between white settlers an…
Level C1RomanceGeneral Bounce; Or, The Lady and the LocustsIn a world where wealth and beauty attract endless admirers, a spirited Englishman navigates the social whirl of London’s elite and the restless nomadic spirit of his ancestors.
Level C1ClassicsGene Stratton Porter, Best-SellerDiscover the life and legacy of a beloved Hoosier author whose romantic tales captivated millions despite critical dismissal, revealing the influences and inspirations behind her e…
Level B2ClassicsGena of the AppalachiansIn the Appalachian mountains, a feared outlaw’s death brings the mountainfolk together amid a fierce winter storm, where a layman of faith steps forward to honor a man whose life w…
Level B2PoetryGems of Poetry, for Girls and BoysCelebrate the joys of nature, childhood, and simple pleasures through a collection of charming poems that invite young readers to laugh, play, and appreciate the world around them.
Level B2PoetryGems Gathered in Haste: A New Year's Gift for Sunday SchoolsIn a spirited tale of quick thinking and teamwork, a determined group races against time to create a meaningful New Year’s gift for Sunday Schools.
Level B2Children'sGem of neatnessIn a charming tale of childhood virtues, a young girl’s dedication to neatness transforms her world, teaching lessons of order, care, and pride in one’s surroundings.
Level C1PoetryGebir, and Count JulianIn a tale of ambition and love, Gebir, prince of Boetic Spain, faces a fateful vow to invade Egypt but finds his conquests challenged by deeper passions and the haunting consequenc…
Level C2PoetryGay gods and merry mortals: some excursions in verseExplore vivid verses that bring ancient myths to life, weaving tales of gods and mortals with charm, passion, and timeless emotion through a series of poetic excursions steeped in…
Level B2RomanceGay LawlessAt a lively trotting race, spirited Gay Lawless navigates the thrills and rivalries of the sport, where friendships, wagers, and unexpected reunions spark a captivating tale of pas…
FantasyGawayne and the Green Knight: A Fairy TaleA mysterious Green Knight challenges the noble Gawayne to a daring test of courage and honor, setting in motion a fantastical quest filled with magic and chivalry.
Level C1HistoricalGaut Gurley; Or, the Trappers of Umbagog: A Tale of Border LifeIn a turbulent borderland where city vices clash with wilderness virtues, a merchant turned trapper faces smuggling, gambling, and betrayal.
Level C1ClassicsGaudissart IIIn the bustling streets of Paris, the art of selling becomes a dazzling performance where charm, wit, and spectacle collide.
Level C1PoetryGaudeamus! Humorous PoemsDive into a witty journey through history and humanity, where prehistoric creatures, ancient civilizations, and student revelry collide in humorous ballads that blend scientific cu…
Level C1HistoricalGaston de Latour; an unfinished romanceIn the heart of La Beauce, the Latour family’s intertwined manors symbolize centuries of loyalty and human connection, as generations gather for a momentous day that binds past mem…
Level C1GothicGaston de Blondeville, vol. 1 of 4Amidst a calm life of domesticity, a mysterious author weaves tales that chill the blood and captivate the imagination, revealing a world where ancient lineage and quiet strength u…
Level C1AdventureGaspar the Gaucho: A Story of the Gran ChacoIn the vast, untamed wilderness of the Gran Chaco, where mighty rivers flow and fierce savages roam, daring explorers confront nature’s mysteries and dangers in a land untouched by…
Level C1HistoricalGaspar RuizAmidst the brutal chaos of South America's fight for independence, Gaspar Ruiz, a simple soldier mistaken for a deserter, faces a harrowing struggle to survive and prove his loyalt…
Level B2AdventureGascoyne, The Sandal-Wood Trader: A Tale of the PacificA rugged sea captain navigates a sleek schooner through the perilous coral reefs of the Pacific, confronting the dangers of savage islanders and the mysteries of distant isles in a…
Level C1ClassicsGarthowen: A Story of a Welsh HomesteadA rugged seafarer returns to his Welsh homestead, grappling with his father’s harsh judgment and the tender ties of childhood, including a special bond with the spirited Morva.
Level B2ClassicsGarryowenAmidst the wild beauty of coastal Ireland, a fragile young woman named Miss French navigates life from her bath-chair, accompanied by her loyal caretaker Moriarty, as they traverse…
Level B2Children'sGarry Grayson's football rivalsAs football season approaches in Lenox, Garry Grayson and his friends train hard, eager to fill the shoes of last year’s stars and prove themselves on the field.
Level B2AdventureGarry Grayson at Lenox HighFreshmen football players face the daunting challenge of making the tough Lenox High team, determined to prove themselves against seasoned upperclassmen.
Level C1HistoricalGarrick's PupilIn 18th-century London, a young woman and her companion enter the studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the famed painter known for his striking portraits and eccentric methods.
Level B2ClassicsGarman and Worse: A Norwegian NovelAn enigmatic former attaché escapes his wild past to live as a lighthouse keeper by the restless sea, accompanied only by his young daughter.
Level C2FantasyGargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 5Embark on a fantastical voyage to mysterious islands inhabited by bizarre creatures and curious societies, where riddles, enchanted temples, and whimsical adventures challenge the…
Level C1FantasyGargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 4Embark on a fantastical voyage with Pantagruel as he explores strange islands, encounters peculiar customs, and braves mighty storms, all while uncovering curious wonders and engag…
Level C2FantasyGargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3Embark on a fantastical journey as Pantagruel transports a colony of Utopians to the strange land of Dipsody, while his companion Panurge wrestles with the complexities of marriage…
Level C1FantasyGargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 2Dive into the adventures of Pantagruel, a giant born into a world of wit and wonder, as he navigates youthful exploits, sharp judgments, and encounters with colorful companions lik…
Level C1FantasyGargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 1Dive into the outrageous adventures of Gargantua, a giant born under bizarre circumstances, whose exploits range from uproarious education to epic battles and the founding of a uto…
Level C1FantasyGargantua and PantagruelDive into a world of giants, humor, and adventure as the mighty Gargantua is born in extraordinary fashion and embarks on a journey filled with learning, games, and epic battles to…
Level C1ClassicsGammer Gurton's NeedleWhen Gammer Gurton loses her precious needle, chaos and comedy ensue in this lively farce of rustic life, filled with rollicking humor and unexpected twists that build to a hilario…
Level C1PoetryGammer Gurton's Garland; Or, The Nursery Parnassus: A Choice Collection of Pretty Songs and Verses for the Amusement of All Little Good Children Who Can Neither Read nor Run.Delight in a charming collection of whimsical songs and verses crafted to entertain little children who are yet to read or run, featuring playful tales of animals, nursery rhymes,…
Level C1ClassicsGambolling with Galatea: a Bucolic RomanceIn a sunlit barnyard, restless animals unite in protest against their confinement, yearning for freedom and fairness under the unseen hand of their absent caretaker.
Level C1ClassicsGambaraOn New Year’s Day 1831, a proud Milanese exile with poetic ambitions and a taste for luxury navigates the glittering yet shadowy world of Paris society, torn between his ideals and…
Level C1ClassicsGalusha the MagnificentOn a foggy October evening, a confident local politician’s solitary drive is interrupted by a mysterious stranger seeking directions, sparking an encounter that promises intrigue o…
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.