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 C1HistoricalFeminism in Greek Literature from Homer to AristotleExplore how ancient Greek literature reflects deep-seated conflicts over women's roles, revealing a society divided by a "sex-war" that shaped moral ideals and cultural decline, wh…
Level C1ClassicsFelix O'DayIn rain-soaked Broadway’s dazzling glow, a mysterious man silently watches the theatre crowds, his keen eyes searching for something—or someone—amid the city’s glittering chaos.
Level C1ClassicsFelix Lanzberg's ExpiationIn a languid spa town, a retired officer and a sharp-witted baroness exchange society gossip, unraveling whispered scandals beneath the surface of polite conversation.
Level C1RomanceFelix Holt, the RadicalAmid the changing English countryside and fading traditions, a journey unfolds that reveals the lives, labors, and quiet struggles of rural folk, weaving a rich tapestry of social…
Level B2PoetryFeline PhilosophyA once pampered cat faces abandonment, hunger, and despair, navigating the harsh streets and unexpected rescues while reflecting on loyalty, survival, and dignity in a world that n…
Level C1HistoricalFelicitas: A Tale of the German Migrations: A.D. 476Amid the twilight of Roman rule in the Salzach valley, a young scholar wanders ancient roads and forgotten villas, tracing the silent footsteps of Germanic tribes as they encroach…
Level C1AdventureFeats on the Fiord: The third book in "The Playfellow"Amid Norway’s breathtaking fjords, a remote farmstead thrives in the harsh arctic wilderness where majestic mountains, shimmering waters, and the resilient spirit of its people set…
Level B2AdventureFeats on the FiordIn the rugged, mystical fiords of Norway, young Oddo embarks on daring adventures against a backdrop of shimmering waters, towering cliffs, and legendary superstitions that blur th…
Level B2MysteryFeathers left aroundAt a Westchester estate, a sharp-witted group of friends debate the allure of locked-room mysteries, while the vivacious Anna stirs tensions and secrets beneath the surface.
Level B2Children'sFeatherland: How the Birds lived at GreenlawnIn a vibrant garden untouched by harm, the birds of Greenlawn awaken to spring’s arrival, singing and feasting in a world where nests are safe and nature thrives.
Level B2Children'sFawn in the woodA princess cursed to transform if she sees daylight before fifteen is confined in a windowless palace—until a jealous lady-in-waiting’s betrayal forces her to flee as a mysterious…
Level B2Children'sFavourite Fables in Prose and VerseCunning animals teach timeless lessons through their clever schemes and misadventures—from a fox trapped in a well to a greedy man’s downfall—each fable revealing wisdom on trust,…
Level B2Children'sFavorite Fairy Tales: The Childhood Choice of Representative Men and WomenStep into a world where timeless fairy tales chosen by celebrated thinkers come alive, weaving magic, wisdom, and imagination into beloved stories like Cinderella, Jack the Giant-K…
Level B1Children'sFavorite Fairy TalesIn a wintery kingdom, a jealous queen’s envy turns deadly when her stepdaughter Snow-White grows more beautiful than her.
Level C1ClassicsFaustusA restless scholar confronts the dark forces of ambition and corruption, journeying through cities and courts where vice and virtue clash.![Cover of Faust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagka1micedc739b5s80.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of GoetheA restless scholar, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, turns to dark and supernatural forces in a desperate quest for meaning, setting in motion a dramatic clash between…
Level C2ClassicsFaust: A TragedyA scholar, disillusioned with life’s limits, makes a daring pact to transcend human experience and knowledge.
Level C1PoetryFaust — Part 1A scholar disillusioned by the limits of knowledge makes a pact with a mysterious stranger, unleashing a profound exploration of human desire, ambition, and the quest for meaning a…![Cover of Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6p56q2orus73fpjrfg.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original MetresA scholar, disillusioned yet desperate for meaning, summons dark forces in a pact that challenges the limits of human knowledge and ambition.
Level C1MysteryFaulkner's FollyIn an elegant Georgian mansion, a mysterious cry for help shatters the night, revealing a lifeless artist in his studio and two women caught in a tense, fearful standoff—unraveling…
Level C1HistoricalFathers of MenTwo new boys arrive at Heriot’s house, sparking quiet judgments and hidden truths beneath their manners and accents.
Level C1HistoricalFathers and SonsA fierce ideological clash unfolds as the nihilist Bazarov challenges the fading Russian aristocracy, igniting tension between the conservative older generation and the rebellious…
Level C1HistoricalFathers and ChildrenGenerations clash in a Russian provincial town where a young nihilist returns home, challenging the old order with radical ideas and stirring tensions between fathers and sons.
Level C1ClassicsFather and Son: A Study of Two TemperamentsA poignant memoir unfolds the clash between two opposing temperaments and eras—a father bound by fading Puritan values and a son propelled toward modernity—capturing a bittersweet…
Level C1ClassicsFather Tom and the PopeIn a lively Dublin debate, Father Tom, a charismatic Irish priest, clashes with the timid Rev.
Level C1ClassicsFather StaffordIn the serene English countryside, Eugene Lane, a young MP with wealth and a promising fiancée, prepares to host one of his notorious weekend parties, where social intrigues and un…
Level B2ClassicsFather SergiusA promising officer destined for glory abruptly abandons his military career, fiancée, and wealth to seek solace in a monastery.
Level C1HistoricalFather GoriotIn a shabby Paris boarding house, a penniless young woman and the mysterious Father Goriot navigate the harsh realities of poverty, ambition, and broken dreams amid the city's grim…
Level B2Children'sFather Brighthopes; Or, An Old Clergyman's VacationIn a quaint countryside setting, a stern uncle's household conceals tender struggles and heartfelt hopes as children navigate life's trials and find unexpected joys.
Level A2AdventureFather Bear and Bobby BearIn a sunlit forest, young Bobby Bear longs for friendship beyond his lonely cave and chores, dreaming of joyful days and unexpected encounters that may change his quiet life foreve…
Level C1ClassicsFated to Be Free: A NovelIn a secluded English valley, a faded estate and its weathered past invite exploration through the eyes of a reflective narrator who reveals the intertwined lives of its inhabitant…
Level B2ClassicsFate Knocks at the Door: A NovelA young man’s decisive act aboard a swift clipper in the China Sea sets the stage for a journey through fate, passion, and the complexities of life.
Level B2MysteryFatal fingersA renowned man presumed dead for eighteen years lives in obscurity, guarding a painful secret while resisting a tempting offer to return and reclaim his past.
Level C1RomanceFata Morgana: A Romance of Art Student Life in ParisIn the vibrant heart of Paris, an American painter reawakens memories of Helia, a captivating circus girl turned muse, as he prepares a grand artistic tribute to the legendary Quee…
Level B2AdventureFast in the Ice: Adventures in the Polar RegionsA brave crew embarks on a perilous voyage into the uncharted Polar Seas, where icy dangers and unknown wonders await.
Level B2MysteryFast as the Wind: A NovelA wealthy sportsman navigates a tangled web of loyalty, rivalry, and love amid the scenic beauty of Torquay and the looming shadows of family secrets.
Level B2AdventureFast Nine; or, A Challenge from FairfieldFive adventurous boys trek home after a long day fishing along the Sunflower River, sharing camaraderie, challenges, and local legends in their lively journey back to Hickory Ridge…
Level C1ClassicsFashions in LiteratureExplore the evolving tastes and ideals in literature through thoughtful essays that blend humor, morality, and keen observation of human nature, revealing the subtle relationship b…
Level C1PhilosophyFashionable Philosophy, and Other SketchesIn a lively London drawing-room, fashionable guests gather to debate the religion of the future, revealing the clash between social pretension, emerging philosophies, and the searc…
Level C1ClassicsFashion and FamineIn bustling 19th-century New York, vivid market scenes and diverse characters intertwine amid the city's awakening.
Level C1ClassicsFarquharson of GluneIn the desolate moors of Perthshire, two starkly different men venture toward the haunted, poverty-stricken estate of Glune, where mystery and sorrow cling to every shadowed corner…
Level B2AdventureFaro Nell and Her Friends: Wolfville StoriesIn the rugged frontier town of Wolfville, Dead Shot Baker, a renowned shot and stage guard, navigates a harsh life shadowed by his formidable wife and wild Western tales.
Level C1ClassicsFarmingtonA reflective narrator retraces his childhood in a narrow Pennsylvania valley, revealing how his self-centered view shapes his memories and understanding of life’s truths and contra…
Level B2Children'sFarmer Bluff's dog BlazerA determined boy defies his father’s orders to explore beyond the common and encounters the lively world of the Lord of the Manor’s estate.
Level C1PoetryFarm LegendsExplore the heartfelt and honest tales woven through rural life, where every character—whether humble or seemingly flawless—reveals the comic, tragic, and profound moments that sha…
Level C1PoetryFarm BalladsTensions rise between Betsey and her husband as years of small disagreements and stubborn pride push their marriage to the breaking point, forcing them to confront what it truly me…
Level C1RomanceFarinaIn a vibrant Rhineland city ruled by fierce devotion, young men battle for the favor of Margarita, the dazzling White Rose, whose beauty ignites fierce loyalty and fierce rivalry a…
Level C1ClassicsFarewell Love! A NovelIn a vivid portrait of Southern Italian life, a woman lies motionless under a white coverlet, hinting at hidden struggles and passions beneath the surface.
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.