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 C1ClassicsEl OmbúBeneath the vast, solitary ombú tree on the Argentine pampas, an old man recounts the haunting tale of a once-great estate now fallen to ruin, where memories and mysterious whisper…
Level C1AdventureEl Dorado: An Adventure of the Scarlet PimpernelAmidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, a daring Englishman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel risks everything to rescue the innocent from the guillotine, defying a ruthless regi…
Level B2AdventureEl DiabloUnder a thick fog, Richard Gregory and Bill Lang navigate treacherous waters toward the mysterious El Diablo island, where illegal fishing and danger lurk.
Level C1ClassicsEl BuscapiéDive into a curious literary puzzle where a mysterious work attributed to Cervantes challenges critics and seekers alike.
Level C1HistoricalEkkehard: A Tale of the Tenth Century. Vol. 2 (of 2)Amidst the aftermath of a brutal battle in the tenth century, monks and warriors grapple with loss, faith, and duty as they bury the fallen and face the uncertain peace that follow…
Level C1HistoricalEkkehard: A Tale of the Tenth Century. Vol. 1 (of 2)In the 10th century, a tale unfolds where history and poetry intertwine, revealing forgotten medieval splendor through the eyes of scholars and artists who bring ancient fragments…
Level C1HistoricalEirik the Red's SagaA warrior king's lineage unfolds through fierce battles, alliances, and voyages across Norway, Ireland, and Scotland, culminating in Eirik's exile and daring quest to explore unkno…
Level C2PoetryEire, and other poemsImmerse yourself in vivid verses that evoke Ireland’s mystique, blending ancient legends, heartfelt longing, and lyrical beauty through a rich tapestry of poems and sonnets.
Level C1AdventureEingeschneit: Eine StudentengeschichteCaught in a snowbound adventure, a devoted pastor and scholar navigates the challenges of war, faith, and society while winning hearts across Berlin—from emperors to the impoverish…
Level C1HistoricalEighteenth Century VignettesStep into early 18th-century London where wit, society, and intimate letters reveal the lives of Captain Steele and his wife, blending history with personal drama against the vibra…
Level C2PoetryEighteen Hundred and ElevenAmid the thunder of war and the storm of nations, Britain faces the harsh toll of conflict, from shattered freedoms to the fading bloom of youth and beauty.
Level C1ClassicsEight or Nine Wise Words about Letter-WritingDiscover the whimsical art of letter-writing, packed with practical tips, charming anecdotes, and a touch of Wonderland magic to make your correspondence both delightful and effici…
Level C2Children'sEight illustrations to Shakespeare's TempestDive into a magical world where sorcery, spirits, and star-crossed love unfold on a mysterious island, brought to life through eight enchanting illustrations capturing key moments…
Level B2PoetryEight brand new bits of Christmas cheerCelebrate the spirit of the season with heartfelt verses that weave wishes of joy, friendship, and love, capturing the warmth and magic of Christmas through tender poetry and festi…
Level A2Children'sEight Stories for IsabelDiscover simple tales and vivid illustrations that bring everyday objects and animals to life, teaching lessons through stories of steamboats, chairs, ships, and more in a charming…
Level B2AdventureEight Girls and a DogEight adventurous girls from the Blue Ribbon Cooking Club set off for a carefree two-week stay at a beach cottage, ready to tackle cooking, housekeeping, and the challenges of inde…
Level C1ClassicsEight Dramas of CalderonAmid noble intrigues and shifting alliances in Don Luis’ palace, characters navigate love, honor, and deception with wit and passion.
Level C1Children'sEight CousinsAfter losing her parents, young Rose finds herself in a gloomy old mansion under the care of her well-meaning but puzzled aunts.
Level C1PoetryEidolon; or, The Course of a Soul; and Other PoemsA poet isolated on a desert island wrestles with his disordered thoughts and misanthropy, seeking beauty, truth, and purpose through nature, love, and spiritual awakening on his jo…
Level B2PoetryEidolaExplore a collection of evocative poems that delve into love, memory, and the ethereal presence of those who haunt our hearts, inviting readers to reflect on the delicate interplay…
Level C1ClassicsEgyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri: First series, IVth to XIIth dynastyDive into a vivid collection of ancient Egyptian stories spanning the IVth to XIIth dynasties, blending marvels, adventures, and character-driven tales.
Level C1PoetryEgyptian Literature: Comprising Egyptian tales, hymns, litanies, invocations, the Book of the Dead, and cuneiform writingsExplore ancient Egypt’s vivid world through poetry, hymns, and rituals that reveal the life, wars, beliefs, and afterlife of a civilization along the Nile, from pharaohs’ battles t…
Level C1HistoricalEgoists, A Book of Supermen: Stendhal, Baudelaire, Flaubert, Anatole France, Huysmans, Barrès, Nietzsche, Blake, Ibsen, Stirner, and Ernest HelloExplore the complex psyche and passionate life of Henry Beyle, known as Stendhal, whose sharp intellect and intense love affairs shaped his unique literary style and enduring influ…
Level B2Science FictionEgocentric OrbitAlone in orbit, a lone astronaut experiences the awe of weightlessness and the vast panorama of Earth and stars, while grappling with the mysterious fate of his predecessors who re…
Level C1HistoricalEgmontAmid the brewing revolt in the 16th-century Netherlands, Count Egmont, a celebrated general caught between loyalty and oppression, faces the harsh rule of the Spanish crown and the…
Level B2ClassicsEgholm and his GodIn a rain-soaked town, young Sivert finds strange delight in a gloomy day while his father, Egholm, struggles with inner turmoil and the weight of secret beliefs, casting a shadow…
Level C1RomanceEffie Ogilvie: the story of a young life; vol. 2In the twilight of the Scottish moors, Effie Ogilvie’s simple kindness and natural charm captivate a young man whose admiration stirs unexpected emotions amid the eerie autumn wood…
Level C1ClassicsEffie Ogilvie: the story of a young life; vol. 1In a Scottish country estate, Effie Ogilvie navigates the complexities of family, expectations, and the subtle hardships hidden beneath polite society.
Level C1ClassicsEffie Ogilvie: the story of a young life (Complete)In a quiet country parish, Effie Ogilvie navigates the complexities of family expectations and the subtle ironies of fate under the watchful but flawed eye of her well-meaning fath…
Level B2Children'sEffie Maurice: Or What do I Love BestA thoughtful young girl grapples with understanding the true meaning of devotion, learning how misplaced love for wealth and status can become modern idols.
Level C1AdventureEdwy the Fair or the First Chronicle of Aescendune: A Tale of the Days of Saint DunstanIn a turbulent tenth-century England, the young King Edwy grapples with the powerful Church and its influential leaders, including the formidable monk Dunstan, as love and loyalty…
Level B2Children'sEdwin, the young rabbit fancier, and other storiesA tender-hearted boy’s desire for a pet rabbit turns into a lesson in care and responsibility when his enthusiasm fades and the challenges of keeping his new companion grow.
Level C2HistoricalEdward the SecondIn a kingdom torn by rivalry and loyalty, the favored Gaveston returns from exile to reignite fierce tensions between King Edward II and his defiant nobles.
Level C1ClassicsEdward FitzGerald and "Posh": "Herring Merchants"Discover the heartfelt letters between a great poet and his fisherman friend, revealing a tender, misunderstood side of Edward FitzGerald as they navigate friendship, humility, and…
Level C1HistoricalEdward Fane's Rosebud (From "Twice Told Tales")An aging nurse reflects on her lost youth and a broken romance with Edward Fane, set against the harsh realities of class and mortality in colonial times.
Level A2AdventureEdward Buttoneye and His AdventuresJoin Edward Buttoneye as he embarks on whimsical adventures filled with charming characters and delightful escapades, perfect for young readers eager to explore a world of imaginat…
Level C1ClassicsEdward BurtonTwo Harvard friends drift through the serene beauty of Bar Harbor’s Frenchman’s Bay, where idyllic nature meets refined society.
Level C1AdventureEdward Barry: South Sea PearlerCaught in a fierce Sydney gale of 1860, a desperate man named Edward Barry eyes a troubled South Sea trading brig, hoping to escape his destitution by joining its dangerous crew de…
Level C1HistoricalEdward Barnett, a Neglected Child of South Carolina, Who Rose to Be a Peer of Great Britain,—and the Stormy Life of His Grandfather, Captain Williams: or, The Earl's Victims: with an Account of the Terrible End of the Proud Earl De Montford, the Lamentable Fate of the Victim of His Passion, and the Shadow's PunishmentIn a grand English manor, a proud Earl battles hidden enemies and simmering family tensions, as an aged steward defies his wrath to protect a wronged man whose fate intertwines wit…
Level B2ClassicsEdna's Sacrifice and Other StoriesOn a bleak, rain-soaked night, Aunt Edna reveals the heart-wrenching story of Lilly, a fragile young woman shattered by tragic news, weaving a tale of love, loss, and sacrifice tha…
Level B2Children'sEdmund Dulac's Picture-Book for the French Red CrossA heartbroken prince, haunted by a dream of a mysterious princess, embarks on a magical quest with the enchanted bird Feng to find the woman who captivates his soul, leading him be…
Level C1AdventureEdmond DantèsEdmond Dantès, the legendary Count of Monte-Cristo, embarks on a thrilling new journey amid a violent Mediterranean storm and the upheaval of the 1848 French Revolution.
Level C1PhilosophyEditorials from the Hearst NewspapersExplore provocative reflections on human nature, society, and progress through a diverse collection of editorials that challenge conventions, question beliefs, and reveal the restl…
Level B2ClassicsEditorial Wild OatsA thirteen-year-old printer's apprentice takes the helm of a small-town newspaper, unleashing sharp satire and uproarious lampoons that ignite the community and stir up rival edito…
Level B1Children'sEditha's Burglar: A Story for ChildrenA thoughtful young girl, left often to her own devices, becomes fascinated by the mysterious world of burglars through newspapers and books, sparking innocent curiosity and sympath…
Level C1RomanceEdith and John: A Story of PittsburghAmid the grimy, rain-soaked streets of industrial Pittsburgh, John Winthrope, a young man from the mountains, struggles to carve out a new life and fortune in the city’s relentless…
Level B2Children'sEdith and Her Ayah, and Other StoriesIn colonial India, young Edith’s innocent prayers spark a heartfelt journey to bridge faiths as her family’s gentle example challenges the ayah’s deep-rooted beliefs and ancient cu…
Level C1Science FictionEdison's Conquest of MarsEarth lies in ruins after a devastating Martian invasion, but a determined band of scientists, led by the ingenious Thomas Edison, races to uncover the secrets of the alien war mac…
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.