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 C1HistoricalEdina: A NovelIn a bleak Cornish mining village, the lives of miners, a dedicated doctor, and his charming nephew intertwine amid the hardships and hidden tensions of a close-knit community.
Level B2AdventureEdgar the Ready: A Tale of the Third Edward's ReignAmidst the brutal clashes of Edward III’s reign, a young warrior embarks on a perilous journey through wild lands and fierce battles, facing savage foes and daring exploits that wi…
Level C1MysteryEdgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a Sleep-WalkerIn the wild American frontier, a man haunted by the mysterious death of his friend embarks on a nocturnal journey filled with suspense and dark secrets, where sleepwalking and unta…
Level C1ClassicsEden: An EpisodeAmid swirling rumors and hidden pasts, a young financier's engagement to a society debutante sparks intrigue in New York’s elite.
Level C1ClassicsEdelweiss: A StoryAmidst the charming tales of rural life and human character, this story weaves gentle drama and reflection into a tapestry of heartfelt moments, inviting readers to explore the dep…
Level C1ClassicsEcstasy, A Study of Happiness: A NovelIn a quiet boudoir bathed in soft lamplight, Dolf Van Attema visits his withdrawn sister-in-law, Cecile, whose fragile health and gentle melancholy hint at a life lived in introspe…
Level B2Children'sEclectic School Readings: Stories from LifeYoung readers meet Henry Clay, a barefoot mill boy with a lofty dream to become a great orator despite poverty and hardship.
Level C1ClassicsEchoes of the WarIn a cramped London basement, four spirited charwomen share tea and tales amidst the echoes of war, blending humor and hardship as they navigate their modest lives and the lingerin…
Level C1PoetryEchoes from the Sabine FarmA playful and heartfelt journey into the paraphrased Odes of Horace, blending classical scholarship with lively wit and personal reflection.
Level C1ClassicsEbrietatis Encomium: or, the Praise of DrunkennessExplore a spirited defense of drunkenness as a timeless, universal practice that brings joy, health, and wit, supported by lively quotations and a playful tone that challenges conv…
Level C1AdventureEben Holden: A Tale of the North CountryIn the rugged Adirondack wilderness, a small boy travels with Uncle Eb, a kind-hearted woodsman with wild stories of fearsome creatures, as they forge a life shaped by hardship, im…
Level B2ClassicsEben Holden's Last Day A-FishingA peaceful summer visit to a quiet village unfolds with warm family moments, old legends, and the gentle charm of fading memories.
Level C1ClassicsEating in Two or Three LanguagesA returning traveler launches a humorous campaign to savor the familiar, hearty dishes of home after enduring foreign fare and wartime rationing.
Level B2ClassicsEatin' Crow; and The Best Man in GarotteIn a rough mining camp buzzing with hope and suspicion, newcomer Charley Muirhead stirs the pot with his fierce temper and mysterious past, challenging a grumbling local and offeri…![Cover of Easy money [Night watches, Part 9.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jntipmtvc73csnnv0.webp)
Level B2RomanceEasy money [Night watches, Part 9.]A young man defies cynical advice about love and marriage as he falls for a remarkable girl with mesmerizing eyes and a laughter like music.
Level C1ClassicsEasy come, easy goA rugged cowboy’s skill and temper clash with the demands of a new, wealthy owner determined to tame the Wild West way of life.
Level C1RomanceEastern Shame GirlIn 17th-century Peking, a young scholar falls deeply for Tu Shih-niang, a captivating singing girl torn between a life of honor and the demands of her world.
Level C1RomanceEast of the ShadowsA reserved yet captivating young woman embarks on a journey that reveals the delicate balance between social charm and guarded secrets.
Level C1ClassicsEast of EdenEva Litchfield, a brilliant but emotionally distant woman, navigates the turbulent social and literary circles of New York while trapped in a loveless marriage.
Level B2Children'sEast o' the Sun and West o' the MoonA poor woodcutter’s youngest daughter is whisked away by a mysterious White Bear to a magical castle, where a hidden prince’s secret sparks a daring quest beyond the known world to…
Level C2PoetryEast and West: PoemsIn a fog-shrouded seaport, thirteen children drift away on a ghostly hulk, sparking eerie legends and haunting memories.
Level C1Children'sEast LynneA once ambitious barrister suddenly inherits a vast fortune and title, only to find himself trapped in a spiral of reckless spending and mounting debts.
Level C1RomanceEast Angels: A NovelA visitor escapes the relentless northern winters for a tranquil life beneath the endless blue sky of a lakeside home, where quiet routines and hidden desires unfold among its inha…
Level B2Science FictionEarth's Maginot LineA daring crew breaks through Earth's deadly ionosphere barrier, venturing into space aboard the New Hope.
Level C1PhilosophyEarth's Holocaust (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")In a vast prairie, a symbolic bonfire consumes the worn-out relics of society’s past—heraldry, nobility, and faded honors—sparking a fierce debate between those clinging to traditi…
Level C1ClassicsEarth's Enigmas: A Volume of StoriesIn the shadowed wilderness, two starving panthers stalk silently under a rising full moon, drawn by the cry of a lost child near a solitary cabin abandoned by its careless owner.
Level B2MysteryEarth Is Missing!In a frozen 87th Century Earth, Detective Johnny Steel faces a deadly gang led by a monstrous foe known as The Bear.
Level C1ClassicsEarly memories; some chapters of autobiographyA lifelong artist reflects on his journey from law to art, childhood solitude, and the influence of his father, capturing the beauty and wisdom of memory, creativity, and family ti…
Level B2Children'sEarly candlelight storiesChildren gather for a cozy housewarming in Grandma’s transformed guest room, filled with pets, crafts, and warm stories.
Level C1ClassicsEarly Plays — Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf LiljekransDive into the stirring early dramas of a young playwright as he reimagines history and folklore—from the inner turmoil of a Roman revolutionary to fierce Viking warriors and haunti…
Level C1HistoricalEarly Letters of George Wm. Curtis to John S. Dwight; Brook Farm and ConcordA young man immersed in the Transcendental movement attends the innovative Brook Farm school, balancing rigorous study with the natural beauty and reformist ideals of a utopian com…
Level C2PoetryEarly English Alliterative Poems: in the West-Midland Dialect of the Fourteenth CenturyDive into the rich world of 14th-century English poetry with alliterative verses drawn from a unique manuscript, revealing medieval tales and dialects that illuminate the knightly…
Level C1RomanceEarle Wayne's nobilityAccused of a crime he insists he did not commit, a proud and noble young man faces a harsh sentence while a determined woman pleads earnestly for his innocence, setting the stage f…
Level C1HistoricalEarl Hubert's Daughter: The Polishing of the Pearl - A Tale of the 13th CenturyIn a turbulent 13th-century England ruled by superstition and politics, young Margaret, a noble Scottish princess raised amid royal intrigues, must navigate a world where faith, po…
Level C1MysteryEagles of the Sky; Or, With Jack Ralston Along the Air LanesTwo daring aviators, Jack Ralston and Gabe Perkiser, are tasked by the Secret Service to dismantle a cunning smuggling ring along Florida’s Gulf Coast, using their wits and a versa…
Level B2HistoricalE. P. Roe: Reminiscences of his LifeJourney through the cherished childhood and family memories that shaped a beloved American author, exploring a picturesque valley home, playful adventures, and stories of Revolutio…
Level C1Science FictionE BeingA pioneer traveling at light speed finds himself transformed into a shimmering energy being, stranded in a realm of mysterious "mush" inhabited by strange round entities.
Level C1ClassicsDynevor Terrace; Or, The Clue of Life — Volume 2Amid whispers of scandal and secret pasts, a young man battles societal prejudice and personal doubt to claim love and fortune in the enigmatic Dynevor Terrace, where every letter…
Level C1ClassicsDynevor Terrace; Or, The Clue of Life — Volume 1In a dusty village where social divides shape dreams and destinies, a spirited young girl and a rebellious lad challenge their stations and confront the promises and betrayals of t…
Level B2ClassicsDynamite Stories, and Some Interesting Facts About ExplosivesExplore the explosive science behind dynamite and smokeless powder, revealing the chemistry, mechanics, and dramatic real-life stories tied to powerful blasts shaping industries an…
Level B2MysteryDyke Darrel the Railroad Detective; Or, The Crime of the Midnight ExpressWhen express messenger Arnold Nicholson is brutally murdered during a daring robbery, detective Dyke Darrel vows to track down the ruthless criminals, risking his own safety to bri…
Level C1ClassicsDwellers in the HillsIn the rugged hills, a boy's bond with his wild, enigmatic horse El Mahdi reveals a world of untamed nature and mysterious legends.
Level B2Children'sDwell Deep; or, Hilda Thorn's Life StoryA young woman, newly orphaned and seeking spiritual depth, moves from a quiet London life to her guardian’s lively country home, where she must navigate faith, family, and the chal…
Level C1ClassicsDwala: A romanceIn the shadow of Borneo’s wilds, a weathered man and his enigmatic ape companion share a strange bond, blurring lines between human and beast as they prepare for a journey that pro…
Level C1AdventureDutch the Diver; Or, A Man's MistakeIn a chilly office, a gruff old diver and his younger colleague clash over fire and friendship, revealing a bond forged through daring rescues beneath the waves.
Level B2Children'sDutch Fairy Tales for Young FolksIn a secret pool where mermaids reign, a proud young mermaid and her family guard their peaceful home from unruly creatures and sea monsters.
Level C1AdventureDutch Courage and Other StoriesYoung adventurers dive into gripping tales of sea voyages, typhoons, and daring exploits, drawing from firsthand experiences and wild encounters.
Level B2AdventureDusty Diamonds Cut and Polished: A Tale of City Arab Life and AdventureA spirited Shetland pony’s wild escape upends the lives of a spirited young heiress and a mischievous London street boy, sparking a tale of adventure and unexpected friendship amid…
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.