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 A2PoetryCousin Hatty's Hymns and Twilight StoriesGentle hymns and tender tales guide children through lessons of kindness, obedience, and gratitude, blending heartfelt prayers with simple stories that celebrate family, faith, and…
Level C1ClassicsCousin BettyA self-satisfied retired captain navigates Parisian society, where pride and appearances mask deeper family tensions.
Level B2Children'sCousin Becky's championsWhen a fiery boy defends a wounded terrier from his cousin's cruelty, family tensions flare in a modest home on Princess Street.
Level B2RomanceCourtin' ChristinaAmid the warmth and bustle of a Scottish family gathering, tensions rise as Macgregor’s late return from work stirs concern and curiosity, revealing the loving yet complex dynamics…
Level C1ClassicsCourt Netherleigh: A NovelAmidst the serene Berkshire countryside, the stately Court Netherleigh stands as a beacon of tradition and care, where Miss Margery and two young women await the arrival of visitor…
Level B2Children'sCourage: A story wherein every one comes to the conclusion that the Courage in question proved a courage worth havingA spirited little girl named Courage grows up under the care of a devoted father and kind caretaker, learning that true bravery is more than just a name—it's a quality worth having…
Level B2AdventureCourage, True Hearts: Sailing in Search of FortuneTwo brothers and their sister embrace the wild Scottish Highlands, where hunting, nature, and family bond their adventurous spirits.
Level C1HistoricalCountry Walks of a Naturalist with His ChildrenJoin a family’s springtime country walks where lively children explore moors, ponds, and woods, discovering birds, insects, plants, and more through curious eyes and gentle guidanc…
Level C1ClassicsCountry NeighborsIn a quiet country house, Amelia Maxwell, a solitary woman haunted by past romance, finds her peaceful routine disrupted when a long-lost acquaintance unexpectedly arrives, stirrin…
Level C1ClassicsCountry LuckA city merchant’s family spends a summer on a rustic farm, where youthful innocence meets social contrasts and unexpected friendships blossom.
Level C1RomanceCountry LodgingsA young widow seeking solace from city loneliness takes lodgings in a grand but faded manor, where the echoes of history and rustic charm set the stage for unexpected connections a…
Level B2HistoricalCountry Life in the Poetry of John ClareAmid the sweeping enclosures of 18th-century England, rural communities face upheaval as traditional farming lands are consolidated and fenced off, transforming small farmers and l…
Level B2ClassicsCountess Vera; or, The Oath of VengeanceA young woman faces heartbreak and betrayal as her dying mother reveals dark family secrets and a looming forced marriage.
Level B2Children'sCountess KateTwo spirited girls navigate childhood with limited means and boundless imagination in a loving but modest home, dreaming of a better life while embracing the challenges of family a…
Level C1ClassicsCounter-currentsExploring the surge of modern sentiment that shapes social, political, and moral attitudes, these essays challenge the influence of emotion over reason in issues from labor and wom…
Level C1Science FictionCountdownIn a tense future where five nations teeter on the brink of annihilation, three men hold the fate of billions under their trembling fingers, each poised to unleash or withhold a de…
Level C1MysteryCount Zarka: A RomanceA daring agent is tasked with unraveling the mysterious and politically charged disappearance of Prince Roel of Rapsberg, whose vast territory threatens a powerful empire’s ambitio…
Level C1HistoricalCount Ulrich of Lindburg: A Tale of the Reformation in GermanyIn the shadow of the Reformation, Count Ulrich of Lindburg wrestles with faith and tradition as his son ventures to study under the controversial Martin Luther.
Level C1HistoricalCount JulianAmidst the ruins of Spain, Count Julian wrestles with betrayal, vengeance, and the haunting fate of his lost daughter, Covilla, as war and honor collide in a tragic struggle for ju…
Level C1RomanceCount Hannibal: A Romance of the Court of FranceAmid the dazzling fêtes at the Louvre, a young provincial girl finds herself trapped in the dangerous intrigues of the French court, caught between unwanted attentions and the vola…
Level C1ClassicsCount Bunker: Being a Bald Yet Veracious Chronicle Containing Some Further Particulars of Two Gentlemen Whose Previous Careers Were Touched Upon in a Tome Entitled "The Lunatic at Large"A distinguished Continental nobleman arrives in London, stirring society with his charm and mysterious past, yet he yearns for a different kind of life beyond diplomatic receptions…
Level B2HistoricalCount BrühlIn the opulent courts of Saxony and Poland, a royal hunt sets the stage for intrigue and power as Prince Frederick, favored son of King Augustus II, navigates the dangers and dutie…
Level C1HistoricalCount Alarcos; a TragedyIn 13th-century Castille, Count Alarcos returns from exile to a court alive with intrigue and tension, where love and power collide amid looming threats and fierce rivalries.
Level C2PoetryCottage PoemsA humble poet’s rustic muse paints simple, heartfelt scenes of nature, faith, and human struggles, weaving meditations on life’s storms and heavenly hope.
Level C1ClassicsCottage FolkIn the fading twilight of the Sussex Downs, village life stirs as the "hoppers" light their campfires near an old farmstead, weaving a vivid tapestry of rural characters and rustic…
Level C1RomanceCossack TalesAmidst the chaos of 13th-century Russia, a fierce brotherhood rises from abandoned villagers turned warriors seeking freedom and revenge against relentless invaders.
Level C2PoetryCosmosJourney through the ages as humanity grapples with the mysteries of life, death, and the cosmos, challenging old creeds and seeking truth beyond superstition and science.
Level C1ClassicsCosmopolis — CompleteIn the eternal city of Rome, a drama unfolds among worldly cosmopolites whose fleeting passions contrast with the city's timeless grandeur.
Level C1RomanceCorse de Leon; or, The Brigand: A Romance. Volume 1 (of 2)In the lush valleys of Savoy, a foreboding gloom shadows a life of brightness and hope, signaling trials ahead for a dauntless spirit.
Level B2Children'sCorrieIn a city touched by moonlight, young Corrie, a frail child with paralysed legs, finds comfort in her brother Robin's tender stories of Christmas, angels, and the promise of a joyf…
Level B2AdventureCorporal Tikitanu, V.C.A young Maori warrior wrestles with love and loyalty as he secretly marries his sweetheart before enlisting to fight in the Great War.
Level C1HistoricalCorporal Sam and Other StoriesAmid the smoke and thunder of a fierce siege, Sergeant Wilkes and Corporal Sam Vicary confront the brutal realities of war, from the battlefield to the vulnerable lives behind enem…
Level C1AdventureCorporal Jacques of the Foreign LegionA Parisian ex-apache, now a soldier in the formidable French Foreign Legion, navigates the harsh desert landscape and the strict discipline of Sidi-bel-Abbès.
Level C1AdventureCorporal Cameron of the North West Mounted Police: A Tale of the Macleod TrailA fierce young Scottish half-back faces harsh defeat and harsher judgment after a pivotal rugby match, pushing him to a breaking point.
Level C1PoetryCornish Catches, and Other VersesImmerse yourself in vivid Cornish life through lyrical verses that capture the rhythms of the sea, local characters, and timeless traditions, all brought to life with heartfelt war…
Level B2Children'sCornelliA spirited girl named Cornelli faces the sting of unjust suspicion while navigating childhood's joys and trials beside a roaring mountain stream.
Level C1ClassicsCornelius O'Dowd Upon Men And Women And Other Things In GeneralA charming raconteur reflects on a life of dashed hopes, lost estates, and unfulfilled ambitions, inviting readers into his witty and candid musings on society, fortune, and the ar…
Level B2AdventureCormorant Crag: A Tale of the Smuggling DaysA spirited boy defies his strict doctor father to embrace a wild coastal life filled with cliff-climbing, fishing, and adventure.
Level C1ClassicsCorleone: A Tale of SicilyIn a Sicilian tale of family, love, and personal conflict, two brothers navigate their contrasting temperaments and past mistakes—one embittered and disillusioned, the other a gent…
Level C2ClassicsCoriolanusAmidst a city on the brink of rebellion, citizens plot against the proud warrior Caius Martius, whose fierce loyalty and fiery temper ignite conflict between the ruling elite and t…
Level C1HistoricalCorinne; or, ItalyA gifted woman nurtured by an intellectual family navigates society’s expectations and personal ambitions amid the tumult of the French Revolution.
Level C1HistoricalCorianton: A Nephite StoryA defiant prisoner, bound and guarded, is brought to the free city of Zarahemla to face trial for challenging the faith and authority of its leaders.
Level C1RomanceCorduroyGrieving the loss of her brother and guardian, Virginia McVeagh takes charge of her vast California ranch, cloaked in black and solitude.
Level B2MysteryCord and CreeseWhen a mysterious letter arrives from across the sea, two unlikely partners in a Sydney warehouse find themselves drawn into a web of secrets, tragedy, and danger spanning sunken s…
Level B2RomanceCoralie: Everyday Life Library No. 2Struggling to support his ailing sister after their mother's death, a young man confronts the harsh realities of life on a modest clerk's salary in London.
Level B2ClassicsCora and The Doctor; or, Revelations of A Physician's WifeA young bride crosses the Atlantic with her husband to start a new life in America, facing the challenges of unfamiliar surroundings and the daunting task of winning over his wary…
Level B2FantasyCoppertop: The Queer Adventures of a Quaint ChildA lonely Australian girl named Coppertop longs for her parents far away in India, finding comfort in her imagination and cherished mementos as a wild storm rages outside.
Level B2AdventureCopper Streak TrailIn the rugged Arizona desert, an aging prospector stumbles upon a hidden copper hill promising fortunes beyond imagination.
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.