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 C1HistoricalColinA young farmhand with a mysterious power over animals catches Queen Elizabeth’s eye, but a midnight visitor offers him a dark bargain promising wealth and honor for generations—if…
Level C1PoetryColeridge's Ancient Mariner and Select PoemsSet against the dramatic backdrop of revolutionary Europe, immerse yourself in the visionary poetry of a young Romantic genius whose works, including "The Ancient Mariner," capture…
Level B2Children'sCole's Funny Picture Book No. 1Explore a vibrant world of riddles, games, and colorful pictures designed to delight children and entertain adults alike, while discovering fascinating insights about Australia’s r…
Level B2AdventureCole of Spyglass MountainFour adventurous boys test nature’s limits in a swampy city lot, led by the curious and determined Joshua Cole, whose sharp mind turns a simple slug into the center of a daring bet…
Level C1ClassicsColas BreugnonIn the heart of Burgundy, a spirited narrator channels the lively spirit of his forebears, sharing candid stories filled with humor and warmth amid the looming shadows of war.
Level C1ClassicsCoffee and ReparteeIn a lively boarding house, a sharp-tongued group of gentlemen gather around breakfast, exchanging witty banter and probing each other's quirks—where umbrellas, rare books, and dry…
Level C1RomanceCoelebs: The Love Story of a BachelorA fastidious bachelor hires a plain yet proud housemaid whose peculiar habits and staunch respectability challenge his orderly world, revealing unexpected insights into virtue, tem…
Level C1RomanceCoelebs In Search of a WifeA thoughtful gentleman embarks on a quiet journey to find a wife, engaging in sincere conversations about love, reason, and religion within the peaceful rhythms of country life.
Level C2HistoricalCodex Junius 11Angelic hosts once basking in celestial bliss face rebellion and exile, as divine justice casts down prideful spirits into eternal torment.
Level B2MysteryCode of the MountedIn the frozen Arctic wilderness, Sergeant Hardy faces a deadly game of cat and mouse, tracking a mysterious man who seems to vanish into thin air.
Level C1MysteryCodeA mysterious man named Drake boards a decrepit ship bound for Montreal, navigating a secretive world where identities blur and survival depends on silence and swift swimming.
Level B1FantasyCoco Bolo: King of the Floating IslandsTwo sisters chase their shadows along a sunlit coast, hoping to reach the mysterious end where shadows vanish and legends of King Coco Bolo and strange creatures come to life.
Level C1PoetryCocke Lorelles BoteA satirical poem from early Tudor England offers sharp, fleeting portraits of various social classes, led by the notorious rogue Cocke Lorell, who navigates London's underworld wit…
Level C1ClassicsCobwebs from an Empty SkullDive into a collection of witty fables where cunning animals and clever humans reveal timeless truths through sharp, unexpected tales.
Level C1PoetryCobwebs from a Library CornerDive into a witty collection of literary poems that playfully explore the art of writing, the trials of authorship, and the colorful world of books, blending humor with sharp obser…
Level B2ClassicsCobwebs and CablesRoland Sefton, a prosperous bank partner and beloved town leader, faces a looming crisis that threatens his cherished home and reputation.
Level B2RomanceCobraUnder the moonlit skies of southern Italy, a handsome Italian aristocrat and a captivating flower girl cross paths in a café where charm, mystery, and simmering tensions mingle wit…
Level B2ClassicsCobb's AnatomyDive into a witty exploration of body image and the trials of growing stout, as a slim narrator humorously recounts the social quirks and personal challenges of gaining weight and…
Level C1ClassicsCoasting BohemiaExplore the vibrant world of Victorian art and theatre through intimate essays and personal reflections, revealing how the Bohemia of the past shaped creativity and challenged the…
Level C1ClassicsCoaches and CoachingExplore the elegance and complexity of coaches and carriages, where comfort meets pride and the thrill of travel intertwines with social status.
Level B2AdventureClutterbuck's TreasureA young man, suddenly penniless after his father's ruin and death, struggles to find his path in life amid despair and limited options.
Level C1MysteryClubfoot the Avenger: Being some further adventures of Desmond Oakwood, of the Secret ServiceWhen the notorious German agent known as "The Man with the Club Foot" resurfaces in England, retired Secret Service brothers Desmond and Francis Okewood are drawn back into a deadl…
Level B1AdventureClown, the Circus DogAs summer arrives, young Bertha eagerly awaits a real puppy promised to her after passing exams with honors.
Level C1Children'sCloverAs spring breathes new life into a small town, sisters Katy and Clover Carr embrace hope and joy while preparing for Katy's upcoming wedding to a naval officer, weaving family bond…
Level B2ClassicsCloudy JewelA devoted woman faces loneliness and judgment after refusing her sister's offer of shelter and support, choosing instead to remain alone in the family home amidst grief and hardshi…
Level C1Children'sClotelle; Or, The Colored Heroine, a tale of the Southern States; Or, The President's DaughterIn the complex social world of the antebellum South, Agnes, a proud mulatto laundress, strives to raise her daughters as ladies amid the harsh realities of slavery and racial preju…
Level C1Children'sClotel; Or, The President's DaughterIn a society where slavery is law and identity is bound to ownership, a young woman stands at an auction block, embodying the painful legacy of mixed heritage and the brutal realit…
Level B2ClassicsClocksDiscover the quirky world of clocks that are either charmingly unreliable or deceptively precise, causing daily chaos and unexpected adventures.
Level C1RomanceCliquot: A Racing Story of Ideal BeautyA restless racing stallion known for killing jockeys pushes the limits of passion and danger on the Southern racecourse, while Neil Emory grapples with his troubled past and a love…
Level C1ClassicsClioAn ancient bard, known as the Blind One, journeys through sacred woods and sunlit valleys, carrying the weight of years and memories.
Level C1Children'sClintonIn a charming village nestled among green hills and sparkling streams, thirteen-year-old Clinton discovers the joys and challenges of country life, learning the value of hard work,…
Level C1FantasyCliges: A RomanceIn a world where chivalry and love intertwine, a noble youth of Greek and Arthurian lineage embarks on a journey of valor and passion, navigating intricate emotions and courtly int…
Level B2RomanceClever Betsy: A NovelIn a quaint seaport village, Betsy Foster, known as "Clever Betsy," navigates the complexities of love and loss, resisting the persistent affections of a longtime suitor while wres…
Level C1ClassicsClerambault: The Story of an Independent Spirit During the WarAmid the turmoil of war, an independent spirit grapples with the loss of individual conscience swallowed by the collective, challenging blind patriotism and urging the courage to t…
Level C1HistoricalCleopatra — CompleteIn the heart of ancient Alexandria, the enigmatic Queen Cleopatra navigates love, power, and political intrigue, shaping the fate of empires while revealing the complexities behind…
Level C1HistoricalCleopatraIn the shadowy courts of Alexandria, a young Cleopatra returns from exile, wielding intelligence, charm, and ambition to captivate emperors and steer the fate of empires.
Level C1AdventureCleopatraAmid the ancient mysteries of Egypt, a secret manuscript reveals a forgotten tale of political intrigue, divine faith, and royal destiny, centered on Harmachis, a patriot caught in…
Level C1AdventureClementinaIn 1719 Italy, a sharp-witted traveler with a lame horse encounters a fragile, determined lady stranded without a postillion, both desperate to reach Bologna.
Level C1ClassicsClemenceA young woman of delicate upbringing faces the looming threat of poverty and hardship after the loss of her father, while navigating her mother's high societal expectations and her…
Level C1AdventureCleg Kelly, Arab of the City: His Progress and AdventuresIn the gritty underbelly of the city, young Cleg Kelly defies authority with sharp wit and rebellious spirit, challenging the rigid doctrines of his Sunday school and setting off a…
Level C1MysteryCleek: the Man of the Forty FacesA daring man known as Hamilton Cleek is pursued through London's bustling streets, but his capture is no ordinary arrest—it's part of a staged spectacle blending mystery and theatr…
Level B2MysteryCleek of Scotland Yard: Detective StoriesA string of mysterious, untraceable deaths baffles Scotland Yard, pushing its top detective, Cleek, who has vanished unexpectedly, back into the spotlight.
Level C2PoetryClear CrystalsDelve into a collection of finely crafted poems that reflect a rich tapestry of emotions and moments, each piece shimmering like a clear crystal in the light of human experience.
Level C1ClassicsClayhangerIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, sixteen-year-old Edwin Clayhanger faces the daunting transition from schoolboy innocence to the complexities of adult life, set against a…
Level C2PoetryClaudian, volume 2 (of 2): With an English translation by Maurice PlatnauerAmidst a world shaped by Love and Good Faith, a noble warrior balances power and mercy, guiding an empire through loyalty, justice, and the sacred duties of leadership.
Level C1PoetryClaudian, volume 1 (of 2): With an English translation by Maurice PlatnauerAmid the turmoil of late Roman Empire, witness the rise and fall of leaders and armies as they battle invading Goths and internal treachery.
Level C1ClassicsClaude's ConfessionA struggling young poet in the Paris Latin Quarter bares his soul through feverish letters, revealing a poignant journey of love, despair, and hope amidst the harsh realities of st…
Level C1Science FictionClassified objectAn unidentified, silent spacecraft descends slowly over New York, triggering alarm among air traffic controllers and drawing a lone observer into a tense, mysterious encounter that…
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.