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 C1HistoricalThe red laugh: fragments of a discovered manuscriptAmid the relentless heat and ceaseless march of war, a soldier confronts the creeping madness and horror that consume the battlefield, revealing the brutal anachronism of conflict…
Level B2FantasyThe red feathersIn a mystical era where gods and giants roam, Run-all-day, a swift and skilled hunter of the Beothic tribe, strives to protect his growing family amid the wilds of ancient Newfound…
Level C1HistoricalThe red cockadeAmid the fading grandeur of a French château, a young vicomte confronts changing times, tangled loyalties, and the fierce stirrings of revolution as he navigates family, love, and…
Level B2ClassicsThe reckoningIn a small barber shop, a sharply witty barber and a hurried customer engage in a tense game of patience and power, where every minute lathered reveals deeper conflicts beneath the…
Level B2Science FictionThe recalcitrantIn a peaceful garden home, a man with extraordinary strength faces relentless pursuit by mysterious forces determined to destroy him, forcing him and his beloved Amelia to confront…
Level B2RomanceThe rebellion of the PrincessIn a cold Moscow courtyard, a defiant figure mocks a cruel steward, sparking a daring rebellion within the oppressive walls of a boyar’s palace—where power, wit, and courage collid…
Level C1ClassicsThe reapingIn the charged atmosphere of political intrigue, William Fox, a brilliant yet controversial figure, navigates the fierce debates and rivalries that could propel him to the presiden…
Level B2ClassicsThe real MackayIn a quiet Scottish Highlands croft, a young woman returns home, burdened by a secret heartbreak and memories of lost loved ones.
Level C1ClassicsThe rat-trapA newly arrived British officer and his wife confront the challenges of colonial life on the tropical Key Island, where the scenic beauty masks a rigid society shaped by military a…
Level B2MysteryThe rat trapIn the vibrant Hôtel Continental at Ostend, two Englishmen observe a captivating young woman whose presence stirs intrigue and jealousy among her companions—setting the stage for a…
Level C1RomanceThe raid of the guerilla: 1911In a secluded mountain cove threatened by a fierce guerilla raid, young Ethelinda risks everything to guide a Union detachment to safety through a secret cave, stirring danger and…
Level C1HistoricalThe raid of the guerilla, and other storiesIn a secluded Tennessee cove during the Civil War, a young woman risks everything by aiding a Union guerilla raid, sparking fear and suspicion among her fragile, war-worn community…
Level B2ClassicsThe ragged edge: A tale of ward life & politicsIn the gritty world of ward politics and city life, a young attorney confronts corruption threatening a local streetcar franchise, navigating legal battles and the manipulations of…
Level B1Children'sThe rag pickersIn the harsh world of rag and coal picking, young Dilly Hogan toils alongside her family, yearning for the warmth of home and the comfort of a newborn sibling amidst poverty and st…
Level B1MysteryThe radio girls of RoselawnTwo curious girls dive into the exciting world of radio, eager to install their own set and unlock mysterious broadcasts from the air.
Level B2AdventureThe quest of the Silver Swan: A land and sea tale for boysStranded on a fragile raft in shark-infested waters after their shipwreck, four desperate men battle starvation and the merciless sea, clinging to hope as they navigate the wild oc…
Level B2Children'sThe quest for Santa ClausOn Christmas Eve in merry England, a mysterious Beggar Maid reveals herself as a fairy princess, bringing magic and light to a humble gathering.
Level C1HistoricalThe quenchless lightAmid the vibrant backdrop of ancient Rome and its sprawling empire, follow the untold struggles and heroic lives of the early Disciples as they spread a faith that transcends histo…
Level C1HistoricalThe queen's necklaceIn 1784 France, the aging Marshal de Richelieu prepares a noble dinner while managing secrets and royal disguises, as the arrival of a mysterious guest challenges the delicate bala…
Level B2RomanceThe queen of the isleOn isolated Campbell's Isle, fierce pride and dark family secrets simmer beneath a rugged legacy of outlaws and passion.
Level C1ClassicsThe provincial American and other papersA provincial American reflects on his rural roots and encounters with Civil War veterans, capturing the spirit and social fabric of small-town life in early 20th-century America.
Level B2Children'sThe proud girl humbled, or the two school-matesTwo schoolmates navigate the challenges of pride, social standing, and friendship, revealing how kindness and good conduct lead to true happiness beyond societal ranks.
Level C1ClassicsThe pronunciation of Greek; accent and quantity. A philological inquiryExplore the debate over the true pronunciation of Greek, balancing ancient tradition with modern scholarship and the living voice of Greece itself.
Level C1ClassicsThe promotion of the admiral, and other sea comediesIn the rough-and-tumble world of a San Francisco sailors' boarding-house, a cunning, tough character known as Shanghai Smith recounts his infamous exploits and a legendary clash wi…
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 3 (of 3)As twilight falls, Susan and Crosby’s conversation reveals a web of admiration and unspoken feelings, set against the backdrop of a mysterious experiment that promises to challenge…
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 2 (of 3)A young woman haunted by mysterious origins confides in a trusted companion, unraveling secrets that challenge her identity and purpose.
Level C1Science FictionThe professor's experiment: A novel, Vol. 1 (of 3)A brilliant professor becomes consumed by a groundbreaking scientific discovery, sparking intense discussions with his former pupil, a rising barrister caught between loyalty and a…
Level C1PhilosophyThe profanity of paintA painter’s romantic vision reveals the elusive truth behind color and nature, as he wrestles with the challenge of capturing the shimmering, spiritual beauty of aspens beyond the…
Level B2MysteryThe problem of Cell 13A brilliant logician known as The Thinking Machine accepts a deadly challenge: locked in a prison cell with no tools, he must apply pure intellect and ingenuity to orchestrate a da…
Level C1ClassicsThe private life, The wheel of time, Lord Beaupré, The visits, Collaboration, Owen Wingrave.Amid the stunning Swiss Alps, a distinguished circle of London’s literary and theatrical elite gathers, revealing the subtle complexities and unexpected warmth beneath their polish…
Level C1ClassicsThe private life of Henry Maitland: A record dictated by J. H.Step into the intimate and unvarnished portrait of Henry Maitland, a struggling literary man whose life and struggles reveal the raw truths behind the facade of fame.
Level C1RomanceThe prisoner of ZendaA carefree English gentleman finds his idle life upended when his royal heritage entangles him in a daring adventure of mistaken identity and political intrigue in the fictional ki…
Level C1RomanceThe principal girlA distinguished Englishman and newly minted peer navigates the intricate world of society, marriage, and influence, where old money and strategic alliances rule.
Level C1ClassicsThe princess and the tigerIn a kingdom where tradition reigns, a newlywed princess watches her husband lead a grand hunt through misty mountains, while she contemplates the ancient ruins that guard their re…
Level C1ClassicsThe pride o' the morningIn the quiet English Midlands, the return of Colin to Castle Hill stirs restless anticipation and hidden tensions within the household, as love, duty, and past secrets begin to unf…
Level B2RomanceThe price of saltIn a bustling department store cafeteria, Therese navigates the monotony and isolation of her new job while dreaming of a vibrant future in Europe and the theater.
Level C1ClassicsThe prey of the strongestIn the rugged wilderness of British Columbia, workers carve a path through towering mountains to build a great railroad, forging bonds amid fierce challenges and the raw power of n…
Level B2ClassicsThe pretty sister of José: 1889In a dusty village near Madrid, slow but kind José dreams of a better life for his pretty sister Pepita and their grandmother.
Level A2MysteryThe presidential snapshotIn a tense cabinet meeting, the President confronts a troubling rumor involving the Republic of Baracoa’s leader, Portiforo, while debating the trustworthiness of conflicting repor…
Level C1ClassicsThe power of sympathy: or, The triumph of nature. Founded in truth.In a young American republic torn between old loyalties and new ideals, a poignant tale unfolds through letters, exposing the raw truths of society, sentiment, and the human heart…
Level B2Children'sThe power of kindness and other stories: A book for the example and encouragement of the youngIn a school torn by mischief and defiance, a conscientious boy faces the challenge of standing up for what’s right amid peer pressure and injustice.
Level C1RomanceThe pot of basilIn sultry 18th-century Colorno, a young Archduke travels incognito, observing a world where romance, ambition, and intrigue entwine beneath the fading glories of a ducal court.
Level C1RomanceThe post-girlIn a sleepy Yorkshire village where visitors are rare and life moves slowly, the arrival of a mysterious newcomer stirs curiosity and changes the quiet rhythm of Ullbrig forever.
Level C1ClassicsThe possessedIn a quiet provincial town, Stepan Trofimovitch Verhovensky, a once-celebrated progressive patriot, clings to his imagined role as a persecuted exile, weaving a tale of fading infl…
Level B2MysteryThe porcelain maskA young woman returns home eager to reunite with her family, only to find an unsettling atmosphere and secrets lurking beneath the surface of the grand estate.
Level B2Children'sThe poor Count's ChristmasA noble Count, beloved for his generosity, faces the harshest Christmas yet as poverty threatens his cherished holiday gathering for local children.
Level C1PoetryThe poetry of pathos & delightExplore the fusion of joy and sorrow through poetry that transforms everyday moments into profound reflections.
Level C1PoetryThe poetry of Robert BrowningTwo towering poets hold unmatched peaks in the world of verse, yet their paths diverge—one embraced by the public, the other a complex enigma.
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.