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 B2Children'sChrist LegendsA young child recalls the comforting stories her grandmother told, including a mysterious tale of a man seeking fire on a holy night.
Level C2HistoricalChoyce Drollery: Songs and Sonnets: Being a Collection of Divers Excellent Pieces of Poetry, of Several Eminent Authors.Amidst the turmoil of the English Commonwealth, a rare collection of songs and sonnets offers a secret glimpse into royalist hopes and pastoral dreams, treasured and hunted in equa…
Level C1ClassicsChoice Specimens of American Literature, and Literary Reader: Being Selections from the Chief American WritersExplore a curated collection of extended excerpts from America’s foremost writers, spanning religious, historical, and literary voices from the seventeenth century onward.
Level C1ClassicsChitra, a Play in One ActA warrior princess raised as a son grapples with her identity and love when Arjuna, a famed prince and ascetic, enters her forest realm, challenging her strength and awakening her…
Level C1HistoricalChita: A Memory of Last IslandJourney through Louisiana’s mysterious bayous and shimmering sea-islands to discover a haunting archipelago where old legends stir beneath sun-drenched oaks and ghostly shores, wea…
Level C1Children'sChit-chat, or Short Tales in Short WordsDelight in a series of charming, illustrated tales designed to introduce young readers to fascinating topics—from ancient mines and majestic forests to grand ships and iconic Londo…
Level B2ClassicsChit-Chat; Nirvana; The SearchlightA young man named John Cornwall navigates the challenges of early 20th-century life, from boyhood adventures to a pivotal job managing vast coal lands in Kentucky.
Level C1RomanceChiquita, an American Novel: The Romance of a Ute Chief's DaughterBorn into a once-respected family shadowed by a reckless father's downfall, Jack Sheppard navigates the tensions of heritage, hardship, and hope in a New England valley where love…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 5: Miscellaneous Later EssaysExplore the passionate defense of individual liberty against society’s constraints, reflecting on the evolution of freedom from John Stuart Mill’s era to modern England, questionin…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 4: Essays Chiefly on the Science of LanguageExplore the origins and evolution of language through detailed lectures and essays on comparative philology, tracing ancient tongues and their connections across cultures.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 3: Essays on Literature, Biography, and AntiquitiesExplore the rich history of German literature, from ancient epic poems and Gothic languages to the cultural ties that bind England and Germany.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 1: Essays on the Science of ReligionExplore the origins of human thought and religion as they unfold through ancient languages and traditions, revealing timeless elements that shape belief and understanding across cu…
Level C1HistoricalChippings with a Chisel (From "Twice Told Tales")An elderly tombstone carver arrives on Martha’s Vineyard, seeking work among the island’s simple, long-lived inhabitants.
Level C1HistoricalChippinge BoroughAmid the turmoil of a dissolved Parliament and the fervor for the People’s Bill in 1831 London, young barrister Arthur Vaughan navigates a city brimming with hope, political intrig…
Level B2RomanceChip, of the Flying UA rugged ranch prepares for an unexpected summer guest when the Old Man’s newly minted doctor sister arrives, threatening to upend the rough-and-tumble routine with her city ways a…
Level C2PoetryChinese literatureJourney through ancient Chinese wisdom with the teachings of Confucius, the poetic odes of the Shi-King, and the epic travels of Fâ-hien, revealing a rich tapestry of philosophy, h…
Level C1ClassicsChinese fables and folk storiesExplore the enchanting world of Chinese fables and folk stories, revealing the rich imagination, wisdom, and cultural insights of a people whose tales have long remained hidden fro…![Cover of Chinese Poems by Charles [Translator] Budd](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daci5s5l9p5c73fhjurg.webp)
Level C1PoetryChinese PoemsExperience the timeless emotions and vivid imagery of ancient China through evocative translations that reveal the universal nature of human feelings across millennia.
Level B2PoetryChinese Mother Goose RhymesDiscover a vibrant collection of traditional Chinese nursery rhymes, where playful creatures, loving family moments, and everyday wonders come to life through charming verses and i…
Level B2HistoricalChildren's Stories in American Literature, 1660-1860Journey back to 1661 as a missionary reads the Bible in the Mohegan language to captivated Native children, revealing the early efforts to blend cultures through faith and storytel…
Level C1Children'sChildren's Rhymes, Children's Games, Children's Songs, Children's Stories: A Book for Bairns and Big FolkDive into a lively collection of Scottish children's rhymes, games, songs, and stories, capturing the playful spirit and timeless charm of childhood through traditional verses and…
Level C1Children'sChildren's Literature: A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training ClassesA practical guide designed to equip teachers with a curated collection of traditional stories, rhymes, and folklore essential for children's literature education.![Cover of Children's Hour with Red Riding Hood and Other Stories by Watty pseud. [Editor] Piper](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagir8cup3dc73d99d40.webp)
Level A2Children'sChildren's Hour with Red Riding Hood and Other StoriesStep into a world where a clever wolf lurks in the woods and a disguised princess tends geese, as beloved fairy tales come alive with unexpected twists and timeless lessons of brav…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the desertAmid the vast, unforgiving desert borderlands, Harboro, a stoic railroad man with a mysterious past, marries Sylvia in a small town where weddings are rare and lives intersect unde…
Level C1Children'sChildren of the WildIn the heart of the wild Silverwater woods, a curious boy known as the Babe embarks on a quest to understand the creatures around him, guided by the cautious Uncle Andy and the ima…
Level C1MysteryChildren of the WhirlwindIn a grimy New York street, the enigmatic Duchess’s pawnshop hides tangled secrets as young Maggie Carlisle and Larry Brainard’s lives intertwine, setting the stage for a turbulent…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the TenementsIn the grim tenements of New York, a struggling immigrant family battles poverty, sickness, and ruthless landlords to protect their most precious treasure—their child, known only a…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of the SoilReturning to the mist-shrouded village of Kremen, Pan Stanislav Polanyetski confronts memories of childhood and a past intertwined with family, mystery, and the haunting beauty of…
Level B1Children'sChildren of the Old TestamentFollow Joseph, a boy with vivid dreams and a colorful coat, as he navigates family jealousy and mysterious visions in a richly woven tale of faith, hope, and destiny in ancient tim…
Level C2PoetryChildren of the NightExplore the haunting reflections of those lost in darkness, wrestling with fate, faith, and the search for meaning amid sorrow and hope.
Level B2HistoricalChildren of the Market PlaceBorn amid the turmoil of Waterloo, a young Englishman nurtured by his mother’s memory and raised amidst grand ideals must leave Oxford to claim an unexpected inheritance in America…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar PeopleWithin the narrow streets of London’s Jewish Ghetto, a vibrant community struggles with poverty, tradition, and the weight of history, weaving dreams and faith amid hardship and ch…
Level C1AdventureChildren of the FrostAn intrepid explorer ventures beyond the known Arctic Barrens to discover hidden spruce forests and an uncharted Eskimo village, encountering a mysterious survivor who has lived is…
Level C1ClassicsChildren of the Dear CotswoldsAmid the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds, returning soldiers and locals reconnect with their cherished homeland, revealing the deep bonds between people and place during a time of…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of the BushIn the rugged Australian bush, a group of rough shearers rally together to help a sick jackaroo, revealing a harsh yet fiercely loyal community bound by a simple creed of shared ha…
Level C1HistoricalChildren of destinyBeneath the golden harvest skies of Virginia, a young boy named Lewis navigates a world steeped in nature's beauty and human complexities, finding solace only in the companionship…
Level B2HistoricalChildren of South AmericaExplore the vast and vibrant continent of South America through the eyes of its children, from the towering Andes to the mighty Amazon, uncovering rich cultures, natural wonders, a…
Level B2ClassicsChildren of MenIn a relentless factory filled with roaring sewing machines, Braun dreams of a distant place where beauty is free and life might offer a brief escape from grinding labor and loomin…
PoetryChildren of Christmas, and OthersExplore a collection of evocative poems that weave Christmas traditions, childhood memories, and timeless legends into a tapestry of warmth and wonder, inviting readers to rediscov…
Level C1PoetryChildhood's happy home, and other versesExplore heartfelt verses that reflect on family milestones, memories, and loss, capturing the tender moments and enduring bonds within a loving home.
Level C1PoetryChildhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories: The Young Folks Treasury, Volume 1Delve into a carefully curated treasury of fairy tales, myths, and legends designed to nourish young imaginations and prepare children for a life of learning, heroism, and beauty.
Level B2HistoricalChildhoodAwakened on his tenth birthday by the quirky tutor Karl Ivanitch, a young boy navigates the bittersweet world of childhood, torn between annoyance and affection, bad dreams and bri…
Level C2PoetryChilde Harold's PilgrimageA disillusioned young noble, wearied by riotous pleasures and hollow admiration, embarks on a soul-searching journey beyond his homeland, seeking meaning in distant lands and refle…
Level A2Children'sChild-Land: Picture-Pages for the Little OnesStep into a charming world where children’s everyday adventures come alive—from learning music and playing cooks to caring for dolls and feeding birds.
Level B1Children'sChild's New Story Book;: Or, Tales and Dialogues for Little FolksDelight in charming tales and gentle lessons as children explore wonders—from a tiny ship’s voyage to the whispering sea shell, from honest school days to frosty mornings and a bel…
Level A2Children'sChild's First Picture BookDiscover the thrilling world of firemen, horses, trains, and stagecoaches as daring rescues and powerful engines come to life.
Level B2Children'sChild's Book of Water BirdsDiscover the fascinating habits and habitats of water birds, from graceful swans and shy dabchicks to speedy teals and industrious oyster catchers, brought to life with vivid descr…
Level B2HistoricalChild of the RegimentAmidst the chaos of Napoleon’s wars, a little girl orphaned in battle is taken in by a fierce French regiment, growing up with soldiers as her family and facing hardships on a peri…
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.