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 B2HistoricalCharley's Museum: A Story for Young PeopleA curious twelve-year-old boy receives a special attic museum filled with exotic shells and natural wonders from his uncle, inspiring him to explore the fascinating creatures behin…
Level B2Children'sCharley's Log: A Story of Schoolboy LifeTwo schoolboys, Charley and Tom, navigate the challenges of boarding school life while dreaming of the sea and adventure.
Level A2Children'sCharles' Journey to France, and Other TalesJoin Charles as he sets off on a vivid journey through fields, rivers, and woods, discovering animals, windmills, and the vast, mysterious sea on his way to France, exploring the w…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Tyrrell; or, The Bitter Blood. Volumes I and IIIn a tranquil Hampshire estate, where nature’s renewal contrasts with human loss, deep secrets and shifting fortunes unfold amid a home shaped by generations.
Level C1RomanceCharles RexA restless lord, known as Charles Rex, seeks escape from society's monotony aboard his yacht, where freedom and fate intertwine beneath the vast, unpredictable sea.
Level C1AdventureCharles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2Amid lively balls and high-stakes debts in a bustling Irish town, a spirited regiment navigates the perils of love, honor, and camaraderie.
Level C1AdventureCharles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 1An impudent Irishman with swagger and ambition emerges from the vibrant streets of Dublin, seeking adventure and favor without stepping into the footlights.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IIDive into a vivid correspondence capturing the trials and triumphs of a writer grappling with health, criticism, and creativity amid Florence’s charm.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. IDiscover the life and literary journey of Charles Lever through his own letters, revealing intimate insights and fresh perspectives on the Irish novelist behind beloved works like…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Lamb: A MemoirA devoted man battles life's hardships to protect his sister, whose tragic madness shadows their shared existence.
Level C1ClassicsCharles LambDive into the vivid life of a devoted Londoner whose days unfold amid the bustling streets, theaters, and coffee houses of the city.
Level B1Children'sCharles Dickens' Children StoriesIn a bustling London neighborhood, cheerful porter Trotty Veck and his devoted daughter Meg share warmth and kindness despite hardships, as they welcome an orphaned child and face…
Level C1HistoricalCharles Dickens as a ReaderExplore the fascinating journey of a beloved author as he transforms his written words into captivating live readings.
Level C1HistoricalCharles Dickens and other VictoriansStep into the shadowed halls where history’s greatest dramas unfolded, and meet the young author whose first published story stirred a wave of promise and pride.
Level C1ClassicsCharles DickensExplore the vibrant world behind literary styles as this work unpacks the artifice of romanticism and realism, revealing the optimistic spirit that breathes life into Dickens’s unf…
Level C2HistoricalCharles Di Tocca: A TragedyAmidst the haunting ruins of Apollo's temple and the vibrant revelry of bacchanals, power, passion, and betrayal intertwine in a dramatic tale set within the castle of Charles di T…
Level B2ClassicsCharles Chapin's storyA celebrated city editor faces life imprisonment after a devastating act driven by despair and mental anguish.
Level C1PoetryCharles Baudelaire: A StudyDive into the complex world of Baudelaire’s genius, where personal vision shapes sharp critique and sensual torment intertwines with a relentless pursuit of beauty, revealing the s…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Baudelaire, His LifeDiscover the intimate life and striking presence of a young poet on the cusp of fame, as he navigates the artistic circles of 19th-century Paris with a unique blend of dandyism and…
Level C1ClassicsCharles Auchester, Volume 2 (of 2)A solitary violinist arrives at a German academy, navigating unfamiliar customs and a world of earnest, youthful scholars.
Level C1ClassicsCharles Auchester, Volume 1 (of 2)Amidst the vibrant world of 19th-century music, a young idealist navigates passion, genius, and the immortal spirit of Mendelssohn, capturing the heart of a musical era through fri…
Level C1HistoricalCharlemont; Or, The Pride of the Village. a Tale of KentuckyIn the untamed Kentucky frontier, a tale unfolds revealing the fierce justice and fragile trust among a hospitable yet vengeful community, where secrets and pride spark a domestic…
Level B2Children'sCharity's birthday textOn her tenth birthday, kind-hearted Charity enjoys simple gifts and warm family moments, unaware that her peaceful life may soon face unexpected trials.
Level B2AdventureCharge! A Story of Briton and BoerAmidst a rugged frontier homestead, a sudden warning of mounted men sets a family on alert, blending the challenges of pioneering life with the looming threat of conflict.
Level C1ClassicsCharacters of Shakespeare's PlaysExplore the rich personalities behind Shakespeare's plays through the keen insights of a passionate thinker shaped by a unique upbringing and intellectual awakening, revealing the…
Level C1PoetryCharacters from Life; Or, Moral Hints. In VerseExplore a vivid tableau of rural life and moral struggles, where farmers, landlords, and townsfolk grapple with temptation, pride, and the consequences of excess.
Level C1HistoricalCharacteristics of Women: Moral, Poetical, and HistoricalExplore the rich tapestry of female intellect, passion, and history through vivid character studies that challenge stereotypes and celebrate the diverse virtues of women as seen in…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Writings of the Seventeenth CenturyExplore vivid portraits of human nature through concise sketches that reveal timeless vices and quirks, from dissimulation to stupidity, tracing the rich tradition of character wri…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 3Explore vivid character sketches drawn from romance, fiction, and drama, revealing the quirks and depths of figures like Mark Tapley’s jolly resilience amid hardship and young Marl…
Level C1ClassicsCharacter Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 1Explore vivid portraits of iconic figures from romance, fiction, and drama, enriched by detailed illustrations and historical insights that bring legendary characters and their sto…
Level C1HistoricalChapters on Spanish LiteratureExplore the vibrant history and legends of Spain through lectures on iconic figures like the heroic Cid and the imaginative Don Quixote, revealing how national heroes reflect the s…
Level C1HistoricalChapters on Jewish literatureExplore the rich evolution of Jewish literature from the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE to the Enlightenment era, tracing its development through diverse periods, countries, and cultur…
Level C1ClassicsChapters from My AutobiographyDive into a lively, unconventional autobiography that shuns grandiose tales for everyday truths, weaving ancestral legends with personal reflections in a candid, free-flowing narra…
Level C1HistoricalChap-books of the Eighteenth Century: With Facsimiles, Notes, and IntroductionDiscover the fascinating world of eighteenth-century chap-books, once the primary source of entertainment and news for rural England, packed with curious ballads, quaint tales, and…
Level C1HistoricalChants for the BoerAmid the turmoil of the Boer War, passionate verses confront imperial aggression and champion the resilient spirit of the Boer people.
Level C1PoetryChants for SocialistsVoices rise in vivid chants envisioning a future where work is fulfilling, rewards are just, and society is reshaped by revolution for the common good.
Level C1ClassicsChantry HouseThree brothers navigate childhood and unexpected inheritance at Chantry House, facing family secrets and personal trials shaped by fate and loss.
Level C1Children'sChanticleer: A Thanksgiving Story of the Peabody FamilyOn a serene Thanksgiving morning, the venerable Sylvester Peabody reflects on life, loss, and family as the idyllic countryside glows with the soft light of Indian summer, weaving…
Level B2RomanceChantemerleIn the shadow of the Vendéan War, a young woman caught between courtly duty and forbidden love finds herself torn as political tensions rise and loyalty is tested.
Level C1MysteryChangeling, and Other StoriesIn a drab courtroom, Anna Janssen faces murder charges amid a haze of doubt and mystery.
Level B2Children'sChange Signals: A Story of the New FootballAt Yardley Hall School, football season kicks off with spirited rallies, determined players, and lessons in school loyalty.
Level C1RomanceChance: A Tale in Two PartsA young seaman reflects on the pride and challenges of maritime life, navigating the uncertainties of career and fate.
Level C1ClassicsChance in Chains: A Story of Monte CarloTwo struggling engineers in Paris make a groundbreaking discovery in wireless telegraphy, but lack the funds and influence to bring it to life—will their revolutionary idea ever se…
Level A2Children'sChambers's Elementary Science Readers: Book IExplore the curious habits and unique features of household pets through a child's eyes, as Harry observes the secret lives of cats and dogs with gentle wonder and simple science.
Level C2PoetryChamber MusicDelicate strings and twilight melodies weave through these intimate poems, capturing love’s tender moments and gentle yearnings amid nature’s soft embrace.
Level C1ClassicsChainsIn a grim tenement world of poverty, violence, and despair, young Madeleine Kinsella quietly navigates her harsh surroundings with a fragile hope for something better.
Level B2Science FictionChain ReactionFour former colleagues reunite for a tense poker game in a sanitarium, where a disgraced scientist warns that a dangerous project is about to trigger a catastrophic total conversio…
Level C1ClassicsCertain Personal MattersA sharp, witty exploration of life's contradictions unfolds through reflections on cherished heirlooms, the allure of cheapness, and the weight of tradition.
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.