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 C1MysteryAt His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)In a charming Kensington home, a talented but cautious painter and his proud, ambitious wife navigate the clash between art, ambition, and social expectation, where personal dreams…
Level B2ClassicsAt Good Old SiwashDive into the lively, unpredictable world of Siwash College, where every chapter bursts with new schemes, spirited characters, and the chaotic charm of college life that defies map…
Level C1RomanceAt FaultA grieving Creole widow inherits a vast Louisiana plantation and faces the challenges of preserving her late husband's legacy amid changing times, suspicious neighbors, and unwelco…
Level C1ClassicsAt Close RangeA restless traveler embarks on a grueling overnight journey through snowy towns, exploring the hidden depths of human character and unexpected kindness found along the way.
Level B2Children'sAt Boarding School with the Tucker TwinsA fifteen-year-old girl faces the bittersweet challenge of leaving home for boarding school, navigating early farewells, new routines, and the comfort of cherished memories.
Level C1RomanceAt BayIn vibrant Paris, a wealthy lady and a sharp financier navigate high society, secret missions, and tangled relationships, where trust and fortune hang in delicate balance.
Level C1AdventureAt AgincourtAmidst the bitter feud ravaging France, a noble English household prepares to join the fray, bringing skilled archers and knights to a land torn by civil war.
Level B2AdventureAt Aboukir and Acre: A Story of Napoleon's Invasion of EgyptAs Napoleon's French fleet threatens Egypt, two young allies stand amid ancient forts and shifting loyalties, witnessing the clash of empires where naval power and desert cavalry c…
Level C2PoetryAstrophel and Other Poems: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol. VIExplore a rich tapestry of emotion and imagery through a collection of evocative poems that traverse themes of love, nature, loss, and remembrance, inspired by timeless landscapes…
Level C1HistoricalAstronomical Lore in ChaucerExplore the medieval world where celestial movements govern daily life and fate, intertwining astronomy and astrology in poetry.
Level B2Science FictionAstounding Stories, June, 1931A space patrol officer returns to Earth for routine business but uncovers a mysterious stowaway incident that challenges the cold logic of scientists and ignites a thrilling encoun…
Level B2Science FictionAstounding Stories, August, 1931Trapped a mile beneath the Pacific in a steel sphere, scientist George Abbot confronts mysterious fish-like creatures with human arms and faces the terrifying failure of his life-s…
Level C1AdventureAstoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky MountainsJourney beyond the Rockies unfolds as fur traders and explorers brave treacherous wilderness, negotiate with Native tribes, and establish the ambitious Astoria trading post, reveal…
Level B2AdventureAssignatsStranded castaways in Novgorod are offered a risky contract to sail a decrepit tramp steamer flying the Chinese flag across the Sea of Japan with a cargo of caravan tea destined fo…
Level B2Science FictionAssassinIn a high-stakes infiltration at the Pentagon, a flawlessly trained assassin navigates deadly scrutiny and political rivalries, tasked with a mission that transcends the murder of…
Level C1RomanceAsphodelBeneath a blazing midsummer sun in the enchanting Fontainebleau forest, free-spirited Daphne revels in nature’s wild beauty and the freedom from schoolroom confines, setting the st…
Level C1HistoricalAspects and ImpressionsStep into the Victorian literary world through vivid impressions of George Eliot and her contemporaries, exploring the powerful influence and complex rivalries shaping English pros…
Level C1RomanceAspasiaIn ancient Athens, a captivatingly beautiful woman stirs awe, desire, and envy as she strides through the Agora, igniting silent tensions and unspoken conflicts.
Level B2AdventureAsoka's alibiIn the sweltering carnival season of a restless Indian border state, Quorn, the master of the mighty elephant Asoka, navigates a world of ancient customs, mad revelry, and simmerin…
Level C1ClassicsAsmodeus; or, The Devil on Two SticksA witty and satirical devil offers a devilish perspective on human folly, blending sharp comedy and social critique.
Level C1RomanceAslauga's KnightA noble knight devoted to ancient legends becomes enchanted by the story of Aslauga, a hidden princess turned queen, while a mysterious veiled woman seeks his aid to reclaim lost h…
Level B2AdventureAsiatic Breezes; Or, Students on The WingYoung navigators embark on a daring Mediterranean voyage, facing storms, secret enemies, and thrilling battles near Cyprus.
Level B2MysteryAshton-Kirk, Secret AgentWhen a groundbreaking naval invention is threatened by foreign espionage, a secret agent with unparalleled skills must navigate delicate political tensions to prevent a crisis betw…
Level B2MysteryAshton-Kirk, InvestigatorA brilliant young investigator with a passion for solving mysteries draws on his vast knowledge of ancient texts and obscure crimes to unravel complex puzzles.
Level C1MysteryAshton-Kirk, CriminologistA brilliant criminologist with a flair for the artistic side of crime teams up with his strong-handed friend to unravel a complex, arabesque murder.
Level C1MysteryAshes to ashesA desperate man clings to risky investments to maintain his lifestyle and inheritance, while his wife mysteriously ventures into the heart of the financial district.
Level C1ClassicsAshes (Cenere): A Sardinian StoryOn a midsummer night in rural Sardinia, fifteen-year-old Olì embarks on a secret love affair with a mysterious young farm laborer, drawn by dreams of escape and passion amid the fa…
Level C1HistoricalAshcliffe Hall: A tale of the last centuryIn an old English manor, two sisters navigate the expectations of their genteel world, while secrets and quiet tensions simmer beneath the genteel surface.
Level C1RomanceAscanioAmidst the splendor and intrigue of Francis I's French court, passionate rivalries and political schemes unfold as a young favorite rises to power, challenging queens and captivati…
Level C1ClassicsAsbeïn: From the Life of a VirtuosoIn sunlit Rome, a chance encounter reignites the charged relationship between Princess Natalie and the passionate, solitary violin virtuoso Boris Lensky, setting the stage for a ta…
Level B2FantasyAs the Goose FliesWhen Ellen discovers a hidden door behind the nursery bookcase, she steps into a magical world where a curious house stands on giant bird legs and a white gander waits.
Level B2Children'sAs many as touched HimIn a quiet countryside, young Ellen longs for a letter that might change her life, while a mysterious stranger arrives bearing an invitation to a curious gathering—an encounter tha…
Level C1ClassicsAs a woman thinksExplore the intimate journey of a woman’s mind as she reflects on how her thoughts shape her courage, character, and life amid the everyday challenges and humor of ordinary people.
Level C1MysteryAs a thief in the nightA sudden visit from a concerned clergyman uncovers alarming truths about the frail Harold’s health, setting off a tense quest for a second medical opinion.
Level C2ClassicsAs You Like ItA young gentleman, neglected and undervalued by his older brother, struggles against the constraints imposed on him and contemplates how to reclaim his dignity and rightful place.
Level C1ClassicsAs We Were SayingExplore a thoughtful meditation on shifting tastes and values, as the humble rose yields to the flamboyant chrysanthemum—a symbol of modern life's bold colors and restless fashions…
Level B2RomanceAs We Sweep Through The DeepIn a time of pride and hardship, Jack Mackenzie sails away from England, leaving his family to face mounting debts and fading fortunes at the grand Grantley Hall.
Level C1ClassicsAs We GoExplore a thoughtful collection of essays that examine democracy, privilege, and social change in America, reflecting on how leadership is earned and the power of the people to sha…
Level B2MysteryAs We Forgive ThemA dying man's iron will hides a secret worth millions, baffling those closest to him.
Level A2ClassicsAs We Are and As We May BeExplore the hopes and challenges of working women and society through a philanthropist's insightful essays that advocate for progress, culture, and personal service to humanity in…![Cover of As Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and Poem by G. Thompson [Editor] Hutchinson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8pd0lnmvfc73bifsd0.webp)
Level C1PoetryAs Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and PoemJourney through the year with vivid poems and pictures that celebrate the changing seasons, from the frozen stillness of January to the blooming promise of spring and the golden ha…
Level C1ClassicsAs Others See Us: Being the Diary of a Canadian DebutanteA young Canadian debutante arrives in a bustling city of wealth and society, eager to navigate dances, teas, and the complexities of high-class life.
Level C1HistoricalAs Others Saw Him: A Retrospect, A.D. 54In a vivid recounting from Jerusalem, a man with fiery zeal disrupts the Temple's commerce, revealing a complex figure torn between righteous fury and tender compassion.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was in the BeginningA weary inventor is offered a dreamlike escape: a voyage to Canton, China, tasked with escorting a grieving woman back home.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was Written: A Jewish Musician's StoryA restless musician’s solitary life is transformed when he encounters Veronika, a pale and mysterious beauty, on a moonlit New York evening.
Level C1ClassicsArundelAmid the sun-drenched plains of colonial India, a steadfast colonel returns from a taxing day of military duty, his thoughts anchored to his regiment and home life.
Level C1ClassicsArtists' WivesIn a dimly lit artist’s studio, two friends—poet and painter—debate the perilous balance between creative genius and marriage, exploring whether love nurtures or hinders the artist…
Level C1RomanceArtist and Model (The Divorced Princess)In 1860 St.
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.