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.
PoetryArmenia immolataIn a landscape scarred by sacrifice and struggle, powerful verses evoke the resilience and tragic beauty of a land caught in the flames of history.
Level C1PoetryArmazindy: The Poems and Prose Sketches of James Whitcomb RileyTwo young editors preparing their school paper encounter a mysterious, refined old printer who claims to know Charles Dickens and insists on writing through the night, inspired by…
Level C1MysteryArmadaleTwo English strangers arrive at the German spa town of Wildbad, one gravely ill and shrouded in mystery.
Level B2AdventureArizona nightsAmidst Arizona’s wild mesas and rugged canyons, cowboys seek refuge on a remote ranch as a looming storm gathers, while tales of old frontier dangers and legendary outlaws like Ger…
Level B2ClassicsArizona ArgonautsIn the remote desert town of Two Palms, a mysterious Chinese man and his daughter arrive, sparking curiosity and suspicion among the locals who wonder about their unusual plans for…
Level B2HistoricalArius the Libyan: A Romance of the Primitive ChurchAmid the sunlit shores of ancient Cyrene, a land of beauty and intellect, a tale unfolds within a humble cross-shaped farmhouse, where faith, philosophy, and the turbulent birth of…
Level C1HistoricalAristophanesDive into the wild and witty world of Athenian comedy, where sharp political satire, bawdy humor, and vibrant spectacle collide to entertain and provoke a society at the height of…
Level C1PhilosophyAriosto, Shakespeare and CorneilleExplore the distinct poetic spirits of Ariosto, Shakespeare, and Corneille through a profound philosophical lens that delves into the essence of aesthetic intuition and the autonom…
Level C1RomanceAriadne in Mantua: A Romance in Five ActsIn the grand Palace of Mantua, a clash unfolds between impulsive passion and cold civility, as noble traditions confront raw, unyielding love—setting the stage for a poignant drama…
Level C1ClassicsAria da CapoIn a whimsical Harlequinade setting, Pierrot and Columbine navigate playful banter, artistic whims, and shifting roles, blending humor and surreal charm as they explore love, creat…
Level C1ClassicsArgonaut storiesA man tormented by a relentlessly cheerful neighbor, whose laughter and optimism defy every misfortune, ignites a fierce and bizarre rivalry fueled by envy and hatred.
Level C1HistoricalArethusaIn 1376 Constantinople, Venetian ex-soldier Carlo Zeno navigates a city divided by ruthless power struggles between Genoese rivals and the fragile Byzantine throne.
Level C1HistoricalAre these Things So? (1740) The Great Man's Answer to Are These things So: (1740)A fierce pamphlet war erupts in 1740, with anonymous verse and sharp political attacks targeting Robert Walpole's ministry.
Level C1ClassicsAre You a Bromide?: The Sulphitic Theory Expounded and Exemplified According to the Most Recent Researches into the Psychology of Boredom, Including Many Well-Known Bromidioms Now in UseDive into a witty exploration of human nature that divides people into two distinct types—the predictable Bromides and the intriguing Sulphites—offering a fresh perspective on soci…
Level C1ClassicsAre Parents People?At an exclusive girls' school, Lita Hazlitt navigates the uneasy presence of her divorced parents who unexpectedly appear together, igniting tensions amid the solemn chapel traditi…
Level C2PoetryArdours and Endurances; Also, A Faun's Holiday & Poems and PhantasiesExplore a profound journey through war's trials, nature's whimsy, and the depths of imagination, where poetry reveals the shared human spirit and the rhythms of thought that shape…
Level C2ClassicsArden of FevershamIn a quiet Kent town, a gentleman’s life unravels as his disloyal wife conspires with dangerous men to plot his murder.
Level C1ClassicsArdath: The Story of a Dead SelfAmid a fierce storm in the remote Caucasus, a skeptical traveler arrives at a mysterious mountain monastery where a unique brotherhood worships beneath a blazing Cross of Fire, set…
Level C1AdventureArctic angelsIn the harsh Arctic spring, Sergeant Cleaver confronts a cruel trader neglecting starving sled dogs and desperate Eskimos, forcing him to navigate treacherous loyalties and surviva…
Level C1AdventureArctic AdventuresEmbark on a daring voyage aboard the Hardy Norseman to the Arctic's icy frontiers, where a young adventurer seeks his lost brother amid treacherous seas, fierce wildlife, and gripp…
Level B2Children'sArchie's MistakeIn a prosperous cotton mill, young Archie Fairfax struggles to accept Stephen Bennett, a ragged new worker met with suspicion and hostility.
Level C1ClassicsArchibald Marshall, a Realistic NovelistExplore the essence of storytelling through the eyes of a seasoned English novelist and critic, who reflects on the art of fiction, the pitfalls of propaganda, and the enduring pow…
Level C1Science FictionArchibald MalmaisonA mysterious affliction grips Archibald Malmaison, revealing a psychological enigma that challenges the boundaries between truth and fiction.
Level B2AdventureArchibald Hughson: An Arctic StoryA determined young lad from Shetland defies his family's warnings to stow away on a Greenland whaler, chasing the thrilling and perilous life of the Arctic seas.
Level B2HistoricalArchag, the Little ArmenianA young Armenian boy navigates life at a missionary school amid the backdrop of his people's harrowing struggles during and after the Great War.
Level C1ClassicsArcadian Adventures with the Idle RichIn a world where millionaire children rule vast corporations and the elite gather in opulent clubs, the shimmering facade of wealth masks a city divided by power and privilege.
Level B2RomanceAraminta and the AutomobileA suburban bank clerk and his spirited wife, Araminta, embrace the thrill and challenges of owning one of the era’s first automobiles, defying skeptical neighbors and embarking on…
Level C1ClassicsAramintaA formidable old lady with a sharp mind and commanding presence navigates the complexities of her world with wit and unwavering resolve, supported by her loyal attendant and truste…
Level C1HistoricalArachne — CompleteAmid the tranquil waters and mysterious islands of ancient Egypt, a young woman seeks prophecy and guidance as her family’s fate intertwines with secrets of piracy, power, and roya…
Level C1PhilosophyArabian Wisdom: Selections and Translations from the ArabicExplore timeless Arabian proverbs and philosophical insights that bridge Eastern and Western thought, revealing profound moral truths and the shared human spirit through carefully…
Level C1RomanceArabella Stuart: A Romance from English HistoryIn a turbulent era marked by ruthless ambition and shifting power, the tragic story of Arabella Stuart unfolds, revealing the clash of passion, politics, and betrayal within the ha…
Level C1HistoricalApu Ollantay: A Drama of the Time of the IncasSet during the reign of Inca Pachacuti, this drama unfolds the forbidden love between a noble chief and the Inca's daughter, weaving ancient Andean culture, dramatic tradition, and…
Level B2ClassicsApron-StringsIn a small English parish, tensions rise over a wedding set to take place in a neglected outdoor space known as the Close, exposing hidden struggles and the compassionate heart of…
Level C1ClassicsApril's Lady: A NovelA long-silent letter from a distant relative disrupts the fragile peace of the Monkton family breakfast, where sibling rivalries and parental lessons unfold amid underlying tension…
Level C2PoetryApril twilights, and other poemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that journey through seasons, landscapes, and timeless emotions, capturing moments from tender family memories to the quiet beauty of nature…
Level C1RomanceApril HopesAt a lively Class Day celebration filled with youthful charm and elegance, Elbridge Mavering reunites with an old friend, sparking unexpected encounters and stirring reflections on…
Level B2ClassicsApril Fools: A farce in one act for three male charactersA father overwhelmed by his daughters' extravagant spending eagerly welcomes a suitor's proposal for his daughter Fanny, only to be caught in a comedic mix-up involving mistaken le…
Level C2HistoricalAppreciations, with an Essay on StyleExplore the rich distinctions and poetic possibilities within prose and poetry, as this work delves into the art of literary style and criticism, challenging traditional boundaries…
Level B2ClassicsAppreciations of Richard Harding DavisA fearless man who captures history’s most daring moments with wit and vivid detail, he lives a life of adventure—hunting in Cuba, braving war, and inspiring friends with boundless…
Level C1ClassicsAppreciations and Criticisms of the Works of Charles DickensExplore the sharp insights and social foresight of a keen critic who reveals how Dickens captured a fading Victorian world and anticipated the turbulent shifts of modern society wi…
Level B2Children'sApples, Ripe and Rosy, Sir: And Other Stories for Boys and GirlsAs a fierce March snowstorm blankets the city, an old Irish apple vendor struggles to protect her precious apples and peanuts, hoping the playful schoolchildren will still find a m…
Level C2PhilosophyApologySocrates stands trial, facing accusations shaped by public opinion and caricature, yet he defies his judges with unwavering truth and irony.
Level C1PhilosophyApologia DiffidentisA shy man wrestles with the isolating weight of his own reticence, revealing the silent struggles and lost joys of youth shadowed by self-consciousness and despair.
Level C2PoetryApollo and Marsyas, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that blend myth, personal reflection, and dramatic imagery, capturing moods and moments with sincere and powerful expression.
Level C2ClassicsApocolocyntosisIn a sharp satirical journey through the afterlife, the ghost of Emperor Claudius faces judgment and cosmic comedy, revealing the absurdities of power and fate with biting wit and…
Level C1ClassicsApes and AngelsA devoted night watchman at a wax museum finds friendship and humor among lifelike figures of history and legend, weaving adventure and romance into his nightly rounds.
Level C1AdventureApache devilUnder the silver moonlight of an Arizona night, a young Apache war chief known as the Black Bear wrestles with loss, loyalty, and forbidden love as he leads his people through a pe…
Level C1ClassicsAnything OnceIn a dusty rural road, a mysterious girl finds an injured, well-dressed stranger with a strange past and only days to unravel a puzzle.
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.