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 C2HistoricalAntony and CleopatraA mighty Roman general, once fierce in battle, now dazzled and undone by his passionate love for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, faces the clash of duty and desire as political tides…
Level C1AdventureAntony Waymouth; Or, The Gentlemen AdventurersIn an age of exploration under Queen Elizabeth’s reign, two young gentlemen reunite in Plymouth, sparking tales of daring sea voyages and the thrilling promise of treasure and adve…
Level C1HistoricalAntonioA young monk newly ordained in war-torn Portugal grapples with doubt, duty, and desire for peace as his country emerges from years of conflict and civil strife.
Level C1HistoricalAntonina; Or, The Fall of RomeAmid the desolate Alps in 408 AD, as Gothic invaders carve a path toward Rome, a hidden cavern shelters secrets that capture the spirit of a crumbling empire on the brink of barbar…
Level C1RomanceAntoniaIn 1785 Paris, young painter Julien Thierry, burdened by debts and the shadow of loss, seeks solace in his art and the steadfast love of his mother amid the fleeting beauty of spri…
Level C2PoetryAntinous: A PoemEmperor Hadrian mourns the death of Antinous, his beloved youth whose beauty and love once filled his empire with passion.
Level C1HistoricalAnting-Anting Stories, and Other Strange Tales of the FilipinosIn a war-torn Philippine village, a mysterious native risks everything to retrieve a strange leather-bound book from a fallen comrade, revealing the power of the enigmatic anting-a…
Level C1HistoricalAntimachus of Colophon and the Position of Women in Greek Poetry: A fragment printed for the use of scholarsExplore the transformation in Greek poetry’s portrayal of love and women, tracing the shift from male-male affection in early works to the romantic ideal of male-female love in Ale…
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems and Songs of Labor and Reform, Complete: Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPassionate poems and stirring songs confront the brutal realities of slavery and celebrate the courage of those who fight for freedom and reform.
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 3.: Part 3 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmidst the silent city of Derne, Christian slaves endure captivity while a daring rescue unfolds, revealing the fierce struggle for freedom and the profound sacrifices made in the…
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 2.: Part 2 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmid rising tensions over Texas annexation and slavery, impassioned poems rally a call to freedom, urging unity and resistance against oppression.
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 1.: Part 1 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPowerful poems give voice to the fight against slavery and oppression, celebrating heroes like William Lloyd Garrison and Toussaint L’Ouverture while stirring the conscience with v…![Cover of Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Harold Whitmore [Editor] Jones](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeois8e1ofc73dh7fqg.webp)
Level C2PoetryAnti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John DrydenThree poetic replies challenge a famous verse allegory, offering sharp political and moral counterpoints through allegorical verse and satire.
Level C1RomanceAnthony the AbsoluteA restless traveler aboard a ship to Yokohama navigates a sea of eccentric passengers, including a pompous judge and a serene Japanese merchant, while wrestling with his own solitu…
Level C1ClassicsAnthony Trollope; His Work, Associates and Literary OriginalsExplore the life and times of Anthony Trollope through intimate accounts, personal recollections, and insights into the inspirations behind his novels, revealing the man behind the…
Level C1MysteryAnthony Trent, Master CriminalA master criminal strikes under the cover of night, leaving a baffling burglary and a defiant butler whose cool demeanor challenges the inspector’s suspicions.
Level B2ClassicsAnthony JohnBorn into hardship in a grim Millsborough street, Anthony John Strong’nth’arm’s fierce fighting spirit emerges from his very first breath.
Level C1ClassicsAnthology of Russian literature from the earliest period to the present time, volume 2 (of 2)Explore the evolution of Russian literature in the 19th century through critical essays and key works that illuminate its dramatic shifts—from the poetic brilliance of Pushkin to t…
Level C1ClassicsAnthology of Russian literature from the earliest period to the present time, volume 1 (of 2)Explore the rich evolution of Russian literature from the 10th to the 18th century through carefully selected excerpts and insightful commentary, revealing the language, culture, a…![Cover of Anthologica Rarissima: The Way of a Virgin: Being excerpts from rare, curious and diverting books by L. C. [Compiler] Brovan](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf5n8oe1ofc73dhbjs0.webp)
Level C2ClassicsAnthologica Rarissima: The Way of a Virgin: Being excerpts from rare, curious and diverting booksExplore a unique anthology unveiling rare, curious excerpts on virginity from global folklore, literature, and erotic traditions—translated and annotated for the student, collector…
Level C1ClassicsAntennaeA restless boy sneaks out at night, seeking escape from the torment of growing up in a world that feels both confining and mysterious.
Level C1RomanceAntar: A Bedoueen RomanceBorn into slavery yet rising through unmatched bravery and poetic genius, Antar navigates the fierce honor and passion of Bedouin life, weaving a tale of love and valor set against…
Level C1ClassicsAnswering the Phone: A FarceIn a bustling household, a new hired girl must navigate the challenges of answering the elusive telephone, juggling unexpected visitors and household demands, all while trying to k…
Level B2AdventureAnother year with Denise and Ned ToodlesAmid the gentle whispers of spring, Denise and her loyal pony Ned Toodles share quiet moments filled with nature’s magic and the promise of new adventures.
Level C1ClassicsAnother Study of WomanAmid the glittering salons of Paris, a sharp-witted gathering reveals the intricate dance of society, where sparkling conversation and subtle intrigues expose the changing nature o…
Level C1HistoricalAnother SheafAfter the harrowing toll of war, a weary column of soldiers marches home through the dawn, their bodies broken but spirits longing for peace.
Level C1Science FictionAnother EarthIn a groundbreaking space test, an astronaut inside a sealed capsule experiences a baffling breakdown in communication, revealing unsettling mysteries about the human mind and surv…
FantasyAnother Brownie BookTiny Brownies embark on whimsical adventures from building snowmen and racing yachts to exploring orchards and celebrating holidays, inviting readers into a magical world filled wi…
Level C1ClassicsAnnouchka: A TaleA young man, nursing a recent heartbreak, seeks solace in the quiet German town of Z.
Level C1FantasyAnno Domini 2000; or, Woman's DestinyIn a stark future where wealth and want collide, a once-promising man’s tragic fall exposes the brutal inequalities haunting society.
Level C1MysteryAnnihilationIn a rain-soaked, grimy waterfront district, a former detective's quiet stroll turns urgent when he discovers a mysterious, dying man whose last moments hint at dark secrets lurkin…
Level C1RomanceAnnie o' the Banks o' DeeIn the serene setting of Bilberry Hall by the Dee River, young Annie Lane navigates the tender complexities of youth and love, caught between the ardent affections of two suitors a…
Level C1ClassicsAnnie Kilburn : a NovelAfter the death of her father, Annie Kilburn leaves behind the comforts of Rome to return to the modest town of Hatboro', Massachusetts, driven by a mysterious longing to find purp…
Level B2HistoricalAnnette, the Metis Spy: A Heroine of the N.W. RebellionOn the vast, untamed prairie, a young Metis maiden’s haunting song hides a brave resolve as she navigates love, danger, and rebellion.
Level C1MysteryAnne: A NovelIn a small island chapel, young Anne Douglas balances strength and vulnerability as she navigates family ties and hidden tensions during a quiet winter evening.
Level B2Children'sAnne's terrible good nature, and other stories for childrenA little girl’s boundless kindness leads her to brighten a gloomy winter garden, but her good intentions meet unexpected reactions from her family.
Level B2HistoricalAnne's House of DreamsAnne Shirley, fresh from teaching and on the brink of marriage, returns to picturesque Avonlea where cherished friendships, the charm of old traditions, and the winds of modern cha…
Level B2HistoricalAnne of the IslandAs autumn ushers in change, Anne Shirley faces the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood, navigating friendships, farewells, and the uncertain promise of the future wh…
Level C1HistoricalAnne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 2 (of 2)An English merchant’s journey through the harsh and unwelcoming inns of Alsace reveals a stark contrast between cultures, where hospitality is scarce and survival depends on grit.
Level C1AdventureAnne of Geierstein; Or, The Maiden of the Mist. Volume 1 (of 2)In a time of political intrigue and ancient grudges, a mysterious maiden emerges amidst the mist-shrouded Alps, weaving a tale of adventure, danger, and the clash of noble bloodlin…
Level B2HistoricalAnne of AvonleaA spirited young teacher in idyllic Avonlea dreams of inspiring her students to greatness, but her peaceful world is disrupted by a gruff new neighbor whose odd habits and sharp te…
Level B2ClassicsAnne Severn and the FieldingsA young girl returns to the grand Fieldings estate after her mother's death, navigating the complex relationships with Jerrold and his family while coping with grief and memories o…
Level C1ClassicsAnne PageIn the twilight garden of Fairholme Court, Anne Page, a woman of timeless beauty and quiet grace, awaits evening guests amid the enchanting scent of roses and lavender.
Level B2ClassicsAnne Hereford: A NovelA young girl in deep mourning journeys alone through foggy England to stay with her Aunt Selina, encountering strangers and uncertainty along the way.
Level C1HistoricalAnne FevershamIn Elizabethan England, a revered playwright contemplates the tragic fate of a young nobleman condemned for treason, revealing a world where art, politics, and danger entwine benea…
Level C1HistoricalAnne Bradstreet and Her TimeExplore the life of Anne Bradstreet, the pioneering woman poet of Colonial America, who, despite societal constraints, left a lasting literary legacy and became the matriarch of a…
Level C1ClassicsAnnals of a Quiet NeighbourhoodA reflective vicar, grappling with doubt and the passage of time, invites you into a quiet parish where the unseen struggles of faith and purpose unfold.
Level C1ClassicsAnnajanska, the Bolshevik EmpressIn a turbulent military outpost, a weary general confronts the chaos of shifting powers and shattered loyalties amid revolution.
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.