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 C1RomanceAn Original BelleAmid the glitter of high society and the turmoil of the Civil War, a young belle confronts the limits of her beauty and charm, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and moral aw…
Level C1ClassicsAn Open-Eyed Conspiracy; An Idyl of SaratogaIn the sultry shade of Saratoga’s parks, an observant traveler notices a striking young woman whose beauty masks complex relationships and hidden tensions.
Level B2HistoricalAn Old-Fashioned GirlA spirited young girl from the countryside arrives to stay with a city family, challenging modern fashions and attitudes with her old-fashioned charm and values, sparking both curi…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Woman's Tale: (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")In a sleepy Connecticut village where time seems to pause, a young couple from fading fortunes contemplates love beneath ancient elms, while an old woman’s tales blur the line betw…
Level B2ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 3 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In a quiet town where farming life intertwines with personal hopes, Louisa anxiously awaits her father's return after Christmas, fearing his restlessness in a new, inactive world.
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 2 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In a quaint village, young lovers navigate social divides and festive preparations, while a quirky friend crafts a homemade flag to honor a returning lieutenant—unfolding a charmin…
Level C1ClassicsAn Old Story of My Farming Days Vol. 1 (of 3).: (Ut Mine Stromtid)In struggling Mecklenburg, a tenant farmer faces bankruptcy and the auction of his life's work, reflecting a time of hardship, resilience, and the stark realities of rural poverty…
Level C1RomanceAn Old Sailor's YarnsDive into the gripping tales of daring sailors, smuggling escapades, and fierce sea battles in the Pacific, where lawless traders face peril, rescue, and romance on the high seas.
Level C1RomanceAn Old Meerschaum: From Coals Of Fire And Other Stories, Volume II. (of III.)In the vibrant market of Trieste, a chance reunion sparks a journey to Constantinople where unexpected encounters and subtle romantic tensions unfold.
Level C1HistoricalAn Old Man's PrayerAn intimate tale unfolds through the heartfelt reflections of an old man, capturing the quiet moments and enduring bonds of New England life with poignant simplicity and grace.
Level C1RomanceAn Old Man's LoveA wealthy country gentleman wrestles with his conscience and society’s expectations as he contemplates offering shelter and a new future to Mary Lawrie, a young woman left alone af…
Level C1RomanceAn Old Man's DarlingA radiant young beauty’s carefree summer stroll turns ominous when a mysterious old fortune-teller warns her that her charm will invite both love and dark sorrow, foreshadowing a l…
Level C1RomanceAn Old MaidIn a provincial French town, the charming yet financially strained Chevalier de Valois navigates courtly society, gallantry, and fading nobility with wit and elegance, all while ha…
Level B2ClassicsAn Old Chester SecretIn Old Chester, Miss Lydia's sudden disappearance sparks curiosity and whispers as a secret consumes her life.
Level C1PoetryAn Old Babylonian Version of the Gilgamesh EpicJourney alongside the hero Gilgamesh as he grapples with grief and the search for immortality, confronting the harsh truth that death is humanity's inescapable fate, framed by anci…
Level C1AdventureAn Ocean TragedyWhen Sir Wilfrid Monson arrives unexpectedly, his nervous passion and troubled past hint at a family haunted by madness and mystery, setting the stage for an ocean-bound adventure…
Level C1HorrorAn Occurrence at Owl Creek BridgeA condemned man stands on a bridge, bound and facing imminent execution by hanging, yet his mind races with desperate plans for escape and the haunting ticking of his watch.
Level C1ClassicsAn Obscure Apostle: A Dramatic StoryIn a society trapped in ancient customs and deep divisions, a hidden world unfolds where education and brotherhood struggle against ignorance and prejudice.
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle of Surrey: A NovelIn the quiet dusk by South London's canal, a group of men gossip about the mysterious new occupant of Crawford's House, stirring curiosity and suspicion in this gritty tale of secr…
Level C1ClassicsAn Isle in the WaterA widower’s new wife rules the island with children and charm, erasing the memory of his first, deceased wife—except for a faithful dog and eerie whispers of a ghost haunting the q…
Level C1PoetryAn Irish Crazy-Quilt: Smiles and tears, woven into song and storyFive drummers in Dublin hatch a mischievous plan to challenge the fiery new magistrate, Major Boomerang, whose tales of tiger hunts and harsh rule promise a clash of wit and will o…
Level C1ClassicsAn Irish Cousin; vol. 2/2At a lively supper after a spirited dance, a young woman navigates social tensions and secret engagements, caught between the charms of Nugent and the elusive Willy.
Level C1ClassicsAn Irish Cousin; vol. 1/2A restless traveler crosses the Atlantic to Ireland, where family tensions and new destinies await amidst the rolling green hills and changing tides.
Level C1PoetryAn Introduction to the Study of Robert Browning's PoetryExplore the intricate world of poetic psychology through detailed analysis of dramatic monologues and linguistic nuances, revealing the complex genius behind the soul’s deepest exp…
Level C1PoetryAn Introduction to the Study of BrowningExplore the multifaceted genius of Robert Browning, whose poetry blends drama, philosophy, humor, and lyricism into a vast, passionate vision.
Level C2PoetryAn Introduction to the Prose and Poetical Works of John Milton: Comprising All the Autobiographic Passages in His Works, the More Explicit Presentations of His Ideas of True Liberty.Explore the passionate prose and poetry of a visionary who champions intellectual freedom and individual rights, weaving autobiographical insight with powerful arguments for true l…
Level C1ClassicsAn International EpisodeTwo young Englishmen arrive in bustling New York City, encountering its vibrant streets, diverse culture, and unfamiliar customs.
Level B2ClassicsAn InterloperMonsieur Raoul embarks on a mysterious and determined journey through his richly cultivated estate, defying caution and stirring curiosity.
Level B2RomanceAn Imperial MarriageWhen a royal marriage is threatened by an unexpected romance between the Emperor’s favorite prince and a captivating brunette, loyalties and secrets intertwine in a high-stakes gam…
Level C1ClassicsAn Idyl of the East Side: 1891A frail young man from the Black Forest carries his beloved canary-birds across the ocean to New York, chasing dreams of family, fortune, and a lost childhood love in a new land fu…
Level C1RomanceAn Iceland FishermanAmid the icy seas and rugged Breton coast, a fisherman’s life intertwines with love, hardship, and the haunting call of the ocean.
Level C1HistoricalAn I.D.B. in South AfricaIn the heart of the Kimberley Diamond Fields, secrets and suspicion swirl around a dazzling woman and a mysterious diamond dealer whose arrest sparks a thrilling mystery of betraya…
Level C1MysteryAn Historical Mystery (The Gondreville Mystery)In 1803, amid the grandeur of the Gondreville estate, a tense family moment unfolds as Michu, a man with a fearsome gaze and a rifled carbine, prepares to hunt an elusive lynx—whil…
Level C1PoetryAn Heroic Epistle to the Right Honourable the Lord Craven (3rd Ed.)A satirical poetic letter unfolds around Lord Craven’s commanding presence and a notable legal dispute, revealing sharp wit and social commentary in 18th-century England’s politica…
Level C1MysteryAn Eye for an EyeIn the bustling heart of London, two journalists uncover a baffling mystery intertwining love, deceit, and crime beneath the city's surface.
Level C1ClassicsAn Eye for an EyeConfined in a luxurious asylum, a tormented lady obsessively demands justice for a past wrong, while her tragic story unfolds beyond the walls of Scroope Manor—a grand but somber e…
Level B2ClassicsAn Experiment in AltruismIn a city buzzing with new ideas and social experiments, a woman embraces her lifelong cause amidst debates on faith, altruism, and human suffering.
Level B2Children'sAn Everyday Girl: A StoryLeft orphaned and unwanted, young Ellen faces a cold family meeting where relatives debate her future—will she be taken in or sent to an institution?
Level C1HistoricalAn Estimate of the Value and Influence of Works of Fiction in Modern TimesExplore the profound impact of fiction on modern thought through the eyes of a philosopher who champions intellectual rigor and elevates literary criticism beyond the superficial,…
Level C1FantasyAn Essence of the Dusk, 5th EditionIn a land gripped by famine and ancient legends, a traveler witnesses the eerie eclipse caused by the demon Ráhu and embarks on a haunting journey through India's desolate plains,…
Level C1HistoricalAn Essay on the Lyric Poetry of the AncientsExplore the origins of lyric poetry through a neoclassical lens, tracing its roots in imagination, pastoral scenes, and ancient myth-making, while revealing its role in civilizatio…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on War, in Blank Verse; Honington Green, a Ballad; the Culprit, an Elegy; and Other Poems, on Various SubjectsExplore the life of Nathaniel Bloomfield, a humble apprentice turned devoted family man, whose poetic reflections intertwine faith, resilience, and the quiet dignity of everyday st…
Level C1HistoricalAn Essay on Satire, Particularly on the DunciadExplore the nature and value of satire through a detailed examination of The Dunciad, challenging traditional views that rank satire low among literary genres and defending its sop…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on Man; Moral Essays and SatiresExplore profound questions about human nature, divine justice, and the harmony of the universe through poetic reflections that challenge skepticism and seek to "vindicate the ways…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on CriticismExplore the delicate balance between true genius and flawed judgment in poetry and criticism, as verse unravels the rare art of discerning wit from folly and the perils of misguide…
Level C2ClassicsAn Essay on CriticismDive into a sharp exploration of literary judgment and taste, where examples of sublime and flawed writing reveal the art of "right thinking" and ignite a spirited debate on Englis…
Level C1ClassicsAn Essay on Comedy and the Uses of the Comic SpiritExplore the elusive art of comedy and the rare genius behind the comic spirit as it navigates societal norms, intellectual demands, and the delicate balance between laughter and of…
Level C1ClassicsAn Essay Upon ProjectsA sharp-minded observer navigates the political and social upheavals of 17th-century England, proposing practical improvements and visionary ideas for society’s moral and material…
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.