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 C1ClassicsAloneIn the wake of a heartbreaking funeral, a young woman clings desperately to her departed mother’s coffin, confronting the stark reality of loss and the fragile bonds of family.
Level C1HistoricalAlmoran and Hamet: An Oriental TaleTwin princes Almoran and Hamet inherit vastly different destinies and temperaments under their dying father’s reign, setting the stage for a tale of power, faith, and contrasting v…
Level C1ClassicsAlmayer's Folly: A Story of an Eastern RiverStranded on a remote Bornean river, Almayer clings to dreams of wealth and escape from a life of failure and exile.
Level C1MysteryAllworth AbbeyIn the shadowy halls of ancient Allworth Abbey, a noble family is haunted by a web of crimes and dark secrets that threaten to unravel their legacy.
Level C1ClassicsAllison Bain; Or, By a Way She Knew NotIn a rain-soaked Scottish valley, a devoted minister and his son journey through familiar hills to comfort Allison Bain, a young woman facing sorrow after her father’s death and th…
Level B2PhilosophyAllegories of LifeIn a quiet valley, a set of church bells grows restless, yearning for change and new purpose beyond their familiar chimes—while a dying boy longs to hear their Christmas music one…
Level C1AdventureAllan's WifeVenture into the wild African veldt where Allan Quatermain recounts the gripping story of his beloved wife and the perilous adventures that shaped their lives, against a backdrop o…
Level B2AdventureAllan and the Holy FlowerA daring orchid hunt in wild Africa turns perilous when a leopard attacks during a game expedition, thrusting hunter Allan Quatermain into a gripping adventure filled with danger a…
Level C1HistoricalAllan RamsayIn 18th-century Edinburgh, a talented young wigmaker and poet navigates the vibrant city’s literary circles and a blossoming romance with the cultured Christian Ross, set against t…
Level C1FantasyAllan QuatermainGrieving the loss of his son, a seasoned hunter longs to leave behind civilized life and return to the untamed wilderness where adventure, danger, and memories await amid the wild…
Level C1ClassicsAll-Wool Morrison: Time -- Today, Place -- the United States, Period of Action -- Twenty-four HoursIn a single bustling day in Marion, a city gripped by political intrigue, steadfast mill owner and reluctant mayor Stewart Morrison balances his dedication to honest manufacturing…
Level C1RomanceAll-Hallow Eve; or, The Test of Futurity.In a remote Irish valley framed by mysterious mountains and a sparkling lake, the rustic Midge’s Bridge becomes the setting for a tale where romance intertwines with Celtic legends…
Level C1PhilosophyAll's for the BestA disillusioned man confronts his loss of faith in everything, challenged by a friend who urges him to see beyond the material world and discover enduring truths through reason, ex…
Level C2ClassicsAll's Well That Ends WellIn a court shadowed by the King's mysterious illness, a young woman of rare skill and virtue seeks to navigate love, duty, and fate.
Level C1AdventureAll the World Over: Interesting Stories of Travel, Thrilling Adventure and Home LifeJourney through vibrant Spanish cities alive with colorful characters—from muscular beggars with secret codes to dancers and musicians who bring the streets to life.
Level B2Children'sAll the Way to Fairyland: Fairy StoriesIn the whimsical land of Nonamia, an absent-minded magician meets a curious Princess searching for her own castle in the air, sparking a charming tale of imagination, rooms for eve…
Level C1ClassicsAll the Sad Young MenA portrait of privilege and isolation, this collection delves into the lives of wealthy young men navigating the complexities of status, identity, and the elusive search for meanin…
Level C1ClassicsAll the Days of My Life: An Autobiography: The Red Leaves of a Human HeartBorn in 1831 England, a spirited soul recounts a life shaped by both joy and sorrow, seeking to inspire and comfort women through candid reflections on growth, resilience, and the…
Level B2AdventureAll the Brothers Were ValiantIn a weather-beaten New England house steeped in seafaring history, the Shore brothers uphold a legacy of courage and adventure on the high seas.
Level B2Children'sAll that happened in a weekAn eight-year-old girl arrives at her aunt’s unfamiliar house, where new sights, a mischievous cat, and unexpected troubles quickly turn her summer visit into an eventful adventure…
Level C1ClassicsAll on the Irish Shore: Irish SketchesAmid the muddy fields and tangled woods of Ireland, a spirited hunt unravels with mischievous hounds, determined hunters, and a chaotic clash with local tinkers.
Level C1RomanceAll in the darkIn the quiet village of Saxton, a young man returns to Gilroyd Hall, where his whimsical aunt and spirited little cousin, Violet, turn a slow country holiday into a charming blend…
Level B2HistoricalAll in the Day's Work: An AutobiographyBorn into a pioneering family during the financial Panic of 1857, a young girl’s early years unfold amid her parents' struggles to secure land and a future in the American West, pa…
Level B2RomanceAll for a Scrap of Paper: A Romance of the Present WarAs war erupts, a young Cornishman faces the call to defend his country while grappling with his unspoken love for Nancy, a spirited and enigmatic woman whose heart seems just out o…
Level B2RomanceAll for Love; or, Her Heart's SacrificeA village beauty’s chance encounter with a dashing stranger sparks a tender, romantic longing that promises to change her life forever.
Level C1HistoricalAll for Love; Or, The World Well Lost: A TragedyIn a world torn by political intrigue and passionate loyalties, a tragic love unfolds against the backdrop of England’s turbulent Elizabethan era, blending Shakespearean richness w…
Level B2RomanceAll along the River: A NovelSeparated by distance and duty, a young wife waits anxiously for her husband’s return from Burma, struggling with loneliness in their cozy Cornish home while clinging to memories o…
Level C1HistoricalAll Things are PossibleChallenging European ideals, a restless Russian spirit wrestles with inherited culture and the soul’s creative freedom, proclaiming that all things are possible when one breaks fre…
Level C1ClassicsAll Things ConsideredDive into a sharp and candid collection of essays tackling the weighty issues of modernism, philanthropy, and society’s fleeting trends, all penned with wit and urgency amidst the…
Level B2Science FictionAll That Goes UpA father’s ordinary evening turns extraordinary when his son’s experimental panel defies gravity, causing objects to stick to the ceiling.
Level B2AdventureAll Taut; or, Rigging the boatA reformatory school transforms troubled boys through naval discipline as they learn to rig and sail the schooner Lily, navigating challenges on a creek and lake.
Level C1ClassicsAll Sorts and Conditions of Men: An Impossible StoryIn the vibrant heart of East London and the scholarly calm of Cambridge, two women grapple with their futures and the value of a single life.
Level C2PoetryAll Round the YearExperience the cycle of nature and human emotion through vivid, lyrical poems that celebrate the resilience of life, the promise of spring, and the tender moments woven throughout…
Level C1ClassicsAll Roads Lead to CalvaryA young writer seeking inspiration in an ancient London church uncovers vivid stories of its past inhabitants, from literary figures to early feminists, as she navigates history, f…
Level C1PhilosophyAll Men are GhostsExplore a provocative dialogue where ghosts dismiss human existence as inferior, challenging our understanding of reality and the spiritual world through a philosophical lens that…
Level B2ClassicsAll He Knew: A StoryA man freshly released from prison returns to his small town, seeking a fresh start amid suspicion and old acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsAll God's chillun got wings, and WeldedIn a vibrant New York neighborhood divided by race, two children—Ella and Jim—navigate the challenges of friendship and identity amid teasing and societal barriers, revealing the t…
Level B2HistoricalAll But Lost: A Novel. Vol. 3 of 3A driven contractor juggles vast construction projects while hiding mounting financial troubles, masking his inner turmoil behind a sharp tongue and volatile temper.
Level B2RomanceAll But Lost: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 3Amidst the fiery forges of Staffordshire, an Englishman returns to rural life just in time for a lively country wedding filled with family, flirtations, and unexpected excitement.
Level B2HistoricalAll But Lost: A Novel. Vol. 1 of 3Amid the thrilling roar of the Cambridge Lent term boat races, fierce rivalries ignite as crews battle for supremacy on the narrow river, each stroke bringing them closer to glory…
Level C1Science FictionAll Around the MoonAn audacious plan to reach the Moon unfolds as a colossal cannon fires a hollow projectile carrying three intrepid explorers on a daring journey through space, challenging the limi…
Level B2AdventureAll Adrift; Or, The Goldwing ClubA resourceful boy with a knack for boat handling seeks to support his family while navigating the challenges of life on Lake Champlain.
Level A2Children'sAll About the Three Little PigsThree little pigs set out to build their own homes and face a hungry wolf eager to blow their houses down.
Level A2Children'sAll About the Little Small Red HenA clever Little Small Red Hen outwits a cunning Wicked Old Fox who tries to catch her in a sly trap.
Level C1AdventureAll Aboard; or, Life on the Lake: A Sequel to "The Boat Club"At Wood Lake, a new season of adventure unfolds as Charles Hardy joins a spirited boat club where friendship, courage, and moral lessons steer the boys through exciting races, secr…
Level B2AdventureAll Aboard: A Story for GirlsTwo spirited sisters, Faith and Hope, prepare to leave the comfort of home and trusted guardian Debby as they embark on an adventurous voyage with their seafaring father.
Level C1HistoricalAlkibiades, a tale of the Great Athenian WarA boy of noble birth in ancient Athens, Alkibiades grows under the tutelage of the great Perikles, grappling with his heritage and the turbulent world of war and politics that shap…
Level B2AdventureAlive in the jungleUnder the oppressive heat of a Bengal night, a family battles the wild jungle’s dangers and their own fears as a fierce tiger roams nearby and jackals howl in the darkness, threate…
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.