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 B2ClassicsA girl and her waysA solitary man’s quiet life is disrupted when two women arrive with a mysterious connection to his late cousin, revealing secrets and a promise tied to a wild young girl whose educ…
Level B2AdventureA gentle pioneerIn the harsh winds of a March night, a young girl prepares to leave her childhood home on a pioneering journey westward, facing separation and hardship with hope for reunion and a…
Level B2AdventureA frontier knightTorn between the steady comforts of home and the wild unknown, a young woman chooses to join her sister and a close companion on a daring journey to the Texan frontier, where adven…
Level B2FantasyA flower bookUnder the moonlight on New Year's night, fairies awaken sleeping flowers for a magical dance in a snowy wood, revealing the secret lives and meanings of blossoms like the Christmas…
Level B1ClassicsA fishing trip on the planet MarsAn ordinary fishing trip turns extraordinary when a mysterious flower whisks an angler away to Mars, where he reunites with a missing Earthman and discovers a vibrant society power…
Level C1ClassicsA fisher girl of FranceElise, a determined fisher girl, sets sail with her younger brother Firmin to secure their future after their father’s tragic death at sea.
Level A2Children'sA fifth day in Mary Carrow's schoolTwo curious siblings, Eddy and Lily, explore the wonders of a sunlit morning—from discovering a buzzing beehive to caring for their cow Brindle—inviting young readers into a gentle…
Level C1HistoricalA few days in Athens: being the translation of a Greek manuscript discovered in HerculaneumIn turbulent Athens, young Theon grapples with the clash between Stoic and Epicurean philosophies as he confronts dark secrets and moral decay beneath the city's ancient wisdom.
Level C1ClassicsA fatal silence, vol. 3 (of 3)A young doctor brings hope and new life to Deepdale as Hal welcomes his wife Paula and their newborn daughter amid tension and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsA fatal silence, vol. 2 (of 3)In a quiet village, Paula's past marriage and her fragile son's condition cast a shadow over her new life with Hal Rushton.
Level C1ClassicsA fatal silence, vol. 1 (of 3)In a bustling village market, a young schoolmistress, Miss Stafford, struggles to conceal her beauty and restless spirit beneath a modest guise, as whispers and doubts shadow her q…
Level B2ClassicsA dreadful temptationA young bride marries a wealthy, aging millionaire to claim a life of luxury and revenge, but beneath the dazzling jewels and grand receptions, she wrestles with the harsh cost of…
Level C1ClassicsA dramatization of Longfellow's Hiawatha: A spectacular drama in six actsIn a vivid six-act drama, the Great Spirit urges Native American tribes to embrace peace, setting the stage for Hiawatha’s journey from childhood to heroic manhood as he woos Minne…
Level C1ClassicsA divided heart, and other storiesIn a world shaped by refined culture and literary ambition, a young scholar navigates the delicate balance between poetic dreams and dramatic reality, revealing a life where intell…![Cover of A dialoge or communication of two persons: Deuysyd and set forthe in the late[n] tonge, by the noble and famose clarke. Desiderius Erasmus intituled [the] pylgremage of pure deuotyon. Newly tra[n]slatyd into Englishe. by Desiderius Erasmus](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagkgg6icedc739b5sn0.webp)
Level C2PhilosophyA dialoge or communication of two persons: Deuysyd and set forthe in the late[n] tonge, by the noble and famose clarke. Desiderius Erasmus intituled [the] pylgremage of pure deuotyon. Newly tra[n]slatyd into Englishe.Two voices engage in a profound dialogue exploring the true path of Christian devotion, exposing the dangers of idolatry and false worship while guiding believers toward faith, red…
Level C1AdventureA desert dramaA diverse group of travelers embarks on a steamboat journey up the Nubian Nile, traversing a haunting landscape of ancient ruins and desert wilderness.
Level C1PhilosophyA dead man's diaryA soul recounts its journey beyond death, challenging vivid and conflicting visions of the afterlife with a deeply personal diary of spiritual experiences.
Level C1PoetryA day with the poet BurnsFollow the rugged ploughman-poet through the Scottish countryside as he wrestles with bitter memories, finds solace in nature’s harsh beauty, and lets his spontaneous songs capture…
Level B2Children'sA day in the country, and other storiesFour city girls, overlooked by the Fresh Air Fund, long for a day in the country to see flowers and breathe fresh air.
Level B2Children'sA day in Mary Carrow's schoolStep into a charming country school where kind teacher Mary Carrow guides her small class through spelling, reading, and curious questions about the world.
Level B2Children'sA day at Happy Hollow SchoolStep into the lively world of Happy Hollow School, where curious children and a stern teacher navigate geography, grammar, and unexpected antics in a colorful classroom full of per…
Level B2HistoricalA daughter of strifeIn 1710 London, Anne Champion struggles as a straw-plaiter, waiting anxiously for news from her beloved surgeon at war.
Level C1ClassicsA daughter of HethAmid a fierce village skirmish, five brothers make a desperate stand behind the stone walls of their family Manse, defying a relentless mob with courage and quick wit.
Level B1Children'sA dangerous friendFourteen-year-old Tom leaves his village blacksmith life behind to seek opportunity in London, but as he navigates the city’s challenges, family tensions and unexpected dangers tes…
Level B2Children'sA cup of sweets, that can never cloy: or, delightful tales for good childrenA spirited girl’s insatiable curiosity leads her into secret gardens and mysterious baskets, where every hidden truth and whispered conversation beckon her deeper into adventure—an…
Level C1RomanceA crown of strawIn a shadowy room in Stuttgart, three men prepare a loaded pistol, setting the stage for a gripping tale of romance entwined with a dramatized, tragic event in contemporary history…
Level B2Children'sA crown of shame, volume 3 (of 3)On Maraquita’s wedding day, Rosa, a devoted caretaker, is forbidden to attend the grand church ceremony and must instead stay behind with the baby she loves.
Level B2Children'sA crown of shame, volume 2 (of 3)After her father’s sudden death, Liz faces heartbreak and betrayal as a mysterious baby disrupts her life, severing ties with the man she loved.
Level C1Children'sA crown of shame, volume 1 (of 3)In a fever-ravaged San Diego, Liz, a courageous and compassionate doctor’s daughter, tends to suffering families while facing the shadows of disease, starvation, and unrest that th…
Level C1ClassicsA creel of Irish storiesIn a remote Irish valley untouched by time, a mysterious stone known as "The Keys of the Chest" stands sentinel, drawing curious visitors along a faint, winding path.
Level B2ClassicsA corner in corn; or, How a Chicago boy did the trickIn the bustling heart of Chicago's trading world, a clever young boy named Vance steps into the high-stakes game of corn speculation, challenging seasoned insiders and navigating s…
Level C1ClassicsA collection of short-storiesExplore the evolution of storytelling through a curated selection of short stories designed to engage and educate high school students, enriched with author biographies, literary c…
Level C1Children'sA child's guide to readingEmbark on a literary adventure guided by a seasoned companion who helps young readers climb from simple stories to the greatest writers in history.
Level B2Children'sA child shall lead themIn a London suburb, the Drinkrow family struggles under the weight of a miserly patriarch's public house, where two very different sons face clashing paths — one steady and studiou…
Level C2PoetryA chant of love for England, and other poemsPassionate poems evoke England’s spirit, from heroic soldiers and historic ballads to tender reflections and stirring sonnets, weaving a rich tapestry of love, loss, and national p…
Level B2ClassicsA century of English essaysExplore the evolution of English prose through a rich collection of essays that reveal life, manners, and the personal voice of writers from Caxton to Stevenson.
PoetryA cat bookExplore the many moods and mysteries of cats through whimsical poems that celebrate their greed, dreams, playfulness, and more in a charming tribute to our feline friends.
Level C1ClassicsA candle in the windAt a gathering honoring a heroic explorer, Diane struggles to mask her grief over the tragic loss of Overton while confronting the complex emotions stirred by his charismatic survi…
Level C1ClassicsA callIn a world of high society and whispered secrets, Robert Grimshaw navigates the glittering yet treacherous waters surrounding Pauline Lucas’s marriage, revealing complex ties of fo…
Level C1FantasyA brother to dragons, and other old-time talesIn 1586, amidst family feuds and whispered hauntings, a skeptical man confronts a fiery ghost said to inhabit a castle’s blue chamber, challenging beliefs and stirring tensions bet…
Level C1RomanceA broken blossom, vol. 3 of 3Amid the vibrant autumnal beauty of St.
Level C1RomanceA broken blossom, vol. 2 of 3In a fading château filled with relics of former grandeur, a noble but impoverished Baron welcomes guests into a world where delicate Venetian glass and a restless wolf hint at sec…
Level C1ClassicsA broken blossom vol. 1 of 3Grieving the sudden loss of her beloved mother and confidante, a young woman confronts loneliness and despair while clinging to memories and uncertain hopes of a future journey abr…
Level B2Children'sA borrowed sisterWhen Lois welcomes Jessie to live with her for the year, the joys and challenges of sharing a home with a "borrowed sister" unfold, deepening friendships and stirring unexpected fe…
Level C1ClassicsA book of martyrsA respected minister mysteriously abandons his stable life, leaving friends puzzled by his sudden disappearance.
Level C2PoetryA book of Christmas verseJourney through timeless Christmas carols and evocative poems that capture the spirit of the season, from ancient hymns to heartfelt modern verses celebrating joy, faith, and the n…
Level B2PoetryA bold bad butterflyStep into a whimsical world where animals debate night and day, and fables come alive with humor and charm.
Level C1HistoricalA blighted lifeA noblewoman battles relentless persecution and injustice as she exposes the cruel misuse of lunacy laws that allow her husband to imprison her in a madhouse.
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.