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 B2RomanceA Woman IntervenesA determined young woman arrives at a bustling New York newspaper office, tasked with uncovering secrets hidden in complex, guarded reports that have already slipped through others…![Cover of A Witch of the Hills, v. 2 [of 2] by Florence Warden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8as9sv7nos73d6pt10.webp)
Level C1RomanceA Witch of the Hills, v. 2 [of 2]A man struggles with rekindled passions and awkward courtship as he tries to win the love of a woman who has grown into maturity, navigating misunderstandings and societal expectat…![Cover of A Witch of the Hills, v. 1 [of 2] by Florence Warden](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daevdj8e1ofc73dh9np0.webp)
Level C1RomanceA Witch of the Hills, v. 1 [of 2]An aristocrat’s sudden fortune thrusts him into a world of shallow society and fleeting pleasures, but the haunting Deeside hills and memories of past loves beckon him to confront…
Level C1Science FictionA Witch Shall Be BornIn a shadow-haunted palace, Queen Taramis confronts a sinister doppelgänger claiming to be her long-lost twin sister marked by a deadly curse—an eerie tale of dark magic, betrayal,…
Level B2Children'sA Winter Nosegay: Being Tales for Children at ChristmastideAn old scholar summons the Spirit of Darkness, gaining three wishes at a perilous price—his first-born child.
Level C1ClassicsA Window in ThrumsIn a humble house atop a steep Scottish brae, Jess waits by a single window, her heart heavy with longing for a son who never returned.
Level C1ClassicsA Will and No Will; or, A Bone for the Lawyers. (1746) The New Play Criticiz'd, or the Plague of Envy. (1747)A tangled inheritance forces lawyers to navigate a complex marriage contract and a disputed will, while satire targets lawyers, physicians, and itinerant preachers in this sharp tw…
Level C1RomanceA Wife's Duty: A TaleTorn between duty and desire, a young bride navigates the complexities of love, loyalty, and societal expectations as her heart clings to a past affection while forging a new life…
Level C1ClassicsA Widow's Tale, and Other StoriesDelve into a collection of finely crafted stories revealing the depth and resilience of women beyond youth, framed by poignant insights and tender love, all woven with the grace an…
Level C1RomanceA Whirl AsunderAn Englishman arrives in rugged California, weary from travel and wary of marriage, only to encounter the fierce independence of a wealthy heiress known for her pride and passion.
Level C1ClassicsA Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIVIn a somber, candlelit chamber, a young man confronts death’s quiet finality, grappling with loss and memory.
Level C1AdventureA Whaleman's WifeIn the tranquil Vermont countryside, young Reuben grapples with uncertain love for Priscilla, whose heart remains elusive amid the simplicity of farm life and the quiet faith of th…
Level C1ClassicsA Week's Tramp in Dickens-Land: Together with Personal Reminiscences of the 'Inimitable Boz' Therein CollectedEmbark on a week-long journey through the landscapes and stories that inspired Dickens, blending personal reminiscences, vivid descriptions, and literary insights to bring the worl…
Level C1Children'sA Week of Instruction and Amusement,: or, Mrs. Harley's birthday present to her daughter :: interspersed with short stories, outlines of sacred and: prophane history, geography &c.A devoted mother rewards her daughter's good conduct with a special book filled with stories and lessons designed to inspire kindness, virtue, and knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsA Wedding TripA young bride from a modest background embarks on a wedding trip surrounded by a vivid cast of middle-class guests, revealing the contrasts between social classes and the intimate…
Level B2ClassicsA Wasted DayIn the bustling heart of Wall Street, a powerful man faces a choice: intervene on behalf of young Spear, a former stenographer caught in a theft scandal, or focus on the high-stake…
Level B2HistoricalA Warwickshire Lad: The Story of the Boyhood of William ShakespeareA young William Shakespeare faces eerie village superstitions and childhood fears in the dusk of Warwickshire, where witches' spells and ghostly shadows blur the line between imagi…
Level C1MysteryA Warning to the Curious, and Other Ghost StoriesAn antiquarian’s rare doll’s house hides more than miniature treasures—unseen forces stir as its new owner unpacks, awakening a chilling mystery that blurs the line between curiosi…
Level C1RomanceA Ward of the Golden GateIn a rain-soaked San Francisco, a determined woman seeks powerful allies to become guardians of her hidden daughter, setting the stage for a tale of secrets, society, and unexpecte…
Level C1RomanceA War-Time Wooing: A StoryAmid the turmoil of war, a young woman mourning her brother’s death finds unexpected connection and hope through a heartfelt correspondence with a gallant officer she has never met…
Level B1HistoricalA Walk and a Drive.A curious little girl named Rosy explores a sunlit French villa and its surroundings, discovering fresh milk, grapevines, and the mystery of missing birds.
Level C1AdventureA Waif of the PlainsTwo children journey across the vast, unforgiving Great Plains in 1852, facing the harsh realities of pioneer life and uncertain family ties while clinging to childhood games amid…
Level B2AdventureA Waif of the MountainsSnow buries a rugged mining settlement in the Sierras, where a diverse band of miners clash over a name for their new town amid blizzards and wild mountain dangers.
Level B2AdventureA Voyage with Captain DynamiteThree adventurous boys take the helm of their sturdy sloop, facing sudden squalls off Martha’s Vineyard.
Level C1Science FictionA Voyage to the Moon: With Some Account of the Manners and Customs, Science and Philosophy, of the People of Morosofia, and Other LunariansA daring voyage to the Moon reveals a world of strange customs, curious philosophers, and peculiar lunar creatures.
Level C1Science FictionA Voyage to the MoonA restless soul escapes Earth’s confines to explore the moon, encountering strange lands, curious inhabitants, and philosophical debates that challenge his understanding of the uni…
Level C1Science FictionA Voyage to ArcturusA medium prepares for a séance in an opulent London home, where guests await a mysterious materialization that promises to blur the line between dreams and reality.
Level B2AdventureA Voyage round the World: A book for boysA young boy’s dream of adventure ignites when a seasoned sea captain visits his family, sharing tales of exotic lands and daring voyages that stir his heart to leave home and explo…
Level C1ClassicsA Voyage of Consolation: (being in the nature of a sequel to the experiences of 'An American girl in London')An American woman recalls her transformative journey through England, navigating cultural contrasts, aristocratic encounters, and personal revelations.
Level C1FantasyA Voyage in a Balloon (1852)Soar into the sky aboard a gigantic silk balloon as a daring adventurer and unexpected companions ascend from Frankfurt, facing atmospheric wonders, scientific challenges, and the…
Level C1PoetryA Voice on the Wind, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid poems that bring to life the whispers of nature—from crickets and owls to summer noontides and autumn woods—capturing the soulful beauty and quiet drama o…
Level B2RomanceA Voice in the WildernessStranded alone on a desolate Western plain after a train abruptly leaves her behind, a young woman must summon courage and resourcefulness to navigate the wild night and uncertain…
PoetryA Visit From Saint NicholasOn a quiet Christmas Eve, a sudden, magical visit from Saint Nicholas fills the night with wonder, as a family’s home becomes the stage for a timeless holiday surprise.
Level B2FantasyA Vision of Venus; Or, A Midsummer-Night's NightmareIn a whimsical garden setting, two friends navigate flirtations, fleeting fortunes, and fanciful dreams as a mysterious living statue and an enchanting Venus stir a playful midsumm…
Level C1ClassicsA Virtuoso's Collection (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")Step into a mysterious museum where each stuffed animal holds a legendary story—from the wolf that devoured Little Red Riding Hood to Alexander’s steed Bucephalus—guided by a world…
Level B2HistoricalA Virginia cavalierIn 1746 Virginia’s peaceful countryside, a young George Washington sharpens his woodsman skills, embodying strength and honor amid the natural beauty and emerging tensions of colon…
Level B2AdventureA Virginia ScoutAmid the lush wilderness of 1774 Virginia, a determined scout carries urgent messages as tensions ignite between settlers and Native tribes.
Level C1RomanceA Virginia Cousin, & Bar Harbor TalesA wealthy New York gentleman, weary of idle society and public scorn, resolves to find purpose and love by proposing to a sensible, admired woman—setting the stage for a journey of…
Level C1ClassicsA Vindication of the PressExplore the fierce defense of freedom of the press amid early 18th-century controversies, where the author champions the value of writing, critiques harsh criticism, and reflects o…
Level C1PhilosophyA Vindication of Natural Diet.Explore the profound link between diet, health, and morality as this philosophical treatise argues for a natural, plant-based lifestyle.
Level B2RomanceA Village StradivariusA blind violinist pours his soul into his treasured Stradivarius, weaving haunting melodies that reveal hidden beauty and pain, while a spirited boy brings color and life to their…
Level C1ClassicsA Village Ophelia, and Other StoriesOn a quiet stretch of Long Island, a solitary woman finds unexpected connection with Agnes Rayne, a fragile stranger whose mysterious presence stirs the stillness of a fog-bound sh…
Level B2AdventureA Viking of the Sky: A Story of a Boy Who Gained Success in AeronauticsA determined boy dreams of soaring the skies even as he struggles to keep his rickety old truck running to support his family.
Level B2HistoricalA Victorious UnionAmid the stirring years of the Civil War, a patriotic naval hero fights not for glory but to preserve the Union and the ideals it stands for, embodying courage and unselfish devoti…
Level C1AdventureA Victor of SalamisIn the midst of the fierce Isthmian Games, Glaucon, a disinherited Athenian champion, defies expectations and bitter rivalries to claim victory against Sparta's mightiest athlete,…
Level C2HistoricalA Very Pleasaunt & Fruitful Diologe Called the EpicureA thoughtful dialogue explores the true treasures of the mind—learning, wisdom, and virtue—beyond worldly riches and fame.
Level B2Children'sA Very Naughty GirlOn New Year’s Day at Wynford Castle, sixteen-year-old Audrey resents her family’s open-house tradition that welcomes hundreds of local visitors, sparking tension with her governess…
Level B2HistoricalA Versailles Christmas-TideIn a festive home awaiting their son's return from school in Versailles, parents face a sudden crisis when he falls ill with scarlet fever abroad.
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.