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 B2Children'sA Pair of ThemIn a charming neighborhood, spirited Bonny-Gay shares her lively world with her clever dog Max and a kindly Gray Gentleman, inviting you to discover their heartwarming adventures a…
Level B2Children'sA Pair of Schoolgirls: A Story of School DaysAs a new school year begins at bustling Avondale College, a close-knit group of girls face the excitement and challenges of elections, friendships, and fresh opportunities in a liv…
Level C1RomanceA Pair of Patient LoversA chance encounter on a St.
Level B2Children'sA Pair of ClogsIn a smoky factory town, a devoted mother braves long, tiring journeys to keep her beloved toddler close, while the child—bright, beautiful, and cherished by all—wins hearts with h…
PoetryA Nursery Rhyme Picture Book: With Drawings in Colour and Black and WhiteDelight in a charming collection of beloved nursery rhymes brought to life with vibrant color and black-and-white illustrations, inviting children and adults alike into a whimsical…
Level C1HistoricalA Novelist on NovelsExplore the provocative insights of a writer unafraid to critique his contemporaries, revealing how the novel uniquely captures the restless spirit and evolving consciousness of ma…
Level C2PoetryA Nonsense AnthologyDive into a whimsical collection of playful and absurd poems, featuring nonsense verses, quirky ballads, and fantastical tales that delight with their imaginative language and humo…
Level C1ClassicsA Nobleman's NestIn a provincial town, a spirited widow navigates the complexities of family, social expectations, and lingering tensions with her sharp-tongued aunt, revealing the subtle intrigues…
Level B2RomanceA Noble WomanAt a fashionable boarding school, fragile Elsie Mellen battles illness and youthful turmoil while surrounded by family secrets, unexpected proposals, and thrilling adventures that…
Level C1RomanceA Noble Queen: A Romance of Indian History (Volume 3 of 3)Amid the triumphant return of King Ibrahim II after a fierce war, loyalties shift and conspiracies unfold in the royal court.
Level C1RomanceA Noble Queen: A Romance of Indian History (Volume 2 of 3)In a vibrant Indian citadel, Abbas Khan emerges as a celebrated hero, navigating court intrigues, fierce battles, and royal councils.
Level C1AdventureA Noble Queen: A Romance of Indian History (Volume 1 of 3)Amidst the burning plains and shifting mirages of the Dekhan, a small band of horsemen races against overwhelming forces in a fierce civil war.
Level C1ClassicsA Noble Name; or, DönninghausenAmid the glittering world of theater and family tensions, a young girl named Johanna wrestles with her role onstage and her place at home, caught between a demanding stepmother and…
Level C1ClassicsA Noble LifeIn the remote Scottish Highlands, the last Earl of Cairnforth is left an orphaned infant after a tragic drowning.
Level C1ClassicsA Nine Days' WonderA retired colonel struggles with the emptiness of civilian life after decades in the East, haunted by memories of his regiment and the desolate family estate awaiting him in Englan…
Level C1MysteryA Night on the Borders of the Black ForestA chance meeting on a dusty road in Würtemberg leads an English traveler into conversation with a genial German brewer bound for Frankfort and his beloved.
Level C1ClassicsA Night in AvignonIn the candlelit chambers of Avignon, a passionate poet wrestles with forbidden love and the clash between desire and virtue, as he confronts the haunting memory of the unattainabl…
Level C1ClassicsA Night in AcadieTelèsphore, a young farmer torn between marriage prospects, seeks escape from his indecision with a Sunday train ride near Marksville.
Level C1ClassicsA Night OutIn a pristine garden far from the city's clatter, a pampered Persian cat named Omar Ben Sufi encounters a scrappy street feline whose wild ways awaken a forgotten, fierce instinct…
Level C1AdventureA New Voyage Round the World by a Course Never Sailed BeforeEmbark on a daring voyage around the world along a never-before-sailed route, where merchants navigate uncharted trade opportunities, unexpected encounters, and thrilling adventure…
Level C1Children'sA New Story Book for ChildrenA heartfelt journey unfolds as a woman reflects on her humble beginnings, inspired by her mother's kindness and unyielding faith amidst life's hardships.
Level C1ClassicsA New SensationRecovering from a long illness, a man seeks a new sensation to revive his life and decides to propose to Statia, only to face unexpected rejection that challenges his hopes and for…
Level B2Children'sA New History of Blue Beard: For the Amusement of Little Lack Beard, and His Pretty SistersTwo sisters are caught in the grip of a wealthy, fearsome nobleman known as Blue Beard, whose sinister past looms over their fate as they are swept away to his grand castle amid da…
Level C1ClassicsA New England Girlhood, Outlined from Memory (Beverly, MA)A reflective journey into girlhood in 19th-century New England reveals the intertwining of work, religion, and community shaping a young life.
Level C1ClassicsA New AristocracyIn a small parish shadowed by poverty, Margaret Murchison faces the challenge of raising her siblings after their devoted rector father’s death.
Level C1ClassicsA Nest of LinnetsIn a world where music masks true emotion, a gifted singer grapples with the tension between artifice and genuine feeling as she awaits her brother’s uncertain return—will the nigh…
Level B2AdventureA Naval Venture: The War Story of an Armoured CruiserAmidst a stormy February afternoon, the crew of the armoured cruiser Achates prepares to sail into the perilous waters of the Dardanelles, facing naval battles and life aboard a wa…
Level C1RomanceA Napa Christchild; and Benicia's LettersOn a dark Christmas Eve in California’s Napa Valley, Crescimir the Illyrian tends his solitary cabin and budding vineyard, longing for connection in a land rich with promise but ma…
Level C1ClassicsA Mysterious Disappearance: A FarceA playful farce unfolds on a farm where secret correspondences and mistaken identities spark comic mischief.
Level C1MysteryA Mysterious DisappearanceIn a fog-shrouded London, Lady Dyke defies uncertainty and societal expectations to investigate a troubling family secret, enlisting the reluctant help of a sharp-witted barrister…
Level C1HistoricalA Museum for Young Gentlemen and Ladies: Or, a Private Tutor for Little Masters and MissesExplore a rich tapestry of geography, history, and natural wonders as this guide introduces young readers to the diverse peoples, cultures, and marvels of the world, from the empir…
Level B2HistoricalA Muramasa bladeIn feudal Japan, an old jinrikisha man reveals the secret of a rare Muramasa blade, a treasured family heirloom forged centuries ago by a legendary swordsmith.
Level C1ClassicsA Mummer's WifeIn a reflective tribute to a just and kind art critic, a young writer dedicates his novel exploring the vibrant life and passions of a mummer’s wife, capturing youthful imagination…
Level C1ClassicsA Mummer's TaleIn the bustling backstage of the Odéon theatre, actress Félicie Nanteuil grapples with mysterious ailments and vivid visions, while a devoted doctor challenges societal norms about…
Level B2ClassicsA Mountain WomanA man marries a rugged mountain woman whose simplicity and strength contrast sharply with the polished society they visit.
Level C1RomanceA Mountain EuropaHigh in the rugged mountains, a stranger encounters a fierce bull-riding girl whose fierce independence clashes with his polite charm, setting the stage for a romance shaped by wil…
Level C1ClassicsA Mortal AntipathyA man’s lifelong terror of tall clocks traces back to a mysterious shock in infancy, linked to an indelible olfactory impression.
PoetryA Moral AlphabetExplore a whimsical journey through virtues and vices, where each letter reveals a moral lesson with wit and insight, inviting reflection on character and conduct in a unique poeti…
Level C1HistoricalA Monk of Fife: Being the Chronicle Written by Norman Leslie of Pitcullo, Concerning Marvellous Deeds That Befell in the Realm of France, in the Years of Our Redemption, MCCCCXXIX-XXXIA Benedictine monk entrusted with chronicling Scotland's history recounts his firsthand experiences with Jeanne d’Arc, revealing the miraculous deeds and turbulent events that shap…
Level C1MysteryA Monk of CrutaIn a storm-shrouded chamber, a dying man clings to the hope of a distant light piercing the darkness, while a priest and servant grapple with the mysteries surrounding his final ho…
Level C1ClassicsA Modest Proposal: For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publickIn a desperate Ireland plagued by poverty and overpopulation, a radical proposal suggests turning infants into a source of sustenance and economic relief, challenging society’s mor…
Level B2MysteryA Modern WizardTwo young lawyers await their first big case when a mysterious poisoning rocks their city, involving a beautiful musician's suspicious death and her missing physician sweetheart—ca…
Level B2Children'sA Modern Tomboy: A Story for GirlsAt Sunnyside, Lucy Merriman prepares to welcome six new girls to her mother’s home-turned-school, promising a fresh start full of challenges, friendships, and the unexpected trials…
Level C1AdventureA Modern TelemachusCaught in a tempest during a perilous journey, an Irish noblewoman and her children face capture by Algerine corsairs and the savage tribes of North Africa, where courage and faith…
Level B2AdventureA Modern MercenaryIn the troubled duchy of Maäsau, a weary frontier cavalry lieutenant contemplates leaving a stagnant post for the uncertain thrills of South Africa, even as political tensions hint…
Level C1ClassicsA Modern Mephistopheles, and A Whisper in the DarkIn a bleak garret, a desperate young poet on the brink of despair meets a mysterious stranger offering unexpected aid and a chance to transform his shattered dreams into a new real…
Level C1Children'sA Modern MadonnaAt a grand wedding, Margaret Varnum steps into a new life under the watchful eyes of her guardian and husband-to-be, Victor De Jarnette, whose stern brother quietly opposes marriag…
Level B2AdventureA Modern LegionaryA restless Irish youth, tired of school and idleness, arrives in Paris with little money and a bold plan: to enlist in the French Foreign Legion.
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.