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 C1RomanceA Modern InstanceIn a world shaped by shifting ideals and personal ambitions, complex relationships unfold with honest scrutiny and vivid realism.
Level B2ClassicsA Modern IdyllA passionate minister wrestles with his feelings for the captivating Mrs.
Level C1Children'sA Modern Cinderella; Or, The Little Old Shoe, and Other StoriesIn a quaint New England home, young Nan struggles with the endless chores and the weight of unshared burdens until a kind friend arrives with simple gifts and a comforting presence…
Level B2Children'sA Modern CinderellaA young girl named Marilla navigates a chilly kitchen and a strict household, dreaming of warmth and kindness while imagining a fairy godmother might just appear.
Level C1ClassicsA Modern Chronicle — CompleteBorn into privilege and tragedy, Honora Leffingwell navigates a world shaped by heritage, loss, and high society.
Level C1AdventureA Modern BuccaneerBorn to a sea captain in early Sydney, a boy dreams of adventure aboard South Sea traders and whalers, where danger, exotic treasures, and fierce island conflicts await on the open…
Level C1AdventureA Modern Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Adventures of Oliver Munier: An Extravaganza in Four ActsIn a quiet town, a mysterious, richly adorned stranger arrives in a lavish coach, sparking curiosity and whispers of hidden treasures and ageless secrets reminiscent of the legenda…
Level C1RomanceA Mock IdylTwo lifelong friends—one a rebellious sailor, the other a hopeful schoolmaster—reunite as the idealistic tutor sets out to transform a ragtag group of boys with a new educational v…
Level C1ClassicsA Mixed Proposal: The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 9.Two determined gentlemen, Major Brill and Halibut, unexpectedly find themselves rivals as they prepare to propose to the same lady on the very same day, sparking a humorous and ten…
Level B1Children'sA Missionary TwigA young girl’s unusual habit of saving a tenth of every coin leads to unexpected lessons in generosity and responsibility, as she balances childhood play with her commitment to a m…
Level C1ClassicsA Miscellany of MenExplore the complex dance of attraction and conflict between the sexes, where instinct and societal change collide in sharp, witty reflections on feminism, marriage, and the nature…
Level C2PoetryA Minor Poet, and Other VerseExplore a vivid tapestry of emotions and classical drama through poetry that delves into mythic characters like Medea alongside intimate reflections and sonnets, blending ancient t…
Level C1RomanceA Minion of the Moon: A Romance of the King's HighwayA young couple flees under the moonlit sky, racing against a furious guardian determined to keep them apart.
Level C2FantasyA Mine of FaultsIn a world where love and diplomacy entwine, a captivating woman becomes the center of a delicate game of craft and policy, revealing how imperfections ignite passion and power in…
Level C1MysteryA Millionaire of YesterdayTwo unlikely companions endure filth and danger in a remote, hostile land, driven by a desperate mission that tests their courage and resolve.
Level C1ClassicsA Millionaire of Rough-and-ReadyA miner finally strikes a rich vein of gold, but his sudden fortune brings unexpected unease and complicated family obligations.
Level C2ClassicsA Midsummer Night's DreamAs Theseus prepares for his wedding, Hermia defies her father’s command to wed Demetrius, sparking a night of magical mischief and tangled affections in an enchanted forest where l…
Level C2PoetryA Midsummer Holiday and Other PoemsDive into a collection where vivid emotions and classical influences intertwine, capturing moments of celebration, reflection, and poetic homage through rich, evocative verse.
Level C1FantasyA Midnight FantasyOn a tranquil midnight walk through Boston’s Common, a man’s thoughts drift from a haunting Shakespearean tragedy to the bittersweet fate of mismatched lovers, blending fantasy, re…
Level C1AdventureA Middy of the Slave Squadron: A West African StoryIn the sweltering darkness off West Africa, a British sloop named Psyche lies in wait to intercept a suspected slaver ship.
Level B2AdventureA Middy of the King: A Romance of the Old British NavyA young midshipman, recently recovered from a serious injury, prepares to join the newly launched frigate Europa, eager to serve his country and prove his courage in the old Britis…
Level C1AdventureA Middy in Command: A Tale of the Slave SquadronAmid the dawn-lit waters near the Congo, a young midshipman aboard H.
Level C1ClassicsA Michigan Man: 1891In the shadowed pine forests of Michigan, seasoned lumberman Luther Dallas faces haunting superstitions and a life-altering accident that forces him from the woods to the bustling…
Level C1ClassicsA Message from the SeaIn a steep, picturesque cliffside village alive with fishermen and their families, Captain Jorgan arrives, drawn into local life and secrets by a young fisherman and his hopeful sw…
Level B2Children'sA Merry ScoutEager to prove himself a true scout, young Davy takes on snow-shoveling jobs to earn Christmas gifts for his parents, but when a frantic young lady entrusts him with her suitcase f…
Level C2ClassicsA Merry Dialogue Declaringe the Properties of Shrowde Shrews and Honest WivesTwo wives share sharp and honest reflections on marriage, contrasting the trials of shrewish husbands with the virtues of honest wives, blending humor and wisdom in a lively dialog…
Level C1RomanceA Mere Chance: A Novel. Vol. 3In a society buzzing with gossip and shifting alliances, Rachel faces a sudden engagement that promises status but leaves her uncertain and isolated.
Level C1RomanceA Mere Chance: A Novel. Vol. 2An idle man surprises everyone by rushing to meet the woman who holds his heart, igniting a tense reunion filled with unspoken regrets and uncertain promises.
Level C1RomanceA Mere Chance: A Novel. Vol. 1A young woman of humble origins is thrust into Melbourne’s high society after her father’s death, navigating newfound wealth, admiration, and the delicate intrigues of a world eage…
Level C1ClassicsA Mere AccidentIn the tranquil English countryside, a young man wrestles with his conflicting feelings toward his family estate—an architectural oddity reflecting deeper tensions between idealism…
Level C1AdventureA Memory of the Southern Seas: 1904Venture into the wild Southern Seas alongside the notorious Captain “Bully” Hayes, a complex figure feared and admired for his daring exploits, sharp wit, and turbulent temper.
Level B2ClassicsA Melody in SilverTwo boys, David and Mitch, navigate childhood challenges and misunderstandings, from the mystery of "trouvers" to the trials of growing up in dresses and pants.
Level C1AdventureA Mediterranean mysteryA scholarly vicar’s quiet life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of his enigmatic younger brother, stirring memories and mysteries that threaten to unravel his orderly world.
Level C1Science FictionA Matter of ProportionIn a dark, frost-bitten world where sabotage means survival, a Special Corps team risks everything to destroy vital enemy supply lines.
Level B2Science FictionA Matter of MagnitudeA colossal battleship, never having touched Earth, cruises the galaxy's edge in peace—until a mysterious alien signal disrupts the void, revealing an unseen presence that challenge…
Level B2AdventureA Mating in the WildsA weathered man paddles into a remote Hudson Bay trading post, where the wilderness and its mysterious inhabitants hold secrets and unexpected encounters.
Level B2ClassicsA Master's DegreeTwo men from opposite sides of the country meet on the first day at Sunrise College, setting the stage for a rivalry that will unfold alongside the changing seasons and the growth…
Level B2MysteryA Master of MysteriesA professional ghost exposer takes on the eerie mystery of a young artist’s sudden death at a haunted inn, where superstition and suspicion collide.
Level C1AdventureA Master of Fortune: Being Further Adventures of Captain KettleCaptain Kettle, a seasoned mariner down on his luck, takes a perilous piloting job on the Congo River, navigating treacherous waters and a ruthless colonial regime to secure a futu…
Level B2ClassicsA Master of DeceptionA charming yet cunning boy wrestles with temptation and morality as a stolen fortune leads him from innocent mischief to a web of deception.
Level C1PoetryA Masque of Days: From the Last Essays of Elia: Newly Dressed & DecoratedStep into a whimsical banquet where every day of the year gathers to celebrate the passing of time, from festive holidays to rainy afternoons, each with its own character and story…
Level B2Science FictionA Martian OdysseyStranded alone on the desolate Martian plains after a crash, chemist Jarvis embarks on a perilous trek across an alien world filled with strange landscapes and unknown dangers.
Level C1ClassicsA Marriage in High Life, Volume IIEmmeline struggles with a cold and distant husband, trapped in a marriage shadowed by suspicion and unspoken pain.
Level C1RomanceA Marriage in High Life, Volume IA young bride from a bustling London family steps into the glittering world of high society through a sudden marriage to a nobleman whose nervousness hints at deeper turmoil.
Level C1RomanceA Marriage at SeaUnder cover of night, a daring escape unfolds from a French harbor as a lover and his loyal crew prepare for a secret rendezvous aboard a stealthy yacht, driven by a romantic lette…
Level C1HistoricalA March on London: Being a Story of Wat Tyler's InsurrectionIn a turbulent 14th-century England, a young scholar's son grapples with a society rife with serfdom and unrest, as peasants rise to challenge their harsh fate under a weak king’s…
Level C1RomanceA Manifest DestinyOn a voyage to England, Bettina Mowbray’s striking beauty and dual nature—marked by deep sorrow and fierce ambition—capture the eyes of high society, as she sets her sights on marr…
Level C1RomanceA Man: His Mark. A RomanceHigh on Mt.
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.