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 Man's WorldA man reflects on his life shaped by loss, faith, and the quest for decency amid ordinary struggles and profound meditations.
Level C1RomanceA Man's HearthA chance encounter in a city park sparks a quiet connection between a guarded man and a mysterious woman lost in dreams of what life might hold beyond the river.
Level C1HistoricalA Man of the People: A Drama of Abraham LincolnIn the wilderness of 1820 Indiana, a young Abraham Lincoln confronts a deadly plague threatening his family and neighbors, revealing the courage and resolve that will shape a natio…
Level C1ClassicsA Man of the MoorsA rough quarryman returns to his isolated moorland home, where his harsh nature clashes with his sensitive wife’s quiet strength.
Level B2ClassicsA Man of Samples. Something about the men he met "On the Road"A hesitant salesman steps into unfamiliar territory, facing skeptical merchants and old grievances as he tries to prove himself on the road.
Level C1RomanceA Man of HonorA strong-willed young professor faces a crossroads as he wrestles with lost opportunities and a troubled heart, determined to overcome self-doubt and forge his own path through lif…
Level C1ClassicsA Man of BusinessIn the lively Parisian world of debtors and creditors, a spirited group of artists, lawyers, and a charming lorette gather for a Carnival evening filled with witty banter and sharp…
Level C1AdventureA Man in the OpenIn the rugged wilderness of Labrador, Jesse Smith—a man caught between his genteel heritage and the harsh realities of frontier life—narrates a raw and honest tale of survival, fai…
Level C1ClassicsA Man from the NorthA young man from the North Country dreams of London’s dazzling streets and cultural pulse, eager to claim his place amid its relentless bustle.
Level B2AdventureA Man for the Ages: A Story of the Builders of DemocracyEmbark on a rugged 1831 journey through Adirondack wilderness with Samson Henry Traylor’s family as they face frontier challenges, meet lively characters, and witness the shaping o…
Level C1ClassicsA Man and a WomanTwo lifelong friends navigate the rugged challenges of nature, ambition, and conscience as one man’s fierce individuality clashes with the shifting world around him, while a myster…
Level C1AdventureA Man and His MoneyA down-and-out stranger seeking work stumbles into a shabby music shop, where his unexpected voice might just open doors to adventure, ambition, and the pursuit of success amidst t…
Level B2AdventureA Man Four-SquareIn a rugged land torn by feud, a fearless man risks everything to win the heart of a proud, passionate woman caught between loyalty and desire.
Level B2MysteryA Maker of HistoryAn English youth, stranded in a dense forest, stumbles upon secretive meetings and guarded trains, drawn into a web of espionage and danger.
Level C1ClassicsA Maid of the Silver SeaIn a quiet island transformed by the rush of silver mining, a young girl and boy hide among cliffs, watching the upheaval that threatens their peaceful home and family ties.
Level C1HistoricalA Maid of Many MoodsOn a frosty Christmas Eve at the bustling One Tree Inn, spirited Debora defies her father's thrift to light up the house in joyous anticipation of Darby's long-awaited homecoming.
Level C1AdventureA Maid at King Alfred's Court: A Story for GirlsIn the autumnal forests of ancient Wessex, a young maiden named Egwina journeys with her aging harpist grandfather toward King Alfred’s court, hoping her song will win favor and a…
Level C1HistoricalA Madeira PartyIn a cozy, old-fashioned Philadelphia parlor, four gentlemen gather to savor and discuss fine Madeira wines, exploring the nuances of taste, tradition, and refined indulgence in a…
Level B2AdventureA Madcap CruiseTwo young men set out on a daring sea voyage, balancing on the edge of triumph or disaster as they face the unpredictable Atlantic and the challenge of an adventurous mission aboar…
Level B2RomanceA Mad LoveA fiery beauty trapped in the quiet monotony of English farm life longs to escape and taste the wider world, her passionate spirit clashing with the rural confines that stifle her…
Level C2PoetryA Lute of Jade : Selections from the Classical Poets of ChinaExplore the graceful world of ancient Chinese poetry, from heartfelt ballads to the luminous verses of Tang dynasty masters, revealing timeless emotions and serene reflections that…
Level B2AdventureA Lucky Deal; or The 'Cutest Boy in Wall StreetStruggling to pay rent after losing their father and savings, the Hazard family faces a desperate blow when their last money goes missing—can resourceful Jack turn misfortune into…
Level B2AdventureA Loyal Little Red-Coat: A Story of Child-life in New York a Hundred Years AgoAmid the turmoil of Revolutionary-era New York, young Hazel Boniface, a proud Loyalist, navigates childhood friendships and fierce political divides, dreaming of skating lessons fr…
Level C1PoetryA Lowden Sabbath MornExperience a tranquil Scottish Sabbath morning through vivid poetry and heartfelt reflection, capturing the spirit of rural parish life and the timeless presence of its ministers a…
Level C2PoetryA Lover's Diary, Volume 2.A journey through longing, love, and loss unfolds in vivid poetic scenes—from stormy seas and haunted dreams to sacred moments and shattered hopes—inviting readers to explore the d…
Level C1PoetryA Lover's Diary, Volume 1.A young man’s soul unravels through sonnets of love, doubt, and self-discovery, revealing a tender journey from innocence to poignant parting.
Level C1RomanceA Lover's Diary, CompleteA young mind wrestles with love, doubt, and societal conventions, revealing a soul transformed by passion and self-renunciation.
Level C2PoetryA Lover's ComplaintA heartbroken maiden tears apart love letters by a riverside, consumed by sorrow and betrayal.
Level B2ClassicsA Lover in Homespun: And Other StoriesIn a close-knit French-Canadian village, the return of the wanderer Zotique sparks a joyful celebration filled with anticipation and hidden tensions, as two brothers face the compl…
Level C1RomanceA Love Story Reversed: 1898Two lifelong friends share a quiet, heartfelt conversation by the fire, revealing the tender struggles of shyness and unspoken love.
Level C1RomanceA Love StoryAmid the sprawling Delmé estate, a young heir grapples with honor, duty, and youthful recklessness.
Level C1RomanceA Love EpisodeIn a softly lit Parisian room, a quiet drama of love and human frailty begins to unfold, revealing the delicate interplay of passion, heredity, and destiny in everyday life.
Level C1RomanceA Love CrimeIn a cozy Parisian apartment, a young couple navigates the delicate balance between social obligations and personal desires, revealing the complexities of love and loyalty amid the…
Level B2HistoricalA Lost Leader: A Tale of Restoration DaysAmid the turmoil of England’s Restoration, a young soldier stands witness to King Charles I's final journey, caught between loyalty and the fierce ideals of the era.
Level B2MysteryA Lost LeaderAmid political intrigue and personal sacrifice, a former leader seeks peace away from the tumult, but old alliances and ambitions draw him back into a high-stakes game where love,…
Level C1ClassicsA Lost LadyIn a fading railroad town, the charming Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA Lost HeroIn a small Southern town, young Donny de Mone faces a scorching day filled with restless animals and anxious crowds, only to be swept into chaos when a sudden, terrifying earthquak…
Level C1ClassicsA Lost CauseIn a turbulent era of religious conflict, a determined Catholic voice rises to challenge the fierce Protestant propaganda shaking the Church of England, revealing the deep struggle…
Level C1ClassicsA Loose End and Other StoriesOn a remote Channel Island, a young girl navigates treacherous cliffs with practiced agility to help her aging father, revealing a rugged life shaped by the sea and isolation.
Level C2PoetryA London Plane-Tree, and Other VerseExplore vivid scenes and heartfelt reflections on London life, love, and nature through a rich collection of poetry that captures moments from bustling streets to quiet gardens.
Level C1ClassicsA London Life, and Other TalesA restless young woman navigates the quiet English countryside and its genteel inhabitants, uncovering subtle tensions and unspoken histories beneath the serene surface of dower-ho…
Level C1Children'sA London Baby: The Story of King RoyOn a sunlit summer evening near Hyde Park, a radiant baby known as King Roy captures the heart of a stranger, sparking a tale of love, loss, and a father's ambition to elevate his…
Level C1ClassicsA Living LieIn the heart of Paris, a tale unfolds exploring the raw truths of human nature and society through the lens of a novelist committed to unflinching realism.
Level B2ClassicsA Little WorldIn a gritty London street, Richard Pellet scorns his brother Jared’s humble life as a struggling piano tuner with a large family, yet Jared’s simple joys and steadfast spirit chall…
Level C1AdventureA Little WizardA determined boy clings to his family's legacy after the ravages of war leave their estate in ruins and their status diminished.
Level C1PoetryA Little WindowExplore a collection of evocative verses that peer through a "little window" onto nature’s beauty, serene moments, and heartfelt reflections, inviting readers to find joy and meani…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Union ScoutA young college graduate discovers a hidden scrapbook revealing tales of Captain Frank Leroy, a daring Union scout seen as hero or villain depending on the side.
Level C1RomanceA Little Traitor to the South: A War Time Comedy with a Tragic InterludeAmid the Civil War's fierce loyalties, a proud Southern woman grapples with love and defiance, caught between two men—one a steadfast hero, the other a reckless rogue—while the sha…
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.