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 C1HistoricalA Journal of the Plague Year: Being Observations or Memorials of the Most Remarkable Occurrences, as Well Public as Private, Which Happened in London During the Last Great Visitation in 1665. Written by a Citizen Who Continued All the While in LondonAs the plague silently spreads through London in 1665, a vigilant citizen chronicles the eerie rise in deaths and the city's desperate attempts to conceal the terrifying outbreak.
Level C2PoetryA Jongleur Strayed: Verses on Love and Other Matters Sacred and ProfaneExplore a poetic journey through love’s many facets, from tender devotion to playful heartbreak, as a wandering jongleur crafts verse that captures the sacred and profane moments o…![Cover of A Jolly Jingle-Book by Laura [Compiler] Chandler](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeoveoe1ofc73dh7kpg.webp)
Level B1PoetryA Jolly Jingle-BookDelight in whimsical poems that capture the playful imagination and bedtime adventures of childhood, where dolls quarrel, dreams dance, and simple joys like a rubber ball spark end…
Level B2AdventureA Jolly FellowshipSixteen-year-old Will Gordon embarks on an adventurous journey aboard a steamship, accompanied by his youthful friend Rectus.
Level C1HistoricalA Jay of ItalyIn 1476 Italy, a proud cavalier and his enigmatic lady halt at a mysterious inn, where sharp wit and dark humor clash with the rustic world around them.
Level C1PoetryA Jar of Honey from Mount HyblaDelight in a festive blend of poetry, piety, revelry, and storytelling inspired by old and new Christmas traditions.
Level C1RomanceA Japanese NightingaleBeneath a shimmering full moon, a mysterious and enchanting dance captivates guests on a Japanese island, blending beauty, sorrow, and storm into an unforgettable night.
Level B2ClassicsA Japanese BlossomAmidst the pain of a father’s long absence and the arrival of a new American stepmother, a Japanese family grapples with loyalty, tradition, and change.
Level B2AdventureA Jacobite Exile: Being the Adventures of a Young Englishman in the Service of Charles the Twelfth of SwedenAmidst the fierce Jacobite loyalties and political intrigues of early 18th-century England, a young Englishman embarks on daring adventures in the service of Charles XII of Sweden,…
Level C2HistoricalA Ioyfull medytacyon to all Englonde of the coronacyon of our moost naturall souerayne lorde kynge Henry the eyght: (A Joyful Meditation of the Coronation of King Henry the Eighth)Celebrate the coronation of King Henry VIII through a poetic meditation that honors his royal lineage, virtues, and the hopes of England united under his reign.
Level B2Science FictionA Husband for My WifeTwo lifelong rivals, bound by friendship and bitter competition, find their tangled pasts resurfacing around Vera, the woman they both love.
Level B2MysteryA Husband by ProxyIn bustling New York, a fledgling criminologist faces a mysterious woman seeking unusual assistance, plunging him into a web of secrets and danger as he navigates the city's shadow…
ClassicsA Hundred Fables of La FontaineDive into a world of wit and wisdom where animals teach timeless lessons through fables like the Grasshopper and the Ant, the Wolf turned Shepherd, and the Lion Going to War.
Level C1Children'sA Hundred Anecdotes of AnimalsDiscover remarkable stories of animals showing unexpected intelligence, loyalty, and emotion—from an elephant adopting a child after a tragic event to a dog faithfully carrying a l…
Level C1ClassicsA Humble EnterpriseAfter the sudden death of their father, a modest family must unite and navigate the challenges of starting anew with limited means.
Level C1PoetryA Household Book of English Poetry: Selected and Arranged with NotesExplore a curated selection of English poetry, blending familiar favorites with rare gems drawn from deep literary archives.
Level C1Children'sA Houseful of GirlsSix talented sisters navigate sisterhood, ambitions, and daily antics in a lively household on the edge of London, each determined to master her own craft while dreaming of futures…
Level C1Children'sA Houseful of GirlsIn a bustling household of sisters, the stirrings of first love ignite a mix of excitement, rivalry, and growing pains, as they navigate the thrilling yet daunting threshold betwee…
Level C1ClassicsA House-Party, Don Gesualdo, and A Rainy JuneIn an old English manor alive with tradition and tension, Lord and Lady Usk navigate restless days before the shooting season, caught between fading love, social intrigue, and the…
Level C1ClassicsA House-Boat on the StyxIn the shadowy realm of the Styx, the Ferryman Charon faces unexpected competition when a mysterious, lavishly appointed house-boat appears, threatening his exclusive reign over th…
Level C1MysteryA House to LetA woman moves to a perfect London lodging—despite its view of a mysterious empty house that has remained unlet for years.
Level C1Children'sA House of PomegranatesOn the eve of his coronation, a young king torn from a humble past finds solace and wonder in the dazzling beauty of his new palace, setting out on secret journeys to uncover the m…
Level C1ClassicsA House of GentlefolkIn a provincial town in 1842, Marya Dmitrievna navigates widowhood, family tensions, and social expectations while reflecting on her past life and the complex characters around her…
Level C1ClassicsA House in BloomsburyIn a modest Bloomsbury lodging, young Dora forms an unlikely friendship with Mrs.
Level B2Children'sA House Party with the Tucker TwinsTwo weeks at a grand country estate bring the Tucker Twins and their friends together for a lively house party filled with new faces, old friendships, and unexpected challenges—lik…
Level C1RomanceA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 3 of 3Amidst graceful society and tender inquiries, a young soldier wrestles with painful memories and unspoken love for Constance, whose distant happiness haunts him.
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 2 of 3A young woman grapples with solitude and shifting family dynamics after her sister departs, confronting feelings of loss and the challenge of carving out her own place in a world t…
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 1 of 3In the sun-drenched town of Bordighera, an irritable English resident encounters an unexpected visitor from his past, stirring old tensions and reluctant memories.
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself (Complete)In a sun-drenched Italian town, a resentful English resident confronts the intrusive tourists disrupting his quiet life, only to be unexpectedly recognized by a long-lost acquainta…
Level B2AdventureA Horse's TaleFollow the adventures of Buffalo Bill’s horse, a swift and savvy scout who knows the frontier like the back of his hoof, as he navigates battles, trails, and the wild landscapes of…
Level C1ClassicsA Hoosier ChronicleIn a small Indiana college town, Sylvia navigates life in her grandfather’s austere, book-lined home, where academic rigor and quiet traditions shape every corner.![Cover of A Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313. by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf69uge1ofc73dhbqh0.webp)
Level B2MysteryA Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313.Three boys chase a wildly uncontrolling runabout tagged with double unlucky number 1313, uncovering a mysterious machine that defies reason and threatens chaos on the road.
Level C1ClassicsA Holiday in Bed, and Other SketchesDelve into the vivid sketches of a Scottish town and the early life of a young man navigating education, poverty, and ambition.
Level B1Children'sA Hive of Busy BeesTwo children, Don and Joyce, face a summer without their usual farm visit as their parents plan a fishing trip.
Level C1HistoricalA History of the French Novel, Vol. 2: To the Close of the 19th CenturyExplore the rich evolution of the French novel throughout the 19th century, with in-depth studies of major authors and insightful reflections on literary trends, capturing a transf…
Level C1HistoricalA History of the French Novel, Vol. 1: From the Beginning to 1800Explore the origins and evolution of the French novel, tracing its rise from early verse romances to prose fiction, while uncovering the literary pleasures and key experiments that…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Spanish LiteratureExplore the vibrant evolution of Castilian literature from its Roman roots to the Silver Age, uncovering its unique originality and powerful influence shaped by diverse cultural cu…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Sanskrit LiteratureExplore the rich tapestry of ancient Indian civilization through a comprehensive history of Sanskrit literature, revealing its profound influence on modern culture and thought with…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Roman LiteratureExplore the origins and evolution of Roman literature, tracing its roots from practical beginnings to political influence, and uncover the lives and works of both celebrated and lo…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Roman Classical Literature.Explore the rise of Roman literature from its humble beginnings through a period of conquest and cultural exchange, revealing how Greek influence shaped Rome’s poetic, dramatic, an…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Pendennis, Volume 1: His fortunes and misfortunes, his friends and his greatest enemyIn the vibrant London season, Major Arthur Pendennis navigates society’s highs and lows, balancing first love, friendships, and the challenges of his era with honesty and wit.
Level C1HistoricalA History of PantomimeTrace the vibrant evolution of pantomime from ancient Grecian and Roman theaters through diverse global traditions, revealing the origins of iconic characters like Harlequin and Cl…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895)Explore the vibrant landscape of 19th-century literature, navigating the challenges of critiquing living authors and the vast array of influential writers shaping the era’s literar…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Literary Criticism in the Renaissance: With special reference to the influence of Italy in the formation and development of modern classicismExplore the origins of modern literary criticism as it emerges from the Italian Renaissance, tracing the birth of classicism and the lasting influence of Italian humanism on Europe…
Level C1HistoricalA History of French Literature: Short Histories of the Literatures of the World: II.Explore the rich tapestry of French literature from the Middle Ages to the decline of Romanticism, uncovering how feudalism, Christianity, and evolving social ideals shaped its art…
Level C2HistoricalA History of English Romanticism in the Nineteenth CenturyExplore the vibrant revival of medieval themes and national heritage as the 19th century’s romanticism unfolds through the works of Scott, Coleridge, and Keats, revealing a complex…
Level C1HistoricalA History of English Romanticism in the Eighteenth CenturyExplore the gradual rise of English Romanticism in the eighteenth century, tracing its scattered origins and unique character through influential poets, Gothic revival, and the ech…
Level C1HistoricalA History of English Prose FictionExplore the evolution of English prose fiction from medieval chivalric romances—filled with knights, magic, and legend—to the diverse novels of the nineteenth century, revealing ho…
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.