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 B2AdventureA Girl of High AdventureA spirited girl of Irish and French heritage lives under the stern care of her aunt and adoring uncle, dreaming of her family's faded glory while defying expectations with fearless…
Level B2Children'sA Girl in Ten ThousandA young woman determined to break free from her modest life embraces the challenge of becoming a nurse, seeking independence and a new purpose despite her family's worries.
Level B2Children'sA Girl in Spring-TimeOn the eve of midsummer holidays, a group of schoolgirls share lively tales of picnics, seaside adventures, and haunted farmhouses, inviting readers into a charming world of youthf…
Level C1HistoricalA Girl Among the AnarchistsAn intimate journey into the world of English anarchists reveals the complexities behind a misunderstood movement, exploring its philosophies, personalities, and the social forces…
Level B2ClassicsA Ghetto Violet: From "Christian and Leah"In a humble Ghetto home, siblings Ephraim and Viola grapple with hope and heartbreak as their father returns from prison, stirring deep family wounds and a vow to set their beloved…
Level B2ClassicsA Gentleman's Gentleman: 1909Three friends reunite beside the serene Thames, sharing tales of art, ambition, and the clash of American wealth with English tradition.
Level C1AdventureA Gentleman of France: Being the Memoirs of Gaston de Bonne Sieur de MarsacA fallen nobleman, stripped of fortune and favor, clings to honor amid the turbulent politics of 16th-century France, awaiting a summons that could change his fate.
Level B2AdventureA Gentleman of Courage: A Novel of the WildernessIn the vast Canadian wilderness, Pierre Gourdon and his family seek a new home, drawn by the untamed beauty and promise of the land.
Level B2ClassicsA Gentleman from MississippiIn a South shadowed by history and political intrigue, an honest planter rises to the U.
Level C1ClassicsA Gentleman Vagabond and Some OthersIn a vivid portrait of Southern society and spirited characters, a Major navigates friendships, social ranks, and personal histories in a world rich with tradition and transformati…
Level C1AdventureA Gentleman Player; His Adventures on a Secret Mission for Queen ElizabethIn 1601 London, amidst the vibrant chaos of the Globe Theatre, a gentleman undertakes a secret mission for Queen Elizabeth, navigating intrigue and danger beneath the public specta…
Level B2Children'sA Garland for GirlsSix young Boston girls form the Mayflower Club, gathering weekly to read, sew, and grapple with the challenges of helping others less fortunate.
Level C1ClassicsA Garden of Peace: A Medley in QuietudeStep into a garden where peace and conflict intertwine, as two voices debate the meaning of tranquility amid history's battles—from ancient Eden to royal intrigues and revolutionar…
Level B2ClassicsA Gamble with LifeA desperate inventor proposes a risky financial gamble backed by his own life insurance, confident his scheme will bring fortune—or else he has a final escape planned.
Level C1RomanceA Galahad of the Creeks; The Widow LamportAn ambitious young Englishman takes up his post as assistant commissioner in remote Pazobin, Burma, where the mysterious creeks and local customs challenge his resolve and reveal a…
Level C1HistoricalA Frontier MysteryRival warriors on opposite sides of a river face off in a fierce, bloodied contest, bound by shared heritage yet divided by fierce loyalty and territory.
Level B2RomanceA Frog He Would A-Wooing GoA determined frog sets out on a whimsical wooing adventure, joined by a rat and a mouse, but their merry-making is soon interrupted by unexpected dangers in this lively animal fabl…
Level C1HistoricalA Friend of Cæsar: A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C.In the heated summer of 50 B.
Level C1ClassicsA Fountain SealedIn wintry Boston, three lifelong friends from vastly different worlds—steadfast Mary, elegant yet discontent Rose, and restless Jack—navigate the complexities of love, loss, and id…
Level C1AdventureA Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral: A Tale of the Santa Fe TrailAmid the serene yet untamed Santa Fe Trail, a haunting tragedy lingers at the Old Stone Corral, where lost love and buried secrets await discovery.
Level B2HistoricalA Fortunate TermIn a bleak, snowy northern town, delicate Mavis battles bronchitis while dreaming of the warm, blooming gardens of Durracombe.
Level B2ClassicsA Fortnight of FollyA daring hotelier offers a select group of distinguished authors a free summer retreat at the remote and grandly scenic Hotel Helicon, nestled atop the rugged Mt.
Level C1HistoricalA Forgotten Hero; Or, Not for HimIn 1290 England, young Clarice is sent away from home to be educated under noble ladies, navigating the rigid customs and whispered scandals of medieval court life as she prepares…
Level C1RomanceA Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the ThirtiesIn the untamed wilderness of 1830s Indiana, a fiercely just matriarch battles nature and family strife while her gentle daughter, Rita, navigates the harsh realities of pioneer lif…
Level C1ClassicsA Foregone ConclusionIn wartime Venice, Don Ippolito, a reserved priest, nervously seeks a passport from the American consul, navigating the city's silent canals and hidden tensions.
Level B2ClassicsA Fool's Paradise: An Original Play in Three ActsIn a charming country house, a young man boldly proposes to the woman he loves, despite doubts about status and family history, sparking a thoughtful exploration of love, responsib…
Level C1RomanceA Fool for LoveIn a rain-soaked Kansas City station, two men embark on a grueling winter journey to the rugged mountains, where unexpected encounters with a striking, proud woman from distinguish…
Level C1RomanceA Fool and His MoneyA young man inherits a fortune and sets out to prove his uncle wrong about fools and money, navigating the trials of youth, ambition, and the literary world while discovering what…
Level C1ClassicsA Fool There WasIn a distinguished New York neighborhood, two boys and a girl grow up amid the weight of family legacy and quiet ambitions, where inherited virtues meet the mysteries of life and h…
Level C1ClassicsA Fluttered DovecoteAt eighteen, Laura Bozerne feels trapped in the stifling confines of Chester Square, her life marked by tears and turmoil as she begins to chronicle a year filled with emotional ch…
PoetryA Flower Wedding: Described by Two WallflowersStep into a whimsical celebration where flowers come alive to join in a vibrant wedding, unfolding through the eyes of two shy observers.
Level C1ClassicsA Florentine Tragedy; La Sainte CourtisaneIn a world where art defies censorship and scandal, a controversial play unfolds, exploring passion, power, and forbidden desires.
Level B2Children'sA Flock of Girls and BoysIn a lively New England town, spirited Tilly Morris clashes with Boston's aristocratic Pelhams while discovering unexpected friendships and challenging social snobbery alongside Wi…
Level C1AdventureA Floating City, and The Blockade RunnersEmbark on the monumental voyage aboard the “Great Eastern,” a colossal steamship that sails like a floating city across the Atlantic.
Level B2AdventureA Flight with the Swallows; Or, Little Dorothy's DreamA lonely girl escapes her quiet life when a friendly swallow invites her on a magical flight to the sunny South, promising adventure beyond her garden walls and the chance to disco…
Level C1ClassicsA Fleet in Being: Notes of Two Trips With The Channel SquadronStep aboard a cutting-edge cruiser and join a youthful, daring crew as they navigate intricate naval maneuvers, balancing precision, speed, and camaraderie in the tense world of th…
Level C1Children'sA Flat Iron for a Farthing; or, Some Passages in the Life of an only SonAn only son recounts tender memories of his brief time with his baby sister and the loving care of a gentle nurse, capturing childhood’s bittersweet moments and the small wonders o…
Level C1HistoricalA First Year in Canterbury SettlementAn Englishman embarks on a challenging first year in the Canterbury Settlement, navigating colonial life through vivid letters and journal entries that reveal the raw, youthful per…
Level C1ClassicsA First Family of TasajaraA remote general store in the struggling Sidon settlement faces relentless storms and stalled progress, as locals debate the future of their isolated community and the elusive prom…
Level B2AdventureA Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in AustraliaA spirited boy faces false accusations in a tough village school, while dangers lurk beyond the classroom in the wild Australian bush.
Level C1ClassicsA Few Suggestions to McGraw-Hill Authors.: Details of manuscript preparation, typograpy, proof-reading and other matters in the production of manuscripts and books.Explore expert guidance on manuscript preparation, typography, and proofreading designed to help authors produce high-quality technical books with consistent style and editorial st…
Level C1ClassicsA Few Short SketchesAmid the glittering society of a grand reception, a mysterious young woman captivates with her perfumed gloves and elusive Russian violets, sparking a night of charm, intrigue, and…
PoetryA Few More VersesDelve into a stirring collection of heartfelt verses exploring faith, doubt, love, and the human spirit, each poem inviting reflection and inspiration through vivid imagery and pro…
Level C1PoetryA Few Figs from ThistlesFiery and rebellious poems ignite passionate defiance and delicate introspection, weaving vivid images of love, life, and identity with sharp wit and lyrical grace.
Level C1ClassicsA Fearful Responsibility and Other StoriesA historian escapes the American Civil War’s turmoil to Venice, wrestling with guilt and purpose as he pursues his research amid a city under foreign rule and the shadow of impendi…
Level C2PoetryA Father of Women, and Other PoemsPoignant poems honor the strength and legacy of fathers, the sacrifice of soldiers, and the delicate beauty of nature, weaving reflections on war, love, and art into a tapestry of…
Level C1AdventureA Fascinating Traitor: An Anglo-Indian StoryStranded in Geneva and burdened by lost fortunes, Major Alan Hawke grapples with despair amid memories of his adventurous past across Asia.
Level C1ClassicsA Far Country — CompleteA corporation lawyer reflects on his restless American youth, shaped by ambition, family expectations, and the clash between romantic dreams and stern Calvinist values.
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.