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 C1ClassicsA Family Man : in three actsIn a quiet provincial town, John Builder balances family tensions and political ambitions as he contemplates reconciling with his estranged daughter while preparing to accept the m…
Level C2ClassicsA Fairy Tale in Two Acts Taken from Shakespeare (1763)A group of amateur actors in Athens prepare to perform the tragic love story of Pyramus and Thisby before the Duke and Duchess, rehearsing with comedic enthusiasm and earnestness u…
Level C1ClassicsA Fair PenitentA passionate French actress, known for her strength and fiery spirit, faces heartbreak when her lover rejects marriage, leading her to a profound spiritual awakening and a dramatic…
Level B2ClassicsA Fair Mystery: The Story of a CoquetteA devoted family faces ruin when a trusted friend’s betrayal threatens to strip them of their home and future.
Level C1ClassicsA Fair JewessA dedicated but struggling doctor prepares to leave his impoverished Portsmouth practice for London, driven by ambition and compassion for those he must leave behind.
Level C1RomanceA Fair BarbarianWhen the stylish and spirited Octavia Bassett arrives from America, the quiet English town of Slowbridge braces for a whirlwind of change, scandal, and unexpected romance that thre…
Level C1ClassicsA Face IlluminedA determined young artist, torn between ambition and inspiration, pours himself into a perfect painting as dusk falls, while his easygoing friend urges him to seize life's pleasure…
Level C1PoetryA Fable for CriticsDive into a witty poetic medley that playfully critiques and celebrates contemporary poets with sharp humor and lively rhythm, offering a unique glimpse into the literary scene thr…
Level B2RomanceA Duet, with an Occasional ChorusTwo lovers navigate the delicate negotiations and heartfelt letters leading up to their wedding, revealing the tender complexities and joyful anticipation of uniting two lives amid…
Level C1ClassicsA Duel in the Dark: An Original Farce, in One ActA husband’s flirtation with a mysterious veiled Countess turns into a tangled comedy of mistaken identity when his own wife, disguised and determined to test his fidelity, arrives…
Level C1ClassicsA DuelA newlywed woman discovers her husband's financial ruin and deceit, unraveling a web of lies involving his mother’s small shop and their dwindling fortunes.
Level C1ClassicsA Drift from Redwood CampIn the aftermath of a devastating flood, a shiftless outcast drifts into an uncharted wilderness, forced to rely on raw instinct and newfound acuity to survive amid hostile surroun…
Level C1AdventureA Dream of the North SeaAmid fierce North Sea storms, a determined young woman faces relentless waves and harsh weather aboard a schooner yacht, embodying courage and hope.
Level C1HistoricalA Dream of John Ball; and, A King's LessonTransported to a vivid medieval English village, a dreamer encounters a mysterious armored figure and a world where history's beauty and social struggles come alive, challenging hi…
Level C1HistoricalA Dream of Empire; Or, The House of BlennerhassettOn Blennerhassett Island in spring, an English overseer tends a new plantation amid blooming orchards and fields, while a curious stranger arrives by the river, setting the stage f…
Level C1FantasyA Draught of the Blue, together with An Essence of the DuskIn a land where death is but an illusion and the color blue holds mystical power, witness a tale woven with cosmic echoes and eternal consequences, where every action reverberates…
Level C1ClassicsA Drama on the SeashoreA young dreamer, standing on a rocky seashore, envisions a future filled with grand ambitions and the joys of love.
Level C1ClassicsA Drake by George!When the larger-than-life Captain Drake arrives in the quiet parish of Highfield, his booming voice, exotic treasures, and imposing presence disrupt the local order, sparking confl…
Level B2RomanceA Dozen Ways Of LoveA devoted maid arrives at an aging Scottish household shadowed by the decline of Mistress Macdonald, whose fading memory unravels the threads of family history.
Level C1FantasyA Double StoryIn a land where uncertainty reigns and golden rain falls, two baby girls are born worlds apart—one a royal princess taught to believe she is Somebody, the other a humble shepherd’s…
Level C1ClassicsA Double KnotA young woman pleads for her mother's mercy after a scandalous betrayal threatens to shatter their family’s fragile peace.
Level C1MysteryA Double Barrelled Detective StoryA young wife endures cruel torment in a bitter family feud, while years later, her secretive life with a remarkable son unfolds in a quiet New England village—where mysteries lurk…
Level C2PoetryA Dome of Many-Coloured GlassExplore vivid emotions and delicate moments through a kaleidoscope of lyrical poems that paint life as a dome of many-colored glass, blending nature, dreams, and heartfelt reflecti…
Level B2ClassicsA Doll's House : a playIn a cozy, wintertime home, Nora playfully navigates Christmas preparations and her husband’s strict views on money, hinting at the delicate balance beneath their seemingly happy m…
Level B2ClassicsA Dog's TaleA witty and heartfelt canine narrator reveals the quirks and courage of his family, blending humor with lessons on bravery and kindness in a world seen through a dog's eyes.
Level C1Children'sA Dog with a Bad NameAt a rundown school known for its neglect and low standards, a new young headmaster arrives determined to shake things up—imposing strict rules and making football compulsory—spark…
Level B2Children'sA Dog of Flanders, The Nürnberg Stove, and Other StoriesIn a humble Flemish village, orphaned boy Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche share an unbreakable bond as they navigate poverty and hardship together, finding comfort in their simpl…
Level B2Children'sA Dog of FlandersOrphaned and impoverished, young Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche forge an unbreakable bond as they face hardship in a humble village near Antwerp.
Level B2ClassicsA Dog Day; or, The Angel in the HouseA loyal dog recounts a chaotic day filled with heroism, mischief, and the ups and downs of family life, revealing his sharp wit and spirited personality through charming diary-styl…
Level C1ClassicsA Doctor of the Old School — CompleteIn a rugged Scottish village where hardy men defy the elements and tradition reigns, a devoted country doctor confronts the trials of rural life with unwavering courage and compass…
Level B2Children'sA Dixie School GirlIn a peaceful Southern valley where community life revolves around the Four Corners store, the rhythms of country living unfold amid changing seasons and close-knit friendships.
Level C1FantasyA Diversity of CreaturesIn a futuristic world governed by the Aërial Board of Control, Northern Illinois secedes from all communication systems, sparking a tense investigation into privacy and control ami…
Level B2AdventureA District Messenger Boy, and A Necktie PartyA twelve-year-old messenger boy finds himself stranded on a steamer bound for Providence, unexpectedly joined by a frightened child who has been kidnapped.
Level C1ClassicsA Distinguished Provincial at ParisA young provincial and a mysterious woman journey to Paris, where ambition, love, and social intrigue collide amid the city's unforgiving salons and hidden scandals.
Level C1ClassicsA Dissertation upon Roast PigIn a world where humans once ate meat raw, a young boy’s accidental fire reveals the delicious secret of roasting pork, sparking a surprising discovery that changes culinary histor…
Level C1HistoricalA Dish of Orts : Chiefly Papers on the Imagination, and on ShakespeareExplore the nature and power of imagination as a divine creative faculty, unveiling its role in education, art, and understanding beyond mere facts.
Level C1HistoricalA Discourse on the Life, Character and Writings of Gulian Crommelin Verplanck: Delivered before the New-York Historical Society, May 17th, 1870Explore the rich legacy of Gulian Crommelin Verplanck, a pivotal figure whose life intertwined with literature, legislation, and public service in early New York.
Level C2PhilosophyA Discourse of Life and Death, by Mornay; and Antonius by GarnierExplore a profound meditation on the human condition, where life is a restless journey fraught with toil and fear, and death, paradoxically, is both dreaded and misunderstood as th…
Level C1HistoricalA Discourse Being Introductory to his Course of Lectures on Elocution and the English Language (1759)Discover the passionate advocacy for the art of speaking as Sheridan unveils the principles of elocution, linking eloquence to the improvement of society, education, and government…
Level C1MysteryA Diplomatic WomanAt a mysterious Parisian masked ball where no one reveals their identity, a diplomatic woman grapples with secret codes being leaked to foreign powers, threatening reputations and…
Level C1AdventureA Diplomatic AdventureIn the shadowy world of 1862 Paris diplomacy, a young American legation secretary hires a mysterious valet whose ambiguous loyalties and sharp wit soon draw him into a secretive ad…
Level C1FantasyA Digit of the Moon: A Hindoo Love StoryIn a world where divine myths intertwine with human love, a beautiful woman embodies a "digit of the moon," igniting a passionate tale set against the mystical churning of the ocea…
Level B2MysteryA Difficult Problem: 1900A grieving widow is haunted by a mysterious death notice for her husband—who is also reported dead in a telegram sent the same day.
Level C1PhilosophyA Dialogue Concerning Oratory, or the Causes of Corrupt Eloquence: The Works of Cornelius Tacitus, Volume 8 (of 8); With an Essay on His Life and Genius, Notes, SupplementsIn a spirited dialogue among Roman rhetoricians, the clash between poetry and oratory unfolds against the backdrop of a changing republic, exploring how eloquence evolves—and somet…
Level C1HistoricalA Dialogue Between Dean Swift and Tho. Prior, Esq.: In the Isles of St. Patrick's Church, Dublin, On that: Memorable Day, October 9th, 1753In the shadowy Isles of St.
Level C1RomanceA Devotee: An Episode in the Life of a ButterflyIn a cathedral filled with soaring music and soaring emotions, Sibyl Carruthers, a delicate heiress, yearns desperately for love and connection beyond her fragile beauty.
Level B2AdventureA Desperate VoyageA once-honest solicitor's reckless gambling and forgery spiral into ruin, pushing him to the brink of despair and desperate choices.
Level C1RomanceA Desperate Game: A Comic Drama in One ActA mysterious visitor arrives uninvited at Mrs.
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.