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 Desperate Character and Other StoriesStep into the vivid world of 19th-century Russia through six tales that blend sharp realism with poetic insight, revealing the struggles of humble souls, the clash of ideals, and t…
Level B2AdventureA Desperate Chance; Or, The Wizard Tramp's Revelation, a Thrilling NarrativeIn the rugged Rocky Mountains, a determined youth and a mysterious, shrewd tramp embark on a perilous search for a hidden gold mine while evading dangerous Indian raids and facing…
Level C1ClassicsA Description of Millenium Hall: And the Country Adjacent Together with the Characters of the Inhabitants and Such Historical Anecdotes and Reflections As May Excite in the Reader Proper Sentiments of Humanity, and Lead the Mind to the Love of VirtueJourney into the serene Millenium Hall, a hidden retreat where virtue thrives away from society’s distractions, as a weary traveler discovers a community whose lives offer inspirin…
Level C2PoetryA Defence of Poetry and Other EssaysExploring the profound nature of love and life, these essays delve into the human soul’s yearning for connection and the awe-inspiring miracle of existence, revealing the invisible…
Level C1PoetryA Defence of Poesie and PoemsExplore the rich world of Renaissance poetry and politics as a young nobleman navigates court intrigues, travels across Europe, and champions the art of poesie amid the rise of Eng…
Level B1PoetryA Defective Santa ClausWhen Pa must leave on Christmas Eve, Uncle Sidney steps in with stories, popcorn, and warm hearthside magic, promising a visit from Santa Claus himself—sparking hope and wonder in…
Level B1Children'sA Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving HolidaysA young girl eagerly prepares for a cherished old-fashioned Thanksgiving at her grandparents' village home, where family gatherings, country life, and childhood adventures promise…
Level B1AdventureA Dear Little Girl's Summer HolidaysTwo friends receive an exciting invitation to spend summer holidays with Jennie, sparking dreams of adventure and fun despite the summer heat.
Level B2Children'sA Dear Little Girl at SchoolEdna navigates the joys and challenges of school life, family, and friendship during a season of change, all while sharing playful moments with her whimsical Cousin Ben.
Level B2Children'sA Dear Little GirlAn eight-year-old girl faces the bittersweet adventure of leaving home to live with her Aunt Elizabeth in the city, where new friends, bustling shops, and unexpected challenges awa…
Level C1ClassicsA Deal in Wheat and Other Stories of the New and Old WestCaught in a fierce battle of grain speculation, a Kansas wheat farmer faces ruin as market prices plunge, forcing desperate choices against powerful brokers manipulating the future…
Level B2MysteryA Dead ReckoningIn the serene setting of Beechley Towers, newlywed Clara Brooke cherishes the bliss of early marriage while her friends debate the complexities of love and distance.
Level C1RomanceA Day's Ride: A Life's RomanceAn apothecary’s son yearns to escape the confines of his humble heritage and seek adventures beyond the shadows of his family’s long-standing trade, embarking on a journey filled w…
Level C1PoetryA Day with the Poet TennysonStep into the tranquil retreat of a great poet, where daily life unfolds amid nature's beauty and creative devotion.
Level C1PoetryA Day with Walt WhitmanExperience a tranquil summer morning with Walt Whitman as he reflects on nature’s vast beauty and the simple joys of rural life, revealing the deep wellspring of inspiration behind…
Level C1PoetryA Day with Samuel Taylor ColeridgeIn the picturesque Quantock Hills, a young Samuel Taylor Coleridge balances the humble demands of rural life with his soaring poetic dreams, striving to cultivate both his garden a…
Level C1ClassicsA Day with Robert Louis StevensonStep into the vibrant world of Robert Louis Stevenson, a fiercely dedicated writer battling illness and obscurity to craft timeless tales of adventure and mystery.
Level C1PoetryA Day with Lord ByronStep into an afternoon with Lord Byron as he wrestles with melancholy and genius in his haunting Italian palazzo, surrounded by ghosts, friends, and the restless musings that fuel…
Level C1PoetryA Day with LongfellowStep into a day in the life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, where the serene scholar balances heartfelt sorrow, devoted work, and the lively interruptions of admirers and children i…
Level C1PoetryA Day with KeatsIn the serene gardens of Hampstead, a frail young poet finds inspiration in nature’s beauty and the promise of love, as he wrestles with his dreams of immortal verse and the restle…
Level C1ClassicsA Day with John MiltonExperience a day in the life of John Milton, the blind poet and staunch defender of liberty, as he navigates family tensions and the crushing disappointment of political defeat fol…
Level C1RomanceA Day of FateA driven city editor, overwhelmed by relentless ambition and exhaustion, confronts the toll his restless pursuit of success takes on his mind and soul.
Level B2HistoricalA Day in a Colonial HomeStep into the heart of colonial life where the kitchen is more than a room—it's the family's gathering place, alive with warmth, work, and stories.
Level B1AdventureA Day at the County FairThree friends embark on a thrilling motor ride through vibrant autumn landscapes, led by the mysterious Uncle Billy, promising a day filled with adventure and an exciting surprise…
Level C1ClassicsA Day Well Spent: A Farce, in One ActWhen Cotton leaves his shop in the care of two seemingly reliable apprentices, a day of comedic chaos and mistaken identities unfolds, revealing the unpredictable consequences of a…
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of the VineIn stormy 1860s San Francisco, two men navigate treacherous terrain and social intrigues en route to a dazzling Randolph party, where charm and mystery surround the enigmatic Nina…
Level B2HistoricalA Daughter of the UnionIn the midst of the Civil War, a determined group of young girls led by Jeanne Vance channel their patriotism into making socks and handkerchiefs, then hatch a plan to hold a fair,…
Level C1AdventureA Daughter of the SnowsAmid the chaotic rush of gold-seekers clamoring to land their claims in the unforgiving North, Frona Welse returns to the rugged wilderness of her birth, where danger and wild adve…
Level C1HistoricalA Daughter of the Sioux: A Tale of the Indian frontierAmid the rugged Indian frontier, a principled young lieutenant clashes with his commanding officer over duty and distraction, while the post buzzes with soldiers, gambling, and the…
Level B1Children'sA Daughter of the RichIn a cozy home warmed by molasses tea and family laughter, children prepare heartfelt valentines and cherish simple joys.
Level B1ClassicsA Daughter of the MorningCaught between the harsh realities of farm life and the quiet desperation of a troubled neighbor, a young girl begins writing a secret book to capture her world, revealing the stru…
Level C1ClassicsA Daughter of the Middle BorderA family returns to their Wisconsin homestead after years apart, seeking comfort and connection on the fading frontier.
Level C1ClassicsA Daughter of the LandA determined young woman challenges her family's expectations and gender roles as she struggles to balance relentless household duties with her dream of education and independence…
Level C1MysteryA Daughter of the ForestAmidst an ominous storm and eerie silence, a young girl named Margot vanishes after setting out alone in her canoe, sparking desperate search and dread in a remote forest cabin whe…
Level B2AdventureA Daughter of the Dons: A Story of New Mexico TodayIn a treacherous gold camp riddled with dangerous tunnels and rising waters, a determined miner risks everything to break through a flooded shaft.
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of Witches: A RomanceTemperance Tribbey’s quiet life of preserving fruit is interrupted when Sidney Martin, a visitor with a troubled past, arrives seeking lodging at the old Lansing house.
Level C1ClassicsA Daughter of To-DayIn a small town, Miss Kimpsey, a dedicated schoolteacher with a strong conscience, navigates the social complexities of Sparta as she prepares to approach the influential Mrs.
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of Raasay: A Tale of the '45In the glittering court of St.
Level B2ClassicsA Daughter of JapanIn a tastefully blended Japanese-English setting, tensions rise as a naval officer confronts the secret romance between Mr.
Level C1RomanceA Daughter of FifeIn a remote Scottish fishing village shaped by the relentless sea, Maggie Promoter faces the heartbreak of losing her father and brothers to a storm that claimed their trusted boat…
Level C1ClassicsA Daughter of EveIn a lavish Parisian boudoir, two sisters bound by love and tears navigate the intrigues of ambition and shifting fortunes amid the opulent yet fragile world of a rising banking fa…
Level B2AdventureA Dash from Diamond CityIn the rugged diamond fields of Kimberley, three young men balance the quiet tension of office work with the looming threat of conflict, as one prepares to trade his pen for a rifl…
Level C1AdventureA Dash for a ThroneAfter striking a future Emperor in a drunken quarrel, a naval officer faces exile and death—until a shocking opportunity offers him a chance to reclaim a life filled with ambition,…
Level C1ClassicsA Dark Night's WorkIn a small county town, the ambitious Edward Wilkins returns from his grand tour to join his father's legal practice, navigating the rigid social hierarchies of the local gentry an…
Level C2PoetryA Dark Month: From Swinburne's Collected Poetical Works Vol. VDelve into a haunting sequence of poems that explore sorrow, solitude, and the passage of time through vivid imagery and rhythmic precision, capturing the depths of a dark month’s…
Level C1AdventureA Danish ParsonageAn English angler’s passion for fly-fishing leads him to a remote Danish parsonage, where he embraces a new culture, learns the language, and joins a clergyman’s family—discovering…
Level B2RomanceA Dangerous Flirtation; Or, Did Ida May Sin?Three charming young women, known as "The Three Graces," enjoy a summer afternoon in Newport, where a handsome stranger’s arrival sparks intrigue and the possibility of love, secre…
Level B2RomanceA Damaged ReputationIn the wilds of British Columbia, rancher Brooke battles the harsh land and his sinking hopes, torn between a rough wilderness life and the alluring, untamed woman claiming him.
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.