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 C1PhilosophyA Cynic Looks at LifeExplore a sharp critique of civilization’s true impact on humanity, challenging the assumed superiority of the “civilized” over the “uncivilized,” and revealing how knowledge often…
Level C1PoetryA Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations: Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.Explore a vast collection of sacred poetry from diverse ages and nations, arranged under thoughtful headings and enriched with scripture passages, offering timeless devotional refl…
Level C1HistoricalA Cumberland VendettaIn the shadow of the Cumberland Mountains, two half-brothers navigate a tense family feud fueled by old grudges and new threats, where loyalty and survival are tested amid the wild…
Level C1Science FictionA Crystal AgeAfter a mysterious fall, a botanist awakens in a strange, transformed world where nature and humanity have evolved in unexpected ways.
Level C1ClassicsA Cry in the WildernessDefying the suffocating heat and relentless city life, a young woman recovering from illness answers a mysterious advertisement seeking a strong, country-raised companion in the va…
Level C1ClassicsA Cruel EnigmaIn a world where passion defies conventions and inner desires clash with destiny, this novel unravels the complex psychology of love through the eyes of a poet and critic haunted b…
Level C1RomanceA Crowned Queen: The Romance of a Minister of StateA former king turned minister arrives at a grand castle, stirring curiosity and old loyalties among servants and nobles alike.
Level C1ClassicsA Crooked Path: A NovelIn a bustling London on the brink of change, a chance encounter saves a young boy from disaster, intertwining the fates of strangers navigating society’s demands and personal trial…
Level C1HistoricalA Critic in Pall Mall: Being Extracts from Reviews and MiscellaniesExplore the haunting beauty of Rome’s ancient streets as a critic reflects on the tomb of John Keats, weaving history, art, and poetry into a meditation on death, memory, and the e…
Level B2MysteryA Crime of the Under-seasIn the bustling Grand Oriental Hotel at Colombo, three men with secretive, dangerous livelihoods cross paths: a smuggler, a shadowy tracker of a fugitive banker, and a mysterious p…
Level C1MysteryA Creature of the Night: An Italian EnigmaA struggling singer seeks refuge and inspiration in the romantic city of Verona, where moonlit strolls lead him into a mysterious and unexpected adventure that blurs the line betwe…
Level B2AdventureA Cousin's Conspiracy; Or, A Boy's Struggle for an InheritanceA determined sixteen-year-old boy cares for his dying uncle on the Iowa prairie, facing hardship and mysterious threats as he fights to secure an inheritance that could change his…
Level C1AdventureA Courier of FortuneIn a tense market square, a disguised cavalier orchestrates a daring plot involving disguised soldiers posing as monks, testing loyalties amid brewing unrest and the tempting distr…
Level B2ClassicsA Country SweetheartA grieving family faces the devastating aftermath of a tragic injury to their only son, revealing deep wounds and hidden tensions beneath their sorrow.
Level B2ClassicsA Country Idyl, and Other StoriesIn the quiet New England town of Nineveh, childhood friends Nellie and John face the bittersweet challenges of love and change as a charming city youth stirs new feelings and tests…
Level C1ClassicsA Country Gentleman and His FamilyA brilliant Oxford student defies convention, choosing personal passions over expected academic success, sparking concern among his mentors.
Level C1ClassicsA Country Doctor and Selected Stories and SketchesOn a warm November day, a weary woman struggles through darkening fields, carrying a sleeping child toward a mysterious farmhouse light.
Level B2RomanceA Countess from Canada: A Story of Life in the BackwoodsIn a remote backwoods trading post, determined Katherine Radford balances teaching her brothers and running the family store amid harsh winters and a dwindling community, all while…
Level C1ClassicsA Counterfeit Presentment; and, The Parlour CarTwo young artists seek inspiration and friendship in a quiet rural hotel as autumn approaches, battling creative frustrations and life's uncertainties.
Level B2AdventureA Copper Harvest; or, The Boys who Worked a Deserted MineTwo resourceful boys in a small Nebraska town uncover mysteries and make their mark, working a deserted mine and facing the challenges of frontier life, friendship, and unexpected…
Level C1HistoricalA Conspiracy of the CarbonariAmid the brutal clash of the 1809 Battle of Aspern, Austria fights to reclaim Vienna and shatter Napoleon’s invincibility.
Level B2PoetryA Complete Edition of the Works of Nancy LuceA heartfelt collection of poems reveals a tender soul’s plea for kindness to all creatures, human and animal alike, while sharing intimate moments of love and loss with a cherished…
Level C1ClassicsA Commonplace Book of Thoughts, Memories, and Fancies.: 2nd ed.Explore a rich tapestry of personal reflections, literary musings, and ethical insights gathered from a lifelong habit of thoughtful note-taking.
Level C2HistoricalA Commentary on HerodotusDelve into an in-depth exploration of Herodotus's historical narratives, enriched with scholarly insights and linguistic analysis that illuminate the ancient world’s complexities a…
Level B2ClassicsA CommentaryAn old road worker reflects on the harsh realities of poverty, lost hope, and the relentless march of progress that crushes the vulnerable.
Level C1ClassicsA Comedy of Masks: A NovelIn the fading shipbuilding district of Blackpool Dock, a young artist finds inspiration amid the picturesque decay and quiet bustle of a forgotten riveryard, capturing its haunting…
Level B2RomanceA Comedy of ElopementIn warm December Florida, a young woman wrestles with a secret promise to elope, torn between two passionate suitors and the weight of family expectations, while her curious younge…
Level B2Science FictionA Columbus of SpaceAn eccentric inventor unlocks a secret power that could revolutionize humanity, yet chooses to use it for an extraordinary and mysterious cosmic adventure.
Level B2RomanceA Colony of GirlsIn a quiet town, the Lawrence sisters navigate childhood joys and family loss while caring for a lively group of children whose adventures test their patience and reveal hidden bon…
Level C1HistoricalA Colonial Reformer, Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst the rugged challenges of colonial life, a decisive and shrewd pastoralist navigates tense negotiations and uneasy alliances, revealing the harsh realities and intricate powe…
Level C1HistoricalA Colonial Reformer, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a Sydney society ball, reformer Ernest Neuchamp wrestles with his disdain for shallow festivities while secretly longing to see Antonia Frankston.
Level C1HistoricalA Colonial Reformer, Vol. 1 (of 3)A determined scion of an ancient English family sets out for New South Wales with a noble mission: to uplift and reform a rugged colonial society through vision and unselfish toil.
Level C1RomanceA College GirlIn a lively household where three spirited sisters navigate the challenges of youth and family dynamics, fifteen-year-old Darsie shines with charm and confidence, capturing hearts…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Stories, Reviews and EssaysIn a harsh Nebraska homestead, a worn old fiddler clings to memories of his musical past while his stern son demands toil and sacrifice.
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 4Unearth rare Jacobean dramas including a mysterious double tragedy blending a chilling murder with a haunting tale akin to the Babes in the Wood.
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3Dive into a witty and lively early 17th-century comedy where verbal sparring and merriment unfold around the affectations of a foolish knight and the sincere friendship between nob…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2Step into the world of early English drama with newly unveiled plays that blend sharp wit, stirring sea adventures, and lessons of Christian charity, featuring the daring exploits…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1Dive into a vivid revival of forgotten Elizabethan drama where the ruthless spectacle of Nero’s reign unfolds through sharp wit, fierce conspiracies, and haunting classical echoes…
Level C1ClassicsA Collection of Kachári Folk-Tales and RhymesExplore the rich folklore and unique linguistic blend of the Kachári people through tales and rhymes collected from Assam's hill tribes, revealing a fascinating fusion of vocabular…
Level C2PoetryA Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne: Quickened With Metrical Illustrations, Both Morall and Divine, Etc.Explore a rich tapestry of ancient and modern emblems brought to life with metrical illustrations that blend moral and divine lessons, inviting readers to a thoughtful and pleasant…
Level B1Children'sA Collection of Beatrix Potter StoriesFour adventurous rabbits venture beyond their cozy home, defying warnings to explore a forbidden garden where danger and mischief await.
Level C1PoetryA Collection of BalladsUnearth timeless tales of love, battle, and magic woven through traditional ballads, revealing the raw voices of history and legend captured in song.
Level C1MysteryA Coin of Edward VII: A Detective StoryIn a festive household shadowed by suspicion, the enigmatic governess Anne Denham captivates a handsome young squire, while whispered scandals hint at deeper secrets beneath the ch…
Level C1PoetryA Cluster of Grapes: A Book of Twentieth Century PoetryStep into a poetic journey through time and emotion, where contemporary voices craft vivid verses that beckon readers to savor the sweetness of beauty, truth, and the human spirit.
Level C1HistoricalA Clerk of Oxford, and His Adventures in the Barons' WarA grieving youth, orphaned and penniless, sets out from his quiet monastery life to face the harsh world beyond, seeking his place amid the turmoil of the Barons' War.
Level B2AdventureA Claim on Klondyke: A Romance of the Arctic El DoradoIn the frozen, silent expanse of the Arctic wilderness, a lone Englishman and his faithful dog follow mysterious gunshots echoing through the icy night, sparking a thrilling quest…
Level B2RomanceA City Schoolgirl and Her FriendsA determined young woman faces harsh realities when she and her sister must leave their home and survive on a meager income.
Level C1ClassicsA Circuit Rider's WifeA young bride joins her Methodist circuit-riding preacher husband, stepping into a world of rugged faith, church politics, and the struggles of rural ministry.
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.