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 Cigarette-Maker's RomanceIn a modest Munich tobacconist's shop, lives intertwine against a backdrop of everyday struggle and quiet ambition, revealing the complex dramas hidden beneath ordinary existence i…
Level B2MysteryA Cigarette Clew; Or, "Salted" For a MillionA relentless detective returns to New York to track down two elusive swindlers who’ve fled east from Montana, unraveling a trail of danger and deception that could lead to a millio…
Level C1HistoricalA Chronicle History of the Life and Work of William Shakespeare: Player, Poet, and PlaymakerDelve into a meticulously researched narrative tracing Shakespeare’s life beyond gossip—exploring his acting companies, theatrical collaborations, and the true chronology behind hi…
PoetryA Christmas snowflake: a rhyme for childrenDelight in a whimsical rhyme that captures the magic of a Christmas snowflake’s journey to find Santa and meet the reindeer, sparking the wonder of the holiday season for children.
Level B2PoetryA Christmas prayerA heartfelt Christmas prayer unfolds, seeking blessings, comfort, and love for friends near and far during the season of warmth and reflection.
Level B2ClassicsA Christmas Tale: in One ActIn a humble fifteenth-century Parisian home, wooden statues and the glow of a dying fire set the stage for a poignant Christmas tale, where saints and simple family life intertwine…
Level C1ClassicsA Christmas Story: Man in His Element: or, A New Way to Keep HouseA widowed woman overwhelmed by managing servants and household chaos confronts her bachelor brother’s bold claim that men should run the house instead.
Level C1PhilosophyA Christmas SermonAs time slips away, a reflective voice meditates on the meaning of a life well-lived—where true heroism lies in kindness, honesty, and patient endurance rather than grand gestures…
Level C1Children'sA Christmas PosyTwo sisters face a lonely Christmas Eve in a Paris apartment, their hearts heavy with the loss of their beloved grandmother.
Level B2PoetryA Christmas Hamper: A Volume of Pictures and Stories for Little FolksChildren’s holiday adventures unfold with mysteries and heartwarming surprises—from a lost uncle’s return after ten years on an island to daring seaside escapades and lively tales…
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Greeting: A Series of StoriesIn a street of new, neat houses stands an ancient, crumbling home that only a curious boy admires.
Level C1PoetryA Christmas FaggotCelebrate the joy and sacred mystery of Christmas through a collection of heartfelt poems inspired by the Nativity, blending art, faith, and festive reflection to kindle the spirit…
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Child: A Sketch of a Boy-LifeBorn on Christmas Day, baby Ted's fragile beginning unfolds in a seaside home where his delicate health challenges his young mother’s hopes.
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Carol; Or, The Miser's Warning!: (Adapted from Charles Dickens' Celebrated Work.)A cold-hearted miser dismisses the joy of Christmas, valuing money over kindness, until mysterious visitors and ghostly warnings challenge his bitter outlook and reveal the true sp…
Level B2Children'sA Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of ChristmasIn a cold, foggy London, the miserly Scrooge shuns warmth and kindness, obsessed with profit and isolation.
Level C1Children'sA Christmas CarolA miserly businessman, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late partner Marley and three spirits who offer him a chance at redemption.
Level B2ClassicsA Christmas Accident and Other StoriesNeighborly tensions rise over a disputed fence and petty rivalries between the Gilton and Bilton families, where small slights and a troublesome dog spark a Christmas season filled…
Level C1ClassicsA Christian WomanA noblewoman reflects on her journey from limited education to intellectual empowerment amid Spain’s social upheaval, revealing the struggles and triumphs of a woman determined to…
Level C1ClassicsA Chosen Few: Short StoriesExplore a world where science meets imagination as a retired professional invents a device to control "negative gravity," a force that repels the earth’s pull, promising to lighten…
Level B2AdventureA Chinese Command: A Story of Adventure in Eastern SeasTwo naval officers face a sudden, perilous mission amid a violent storm as an enemy fleet threatens England’s coast.
Level B2Children'sA China cup, and other stories for childrenA lump of clay endures a harsh journey from earth to factory, transforming through trials into a delicate china cup.
Level C1ClassicsA Chilhowee Lily: 1911Amid the rugged wilderness, a group of mountaineers contemplates a risky nocturnal venture under a luminous August moon, where delicate Chilhowee lilies bloom in striking contrast…
Level C2PoetryA Child-WorldStep into a magical world of childhood wonder where a simple Indiana home and its blooming orchard reveal timeless joys, secret adventures, and the enchanting beauty of nature seen…![Cover of A Child's Story Garden by Elizabeth [Compiler] Heber](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagh9losac3c73afmt8g.webp)
Level B2AdventureA Child's Story GardenA young prince trades royal comforts for the blacksmith’s forge, determined to craft a sword capable of defeating a fearsome giant clad in unbeatable armor.
Level B2PoetryA Child's Dream of the ZooA feverish child slips into a dream where the animals of the zoo come alive, unlocking their enclosures to host a magical midnight picnic filled with laughter, dances, races, and e…
Level B2Children'sA Child's Dream of a StarA young boy and his sister marvel at the wonders of nature and a shining star that becomes their nightly companion.
Level C1Children'sA Child's Book of SaintsJourney through enchanting forests and meet whimsical Oak-people in a world where saints come alive with childlike wonder, guiding young explorers through tales of prayer, miracles…
Level B2HistoricalA Child of the OrientA young Greek girl grows up amid the turbulent clash of cultures and loyalties under Ottoman rule, torn between love for her friend and duty to her heritage.
Level C1ClassicsA Child of the JagoIn the squalid streets of Shoreditch’s Jago, a child is born into a world of poverty and crime with little hope for escape.
Level C1ClassicsA Child of the Glens; or, Elsie's FortunesSet against the rugged beauty of Ireland’s northeastern coast, a proud, rebellious man wrestles with his divided family and ancient religious divides, revealing the quiet tension a…
Level C1ClassicsA Chicago PrincessA down-and-out traveler in Nagasaki contemplates his dwindling fortunes and distant dreams while gazing on a bustling harbor, caught between despair and a faint glimmer of hope tha…
Level C1PoetryA Chesterton Calendar: Compiled from the writings of 'G.K.C.' both in verse and in prose. With a section apart for the moveable feasts.Start each day with provocative reflections and witty paradoxes drawn from verse and prose, exploring courage, renewal, and the mysteries of life through a unique blend of philosop…
Level B2ClassicsA Chautauqua IdylIn a rain-soaked meadow, a curious pink bachelor button recounts the wonders of Chautauqua—a magical lakeside retreat where people gather for music, lectures, and inspiration amid…
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IIIIn a genteel household simmering with quiet resentments and unspoken grievances, a strained marriage unfolds between Castalia and Algernon, revealing fragile pride, subtle manipula…
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IIAmid social soirées and musical rivalries, Algernon navigates the delicate tensions of admiration and jealousy within a circle of elegant acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsA Charming Fellow, Volume IA concerned mother seeks advice about her son Algernon's unique genius and a tempting offer from a cousin, while a thoughtful young schoolmaster weighs the prospects and challenges…
Level C1RomanceA Charmed LifeCaught between love and duty, a young correspondent heads to war despite his beloved’s desperate pleas to stay safe, believing their love will shield him.
Level B2ClassicsA Chariot of FireA desperate father races against time through foggy night towns, battling closed stations and indifferent strangers to reach his dying son in Gloucester.
Level C1AdventureA Chapter of AdventuresIn a bustling fishing village where tides rule daily life, a spirited young lad returns from sea, caught between rugged tradition and the stirrings of new dreams.
Level C2PoetryA Channel Passage and Other Poems: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne—Vol VIExplore a vivid collection of poems capturing moments from midsummer holidays to historic odes, blending nature, memory, and tribute in lyrical form.
Level C1ClassicsA Changed Man, and Other TalesA newly arrived cavalry regiment stirs curiosity in a quiet town, haunted by a mysterious, bone-rattling specter that follows them everywhere.
Level C1RomanceA Changed Heart: A NovelIn foggy Speckport, Miss Jeannette McGregor hosts a grand gathering that reveals the city's sharp social divides and vibrant characters.
Level C1ClassicsA Change of AirA man seeks a refreshing escape from his troubled life, but finds that a change of air brings unexpected humor, danger, and a deep, tragic undercurrent.
Level C1ClassicsA Change in the CabinetIn a London household overlooking Hyde Park, Sir Charles Repton, a seasoned politician and wealthy solicitor, navigates the demands of high office and personal ambition during a tu…
Level B2AdventureA Chance for Himself; or, Jack Hazard and His TreasureCaught in a sudden thunderstorm on a rural farm, resourceful Jack Hazard and his companions scramble for shelter and survival, uncovering unexpected challenges and forging bonds am…
Level C1ClassicsA Chance AcquaintanceA young woman embarks on a picturesque voyage up the Saguenay River, carrying the hopes and legacy of her abolitionist family.
Level C1ClassicsA Chambermaid's DiaryA chambermaid navigates the treacherous social terrain of Parisian households, recording sharp observations and biting critiques in her diary.
Level C1ClassicsA Chair on the BoulevardDive into a witty exploration of human nature where happiness is found not through pursuit but by chance, and cheerfulness prevails even amid life's snags.
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.