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 C1HistoricalA Bottle in the Smoke: A Tale of Anglo-Indian LifeIn the vibrant world of Anglo-Indian society, a young bride navigates the enchanting yet complex life in Madras, where old prejudices clash with new friendships—especially when her…
Level C1HistoricalA Boswell of Baghdad; With DiversionsDive into the vibrant world of medieval Baghdad through the meticulous and often whimsical biographies collected by Ibn Khallikan, revealing timeless human nature amid grand histor…
Level C1AdventureA Border Ruffian: 1891A Boston lady and her family journey through the rugged New Mexico landscape, where a mysterious, gun-toting stranger aboard their train stirs fear and fascination.
Level C1AdventureA Bookful of GirlsEmbarking on a captivating ocean voyage, spirited Blythe Halliday discovers a world of intriguing fellow travelers—from a secretive English poet to a mysterious Italian count—turni…
Level C1AdventureA Book-Lover's Holidays in the OpenVenture into the wild alongside seasoned explorers who embrace the thrill of untamed landscapes—from desert sunsets to jungle mysteries—where nature’s dangers and wonders await tho…
Level C1HistoricalA Book of the Play: Studies and Illustrations of Histrionic Story, Life, and CharacterExplore the hidden stories and curious details of the British theatre, tracing the evolution of playgoing and the colourful lives behind the stage from its earliest days to the pre…
Level C2PoetryA Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old SoulA soul's journey unfolds through heartfelt prayers and reflections, seeking faith, hope, and divine connection amid life's doubts and struggles.
Level C1HistoricalA Book of Sibyls: Miss Barbauld, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs Opie, Miss AustenExplore the vibrant world of early 19th-century women writers as their lives and works intertwine with the literary and artistic circles of Hampstead’s inspiring landscapes, reveal…
Level B2PoetryA Book of NonsenseWhimsical verses introduce a parade of eccentric characters, each with peculiar habits and amusing adventures, blending playful language and charming illustrations for a delightful…
Level C1Children'sA Book of MythsExplore timeless tales where ancient gods reflect human virtues and flaws, revealing the shared humanity behind myths from East and West that continue to shape language, literature…
Level C1PoetryA Book of Irish Verse: Selected from modern writers, with an introduction and notes by W. B. YeatsExplore the rich tapestry of modern Irish poetry as voices emerge from peasants to leisured classes, blending patriotism, literature, and soul-stirring emotions to awaken a deeper…
Level C1HistoricalA Book of Golden DeedsExplore stirring tales of heroism and self-sacrifice that inspire courage and kindness beyond the battlefield, revealing the noble deeds woven into history’s fabric.
Level C1FantasyA Book of GhostsExplore eerie tales where restless spirits and uncanny encounters blur the line between the living and the dead, weaving chilling stories that haunt the shadows of history and memo…
Level C2PoetryA Book of EpigramsDive into a collection of sharp, witty epigrams and reflective poems that explore themes of life, nature, love, and human folly with elegance and insight, each verse a vivid spark…
Level C1PoetryA Book of Christian SonnetsReflect on divine and eternal truths through a series of meditative sonnets, crafted with devotion and deep scriptural insight.
Level C1HistoricalA Book of Burlesque: Sketches of English Stage Travestie and ParodyExplore the origins of English stage burlesque through witty sketches and parodies that reveal the humor and satire behind theatrical travesties, from early dramatic caricatures to…
Level C1HistoricalA Book of AutographsDive into a collection of stirring letters from Revolutionary War figures, revealing their hopes, fears, and political tensions as they face the uncertain dawn of America’s fight f…
Level C1ClassicsA Book o' Nine Tales.A wounded stranger, washed ashore and lost to memory, awakens under the care of a curious young woman who becomes captivated by his mysterious past and delirious ravings.
Level C1PoetryA Book for the YoungAn earnest collection of poetry and reflections invites young readers to embrace gratitude, self-improvement, and the true meaning of life's blessings, especially during the hopefu…
Level C1ClassicsA Book for the HammockJourney into the heart of the sea’s fading romance, where steam-powered vessels roar past and ancient maritime mysteries slip beneath waves.
Level B2PoetryA Book for KidsWhimsical poems invite young readers on lively adventures—from dancing birds at dawn to wandering explorers and the musings of a charming old gentleman urging the love of books.
Level C1HistoricalA Book About the TheaterExplore the many facets of theater through essays that wander beyond dramatic literature to the minor arts of the stage, from pantomime and acrobatics to set design and puppetry, e…
Level C1ClassicsA Book About MyselfA young man in 1890 Chicago dreams of capturing the vibrant life of a city bursting with ambition and change.
Level C1ClassicsA Bold Stroke for a Husband: A Comedy in Five ActsIn Madrid, a daring wife disguises herself as a man to outwit jealousy and preserve her marriage, while a young maiden plots boldly to secure a husband, weaving humor and intrigue…
Level C1Children'sA Blundering Boy: A Humorous StoryDive into the misadventures of mischievous boys whose pranks backfire in hilarious ways, revealing the folly of folly itself.
Level B2HistoricalA Blot on the ScutcheonIn 1780 Kent, rebellious heir Michael Berrington faces his grandfather's scorn and discovers a mysterious new friendship when he rescues a young girl named Gabrielle, whose spirite…
Level C1ClassicsA Blot in the 'ScutcheonIn a grand estate, tensions rise as the arrival of a wealthy suitor sets the stage for a tangled web of honor, love, and societal expectations among nobility and their retainers.
Level C1ClassicsA Blind Esperantist's Trip to Finland and Sweden, to Attend the Fourteenth International Esperanto CongressEmbark on a heartfelt journey with a blind Esperantist and fellow travelers as they sail to Finland and Sweden for the Fourteenth International Esperanto Congress, discovering new…
Level B2ClassicsA Black AdonisA young writer anxiously awaits a response from a top publishing firm, dreaming of fame and fortune as he faces the uncertainty of rejection and the fragile hopes tied to his roman…
Level C1MysteryA Bitter Heritage: A Modern Story of Love and AdventureA young lieutenant races against time and mysterious delays to reach his ailing father, carrying a cryptic letter that hints at dark secrets and looming danger.
Level A2Children'sA Bit of SunshineA young girl named Kate seizes a rare sunny afternoon to explore her seaside town by carriage, discovering fishing boats, playful children, and the wild waves of the ocean.
Level C1ClassicsA Bit O' LoveIn a quiet village on Ascension Day, a gentle clergyman shares lessons of pure love and forgiveness with a group of curious girls, weaving music and faith into a tender exploration…
Level B2ClassicsA Bird of Passage, and Other StoriesA young woman arrives alone at a Swiss hotel, armed only with a knapsack and a piano tuning hammer, defying expectations as she tunes the out-of-tune piano with passionate skill.
Level C1ClassicsA Biography of Edmund SpenserExplore the enigmatic life of Edmund Spenser, a poet whose genius rivaled Chaucer's, yet whose biography is shrouded in mystery and scant records.
Level B2MysteryA Bid for Fortune; Or, Dr. Nikola's VendettaA mysterious letter from Brazil sets a cryptic dinner meeting for four strangers from distant lands, bound by an unknown connection.
Level B2Children'sA Bevy of GirlsA beloved English teacher at a multicultural girls' school in Frankfurt faces a heartbreaking farewell as she must leave to care for her ailing stepmother in England.
Level C1ClassicsA Bell's BiographyAn ancient French bell, forged from a captured cannon and blessed by bishops, tolls through the wilderness, marking moments of faith, conflict, and history between Native tribes, F…
Level C1FantasyA Beleaguered City: Being a Narrative of Certain Recent Events in the City of Semur, in the Department of the Haute Bourgogne. A Story of the Seen and the UnseenIn the besieged town of Semur, the honorable mayor witnesses unsettling events that challenge faith, power, and the very fabric of society as whispers of the dead rising stir uneas…
Level C1HistoricalA Belated Guest (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)A celebrated author journeys from the wild Pacific frontier to refined New England, where memories and literary fame intertwine with the charm and challenges of bridging two worlds…
Level C1ClassicsA Bed of RosesTwo women depart from India aboard a steamer, each carrying unspoken thoughts as the distant shore fades into shadow.
Level C1ClassicsA Beautiful PossibilityIn a lush West Indian villa, a cultured man wrestles with his daughter's uncertain future far from their New England roots, navigating family ties and the clash of tropical freedom…
Level C1ClassicsA Beautiful AlienOn a cold ocean steamer home from Europe, an artist notices a strikingly beautiful and silent young couple whose mysterious connection and unspoken sorrow draw him into a quiet, po…
Level C1ClassicsA Bayard From Bengal: Being some account of the Magnificent and Spanking Career of Chunder Bindabun Bhosh,...A spirited account unfolds of Chunder Bindabun Bhosh, a vibrant young Indian navigating British society with wit and eloquence, challenging stereotypes and revealing the quirks of…
Level C1ClassicsA Battle of the Books, recorded by an unknown writer for the use of authors and publishers: To the first for doctrine, to the second for reproof, to both for correction and for instruction in righteousnessAmidst a turbulent era when authors and publishers clashed, a mysterious manuscript surfaces, revealing a fierce literary battle shaped by gender, power, and the struggle for creat…
Level B2MysteryA Battle for Right; Or, A Clash of WitsIn a refined roadside inn near New York, a tense poker game erupts into accusations of cheating and a fierce clash of wills, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle of wits wher…
Level C1ClassicsA Barren Title: A NovelIn a gritty London street, John Fildew, a once-handsome man now marked by time and shabby gentility, navigates his constrained existence with quiet pride and sardonic humor, reveal…
Level C1AdventureA Balloon Ascension at MidnightTwo daring aeronauts embark on a thrilling midnight balloon flight over Paris, soaring silently above the city's glowing boulevards, historic landmarks, and secret gardens, craving…
Level B2Science FictionA Bad Town for SpacemenIn a future where space explorers face suspicion and hostility on Earth, a lone spaceman navigates a cold, unwelcoming city that once celebrated them.
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.