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 C1HistoricalThe flame-gatherersIn 13th-century Mandu, a powerful Rajah returns victorious from battle, greeted by a diverse and loyal populace amid the plateau’s ancient palaces and fertile fields.
Level C1ClassicsThe first violin: A novelIn a quiet spring afternoon, young May Wedderburn faces an unsettling visit from the distant yet imposing Miss Hallam, stirring a sense of loneliness and hidden troubles within the…
Level C1ClassicsThe first sopranoIn a stately church, a gifted soprano’s haunting anthem stirs the congregation, while a mysterious young stranger challenges their faith with a bold sermon on true worship beyond t…
Level C1PoetryThe first of May: a new version of a celebrated modern balladStep into an English country parish on the first of May, where rural life, vivid characters, and sincere emotions unfold against the backdrop of Queen Victoria’s era, revealing int…
Level C1PoetryThe first of April;A witty address to a noblewoman explores how Folly, once a court jester, now masquerades as fashion and frivolity among the elite, warning of the dangers that accompany vanity and…
Level C1Science FictionThe first American KingIn a serene Long Island sanatorium, the nation’s top crime detective seeks renewal, but beneath the peaceful retreat, secrets and mysteries simmer that could reshape America’s futu…
Level B2Children'sThe fireside story bookTwo young nephews, raised with opposite values—one wasteful, one thrifty—come to their uncle’s new home, where lessons of economy and foresight unfold through simple, everyday chal…
Level B2RomanceThe finding of Jasper HoltA young woman’s uneasy train journey through harsh surroundings takes a turn when she meets Jasper Holt, a strong, mysterious man whose protective presence offers unexpected comfor…
Level C1HistoricalThe fifth of NovemberIn snowy London, a shadowy tavern known as the Leopard hides a world of danger and intrigue amid ruffians and rogues.
Level B2ClassicsThe field of amber goldCaught in a fierce Dakota blizzard, John Grahame battles brutal cold and swirling snow to reach safety, only to discover a stranded stranger whose survival depends on a desperate g…
Level C1HorrorThe feast of BacchusOn a languid river outing, two women exchange sharp wit and secrets beneath a veneer of leisure, hinting at underlying tensions and dark desires.
Level C1ClassicsThe feast at SolhougRival women vie for the love of a man falsely accused and hunted by royal agents, while misunderstandings and tragic twists unfold in a lyrical drama inspired by heroic ballads and…
Level C1MysteryThe fate of FenellaAt a bustling English spa town, Fenella’s carefree drives and spirited presence stir curiosity and rivalry, setting the stage for a mysterious tale woven by unexpected encounters a…
Level C1Children'sThe fatal three, vol. IIIIn a garden of shattered minds and faded glory, a former prima donna clings to her past amidst the quiet of an asylum.
Level C1Children'sThe fatal three, vol. IIIn the glittering London social scene, the enigmatic César Castellani captivates women with charm and mystery, sparking endless speculation about his origins.
Level C1Children'sThe fatal three, vol. IA wealthy couple’s quiet life is disrupted when the husband insists on adopting a mysterious orphan girl, challenging the delicate balance of their home and the innocence of their…
Level C1ClassicsThe fatal marriageA young provincial officer and his loyal servant navigate the wild, untamed Maryland frontier, facing storms and solitude as they search for shelter in a vast, uninhabited wilderne…
Level C1PoetryThe farmer's brideA haunting collection of poems exploring love, longing, and loss through the story of a farmer’s troubled marriage.
Level C1AdventureThe family Robinson CrusoeShipwrecked on a deserted island, a resourceful father guides his wife and four sons through survival, blending adventure with practical lessons in natural history and mechanics.
Level B1FantasyThe fairy babiesTiny Ink-Bottle Babies tumble from desks and follow their Fairy Mama into the woods, where bedtime stories come to life—like the tale of a dwarf who discovers a magic pitcher with…
Level C1MysteryThe eyes of Max CarradosA blind detective with extraordinary senses tackles baffling mysteries alongside his private inquiry friend.
Level C2HistoricalThe extraordinary confessions of Diana PleaseA captivating memoir unfolds as Diana Please, a woman of wit and passion, narrates her extraordinary life marked by romance, ambition, and scandal in a glittering age.
Level B2Science FictionThe eternal savageA primal hunter in a savage Stone Age jungle must prove his worth by facing a ferocious saber-toothed tiger, while a modern woman finds herself mysteriously drawn into this ancient…
Level B2AdventureThe eternal masculineIn the depths of the Canadian wilderness, a boy and his enigmatic guide, Josef, navigate ancient trails and hidden dangers, blending youthful curiosity with keen woodcraft as they…
Level C1HistoricalThe epistle of Othea to Hector; or, The boke of knyghthodeIn a fragile 15th-century manuscript, a goddess imparts timeless lessons on knighthood and virtue to a legendary warrior, blending history, wisdom, and courtly life through the voi…
Level B2RomanceThe entertaining story of King Brondé, his Lily and his RosebudIn a shimmering palace atop a winding mountain road, the Pale Lady, Queen of King Brondé, summons a magical fairy to bestow a special blessing upon her youngest child, weaving a ta…
Level B2MysteryThe enterprising burglarOn a bitter November night, a nervous crook tries to warn Detective-Inspector Strickland about a dangerous gang plotting war, but danger lurks in the misty shadows along the Embank…
Level C1RomanceThe emperor's candlesticksAmid Vienna’s dazzling Shrove Tuesday carnival, a masked Tsarevitch pursues a mysterious, playful odalisque through the opera’s enchanted halls, where hidden identities and daring…
Level C1MysteryThe emerald of Catherine the GreatA sturdy English captain, William Bones, becomes entwined with the Russian court and its secrets during his Baltic voyages, bearing home an extraordinary emerald from Catherine the…
Level C1ClassicsThe eleventh hour in the life of Julia Ward HoweAt eighty-seven, Julia Ward Howe embraces a vibrant final chapter filled with purposeful work, poetic creation, and unyielding vitality.
Level C1HistoricalThe eighteen ninetiesExplore the vibrant cultural and intellectual awakening of the 1890s, a decade marked by bold experiments in art, literature, and social ideas, where conflicting visions clash and…
Level C1FantasyThe education of Uncle PaulA man returns to the Old Country after twenty years at sea, stirred by memories of childhood and home.
Level C1ClassicsThe easiest wayIn the dazzling chaos of Broadway's after-theatre nightlife, a woman with a tarnished past seeks redemption through a sincere love, only to confront harsh realities and societal sc…
Level C1AdventureThe eagle's wing: A story of the ColoradoRawley King returns home to face the mysterious, brooding grandfather who once ruled the frontier with fierce strength but is now confined to a wheelchair.
Level C1PoetryThe eagle's masqueDelight in a whimsical masque where feathered characters reveal their true nature through playful poetry, inviting young readers to laugh and learn about birds with natural history…
Level B2Children'sThe dwarf's spectacles, and other fairy talesDiscover the secret behind the rose-bush’s thorns as a gentle nightingale seeks the perfect home, only to face danger from a cunning cat lurking nearby.
Level C1MysteryThe duplicate deathAn enigmatic lord retreats to his ancestral manor, immersed in scientific pursuits and detached from society, until a royal command disrupts his solitude—unveiling secrets that cha…
Level C1ClassicsThe duelAmid the rigid drills and tense atmosphere of a Russian military garrison, young officers navigate camaraderie, discipline, and the strain of duty.
Level C1FantasyThe dryadA rugged soldier of fortune treks through a haunted ancient Greek forest, dismissing superstition and love alike as he seeks favor from foreign rulers.
Level C1HistoricalThe drums rollAmid the restless marches and muddy struggles of the American Revolutionary War, a mysterious soldier with a scarred past joins a weary regiment preparing to strike tents.
Level C1Science FictionThe dream: A novelA chemist and his companion escape to serene lakes, where music and mysterious mountain climbers stir dreams of ancient emotions and unexplored possibilities.
Level B2FantasyThe dream snakeA man haunted by a relentless dream finds himself trapped in a vivid African nightmare where a giant serpent prowls the grasslands, threatening his life and sanity as the line betw…
Level C1ClassicsThe dramatic instinct in childrenExplore how children’s vivid imagination and play become powerful tools for moral growth and joyful discovery, as parents guide them to bring dreams to life through dramatic expres…
Level C2ClassicsThe dragonA determined prince challenges tradition and love when he encounters a brilliant, independent woman who defies royal expectations.
Level B2MysteryThe double daggerWhen rival detective Carl Lemberg unexpectedly calls for help on a mysterious family affair, Nat Ridley must set aside their rivalry to unravel a case that even he finds puzzling a…
Level C1HistoricalThe doomed cityIn the Roman-ruled city of Cæsarea, Crispus, a proud and patriotic young Roman, navigates political tension and cultural clashes between Greeks and Jews, while an imperial envoy ar…
Level C1AdventureThe doom trailIn fog-shrouded London, a lone swordsman stumbles into a fierce alley brawl, while across the wilderness, the fate of a shattered Native American confederacy and colonial powers ha…
Level C1FantasyThe doings of Raffles HawAmid biting winter storms and the shadows of lost fortune, a struggling family clings to hope and love in a quiet village, where an unexpected visitor might change their fate forev…
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.