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 C1ClassicsThe cruise of the NonaEmbark on a reflective voyage from Holyhead to the Wash, where sea adventures blend with sharp observations on life, letters, and human nature.
Level B2AdventureThe cruise of the Canoe ClubFour adventurous boys pool their savings and seek expert advice to buy canoes for an epic cruise, navigating challenges of cost, choice, and camaraderie as they set out to explore…
Level C1HistoricalThe crow's-nestConfined to a garden chair and barred from the comforts of home, an observant woman must find meaning and inspiration in the subtle dramas of nature and human behavior unfolding ar…
Level B2MysteryThe crimson circleA man teetering on the edge of ruin meets a shadowy figure who offers him a dark initiation into a deadly secret society.
Level B2MysteryThe crimpIn 19th-century San Francisco, desperate Captain Gully hires Abie Kelly, a cunning crimp and disguised detective, to covertly recruit six tough men for a perilous Arctic whaling vo…
Level C1MysteryThe crime codeA privileged Londoner’s life unravels overnight, plunging him into a desperate fight to prove his innocence and evade capture.
Level C1ClassicsThe cost of wings, and other storiesA celebrated aviator’s thrilling conquests in the skies contrast sharply with the silent anguish of his wife, whose patience and love are tested by years of neglect and unfulfilled…
Level C1FantasyThe corsair; or, the little fairy at the bottom of the seaDive into a world of underwater magic and treacherous corsairs, where water spirits dance in coral temples and a daring pirate battles through stormy seas and exotic slave bazaars…
Level C1AdventureThe corsair; a romantic legend of Hell Gate: illustrating the beauty of innocence. Date of the action: Midsummer, 1627Amid the perilous waters of Hell Gate in 1627, a pirate’s daughter faces eerie omens and ancient superstitions as their ship navigates treacherous straits steeped in history and my…
Level B2HistoricalThe corporal's storyAmidst border tensions and youthful dreams, a seasoned corporal watches over eager young soldiers stationed near the Mexican frontier, where romance and reality collide under the s…
Level C1MysteryThe copper boxCaught in a relentless April snowstorm on the wild Border country, a determined traveler stumbles upon a mysterious, fortress-like house with no windows below and an ominous door.
Level B2ClassicsThe convolvulus: a comedy in three actsIn a stylish New York parlor, family secrets and unexpected proposals unfold over afternoon tea, as Jack grapples with his absent father's mysterious disappearance and the eccentri…
Level B2Children'sThe convict's childA young maid receives a mysterious letter summoning her to visit a sick friend in a grim workhouse, stirring memories of friendship, hardship, and redemption.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 3 (of 3)A young woman from a quiet coastal town faces the overwhelming bustle and isolation of London society, struggling to find her place amid its dazzling yet indifferent crowds.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 2 (of 3)A seasoned politician turned sixty reluctantly steps into the role of a provincial justice of the peace, navigating the absurdities and rituals of lawmaking he once helped create.
Level C1ClassicsThe contrast, Volume 1 (of 3)In a turbulent era marked by war and political intrigue, a shrewd heir balances ambition and leisure amidst the picturesque backdrop of Hornscliff Abbey.
Level C1HistoricalThe conspirators; or, The chevalier d'HarmentalIn early 18th-century Paris, a young baron urgently recruits a daring captain to join a duel that could change everything.
Level C1ClassicsThe conquest of RomeA restless deputy journeys through the night toward Rome, clutching a precious medal that symbolizes his hard-won political triumph.
Level C1ClassicsThe congressman's wife, a story of American politicsIn the heart of Washington’s political whirl, a Congressman and his wife navigate the social demands and personal sacrifices behind public life.
Level C1PoetryThe complete works of John Gower, volume 4Explore the rich Latin verses and insightful introductions tracing John Gower’s life and legacy, unveiling the mysteries behind the poet’s origins and the historical context of his…
Level C2HistoricalThe complete works of John Gower, volume 3Dive into medieval England’s turmoil through poetic tales of love, virtue, and political strife, exploring human passions and royal challenges during King Richard II’s reign and be…
Level C2PoetryThe complete works of John Gower, volume 2Dive into a rich tapestry of medieval English poetry and storytelling, where love, language, and legend intertwine in a work celebrated for its enduring influence and lyrical purit…
Level C2PoetryThe complete works of John Gower, volume 1Explore the rich medieval world through expertly edited French and Latin texts, revealing the linguistic and literary connections that shaped early English poetry and its Romance i…
Level C1Science FictionThe coming of the AmazonsIn a near future where scientific speculation blurs the line between life and death, a biologist’s daring experiments with hypnotic catalepsy and prolonged freezing hint at revolut…
Level C1ClassicsThe coming of peace (A family catastrophe)On a snowy Christmas Eve in a remote Brandenburg country house, the Scholz family prepares for a holiday gathering that reveals deep social tensions and personal struggles, blendin…
Level C1ClassicsThe comingA vicar in a tranquil English village wrestles with faith and doubt amid the shadow of war, haunted by his son’s heroic exploits in the skies and the sea.
Level C1Science FictionThe colour out of spaceA remote New England valley harbors an eerie, lifeless patch of land known as the blasted heath, where no vegetation grows and an unsettling silence prevails.
Level C1RomanceThe colonel's daughterIn the harsh, sun-scorched outpost of Camp Sandy, a weary adjutant contemplates the slow rhythms of army life amid desert barracks and distant mountains.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 12 (of 12)Dive into vivid essays that blend sharp wit and keen observation, from thrilling fight nights to reflections on courage and friendship, capturing the lively spirit and complexities…
Level C1PhilosophyThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 11 (of 12)Unearth a trove of previously uncollected essays exploring human nature, politics, art, and society, revealing fresh insights and forgotten reflections that deepen the understandin…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 10 (of 12)Explore the origins of storytelling as ancient bards transform historical exploits into richly embellished tales, blending fact with myth and supernatural drama to captivate audien…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 09 (of 12)Explore England’s finest picture galleries through vivid sketches that capture the soul of art, revealing the timeless beauty and profound impact of masterpieces by Raphael, Titian…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)Explore the delicate balance between laughter and tears as human emotions respond to life's absurdities and tragedies.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 07 (of 12)Explore sharp, candid essays dissecting the prose styles of poets and critics alike, revealing how rhythm, voice, and expression shape the art of writing and influence literary suc…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 06 (of 12)Explore original essays that delve into the pleasures of painting and the subtleties of human nature, capturing moments of quiet reflection and the pursuit of understanding through…
Level C1PoetryThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 05 (of 12)Explore the essence and power of poetry as the natural expression of imagination and passion, revealing the vivid emotions and universal truths that shape human experience.
Level C1PhilosophyThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 04 (of 12)An impassioned critique challenges the harsh logic behind population control theories, exposing how cold economics and rigid philosophy deepen the plight of the poor.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 03 (of 12)A passionate letter challenges false patriotism and questions the motives behind war and government actions, urging true love of country grounded in liberty and justice.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 02 (of 12)Dive into the vivid memoirs of Thomas Holcroft, tracing his early childhood in London through striking personal anecdotes and reflections, as he battles adversity with remarkable d…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 01 (of 12)Dive into the fiery intellect and relentless spirit of a literary titan who challenges superstitions and champions revolutionary ideals, all while navigating the fierce cultural ba…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 11 (of 11)A father confronts the haunting consequences of his own flaws reflected in his fragile son, Eyolf, while a mysterious Rat-Wife stirs dark local legends.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 09 (of 11)Amidst political turmoil and bitter party divisions in 19th-century Norway, this volume explores the clash between aristocratic dignity and democratic upheaval, revealing the deep…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 08 (of 11)A passionate doctor uncovers a dangerous truth that pits him against his entire community, challenging the complacency and corruption of the majority.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 07 (of 11)In a society bound by rigid expectations, Nora challenges the confines of marriage and individuality after a secret act to save her husband’s life ignites a profound personal recko…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 06 (of 11)Amid political tensions and personal rivalries, a sharp new comedy unfolds, exposing the ambitions and hypocrisies of Norway's youth and Liberal party.
Level C1HistoricalThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 05 (of 11)A powerful drama unfolds in the Mediterranean world of ancient Rome, where the young Emperor Julian confronts the clash between fading antiquity and rising medievalism, wrestling w…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 04 (of 11)Dive into the life of Peer Gynt, a half-mythical Norwegian hero whose wild adventures and complex origins unfold against the backdrop of 19th-century Scandinavia, blending folklore…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 03 (of 11)A visionary Norwegian poet wrestles with national disgrace and exile, crafting a fiery drama that exposes the harsh realities of his homeland's struggles and the clash between hero…
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.