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 Way of AmbitionIn a drawing-room charged with skepticism and longing, a group debates the emergence of a mysterious new English composer, Claude Heath, whose soul-stirring music promises to break…
Level C1Children'sThe Way of All FleshFollow the life of Mr.
Level C1MysteryThe Way We Live NowIn a world where literary ambition collides with social intrigue, Lady Carbury navigates London's publishing scene armed with charm and cunning.
Level B2ClassicsThe Way OutIn the rugged Cumberland hills, a young man’s love of music clashes with his preacher father’s stern religious convictions, igniting a fierce family and spiritual conflict that cha…
Level B2Children'sThe Wavy Tailed WarriorIn a lively woodland, Stripes Skunk and Tad Coon clash over honey, leading to a buzzing battle with a fierce hive of bees.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wave: An Egyptian AftermathHaunted since childhood by a colossal, suspended wave that never crashes, a young boy grapples with a mysterious nightmare that defies nature and threatens to unravel his reality.
Level C1ClassicsThe Watsons: By Jane Austen, Concluded by L. OultonIn a quiet Surrey village, the Watson sisters prepare for their first winter assembly, navigating society’s expectations and the charms of the flirtatious Tom Musgrave.
Level C1ClassicsThe Waters of EderaIn a rugged land where shepherds rule with brutal hands, a fierce ram fight becomes a harsh testament to survival and cruelty.
Level C1AdventureThe Water-Witch; Or, the Skimmer of the Seas: A TaleIn a time when piracy and colonial ambition blur the lines of justice, a daring figure skims the seas amidst the turbulent clash of old-world customs and new-world ideals.
Level B2ClassicsThe Water-FindersIn the drought-stricken village of Willowton, three unlikely companions gather by a dwindling stream, setting the stage for a gripping tale of survival, community struggles, and th…
Level B2FantasyThe Water-BabiesA chimney-sweep named Tom endures a harsh life in a grim northern town, dreaming of better days while facing cruel masters and rough streets.
Level C1FantasyThe Water of the Wondrous IslesA mysterious woman arrives in the thriving town of Utterhay, bordering the feared and haunted Evilshaw wood, seeking shelter and offering gold to a struggling mother.
Level B2ClassicsThe Water Goats, and Other TroublesIn a small town, Mayor Dugan and his crafty council plot to win public favor with a new park featuring two gondolas on the lake—though their true motives hint at political scheming…
Level C1ClassicsThe Water Ghost and OthersOn Christmas Eve at Harrowby Hall, a relentless water ghost drenches anyone who dares to confront her eerie presence.
Level C1AdventureThe Watchers: A NovelIn a sweltering London room in 1758, a shattered mirror and an unlatched door spark tension among a rowdy group of soldiers and gentlemen.
Level C1AdventureThe Watchers of the Plains: A Tale of the Western PrairiesIn a weather-beaten hut on the perilous Dakota plains, Nevil Steyne receives a mysterious letter offering a long-lost inheritance—and a chance to reconcile with a brother he has no…
Level C1MysteryThe Watcher, and other weird storiesA reserved naval officer returns to Dublin’s high society, where mysterious events stir whispers of horror and scandal.
Level C1AdventureThe Watcher by the ThresholdA scholar and sportsman ventures into the mysterious Scottish highlands, seeking solitude and freedom amid ancient landscapes steeped in forgotten tribes and eerie silence.
Level C1HistoricalThe Wasted GenerationAmid the relentless roar of World War I’s Somme front, a wounded American soldier in the French Legion reflects on the clash between duty, identity, and the elusive hope of returni…
Level C1ClassicsThe Washer of the Ford: Legendary moralities and barbaric talesJourney to the remote North where pagan rites entwine with Christian saints, and ancient Celtic legends reveal a world of mystery, sacrifice, and ancestral echoes.
Level B2AdventureThe Warden of the Plains, and Other Stories of Life in the Canadian North-westIn the vast Canadian plains, a fearless cowboy known as "The Warden of the Plains" combines daring horsemanship with a mission to spread hope and faith among rugged ranchers, navig…
Level C1HistoricalThe Warden of the MarchesA captivating woman returns unexpectedly to the Khemistan frontier, stirring surprise and intrigue among her family and acquaintances.
Level C1ClassicsThe WardenIn a tranquil cathedral town, the benevolent Rev.
Level C1HistoricalThe Ward of King Canute: A Romance of the Danish ConquestAmid the ruins of a ravaged monastery, a noble nun watches the Danish war-hosts ravage the land, embodying the clash between ancient Anglo-Saxon roots and the brutal forces of King…
Level B2ClassicsThe War-WorkersIn a bustling wartime depot, the tireless Miss Vivian leads a group of dedicated volunteers managing troop arrivals and vital supplies.
Level B2AdventureThe War-Trail Fort: Further Adventures of Thomas Fox and PitamakanAs the mighty American Fur Company collapses, a young trader and his loyal friend face a new frontier of independence and adventure, venturing beyond trading posts into the wild pl…
Level C1Science FictionThe War of the WenusesInvisible women from the scorching planet Wenus launch a cosmic campaign to claim Earth's fashion and dominion, challenging human complacency with their dazzling eyes and insatiabl…
Level C1AdventureThe War of the Axe; Or, Adventures in South AfricaA young English lad returns to South Africa aboard the Surat Castle, facing a fierce Atlantic storm and the challenges of a voyage that tests his courage and spirit.
Level C1HistoricalThe War of Women, Volume 2In a tense struggle for Bordeaux, a daring council of women plots a bold entry to claim the city, balancing force and persuasion amid looming threats and political intrigue during…
Level C1HistoricalThe War of Women, Volume 1Amidst shifting alliances and political intrigue during the Fronde, imprisoned princes ignite rebellion, while power struggles between nobles, the queen, and the cardinal threaten…
Level B2Science FictionThe War in the AirAs early flying balloons captivate a changing English village, Mr.
Level C1AdventureThe War Trail: The Hunt of the Wild HorseJourney through the wild landscapes of Anahuac, where war and love intertwine amid rugged mountains and fiery battles.
Level C1AdventureThe War Tiger: Or, Adventures and Wonderful Fortunes of the Young Sea Chief and His Lad Chow: A Tale of the Conquest of ChinaAmidst China’s turbulent Tartar conquest, a young sea chief commands a powerful fleet, navigating shifting alliances between emperors, rebels, and invaders.
Level B2MysteryThe War TerrorA brilliant scientist is drawn into a dangerous web of espionage and secret societies on the brink of World War I, as a desperate anarchist seeks his help to commit a murder that c…
Level C1AdventureThe Wandering Jew — CompleteA mysterious traveler arrives at a remote land’s end, igniting a tale of secret pasts, hidden identities, and relentless pursuit.
Level B2AdventureThe Wanderers; Or, Adventures in the Wilds of Trinidad and OrinocoA family uprooted by financial ruin seeks refuge in Trinidad, risking faith and fortune under a foreign edict protecting settlers.
Level C1HistoricalThe WanderersIn a vast, tangled forest where tree-folk struggle for light and space, a mother and her young one navigate fierce rivalries, storms, and wild creatures, sparking a quiet awakening…
Level C1HistoricalThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 5 of 5)In a secluded rural home, Juliet finds solace in simple affection yet uncovers dark secrets lurking beneath the surface, forcing her to confront unsettling mysteries and moral dile…
Level C1RomanceThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 4 of 5)Caught between suspicion and desperation, a young woman named Juliet must navigate the harsh judgments of a protective noblewoman while confronting threats that could expose her my…
Level C1HistoricalThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 3 of 5)In a seaside town shadowed by tragedy and suspicion, a compassionate young woman encounters a mysterious, grieving foreigner whose secretive habits and sorrowful cries hint at a ha…
Level C1HistoricalThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 2 of 5)Torn between honor and despair, Ellis faces a heartbreaking choice that could sever ties with those she loves and ignite scandal.
Level C1HistoricalThe Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 1 of 5)A woman’s journey unfolds against the turbulent backdrop of early 19th-century Europe, weaving personal trials with the sweeping impact of the French Revolution, as she navigates l…
Level C1AdventureThe Wanderer's NecklaceA man recalls fragmented memories of his ninth-century life, from northern homesteads to the Byzantine court, as he pieces together a tale of fierce warriors, betrothals, and ancie…
Level C1AdventureThe Walrus Hunters: A Romance of the Realms of IceIn the icy wilderness where Eskimos and Indians cautiously share hunting grounds, a young Eskimo hunter’s quiet pursuit of prey is interrupted by the sudden crack of a rival's gun,…
Level C1FantasyThe Wallypug in LondonA whimsical creature known as the Wallypug embarks on a lively adventure through London, encountering charming characters and delightful escapades.
Level C1FantasyThe Wallet of Kai LungIn a perilous forest, the resourceful Kai Lung encounters the notorious brigand Lin Yi, whose unexpected hospitality binds him in a web of danger and intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsThe Wall Street GirlA young man inherits his late father's estate—but with strings attached, including living in the family home without control over its sale or income.
Level B2ClassicsThe Walking DelegateHigh above the city, steelworkers brave dizzying heights to build a towering hotel, while a tough contractor and his vigilant foreman navigate the tensions and dangers of a massive…
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.