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 C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 16In a turbulent era, a secretive brotherhood known as the Levellers quietly champions liberty and opposes war, led by the enigmatic weaver James Nicholson.
Level C1ClassicsWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 15An octogenarian village patriarch shares vivid reminiscences of his Scottish hometown, revealing its charm, changes, and the deep-rooted love for the place of one's birth.
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 14Amid the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland, an old parish teacher recounts the fierce resistance of the Covenanting army against King Charles' attempts to impose religious contro…
Level C1ClassicsWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 13A mysterious Spanish woman, weary and destitute, is found dead with her crying infant in a remote Scottish farmyard, sparking a haunting tale of sorrow, secrets, and unanswered que…
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 12Amidst the frozen wilderness north of the St.
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 11Revisit the Scottish Borders through the eyes of a schoolmaster recalling the lives of his former pupils, whose diverse fates intertwine history, tradition, and imagination in a ta…
Level C1ClassicsWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 10In the heart of the Borders, superstition and family tales intertwine as young George, deemed a genius, awaits the arrival of the New Year's first-foot—a visitor whose luck will sh…
Level C1ClassicsWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 09In the serene beauty of a May morning in the Cheviots, a traveler encounters an old shepherd whose tales unveil a mysterious stranger’s life in a secluded mountain cottage, blendin…
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 08A stranger arrives in the Scottish Borders, drawn by the legacy of a revered poet, and encounters a weathered local steeped in ancient superstitions.
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 07Delve into tales of the enigmatic Borders and Scotland, where wandering gypsy tribes guard their secret language and mysterious origins.
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 06Amid the turbulent Scottish Borders during England’s invasion, a defiant widow in Coldingham risks everything to resist the English garrison occupying Fast Castle, igniting a fierc…
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 05Set sail to the rugged Fern Isles and join a diverse group of travelers whose lively tales and vivid characters bring to life the sea’s wild beauty and the spirited adventures of o…
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 04On the banks of the Tweed, a mysterious cave once home to a solitary recluse holds secrets of love, guilt, and haunting pasts, revealed through his lost manuscripts.
Level C1ClassicsWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 03Amidst the savage cliffs and shadowy caves of Scotland's northern coast, a lone fishing boat seeks refuge in the mysterious Cova Green bay, where wild beauty conceals untold storie…
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 02In the turbulent Scottish Borders, young laird William Scott rallies his men for a daring nighttime raid against rival chieftains, reigniting age-old feuds in a world ruled by stre…
Level C1HistoricalWilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 01Amid the rugged Cheviot Mountains, a farmstead straddles the uncertain border between England and Scotland, leaving its owner, Peter Elliot, caught between two nations and tangled…
Level B2Children'sWilly's travels on the railroadA young boy embarks on a thrilling journey by railroad, discovering the wonders of steam engines and the magic of traveling at great speed.
Level C1RomanceWilly Reilly: The Works of William Carleton, Volume OneAmidst Ireland’s turbulent history and clashing faiths, a steadfast hero navigates love and loyalty while confronting deep-seated family legacies and fierce rivalries.
Level C1ClassicsWillow the kingOn the eve of a fiercely contested cricket match between Little Clumpton and Hickory, a spirited group of amateur players gather to strategize and banter, revealing the charm and c…
Level C1AdventureWillis the Pilot : A Sequel to the Swiss Family Robinson: Or, Adventures of an Emigrant Family Wrecked on an Unknown Coast of the Pacific OceanStranded on a mysterious Pacific island, four brothers and a weathered sailor forge a new colony, facing wild adventures, natural mysteries, and the challenges of survival with cou…
Level C1MysteryWilling to Die: A NovelA reflective woman recounts her life marked by solitude, family secrets, and a mysterious past set against the wild beauty of the Welsh coast, weaving a tale where history and pers…
Level B1Children'sWillie the WaifIn the shadowed alleys of London’s Primrose Place, two young brothers struggle against neglect and hardship, finding solace only in each other as they dream of a better life beyond…
Level A2Children'sWillie and Lucy at the sea-sideTwo young siblings set off on an exciting seaside adventure, facing the thrills and challenges of their first long train journey together.
Level B1Children'sWillie and Lucy abroadTwo curious children set off on a summer adventure to Switzerland, eager to explore towering mountains, sparkling lakes, and charming villages far from home.
Level A2AdventureWillie MouseA curious little mouse sets off on an adventurous quest to find the moon, rumored to be made of green cheese, encountering woodland friends and magical creatures along the way.
Level C1ClassicsWilliam—An EnglishmanA mild-mannered clerk, long subdued by his domineering mother, suddenly inherits wealth and freedom upon her death, sparking a profound transformation that thrusts him into the wor…![Cover of William Wycherley [Four Plays] by William Wycherley](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf76poe1ofc73dhc240.webp)
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Wycherley [Four Plays]Dive into a world of sharp wit and biting satire where falsehood and vanity fuel tangled intrigues.
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Sharp (Fiona Macleod): A Memoir Compiled by His Wife Elizabeth A. SharpExplore the intriguing life of a man whose literary identity splits between two personas, revealing a dual creativity expressed through letters, diaries, and intimate reflections t…
Level C1HistoricalWilliam Shakspere and Robert GreeneExplore the intriguing lives of William Shakspere and Robert Greene through a meticulous examination of historical records, challenging myths and revealing the true personalities b…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Shakespere, of Stratford-on-Avon: His Epitaph Unearthed, and the Author of the Plays run to GroundUnearth the mysterious life and legacy of William Shakespeare of Stratford-on-Avon, exploring his controversial epitaph, dubious authorship of the plays, and the historical customs…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Shakespeare: A Critical StudyExplore the enigmatic life and enduring genius of Shakespeare, whose works rival the great artists of the Renaissance in pathos and humor, while uncovering the mysteries behind the…
Level C1HistoricalWilliam Shakespeare as He Lived: An Historical TaleFollow the young Shakespeare through the wild, untamed woodlands of Elizabethan Warwickshire as he embarks on a journey from his humble beginnings toward the dazzling heights of po…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam ShakespeareIn a bleak coastal house shrouded in fog and silence, a family of exiles wrestles with the shadows of imprisonment and exile.
Level C1Children'sWilliam SedleyA young boy, burdened by strict schooling and longing for family, befriends a chimney-sweeper who envies his life, revealing contrasting struggles of youth and the true meaning of…
Level C1FantasyWilliam Morris: A Critical StudyExplore the profound isolation and unique vision of a poet whose work transcends his era, revealing the personal spirit behind artistic creation and its complex dialogue with socie…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Mackay on T. W. Robertson's Play "School"An incisive look into the controversy surrounding a popular play’s originality reveals the complexities of adaptation and authorship in 19th-century theatre, blending criticism, pe…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Jordan, JuniorUnder the gloom of a rainy London night, a frail boy with a mysterious wound and an elderly scholar immerse themselves in ancient tomes within a shadowy second-hand bookshop, where…
Level C1HistoricalWilliam Hickling PrescottExplore the sharply divided intellectual landscapes of early 19th-century America, where Southern aristocracy clings to tradition and political power while cultural and literary pu…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam E. Burton: Actor, Author, and Manager: A Sketch of his Career with Recollections of his PerformancesExplore the life of a versatile 19th-century actor who transitioned from a printing office to the stage, gaining fame through a vast array of roles and a deep devotion to Shakespea…
Level C1ClassicsWilliam Dwight WhitneyBorn into a family of remarkable scholars in 19th-century Massachusetts, a young man balances his passion for natural science with a burgeoning interest in Sanskrit and philology.
Level C1HistoricalWilliam Blake: A Critical EssayExplore the life and art of a misunderstood visionary whose poetic genius and unique spirit earned little acclaim in his time, yet left an enduring legacy that grows clearer throug…
Level C1PoetryWilliam Blake, the ManA solitary, imaginative boy in 18th-century London, William Blake experiences visions that blur reality and imagination, setting him on a path to explore the spiritual and artistic…
Level C1PoetryWilliam Blake, Painter and PoetDive into the enigmatic world of William Blake, a visionary whose fused genius as both poet and painter defies conventional art.
Level C1ClassicsWilliam BlakeDive into the visionary world of a London-born artist whose imagination transcends time and reality, blending mysticism with the everyday.
Level C1PoetryWilliam BlakeDelve into a meticulous exploration of William Blake’s life, works, and artistic genius, enriched by firsthand documents and contemporary accounts that reveal the poet’s enduring i…
Level B2ClassicsWilliam Adolphus TurnpikeIn a bustling city hall where immigrant communities clash and alliances form, a young boy and his father navigate the fiery world of politics, prejudice, and cultural pride at a he…
Level B2AdventureWill of the MillIn the lush, fern-clad Belle Dale, two boys uncover the quiet mysteries of a timeworn silk mill nestled beneath ancient stone walls and silver birches, where nature’s beauty and hi…
Level B2AdventureWill Weatherhelm: The Yarn of an Old SailorBorn amid a fierce gale on a sailing brig, a boy grows up steeped in the rugged life and wild beauty of the Shetlands, destined to follow his seafaring father's adventurous path ac…
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.