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 C1ClassicsWill WarburtonA man returns to his London flat after a refreshing holiday, only to find himself entangled in the struggles of those around him, from domestic mishaps to family hardships.
Level B2MysteryWill Somers, the Boy DetectiveA sharp-witted sixteen-year-old with street smarts and boundless confidence sets out to prove himself in the bustling world of business and mystery in Philadelphia.
Level B2ClassicsWilhelmina in LondonWilhelmina faces the harsh realities of life after her father's reckless schemes leave them nearly bankrupt and him deceased.
Level C1HistoricalWilhelm TellIn the Swiss Alps, under the shadow of Austrian oppression, a skilled marksman named Wilhelm Tell becomes the symbol of resistance and the fight for freedom, set against a breathta…
Level C1ClassicsWilhelm Meister's apprenticeship and travels, vol. 2 (of 2)An introspective journey unfolds as Wilhelm Meister reconnects with old friends and confronts changes within himself and his world, exploring themes of growth, knowledge, and the e…
Level C1ClassicsWilhelm Meister's apprenticeship and travels, vol. 1 (of 2)A young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring art, society, and human conduct in a world expanding with new knowledge and ideas.
Level C1ClassicsWilfrid CumbermedeA reflective man looks back on a life marked by humble faults and quiet revelations, exploring the blend of past shadows and hopeful dawns in a thoughtful autobiography that uncove…
Level C1AdventureWildfireIn the vast, untamed desert, young Lucy Bostil yearns for a thrilling adventure to awaken her restless spirit.
Level C1ClassicsWilde v Whistler: Being an Acrimonious Correspondence on Art Between Oscar Wilde and James A McNeill WhistlerDive into a sharp, witty exchange on art where one artist mocks the public’s taste while exploring beauty’s elusive nature—from dim dawns to factory chimneys transformed into palac…
Level C1ClassicsWild oatsIn a vibrant East Broadway kitchen, a young family delights in the simple joys of spring and their spirited child, while a deeper, urgent social issue simmers beneath the surface,…
Level C1ClassicsWild Youth, Volume 2.A man and woman face the harsh judgment and suspicion of a community after a mysterious night on the prairie, while an enraged husband seeks the truth amid betrayal and relentless…
Level C1ClassicsWild Youth, Volume 1.In a sharp-witted Western town, the arrival of Joel Mazarine and his unnervingly young wife stirs quiet unease, revealing hidden tensions beneath Askatoon's composed surface.
Level C1ClassicsWild Youth, CompleteIn a rugged frontier town known for its sharp-witted citizens, the arrival of Joel Mazarine and his mysterious young wife stirs unease and curiosity.
Level C1AdventureWild Western Scenes: A Narrative of Adventures in the Western Wilderness, Wherein the Exploits of Daniel Boone, the Great American Pioneer are Particularly DescribedVenture into the untamed Western wilderness alongside Daniel Boone, as thrilling hunts, perilous conflicts, and mysterious discoveries unfold amidst rugged landscapes and fierce en…
Level C1ClassicsWild OrangesA solitary sailor anchors near a forgotten, crumbling mansion surrounded by lush, exotic flora, sensing the weight of history and isolation.
Level C1ClassicsWild Oats; or, The Strolling GentlemenA witty comedy unfolds as Sir George Thunder pursues deserters from his ship, encountering lively characters and unexpected humor in Lady Amaranth's house.
Level B2AdventureWild Nat, the Trooper; or, The Cedar Swamp BrigadeAmid the turmoil of a nation on the brink, Catherine Vale wrestles with her feelings for the enigmatic Wild Nat Ernshaw, a man whose true character may only emerge through the tria…
Level C1RomanceWild MargaretA spirited young woman arrives at a quiet country station with only a small bag, while a carefree gentleman of leisure observes her from his luxurious carriage.
Level C1AdventureWild Life in the Land of the Giants: A Tale of Two BrothersTwo brothers with outrageously long names navigate childhood under the strict watch of their formidable Aunt Serapheema, whose stern guidance shapes their early adventures by the s…
Level B2Children'sWild KittyA spirited schoolgirl navigates the chaos of friendship, rivalry, and school life at Middleton School, where intellect and popularity clash amid everyday mischief and earnest ambit…
Level C1AdventureWild Justice: Stories of the South SeasIn the sun-drenched South Seas, a sailor wrestles with his fate amid the vibrant island life, where ancient customs and fierce feuds collide with colonial ambition and restless hea…
Level C1ClassicsWild Honey: Stories of South AfricaA proud young woman, stripped of her inheritance and status, journeys through South Africa determined to reclaim her place in society using her wit, beauty, and talent for storytel…
Level B2RomanceWild HeatherAn eight-year-old girl returns from India with her charming father, navigating love, loss, and the quirky bonds of family and loyalty.
Level C1PoetryWild Flowers; or, Pastoral and Local PoetryStep into the humble rhythms of village life, where servant maids and rustic tales bloom in heartfelt poetry.
Level B2AdventureWild Bill's Last TrailA famed marksman haunted by a deadly past returns to the frontier, sensing his time is near as old enemies close in with vengeance burning in their hearts.
Level C1PhilosophyWild ApplesExplore the deep-rooted connection between humans and the apple tree, tracing its history from ancient civilizations to its role in nature and culture.
Level B2ClassicsWild Animals at HomeExplore the secret lives of wild animals in their natural habitats, from the cunning coyote to the abundant wildlife of Yellowstone Park, revealing their behaviors and the delicate…
Level B2AdventureWild Adventures round the Pole: Or, The Cruise of the "Snowbird" Crew in the "Arrandoon"Embark on a thrilling voyage from Scotland’s poetic highlands to the wild seas beyond, following the daring crew of the "Snowbird" as they brave nature’s fiercest challenges in pur…
Level B2AdventureWild Adventures in Wild PlacesIn the heart of Epping Forest, young Frank Willoughby seeks solitude and wrestles with love and longing, his only companion a loyal toad.
Level C1Children'sWikkey: A ScrapIn cold 1869 London, a streetwise crossing-sweeper named Wikkey finds an unexpected connection with the tall, kind-hearted Lawrence Granby, whose blue eyes seem to warm the boy’s h…
Level B2RomanceWife in Name OnlyA disheartened country doctor faces financial ruin and social rejection in a small Kent town, his hopes fading like the autumn sunset.
Level C1HorrorWieland; Or, The Transformation: An American TaleA woman recounts the devastating and extraordinary events that shattered her family, revealing the dark consequences of deceit and the fragile nature of the human mind amid a backd…
Level C1ClassicsWidows grave and otherwiseDelve into a witty, insightful collection of sayings and stories exploring the complex, often humorous lives of widows and marriage with sharp social commentary and sparkling humor…
Level C1ClassicsWhy a National Literature Cannot Flourish in the United States of North AmericaA passionate critique explores why America’s national literature struggles to rise, arguing that despite a rich heritage, current trends stifle true genius and originality.
Level C1ClassicsWhy Marry?At a weekend country house, a sharp-witted comedy unravels the truths and social pressures behind marriage, challenging the cherished institution with humor and insight into human…
Level C1ClassicsWhy Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices, and Other StoriesIn a picturesque Tyrolean valley, Frau Frohmann runs the Peacock inn with a firm hand and a heart for her dependents, grappling with changing times and rising prices while fiercely…
Level C1PhilosophyWhy Authors Go Wrong, and Other ExplanationsExplore the moral complexities behind why authors "go wrong," from misguided motives to conflicting artistic and commercial aims, revealing the human struggles that shape their wor…
Level B2ClassicsWhosoever Shall OffendA young stepfather navigates a delicate family dynamic with his wealthy, older wife and her fragile son, while society’s gossip and hidden motives swirl around their lives.
Level C1MysteryWhoso Findeth a WifeIn a world teetering on the brink of war, a secret treaty held within the British Foreign Office could ignite global conflict if exposed.
Level C1ClassicsWhom God Hath Joined: A Question of MarriageTwo friends endure a sweltering train journey through the rugged Alps, their contrasting temperaments revealing deeper tensions.
Level C1HistoricalWho goes there?A boy struggles with mysterious bouts of lost memory, navigating shifting seasons and fractured recollections while caught between his New England roots and a Southern life during…
Level C1ClassicsWho Was She?: From "The Atlantic Monthly" for September, 1874A man haunted by a mysterious woman’s footprints discovers a secluded, enchanting glen where his quiet solitude is unexpectedly disturbed, sparking a haunting tale of passion, regr…
Level B2Children'sWho Was Paul Grayson?A new, handsome boy named Paul Grayson arrives at Mr.
Level C1ClassicsWho Was Lost and Is Found: A NovelIn a tranquil Scottish village, Mrs.
Level B2HistoricalWho Spoke NextAn old musket recounts its journey from an English shop to the heart of colonial America, witnessing a family’s struggle to defend their home and liberties as tensions rise toward…
Level B2Science FictionWho Goes There?Two battle-worn ships flee a relentless enemy through the solar system, desperately seeking refuge on a watery planet to deliver a critical message that could save their world.
Level C1AdventureWho Goes There!In a war-torn village under ruthless occupation, a young man in knickerbockers faces the terror of brutal executions and the relentless advance of a cold, merciless army.
Level C1ClassicsWho Crosses Storm Mountain?: 1911In a remote mountain cabin battered by winter and poverty, a family faces the harsh injustice of a drunken deputy’s ruthless seizure of their meager belongings.
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.