Old christmas

With earnest sentimentality, Old Christmas by the prolific author Washington Irving spreads a simple message of joy as it provides a descriptive narrative on the traditions, origins, and miscellaneous details of the celebration of an English Christmas. Separated into five parts, Old Christmas b...

The leavenworth case

One of New York City’s richest retirees is found dead in his library, making his family and closest friends the focus of the investigation. This is a classic case of whodunit that forces the reader to expect the unexpected. Horatio Leavenworth was a successful merchant fatally shot in his own hom...

Bliss, and other stories

Originally published in 1920, Bliss and Other Stories, is an iconic collection of Katherine Mansfield’s masterful narratives that include “The Man Without a Temperament." This captivating work embodies the author’s signature style and unmistakable tone.Bliss and Other Stories consists of fourteen...

The silver domino

Author Marie Corelli’s brilliant commentary on the personal and professional politics of the literary community full of colorful characters fueled by fame, criticism and competition. It’s a bold and insightful depiction of nineteenth century publishing. At the time of publication, Marie Corell...

Romola

Romola is a brilliant young woman who unknowingly falls in love with a handsome stranger whose true nature is fueled by greed, status and ego. Over the course of the novel, she uncovers his many transgressions and secret dealings. A handsome stranger called Tito Melema arrives in Florence and ...

The antiquary

After meeting during their travels, William Lovel, a young man, and Oldbuck, an antiquary, become good friends. Bonded over their shared interests, Lovel is very intrigued by Oldbuck’s collections, particularly by the elder man's latest find, an ancient book about Roman ruins. Impressed by the yo...

Under western eyes

Growing up as an orphan, Razumou adopted the belief that all of Russia was his family, a sentiment that he carries into his higher education. Because of this, when talks of revolution start arising in Russia, Razumou decides to stay neutral. However, this becomes increasingly difficult when most...

The judgement house

A woman stuck in a loveless marriage is torn between her duty and desire to reconcile with a former fiancé after an extended absence. The Judgement House tests the importance of one’s family, integrity and social status. Jasmine Grenfel is a determined woman who has encountered her share of rich...

Adam bede

Adam Bede falls in love with a teenage orphan, who is being secretly seduced by a wealthy squire, which leads to a series of tragedies. Adam attempts to navigate the situation exposing lies and unexpected betrayals. In the small village of Hayslope, a group of men and women are pulled into an...

The love of clitophon and leucippe

The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is an ancient Greek romance novel by Achilles Tatius. Considered an important predecessor to the modern novel, The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe has served as a model for such writers as Eusthathius Macrembolites and Alonso Nuñez de Reinoso. The novel remains c...

Abandoned

Abandoned by Jules Verne is a crossover sequel of two of Verne’s most popular novels, In search of Castaways and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Set during the American Civil War, five Northern prisoners of war band together despite their different backgrounds. Cyrus is a railroad engineer...

The chessmen of mars

Tara and Gahan are each Barsoomian royalty, residing in two prominent cities, Helium, and Gathol. Hoping to align the cities and enjoy the advantages of a romantic union, Gahan wishes to marry Tara. However, Tara does not reciprocate this love. After rejecting the engagement, Tara sets out in he...

The federalist papers

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) is a collection of essays and articles by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Written in support of the recently completed Constitutional Convention, The Federalist Papers were intended to support the ratification process of the new United States Con...

The princess and curdie

Princess Irene’s great-great grandmother instructs Curdie to visit Gwyntystorm, the place where the king and his daughter have become unsuspecting targets of the royal court. He plans to use natural and magical gifts to save the king from impending danger. Following the events of The Princess an...

The wild swans at coole

The Wild Swans at Coole (1919) is a collection of poems by W.B. Yeats. Written while the poet was at the height of his career, The Wild Swans at Coole presents Yeats’ typical concerns—aging, love, and the nature of art—against the backdrop of a decade of war. These poems, written during the First...

The headswoman

The Headswoman (1898) is a story by Kenneth Grahame. Although less popular than The Wind in the Willows (1908), which would go on to become not only a defining work of Edwardian English literature, but one of the most popular works of children’s fiction in the world, The Headswoman is a humorous ...

The secret agent

Adolf Verloc is working as a spy in London, when he’s recruited to commit a terrorist act that could endanger the lives of countless citizens. It’s a professional decision that has an unexpected impact on his personal life. Adolf Verloc lives in London and runs a shop where he sells underground ...

Redgauntlet: a tale of the eighteenth century

The life of a young law student, Darsie Latimer, is thrown into disarray when he is kidnapped by a man named Hugh Redgauntlet. Taken to an unfamiliar village, Darsie is reunited with his sister, and soon realizes that Redgauntlet is his uncle. Unclear of his uncle’s motivations, Darsie notices th...

Lost face

Lost Face (1910) is a collection of seven short stories by American writer Jack London. Drawing on his experiences as a gold prospector in the Yukon, London explores the life of humanity at the edge of civilization. In these stories of life and death, nature reigns supreme over society, and even ...

The federalist papers

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) is a collection of essays and articles by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Written in support of the recently completed Constitutional Convention, The Federalist Papers were intended to support the ratification process of the new United States Con...

The shadow-line

A new captain must lead his crew to safety and face his own internal struggles as he works to overcome disrespect, insanity, and coming-of-age all while sailing on an unforgiving sea. There is an invisible line that divides life into a before and after—adolescence and adulthood. The unnamed nar...

Rime of the ancient mariner

While traveling to a wedding, a young man is pulled into the eventful narrative of the Ancient Mariner who is compelled to share his story. It’s a miraculous tale about guilt, humanity and one’s capacity to change. The Ancient Mariner notices a young man traveling to a nearby wedding. He abrupt...

Beauchamp's career

After being injured during war, young naval officer Nevil Beauchamp is ordered to recover in Venice. With high ideals and big dreams, Nevil quickly falls in love with an energetic and intelligent young French woman named Renee de Croisnel. Though Nevil dreams of marrying Renee, eloping and living...

The defeat of youth and other poems

The Defeat of Youth and Other Poems (1918) is a collection of poems by English author Aldous Huxley. Although Huxley is known foremost as a novelist, his poetry exhibits a mastery of language and an uncommon sense of the music inherent to words. The Defeat of Youth and Other Poems is his third po...

Nostromo

Giovanni Battista Fidanza, also known as Nostromo, is a revered seaman who is asked to smuggle a shipment of silver out of a war-torn country. Despite his stellar reputation, Nostromo encounters an unexpected challenge that will test his skills and ethics. Costaguana is a fictional South Americ...

The trimmed lamp and other stories of the four million

The Trimmed Lamp (1907) is a collection of twenty-five short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and prisoner, these stories address themes of poverty and city life with humor and abundant empathy. Its focus on the regular, working class people of New Yo...

Adolphe

Adolphe is just past the his coming-of-age, but has a much more room to grow. As the son of a government official, Adolphe has a privilege of comfortable wealth and access to a good education, however, he feels trapped in routine, boredom, and a bleak world. Shaped by his childhood, Adolphe has a...

Rasputin the rascal monk

Rasputin the Rascal Monk (1917) is a work of historical nonfiction by Anglo-French writer William Le Queux. Published at the height of Le Queux’s career as a leading author of popular thrillers, Rasputin the Rascal Monk indulges in the paranoid atmosphere of the First World War to weave a siniste...

Eminent victorians

Featuring prominent figures in education, religion, science, and war, Eminent Victorians is a fascinating collection of Victorian biographies. Beginning with a discussion of the achievements of Cardinal Manning, Strachey provides insight on the Cardinal’s rise to power and follows the creation of...

Uncle vanya

Uncle Vanya (1898) is a four-act play by Russian short story writer and playwright Anton Chekhov. It was first performed at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1899, directed by acclaimed actor Konstantin Stanislavski—who also played the role of Astrov. Reviews were lukewarm at first, but as the play conti...

Tales of unrest

Featuring five works of short fiction from the critically acclaimed author, Joseph Conrad, Tales of Unrest is a fascinating exploration of human struggle and philosophy. Karain: A Memory adopts elements of a traditional ghost story, setting an eerie mood as it explores the duality common amon...

The sorrows of satan

A poverty-stricken man suddenly inherits a fortune and is guided by the mysterious Lucio who introduces him to a world of fame, greed and materialism. As he navigates a path of destruction, he begins to question his partner’s motives. Geoffrey Tempest is a struggling writer on the verge of hom...

Fanny hill

Fanny Hill: or, the Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (1749) is an erotic novel and early work of pornography by English author John Cleland. Written while Cleland was in prison, the novel was both successful and controversial, banned from publication but widely distributed in pirated and heavily ed...

The sketch-book of geoffrey crayon

In this collection of thirty-four essays and short stories, Washington Irving explores the personality of his pseudonym, Geoffrey Crayon, while providing a study on human behavior. Rip Van Winkle introduces the famed literacy title character, an unmotivated, care-free man who drinks and parties ...

A princess of mars

Soon after the American Civil War, Confederate soldier John Carter joins the gold rush in Arizona. After striking a vein of gold, Carter runs into trouble with the natives of the area. In attempts to evade their pursuit, Carter hides in a cave, unaware of its magical properties. Mysteriously, Car...

Carmilla

Carmilla (1872) is a novella by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Published twenty-six years before Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Le Fanu’s work of Gothic horror and mystery is considered an important early entry in the genre of vampire fiction. Recorded in the casebook of Dr. Hesselius, a medical professional w...

Uncle silas

Uncle Silas (1864) is a novel by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Expanded from an earlier short story, Uncle Silas is considered an important precursor to the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, and remains the author’s most popular novel. It has been adapted several times for film, television, and radio. Foll...

American indian stories

American Indian Stories (1921) is a collection of stories and essays from Yankton Dakota writer Zitkála-Šá. Published while Zitkála-Šá was at the height of her career as an artist and activist, American Indian Stories collects the author’s personal experiences, the legends and stories passed down...

The grandissimes

A prosperous New Orleans family, led by Honoré Grandissime, is faced with a moral and financial dilemma that could threaten the livelihood of future generations. The old guard is confronted by new thinkers, opposing their way of life and actively seeking change. Honoré Grandissime is the patriar...

Julius caesar

Julius Caesar was a general and stateman whose favor among the Roman people was viewed as a threat and source of conflict with other consuls. He was eventually targeted by a group of conspirators who sought to neutralize his power and influence.After defeating his longtime enemy, Pompey, Caesar i...

Hawaii's story by hawaii's queen

Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen is a moving personal portrait of a girl who grew up to become Hawaii’s first and only queen, a beloved monarch who fought for the rights of her people.Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen is an autobiography by Queen Lili‘uokalani. Published in 1898, the book was writ...

At fault

At Fault (1890) is a novel by American author Kate Chopin. Published at the author’s expense, At Fault is the undervalued debut of a pioneering feminist and gifted writer who sought to portray the experiences of Southern women struggling to survive in an era decimated by war and economic hardship...

The tempest

An exiled nobleman seeks revenge on a group of shipwrecked passengers. The Tempest, by William Shakespeare, is both a comedy and tragedy as it details one man’s relentless quest for retribution. The story centers on two royal brothers, one of whom is cast aside, while the other usurps his positio...

Ivanov

Ivanov (1889) is a drama in four acts by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. Written in ten days, the play premiered in 1887 at Moscow’s Korsh Theatre and was initially a failure due to its rushed composition, production issues, and significant changes made to Chekhov’s script. Disappointed but far fro...

The story of the stone

For generations, the Jia family is held in high esteem but when they lose favor with the emperor, their luxury lifestyle comes to an end. The Story of the Stone focuses on internal and external conflicts that arise as they adjust to their unexpected plight. Jia Baoyu is heir to a prestigious fam...

An ideal husband

Sir Robert Chiltern is a rising political star who’s confronted by the unsavory Mrs. Cheveley with news that could destroy his personal and professional life. In An Ideal Husband Sir Robert is forced to face the truth about his deceptive origins. Sir Robert Chiltern and his wife Lady Chiltern ar...

Childe harold's pilgrimage

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1812-1818) is a book length poem by British Romantic Lord Byron. Published in cantos, the narrative poem is arranged in four parts, each following the journey of Harold, a character based on Byron himself. Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage established Byron’s reputation as a ...

The diary of delia

Delia is a confident young woman who works as a housekeeper for a small family. Every morning, she gets up before everyone else and makes breakfast for each family member, then starts on her cleaning tasks. Despite her close relationship with the family she works for, Delia feels that she has mo...

The wind among the reeds

The Wind Among the Reeds (1899) is a collection of poems and plays by W.B. Yeats. Containing many of the poet’s early important works, The Wind Among the Reeds provides a rich sampling of Yeats’ poems, illuminating his influence on the Celtic Twilight, a late-nineteenth century movement to revive...

Tales of soldiers and civilians

In Tales of Soldiers and Civilians and Other Stories, humor and horror paint a bleak picture of war, marked by violence, isolation and looming madness. Despite the subject matter, the macabre tone is balanced by the author’s satirical prose and signature levity. Tales of Soldiers and Civilians...

The canterville ghost

Despite multiple warnings, Horace B. Otis and his family move to Canterville Chase, a sprawling English manor with a dark history and a lingering guest. From the brilliant mind of Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost is an irreverent mix of horror and humor. Canterville Chase is an English estate...

The flame

The Flame (1900) is a novel by Gabriele D’Annunzio. Inspired by the author’s interpretation of the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and Walter Pater, The Flame is a semi-autobiographical account of the end of D’Annunzio’s relationship with famed actress Eleonora Dusa. Considered a central text of Ital...

The grey woman and other tales

All set in 19th century England, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell’s The Grey Woman and Other Tales feature thrilling tales of suspense and morality. Disappearances follows the investigation of a case of six men disappearing without a trace. Unsure whether to suspect a runaway, foul play, or the supern...

In the year 2889

From an author with countless beloved science fiction classics, In the Year 2889 is a short work of science fiction that imagines the future. Set in the year 2889, George Washington Smith is a wealthy and ambitious businessman. He possesses a great amount of influence on his society, not just be...

Seven keys to baldpate

Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913) is a mystery novel by Earl Derr Biggers. Although he is widely known as the author of a bestselling series of novels featuring Chinese American detective Charlie Chan, Biggers worked for years as a struggling mystery writer with moderate success. Seven Keys to Baldpa...

In a german pension

In a German Pension captures the youthful views of esteemed writer, Katherine Mansfield, who jumpstarted her illustrious career with a series of remarkable short stories. It showcases her growth and scope as a formidable nineteenth century writer. A captivating collection of short stories center...

The secret of the night

The Secret of the Night (1913) is a novel by French writer Gaston Leroux. The Secret of the Night marked the third appearance of popular character Joseph Rouletabille, a reporter and part-time sleuth who features in several of Leroux’s novels. Originally a journalist, Leroux turned to fiction aft...

Sarrasine

Sarrasine (1831) is a novella by French author Honoré de Balzac. Written as part of his La Comédie humaine sequence, Sarrasine is one of Balzac’s earliest works published without a pseudonym and helped to establish his reputation as a serious writer and distinguished member of Parisian high socie...

The lifted veil

Latimer is cursed with psychic abilities that allow him to see the future, yet he’s unable to avoid the dark turn of his own life. What many consider a gift, he sees as a curse that has destroyed his ability to have normal relationships. Latimer can hear people’s deepest thoughts and has visions...

Martin eden

“[Jack London was] a great gobbler-up of the world, physically and intellectually, the kind of writer who went to a place and wrote his dreams into it, the kind of writer who found an Idea and spun his psyche around it.”—E.L. DoctorowMartin Eden (1909) is a novel by American writer Jack London. T...

Daniel deronda

Daniel Deronda is a goodhearted man who’s often occupied with the struggles of others including the selfish Gwendolen Harleth and the young runaway, Mirah Lapidoth. In an effort to help Mirah, Daniel is exposed to a different culture and experiences that challenge everything he knows. Daniel D...

Maggie

Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893) is a novel by American writer Stephen Crane. Self-published by Crane when the author was only 22 years old, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets has since been recognized as the first work of American literary Naturalism. Inspired by his experience as a working repor...

Suffrage songs and verses

Suffrage Songs and Verses (1911) is a collection of political poems by American author and feminist Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Inspired by her work as a social reformer and advocate for women’s suffrage, Gilman turned to poetry as a means of supporting the cause of suffragists everywhere. Although...

Sara crewe

Prior to the publication of A Little Princess, Francis Burnett’s classic tale appeared in a serialized novella called Sara Crewe, or What Happened at Miss Minchin’s. It’s the brilliant heartwarming story of a young girl who’s driven by love, compassion and an unwavering resilience that leads to a...

Chance

Young Flora de Barral, is the daughter of a man whose sudden bankruptcy and conviction, have forced her to face a harsh and uncertain reality. Chance is a clever examination of risk and the impact of unforeseen circumstance. Chance features Conrad’s signature narration as it describes the exper...

A passage to india

A Passage to India (1924) is a novel by English author E.M. Forster. Written during the rise of the Indian independence movement against the British Raj, A Passage to India is considered one of the greatest novels of twentieth century English literature. The novel has also been an important work ...

The people of the abyss

The People of the Abyss (1903) is a work of nonfiction by American writer Jack London. Written after the author spent three months living in London’s poverty-stricken East End, The People of the Abyss bears witness to the difficulties faced by hundreds and thousands of people every day in one of ...

Votes for women

Votes for Women! (1907) is a play by American actress, writer, and suffragette Elizabeth Robins. Having established herself as one of England’s leading actresses with her productions of Henrik Ibsen’s dramas, Robins retired from the stage to pursue a writing career. Votes for Women!, inspired by ...

The marriage of heaven and hell

Written in the form of biblical prophecy, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell presents philosophical ideas about God, humanity and the complex nature of ethics. It’s a bold yet humorous examination of binary belief systems and their conflicting principles. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell is a remark...

The libation bearers

After receiving an ultimatum from Apollo, Orestes must decide if he’d rather face the wrath of the gods, or the earthly consequences for his actions When Orestes returns home to Agos after hearing of his father’s death, he has a quest and a secret. Since he had been banished from the kingdom by ...

A boy's will

A Boy’s Will (1913) is a collection of poems by American poet Robert Frost. Published in London and dedicated to the poet’s wife, Elinor, A Boy’s Will, which received enthusiastic early reviews from both Ezra Pound and W.B. Yeats, launched Frost’s career as America’s leading poet of the early-twe...

The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano

A first-person narrative of Olaudah Equiano’s journey from his native Africa to the New World, that follows his capture, introduction to Christianity and eventual release. His story is an eye-opening depiction of personal resilience in the face of structural oppression. Olaudah Equiano’s origi...

The bishop and other stories

Selected poems

Selected Poems (1923) is a collection of poems by American poet Robert Frost. Dedicated to Edward Thomas, a friend of Frost’s and an important English poet who died toward the end of the First World War, Selected Poems is a wonderful sampling of poems from Frost’s early collections, including A B...