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 C1AdventureThe sea-hawkA disgraced Cornish gentleman turns from seclusion to the high seas, becoming a renegade and Barbary corsair with a chance to rise to power—if his turbulent past and dangerous intr…
Level C1MysteryThe red-hot dollar, and other stories from the Black CatA hatless man races against time and fate to catch a departing train, only to stumble and lose his chance—yet the pursuit reveals a tense encounter with a desperate young woman and…
Level C1AdventureThe red wizard, or, the cave captiveIn the rugged frontier, a compassionate scout defies deadly prejudice by sparing a wounded Sioux squaw, sparking tension and mystery among a wary emigrant party.
Level C1RomanceThe prisoner of ZendaA carefree English gentleman finds his idle life upended when his royal heritage entangles him in a daring adventure of mistaken identity and political intrigue in the fictional ki…
Level C1AdventureThe phantom tracker; or, The prisoner of the hill caveIn a scorching wilderness where silence reigns, a lone Mexican tracker rides with deadly precision and a mysterious past.
Level C1AdventureThe other halfAn enigmatic elderly man hires a pilot for a swift air journey across the West, driven by a restless search tied to a mysterious half coin and a deep aversion to women.
Level C1AdventureThe odyssey of a torpedoed trampA French cargo ship carrying cotton faces mechanical failure and the sudden outbreak of war as it navigates dangerous waters, forced to decide between uncertainty and loyalty.
Level C1MysteryThe new northlandA sharp-witted office boy uncovers a thrilling Arctic exploration mystery hidden beneath the city’s surface, revealing secrets that challenge justice and ambition.
Level C1AdventureThe monkey that would not killAn unruly monkey named Tricky escapes every confinement, causing chaos and laughter alike, as no one can tame or abandon him.
Level C1MysteryThe mis-rule of threeIn a shabby London lodging-house, three struggling friends—a clerk, a writer, and a painter—navigate cramped quarters, artistic pretensions, and simmering tensions as they confront…
Level C1Science FictionThe master mind of MarsA wounded soldier prays to Mars and is miraculously transported to a strange new world, where he awakens amid alien beings and unknown dangers.
Level C1AdventureThe man in blackAmid the bustling horse fair at Fécamp, a crafty man in black, his boy, and an ape captivate crowds with daring tightrope acts and cunning schemes, weaving intrigue and danger bene…
Level C1AdventureThe man among the monkeys; or, Ninety days in apeland: To which are added: The philosopher and his monkeys, The professor and the crocodile, and other strange stories of men and animalsA skilled taxidermist and hunter inherits his father's vast menagerie of exotic animals, but dangerous adventures—including ruthless pirates and wild jungles—threaten his life as h…
Level C1AdventureThe making of a manTwo brothers from the rugged Orkney Islands face limited prospects and dream of a new life in Canada’s untamed West.
Level C1FantasyThe magic ring, Vol. 3 (of 3)In a storm-lashed castle, Lady Bertha embarks on a perilous night journey to bless a dying Moorish soldier, guided by mysterious signals and her unwavering faith.
Level C1FantasyThe magic ring, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a realm where honor and magic collide, young Sir Otto faces mysterious champions, enchanted rings, and powerful foes as he navigates battles of strength, love, and supernatural…
Level C1FantasyThe magic ring, Vol. 1 (of 3)A mysterious magic ring weaves a tale of chivalry, ancient warriors, and northern legends, inviting readers into a richly imagined world where history and romance intertwine throug…
Level C1AdventureThe lucky little stiffAmid the mud and chaos of 1917 France, three mismatched American aviators navigate military discipline, mistaken identities, and daring escapades behind enemy lines.
Level C1AdventureThe lost hunter: A tale of early timesIn a rugged land free from lords and slaves, bold thoughts and daring hands shape survival and friendship.
Level C1AdventureThe lively adventures of Gavin HamiltonAmid the frozen desolation of war-torn Silesia, a dashing French captain and a lone resilient soldier face starvation and relentless enemies.
Level C1MysteryThe lion's shareA young Southern man’s reckless investments lead to tragedy amid a crashing stock market, drawing a colonel into a web of grief, anger, and Wall Street intrigue.
Level C1AdventureThe life of a celebrated buccaneerA daring buccaneer rules a rugged island fortress, turning treacherous coves into bustling ports teeming with ships, plunder, and peril.
Level C1AdventureThe life and adventures of a catExplore the curious nature of cats, whose mysterious blend of solemnity and mischief defies all other animals.
Level C1AdventureThe last buccaneerIn 1708 Bristol, two friends encounter a mysterious seafarer with a curious treasure, drawing them into a world of intrigue and adventure where the line between merchant and pirate…
Level C1RomanceThe king's ringAmidst the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, a young surgeon abandons his ecclesiastical studies to join the battlefield, navigating loyalty, love, and survival in a world torn by…
Level C1AdventureThe island of the stairsA sailor discovers the body of Sir Geoffrey, who has taken his own life under mysterious circumstances, and uncovers a letter addressed to Mistress Lucy.
Level C1AdventureThe islandStranded on a remote Pacific island, a man of society confronts the stark contrast between his bustling London life and the raw forces of nature, forcing him to question the very f…
Level C1AdventureThe hounds of GodA young nobleman imprisoned amid deadly court intrigues must navigate betrayal and ambition while grappling with the tragic downfall of a close friend entangled with Queen Elizabet…
Level C1RomanceThe history and adventures of the renowned Don QuixoteA deluded nobleman, inspired by chivalric tales, sets out on a quest with his loyal squire to revive knighthood and seek adventure, blurring the line between reality and imaginatio…
Level C1Science FictionThe great white way;: a record of an unusual voyage of discovery, and some romantic love affairs amid strange surroundingsA young dreamer with a seafaring legacy sets out on a daring expedition to the South Pole, convinced of a hidden, fertile land beyond the icy barrier.
Level C1AdventureThe golden poolA lost match-box leads a young sea lover into a web of strange rumors, secret relics, and perilous adventures across Africa.
Level C1AdventureThe frontiersmenIn the untamed wilderness of 1783 Western New York, frontier settlers and Native American tribes clash amid the turmoil of the Revolutionary War, where alliances shift and survival…
Level C1AdventureThe family Robinson CrusoeShipwrecked on a deserted island, a resourceful father guides his wife and four sons through survival, blending adventure with practical lessons in natural history and mechanics.
Level C1RomanceThe emperor's candlesticksAmid Vienna’s dazzling Shrove Tuesday carnival, a masked Tsarevitch pursues a mysterious, playful odalisque through the opera’s enchanted halls, where hidden identities and daring…
Level C1AdventureThe eagle's wing: A story of the ColoradoRawley King returns home to face the mysterious, brooding grandfather who once ruled the frontier with fierce strength but is now confined to a wheelchair.
Level C1AdventureThe doom trailIn fog-shrouded London, a lone swordsman stumbles into a fierce alley brawl, while across the wilderness, the fate of a shattered Native American confederacy and colonial powers ha…
Level C1RomanceThe desire of the moth ;In a vast, untamed landscape, John Wesley Pringle embarks on a leisurely journey westward, seeking new horizons beyond prosperity and routine.
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 C1AdventureThe castaways of the flagAfter surviving mutiny and island hardships, the Swiss Family Robinson's saga continues as a young colony grows on New Switzerland, blending adventure, romance, and history in a vi…
Level C1AdventureThe cardinal's musketeerIn the shadowy streets of 17th-century Paris, a gifted clockmaker’s adopted son discovers a world of intricate timepieces and hidden mysteries within his father’s shop, where mecha…
Level C1AdventureThe buccaneer book: Songs of the black flagDive into the daring world of seventeenth-century pirates as songs and stories reveal fierce battles, forbidden love, and the haunting legends of the Scourge of the Caribs during h…
Level C1MysteryThe black cat, vol. I, no. 3, December 1895On Melbourne Cup Day, a stranger arrives too late for the races but finds himself drawn into a world of dazzling fashion, high stakes, and whispered secrets at the Victoria Club.
Level C1AdventureThe black cat, vol. I, no. 2, November 1895In the rugged Calaveras foothills of 1880, a wary man with a gun waits beneath the chaparral, caught between a violent past and the hope sparked by Rudy, whose faith and fierce spi…
Level C1RomanceThe adventurous ladyIn the chaotic aftermath of war, a composed young woman in a fur coat navigates a bustling train station teeming with diverse travelers, determined to reach her destination beyond…
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Rob RoyIn the rugged Scottish Highlands, young Colin Bane and Oina MacAleister grow up amidst wild landscapes and fierce clans, where strength and courage are tested in a land marked by a…
Level C1RomanceThe adventures of Hatim Taï, a romanceFollow the legendary Hatim Taï, a chivalrous Arabian chief renowned for unmatched bravery, wisdom, and generosity, as he embarks on thrilling adventures filled with heroic deeds, n…
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Captain O'SheaAmidst the Cuban rebellion against Spain, Captain O’Shea commands the daring tug Fearless, smuggling patriots and explosive cargo through perilous waters where capture means jail a…
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Captain Mago; or, a Phoenician expedition, B.C. 1000Set sail on a daring Phoenician expedition as Captain Mago is summoned by King Hiram to secure rare treasures from distant Tarshish, aiding in the grand construction of King David’…
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.