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 C1FantasyThe Story of the Glittering Plain: Which Has Been Also Called the Land of Living Men or the Acre of the UndyingIn a land where the free-spirited Hallblithe prepares for marriage, mysterious travelers seek the elusive Glittering Plain—a realm where sorrow fades and life endures.
Level C1AdventureThe Story of the Foss River Ranch: A Tale of the NorthwestAt a dazzling Polo Club ball, the fiercely independent Jacky navigates the complex social world of Western Canadian ranching, while her guardian faces the heavy burden of protectin…
Level C1AdventureThe Story of TimA young boy named Tim is apprenticed to two mysterious brothers who claim to be craftsmen, but their true trade leads him into a daring world of highway robbery and secretive heist…
Level C1AdventureThe Story of Rolf and the Viking's BowIn a rugged Icelandic landscape where law and legacy shape destinies, a young man inherits a troubled farm and a turbulent past.
Level C1AdventureThe Story of Magellan and The Discovery of the PhilippinesEmbark on the daring voyage of a man scorned by his homeland yet driven by unyielding faith and passion for discovery, as he navigates unknown seas to reveal new worlds and ignite…
Level C1AdventureThe Story of Jack Ballister's Fortunes: Being the narrative of the adventures of a young gentleman of good family, who was kidnapped in the year 1719 and carried to the plantations of the continent of Virginia, where he fell in with that famous pirate Captain Edward Teach, or Blackbeard; of his escape from the pirates and the rescue of a young lady from out their handsKidnapped and sold into servitude on Virginia’s tobacco plantations, a young gentleman finds himself entangled with the infamous pirate Blackbeard, sparking a daring adventure of e…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Grettir the StrongAmidst a harsh Icelandic landscape, a fierce warrior faces supernatural foes and deadly feuds, battling curses and enemies alike as he seeks honor and survival in a world where fat…
Level C1AdventureThe Story of GombiAn aging big-game hunter recounts his thrilling African expedition, where he encounters elusive pygmy tribes and giant elephants, all amidst the wild beauty and danger of the fadin…
Level C1AdventureThe Story of Frithiof the Bold: 1875In a land of kings and mighty warriors, Frithiof the Bold rises as a fearless hero, navigating fierce rivalries, royal intrigues, and ancient customs to win the hand of Ingibiorg,…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Doctor DolittleA kind-hearted doctor with a unique gift speaks the language of animals, inviting readers into a whimsical world where creatures big and small share their stories and adventures al…
Level C1AdventureThe Star WomanIn a remote, frostbitten outpost blending savage beauty and cultured artifacts, a lone man contemplates a mysterious calumet heavy with fate—setting the stage for a gripping advent…
Level C1AdventureThe SpoilersIn the harsh Alaskan frontier, gold fever sparks fierce battles over claims and survival.
Level C1AdventureThe Splendid Spur: Being Memoirs of the Adventures of Mr. John Marvel, a Servant of His Late Majesty King Charles I, in the Years 1642-3Amidst the turmoil of 1642-3, a loyal servant embarks on daring adventures for King Charles I, weaving humor, suspense, and memorable characters into a vivid historical tapestry.
Level C1RomanceThe Spirit of the Border: A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio ValleyAmid the untamed wilderness of the Ohio Valley, a young couple faces the daunting frontier and the fierce conflicts between settlers, outlaws, and Native Americans.
Level C1AdventureThe Spanish brothersIn 16th-century Spain, two noble brothers navigate the trials of a fallen family legacy amid castle walls and rainy days.
Level C1RomanceThe Spanish JadeIn sunlit Castile, a young man with a dangerous secret rides toward a fateful encounter, weaving through a land as stark and unyielding as his own wild heart.
Level C1AdventureThe Spanish Galleon: Being an account of a search for sunken treasure in the Caribbean Sea.Stranded on a remote Caribbean island after a shipwreck, a determined descendant of a famed buccaneer battles exhaustion and thirst while clinging to a chest that may hold sunken t…
Level C1AdventureThe Son of the WolfIn the relentless Alaskan wilderness, two men and a woman struggle to survive a grueling 200-mile journey with starving, vicious sled dogs and scarce supplies, testing their endura…
Level C1FantasyThe Son of TarzanA mysterious, broken man emerges from the African jungle, haunted by a decade of torment and hatred.
Level C1AdventureThe SnareAmidst the turmoil of the Peninsular War, a fiery British commander wrestles with political intrigue, supply shortages, and fierce enemies on the frontier.
Level C1AdventureThe Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-IIIIn a Kentish landscape shadowed by smuggling and lawlessness, bold smugglers clash with dragoons and local peasants defend their homes, weaving a gripping tale of crime, disguise,…
Level C1AdventureThe Smuggler Chief: A NovelIn the bustling, multicultural port city of Valparaíso, a daring French-born smuggler navigates the wild frontiers of 1833 Chile, where semi-civilized tribes and European settlers…
Level C1FantasyThe Smoky God; Or, A Voyage to the Inner WorldAn elderly Norseman’s astonishing tale reveals a hidden world beyond the frozen North, challenging accepted geography and ancient myths with a voyage into an unknown inner Earth.
Level C1AdventureThe Slave of the Mine; or, Jack Harkaway in 'FriscoIn the gambling dens of San Francisco, a restless Englishman wrestles with luck and fate while shadowy figures and high-stakes games pull him deeper into a thrilling adventure wher…
Level C1AdventureThe Slave of the LampAn adventurous tale unfolds as a young man navigates foreign lands and unexpected challenges, immersing himself in the local customs and politics of distant countries, where danger…
Level C1AdventureThe Sky Pilot in No Man's LandA striking youth, poised like a god on a rock, plunges into a river, sparking concern and curiosity from a nearby missionary and his daughter.
Level C1AdventureThe Sirdar's Oath: A Tale of the North-West FrontierAmidst the roaring crowds celebrating a distant victory, a dignified Oriental man faces brutal hostility and mistaken identity on the streets of England.
Level C1AdventureThe Sin That Was HisIn the rugged Yukon mining camp, the skilled and enigmatic gambler Three-Ace Artie maintains an air of mystery and control—until the arrival of a brash newcomer, the Kid, whose rec…
Level C1AdventureThe Silver HordeIn the frozen wilderness near Kalvik, two weary men navigate treacherous trails and bitter storms, bound by mysterious pasts and uneasy companionship, as they confront the harsh re…
Level C1RomanceThe Silent Rifleman! A tale of the Texan prairiesA lone rider journeys across the vast Texan prairie, armed and alert, as dusk approaches and the wilderness stirs around him.
Level C1MysteryThe Silent BarrierAn American named Charles K.
Level C1AdventureThe Sign of the SpiderA disillusioned man, trapped in a grim life and a bitter marriage, decides to gamble everything on the Johannesburg gold rush, seeking a desperate chance to escape his squalid exis…
Level C1AdventureThe Sicilian Bandit: From the Volume "Captain Paul"Beneath Palermo’s sunlit skies and the mysterious sirocco winds, a languid countess stirs in a grand villa, setting the stage for a tale of passion and intrigue amid Sicily’s encha…
Level C1AdventureThe Shriek: A Satirical BurlesqueIn the sun-scorched Sahara, a daring young flapper defies social norms by embarking alone on a desert expedition, stirring scandal among the British expatriates who question her au…
Level C1AdventureThe Shogun's DaughterA young naval officer disillusioned by slow promotion embarks on a long Pacific voyage, drawn by ancestral ties to Japan and the allure of mysterious Eastern islands.
Level C1AdventureThe Shoes of FortuneA chance mishap thrusts Paul Greig from scholarly pursuits into a life of peril and adventure, from Scottish moors to foreign battlefields.
Level C1AdventureThe Ship of CoralStranded on a sun-drenched Bahamian islet after a shipwreck, two survivors salvage supplies and await rescue amidst the haunting echoes of the sea and memories of their lost vessel…
Level C1AdventureThe Ship in the DesertJourney across the untamed American West reveals wild landscapes, fierce encounters, and the enduring spirit of pioneers forging paths through deserts, rivers, and unknown wilderne…
Level C1AdventureThe Shellback's Progress: In the Nineteenth CenturySet sail with rugged, fearless sailors navigating the harsh 19th-century seas, where fierce rivalries, unyielding honor, and a gritty camaraderie define life aboard the waiting fle…
Level C1RomanceThe Sheik: A NovelA fearless young woman defies societal expectations by embarking alone on a daring desert journey, challenging her family's legacy and the strict conventions of English society.
Level C1FantasyThe Shaving of Shagpat; an Arabian entertainment — CompleteA barber named Shibli Bagarag, destined for greatness yet plagued by misfortune, embarks on a journey through enchanted cities and mysterious kingdoms, encountering magic, intrigue…
Level C1AdventureThe Seven StreamsA rugged warrior embarks on a solemn sea quest from the isolated Purple Isle, driven by faith and fierce resolve to reclaim his missing sister.
Level C1AdventureThe Settlers: A Tale of VirginiaAn old sea captain’s trophy-filled home overlooks Plymouth Sound, where two young gentlemen arrive seeking him, setting the stage for an adventurous journey from England to the New…
Level C1AdventureThe Settler and the SavageStranded and starving in the vast South African Karroo, young Charlie Considine encounters Hans Marais, a formidable frontier farmer.
Level C1AdventureThe Secret of the Sands; Or, The "Water Lily" and her CrewA fierce November gale traps a foreign full-rigged ship against the treacherous Chesil Beach, setting the stage for a daring maritime rescue and a thrilling nautical adventure fill…
Level C1MysteryThe Secret of the ReefA young mate aboard a luxury liner crosses paths with a spirited American heiress who reveals her newfound love for the sea, while tales of perilous voyages and harsh trades hint a…
Level C1Science FictionThe Secret of the EarthTwo American brothers arrive in London, struggling with poverty and uncertain futures—one an inventor, the other a writer—soon uncover a mysterious, water-damaged document that pro…
Level C1MysteryThe Secret Service Submarine: A Story of the Present WarRejected from service and stuck teaching at a rundown coastal school, John Carey finds escape in the wild marshes, where his passion for shooting and the mysterious surroundings se…
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.