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 Secret Dispatch; or, The Adventures of Captain BalgonieA young British officer in Russian service struggles through a harsh April night, lost in the wilds of Western Russia, facing perilous rivers and treacherous foes as he seeks a sec…
Level C1AdventureThe Secret Chamber at ChadUnder the moonlit skies of a grand old estate, three brothers face the quiet before a storm of family rivalry and hidden secrets.
Level C1AdventureThe Second MateA battered ship steams toward danger with a drunken crew and mutiny brewing below decks.
Level C1AdventureThe Second LatchkeyAnnesley Grayle faces a heart-pounding decision as she steps into the dazzling Savoy, caught between fear and a desperate need for change.
Level C1AdventureThe Search for the Silver City: A Tale of Adventure in YucatanA young adventurer's summer plans shift when a schoolmate falls ill, leading to an unexpected invitation aboard a grand steam yacht.
Level C1MysteryThe Sealed MessageTwo friends escape to a tranquil trout stream, where rivalries and romantic tensions simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1RomanceThe SeafarersA young woman faces a heart-wrenching farewell as she prepares to leave her home for a distant, unfamiliar world, haunted by eerie dreams that foreshadow the extraordinary and stra…
Level C1AdventureThe Sea-WolfCaught in a dense San Francisco fog, a landlubber embarks on a ferry steamer journey, unaware that the sea’s hidden dangers and fierce characters await to challenge his perception…
Level C1AdventureThe Sea-Witch; Or, The African Quadroon: A Story of the Slave CoastA swift and sleek ship named the Sea Witch sails the Atlantic, crewed by seasoned sailors under the command of a young but confident captain.
Level C1AdventureThe Sea Lions; Or, The Lost SealersAmid the unforgiving polar ice, a group of sealers embarks on a perilous expedition that tests human endurance and humility against nature’s sublime and merciless power.
Level C1AdventureThe Scottish ChiefsIn a Scotland crushed under English conquest, William Wallace retreats to a quiet life with his beloved Marion, torn between resignation and a burning desire to restore his nation'…
Level C1AdventureThe Scarlet PimpernelAmid the terror and chaos of revolutionary Paris, aristocrats desperate to flee face deadly traps at every barricade, while a cunning patriot revels in unmasking them.
Level C1RomanceThe Scarlet CarA spirited autumn day sets the stage for a thrilling ride to the Harvard-Yale game, where rivalries, romance, and unexpected tensions ignite among friends and suitors sharing a sca…
Level C1AdventureThe Scalp HuntersVast prairies and untamed forests paint the backdrop for a gripping tale of survival and conflict in the American West, where hunters and Native Americans clash amid the wild, flow…
Level C1AdventureThe Sampo: A Wonder Tale of the Old NorthAmid the icy waves of the far North, a mysterious shipwrecked hero’s cries summon Dame Louhi and her radiant daughter, the Maid of Beauty, into a world where ancient magic, songs,…
Level C1FantasyThe Saint of the Dragon's Dale: A Fantastical TaleIn a rain-soaked Thuringian forest, young Johann braves eerie legends and enchanted woods to deliver a basket to the mysterious Saint of the Dragon’s Dale, where ancient magic and…
Level C1AdventureThe SailorIn a grim Midland slum, a terrified boy flees a ruthless woman wielding a heavy whip, finding a desperate escape through a hidden hole in a wall.
Level C1AdventureThe Sack of Monte Carlo: An Adventure of To-dayA daring lieutenant plots a bold raid on the opulent Monte Carlo casino, aiming to seize a fortune hidden in its vaults.
Level C1FantasyThe Ruby of KishmoorA notorious pirate’s daring capture of a queen and a legendary ruby sets off a deadly chase for a priceless treasure, as surviving crew members vie for the secret hiding place of t…
Level C1AdventureThe Ruby Sword: A Romance of BaluchistanA lone traveler treks through the harsh, desolate mountain passes of Baluchistan, facing relentless heat, rugged terrain, and looming storms.
Level C1AdventureThe Rover's Secret: A Tale of the Pirate Cays and Lagoons of CubaA solitary artist's distant affection and mysterious family unhappiness shadow a boy's childhood, hinting at hidden secrets beneath their quiet London life.
Level C1RomanceThe Round-Up: A Romance of Arizona; Novelized from Edmund Day's MelodramaA lone prospector treks through the harsh Arizona borderlands, discovering ancient forts and hidden signs amid blazing cacti and rocky trails.
Level C1AdventureThe Rose of Paradise: Being a detailed account of certain adventures that happened to captain John Mackra, in connection with the famous pirate, Edward England, in the year 1720, off the Island of Juanna in the Mozambique Channel; writ by himself, and now for the first time publishedAn East India Company captain embarks on a perilous mission to the island of Juanna, entrusted with secret orders and vast sums of money.
Level C1AdventureThe Rose in the RingUnder a relentless spring storm, three weary men trek a treacherous mountain road in post-war Virginia, guided by a mysterious tall man whose mission defies delay.
Level C1RomanceThe Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede RomeAmidst the legendary exploits of Charlemagne, a fierce Saracen warrior named Fierabras challenges the valor of France’s greatest knights, igniting a saga of combat, honor, and myst…
Level C1AdventureThe Romany RyeWaking to find a damaged chaise and a sleeping postillion, a resourceful traveler forges a vital linch-pin by the campfire, blending skill and determination in this rugged adventur…
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of the WoodsA restless soul, caught between worlds, must choose a secluded place to inhabit as a spiritual essence—immersed in nature’s untouched beauty, far from human chaos.
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of a Mummy and Egypt: The Works of Theophile Gautier, Volume 5In the shadow of ancient Thebes, a determined scholar and a noble Englishman seek an untouched tomb in the Valley of the Kings, uncovering secrets of Egypt’s mysterious past intert…
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in Spain, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid the fiery battles of Spain, a Scottish regiment faces daring raids, shattered cities, and fierce camaraderie, while old loyalties and hidden tensions simmer beneath the clash…
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in Spain, Volume 1 (of 3)Amidst a bitter Highland feud, rival clans find their lives entwined with the valor and romance of war as brave Scottish soldiers join the fierce battles in Spain.
Level C1AdventureThe Romance of War; or, The Highlanders in France and Belgium, A Sequel to the Highlanders in SpainAmid the final days of the Peninsular War, the fiercely proud Highlanders await orders to return home, only to be drawn into fresh battles across France and Belgium.
Level C1FantasyThe Romance of Golden Star ...In a world where ancient Inca mysteries blur the line between life and death, a professor and a daring physiologist uncover a perfectly preserved mummy that may hold the key to los…
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of Gilbert Holmes: An Historical NovelAmid the fading bustle of New Orleans' steamboat wharves, a poignant journey begins, weaving tales of love, life, and hardship in the rugged new country.
Level C1RomanceThe Romance of DollardIn 1660 Quebec, amid the wild Canadian frontier and looming French fortresses, two young men witness the arrival of a spring ship from France, sparking a tale of heroic exploits, f…
Level C1AdventureThe Rock of the LionA young midshipman, once captured fighting against the King, now finds himself aboard a mighty English warship under Admiral Kempenfelt.
Level C1RomanceThe Robber Baron of Bedford CastleIn the turbulent reign after King John, young knight Ralph de Beauchamp seeks to reclaim his family’s ancestral Bedford Castle, now held by a ruthless robber baron.
Level C1AdventureThe RivermanAmid the rugged forests and roaring rivers of 1872, a seasoned crew of river drivers confronts the relentless forces of nature and tension within their ranks, where every misstep c…
Level C1AdventureThe River's EndIn the frozen wilderness near Hudson's Bay, a relentless Mountie finally captures his outlaw rival, only to face a cruel twist of fate as illness turns their hunter-prey bond into…
Level C1AdventureThe Rivals of Acadia: An Old Story of the New WorldTensions rise in 1643 Boston as a French warship approaches the harbor, threatening the peaceful colony.
Level C1AdventureThe Rival Crusoes; Or, The Ship Wreck: Also A Voyage to Norway; and The Fisherman's Cottage.Two rival young men clash over a stolen miniature frigate, sparking a fierce contest of skill and pride by the lake.
Level C1RomanceThe Rising of the Red Man: A Romance of the Louis Riel RebellionAmidst a tense spring thaw in 1885, a fiery prophet rallies half-breeds and Indigenous tribes with promises of a new spiritual era and rebellion, as an eclipse casts an eerie shado…
Level C1AdventureThe Rifle RangersJourney to the untamed land of Anahuac, where emerald forests, towering mountains, and vast deserts hide legends of love, revenge, and adventure.
Level C1MysteryThe Riders of Ramapo PassIn a lawless Western town where fortune and death ride side by side, a sharp-eyed stranger arrives with a mysterious purpose, encountering wary locals and deadly warnings as he see…
Level C1MysteryThe Rider of the Mohave: A Western StoryIn a lawless desert town bursting with gold fever and wild nights, a mysterious rider ignites chaos with a daring challenge to find a legendary sheriff.
Level C1MysteryThe Riddle of the SandsTwo friends uncover a secret German plot during a seemingly innocent yachting cruise, risking everything to alert their government and protect their country from unseen dangers.
Level C1RomanceThe Rescue: A Romance of the ShallowsA tale of daring and romance unfolds as fate tests audacity on the treacherous shallows, where love and courage confront the unknown with every wave.
Level C1AdventureThe RegentA successful man flush with a sudden windfall wrestles with unexpected melancholy and domestic disarray in his meticulously maintained home.
Level C1AdventureThe Red Track: A Story of Social Life in MexicoJourney into the heart of 19th-century Mexico, where vivid tales of social life and wild adventures unfold against the backdrop of a nation at war.
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.