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 squaw spy; or the rangers of the lava-bedsAmidst a brutal conflict with the Modoc tribe, a daring scout and a Native American spy navigate danger and deception in a desperate mission to capture the elusive rebel leader and…
Level C1AdventureThe sporting chanceAmidst the thrilling backdrop of the Derby, a spirited group of sportsmen and society figures gather, led by the determined Sir Roderick Macphane and the ambitious Mostyn Clithero.
Level A2RomanceThe spider's webA determined man spends days navigating the chaotic Midway, searching through crowds for a mysterious woman who has captivated him.
Level B2AdventureThe somnolence of SomersAn invalid seeking adventure in the Wild West finds himself drawn into a tense cattle rustler chase, where old friendships and past rivalries resurface amid the sun-drenched danger…
Level B2AdventureThe skeleton scout; or, The border blockIn the heart of Indian territory, a towering Yankee navigates a river on a log-turned-canoe toward a fortified cabin guarded by wary sentries, setting the stage for a tense encount…
Level C1AdventureThe silent placesIn the remote northern wilderness, seasoned men of the Hudson's Bay Company gather at a river post, their lives entwined with the harsh land and its secrets.
Level C1AdventureThe sign of the prophetTwo companions navigate the wild Scioto River in 1811, racing to join General Harrison’s army while facing the challenges of early frontier life and unexpected encounters along the…
Level C1AdventureThe shipwreckA seaman-poet combines nautical expertise with vivid imagination to portray the harrowing experience of a shipwreck, offering both a gripping narrative and a technical guide to sur…
Level B2MysteryThe secret of the old millTwo brothers, amateur detectives and sons of a famed sleuth, find themselves drawn into mystery when a stranger’s urgent request and a missing father set the wheels turning in thei…
Level C1Science FictionThe secret of the islandStranded on a mysterious island for years, a group of castaways faces an unexpected arrival that could change their fate.
Level B1MysteryThe secret of the cavesAmid the lazy waters of Barmet Bay, two brothers follow in their detective father’s footsteps, ready to swap boredom for adventure as mysterious events begin to stir.
Level B2AdventureThe secret of the Australian desertIn the scorching heart of Australia’s desert, a daring expedition sets out to unravel the mysterious fate of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and uncover ancient secrets hidden beneath t…
Level B2MysteryThe secret in the hillAfter his mother's death, a young boy accompanies his father on a legal circuit, where courtroom tales and a mysterious feud between twin booksellers set the stage for a hidden sec…
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 B2AdventureThe sailor heroAs war with France erupts, a spirited young midshipman aboard the flagship Victory faces rivalry and suspicion over his mysterious origins, while forging unlikely alliances and pro…
Level B2AdventureThe sailor boyA young sailor’s heart burns with patriotic fire as news of a naval victory ignites his dreams of joining the fight, but his mother wrestles with the cost of war on her family and…
Level B1AdventureThe saddle boys on the plainsTwo adventurous boys set out from their Arizona ranch to investigate mysterious troubles at the distant Cherry Blossom Mine, riding across vast plains toward hidden dangers and unt…
Level B2RomanceThe rose of old St. LouisA young man recovering from river fever embarks on a tense mission to St.
Level B2AdventureThe rogue elephantTwo boys join a daring African expedition to hunt wild elephants, living off the land with no luxury or support.
Level B2AdventureThe robbers' caveSet in wild Calabria, a proud young Englishman and his delicate mother endure a weary journey to a remote inn, where tensions rise amid rugged landscapes and clashing wills, hintin…
Level B2MysteryThe river of starsAn expedition ventures into the perilous Alebi wilderness to uncover the mysterious River of Stars and its rumored diamond mines, but hostile tribes and uncharted dangers threaten…
Level B2AdventureThe rival bicyclistsTwo rival boys race their bicycles under a full moon, unaware that a removed bridge ahead threatens a deadly plunge into a raging river below.
Level B2AdventureThe riddle of Three-Way CreekIn a harsh Canadian wilderness blanketed by an impending snowstorm, a determined mounted policeman escorts a defiant prisoner through treacherous terrain, where survival depends on…
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 B2FantasyThe red feathersIn a mystical era where gods and giants roam, Run-all-day, a swift and skilled hunter of the Beothic tribe, strives to protect his growing family amid the wilds of ancient Newfound…
Level B2RomanceThe rebellion of the PrincessIn a cold Moscow courtyard, a defiant figure mocks a cruel steward, sparking a daring rebellion within the oppressive walls of a boyar’s palace—where power, wit, and courage collid…
Level B1MysteryThe radio girls of RoselawnTwo curious girls dive into the exciting world of radio, eager to install their own set and unlock mysterious broadcasts from the air.
Level B2AdventureThe quest of the Silver Swan: A land and sea tale for boysStranded on a fragile raft in shark-infested waters after their shipwreck, four desperate men battle starvation and the merciless sea, clinging to hope as they navigate the wild oc…
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 A2MysteryThe presidential snapshotIn a tense cabinet meeting, the President confronts a troubling rumor involving the Republic of Baracoa’s leader, Portiforo, while debating the trustworthiness of conflicting repor…
Level B2AdventureThe pirate's goldA seasoned adventurer retraces a perilous mountain path in the Scottish Highlands by night, guided only by the sound of stones tossed ahead, as a mysterious treasure discovered off…
Level B2MysteryThe pirate sharkA determined young mechanic is swept into an unexpected Pacific voyage aboard a millionaire’s yacht, where mystery and adventure await on the enigmatic island of Tringanu.
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 B2AdventureThe pearl divers and Crusoes of the Sargasso SeaIn the eerie, weed-entangled Sargasso Sea, bold English youths and mysterious castaways navigate a silent, treacherous ocean filled with lost ships, hidden secrets, and haunting ec…
Level B2Science FictionThe outlaw of TornIn 13th-century England, a bold challenge to King Henry III ignites a fierce power struggle, setting the stage for the mysterious visored horseman and a tale of revenge and lost ro…
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 B1AdventureThe old mine's secretA restless boy struggles with chores and family expectations on a quiet April morning, while secrets linger in the ruins of an old family mansion.
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 B2MysteryThe ocean wireless boys of the iceberg patrolA young wireless operator aboard a new freighter races against danger on the icy Atlantic, using his inventive portable radio and keen skills to navigate treacherous waters and unr…
Level B2AdventureThe nugget findersTwo resourceful boys, an orphan and a young sailor, embark on a daring adventure in Australia’s gold fields, armed with courage, friendship, and a modest sum of money, determined t…
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 B2AdventureThe naval cadet: A story of adventures on land and seaA spirited young Highlander with a mysterious past, Creggan M'Vayne navigates wild seas and rugged lands, earning respect and uncovering adventure from the rocky shores of Skye to…
Level B2MysteryThe mystery of the Sea-LarkIn a quaint Massachusetts fishing town, a fierce storm has claimed a missing boat, stirring old secrets and suspicions.
Level B2MysteryThe mystery of Cabin IslandWhen the Hardy boys plan a winter camping trip on a cozy cabin island, their adventure turns icy and thrilling as homemade ice-boats race across frozen Barmet Bay—where a mysteriou…
Level B2AdventureThe moving picture boys on the war frontAmid the chaos of filming a Civil War battle scene, two young cameramen navigate tense rehearsals and unruly extras while a determined producer demands authentic action for his mov…
Level B2MysteryThe moving picture boys on the coastTwo young filmmakers brave desert dangers and hostile tribes to capture rare images of Moqui Indians, but their adventure turns urgent when they must rescue rivals and uncover clue…
Level B2AdventureThe moving picture boys at PanamaTwo adventurous boys on a powerful motorcycle enjoy a peaceful vacation until a runaway horse-drawn carriage races toward a broken bridge, forcing them to act quickly to prevent di…
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.