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 C1Science FictionA Strange DiscoveryAn Englishman travels to Southern Illinois to settle his late father’s business, only to find himself drawn into a mysterious discovery that intertwines literature, local legends,…
Level B2AdventureA Story of the Golden AgeEmbark on a vivid journey through ancient Greece, where myths and legends come alive against the backdrop of sea-girt Ithaca and heroic quests, weaving the tales that lead to the e…
Level C1RomanceA Splendid HazardOn a rain-soaked day in Paris, two strangers collide beneath umbrellas near Napoleon’s tomb, sparking memories and mysteries.
Level C1AdventureA Son of the SunStranded on a sun-scorched island, two white men endure fever, heat, and tension while awaiting a mysterious visitor arriving by canoe.
Level C1RomanceA Son of the ImmortalsIn early 20th-century Paris, artist Joan Vernon balances her passion for painting with encounters that hint at romance and rivalry, all set against the vibrant backdrop of the Lati…
Level C1Science FictionA Son of the Ages: The Reincarnations and Adventures of Scar, the Link: A Story of Man From the BeginningJourney through eons as life evolves from primeval seas to fierce prehistoric battles, following a unique link in human ancestry whose mind begins to stir amid savage survival and…
Level B2AdventureA Son of CourageIn a remote wilderness home, Mary Wilson confronts isolation, family tensions, and mysterious hardships, while clinging to her faith and duty to care for those in need.
Level B2AdventureA Soldier's Daughter, and Other StoriesOn the turbulent North-West frontier of India, a soldier’s daughter grapples with the stark contrast between her tomboy life in the barracks and the refined expectations awaiting h…
Level B2RomanceA Soldier of the LegionAt a grand ball in Fort Ellsworth, a captivating actress’s dazzling entrance sets the stage for romance and intrigue, as a charismatic cavalry officer waits eagerly, caught between…
Level C1AdventureA Set of SixSix gripping tales weave adventure, mystery, and human nature across distant lands and seas, each rooted in true events and vivid memories shared by those who lived them.
Level C1AdventureA Set of Rogues: Namely Christopher Sutton, John Dawson, the Señor Don Sanchez Del Castillo De Castelaña and Moll Dawson; Their Wicked Conspiracy, and a True Account of Their Travels and AdventuresA troupe of actors turned wanderers struggles to survive plague-ravaged England, facing misfortune, mischief, and misadventure on the road.
Level C1AdventureA Secret of the LebomboIn a sun-drenched African valley, a man discovers two thieves butchering his stolen sheep, leading to a tense, dangerous confrontation where survival hinges on quick thinking and u…
Level C1AdventureA Sea Queen's SailingAmid the smoldering ruins of his family hall, a lone captive faces the aftermath of a brutal raid that shatters peace between Norse settlers and mysterious invaders.
Level B2AdventureA Scout of To-dayA spirited fourteen-year-old boy ventures beyond familiar salt-marshes into the vast, mysterious New England woods, eager to uncover hidden secrets and thrilling adventures that te…
Level B2AdventureA Sailor in Spite of HimselfRival rowing crews at a Southern academy prepare for a thrilling championship race that has the whole town buzzing with excitement and divided loyalties.
Level C1AdventureA Sack of ShakingsAmidst the serene Pacific, a majestic bull sperm whale and his harem navigate the perils of the deep, nurturing new life while preparing to face the harsh Antarctic and the lurking…
Level B2AdventureA Runaway Brig; Or, An Accidental CruiseTwo boys seize a rare chance to sail the leaky tender Sally Walker before its skipper departs, unaware their seaside adventure may lead to unexpected challenges far from shore.
Level C1AdventureA Roving Commission; Or, Through the Black Insurrection at HaytiA spirited young midshipman aboard H.
Level C1AdventureA Rough ShakingAmidst the harmony of a perfect June day, a mysterious bond unfolds between a man and a magnificent horse, stirring curiosity and hinting at a deeper story of friendship and unders…
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 5: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreA daring smuggler and his quick-witted daughter navigate intrigue and danger aboard the notorious yacht Ninety-Nine, challenging authority with wit and cunning amid the summer haze…
Level B2AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 4: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreIn the frozen wilderness of the North, a solitary mail carrier named Little Babiche braves deadly cold and isolation with his loyal Esquimaux dogs, carrying messages across vast, i…
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 3: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreAmid the roaring rapids and log drives of the Madawaska River, an old man and his spirited granddaughter find refuge in a weathered house once famed as a tavern.
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 1: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreJourney into the rugged Far North alongside Pierre and his close-knit community, where vivid tales of adventure, human passion, and survival unfold amidst snowy wilderness and time…
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, Complete: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreJourney into the rugged northern wilderness alongside Pierre, where vivid characters and gripping human passions unfold amidst a landscape as wild and stirring as the tales themsel…
Level C1RomanceA Romance of the West IndiesAmid the turbulent Caribbean of 1690, a resourceful priest balances his sacred duties with the harsh realities of war, defending his colony against pirates and enemies while naviga…
Level B2RomanceA Rock in the BalticA chance encounter in a Maine bank sparks a tense chase involving a mysterious woman, a British naval officer, and a suspicious cashier—all entwined in a moment charged with anxiet…
Level C1AdventureA Rip Van Winkle of the Kalahari, and Other Tales of South-West AfricaVenture into the untamed Kalahari Desert and its mysterious borderlands, where diamond riches, deadly sandstorms, and ancient secrets await.
Level C1AdventureA Reputed Changeling; Or, Three Seventh Years Two Centuries AgoIn a seventeenth-century English parish, two young girls uncover the mystery of a "changeling" child amidst tales of fairies and social intrigue.
Level B2AdventureA Rebellion in DixieAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a determined community in Mississippi refuses to join the Confederacy, risking everything to resist conscription and forge their own path.
Level C1AdventureA Question of LatitudeAn earnest young journalist known for his fearless exposes sets out to uncover the truth behind the corruption and exploitation in the Congo.
Level C1MysteryA Prince to OrderAwakening in a lavish Paris hotel room with a strange beard and blond hair, Carey Grey grapples with lost memories and an unrecognizable identity.
Level C1MysteryA Prince of SwindlersAmid the dazzling festivities of a historic London season, a man unwittingly introduces a master swindler into high society, setting off a chain of cunning crimes.
Level C1AdventureA Prince of Cornwall: A Story of Glastonbury and the West in the Days of Ina of WessexIn the turbulent days of King Ina's westward expansion, ancient British princes and Saxon warriors clash amid shifting alliances and fierce battles for the lands of Cornwall and De…
Level C1AdventureA Pirate of the CaribbeesCaught between restless seas and rivalries aboard a British frigate, a young midshipman faces early morning watches, sharp banter, and the unpredictable challenges of a voyage boun…
Level C1AdventureA Pirate of PartsA resourceful actor with a knack for adventure rallies a troupe of fellow players to tour coastal towns with a makeshift theater under a canvas tent, navigating hardship with wit,…
Level C1AdventureA Passion in the DesertStranded alone in the vast, scorching desert after escaping captivity, a French soldier must confront the relentless wilderness and an unexpected bond with a wild hyena that challe…
Level C1AdventureA Parisian Sultana, Vol. 3 (of 3)Grieving the death of his mother, a young doctor is urged by a loyal friend to leave Paris and seek solace in distant lands.
Level C1RomanceA Parisian Sultana, Vol. 2 (of 3)A European flotilla navigates the treacherous Nile, confronting the brutal realities of the slave trade as a determined Egyptian captain challenges a suspicious trader’s cargo.
Level C1AdventureA Parisian Sultana, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a Parisian boudoir transformed into a sanctuary of geographical discovery, a determined young woman pores over recent news of the legendary explorer Livingstone's fate, setting…
Level C1AdventureA Noble Queen: A Romance of Indian History (Volume 1 of 3)Amidst the burning plains and shifting mirages of the Dekhan, a small band of horsemen races against overwhelming forces in a fierce civil war.
Level C1MysteryA Night on the Borders of the Black ForestA chance meeting on a dusty road in Würtemberg leads an English traveler into conversation with a genial German brewer bound for Frankfort and his beloved.
Level C1AdventureA New Voyage Round the World by a Course Never Sailed BeforeEmbark on a daring voyage around the world along a never-before-sailed route, where merchants navigate uncharted trade opportunities, unexpected encounters, and thrilling adventure…
Level B2AdventureA Naval Venture: The War Story of an Armoured CruiserAmidst a stormy February afternoon, the crew of the armoured cruiser Achates prepares to sail into the perilous waters of the Dardanelles, facing naval battles and life aboard a wa…
Level C1RomanceA Mountain EuropaHigh in the rugged mountains, a stranger encounters a fierce bull-riding girl whose fierce independence clashes with his polite charm, setting the stage for a romance shaped by wil…
Level C1AdventureA Modern TelemachusCaught in a tempest during a perilous journey, an Irish noblewoman and her children face capture by Algerine corsairs and the savage tribes of North Africa, where courage and faith…
Level B2AdventureA Modern MercenaryIn the troubled duchy of Maäsau, a weary frontier cavalry lieutenant contemplates leaving a stagnant post for the uncertain thrills of South Africa, even as political tensions hint…
Level B2AdventureA Modern LegionaryA restless Irish youth, tired of school and idleness, arrives in Paris with little money and a bold plan: to enlist in the French Foreign Legion.
Level C1AdventureA Modern BuccaneerBorn to a sea captain in early Sydney, a boy dreams of adventure aboard South Sea traders and whalers, where danger, exotic treasures, and fierce island conflicts await on the open…
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.