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 C1AdventureA Modern Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Adventures of Oliver Munier: An Extravaganza in Four ActsIn a quiet town, a mysterious, richly adorned stranger arrives in a lavish coach, sparking curiosity and whispers of hidden treasures and ageless secrets reminiscent of the legenda…
Level C1RomanceA Minion of the Moon: A Romance of the King's HighwayA young couple flees under the moonlit sky, racing against a furious guardian determined to keep them apart.
Level C1MysteryA Millionaire of YesterdayTwo unlikely companions endure filth and danger in a remote, hostile land, driven by a desperate mission that tests their courage and resolve.
Level C1AdventureA Middy of the Slave Squadron: A West African StoryIn the sweltering darkness off West Africa, a British sloop named Psyche lies in wait to intercept a suspected slaver ship.
Level B2AdventureA Middy of the King: A Romance of the Old British NavyA young midshipman, recently recovered from a serious injury, prepares to join the newly launched frigate Europa, eager to serve his country and prove his courage in the old Britis…
Level C1AdventureA Middy in Command: A Tale of the Slave SquadronAmid the dawn-lit waters near the Congo, a young midshipman aboard H.
Level C1AdventureA Memory of the Southern Seas: 1904Venture into the wild Southern Seas alongside the notorious Captain “Bully” Hayes, a complex figure feared and admired for his daring exploits, sharp wit, and turbulent temper.
Level C1AdventureA Mediterranean mysteryA scholarly vicar’s quiet life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of his enigmatic younger brother, stirring memories and mysteries that threaten to unravel his orderly world.
Level B2AdventureA Mating in the WildsA weathered man paddles into a remote Hudson Bay trading post, where the wilderness and its mysterious inhabitants hold secrets and unexpected encounters.
Level C1AdventureA Master of Fortune: Being Further Adventures of Captain KettleCaptain Kettle, a seasoned mariner down on his luck, takes a perilous piloting job on the Congo River, navigating treacherous waters and a ruthless colonial regime to secure a futu…
Level B2Science FictionA Martian OdysseyStranded alone on the desolate Martian plains after a crash, chemist Jarvis embarks on a perilous trek across an alien world filled with strange landscapes and unknown dangers.
Level C1RomanceA Marriage at SeaUnder cover of night, a daring escape unfolds from a French harbor as a lover and his loyal crew prepare for a secret rendezvous aboard a stealthy yacht, driven by a romantic lette…
Level C1AdventureA Man in the OpenIn the rugged wilderness of Labrador, Jesse Smith—a man caught between his genteel heritage and the harsh realities of frontier life—narrates a raw and honest tale of survival, fai…
Level B2AdventureA Man for the Ages: A Story of the Builders of DemocracyEmbark on a rugged 1831 journey through Adirondack wilderness with Samson Henry Traylor’s family as they face frontier challenges, meet lively characters, and witness the shaping o…
Level C1AdventureA Man and His MoneyA down-and-out stranger seeking work stumbles into a shabby music shop, where his unexpected voice might just open doors to adventure, ambition, and the pursuit of success amidst t…
Level B2AdventureA Man Four-SquareIn a rugged land torn by feud, a fearless man risks everything to win the heart of a proud, passionate woman caught between loyalty and desire.
Level B2MysteryA Maker of HistoryAn English youth, stranded in a dense forest, stumbles upon secretive meetings and guarded trains, drawn into a web of espionage and danger.
Level C1AdventureA Maid at King Alfred's Court: A Story for GirlsIn the autumnal forests of ancient Wessex, a young maiden named Egwina journeys with her aging harpist grandfather toward King Alfred’s court, hoping her song will win favor and a…
Level B2AdventureA Madcap CruiseTwo young men set out on a daring sea voyage, balancing on the edge of triumph or disaster as they face the unpredictable Atlantic and the challenge of an adventurous mission aboar…
Level B2AdventureA Lucky Deal; or The 'Cutest Boy in Wall StreetStruggling to pay rent after losing their father and savings, the Hazard family faces a desperate blow when their last money goes missing—can resourceful Jack turn misfortune into…
Level B2AdventureA Loyal Little Red-Coat: A Story of Child-life in New York a Hundred Years AgoAmid the turmoil of Revolutionary-era New York, young Hazel Boniface, a proud Loyalist, navigates childhood friendships and fierce political divides, dreaming of skating lessons fr…
Level C1AdventureA Little WizardA determined boy clings to his family's legacy after the ravages of war leave their estate in ruins and their status diminished.
Level B2FantasyA Little Boy LostIn a remote desert paradise, young Martin finds joy among sunflowers, animals, and his carpenter father's craft, but an unexpected discovery in his pinafore sets him on a journey w…
Level B2AdventureA List To Starboard: 1909A seasoned captain clashes with a shipping manager over sending a decrepit vessel to sea, risking passengers and cattle aboard.
Level B2AdventureA Lieutenant at EighteenIn the midst of the Civil War’s chaos, a courageous teenager rises swiftly through the ranks of the Riverlawn Cavalry, facing lawless guerrillas and fierce battles in loyal Kentuck…
Level B2AdventureA Lad of MettleAt Redbank School, where athletic prowess and honor reign, young Edgar Foster faces down the notorious Bully Rakes, proving his quiet strength and setting the stage for a tale of c…
Level C1AdventureA Knight of the White Cross: A Tale of the Siege of RhodesAmidst the fierce battles between Christian knights and Ottoman forces, a young nobleman joins the legendary Knights Hospitallers, defending Rhodes against a relentless siege.
Level C1AdventureA Knight of the CumberlandIn the rugged Cumberland Mountains, a spirited young woman known as the Blight ventures beyond familiar trails into a wild land of moonshiners and feuds, where her charm and boldne…
Level C1AdventureA King's Comrade: A Story of Old HerefordAs a Danish jarl brings a mysterious company to a quiet shore, ancient loyalties and dark destinies entwine around the martyrdom of King Ethelbert.
Level B2Science FictionA Journey to the Centre of the EarthAn eccentric professor and his curious nephew embark on a daring expedition beneath the Earth’s surface, uncovering mysterious tunnels, ancient creatures, and hidden wonders in a q…
Level B2Science FictionA Journey into the Interior of the EarthA daring expedition ventures beneath Iceland’s volcanic craters to unravel the mysteries hidden deep within the Earth’s interior, blending scientific inquiry with thrilling adventu…
Level C1Science FictionA Journey in Other Worlds: A Romance of the FutureExplorers harness a mysterious force to journey from Earth to Jupiter, eager to uncover the secrets of its vast landscapes, strange climates, and possible inhabitants.
Level B2AdventureA Jolly FellowshipSixteen-year-old Will Gordon embarks on an adventurous journey aboard a steamship, accompanied by his youthful friend Rectus.
Level B2AdventureA Jacobite Exile: Being the Adventures of a Young Englishman in the Service of Charles the Twelfth of SwedenAmidst the fierce Jacobite loyalties and political intrigues of early 18th-century England, a young Englishman embarks on daring adventures in the service of Charles XII of Sweden,…
Level B2AdventureA Horse's TaleFollow the adventures of Buffalo Bill’s horse, a swift and savvy scout who knows the frontier like the back of his hoof, as he navigates battles, trails, and the wild landscapes of…![Cover of A Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313. by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf69uge1ofc73dhbqh0.webp)
Level B2MysteryA Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313.Three boys chase a wildly uncontrolling runabout tagged with double unlucky number 1313, uncovering a mysterious machine that defies reason and threatens chaos on the road.
Level C1AdventureA Hero of TiconderogaIn the quiet wilderness near Fort Ticonderoga, a solitary hunter named Job Carpenter encounters Seth Beeman and his family journeying through the snow, revealing ties of friendship…
Level B2AdventureA Hero of RomanceTrapped indoors on a gloomy half-holiday, young Bertie Bailey faces the tedious punishment of copying lines from Paradise Lost under the watchful eye of a stern usher.
Level B2AdventureA Hero of Liége: A Story of the Great WarAs Europe teeters on the brink of war, Kenneth Amory navigates the tense atmosphere of a family business divided by loyalty and suspicion.
Level C1AdventureA Gunner Aboard the "Yankee": From the Diary of Number Five of the After Port Gun (Russell Doubleday): The Yarn of the Cruise and Fights of the Naval Reserves in the Spanish-American WarExperience the gripping journey of the New York Naval Reserves aboard the auxiliary cruiser "Yankee" as they transition from civilians to sailors, facing the challenges and camarad…
Level C1AdventureA Girl of the KlondikeIn the frozen wilderness of Alaska, gold fever drives men to desperate cruelty and fierce competition.
Level B2AdventureA Girl of High AdventureA spirited girl of Irish and French heritage lives under the stern care of her aunt and adoring uncle, dreaming of her family's faded glory while defying expectations with fearless…
Level C1AdventureA Gentleman of France: Being the Memoirs of Gaston de Bonne Sieur de MarsacA fallen nobleman, stripped of fortune and favor, clings to honor amid the turbulent politics of 16th-century France, awaiting a summons that could change his fate.
Level B2AdventureA Gentleman of Courage: A Novel of the WildernessIn the vast Canadian wilderness, Pierre Gourdon and his family seek a new home, drawn by the untamed beauty and promise of the land.
Level C1AdventureA Gentleman Player; His Adventures on a Secret Mission for Queen ElizabethIn 1601 London, amidst the vibrant chaos of the Globe Theatre, a gentleman undertakes a secret mission for Queen Elizabeth, navigating intrigue and danger beneath the public specta…
Level C1RomanceA Galahad of the Creeks; The Widow LamportAn ambitious young Englishman takes up his post as assistant commissioner in remote Pazobin, Burma, where the mysterious creeks and local customs challenge his resolve and reveal a…
Level C1AdventureA Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral: A Tale of the Santa Fe TrailAmid the serene yet untamed Santa Fe Trail, a haunting tragedy lingers at the Old Stone Corral, where lost love and buried secrets await discovery.
Level C1RomanceA Fool for LoveIn a rain-soaked Kansas City station, two men embark on a grueling winter journey to the rugged mountains, where unexpected encounters with a striking, proud woman from distinguish…
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.