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 White CompanyIn 14th-century England, a mysterious summons brings together monks, warriors, and common folk alike, setting the stage for a gripping tale of honor, conflict, and adventure amid t…
Level C1AdventureThe White Chief: A Legend of Northern MexicoIn the remote wilderness of Northern Mexico, a hidden valley thrives in stark contrast to the barren plains and rugged mountains surrounding it.
Level B2AdventureThe White Chief of the CaffresBorn in India and raised among its people, a young boy embarks on a perilous sea voyage to England, facing storms at sea and the promise of new adventures that will shape his desti…
Level C1AdventureThe White BlackbirdA young woman faces a ruthless suitor’s threat aboard a shabby steamer off the African coast, where hidden dangers stir and loyalties are tested under a blazing tropical sun.
Level B2RomanceThe Whip Hand: A Tale of the Pine CountryAmid a fierce storm on Lake Michigan, a determined young leader rallies a brave crew to launch a daring rescue from the treacherous surf.
Level C1AdventureThe Whelps of the WolfIn a vast, frozen wilderness feared for its demon-haunted valleys, a determined French-Canadian trapsman defies superstition and danger to find a hidden river and trade for preciou…
Level C1AdventureThe Wheels of Chance: A Bicycling IdyllA modest shop assistant, marked by mysterious bruises and a weary demeanor, embarks on an unexpected adventure fueled by his love for bicycling—discovering freedom and surprises be…
Level B2AdventureThe Wheel O' FortuneAmid London's restless streets, a young, well-born athlete confronts the harsh reality of unemployment and social unrest, his fate intertwined with the fierce struggles of the city…
Level C1AdventureThe Westminster AliceStep into a whimsical political satire where Alice encounters peculiar creatures like the Ineptitude, a harmless yet baffling figure entangled in the tangled workings of government…
Level C1AdventureThe WesternersA restless young man stranded in a lawless frontier town waits out a stalled gold rush, surrounded by desperate settlers, rugged scouts, and looming threats from hostile Sioux trib…
Level C1FantasyThe Well at the World's End: A TaleFour young princes chafe under their small kingdom’s limits and set out on a journey beyond the familiar woods and meadows of Upmeads.
Level B2RomanceThe Weight of the CrownDismissed under scandalous accusations while struggling to support her delicate sister, Jessie Harcourt faces a desperate fight to reclaim her dignity and uncover the truth behind…
Level C1AdventureThe Wedge of GoldIn a world forged by the power of precious metals, two determined men venture into the desert's depths, chasing hidden treasures that could unlock unimaginable wealth and transform…
Level C1RomanceThe Web of the Golden SpiderA theological student, suddenly penniless and adrift in Boston, wanders the rain-soaked streets searching for hope and connection.
Level B2AdventureThe Weathercock: Being the Adventures of a Boy with a BiasA quick-witted boy known as Vane navigates school rivalries and countryside adventures amid the golden hues of autumn in the Southwolds.
Level C1AdventureThe WayfarersA reckless nobleman, ruined by debts and a deadly duel, faces his final day of freedom with defiant resolve.
Level C1AdventureThe Way of an EagleAmidst a desperate siege on rugged mountain ridges, a weary Brigadier entrusts a critical mission to a small band of soldiers facing dwindling hope and looming defeat.
Level C1RomanceThe Way of a ManA strong, confident man recalls the charged moment he kissed the proud and high-bred Grace Sheraton, his neighbor with a guarded heart and a complicated past between their families…
Level C1AdventureThe Water-Witch; Or, the Skimmer of the Seas: A TaleIn a time when piracy and colonial ambition blur the lines of justice, a daring figure skims the seas amidst the turbulent clash of old-world customs and new-world ideals.
Level C1AdventureThe Watchers: A NovelIn a sweltering London room in 1758, a shattered mirror and an unlatched door spark tension among a rowdy group of soldiers and gentlemen.
Level C1AdventureThe Watchers of the Plains: A Tale of the Western PrairiesIn a weather-beaten hut on the perilous Dakota plains, Nevil Steyne receives a mysterious letter offering a long-lost inheritance—and a chance to reconcile with a brother he has no…
Level C1AdventureThe Watcher by the ThresholdA scholar and sportsman ventures into the mysterious Scottish highlands, seeking solitude and freedom amid ancient landscapes steeped in forgotten tribes and eerie silence.
Level B2AdventureThe Warden of the Plains, and Other Stories of Life in the Canadian North-westIn the vast Canadian plains, a fearless cowboy known as "The Warden of the Plains" combines daring horsemanship with a mission to spread hope and faith among rugged ranchers, navig…
Level B2AdventureThe War-Trail Fort: Further Adventures of Thomas Fox and PitamakanAs the mighty American Fur Company collapses, a young trader and his loyal friend face a new frontier of independence and adventure, venturing beyond trading posts into the wild pl…
Level C1AdventureThe War of the Axe; Or, Adventures in South AfricaA young English lad returns to South Africa aboard the Surat Castle, facing a fierce Atlantic storm and the challenges of a voyage that tests his courage and spirit.
Level C1AdventureThe War Trail: The Hunt of the Wild HorseJourney through the wild landscapes of Anahuac, where war and love intertwine amid rugged mountains and fiery battles.
Level C1AdventureThe War Tiger: Or, Adventures and Wonderful Fortunes of the Young Sea Chief and His Lad Chow: A Tale of the Conquest of ChinaAmidst China’s turbulent Tartar conquest, a young sea chief commands a powerful fleet, navigating shifting alliances between emperors, rebels, and invaders.
Level C1AdventureThe Wandering Jew — CompleteA mysterious traveler arrives at a remote land’s end, igniting a tale of secret pasts, hidden identities, and relentless pursuit.
Level B2AdventureThe Wanderers; Or, Adventures in the Wilds of Trinidad and OrinocoA family uprooted by financial ruin seeks refuge in Trinidad, risking faith and fortune under a foreign edict protecting settlers.
Level C1AdventureThe Wanderer's NecklaceA man recalls fragmented memories of his ninth-century life, from northern homesteads to the Byzantine court, as he pieces together a tale of fierce warriors, betrothals, and ancie…
Level C1AdventureThe Walrus Hunters: A Romance of the Realms of IceIn the icy wilderness where Eskimos and Indians cautiously share hunting grounds, a young Eskimo hunter’s quiet pursuit of prey is interrupted by the sudden crack of a rival's gun,…
Level C1FantasyThe Wallypug in LondonA whimsical creature known as the Wallypug embarks on a lively adventure through London, encountering charming characters and delightful escapades.
Level B2AdventureThe Waif of the "Cynthia"In a remote Norwegian village, a devoted schoolmaster nurtures the minds of fishermen's children with tales of science and literature, sparking dreams beyond their humble lives whi…
Level B2AdventureThe Wagner Story Book: Firelight Tales of the Great Music DramasBy gazing into the fire’s glowing depths, a child and storyteller unlock magical visions of gods, heroes, and enchanted treasures, revealing timeless adventures hidden in flickerin…
Level C1AdventureThe Wages of VirtueIn the wilds of East Africa, a tangled web of love and honor unfolds among a tight-knit group of adventurers, where duty and desire clash beneath the unforgiving sun.
Level B2AdventureThe Voyages of the "Ranger" and "Crusader": And what befell their Passengers and Crews.As young midshipmen prepare to set sail from home, they face the thrilling uncertainties of life at sea aboard the troop-ship Ranger, while their families embark on a daring coloni…
Level B2FantasyThe Voyages of Doctor DolittleA young boy in a small riverside town dreams of adventure beyond the horizon, befriending curious locals and animals along the way.
Level B2AdventureThe Voyages and Adventures of Captain HatterasA mysterious brig, the Forward, prepares to embark on an uncharted polar expedition, sparking curiosity and speculation among sailors about its secretive mission and unknown captai…
Level B2AdventureThe Voyage of the HoppergrassFour boys set sail on the large cat-boat "Hoppergrass," gathering unexpected passengers for a week-long river cruise filled with adventure, pirates, and the challenges of life at s…
Level C1RomanceThe Voyage of the AuroraIn a quiet coastal village where smuggling thrives, Lucy Walford, a spirited young woman with golden curls and a sharp temper, navigates the challenges of love and family legacy am…
Level B2AdventureThe Voyage of the Arrow to the China Seas.: Its Adventures and Perils, Including Its Capture by Sea Vultures from the Countess of Warwick, as Set Down by William Gore, Chief MateA seasoned sailor faces disgrace after losing command of a ship and reluctantly takes a lower rank aboard the Arrow, embarking on a perilous voyage to the China Seas.
Level B2AdventureThe Voyage of the "Steadfast": The Young Missionaries in the PacificAmid a fierce storm on the Welsh coast, a young girl anxiously watches for signs of a ship in peril, while hoping her father’s sturdy vessel, the Steadfast, sails safely through th…
Level B2AdventureThe Voodoo Gold TrailSailing into tropical mystery, a young adventurer joins old friends on a quest for hidden gold, guided by secret tales of kings, dungeons, and clandestine passages.
Level C1AdventureThe Vnfortunate Traveller, or The Life of Jack Wilton: With an Essay on the Life and Writings of Thomas Nash by Edmund GosseDive into the turbulent life of Jack Wilton amidst Elizabethan England, where wit, satire, and literary rivalry shape the adventures of a young man navigating the vibrant yet volat…
Level C1FantasyThe Vizier of the Two-Horned AlexanderA young traveler faces a desperate shipwreck, navigating chaos and moral dilemmas amid frightened passengers struggling to escape.
Level C1AdventureThe Virginian: A Horseman of the PlainsIn the fading wilds of Wyoming, a skilled horseman faces the relentless challenges of the frontier, embodying the rugged spirit of a vanished era where honor, adventure, and untame…
Level C1AdventureThe Virgin of the SunAn antiquarian discovers a mysterious manuscript revealing the legend of a White God among the ancient Incas of Peru, weaving adventure and lost history amidst the vanished empires…
Level C1RomanceThe Viper of Milan: A Romance of LombardyIn the turbulent dawn of Renaissance Italy, power and passion collide as Visconti, the ruthless "Viper of Milan," weaves a deadly web of treachery and ambition.
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.