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 PirateStranded on a dismasted, waterlogged ship in the stormy Bay of Biscay, three survivors cling to life amid the wreckage—an exhausted woman, a man, and a pale infant—facing the cruel…
Level C1AdventureThe Pioneers; Or, The Sources of the SusquehannaIn the rugged wilderness at the source of the Susquehanna River, settlers forge a new community amid dense forests and untamed waters, navigating the challenges of frontier life an…
Level C1AdventureThe PioneersIn the wild Canadian wilderness, a rugged pioneer and his son confront the challenges of uncharted lands, driven by a restless spirit to explore and discover the unknown.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys on the Great Lakes; or, On the Trail of the IroquoisTwo frontier brothers face the dangers of wilderness life and possible Indian uprisings as they settle near the Ohio River, relying on courage and cunning to protect their family a…
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Yellowstone; or, Lost in the Land of WondersTwo pioneer boys join the Lewis and Clark expedition, venturing deep into the Yellowstone wilderness where mysterious lands and dangers await.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Ohio; or, Clearing the WildernessTwo frontier brothers brave the Virginia wilderness before the Revolution, hunting for fresh venison to help their struggling family.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Missouri; or, In the Country of the SiouxTwo adventurous boys, Dick and Roger Armstrong, embark on a daring journey along the Missouri River in 1804, facing wild landscapes, fierce fish, and the challenges of frontier lif…
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Mississippi; or, The Homestead in the WildernessTwo adventurous brothers navigate swollen rivers and dense forests on the edge of the American frontier, dreaming of fertile lands and new homesteads along the mighty Mississippi.
Level B2AdventureThe Pioneer Boys of the Columbia; or, In the Wilderness of the Great NorthwestTwo daring cousins navigate treacherous rapids and face wild frontiers in the early 1800s, striving to secure their family's land and carve out a future in the untamed West.
Level B2RomanceThe Pines of LoryAmidst Boston’s bustling harbor, two old friends reunite—one a charming aristocrat, the other a resilient survivor of South African fever—setting the stage for a tale of rekindled…
Level B2AdventureThe Pilots of Pomona: A Story of the Orkney IslandsIn the bustling Orkney port of Stromness, a young boy balances school, fishing, and childhood adventures while navigating the challenges posed by his domineering schoolmate and a t…
Level C1AdventureThe Pilot: A Tale of the SeaAmidst the vast and unpredictable sea, a skilled pilot navigates treacherous waters with unmatched expertise, revealing the true life and trials of sailors beyond romance and storm…
Level C1AdventureThe Pillar of LightA solitary lighthouse keeper finds refuge from a haunted past on a remote granite pillar, where the relentless sea and a looming Atlantic liner signal the start of an adventure ble…
Level C1RomanceThe Pilgrim of Castile; or, El Pelegrino in Su PatriaAfter surviving a shipwreck near Barcelona, a mysterious pilgrim drifts into a village caught in the midst of armed conflict, where danger and intrigue intertwine with unexpected a…
Level B2AdventureThe Phantom of the RiverPioneers Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone navigate the dangers of the Ohio wilderness, battling hostile forces and a mysterious menace known as The Panther.
Level B2MysteryThe Phantom YachtTwo inseparable friends face heartbreak when one must leave their sleepy town, leaving behind memories and mysteries in a grand old house.
Level B2MysteryThe Phantom Town MysteryFour young adventurers explore a mysterious desert valley where a half-buried skeleton and a hidden cliff dwelling hint at secrets tied to a reclusive miner known as "Lucky Loon.
Level C1FantasyThe Phantom ShipIn a decaying Dutch cottage near the Scheldt, mysterious forces stir as Philip Vanderdecken confronts a legendary cursed voyage.
Level C1AdventureThe Phantom Rider; or The Giant Chief's Fate: A tale of the old Dahcotah countryIn the wild North-west, a courageous settler’s daughter faces a deadly vow from a fierce Indian warrior determined to claim her as his bride, while her father prepares to defend th…
Level C1RomanceThe Phantom Regiment; or, Stories of "Ours"Amid the rugged backdrop of Gibraltar and Andalusia, a British officer reflects on a fleeting romance with the enchanting Paulina, whose departure sets the stage for tales of love,…
Level B2MysteryThe Phantom Death, etc.A solitary passenger boards the sturdy barque Lord of the Isles bound for Bristol, setting sail from Rio de Janeiro in 1840 when ocean travel was a slow, perilous adventure.
Level C1Science FictionThe Phantom AirmanIn the aftermath of defeat, a defiant German ace and his comrades vow to become aerial outlaws, wielding a secret weapon to strike back against their enemies in a daring and deadly…
Level C1AdventureThe Perils of PaulineIn a grand Hudson mansion, old industrialist Stanford Marvin faces fading health and looming betrayal as his trusted secretary spirals into addiction and deceit.
Level C1AdventureThe Perils of Certain English PrisonersA private in the Royal Marines aboard the sloop Christopher Columbus navigates the treacherous Caribbean waters near the mysterious Island of Silver-Store, a crucial English outpos…
Level C1AdventureThe Perils and Adventures of Harry Skipwith by Land and SeaA young adventurer, inspired by a family legacy of explorers, sets out alone across the Atlantic with dreams of discovery, a lance for defense, and a heart full of courage—facing u…
Level B2AdventureThe Peril FindersIn a rugged paradise where rivers dry and orchards wither, two boys and their father struggle to survive against nature’s harshest trials.
Level C1AdventureThe Perambulations of a Bee and a Butterfly,: In which are delineated those smaller traits of character which escape the observation of larger spectators.A young Bee, eager to explore beyond the hive, befriends a Butterfly as they navigate the challenges and vanities of springtime adventures.
Level C1FantasyThe People of the MistA young man stands before his ancestral English estate, grappling with loss and uncertain futures, when an extraordinary adventure unfolds involving a mysterious people who worship…
Level C1Science FictionThe People of the Black CircleIn a kingdom gripped by dark sorcery, the young king lies dying under a mysterious curse linked to a stolen lock of hair.
Level C1Science FictionThe People That Time ForgotStranded in a mysterious, prehistoric land untouched by time, survivors of a torpedoed ship confront strange tribes, ancient beasts, and deadly dangers while trying to reunite and…
Level C1AdventureThe Penang Pirate: and, The Lost PinnaceA tense voyage begins on the Hankow Lin, where seasoned sailors face delays and whispered fears of ruthless pirates prowling the Indian seas, threatening their valuable cargo and s…
Level C1AdventureThe Peddler Spy; or, Dutchmen and Yankees. A Tale of the Capture of Good HopeIn a tense colonial frontier, sharp-witted Yankees clash with steadfast Dutch settlers at the House of Good Hope, where cunning deals and fierce rivalry set the stage for a daring…
Level B2RomanceThe Pearl of the Andes: A Tale of Love and AdventureAmid political upheaval and personal loss, a determined leader seeks to save his people and avenge his daughter with the help of a brave young Frenchman and a fierce indigenous war…
Level B2AdventureThe Pearl FishersStranded in the vast Pacific after a fiery shipwreck, a young sailor battles the sea and his own memories to survive a perilous voyage filled with danger, treachery, and the haunti…
Level C1AdventureThe Patrol of the Sun Dance TrailIn the rugged Canadian wilderness, a weary half-breed runner brings urgent news to the North West Mounted Police amid rising tensions and rumors of unrest among the Indigenous trib…
Level C1RomanceThe Pathfinder; Or, The Inland SeaFour intrepid travelers ascend a wind-row in the vast American wilderness, seeking a glimpse of the untamed Great Lakes region where sailors and Native Americans intertwine in a ru…
Level C1AdventureThe Path of the KingIn a winter camp, weary men debate the hidden legacy of royal blood carried through forgotten generations, sparking a tale of destiny and daring.
Level B2FantasyThe Patchwork Girl of OzIn a land where bread grows on trees, young Ojo and his silent uncle face hunger and hardship, prompting a journey through the magical and mysterious Land of Oz to find a better li…
Level B2AdventureThe Parowan BonanzaIn the vast, enchanting Nevada desert, Hopeful Bill Dale pursues elusive mineral riches with his quirky menagerie and unwavering optimism, defying the skepticism of townsfolk who s…
Level C1AdventureThe Paladins of Edwin the GreatAmidst the ruins of the Roman Empire, fierce English warriors settle and fight to forge a new kingdom in wild Northumbria.
Level B2AdventureThe Palace in the GardenThree children summoned by their enigmatic grandpapa embark on an unexpected adventure that promises to challenge their innocence and reveal the secrets of their unusual family lif…
Level C1MysteryThe Pagan MadonnaIn the bustling streets of Shanghai, a mysterious encounter haunts Ling Foo, a shrewd merchant caught in a web of chance and intrigue.
Level B2AdventureThe Pacha of Many TalesA Pacha, craving the thrilling tales that once captivated Scheherazade, enlists a cunning vizier to spin wild adventures from distant lands and fantastical realms.
Level B2MysteryThe Oxbow WizardIn the remote Oxbow countryside, young Dan Evans discovers a mysterious green-covered book left behind by a stranger, unlocking stories and secrets that ignite his imagination and…
Level C1AdventureThe Outspan: Tales of South AfricaIn the wild South African veld, a group of pioneers gathers around the campfire to share gripping tales of narrow escapes, treks, and the untamed beauty they live for—where every n…
Level C1AdventureThe OutletAs Texas cattle overflow their ranges post-Civil War, drovers battle harsh terrain, hostile tribes, and the vanishing buffalo to carve a new trail northward, seeking a market beyon…
Level B1AdventureThe Outdoor Girls on Pine Island; Or, A Cave and What It ContainedA group of spirited girls seize the chance to spend summer in a secluded island bungalow, setting off on an exciting adventure filled with friendship, mystery, and the unexpected s…
Level B2MysteryThe Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, camping and tramping for fun and healthFour adventurous girls form a Camping and Tramping Club, eager to escape monotony and embrace the thrills of outdoor life.
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.