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 C1FantasyThe Death Ship: A Strange Story, Vol. 3 (of 3)Stranded aboard the eerie Flying Dutchman, a cursed ship haunted by ghostly sailors, a master mariner clings to hope and love while navigating a voyage steeped in doom and despair.
Level C1FantasyThe Death Ship: A Strange Story, Vol. 2 (of 3)Trapped aboard the eerie Flying Dutchman, a sailor and a captive woman plot a daring escape from the ghostly crew and endless sea.
Level C1AdventureThe Death Ship: A Strange Story, Vol. 1 (of 3)A young second mate embarks on a perilous 18th-century voyage aboard the Saracen, navigating the dangers of war and the vast, unpredictable seas.
Level C1Science FictionThe Death From OrionAn outlaw imprisoned and doomed faces a deadly choice: retrieve the lost Jewels of Orion from a crashed ship in deep space to save his condemned comrades, or watch them die.
Level C1AdventureThe Dealings of Captain Sharkey, and Other Tales of PiratesIn a Caribbean world haunted by ruthless pirates, Captain John Scarrow nervously navigates dangerous seas, haunted by the fearsome Captain Sharkey.
Level C1AdventureThe Days of Chivalry; Or, The Legend of CroquemitaineStep into the legendary era of Charlemagne, where towering heroes wield mighty swords, and chivalry blends with magic, battles, and whimsical adventures.
Level B2RomanceThe Day of the DogA determined lawyer races against time to secure a crucial signature on a sprawling estate, only to face unexpected obstacles—including a fierce bulldog guarding a lonely country b…
Level B2RomanceThe Day of JudgmentThree friends explore the wild beauty near Scotland's border, uncovering the intriguing and unconventional laws of Scottish marriage—where a simple mutual promise can bind two live…
Level B2AdventureThe Daughter of a MagnateAs a mighty river floods the valley, engineers and travelers confront the relentless power of nature and the looming threat it poses to the vital railway bridge.
Level B2AdventureThe Daughter of Virginia DareA determined group of English colonists sets sail for the mysterious and untamed lands of Virginia, facing betrayal and the unknown as they strive to build a new home amidst danger…
Level B2AdventureThe Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile ExpeditionAmid the turmoil of the Nile Expedition, two lads raised as brothers face a reckless choice fueled by youthful impulse and secrecy.
Level C2RomanceThe Dark StarBeneath the ominous reign of the Dark Star Erlik, lives intertwine across continents and destinies, bound by ancient cosmic forces and the relentless tides of history.
Level B2AdventureThe Dark Road: further adventures of Chéri-BibiA condemned man endures the brutal life of a convict settlement, haunted by injustice and fierce enemies, while forging a fragile bond with the legendary outlaw Chéri-Bibi; surviva…
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys with General GreeneThree young patriots on a scouting mission through the South Carolina wilderness face danger from Cherokee warriors incited by the British.
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys of 1776On the historic day the Declaration of Independence is to be signed, two brave brothers face threats and tensions from loyalist youths in a city buzzing with revolutionary fervor.
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys in VirginiaIn the warm woods of Virginia, three young patriots—Dick, Tom Dare, and Ben Foster—join a regiment determined to track down the traitor Benedict Arnold and turn the tide of the Rev…
Level B2AdventureThe Dare Boys in VincennesTwo daring brothers navigate war-torn America on secret missions, racing through enemy lines and untamed wilderness to deliver vital messages.
Level B2MysteryThe Danvers Jewels, and Sir Charles DanversA dying man entrusts a mysterious parcel of dazzling jewels to a reluctant courier, sparking a dangerous mission fraught with secrets and suspicion as the treasure must reach the r…
Level B2RomanceThe Danger TrailA determined engineer leaves the comfort of civilization to conquer the wilds of northern Canada, tasked with building a railroad through untamed wilderness where mystery and dange…
Level C1AdventureThe Curse of Carne's Hold: A Tale of AdventureA seemingly charming estate hides a dark curse feared by locals, while the village of Carnesford thrives quietly nearby.
Level B2Science FictionThe Crystal Sceptre: A Story of AdventureCaught in a fierce storm, a desperate balloonist is hurled into an unknown land where strange, half-human creatures observe him with wary curiosity.
Level C1AdventureThe Crystal Hunters: A Boy's Adventures in the Higher AlpsA spirited boy embarks on a daring Alpine adventure guided by a seasoned Englishman and a local mountain expert, discovering the breathtaking heights and hidden dangers of the Swis…
Level C1RomanceThe Cryptogram: A Story of Northwest CanadaIn the vast, untamed wilderness of 19th-century Canada, a young fur trader embarks on a perilous winter journey from Fort Royal to Quebec, navigating brutal landscapes and hidden d…
Level C1AdventureThe Crusade of the ExcelsiorA barque bound for San Francisco mysteriously turns away from Mazatlan, stirring tension among its passengers as a shrewd man and a gentle, enigmatic figure confront the uncertain…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Thetis: A Tale of the Cuban InsurrectionTwo old schoolmates reunite in London: Jack, a shipbuilder struggling with his health, and Carlos, a patriotic Cuban tobacco heir with ties to the island’s turbulent fight for free…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Snowbird: A Story of Arctic AdventureAmid the bleak Highland winter, young laird Allan McGregor contemplates the faded glory of his ancestral castle and the hardships that have stripped his family of wealth and power.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Sally DA boy trapped under his stepfather's control finds hope in Uncle Ben's offer to escape the harsh life aboard the dilapidated schooner Sally D.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the PelicanA determined young newspaperman battles the stubborn small-town spirit and financial ruin while holding onto love and hope.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Nonsuch BuccaneerIn 1569 Plymouth, the arrival of the foreign ship Bonaventure stirs excitement and mystery among local boys and merchants alike, setting the stage for a daring adventure on the sea…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Midge (Vol. 2 of 2)Wounded and feverish, a man lies in a mysterious room where he encounters the ghostly figure of young Henry De Walden, sparking a haunting tale of danger, intrigue, and survival on…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Midge (Vol. 1 of 2)An adventurous young Irishman defies his cautious uncle to captain a trading voyage to the perilous African coast, navigating threats from climate, pirates, and natives, driven by…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Mary Rose; Or, Here and There in the PacificA young man inspired by tales of the Crusades reflects on his family's steadfast faith and the true battles worth fighting in a world shaped by spiritual conviction.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Kawa: Wanderings in the South SeasEmbark on an unrestrained voyage through the South Seas aboard the sturdy Kawa, where explorers document exotic islands, native cultures, and scientific wonders amid unpredictable…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Jasper B.A mild-mannered newspaper man receives unexpected news of a large inheritance from his estranged, prohibitionist uncle, sparking a quiet rebellion against his dull routine and the…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Gyro-CarA young British diplomat returns home to meet his adventurous brother, the sole owner of a revolutionary gyro-car, as they prepare for a daring journey across the wild and untamed…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the FrolicSet sail on the "Frolic" and join a lively crew navigating the thrills and challenges of yachting during a grand regatta, where camaraderie, competition, and the timeless beauty of…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the DolphinA Rivermouth boy’s lifelong dream comes true when he joins friends in buying a sailboat, the Dolphin, embarking on daring river adventures and a thrilling excursion to Sandpeep Isl…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the DazzlerThree adventurous boys race through San Francisco, but when Joe returns home, his carefree spirit gives way to worry as he faces new challenges.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the "Lively Bee"; Or, A Boy's Adventures in the War of 1812As the War of 1812 erupts, a young boy joins the crew of the "Lively Bee," setting sail from New York Harbor amid patriotic fervor and the looming threat of British naval dominance…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the "Esmeralda"A seasoned sailor returns home to find his mother in dire financial straits after failed investments.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the "Dainty"; Or, Rovings in the PacificStranded in a relentless Pacific calm aboard the schooner Dainty, a determined crew and their passengers face sweltering heat and restless anticipation.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm WhalesEmbark on a gripping voyage aboard a South Sea whaler, revealing the harsh realities and thrilling dangers of the sperm whale fishery through the eyes of an experienced seaman.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of The ViolettaRecovering from fever in the Bahamas, Kit joins the enigmatic Dr.
Level B2AdventureThe Croxley Master: A Great Tale Of The Prize RingA struggling medical student faces harsh rejection and bleak prospects, until an unexpected challenge in a grim industrial town offers him a chance to change his fate through stren…
Level B2AdventureThe CrossingBorn under the Blue Ridge, a boy raised by a mysterious, taciturn frontiersman learns the rugged skills of the wilderness.
Level B2AdventureThe Cross and the Hammer: A Tale of the Days of the VikingsIn the Viking age's fierce clash between the old gods and the rise of Christianity, young warriors like Vagn and Sigurd navigate loyalty, honor, and the tides of power at King Svei…
Level C1AdventureThe Crooked Stick; Or, Pollie's ProbationIn a harsh, unforgiving outback, a former army captain faces danger on a mail coach journey as notorious cattle thieves lie in wait, testing his courage and resolve against a backd…
Level B2AdventureThe Crimson WestA young man, cast out by his father for gambling and drinking, faces a harsh new reality as he struggles to reclaim his honor and find his path.
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.