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 Ebb-Tide: A Trio And QuartetteStranded in the South Seas, three desperate men struggle against poverty and fate on a remote island, bound by misfortune yet haunted by memories of a life far from these tropical…
Level B1AdventureThe Eagle's NestThree curious children face an unexpected challenge when a queen wasp invades their schoolroom, threatening their summer fruit harvest and testing their patience during a history l…
Level B2AdventureThe Eagle of the Empire: A Story of WaterlooAmid the looming shadows of Napoleon's final campaign, a stirring tale unfolds of love, courage, and the brutal realities of war.
Level C1RomanceThe Eagle CliffA spirited young man races through the countryside on his bicycle, chasing the thrill of flight and the promise of the city beyond.
Level C1MysteryThe DynamiterIn the smoky confines of a Soho cigar divan, two old friends reunite to unravel a web of political intrigue and explosive crime.
Level C1AdventureThe Dyak chief, and other versesVenture deep into the jungles of Central Borneo alongside a traveler who encounters the fierce Dyak tribes, including elusive head-hunters, and experiences a vivid world of adventu…
Level B2AdventureThe DusantesStranded on a remote Pacific island, a small group faces unexpected delays and adventures as they strive to return home, navigating challenges, forging new bonds, and discovering t…
Level C1AdventureThe Duke's Motto: A MelodramaSeven fierce men, neither soldiers nor brigands but a dangerous mix of both, gather in a sweltering inn near the Castle of Caylus, ready to sell their swords to the highest bidder…
Level C1MysteryThe Duke DecidesAn English ex-cavalry officer, now a struggling clerk in New York, is unexpectedly approached by a mysterious compatriot with a lucrative job offer—setting him on a path from hards…
Level C1AdventureThe Drums of WarA young boy journeys through 1860s Germany with his soldier father and loyal corporal, immersed in tales of Napoleonic battles and family legacy.
Level C1AdventureThe Druidess: A Story for Boys and OthersAmid the brutal clash between Britons and Saxons in 577 AD, a fierce woman clad in royal saffron and a valiant boy leader fight desperately to protect their people and faith.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys' World CruiseTwo young sailors explore San Francisco’s Golden Gate before leaping into a thrilling rescue of a runaway horse and its terrified rider, setting the stage for daring adventures on…
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on a SubmarineA determined inventor refuses to sell his groundbreaking submarine to a foreign power, risking everything to ensure it serves only his country.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on Battle PracticeTwo cousins from a quiet mountain village dream of leaving farm life behind to join the navy, inspired by a vivid poster of a battleship and the promise of adventure.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on Aero ServiceTwo young sailors volunteer for the navy's daring new Aero Service, eager to explore the skies after mastering the seas.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys in Home WatersTwo young naval officers aboard a crowded train face tension and suspicion when a lost wallet sparks accusations, revealing challenges of authority and camaraderie as they prepare…
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys Aboard a DestroyerTwo young sailors, Ned and Herc, freshly celebrated for their bravery, find themselves drawn into a mysterious encounter with a foreign agent near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Level C1AdventureThe Dragon and the Raven; Or, The Days of King AlfredAmidst the wild, untamed fenlands of 870 England, a young boy and his loyal wolf-hound await the return of his father during a time of brutal Danish invasions and desperate surviva…
Level B2Science FictionThe Dragon SlayersIn a futuristic Venusian jungle, workers struggle under strict rules to harvest a vital resource while facing deadly creatures and a menacing dragon.
Level C1MysteryThe Dorrington Deed-BoxA man returns to England burdened by a dark family mystery and a deadly encounter in Naples with the notorious Camorra.
Level C1Science FictionThe DoomsmanA young marksman contemplates a mysterious shadow on the horizon from a fortified, primitive shoreline—where ancient wilderness meets unexpected technology.
Level B2AdventureThe Donovan chanceLarry Donovan works hard in the railroad yards but dreams of more than a lifetime spent wiping engines and climbing the ranks.
Level B2AdventureThe Dogs of BoytownIn the idyllic town of Boytown, two adventurous boys and their loyal dogs explore vibrant autumn woods, secret caves, and the simple wonders of nature, embarking on heartwarming es…
AdventureThe Dog Crusoe and His Master: A Story of Adventure in the Western PrairiesEmbark on a thrilling journey across the untamed Western Prairies alongside a loyal dog and his master, where danger and discovery await at every turn in this gripping tale of adve…
Level B2RomanceThe Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmidst the looming chaos of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, young ensign Ted Russell grapples with his brother Jim’s unexpected infatuation with a spirited young woman, challenging thei…
Level C1AdventureThe Disowned — CompleteA young traveler sets out on a twilight journey through England's wild lanes, encountering a mysterious, imposing companion whose passionate views on progress and freedom hint at d…
Level C1MysteryThe Disappearing EyeA tangled web of love, wealth, and social ambition unfolds as Cannington, a penniless lord, navigates the affections of Lady Mabel and the mysterious Wentworth Marr, while secrets…
Level B2AdventureThe Dingo Boys: The Squatters of Wallaby RangeThree adventurous boys arrive at the rough frontier town of Port Haven, eager to stake their claim and explore the wild Australian inland.
Level C1MysteryThe Diamond ShipAt a lively Kensington Fancy Fair, a wealthy, enigmatic doctor known for his silent demeanor and obsession with precious gems captivates a circle of colorful characters.
Level C1RomanceThe Dew of Their YouthAt Eden Valley Academy, where boys and girls share woods and secrets, a spirited schoolmaster’s son becomes intrigued by Gertrude, the swift runner in a grey-green dress.
Level C1Science FictionThe Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A NovelAn uncharted tropical mountain, Roraima, rises as a mysterious table-land teeming with unknown flora and fauna, isolated for ages.
Level B2RomanceThe Devil's Own: A Romance of the Black Hawk WarAmid the tense frontier of 1832, a young soldier at a remote fort witnesses the brewing conflict between restless Native tribes and encroaching settlers, where fierce rivalries and…
Level B2MysteryThe Devil's AdmiralA worn-out cargo steamer, the Kut Sang, becomes the stage for a gripping tale of danger, intrigue, and fierce loyalty in the China Sea.
Level C1Science FictionThe Devil in IronOn the mysterious isle of Xapur, a fisherman awakens an ancient, preserved warrior with a deadly glare and unnatural strength, unleashing a menace beyond human power amid forgotten…
Level C1MysteryThe Destroying AngelFacing a grim diagnosis with only months to live, a young lawyer confronts his shattered future and the bitter injustice of fate.
Level C1AdventureThe Desert ValleyIn the unforgiving desert of Arizona and New Mexico, a weary man and a determined young woman push through silence and mystery, chasing elusive water and fortune amid harsh, mercil…
Level C1AdventureThe Desert Drum: 1905In the vast Sahara, where superstition and solitude blur reality, a mysterious desert drum foretells doom, echoing through endless dunes.
Level C1AdventureThe Denver Express: From "Belgravia" for January, 1884A diverse group of passengers embarks on the "Denver Fast Express," a night train racing through the wild American West toward the mountains.
Level C1AdventureThe Demon Trapper of Umbagog: A Thrilling Tale of the Maine ForestsIn the shadowy Maine forests, dark passions and old grudges simmer beneath the surface of rural life, where solitude breeds both love and deadly revenge.
Level B2MysteryThe Demon CruiserAboard the ship Maxwell, a wealthy passenger guards a hidden fortune while a ruthless third mate plots to steal it under cover of night.
Level C2AdventureThe DeerslayerIn the untamed wilderness of colonial New York, two foresters navigate dense forests and hidden dangers, where every step reveals the raw beauty and peril of nature untouched by ci…
Level B2AdventureThe Deep Sea Hunters: Adventures on a WhalerTwo adventurous boys discover that the old, abandoned whaling ship Hector is being refitted for a cruise, sparking their imaginations and setting them on a thrilling journey into t…
Level C1RomanceThe Death Shot: A Story RetoldOn a stark Texan prairie, a mysterious, disembodied human head defies natural laws, warding off predatory beasts with eerie life and menace.
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.
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.