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 C1AdventureSaïd the fishermanA humble fisherman dreams of rising above his modest life by buying a coffee-house and gaining respect.
Level B2AdventureSaved from the Sea; Or, The Loss of the Viper, and her Crew's Saharan AdventuresAfter surviving a shipwreck off the African coast, a young linguist embarks on a perilous journey through the Sahara, guided by his passion for languages and the unexpected friends…
Level B2AdventureSaved by the LifeboatAmid a fierce November storm, a newly arrived lifeboat faces its ultimate test as a brig is stranded on treacherous sands, prompting brave sailors and townsfolk to confront nature’…
Level B2AdventureSaved at seaBorn during a fierce storm on a remote island lighthouse, young Alick Fergusson grows up amidst the wild sea and rugged isolation, dreaming of one day taking over his grandfather’s…
Level C1AdventureSatan: A Romance of the BahamasOn a starry tropical night, two men aboard a sleek yacht anchor off a tiny, desolate island steeped in pirate lore and mystery.
Level C1AdventureSarréo: 1901A seasoned sailor recounts his complex friendship with Sarréo, a fierce and stoic native seaman, as they navigate tensions and confrontations aboard a trading schooner in the Solom…
Level C1RomanceSarita, the CarlistCaught in a tangled web of family ambition and romantic preference, a reluctant man is sent to Madrid as a diplomatic attaché while a wealthy widow’s heart defies his brother’s cal…
Level C1AdventureSarchedon: A Legend of the Great QueenIn the ancient deserts between the Tigris and Euphrates, a mighty lion faces death under the shadow of Babylon’s towering splendor, while a royal hunt led by a great queen unfolds—…
Level C1RomanceSarah of the Sahara: A Romance of Nomads LandA chance encounter on a Cannes pier sparks a thrilling chase across desert sands, where fierce nomads and untamed passions collide.
Level B2AdventureSappers and Miners: The Flood beneath the SeaWhen a retired colonel dismisses tales of a rich old tin mine on his Cornish estate, his adventurous son Gwyn dreams of uncovering its ancient secrets.
Level B2AdventureSandyA ragged but spirited boy named Sandy dreams of adventure as he contemplates a daring choice by the bustling English docks, where two great ocean liners prepare to set sail—will he…
Level C1AdventureSanders of the riverIn a remote African territory, Commissioner Sanders navigates the complex customs and fierce justice of native tribes, enforcing order with unyielding resolve amid a clash of cultu…
Level C1AdventureSamba: A Story of the Rubber Slaves of the CongoIn the heart of the Congo, young Samba faces the brutal reality of the rubber trade that enslaves his people and ravages the land.
Level B2AdventureSam Steele's Adventures on Land and SeaA young boy in a coastal village faces a devastating loss when a sailor brings news of his father's shipwreck and presumed death.
Level B2AdventureSam Steele's Adventures in PanamaA young navigator is tasked with a daring mission: to sail a battered, barely seaworthy ship loaded with valuable steel around the treacherous Horn to San Pedro.
Level B2AdventureSalvage—extra specialA coast-guard cutter races against time to rescue a stranded two-master schooner, the Harvest Home, amid treacherous seas and mysterious crew behavior.
Level C1AdventureSalvageCaptain Drake, an independent steamship captain struggling to keep his ship and crew afloat amid fierce competition, stumbles upon a suspicious cargo and a desperate engineer with…
Level C1AdventureSalute to AdventurersIn a turbulent 1685 Scotland, a young man leaves his troubled home and secretive family life to pursue education in Edinburgh, embarking on a journey filled with political strife,…
Level C1AdventureSalt Water: The Sea Life and Adventures of Neil D'Arcy the MidshipmanBorn by the sea and raised by a steadfast old sailor, a young midshipman embraces the call of the ocean, learning the ropes and braving the harsh realities behind the romance of na…
Level C1RomanceSally of MissouriA disillusioned young man leaves his restless New York life to seek fortune and purpose in the untamed wilderness of Missouri's rugged hills, where isolation and the raw landscape…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level B2AdventureSail Ho! A Boy at SeaA young boy eagerly sets out to sea aboard the Burgh Castle, facing the thrills and dangers of life on a merchant ship.
Level C1RomanceSaga of Halfred the Sigskald: A Northern Tale of the Tenth CenturyIn a land where elves and legends mingle, Halfred, a fierce Viking and unmatched skald, sets sail on his enchanted ship, the Singing Swan, to win glory through battles and song acr…
Level C1AdventureSaddle and MocassinEmbark on a rugged journey through untamed Yellowstone Park alongside seasoned guides, elusive pack trains, and a fiery Mormon freighter, as the adventurers battle unforgiving terr…
Level C1AdventureRídan the Devil, and Other Stories: 1899In a remote Samoan plantation, Rídan, feared as a sorcerer and outcast, struggles with brutal overseers and isolation.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding on the St. Lawrence; Or, The Queer Old Man of the Thousand IslandsAt a vibrant wedding filled with flags and military honors, a spirited young woman finds herself drawn into the mysteries surrounding a quirky old man of the Thousand Islands, unve…
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure BoxWhen a devastating train wreck threatens their friend Jane Ann, Ruth and her companions race against time to uncover the truth and face unexpected dangers on Cliff Island.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper Parloe's SecretA determined young girl leaves her old home for the mysterious Red Mill, where secrets and new friendships await in the quiet town of Cheslow.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding in the Red Cross; Or, Doing Her Best for Uncle SamAs young men rush to training camps during wartime, Ruth Fielding packs supplies for the Red Cross while grappling with fears for her friend’s twin brother and the uncertain toll o…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding in the Great Northwest; Or, The Indian Girl Star of the MoviesIn the rugged Northwest, Ruth Fielding and her friends navigate post-war challenges and lingering fears while enjoying a carefree car ride, but beneath their laughter lies a shadow…
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding in Moving Pictures; Or, Helping the Dormitory FundRuth Fielding stumbles upon a lively outdoor film shoot while helping with a dormitory fund, sparking adventure and mystery amid the rolling fields and unexpected chases.
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding in AlaskaIn the rugged Alaskan wilderness, Ruth Fielding faces threats from a vengeful rival aiming to sabotage her filmmaking dreams.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at the War Front; or, The Hunt for the Lost SoldierAmid the distant thunder of war and the roar of planes, a determined Red Cross worker navigates the tense front lines, driven by hope and duty.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the BackwoodsWhen Ruth and her friends head to a remote winter camp deep in the backwoods, a thrilling adventure unfolds amid icy rivers, mysterious signs, and the looming presence of a fierce…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Silver Ranch; Or, Schoolgirls Among the CowboysA spirited schoolgirl arrives at Silver Ranch, where East meets West in a clash of cowboys, automobiles, and new ideas.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Lighthouse Point; or, Nita, the Girl CastawayAt Briarwood Hall, new member Helen Cameron is initiated into the secretive Sweetbriars, a sisterhood bound by sincerity and friendship.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Golden PassAs Ruth Fielding prepares for the premiere of her daring new film, "Snowblind," an unexpected reunion with old friends turns a nervous night into a joyful celebration—yet the fickl…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding and the Gypsies; Or, The Missing Pearl NecklaceWhen a miller's errand goes mysteriously awry, quick-witted Ruth Fielding insists on rowing the dangerous river herself, setting off on a daring quest that may unravel the secrets…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding In the Saddle; Or, College Girls in the Land of GoldCollege girls Ruth, Helen, and Jennie embark on a daring horseback journey into the rugged Hualapai Range, blending friendship and adventure amidst the challenges of the wild land…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding Homeward Bound; Or, A Red Cross Worker's Ocean PerilsA Red Cross worker and her friends reminisce over tea, dreaming of home while navigating the perils of war and secret missions in France.
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding Down in Dixie; Or, Great Times in the Land of CottonTwo schoolgirls from Cheslow embark on a coastal voyage to Virginia, encountering colorful characters and new adventures along the way.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding Down East; Or, The Hermit of Beach Plum PointAs a fierce summer storm brews over a quiet riverside mill, Ruth Fielding senses more than just bad weather—a mysterious presence lurks nearby.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding At Sunrise Farm; Or, What Became of the Raby OrphansAt Briarwood Hall, Ruth Fielding navigates secret societies, schoolyard friendships, and mysterious adventures as she uncovers the challenges of boarding school life and the bonds…
Level B2RomanceRustlers beware!A young cattleman joins a notorious gang led by hardened killers on a secretive and dangerous mission across Wyoming, unsure if the cause is noble or sinister.
Level C1AdventureRupert of Hentzau: From The Memoirs of Fritz Von Tarlenheim: Sequel to The Prisoner of ZendaIn a kingdom still shadowed by past conspiracies, a cunning exile plots to reclaim his lost power through espionage and revenge, threatening the fragile peace and the secrets that…
Level C1AdventureRunnymede and Lincoln FairAmid the turbulent times of 13th-century England, Oliver Icingla, descendant of Saxon chiefs, navigates the fierce political struggles surrounding Magna Carta, revealing the birth…
Level B2AdventureRunning FoxA determined young Delaware warrior seeks to prove his courage by uncovering the mysterious power of a deadly Mohawk war-leader, embarking on a perilous journey into enemy territor…
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.