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 B2AdventureDave Darrin on Mediterranean Service; or, With Dan Dalzell on European DutyTwo American naval officers in Gibraltar spot a dangerous brawler causing a scene in a vaudeville theater, sparking a chase that plunges them into a tense pursuit tied to a theft t…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin at Vera Cruz: Fighting with the U.S. Navy in MexicoA young naval officer on a quiet New York evening stumbles upon a tense confrontation between a woman and a threatening man, setting the stage for a gripping adventure filled with…
Level A2AdventureDave Darrin and the German Submarines: Or, Making a Clean-up of the Hun Sea MonstersCaught in deadly cat-and-mouse naval battles, Dave Darrin hunts German submarines threatening the seas during wartime.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin After the Mine Layers; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval BlowTwo destroyer commanders embark on a perilous naval mission off the Irish coast, navigating hidden mines and enemy threats in a tense World War I wartime cruise.
Level B2AdventureDaughters of the Dominion: A Story of the Canadian FrontierIn the rugged Canadian frontier, Nell tends to her injured dog while navigating the challenges of a lonely homestead and the mysterious threats lurking in the wilderness.
Level C1RomanceDaughters of DestinyA determined prince returns from exile in London to reclaim his usurped throne in Baluchistan, seeking the aid of a shrewd English financier to convert ancient treasures into an ar…
Level B2Science FictionDaughter of the Sun: A Tale of AdventureIn a dusty border town, the daring Jim Kendric returns with a mysterious letter and a wild spirit, ready to stir trouble and chase adventure across the lawless line into Old Town M…
Level C1AdventureDastral of the Flying CorpsIn the midst of World War I’s fierce battles, a young English pilot named Dastral pushes the limits of daring aerial combat to earn his wings and face the deadly mastery of the ski…
Level B2AdventureDarry the Life Saver; Or, The Heroes of the CoastA fierce hurricane batters a battered brigantine, leaving young cabin boy Darry clinging to survival alongside his loyal captain.
Level C1RomanceDarnley; or, The Field of the Cloth of GoldAmid the winding roads of 16th-century Kent, a stalwart knight embarks on a journey filled with adventure and historical intrigue, set against the vibrant backdrop of King Henry VI…
Level B2AdventureDaniel Boone, BackwoodsmanVenture into the untamed American frontier alongside Daniel Boone, a fearless backwoodsman whose explorations and battles shape the westward expansion.
Level C1AdventureDangerous deedsAmid Washington’s morning fog, a daring young aviator clings to the edge of adventure, haunted by a troubled past and driven by a mysterious black handbag that could unlock his for…
Level B2AdventureDanger signalsA seasoned engineer reunites with an old friend to uncover the mysterious past of "the Kid," a once-cheery fireman who vanished beyond the Great Divide, revealing a tale of innovat…
Level B2AdventureDanforth Plays the Game: Stories for Boys Little and BigA strikingly handsome boy, new to Barnstead Academy, faces teasing and doubt as he joins the football team’s awkward squad, determined to prove his skill and rise above the jeers i…
Level B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
Level B2AdventureDan MerrithewA strong, mysterious tugboat man crosses paths with a radiant young woman aboard a luxurious yacht, sparking a connection felt across stormy seas.
Level C1RomanceDaisy Brooks; Or, A Perilous LoveOn a sultry West Virginia night, a young master returns to his plantation with a new bride, igniting fierce jealousy and dark tensions within the household—especially from his pass…
Level B2RomanceDainty's Cruel Rivals; Or, The Fatal BirthdayIn a world of jealousy and ambition, shy and radiant Dainty Chase faces the cold rivalry of her stylish cousins as they vie for the heart of a wealthy heir during a summer invitati…
Level C1AdventureD'Ri and I: A Tale of Daring Deeds in the Second War with the British.: Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U.S.A.In a rugged northern wilderness during the early 19th century, a daring Yankee pioneer and a French-descended soldier navigate the harsh frontier and the turmoil of war with Britai…
Level C1AdventureCædwalla; or, The Saxons in the Isle of Wight: A TaleAmidst the turbulent seventh-century Isle of Wight, a fierce Saxon warrior named Cædwalla rises, navigating battles, faith, and shifting loyalties in a land where law and culture b…
Level C1RomanceCynthia's ChauffeurOn a bright Derby Day in London, a young lord's plans unravel when his companion falls ill, leading him to embrace unexpected adventures and mingle with the lively crowd at the ico…
Level B2AdventureCutlass and CudgelA young midshipman aboard His Majesty’s cutter patrols a misty, treacherous coast to uncover the secrets of elusive smugglers.
Level C1AdventureCuster's Last Shot; or, The Boy Trailer of the Little HornA rugged ranger confronts a fierce Indian chief while seeking answers about a missing ally, igniting a tense standoff on the wild frontier.
Level B2AdventureCurly: A Tale of the Arizona DesertA young rider ventures beyond the Texas plains, chasing the dream of the great ocean, only to stumble upon a fierce Apache skirmish in the Arizona desert.
Level B2AdventureCurly LocksA sweet-hearted girl named Curly Locks, with golden ringlets and her beloved lamb Snow Drop, embarks on joyful adventures from city fêtes to countryside picnics, discovering friend…
Level C1AdventureCupid of CampionTwo unlikely companions—a restless butcher's boy and a whimsical youth in a sailor suit—join forces in a small Iowa town, seeking fun and adventure on the river and beyond, driven…
Level C1AdventureCumner's Son and Other South Sea Folk — CompleteVivid tales of life in Australia and the South Seas unfold through adventurous stories shaped by firsthand experience and youthful enthusiasm, revealing the rugged charm and comple…
Level B1AdventureCrusoes of the Frozen NorthYoung Aralia and Pansy eagerly await their adventurous uncle’s return from a daring voyage to the frozen North, where mysteries and thrilling tales await.
Level C1AdventureCrusoe in New York, and other talesA young carpenter in 19th-century New York navigates apprenticeship, family struggles, and unexpected responsibilities when tasked with enclosing a mysterious vacant lot—setting th…
Level B2AdventureCrown and Sceptre: A West Country StoryA spirited West Country lad navigates moors, lakes, and deer herds, uncovering the wild beauty and hidden dangers of his rugged homeland.
Level B2AdventureCrown and Anchor: Under the Pen'antA boy new to London becomes fascinated by a quirky old sea captain whose rugged appearance and mysterious air set him apart from the city's polished elite.
Level B2AdventureCrowded Out o' Crofield; or, The Boy who made his WayA determined blacksmith's boy, feeling "crowded out" of his small village, sets his sights on the city where he hopes to carve out a surprising and profitable future against all od…
Level B1MysteryCrossed Trails in Mexico: Mexican Mystery Stories #3A spirited group of friends embarks on a thrilling road trip from Texas to Mexico, where mysterious adventures await amid old silver mines, hidden dangers, and a boy caught between…
Level B2MysteryCrooked Trails and StraightDust and danger swirl in Dry Valley as Curly Flandrau and a rough crew navigate a secretive cattle deal teetering on the edge of betrayal.
Level B2AdventureCrofton ChumsAt Crofton Academy, friendships, school spirit, and youthful adventures come alive as Gil and his chums return for another year filled with football, camaraderie, and the charm of…
Level C1AdventureCrocker's Hole: From "Slain By The Doones" By R. D. BlackmoreIn the lush Devonshire valleys, a river teems with life and legend, centering on the mysterious Crocker's Hole—a deep pool harboring a remarkable trout and stirring tales of love a…
Level B2AdventureCringle and cross-treeA young man with a thirst for adventure leaves behind his backwoods life and uncertain family past to pursue a daring voyage at sea.
Level C1AdventureCressy & PoictiersAmid the turbulent rise of Edward the Black Prince, a young page of noble birth navigates treacherous courts and fierce battles, witnessing historic clashes at Creçy and Poictiers…
Level C1AdventureCowmen and Rustlers: A Story of the Wyoming Cattle RangesAmid the snowy Maine winter, spirited twins Fred and Jennie Whitney plan a daring 30-mile skate to the mysterious Wolf Glen, sparking adventure and suspense as their mother warns o…
Level B2AdventureCowboy Dave; Or, The Round-up at Rolling RiverDusty cowboys return from a grueling round-up, their spirits high but the future uncertain on the struggling Bar U ranch.
Level C1AdventureCow-CountryAmid the relentless dust and heat of the Staked Plains, a determined family drives a slow-moving cattle herd, where worn oxen falter and a spirited boy named Buddy longs to join th…
Level B2AdventureCourage, True Hearts: Sailing in Search of FortuneTwo brothers and their sister embrace the wild Scottish Highlands, where hunting, nature, and family bond their adventurous spirits.
Level C1MysteryCount Zarka: A RomanceA daring agent is tasked with unraveling the mysterious and politically charged disappearance of Prince Roel of Rapsberg, whose vast territory threatens a powerful empire’s ambitio…
Level C1RomanceCorse de Leon; or, The Brigand: A Romance. Volume 1 (of 2)In the lush valleys of Savoy, a foreboding gloom shadows a life of brightness and hope, signaling trials ahead for a dauntless spirit.
Level B2AdventureCorporal Tikitanu, V.C.A young Maori warrior wrestles with love and loyalty as he secretly marries his sweetheart before enlisting to fight in the Great War.
Level C1AdventureCorporal Jacques of the Foreign LegionA Parisian ex-apache, now a soldier in the formidable French Foreign Legion, navigates the harsh desert landscape and the strict discipline of Sidi-bel-Abbès.
Level C1AdventureCorporal Cameron of the North West Mounted Police: A Tale of the Macleod TrailA fierce young Scottish half-back faces harsh defeat and harsher judgment after a pivotal rugby match, pushing him to a breaking point.
Level B2AdventureCormorant Crag: A Tale of the Smuggling DaysA spirited boy defies his strict doctor father to embrace a wild coastal life filled with cliff-climbing, fishing, and adventure.
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.