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 C1RomanceRandvar the songsmithIn a hidden Norse settlement untouched by the Norman Conquest, a rebellious jarl’s son breaks away on a solitary hunt, igniting tensions and revealing fierce loyalties amid the pri…
Level B2MysteryRancho Del Muerto, and Other Stories of Adventure: by Various Authors, from "Outing"A paymaster and his cautious clerk arrive at a sinister Arizona ranch haunted by past murder and shadowed by a ruthless proprietor.
Level C1AdventureRan away from the DutchFour deserters vanish from a military outpost, setting off a desperate pursuit through treacherous jungles and hostile tribes.
Level B2AdventureRan Away to SeaA sixteen-year-old boy defies his loving parents and runs away to sea, driven by a lifelong passion for ocean adventures and tales of pirates, storms, and exotic lands.
Level B2MysteryRalph, the Train Dispatcher; Or, The Mystery of the Pay CarRalph, a sharp young train dispatcher, teams with veteran fireman Fogg to unravel the suspicious activities of three mysterious men targeting the Overland Express.
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Overland Express; Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young EngineerA young engineer takes the helm of the fastest locomotive on the Great Northern, racing against time to deliver the crucial China & Japan Mail.
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Midnight Flyer; or, The Wreck at Shadow ValleyAmid rising labor unrest on the Great Northern railroad, young dispatcher Ralph Fairbanks navigates tensions between officials and workers, uncovering the fragile balance of power…
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Engine; Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited MailA determined young fireman faces fierce rivalry and dangerous storms as he fights to prove his worth on the railroad and protect his family’s legacy against a ruthless magnate’s th…
Level C1AdventureRalph of the Roundhouse; Or, Bound to Become a Railroad ManAt Stanley Junction, young Ralph Fairbanks, a lively and resourceful railroad enthusiast, spends his summer days assisting with train deliveries and chasing adventure.
Level B2AdventureRalph in the Switch Tower; Or, Clearing the TrackIn the bustling switch tower of Stanley Junction, veteran railroader Jack Knight faces a crisis when his unreliable assistant Mort Bemis causes a devastating accident.
Level B2AdventureRalph Osborn, Midshipman at Annapolis: A Story of Life at the U.S. Naval AcademyAn ambitious young man dreams of joining the U.
Level B2AdventureRalph Gurney's Oil SpeculationTwo college friends reunite to explore the thrilling world of Pennsylvania’s oil fields, where civil engineering meets danger from patent-infringing “moonlighters” risking both lif…
Level B2AdventureRalph Granger's FortunesCaught in a bitter family feud, fifteen-year-old Ralph Granger faces the deadly task of avenging his father's death—but his heart pulls him toward peace instead of violence.
Level B2AdventureRalph Denham's Adventures in Burma: A Tale of the Burmese JungleA young man faces the weight of family loss and duty as he prepares to leave his struggling home in Liverpool for a new life working in a rice firm in distant Burma.
Level A2MysteryRainbolt, the Ranger; or, The Aerial Demon of the MountainAs an emigrant train departs Omaha, two men conspire in secret, setting the stage for a thrilling mystery involving a shadowy figure known as the Aerial Demon of the Mountain.
Level B2AdventureRaiding with MorganIn the aftermath of Shiloh, a daring Confederate general leads secret raids and covert operations, challenged by betrayal and shadowy alliances within the North’s rebellious underg…
Level A2AdventureRago and Goni, the Tree-Dweller ChildrenIn a distant time long ago, siblings Rago and Goni live high in the treetops, navigating a wild forest filled with lurking panthers, cave bears, and hyenas.
Level B2AdventureRaftmates: A Story of the Great RiverA proud boy embarks on his first journey down the mighty Mississippi aboard the Venture, a finely crafted raft carrying lumber and wheat to distant markets.
Level B2AdventureRadio Boys in the Secret Service; Or, Cast Away on an IcebergTwin brothers Walter and Guy Burton, radio enthusiasts with a knack for wireless technology, embark on thrilling adventures that combine cutting-edge radio communication with darin…
Level B2AdventureRadio Boys in the Flying Service; or, Held For Ransom by Mexican BanditsWhen a daring bank robbery leaves a wounded father and stolen cash, three resourceful young men race against time using planes and radio to track down the bandits escaping through…
Level B2MysteryRadio Boys Loyalty; Or, Bill Brown Listens InTwo ingenious friends enter a prestigious technical school where their skills and loyalty are tested against hazing and rivalry.
Level C1RomanceQuintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1Aboard a trireme near the shores of ancient Campania, a stout man named Herodianus peers toward the distant island of Capreae, setting the stage for a vivid journey through the sti…
Level C1AdventureQuentin DurwardAmid the fading age of chivalry and ruthless ambition of Louis XI, a young knight navigates a treacherous world where honor clashes with cunning, and loyalty is tested by the selfi…
Level B2AdventureQueensland CousinsAmid the rugged beauty of Queensland, a lively family awaits a long-anticipated parcel from England, revealing the tensions and tender bonds that shape their adventurous frontier l…
Level C1AdventureQueen of the jesters, and her strange adventures in old ParisIn the shadowy streets of old Paris, a proud young man arrives hungry and desperate, seeking aid from the enigmatic Corinne de Montesson, a woman who defies nobility and law alike…
Level B2Science FictionQueen of the Flaming DiamondIn a bustling night club, a mysterious dancer captivates the crowd with a dazzling diamond that seems almost otherworldly, drawing a reluctant, troubled man into a night of intrigu…
Level B2AdventureQueen of the Dawn: A Love Tale of Old EgyptIn a land torn by war, an infant princess named Nefra is hidden from the conquerors who demand her surrender, while mysterious divine forces surround her birth, hinting at a destin…
Level C1Science FictionQueen of the Black CoastA fierce warrior escapes the law after defending a friend, forcing him to flee on a swift galley bound for distant Kush.
Level C1AdventureQueen Sheba's RingAn aging doctor recounts a daring journey to the mysterious tableland of Mur in North Central Africa, where ancient underground cities and a strange tribe hide secrets that challen…
Level C1AdventureQuarterdeck and Fok'sle: Stories of the SeaA mischievous boy named Young Brydell turns a navy yard into his battlefield, constructing a dirt fort and leading a playful yet fierce skirmish that tests the admiral’s patience a…
Level B1AdventurePud Pringle, pirateFifteen-year-old Pud Pringle navigates small-town life with mischief and charm, from tricky grocery errands to sparring with local sourpuss Egbert.
Level B2RomancePrize of the airA daring pilot with a revoked license agrees to fly a banker and his spirited daughter across the country, navigating risky skies and unexpected tensions.
Level C1AdventurePrisoners of Chance: The Story of What Befell Geoffrey Benteen, Borderman, through His Love for a Lady of FranceCaught between fierce Native tribes and colonial powers, Geoffrey Benteen’s adventurous journey reveals the tragic fate of a mysterious vanished people and a forbidden love that co…
Level C1MysteryPriscilla's SpiesA celebrated schoolboy athlete and scholar embarks on a summer fishing trip in the wild west of Ireland, where his impeccable reputation and leadership may soon be tested beyond th…
Level C1RomancePrincess MaritzaOn a radiant morning, a determined man burdened by a shadowed past meets a fiery, free-spirited young woman who yearns to break society’s bounds—sparking a clash of ambition, freed…
Level C1RomancePrince Rupert, the BuccaneerAmidst the Caribbean's ruthless buccaneers, Prince Rupert confronts the brutal fate of his loyal soldiers, now sold as mere cargo in a harsh new world where honor and survival coll…
Level B2FantasyPrince Ricardo of Pantouflia: Being the Adventures of Prince Prigio's SonIn a kingdom where fairy gifts shape destinies, Prince Ricardo defies expectations by shunning books and chasing wild adventures, much to his clever father King Prigio’s concern.
Level C1RomancePrince Otto, a RomanceIn the fading principality of Grünewald, Prince Otto embarks on a daring adventure amid rugged landscapes and political intrigue.
Level B2AdventurePrince Jan, St. BernardIn the snowy Alps, young St.
Level B2AdventurePrince Dusty: A Story of the Oil RegionsTwelve-year-old Arthur, teased and outcast by his cousins, embarks on a daring adventure with his cousin Cynthia as they imagine themselves a prince and princess exploring a world…
Level C1AdventurePrester JohnIn a coastal Scottish town, three adventurous boys escape the confines of a strict Sabbath to explore hidden caves and share tales of pirates, only to encounter a mysterious figure…
Level B2AdventurePost HasteIn a rugged Irish coastal village, young Philip Maylands idolizes the daring yet troubled George Aspel, whose Viking heritage fuels dreams of adventure and freedom amidst harsh sea…
Level B2AdventurePorto Bello goldA young man navigates secretive plots and pirate threats in colonial New York, where adventure calls from both sea and wilderness.
Level C1AdventurePopular Adventure TalesEmbark on a daring journey through the vast, untamed fur countries of North America, where wild landscapes stretch beyond civilization and survival depends on courage and resilienc…
Level B1MysteryPoppy Ott's pedigreed picklesA clever boy convinces his skeptical friend to start a unique Pickle Parlor, betting that offering better pickles will win customers despite the odds.
Level B1MysteryPoppy Ott and the stuttering parrotWhen Jerry Todd and his friend Red encounter Poppy Ott, a scruffy boy living in a rickety wagon with a gruff old man claiming to be a detective, their summer adventure in the small…
Level B1MysteryPoppy Ott and the galloping snailTwo adventurous boys set out on a carefree hitchhiking trip through sun-baked highways and quiet countryside, only to find themselves mysteriously stranded on a deserted road with…
Level B2RomancePolly's Business VentureReturning to America with a mysterious wireless message in hand, Polly Brewster navigates friendship, flirtation, and the thrill of a secret admirer aboard an Atlantic liner—where…
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.