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 C1RomancePolly the Pagan: Her Lost Love LettersCaught between the rigid traditions of European society and the free spirit of America, a woman navigates love and identity amid cultural clashes and diplomatic intrigue.
Level C1MysteryPolice!!!A man flees the New York police, his mind racing with thoughts on science, art, and society while pursued through the city.
Level C1Science FictionPolaris of the SnowsIn an isolated Arctic refuge, a young man named Polaris confronts the haunting death of his father and the chilling wilderness that surrounds him, as howling dogs and relentless wi…
Level C1Science FictionPolaris and the Goddess GlorianIn the frozen Antarctic wilderness, Polaris Janess embarks on a perilous journey to rescue a lost kingdom of ancient Greeks threatened by vanishing volcanic fires.
Level C1AdventurePoker Jim, Gentleman, and Other Tales and SketchesStep into the rugged world of California’s early mining days, where real characters like Poker Jim and old-time prospectors share tales of adventure, lost legends, and the relentle…
Level B2AdventurePoison IslandA young boy's life changes forever when he encounters the mysterious Captain Coffin in 1813 Falmouth, setting him on a perilous journey toward a deadly island shrouded in secrets a…
Level C1MysteryPocket Island: A Story of Country Life in New EnglandTwo unlikely partners—a cunning Polish peddler and a roaming Micmac Indian—form a smuggling alliance, using a haunted, trap-laden island with a secret sea cave to hide their illici…
Level B2AdventurePo-No-Kah: An Indian Tale of Long AgoIn a frontier settlement surrounded by wilderness and danger, young Bessie Hedden and her siblings find joy and adventure under the watchful protection of their brave dog, Bouncer.
Level B2AdventurePluck on the Long Trail; Or, Boy Scouts in the RockiesSix Boy Scouts of the Elk Patrol embark on a daring 100-mile journey through the Rocky Mountains, carrying a secret message and relying on their scout skills to navigate wild terra…
Level B2AdventurePixy's Holiday JourneyThree inseparable boys form a secret alliance inspired by the heroes of the Iliad, creating their own armory and adopting legendary names.
Level C1AdventurePirates' HopeA wealthy former athlete invites an old friend on a mysterious cruise aboard his private yacht, the Andromeda, hinting at a venture far from the social scene and filled with intrig…
Level B2Science FictionPirates of the GormIn a solar system rife with alien intrigue, a secret agent aboard a space-flier awakens to an assassination attempt by a mysterious Ganymedan pirate.
Level C1AdventurePirate Princes and Yankee Jacks: Setting forth David Forsyth's Adventures in America's Battles on Sea and Desert with the Buccaneer Princes of Barbary, with an Account of a Search under the Sands of the Sahara Desert for the Treasure-filled Tomb of Ancient KingsA young sailor navigates perilous battles against Barbary pirates and joins a daring desert expedition in search of ancient treasure, uncovering tales of bravery, loss, and the for…
Level C1RomancePirate GoldA mysterious bag of pirate gold lies hidden in a Boston bank vault, untouched for decades.
Level B2AdventurePioneer boys of the gold fieldsThree determined boys from different backgrounds join the 1849 California Gold Rush, facing wild beasts, treacherous terrain, and ruthless thieves in their quest for fortune and ad…
Level B2RomancePimpernel and RosemaryIn war-torn Guillaumet, a weary woman secretly mends soldiers' uniforms, hiding tiny messages within, while enduring a harsh and cynical admirer.
Level C1AdventurePierre and His People: Tales of the Far North. Volume 4.In the remote Far North, Pretty Pierre navigates a world of legends, fierce rivalries, and mysterious tribes, uncovering secrets behind the elusive Tall Master and facing the harsh…
Level C1AdventurePierre and His People: Tales of the Far North. Volume 3.In the vast, untamed North, a band of rugged adventurers share stories of peril and camaraderie by the fire, where legends of ghostly mountains, forbidden liquor, and daring tobogg…
Level C1AdventurePierre and His People: Tales of the Far North. Volume 2.An unyielding outcast known as Little Hammer battles scorn and survival on the harsh Northern prairies, where loyalty, danger, and relentless winter storms test the bonds between a…
Level C1AdventurePierre and His People: Tales of the Far North. Volume 1.Venture into the rugged wilderness of the Far North, where vivid tales of survival, character, and untamed nature weave a rich tapestry of adventure and human spirit, inspired by t…
Level C1AdventurePierre and His People: Tales of the Far North. CompleteVenture into the rugged Canadian wilderness where vivid tales of survival and human spirit unfold, inspired by real lives yet transformed by artful imagination.
Level C1AdventurePieces of Eight: Being the Authentic Narrative of a Treasure Discovered in the Bahama Islands in the Year 1903In 1903, a mysterious manuscript reveals thrilling adventures tied to Spanish doubloons and lost years in the Bahama Islands, where pirates once roared and secrets still lie buried…
Level B2AdventurePicture stuffVeteran pilot Russ Healy, haunted by a near-fatal crash caused by reckless camera-ship pilots, faces new dangers when a daring woman joins their flying circus to perform wing-to-wi…
Level B2AdventurePicked up at Sea: The Gold Miners of Minturne CreekCaught in a fierce Atlantic gale, the crew of the Susan Jane spots a lone survivor clinging to wreckage in the tempestuous Bay of Biscay.
Level B2AdventurePicked up Adrift: IllustratedStranded on a mysterious, waterlogged ship with dwindling supplies, a group of castaways faces starvation, strange encounters, and desperate decisions as they navigate isolation an…
Level C1AdventurePic the Weapon-MakerJourney back to the harsh world of the Mousterians, an ancient Neanderthal race surviving amid mammoths and cave lions in Ice Age Europe.
Level C1RomancePhroso: A RomanceA newly wealthy man buys a remote, rugged island with a small, traditional population, planning a honeymoon his fiancée refuses to attend.
Level C1AdventurePhilosopher JackA bright young student faces crushing financial ruin just as his dreams of knowledge ignite, forcing him to choose between despair and daring adventure.
Level B2AdventurePhilip Steele of the Royal Northwest Mounted PoliceCaught between the fierce wilderness and haunting memories, Philip Steele faces a lonely stormy night with a mysterious skull and a letter scented with hyacinth that pulls him back…
Level C1RomancePhilip Rollo; or, the Scottish Musketeers, Vol. 2 (of 2)Amidst the turmoil of war and shifting alliances, a Scottish captain navigates love, loyalty, and the looming threat of conquest as Denmark teeters on the brink of surrender.
Level C1RomancePhilip Rollo; or, the Scottish Musketeers, Vol. 1 (of 2)Amid the chaos of 17th-century European wars, a daring Scottish gentleman serves as a soldier of fortune in Denmark, weaving through battles, love, and intrigue.
Level B2AdventurePhil Bradley's Snow-shoe Trail; Or, The Mountain Boys in the Canada WildsFour adventurous boys, known as the Mountain Boys, embark on a daring winter expedition through the wild Canadian landscape, braving icy trails and untamed wilderness while testing…
Level B2AdventurePhil Bradley's Mountain BoysFour adventurous boys trek deep into the uncharted Adirondacks, braving rugged terrain and wild solitude as they head toward the mysterious Lake Surprise, each bringing unique skil…
Level C1Science FictionPharaoh's Broker: Being the Very Remarkable Experiences in Another World of Isidor WernerA prominent Chicago broker vanishes mysteriously after a final plunge in the wheat market, leaving behind a strange steel rocket and a cryptic farewell.
Level B2AdventurePhaeton Rogers: A Novel of Boy LifeThree adventurous boys set out on a thrilling morning ride through the countryside, facing wild dogs and learning the ropes of horseback riding.
Level C1AdventurePeter the WhalerA young Irish vicar’s son faces stern warnings against poaching, risking disgrace and harsh punishment as he defies his father’s pleas.
Level C1AdventurePeter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2A young naval officer embarks on thrilling maritime adventures filled with danger, duty, and discovery, navigating the unpredictable seas and the challenges of life aboard ship in…
Level C1AdventurePeter SimpleA young, awkward boy is destined for a naval career, sent away from his family to live under the strict care of a harsh sea-stock broker.
Level C1MysteryPeter Ruff and the Double FourA seemingly ordinary supper party at Daisy Villa conceals the beginnings of a gripping tale where appearances deceive and hidden identities spark a mystery that will change lives f…
Level B2AdventurePeter Parley's Visit to London, During the Coronation of Queen VictoriaAn eager traveler crosses the Atlantic to witness Queen Victoria’s coronation, exploring London’s bustling streets and marveling at the dazzling new crown and royal treasures amid…
Level B2AdventurePeter Parley's Tales About America and AustraliaEmbark on a thrilling voyage with Columbus as he overcomes skepticism and treachery to set sail for the unknown Western World, unveiling the mysteries of America’s discovery and it…
Level B2AdventurePeter Cotterell's TreasureIn the coastal town of Barmouth, sixteen-year-old Tom Hallett is offered an unexpected chance for adventure when a mysterious stranger seeks a skilled seaman for a secretive voyage…
Level B2AdventurePeter Biddulph: The Story of an Australian SettlerAn orphaned boy rises from poverty on the banks of the Thames, navigating hardship and hope as he searches for a lost diamond ring that could change his fate.
Level C1AdventurePerseverance Island; Or, The Robinson Crusoe of the Nineteenth CenturyStranded naked on a remote South Pacific island, a lone castaway uses ingenuity and skill to survive and thrive beyond all predecessors.
Level C1AdventurePerils in the Transvaal and ZululandA young assistant master, determined to find his missing mother and sister, embarks on a daring journey from England to the distant colonies of Australia.
Level C1RomancePeregrine's ProgressA young man’s quest begins amid lively inns, shadowy mysteries, and encounters with a captivating, elusive woman named Diana—part dryad, part goddess—whose fiery spirit and tender…
Level C1AdventurePercival KeeneAmidst grand estates and whispered scandals, a young valet with charm but little wit serves a captain whose frequent visits stir hearts and rumors alike.
Level B2AdventurePep: The Story of a Brave DogFollow the journey from fierce wolf ancestors to loyal companions in this thrilling tale of bravery and bond between man and dog, where courage and friendship shine through the wil…
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.