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 B2RomancePenny of Top Hill TrailA rugged cattleman returns from the city with a new purpose after meeting a mysterious young woman trapped in a harsh Chicago dance hall.
Level B2AdventurePenelope's Progress: Being Such Extracts from the Commonplace Book of Penelope Hamilton As Relate to Her Experiences in ScotlandThree friends navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and society against the vibrant backdrop of Edinburgh and the Scottish countryside, revealing the charm and challenges…
Level B2Science FictionPemrose Lorry, Camp Fire GirlA spirited Camp Fire Girl stands at the brink of a groundbreaking space adventure, ready to launch the Thunder Bird rocket and send humanity’s first message beyond Earth’s atmosphe…
Level C1Science FictionPellucidarA chance discovery of a mysterious telegraph instrument buried in the Sahara sparks a thrilling journey beneath the earth’s surface, where hidden worlds and unimaginable adventures…
Level C1AdventurePelham — CompleteBorn into a world of high society and scandal, a young heir navigates family secrets, debts, and eccentric relatives while uncovering the delicate balance between appearances and r…
Level B2AdventurePeggy in ToylandAn eight-year-old girl with a kind heart discovers a mysterious island across the sea and befriends two weathered wooden figures that once led ships on daring adventures, unlocking…
Level C1AdventurePeggy Raymond's Vacation; Or, Friendly Terrace TransplantedAs summer begins, Peggy yearns for the open country—winding roads, clucking hens, and endless skies—and when a surprising letter arrives, her lazy days on Friendly Terrace are tran…
Level B2AdventurePeck's Bad Boy with the CowboysA determined father sets out west to become the next Buffalo Bill, hiring cowboys, hunters, and an Indian interpreter to create the ultimate wild west show—if he can survive encoun…
Level B1AdventurePeck's Bad Boy in an airshipA mischievous boy is sent to an orphanage while his father embarks on a globe-trotting mission to spy on airship technology for the government.
Level C1RomancePeace ManoeuvresCaught between duty and desire during a tense military standoff, a scout must navigate uncertain roads and risky choices—while haunted by memories of a rejected love.
Level B2AdventurePaul the CourageousRestless and adventurous Paul longs to escape his dull hometown for a thrilling summer holiday in Norway, dreaming of Viking tales and daring bear hunts amid fjords and mountains.
Level C1AdventurePaul Prescott's ChargeA determined boy faces strict discipline and mischievous adventures under the watchful eye of his stern father, while carrying the weight of a solemn charge from his dying parent t…
Level C1AdventurePaul JonesA daring naval commander fights to establish the American navy’s honor during the Revolutionary War, facing overwhelming odds with unmatched skill and bravery.
Level C1AdventurePaul Gosslett's Confessions in Love, Law, and The Civil ServiceAn uneasy mission unfolds as a man skilled in Italian is tasked with negotiating with brigands holding a wealthy baronet’s son hostage in Calabria.
Level C1AdventurePaul Gerrard, the Cabin BoyCaught in a fierce November storm, a young cabin boy aboard the frigate Cerberus navigates the harsh realities and camaraderie of naval life, where loyalty and courage are tested o…
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 05A brooding outlaw navigates secret rendezvous and shadowy plans in a world where loyalty and danger intertwine.
Level C1MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 03Under the pale moonlight near Warlock, masked horsemen prepare for a daring adventure, their secretive plans shadowed by tension and a mysterious new ally.
Level B2AdventurePatty's Pleasure TripAmid the serene English countryside at Markleham Grange, Patty enjoys peaceful mornings filled with books, gardens, and lively chats about fashion with her spirited friend Lady Kit…
Level C1AdventurePatrañas; or, Spanish Stories, Legendary and TraditionalA journey to a remote Spanish village turns into an unexpected adventure when a storm traps two travelers in a rustic inn, leading to captivating tales of local legends and the ric…
Level B2AdventurePatience Wins: War in the WorksA curious boy eagerly questions his clever uncles about Arrowfield, a mysterious industrial town shrouded in fire, smoke, and gloom.
Level B2AdventurePathfinder; or, The Missing TenderfootA troop of eager Boy Scouts embarks on a thrilling wilderness adventure, following mysterious birch-bark messages and mastering the secrets of Indian picture writing to track a mis…
Level B2AdventurePat the Lighthouse BoyA frail boy, Pat, escapes a grim, crowded town for the isolated beauty of Lone Rock Lighthouse, where fresh sea air might save his life.
Level C1AdventurePartners of the Out-TrailIn the harsh wilderness of British Columbia, a telegraph operator’s solitary life is interrupted when two exhausted strangers, lost in a fierce snowstorm, seek refuge in his remote…
Level B1AdventurePartners of ChanceA young boy and his father leave their struggling ranch behind to journey south to Aunt Jane's Arizona ranch, facing the challenges of a broken family and the wild frontier ahead.
Level B2AdventurePartners ThreeA sixteen-year-old skipper navigates his slow, weathered sloop through the bustling harbor of Greenhaven, hoping for a profitable catch despite recent storms.
Level C1AdventureParson KellyIn snowy 1719 Paris, two old friends—one a deposed parson, the other a one-armed colonel—reunite amidst political plots and secret dealings, setting the stage for a daring adventur…
Level C1RomanceParrot & Co.In the dusty frontier of colonial Burma, an unlikely pair—a loyal Eurasian guide and a resilient American traveler—navigate a desolate land where civilization teeters on the edge,…
Level C1AdventurePardnersIn a rough frontier town where saloons outnumber everything else, a seasoned prospector recounts the wild, lawless days of gold rush partnerships, gambling, and hard-won survival a…
Level B2AdventurePappina, the Little Wanderer: A Story of Southern ItalyIn the bustling streets of Naples, young Pappina stands out with her love of cleanliness and beauty amid poverty.
Level C1AdventurePan Michael: An Historical Novel of Poland, the Ukraine, and TurkeyAmidst the turbulent 17th-century conflicts involving Poland, the Ukraine, and Turkey, a fierce war unfolds as the Turks invade, challenging the fragile alliances and stirring epic…
Level B2MysteryPam and the CountessIn the enchanting Bell Bay, thirteen-year-old Pamela finds herself caught between family dynamics and mysterious happenings that stir her curiosity and courage.
Level B1AdventurePals: Young Australians in Sport and AdventureAdventure beckons as a group of young Australians plans a daring bushranger game, complete with horseback chases, mock gunfights, and gold-escort raids along a fertile northern riv…
Level B2AdventurePalm Tree IslandStranded on a remote southern island, two castaways must survive wild animals, hostile natives, and treacherous seas while crafting shelter and weapons in a fight for survival and…
Level B2AdventurePaddy FinnIn the heart of Ireland, young Terence navigates the trials of Castle Ballinahone with his wise uncle, Major McMahon, whose military past and sharp prudence contrast the family's g…
Level B2AdventureP. T. Barnum's MenagerieStep into a world of wonder as children explore exotic animals—from playful elephants to fierce lions—under the guidance of a curious showman.
Level B2FantasyOzma of Oz: A Record of Her Adventures with Dorothy Gale of Kansas, the Yellow Hen, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Tiktok, the Cowardly Lion, and the Hungry Tiger; Besides Other Good People too Numerous to Mention Faithfully Recorded HereinCaught in a fierce ocean storm, young Dorothy Gale embarks on a perilous journey with her ailing uncle, leading her back to the magical Land of Oz where old friends and new adventu…
Level C1AdventureOwen Hartley; or, Ups and Downs: A Tale of Land and SeaA determined boy ventures into a grim Wapping office, seeking help through a connection with Farmer Rowe, amid the harsh realities of trade and sea life.
Level B2AdventureOwen Clancy's Run of Luck; or, The Motor Wizard in the GarageWhen a reckless driver forces a stranger to leap off a cliff on a perilous mountain road near Phoenix, Owen Clancy witnesses the chaos and steps into a world of danger and mystery.
Level B2MysteryOwen Clancy's Happy Trail; Or, The Motor Wizard in CaliforniaIn bustling Los Angeles, a chaotic Chinese festival turns into pandemonium when Hiram Hill spots a man resembling his long-missing father in a car and disrupts the procession to re…
Level C1AdventureOverland: A NovelIn a struggling 19th-century Santa Fé, a striking young woman and her formidable aunt confront the hardships of lost fortunes, war, and frontier dangers, challenging the desolation…
Level C1AdventureOverland talesJourney through the rugged landscapes of California and New Mexico as a widowed Spanish ranchero and a mysterious lady in mourning forge an unexpected connection, revealing stories…
Level C1AdventureOverdue: The Story of a Missing ShipSet in the golden age of clipper ships, a young midshipman aboard the Salamis faces a perilous voyage when a catastrophic accident sends the second mate overboard, sparking a tense…
Level B2AdventureOver the straitsA battered cannery tender races against a fierce storm to deliver a precious cargo of red salmon before it spoils, testing the courage and skill of its desperate crew battling the…
Level C1FantasyOver the borderAs the battleship Argyll waits in the dark for an elusive enemy, officers debate the future of naval warfare amid threats from airships and submarines.
Level C1AdventureOver the Rocky Mountains: Wandering Will in the Land of the RedskinA young sailor returns home after years at sea to find his mother grieving and his family estate shrouded in mystery.
Level B2AdventureOver the Border: A NovelIn the unforgiving Sonora desert, three hardened outlaws carve a ruthless existence in a mountain fortress once mined for elusive gold.
Level C1AdventureOutward Bound Or, Young America Afloat: A Story of Travel and AdventureAboard the Academy Ship "Young America," a group of young men embark on an Atlantic voyage that blends rigorous discipline with the follies and adventures of youth.
Level B2AdventureOutlaw Jack; or, the mountain devilA perilous journey to the California gold fields unfolds as a grieving emigrant party faces loss and harsh mountain crossings, while young Burr Wythe’s discovery of a gold nugget i…
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.