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 B2AdventureCaptain ChubIn a thrilling final baseball game tied at three, the Crimson captain and pitcher face intense pressure as the Blue team threatens to take the lead.
Level B2AdventureCaptain Chap; or, The Rolling StonesThree adventurous boys seize the chance of a lifetime: a daring two-day tugboat journey to rescue a stranded steamer on a bustling river.
Level C1AdventureCaptain Carey; or, Fighting the Indians at Pine RidgeLieutenant Kit Carey, a fearless frontier soldier, is tasked with escorting Captain Foshay’s daughter through dangerous Indian territory.
Level C1AdventureCaptain Brand of the "Centipede": A Pirate of Eminence in the West Indies: His Love and Exploits, Together with Some Account of the Singular Manner by Which He Departed This LifeAmidst the bustling port of Bordeaux in 1805, a seasoned pirate captain prepares to set sail, bidding tearful farewells to loved ones while navigating the treacherous West Indies s…
Level C1AdventureCaptain BloodA skilled physician watches with detached irony as an impassioned rebellion stirs his town, knowing well the dangerous illusions driving these men to war.
Level C1AdventureCapitola the MadcapIn a tense household bound by a late doctor's mysterious instructions, a young man and an heiress fight to uphold a will's secret wishes against a scheming guardian.
Level B2RomanceCap'n Abe, Storekeeper: A Story of Cape CodTorn between stifling expectations and the call of the sea, young Louise faces a summer with her austere Aunt Euphemia or the enigmatic Cap’n Abe, her mother’s mysterious half-brot…
Level B2AdventureCanoemates: A Story of the Florida Reef and EvergladesA determined young sailor trapped by poverty in a tropical paradise dreams of adventure beyond the Florida reefs and Everglades.
Level B2AdventureCanoe Mates in Canada; Or, Three Boys Afloat on the SaskatchewanThree boys navigate the wild Saskatchewan River in a frail bullboat, facing fierce storms and treacherous rapids in a vast, untamed Canadian wilderness where danger and adventure l…
Level B2AdventureCanoe Boys and Campfires; Or, Adventures on Winding WatersThree adventurous boys reunite at a boathouse by the Susquehanna River, ready to embark on thrilling canoe escapades and unravel mysteries along winding waters.
Level C1AdventureCanadian Crusoes: A Tale of the Rice Lake PlainsStranded in the vast, untamed backwoods of Canada, young settlers must rely on nature’s hidden resources to survive the harsh wilderness and find their way home.
Level B2AdventureCampmates: A Story of the PlainsA weary journey on a slow, rain-soaked train sets the stage for a rugged adventure across the treacherous plains, where natural dangers and the struggles of early rail travel test…
Level B2AdventureCamping on the St. Lawrence; Or, On the Trail of the Early DiscoverersFollow a group of young adventurers as they prepare to camp along the majestic St.
Level B2AdventureCampfire Girls' Lake Camp; or, Searching for New AdventuresA lively group of Camp Fire Girls gathers at their lakeside camp, blending friendship, mystery, and the promise of new adventures amid the beauty of Fern Hollow and Butter Creek.
Level C1AdventureCampfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains; or, A Christmas Success against OddsAmidst the snowy Allegheny Mountains, a spirited group of Camp Fire Girls blend adventure with courage, mastering military drills and nursing skills as they prepare to face the cha…
Level B2AdventureCampfire Girls at Twin Lakes; Or, The Quest of a Summer VacationA spirited group of Camp Fire Girls gathers for a summer adventure at Twin Lakes, where friendship, mysteries, and unexpected challenges await amidst the beauty of Fern Hollow.
Level B2AdventureCamp-fire and WigwamIn a rugged Missouri settlement, young Jack Carleton encounters tales of danger, friendship, and survival as he learns of Deerfoot, a mysterious Indian who once saved his father’s…
Level C1AdventureCamp and Trail: A Story of the Maine WoodsTwo young hunters glide silently over a moonlit pond in northern Maine, using a special lantern to lure deer in a thrilling night adventure that celebrates respect for wildlife and…
Level B2AdventureCamp Venture: A Story of the Virginia MountainsA group of sturdy boys and their doctor companion camp high in the Virginia mountains, facing the challenges of rugged terrain and thin air.
Level B2AdventureCamp Mates in Michigan; or, with Pack and Paddle in the Pine WoodsThree boys camping in the Michigan wilderness face an unexpected visitor when a huge lynx tries to steal their ham, sparking a thrilling hunt through the pine woods armed with guns…
Level B2AdventureCamp Lenape on the Long TrailAt Camp Lenape, privileged newcomer Dirk clashes with rugged camper Brick, who resents carrying Dirk’s heavy luggage and his delicate ways.
Level B2AdventureCaleb West, Master DiverAn ambitious engineer races against time to build a lighthouse on a treacherous ledge, relying on a specially designed sloop and daring divers to place massive stones beneath fierc…
Level C1AdventureCalavar; or, The Knight of The Conquest, A Romance of MexicoAmid the sweeping backdrop of Mexico’s conquest, a fearless knight navigates treacherous mountains and fierce battles, weaving a tale of valor and ambition during the pivotal campa…
Level C1AdventureCaesar DiesAmidst the opulent, volatile city of Antioch under Emperor Commodus, power, pleasure, and peril intertwine as Roman authority clashes with local pride, and secrets lurk beneath the…
Level B2AdventureCadet Days: A Story of West PointAn adventurous young frontier boy, raised among Native tribes and rugged soldiers, dreams of earning a coveted appointment to West Point despite fierce competition and his unconven…
Level B2AdventureCactus and RattlersIn the dusty, isolated town of Stovepipe Springs, a reclusive desert rat and a mysterious visitor clad in goggles and a pith helmet converge, setting the stage for a thrilling adve…
Level C1AdventureCab and Caboose: The Story of a Railroad BoyA determined boy races to claim the prestigious Railroad Cup, sparking fierce rivalry and challenges in the bustling railroad town of Euston.
Level C1FantasyBy the gods belovedIn a world where mysticism and power intertwine, a fierce schoolboy rivalry sparks an unlikely friendship that unravels ancient secrets and hidden destinies beyond the hills of Kam…
Level C1AdventureBy order of the companyIn a tense Virginian frontier where uneasy peace with native tribes teeters on the edge of rebellion, a wary settler navigates suspicion, survival, and loyalty amid ominous portent…
Level C1AdventureBy far EuphratesA young English boy ventures into the harsh, desolate lands near the ancient Euphrates, seeking to witness the legendary river that once watered Eden.
Level C1MysteryBy Wit of WomanA disgraced colonel, wrongly accused of murder and imprisoned for years, leaves a secret legacy to his daughter Christabel—challenging her to uncover the truth and restore their fa…
Level B2AdventureBy Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti WarAmid schoolyard cricket matches and the keen eyes of a nature lover, a young boy's adventure begins to unfold, blending youthful sportsmanship with the challenges and unexpected tr…
Level B2AdventureBy Rock and Pool on an Austral Shore, and Other StoriesAmidst the rugged beauty of an old Australian seaport, five fearless sailormen confront the ever-changing dangers of a treacherous tidal bar, weaving tales of survival, friendship,…
Level C1AdventureBy Right of SwordHaunted by a troubled past and seeking escape, a disillusioned Englishman in Russia contemplates joining the army or revolutionaries, only to be confronted by a mysterious woman wh…
Level B2AdventureBy Right of Conquest; Or, With Cortez in MexicoA daring English captain and his son navigate the perilous seas in the early 1500s, caught between emerging trade ambitions and the mighty Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Level C1AdventureBy Reef and PalmA young seafarer embarks on perilous trading voyages across the Pacific islands, encountering pirates, treacherous seas, and mysterious cultures in an era of colonial tension and a…
Level B2AdventureBy Pike and Dyke: a Tale of the Rise of the Dutch RepublicIn a world torn by religious persecution and war, a young hero grows amidst the fierce struggle of the Dutch people for freedom and faith against the mighty Spanish empire, where c…
Level C1RomanceBy Neva's watersAt a Berlin state ball in 1801, English Viscount Wilfrid Courtenay, a chivalrous adventurer and artist, reunites with his Russian friend Prince Ouvaroff amid rising political tensi…
Level C1AdventureBy England's Aid; or, the Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604)As England transitions from cautious supporter to active ally, witness the dramatic shift in a fierce struggle for Dutch independence against Spain’s might, with daring battles at…
Level B2AdventureBy Conduct and Courage: A Story of the Days of NelsonAn orphaned boy with a mysterious past finds refuge with a kind fisherman in a bleak village, where childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities, setting the stage for a tale o…
Level B2MysteryBurton of the Flying CorpsA daring young pilot navigates treacherous missions behind enemy lines, from chasing spies in Ostend to uncovering secrets in French chateaus, all while testing groundbreaking expl…
Level B2AdventureBurr JuniorAt a strict boarding school housed in an ancient manor, a new boy named Frank Burr navigates harsh lessons, rivalries, and the shadow of his father's heroic death in India—where co…
Level C1AdventureBurning DaylightIn a fading frontier saloon, the arrival of Burning Daylight electrifies the weary miners and gamblers, promising a night of wild celebration and daring feats as he prepares to mak…
Level C1AdventureBurlIn a turbulent Kentucky frontier fraught with Indian raids and fierce survival, settlers navigate a harsh wilderness where law and safety are scarce.
Level C1RomanceBurgo's RomanceIn the lush conservatory of a London house, Burgo Brabazon wrestles with love and rivalry as he vies for Clara Leslie’s heart amid society’s intrigues and competing suitors.
Level B2AdventureBunyip Land: A Story of Adventure in New GuineaA determined sixteen-year-old sets out from home in New Guinea to rescue his missing father, believed to be held captive by native tribes.
Level A2AdventureBunny Brown and his sister Sue on the rolling oceanTwo imaginative siblings transform their backyard into a bustling grocery store, turning pebbles, shells, and sand into treasures as they playfully slip into the roles of shopkeepe…
Level A2AdventureBunny Brown and His Sister Sue on an Auto TourWhen neighbors hear distress next door, Bunny Brown and his sister Sue spring into action to uncover the mystery surrounding the missing boy, Fred Ward.
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.