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 C1FantasyBaron Trump's Marvellous Underground JourneyA curious young baron and his loyal dog set off on a fantastical journey inspired by a mysterious ancient manuscript that claims a hidden world exists beneath the earth’s surface,…
Level B2Science FictionBarnstormerA young boy dreams of adventure as he sneaks away to meet Murph, a daring rocket pilot offering rides beyond the stars, while his family fears the dangers lurking in the vast unkno…
Level B2AdventureBarney Blake, the Boy Privateer; or, The Cruise of the Queer FishSet sail in 1813 aboard the Queer Fish, a lively privateer bristling with guns and crewed by a colorful band of sailors.
Level B2AdventureBaree, son of KazanBorn to a fierce wolf-dog father and a blind wolf mother, Baree’s early life unfolds in the wild northern wilderness, where survival, loyalty, and the raw beauty of nature shape hi…
Level C1RomanceBardelys the Magnificent: Being an account of the strange wooing pursued by the Sieur Marcel de Saint-Pol, marquis of Bardelys...In the glittering court of Louis XIII, the charming Marquis de Bardelys navigates rivalry, royal favor, and a mysterious wager that sets the stage for a daring pursuit of love and…
Level B2AdventureBarclay of the GuidesAmid the turmoil of the siege of Delhi during the great Mutiny, a daring young hunter spots a mysterious band of horsemen approaching his vulnerable village.
Level B2AdventureBarbara's Heritage: Young Americans Among the Old Italian MastersTwo American sisters dream of a grand journey to Italy, where art, sunshine, and ancient cathedrals await.
Level C1AdventureBannertail: The Story of a GraysquirrelAn orphaned gray squirrel raised by a farm cat must navigate the challenges of the wild alone after his home burns down, relying on instinct and inherited wisdom to survive and thr…
Level B2FantasyBalsamo, the magician; or, the memoirs of a physicianIn 1770, a mysterious and powerful stranger ventures into the shadowy forests near the Rhine, guided by a flickering light and veiled threats, as dark secrets and secret societies…
Level A2AdventureBallad of the Lost HareA mischievous hare flees his scolding family, racing through fields and forests to escape capture and find freedom.
Level C1AdventureBahama Bill, Mate of the Wrecking Sloop Sea-HorseA powerful diver plunges into the clear Bahama waters to salvage a sunken brig rumored to hold a fortune in silver and revolutionary arms.
Level C1AdventureBack to God's Country and Other StoriesA relentless Great Dane’s fierce legacy shapes a wild northern frontier where men, nature, and survival collide in a gripping tale of loyalty, conflict, and the untamed spirit of t…
Level B2FantasyBaby Jane's MissionAn eight-year-old girl with a tender heart ventures into the African desert to teach wild beasts and children the joy of dancing, hoping to bring fun and kindness to a harsh, misun…
Level B2MysteryBaboe Dalima; or, The Opium FiendAmid a raging storm on Java's treacherous coast, two men await a mysterious ship rumored to carry a secret cargo.
Level C1FantasyAyesha, the Return of SheImmortal and enigmatic, Ayesha resurfaces as fate intertwines with the lives of Leo and his guardian, drawing them into a mysterious saga of love, destiny, and ancient power that d…
Level B2AdventureAway in the WildernessA skilled hunter ventures deep into the vast, untamed wilderness of Rupert’s Land, driven by love and the promise of marriage.
Level B2AdventureAunt Jane's Nieces in the Red CrossThree courageous American girls leave their comfortable lives behind to volunteer as nurses in the harrowing battlefields of World War I, confronting the brutal realities of war wh…
Level B2AdventureAunt Jane's Nieces and Uncle JohnA determined young girl defies cruelty to rescue a mistreated puppy, sparking a charming adventure filled with courage, family warmth, and unexpected challenges.
Level B2AdventureAunt Jane's Nieces AbroadWhen Uncle John announces a trip to Europe—with spirited Patsy in tow—the Doyle family embarks on an adventurous journey through Italy, where ancient landscapes and modern dangers…
Level B2AdventureAunt Hannah and SethIn bustling New York, a determined boy with a loyal white dog faces life's challenges with courage and heart.
Level C1AdventureAudreyIn a lush, remote valley framed by towering mountains, a pioneer family faces the sudden arrival of a mysterious company of horsemen determined to explore the wilderness beyond.
Level B2AdventureAthelstane FordA young man escapes a cruel fate to seek treasure in the East Indies, facing battles, betrayal, and forbidden love, all while longing to break free from his quiet life and embrace…
Level B2AdventureAt the fall of Montreal; or, A soldier boy's final victoryTwo young soldiers, cousins David and Henry Morris, navigate the tense frontier as the English push to reclaim French-held forts and territory in North America.
Level B2AdventureAt the back of the worldDrawn by an irresistible passion for the sea, a determined fourteen-year-old boy leaves school and home to pursue a life on the ocean, facing harsh lessons and the tough realities…
Level C1MysteryAt the Time AppointedIn a harsh mountain mining town scorched by drought, a young expert mineralogist races against a rival to secure a legendary mine rumored to hold untold wealth, facing deception, c…
Level C1AdventureAt the Sign of the Silver FlagonIn the scorching Australian outback, Silver Creek transforms from wilderness to a bustling gold rush township where fortune seekers of all nations converge.
Level B2AdventureAt the Point of the SwordAmidst the turmoil of colonial Peru, young Juan Crawford faces danger and mystery when Rosa Montilla, daughter of a Spanish officer, arrives at his home in distress—uncovering secr…
Level C1AdventureAt the Point of the Bayonet: A Tale of the Mahratta WarAmidst the turbulent Mahratta War, Major Lindsay struggles to maintain order in a wild Indian district while British forces face mismanagement and fierce resistance.
Level C1Science FictionAt the Earth's CoreA daring inventor and his companion test a revolutionary drilling machine that burrows deep into the Earth, uncovering a hidden, prehistoric world teeming with strange creatures an…
Level B2MysteryAt the Black RocksA timid boy battles rising currents after his small boat capsizes near the ominous Black Rocks, prompting a daring rescue mission led by a bold leader and his crew aboard the Great…
Level B2AdventureAt Whispering Pine LodgeFour adventurous boys venture deep into the wild Adirondacks, building a shelter and fishing in untamed streams, facing challenges and mysteries in a remote wilderness where few da…
Level B2AdventureAt War with Pontiac; Or, The Totem of the Bear: A Tale of Redcoat and RedskinAmid the wild forests of 18th-century New York, a young settler’s family fortifies their home against encroaching dangers as tribal rivalries and colonial tensions ignite around th…
Level B2RomanceAt LargeTwo hawkers traverse the vast, unforgiving Australian desert, chasing dreams of fortune and survival against all odds.
Level C1AdventureAt AgincourtAmidst the bitter feud ravaging France, a noble English household prepares to join the fray, bringing skilled archers and knights to a land torn by civil war.
Level B2AdventureAt Aboukir and Acre: A Story of Napoleon's Invasion of EgyptAs Napoleon's French fleet threatens Egypt, two young allies stand amid ancient forts and shifting loyalties, witnessing the clash of empires where naval power and desert cavalry c…
Level B2Science FictionAstounding Stories, June, 1931A space patrol officer returns to Earth for routine business but uncovers a mysterious stowaway incident that challenges the cold logic of scientists and ignites a thrilling encoun…
Level B2Science FictionAstounding Stories, August, 1931Trapped a mile beneath the Pacific in a steel sphere, scientist George Abbot confronts mysterious fish-like creatures with human arms and faces the terrifying failure of his life-s…
Level C1AdventureAstoria; Or, Anecdotes of an Enterprise Beyond the Rocky MountainsJourney beyond the Rockies unfolds as fur traders and explorers brave treacherous wilderness, negotiate with Native tribes, and establish the ambitious Astoria trading post, reveal…
Level B2AdventureAssignatsStranded castaways in Novgorod are offered a risky contract to sail a decrepit tramp steamer flying the Chinese flag across the Sea of Japan with a cargo of caravan tea destined fo…
Level B2AdventureAsoka's alibiIn the sweltering carnival season of a restless Indian border state, Quorn, the master of the mighty elephant Asoka, navigates a world of ancient customs, mad revelry, and simmerin…
Level B2AdventureAsiatic Breezes; Or, Students on The WingYoung navigators embark on a daring Mediterranean voyage, facing storms, secret enemies, and thrilling battles near Cyprus.
Level B2FantasyAs the Goose FliesWhen Ellen discovers a hidden door behind the nursery bookcase, she steps into a magical world where a curious house stands on giant bird legs and a white gander waits.
Level B2RomanceAs We Sweep Through The DeepIn a time of pride and hardship, Jack Mackenzie sails away from England, leaving his family to face mounting debts and fading fortunes at the grand Grantley Hall.
Level C1RomanceAs It Was in the BeginningA weary inventor is offered a dreamlike escape: a voyage to Canton, China, tasked with escorting a grieving woman back home.
Level C1AdventureArthur Brown, The Young CaptainA young man, rescued from death by the sea captain who once owed a debt to his late father, embarks on a journey of adventure and self-discovery amid the turbulent rise of American…
Level C1RomanceArthur Blane; or, The Hundred CuirassiersIn 17th-century Paris, a young Scottish swordsman navigates dark alleys and deadly intrigues with only his wits, a keen blade, and a fierce determination to survive amidst duels, p…
Level C1MysteryArsène Lupin, super-sleuthIn the bustling streets of Paris, a mysterious Englishwoman with striking blue eyes captivates a watchful observer, while a spirited local girl with mesmerizing green eyes weaves t…
Level B2MysteryArsène Lupin versus Herlock SholmesA mysterious writing desk vanishes from a quiet home, sparking a puzzle that entwines a charming young woman, a clever thief, and a shadowy stranger—setting the stage for a battle…
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.