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 B2ClassicsIn doors and outA young dry goods dealer strikes out on his own with the backing of a wealthy merchant, only to find his ambitions complicated by the captivating presence of the merchant’s beautif…
Level B2ClassicsIn a steamer chair, and other shipboard storiesAs the steamship City of Buffalo departs New York harbor, George Morris embarks on a transatlantic voyage weighed down by restless thoughts and a mysterious urgency to leave the sh…
Level B2ClassicsIn a Quiet VillageIn a quiet village, the mysterious tailor Dan’l Coombe lives a life of strict routine and silent purpose, sparking curiosity with his secretive nighttime activities and unexpected…
Level B2ClassicsIn a Mysterious WayIn a bustling household where work never ceases, Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsIn VainA young man arrives in the bustling city of Kieff, eager to begin university life and escape his past.
Level B2ClassicsIn Those Days: The Story of an Old ManAs Samuel prepares his son for military service amidst community fears and family tensions, an old man's reflections reveal the struggles and hopes woven into a changing world.
Level B2ClassicsIn Pastures NewAn American titan of industry, accustomed to commanding respect at home, finds himself lost and humbled in foreign lands, struggling to navigate strange languages and customs—from…
Level B2ClassicsIn Our TownIn a small Western town, the local newspaper office serves as the social hub, revealing intimate and often humorous details about its residents—from choir scandals to hidden debts—…
Level B2ClassicsIn Midsummer Days, and Other TalesIn a radiant Northern midsummer, a bedridden old woman views her world through magical, color-shifting windowpanes, while a dove’s heavenly song stirs hope among a struggling famil…
Level B2ClassicsIn Kali's Country: Tales from Sunny IndiaIn the shadow of Kali’s temple, a holy man completes a five-year vow of sacrifice, wrestling with inner turmoil despite outward piety.
Level B2ClassicsIn His StepsA devoted minister wrestles with how to truly follow Christ's example when a desperate stranger challenges his faith and compassion, setting a profound journey of sacrifice and mor…
Level B2ClassicsIn Happy ValleyIn a rugged mountain valley, a fiercely independent young woman clashes with a shy new schoolteacher who brings new ways and challenges to their tight-knit community.
Level B2ClassicsIn Beaver Cove and ElsewhereIn a lively mountain settlement, a fierce rivalry ignites between two suitors vying for the spirited and captivating Armindy Hudgins, whose charm and daring set the stage for tensi…
Level B2ClassicsIn Bad Company, and other storiesBill Hardwick, a hardworking and skilled Australian farmer, strives to build a prosperous life with his capable wife Jenny on their rugged land.
Level B2ClassicsIf Any Man SinIn a mist-shrouded city, a disgraced man haunted by his past secretly follows a woman whose voice stirs deep emotions within him, forcing him to confront memories of disgrace and a…
Level B2ClassicsIdle Ideas in 1905Wry observations on social awkwardness and human nature unfold at a gathering where introductions and polite conversation reveal the quirks of societal expectations.
Level B2ClassicsIdealia, a Utopian Dream; or, ResthavenA chance visit to a serene country hamlet reveals a hidden utopia where nature and thoughtful design invite rest and reflection.
Level B2ClassicsI.N.R.I.: A prisoner's Story of the CrossIn a city gripped by fear and unrest, a condemned prisoner awaits his fate amid a crowd divided by judgment and sympathy.
Level B2ClassicsI've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of SuccessTwo brothers wrestle with the challenge of turning their bountiful harvest into profit in a struggling rural town.
Level B2ClassicsHumorous Masterpieces from American LiteratureOld friends reunite and reminisce about a quirky 1845 summer society filled with eccentric characters, idealistic philosophies, and humorous adventures.
Level B2ClassicsHow to write photoplaysUnlock the secrets of crafting compelling silent film scripts with clear, practical guidance on plot development, character action, and cinematic techniques essential for successfu…
Level B2ClassicsHow to become an actorDiscover practical guidance on acting, stage management, and creating theatrical effects at home, including how to rig a stage, make scenery, and produce sound and lighting effects…
Level B2ClassicsHow to Solve Conundrums: Containing All the Leading Conundrums of the Day, Amusing Riddles, Curious Catches, and Witty SayingsDive into a collection of witty riddles, amusing conundrums, and clever wordplays that challenge your mind and entertain with puns and playful twists on language.
Level B2ClassicsHow to Cook HusbandsDiscover witty domestic advice disguised as recipes for managing husbands and family life, blending humor and heartfelt reflection on marriage’s challenges and charms.
Level B2ClassicsHow The Raven Died: 1902, From "Wolfville Nights"In a rugged frontier town, tales unfold of Native American visitors, enigmatic scouts, and the elusive Old Jeffords, whose eerie hymns and mysterious past blur the line between wil…
Level B2ClassicsHow Robin Hood Once Was a Wait: A Miracle Play or Christmas MasqueIn a snowy wood, Robin Hood and his merry men confront a humble band of Christmas singers called the Waits, leading to a rare and heartwarming celebration of carols, kindness, and…
Level B2ClassicsHow John Norton the Trapper Kept His ChristmasAn old trapper spends a quiet Christmas Eve by his cabin fire, reflecting on the meaning of kindness and the true spirit of the season while reading from a cherished, ancient book.
Level B2ClassicsHow It Feels to Be FiftyExplore the vibrant perspective of turning fifty, where life is not a decline but an exciting ascent filled with newfound confidence and joy.
Level B2ClassicsHow It All Came RoundA young woman of intellect and beauty stands on the brink of marriage, balancing family bonds and personal ambition in a world of wealth and secrets.
Level B2ClassicsHow Deacon Tubman and Parson Whitney Kept New Year's: And Other StoriesOn a crisp New Year's morning, Deacon Tubman stumbles upon a mysterious gift from his meticulous housekeeper, Miss Miranda, setting the stage for a charming tale of unexpected warm…
Level B2ClassicsHope Hathaway: A Story of Western Ranch LifeOn a sprawling Missouri ranch, old-time cattleman Jim Hathaway struggles against the encroaching changes of civilization and rising tensions within his family, especially involving…
Level B2ClassicsHookersIn the gritty border town of Juarez, Pearl Jones fights to make a living under the harsh realities of the oldest trade, navigating corrupt officials, tough rivals, and the relentle…
Level B2ClassicsHonest Wullie; and Effie Patterson's StoryIn a snow-covered Scottish countryside, honest Wullie, a devoted farm-laborer, faces the challenge of supporting his wayward brother and his family, balancing duty, sacrifice, and…
Level B2ClassicsHomes made and marredA skilled workman and a devoted housemaid plan to start a life together, but hidden tensions and past struggles threaten their dreams of a happy home.
Level B2ClassicsHomeburg MemoriesA small-town train brings a daily flood of characters and stories to Homeburg, where the arrival of old Number Eleven is the highlight of the day, weaving together the lives of hom…
Level B2ClassicsHome Lights and ShadowsIn a home where love and selfishness clash, a wife and husband navigate the delicate balance between duty and defiance, revealing the shadows that can darken even the sunniest dome…
Level B2ClassicsHoliday Tales: Christmas in the AdirondacksAn old trapper spends Christmas Eve alone in his cozy woodland cabin, reflecting on faith, goodwill, and the hardships faced by those forgotten.![Cover of His other self [Night watches, Part 10.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jo0qpmtvc73csno0g.webp)
Level B2ClassicsHis other self [Night watches, Part 10.]A night-watchman and an actor hatch a curious plan when the actor insists on transforming himself into the exact likeness of a sailor for a stage role.
Level B2ClassicsHis Royal NibsAn English war veteran, weary but resolute, encounters unexpected challenges while traversing the rugged Canadian foothills, where a tense cattle stampede tests his courage and res…
Level B2ClassicsHis FamilyA widowed father reflects on the vibrant New York of his youth while navigating changing times and relationships with his grown daughters.
Level B2ClassicsHints on writing short storiesDiscover practical, no-nonsense advice on mastering the art of short story writing through clear, direct lessons and sudden insights drawn from real-life experience, emphasizing tr…
Level B2ClassicsHilda Strafford: A California StoryAs Robert Strafford awaits his fiancée's arrival at his isolated Southern California ranch, he wrestles with doubts about whether this rugged land can truly welcome her or if its h…
Level B2ClassicsHidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm PayA young chore boy surveys a once-thriving Pennsylvania farm now fallen into neglect, sparking a journey to revive its fortunes with modern farming methods and labor-saving innovati…
Level B2ClassicsHidden HandIn a remote Virginia mansion surrounded by wild, stormy landscapes, Major Ira Warfield—known as Old Hurricane—lives a solitary, tempestuous life shadowed by dark family secrets and…
Level B2ClassicsHetty's Strange HistoryHetty Gunn inherits a vast farm and a legacy of resilience from her indomitable grandfather, facing the loneliness and expectations of a woman alone in a man's world.
Level B2ClassicsHer own wayIn a charming nursery alive with playful children and family secrets, a lively birthday celebration reveals tender bonds and amusing rivalries, hinting at the complexities beneath…
Level B2ClassicsHer countryIn a fading family estate, young Honor battles doubt and duty, determined to transform her gifted voice into a fortune to restore their legacy.
Level B2ClassicsHer Lord and MasterA wealthy Western family reunites in New York, where pride, mystery, and unexpected emotions intertwine as patriarch Horatio Stillwater confronts strange feelings and the spirited…
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.