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 B2Science FictionCause of DeathHaunted by the mystery of death, a man resolves to experience it firsthand and return to share what lies beyond—armed only with determination, curiosity, and carefully laid plans t…
Level B2MysteryCastle of TerrorA tense flight turns deadly when a volatile criminal seizes a gun midair, trapping passengers in a terrifying struggle at 10,000 feet.
Level C1MysteryCarnacki, the Ghost FinderA seasoned investigator accepts a chilling case involving a haunted room where eerie door slams and torn bedclothes defy explanation.
Level C1FantasyCarmillaIn a remote Styrian castle surrounded by ancient forests and eerie ruins, a young woman recalls the strange and unsettling events that have haunted her solitary life—events that hi…
Level C1FantasyCan Such Things Be?A man lost in a dark forest awakens from a dreamless sleep to utter a mysterious name, then embarks on a haunting journey through a bloodstained, shadowless landscape where unseen…
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 B1FantasyBusy BrowniesWhen the Fairy Queen’s palace is destroyed by a storm, the industrious Brownies spring into action, working tirelessly through the night to build a grand new home.
Level B1FantasyBumps and His BuddiesA roly-poly boy named Bumps sets out from his humble home, befriending a clever little rabbit who helps him find food and outwit dangers on their quest for fortune.
Level C2FantasyBubbles of the FoamJourney through an ancient Indian landscape where the Desert’s shifting mirages reflect life’s illusions and love’s fleeting ecstasies, revealing a world where reality blurs into d…
Level C1Science FictionBride of the Dark OneIn a shadowy outpost for galactic outcasts, Ransome, a weary Earthman marked by misfortune, faces a deadly bargain as a seductive dancer and a cunning Venusian offer escape from re…
Level B1FantasyBobbie BubblesA boy with an extraordinary talent for blowing bubbles finds himself whisked away inside a giant shimmering bubble to a magical land among the clouds, where curious adventures awai…
Level B2Science FictionBlind SpotIn a future where Earthlings and Martians coexist under strict segregation laws, tensions simmer beneath the surface of enforced harmony.
Level B2Science FictionBlack-outOn a dying Mars, a determined astronomer races to rebuild a powerful telescope and establish contact with a mysterious blue planet whose glowing lights may hold the key to saving t…
Level C1FantasyBlack spirits & whiteIn 1886 Paris, an heir inherits a sinister house cursed by a notorious sorcerer, rumored to haunt its halls with invisible terrors.
Level B2MysteryBlack hound of deathIn a shadowy Southern wilderness, a desperate man flees a monstrous killer whose savage attacks defy explanation, while a mysterious recluse hides secrets that may hold the key to…
Level C1FantasyBlack Nick, the hermit of the hills; or, The expiated crime: A story of Burgoyne's surrenderIn a shadowed forest during a turbulent war, a mysterious hermit known as Black Nick emerges from darkness to confront secret missions, fierce warriors, and ominous threats lurking…
Level C1FantasyBlack CanaanIn the shadowy swamps of Southern Canaan, ancient grudges and dark voodoo stir as a mysterious, enchanting quadroon woman appears, challenging loyalties and awakening perilous secr…
Level B1FantasyBikey the Skicycle and Other Tales of JimmieboyA neglected bicycle with magical pneumatic tires reveals it can do more than just roll—it might actually fly.
Level C1Science FictionBeyond the Great South Wall: The Secret of the AntarcticTwo friends, heartbroken and restless, face shattered hopes and societal barriers as they watch the women they love sail away on a distant voyage.
Level B2Science FictionBeyond the Black RiverA rugged woodsman stalks the perilous frontier beyond Thunder River, where savage Picts lurk and deadly ambushes await.
Level B2Science FictionBeyond PandoraIn a future where tissue regeneration halts aging and heals injuries, a man confronts the uneasy legacy of a vaccine once linked to deadly diseases.
Level C1FantasyBefore AdamHaunted by vivid, terrifying dreams of ancient forests and primal fears, a boy discovers a mysterious connection to a prehistoric world that defies all waking experience, blurring…
Level B2Science FictionBeer-Trust BustersIn a future where one man controls the beer supply, three unlikely allies scheme to topple the ruthless tycoon known as Dirty Dudley.
Level B2FantasyBee: The Princess of the DwarfsIn a world where the fate of noble houses is marked by mysterious signs, a young princess and a boy destined to be her protector grow up bound by love and destiny.
Level B2Science FictionBattlefield in BlackCaptain Jon McPartland returns from a perilous patrol to find his connection to Earth mysteriously severed and the view screen to his home planet blank—amid growing fears that the…
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 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 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 B2Science FictionB-12's Moon GlowIn a desolate junkyard on Phobos, B-12, a clever robot moonshiner, navigates prejudice and loneliness among obsolete metal beings while brewing a potent secret elixir that sparks u…
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 C1MysteryAuriol; or, The Elixir of LifeOn the cusp of a new century, a mysterious figure steals grisly trophies from London’s battlements, drawing the attention of Doctor Lamb, an enigmatic alchemist whose dark secrets…
Level C1Science FictionAtavismAmidst a brutal wartime backdrop, a Martian named Erg embarks on a pioneering mission to Earth, designed to overcome ancient atavistic traits and unlock new potentials.
Level C1MysteryAt the mountains of madnessA scientific expedition to Antarctica uncovers eerie fossils and ancient secrets beneath the ice, challenging conventional knowledge and warning of dangers best left undisturbed.
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 B2FantasyAt the Back of the North WindA young boy named Diamond lives in a chilly hay-loft, where the restless north wind whispers secrets just beyond the walls.
Level C1FantasyAt a Winter's FireLost in a haunting Alpine gorge under a full moon, a traveler encounters eerie spirits and a mysterious figure plagued by a strange affliction tied to the lunar light—where nature’…
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 B2Science FictionAssassinIn a high-stakes infiltration at the Pentagon, a flawlessly trained assassin navigates deadly scrutiny and political rivalries, tasked with a mission that transcends the murder of…
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 B2Science FictionArqtiq: A Study of the Marvels at the North PoleEmbark on a daring expedition to the North Pole aboard a marvelous hybrid coach that glides, sails, and flies over snow and water.
Level B1FantasyArmy Boys in the French Trenches; Or, Hand to Hand Fighting with the EnemyAmerican soldiers brace for a daring dawn assault on German trenches, facing deadly explosions and fierce resistance in a brutal test of courage and brotherhood amid the chaos of W…
Level C1Science FictionAnother EarthIn a groundbreaking space test, an astronaut inside a sealed capsule experiences a baffling breakdown in communication, revealing unsettling mysteries about the human mind and surv…
FantasyAnother Brownie BookTiny Brownies embark on whimsical adventures from building snowmen and racing yachts to exploring orchards and celebrating holidays, inviting readers into a magical world filled wi…
Level C1FantasyAnno Domini 2000; or, Woman's DestinyIn a stark future where wealth and want collide, a once-promising man’s tragic fall exposes the brutal inequalities haunting society.
Level C1FantasyAn Essence of the Dusk, 5th EditionIn a land gripped by famine and ancient legends, a traveler witnesses the eerie eclipse caused by the demon Ráhu and embarks on a haunting journey through India's desolate plains,…
Level B2FantasyAn Entertaining History of Tom ThumbDiscover the whimsical tale of Tom Thumb, a tiny hero navigating a world much larger than himself, filled with adventure and enchantment that captivates readers of all ages.
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.