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 B2FantasyThe Surprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion with Those of General Napoleon Smith: An Improving History for Old Boys, Young Boys, Good Boys, Bad Boys, Big Boys, Little Boys, Cow Boys, and Tom-BoysFollow the mischievous childhood antics of the future General Napoleon Smith, his spirited sister Priscilla, and the unlikely Toady Lion as they navigate rivalry, pranks, and the e…
Level C1Science FictionThe Sunken Isthmus; or, Frank Reade, Jr., in the Yucatan Channel.An audacious scientist claims a sunken isthmus once connected Cuba and Yucatan, and plans to prove it by exploring the ocean floor in a revolutionary submarine invented by Frank Re…
Level C1FantasyThe Sundering FloodA mighty river named the Sundering Flood flows through a rich city and its countryside, where ships mingle with farmsteads and villagers dream of distant lands.
Level B2Science FictionThe Sun-DeathA spaceship captain defies his crew by changing course mid-mission, steering a controversial cargo of captured Venus natives away from Mars and toward Earth, risking mutiny and dea…
Level C1Science FictionThe Sun KingIn a decadent city ruled by the ruthless Sun King, a virgin’s miraculous pregnancy sparks fear and wonder, challenging forgotten gods and unleashing ancient powers on the brink of…
Level C1FantasyThe Substance of a DreamA mysterious love story unfolds like a fairy tale, exploring the enigmatic nature of attraction and the complexities of understanding between men and women.
Level C1FantasyThe Strange Voyage and Adventures of Domingo Gonsales, to the World in the MoonA daring voyage begins from the remote island of St.
Level B2FantasyThe Strange Story BookStep into a world where ancient myths and enchanting tales come alive, guided by a storyteller who cherishes beasts, history, and the magic of old legends.
Level B2FantasyThe Strange Little Girl: A Story for ChildrenIn a palace where joy reigns and sorrow is unknown, Princess Eline senses a hidden world beyond the garden’s edge—a place of mystery, longing, and unspoken truths calling her to le…
Level B2Science FictionThe StowawayA determined worker defies all odds to stow away on the first rocket to the Moon, driven by a fierce desire for glory and representation.
Level C1FantasyThe Story of the White MouseIn the ancient kingdom of Bonbobbin, a brilliant prince obsessed with mice offers half his realm and his bride to anyone who can capture a rare white mouse with green eyes—an elusi…
Level C2FantasyThe Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga); with Excerpts from the Poetic EddaAncient Norse legends unfold with heroes, gods, and deadly swords in a saga that traces the rise and fall of the Volsung family, weaving fate, betrayal, and fierce battles in a sta…
Level B1FantasyThe Story of the Three GoblinsThree goblin brothers embark on a daring quest through the Big World to reclaim a stolen Red Feather that will crown the new King of the Mountain.
Level C1FantasyThe Story of the Glittering Plain: Which Has Been Also Called the Land of Living Men or the Acre of the UndyingIn a land where the free-spirited Hallblithe prepares for marriage, mysterious travelers seek the elusive Glittering Plain—a realm where sorrow fades and life endures.
Level C1FantasyThe Story of the Champions of the Round TableAmidst war and betrayal, the young Launcelot of the Lake—destined to be the most noble and brave knight—rises from a besieged castle, his legendary birthmark marking him as a shini…
Level B2FantasyThe Story of the AmuletFour children discover a magical sand-fairy who grants wishes but with unexpected twists, leading them on new adventures during a difficult summer apart from their family.
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Venus and Tannhäuser: A Romantic NovelEnter the enchanted realm of Madam Venus, where the knight Tannhäuser experiences seductive pleasures, spiritual turmoil, and a quest for redemption amid divine and earthly passion…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the NiblungsJourney through the heroic saga of Sigmund and his son Sigurd as they battle foes, forge legendary swords, and confront cursed treasures amidst gods and kings.
Level B2FantasyThe Story of Sigurd the VolsungEnter a world of ancient myths and heroic deeds, where valor and destiny intertwine in the saga of Sigurd the Volsung, a tale of legendary quests and timeless battles that shape th…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of SiegfriedIn a world where nature’s mysteries are brought to life through ancient myths, a heroic figure emerges to awaken a sleeping spring and battle dark forces, weaving a timeless tale o…
Level A2FantasyThe Story of Mrs. TubbsAn elderly woman is forced from her beloved farm, but her loyal dog, duck, and pig band together to care for her in the wilderness, crafting a cozy refuge and defending her against…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Grettir the StrongAmidst a harsh Icelandic landscape, a fierce warrior faces supernatural foes and deadly feuds, battling curses and enemies alike as he seeks honor and survival in a world where fat…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Doctor DolittleA kind-hearted doctor with a unique gift speaks the language of animals, inviting readers into a whimsical world where creatures big and small share their stories and adventures al…
Level C1FantasyThe Story Without an EndA Child lives simply in a hut, delighting in morning feasts shared with whimsical creatures who reveal the wonders of nature and the joy of freedom.
Level C1Science FictionThe Stolen Bacillus and Other IncidentsIn a tense encounter between a bacteriologist and a mysterious visitor, a deadly vial of cholera bacteria sparks a chilling reflection on the unseen dangers lurking in everyday lif…
Level B2Science FictionThe Star LordAboard the Star Lord, the most advanced spaceship ever built, Captain Josiah Evans prepares to lead its maiden voyage into the stars, unaware that ancient superstitions and unseen…
Level C1Science FictionThe StarA mysterious new celestial body appears near Neptune, disrupting the solar system and dazzling observers worldwide with its growing brightness.
Level B2Science FictionThe Standardized ManIn a future where economic stability hinges on perfect standardization, a chemist races against time to create an all-weather suit that could save the textile industry—or doom soci…
Level C1FantasyThe Son of TarzanA mysterious, broken man emerges from the African jungle, haunted by a decade of torment and hatred.
Level C1FantasyThe Smoky God; Or, A Voyage to the Inner WorldAn elderly Norseman’s astonishing tale reveals a hidden world beyond the frozen North, challenging accepted geography and ancient myths with a voyage into an unknown inner Earth.
Level B2Science FictionThe Sloths of KruvnyIn a universe where Earth faces no threats, spaceman Brad Broadshoulders embarks on a bewildering mission to uncover why the cosmos has fallen silent—and why the fate of the world…
Level C1Science FictionThe Sleeper AwakesA man plagued by relentless insomnia wanders the coast, trapped in a waking nightmare of mental and physical exhaustion.
Level C1FantasyThe Slayer of SoulsHaunted by four years of a shadowy nightmare, a young American woman journeys across the seas, seeking peace and freedom from a mysterious, soul-destroying evil.
Level C1FantasyThe Sketch-Book of Geoffrey CrayonAn observant wanderer shares charming tales and reflections from both sides of the Atlantic, weaving a rich tapestry of human adventures and literary sketches that invite readers i…
Level B2FantasyThe Singing Mouse StoriesIn a humble room, a mysterious Singing Mouse appears only after midnight, enchanting with songs that conjure vivid worlds of beauty, friendship, and adventure beyond the ordinary.
Level B2Science FictionThe Shining CowOn a struggling farm, a mysterious glowing cow named Junius appears in the woods, its radiant light causing strange effects on those who see it.
Level C1FantasyThe Shaving of Shagpat; an Arabian entertainment — CompleteA barber named Shibli Bagarag, destined for greatness yet plagued by misfortune, embarks on a journey through enchanted cities and mysterious kingdoms, encountering magic, intrigue…
Level C1FantasyThe Shakespeare garden club: A fantasyFamous Shakespearean heroines gather in Stratford-on-Avon to revive the River Avon’s banks, blending wit, charm, and floral fantasy in a whimsical garden club meeting where classic…
Level C1FantasyThe Severed Hand: From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' CorporationA young physician from Constantinople journeys to Paris and Italy, navigating loss, cultural clashes, and mysterious misfortunes while trading exotic goods and practicing medicine…
Level C1FantasyThe Serapion Brethren, Vol. IIA scattered group of friends struggles to reunite their once-cherished Serapion Club amid illness and melancholy, seeking solace in shared stories and rekindled bonds beneath the o…
Level B2Science FictionThe SeederIn a distant galaxy, a relentless agent tracks down Pop, an eccentric old being who has secretly seeded countless planets with life—defying strict orders and risking cosmic consequ…
Level B2Science FictionThe Seed of the Toc-Toc BirdsUncover eerie metallic birds emerging from an abandoned mine shaft, heralding a mysterious force that rapidly transforms the landscape.
Level C1FantasyThe Secret of the League: The Story of a Social WarAs society grapples with new inventions like flying and sweeping social changes, a sharp-witted young woman challenges old-fashioned norms and a crumbling world order, igniting a s…
Level C1Science FictionThe Secret of the EarthTwo American brothers arrive in London, struggling with poverty and uncertain futures—one an inventor, the other a writer—soon uncover a mysterious, water-damaged document that pro…
Level C2FantasyThe Secret RoseA wandering gleeman named Cumhal roams the Irish provinces, caught between the fading powers of ancient druidic magic and the encroaching Christian order.
Level C1Science FictionThe Second DelugeA brilliant scientist races against time to decipher ominous cosmic signs predicting a catastrophic deluge that will drown the Earth.
Level B1FantasyThe Sea FairiesA curious girl named Trot and her sailor friend Cap’n Bill explore the mysteries of the ocean, where enchanting mermaids with haunting songs and shimmering scales may be as dangero…
Level B2FantasyThe Scarecrow of OzTrot and the one-legged sailor Cap'n Bill embark on a perilous journey to the magical Land of Oz, where friendship and adventure await among enchanting creatures and wondrous place…
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.