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 B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys over the Top; Or, Doing and Daring for Uncle SamFive comrades in the trenches brace for a daring dawn assault, their camaraderie tested amid the tense shadows of wartime.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys at the Front; or, Shoulder to Shoulder in the TrenchesFive young soldiers forge an unbreakable bond as they navigate training, friendship, and the harsh realities of World War I, preparing to face the front lines in war-torn France.
Level B2AdventureThe Khaki Boys Fighting to Win; or, Smashing the German LinesAmid distant bombardments and tense moments in a bomb-proof dugout, a group of khaki-clad soldiers prepare for relentless battles against German forces, sharing camaraderie, braver…
Level B2HistoricalThe Kentucky RangerIn the rugged Kentucky wilderness, a determined pioneer preacher rides tirelessly, spreading faith and facing mockery, danger, and frontier challenges.
Level B2AdventureThe Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great WoodsIn the vast, untamed wilderness of Kentucky, a skilled youth named Henry Ware reigns supreme, blending seamlessly with the forest as he navigates its dangers and wonders.
Level B2AdventureThe Jungle BookIn the heart of the jungle, a wolf pack faces the threat of the fierce tiger Shere Khan, whose hunger for man disrupts the delicate balance of the wild.
Level B2HistoricalThe Jugglers: A StoryA traveling troupe of jugglers and singers faces a crucial decision about where to winter, while their prima donna, Diane, recalls her humble origins and dreams of the town she nev…
Level B2AdventureThe Island of EnchantmentAs Venice faces a looming invasion and internal strife, young Zuan Gradenigo is summoned by his ailing uncle, the doge, who fiercely vows to defend their cherished island of Arbe f…
Level B2FantasyThe Iron Star — And What It Saw on Its Journey Through the Ages: From Myth to HistoryJourney through a primeval world where fire is a precious treasure and ancient fears roam the forest.
Level B2HistoricalThe Hunter Cats of ConnorloaA lonely gentleman, weakened by illness, settles in sunny California after years of wandering the world in search of health.
Level B2AdventureThe House of SpiesIn the dead of night, Jasper Benham confronts a daring stable break-in by ruthless horse thieves, setting off a pulse-pounding chase and a fight to protect what’s left from a ruthl…
Level B2FantasyThe House of Arden: A Story for ChildrenTwo children, Edred and Elfrida Arden, live in a once-grand but now crumbling family estate by the sea, struggling with the hardships of lost fortune and unwelcome lodgers.
Level B2AdventureThe Hosts of the AirTrapped in the grim reality of World War I trenches, a young soldier wrestles with the brutal landscape and the memory of a distant love, while the thunder of artillery and the sha…
Level B2HistoricalThe Homesteader: A NovelIn a struggling Indiana farming family, Agnes—a young woman marked by mysterious, captivating eyes—bears the weight of her family's future as they return home broken but determined…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level B2RomanceThe Hero of the People: A Historical Romance of Love, Liberty and LoyaltyAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a skilled artisan with secret motives watches the royal procession, weaving a tale of love, liberty, and loyalty as hidden forces stir th…
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain BoysIn the tense winter of 1764, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys confront a royal proclamation that threatens their land and loyalty.
Level B2HistoricalThe Hand-Made Gentleman: A Tale of the Battles of PeaceA spirited boy named Cricket navigates the challenges of youth amid the dawn of steam power and industrial change, encountering ghosts, inventions, and battles of enterprise.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western CampaignAmid the chaos of a crushing defeat, young Northern soldier Dick Mason grapples with despair as his army retreats, setting the stage for a gripping tale of courage and conflict in…
Level B2AdventureThe Guns of EuropeAmid the looming chaos of Europe’s great war, a young American traveler contemplates art and humanity, witnessing the stirring moments that ignite a global conflict.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Bull Run: A Story of the Civil War's EveAs winter snow blankets a Kentucky town on the eve of the Civil War, two cousins—one destined to fight for the South, the other for the North—face divided loyalties amid the brewin…
Level B2RomanceThe Grip of Honor: A Story of Paul Jones and the American RevolutionAmidst the stormy seas of the American Revolution, a daring captain and his loyal lieutenant chase a mysterious merchant ship near treacherous reefs, their pursuit fueled by honor,…
Level B2HistoricalThe Grey ManIn a land torn by clan rivalries, a father and son navigate the fiery siege of Ardstinchar Castle, caught between fierce factions and deadly suspicion.
Level B2RomanceThe Grey CloakIn the shadowy streets of Paris, a masked man in a grey cloak embarks on a perilous quest to steal a secret paper that could save his life and fortune, weaving intrigue, danger, an…
Level B2HistoricalThe Great White ArmyAs Napoleon's Grand Army marches triumphantly into Moscow, a veteran surgeon and his daring nephew navigate the city's eerie silence and unexpected dangers, uncovering mysteries th…
Level B2AdventureThe Great Sioux Trail: A Story of Mountain and PlainIn the tense frontier where plains meet mountains, a young soldier witnesses the fierce defiance of Red Cloud, the great Sioux war chief, who vows to bar the white settlers' advanc…
Level B2AdventureThe Great Quest: A romance of 1826, wherein are recorded the experiences of Josiah Woods of Topham, and of those others with whom he sailed for Cuba and the Gulf of GuineaIn the summer of 1826, Josiah Woods sets out from his quiet village, unaware that his routine errand will launch him into a wild sea voyage to Cuba and the Gulf of Guinea, filled w…
Level B2HistoricalThe Great Invasion of 1813-14; or, After Leipzig: Being a story of the entry of the allied forces into Alsace and Lorraine, and their march upon Paris after the Battle of Leipzig, called the Battle of the Kings and NationsAmid the serene village of Charmes in 1813, a shoemaker’s family faces the upheaval of the Allied invasion following the Battle of Leipzig.
Level B2HistoricalThe Gray DawnIn 1852 San Francisco, a sharp-witted gambler navigates a world of flashy young men, political intrigue, and rough frontier life.
Level B2AdventureThe Gorilla HuntersTwo old friends reunite with tales of adventure from the Pacific, but their reunion sparks a daring new plan that promises thrilling exploits and unexpected challenges.
Level B2AdventureThe Golden Harpoon; Or, Lost Among the Floes: A Story of the Whaling GroundsAnchored in a wild bay near icy Kamschatka, the crew of the Montpelier faces the looming threat of drifting ice while young Alice, carrying a golden harpoon, embarks on a daring wh…
Level B2AdventureThe Golden Dream: Adventures in the Far WestIn a dazzling cavern of pure gold, Ned Sinton discovers a strange society of golden people who celebrate the mysterious power of California.
Level B2AdventureThe Golden CanyonStranded and desperate, a group of adventurers races through harsh terrain in search of a legendary golden valley hidden within a treacherous canyon.
Level B2AdventureThe Gold Of FairnileeIn the haunting ruins of Fairnilee, young Randal grows up amid whispers of war, loss, and legends of fairies.
Level B2AdventureThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1008, April 22, 1899Caught in a desperate retreat through snow-covered mountains and relentless enemy pursuit, a young soldier battles hardship and danger while inspired by the unwavering resolve of h…
Level B2HistoricalThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 984, November 5, 1898Amid the Franco-English War, a young boy named Roy battles illness under the watchful care of a weary soldier and a mysterious, gentle girl scarred by smallpox.
Level B2AdventureThe Gilpins and their Fortunes: A Story of Early Days in AustraliaTwo brothers leave their English farming home to seek fortune and build a new life in bustling, young Sydney, Australia.
Level B2HistoricalThe German Lieutenant, and Other StoriesAmid the aftermath of the 1870 Battle of Sedan, a reserve lieutenant and geologist finds himself confined in a quaint French town, torn between the harsh realities of war and the s…
Level B2AdventureThe Gentleman: A Romance of the SeaA lone figure stands on the cliff’s edge, gazing across a moonlit sea that separates invaders from a stubborn island nation.
Level B2HistoricalThe Gayton Scholarship: A School StoryRivalry ignites among schoolboys competing for the prestigious Gayton Scholarship, with spirited races, unexpected mishaps, and the watchful eye of an important inspector setting t…
Level B2HistoricalThe Galley Slave's Ring; or, The Family of Lebrenn: A Tale of The French Revolution of 1848Amidst the turbulent days leading to the French Revolution of 1848, a humble linen draper and his Breton family navigate the clash of old and new principles sweeping Paris.
Level B2AdventureThe Fur-Seal's Tooth: A Story of Alaskan AdventureA spirited young athlete from New England, burdened by a careless streak, finds himself penniless and adrift in a foreign land.
Level B2AdventureThe Fur Bringers: A Story of the Canadian NorthwestTensions flare between two partners in the remote Canadian Northwest as the stirrings of June fever ignite restless tempers and uneasy alliances.
Level B2AdventureThe Fugitives: The Tyrant Queen of MadagascarThree fugitives race through Madagascar's perilous wilderness, pursued by deadly foes and forced to navigate treacherous cliffs and shattered paths.
Level B2RomanceThe Frontier Angel: A Romance of Kentucky Rangers' LifeIn a perilous frontier town near the Ohio River, young Marian Abbot prepares to journey westward on a flat-boat, leaving behind her beloved Russel Mansfield amid threats from reneg…
Level B2MysteryThe FrontierTensions rise as the German frontier post near the circus of the Butte-aux-Loups is repeatedly felled, hinting at brewing conflict.
Level B2HistoricalThe French TwinsIn war-torn Rheims, a devoted mother cleans her beloved cathedral while her twin children prepare for Confirmation, embodying the courage and hope of a family striving to protect t…
Level B2AdventureThe Free Rangers: A Story of the Early Days Along the MississippiIn the vast, untamed wilderness along the Mississippi, a skilled young woodsman known as Shif’less Sol embraces the wild, ready to protect his land and people amidst nature’s grand…
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.