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 B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 135. April 10, 1915; Straight to the Goal; Or, Nick Carter's Queer ChallengeA daring detective and his companions receive a chilling message: a spear bearing a captive’s necktie and an invitation to a mysterious city ruled by a cunning high priest.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 134, April 3, 1915; The Secret of Shangore; Or, Nick Carter Among the SpearmenA determined millionaire and a world-renowned detective venture into the treacherous Himalayas to capture a notorious crook and unravel the secrets of a mysterious race worshipping…
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 133, March 27, 1915: Won by Magic; or, Nick Carter's Mysterious Ear.A cryptic telegram summons detective Nick Carter to Nepal, sparking a tense search for a missing man linked to a powerful shipping magnate.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 131, March 13, 1915: A fatal message; or, Nick Carter's slender clewNick Carter eavesdrops on a cryptic telegram and a mysterious visitor, sparking a tense investigation into a secret message that could unravel a deadly conspiracy.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 124, January 23, 1915: The girl kidnaper; or, Nick Carter's up-to-date clew.A wealthy woman vanishes from her locked hotel room on a cliffside, leaving behind only a trail of mystery and missing jewelry.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 123, January 16, 1915: Half a million ransom; or, Nick Carter and the needy nine.When a woman suddenly faints in Central Park, detective Nick Carter suspects more than a simple medical episode—especially as a child under the nurse’s care mysteriously disappears…
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 122, January 9, 1915: The suicide; or, Nick Carter and the lost headA devoted wife seeks help when her husband's strange behavior and sudden despair hint at a hidden crisis.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 121, January 2, 1915: The call of death; or, Nick Carter's clever assistantA brilliant detective and his clever assistant race to unravel the mystery behind a daring bank vault burglary, tracking a notorious criminal mastermind lurking in the shadows.
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 120, December 26, 1914: An uncanny revenge; or, Nick Carter and the mind murderer.When a renowned actress collapses mid-performance, haunted by a face in the audience, a famous detective and his team dive into a baffling mystery of hidden grudges and eerie mind…
Level B2MysteryNick Carter Stories No. 11, November 23, 1912: Nick Carter Strikes Oil; or, Uncovering More Than a MurderIn a rugged Colorado valley, a desperate man accuses a clergyman of swindling over a land deal tied to a mysterious private school scheme.
Level B2MysteryNancy Brandon's MysteryAs Nancy’s mother departs for Europe, Nancy faces a lonely summer at her mysterious cousin Rosalind’s imposing estate, where unsettling secrets and strange tensions hint at a puzzl…
Level B2MysteryNan Sherwood at Pine Camp; Or, The Old Lumberman's SecretAs Atwater Mills faces an unexpected shutdown, Nan Sherwood confronts the harsh realities behind the yellow poster that spells hardship for the mill workers and their families—can…
Level B2MysteryMystery of the Chinese RingWhen a mysterious ring tied to a stone crashes through his window at dawn, Biff Brewster finds himself caught in a puzzling adventure just as he's about to embark on a journey to f…
Level B2MysteryMystery of the Caribbean PearlsA man discovers a hidden pearl fishery in the treacherous Caribbean waters, igniting a dangerous race to claim the treasure.
Level B2MysteryMystery of the Ambush in IndiaThree adventurous boys arrive in India, eager to explore gold mines and towering mountains, but a mysterious swimmer approaching their ship signals that danger and intrigue lie ahe…
Level B2MysteryMystery RanchA murder discovered on the edge of an Indian reservation ignites tensions as the Indian agent and chief of police race to uncover the truth, navigating cultural conflicts and simme…
Level B2MysteryMysterious Mr. SabinAmid London’s glittering supper scene, a mysterious duo captures the attention of curious onlookers who scramble to uncover their identity.
Level B2MysteryMy friend the murderer, and other mysteries and adventuresA prison doctor in remote Australia encounters Maloney, a notorious murderer whose defiant story might shatter the monotony of his isolated life.
Level B2MysteryMy friend the murdererIn a grim Australian prison, a weary doctor encounters Maloney, a notorious bushranger whose fierce defiance and dark past promise a gripping tale of murder and survival beneath th…
Level B2MysteryMurderer's BaseOn a remote asteroid, two space beacon servicemen uncover a radioactive treasure, but greed turns deadly as one plots to eliminate his cautious partner to claim the prize alone.
Level B2MysteryMr. Marx's SecretWhen the long-lost Squire Ravenor, presumed dead after a yacht disaster, is found alive on a remote Pacific island, a quiet Midland county stirs with excitement and secrets.
Level B2MysteryMr. Justice RafflesA vanished Raffles returns from the mysterious spa town of Carlsbad, gaunt and weary, prompting his old friend Bunny into a tale of deception, stolen emeralds, and a daring plan to…
Level B2MysteryMotor Matt's Mystery; or, Foiling a Secret PlotIn a lively Western town, Motor Matt, a fearless and athletic lad, stumbles upon a chaotic clash involving a mischievous Dutch boy and eccentric locals—unraveling a secret plot tha…
Level B2MysteryMotor Matt's Mariner; or, Filling the Bill for BunceTwo friends, Motor Matt and cowboy Joe McGlory, stumble upon a mysterious moving-picture show depicting a sinister plot involving a priceless ruby known as the Eye of Buddha.
Level B2MysteryMotor Matt's Daring Rescue; or, The Strange Case of Helen BradyIn a Western town shadowed by crime, Motor Matt—a fearless young motorist—and his allies face a tangled mystery when Helen Brady, daughter of a convicted thief, vanishes without a…
Level B2MysteryMiss Cayley's AdventuresA spirited young woman, newly independent and unwilling to teach, sets out to embrace the bustling city of London and seize any adventure or opportunity that fate might offer her.
Level B2MysteryMinkieWhen a mysterious guest named Schwartz arrives unexpectedly at Dale End on Christmas Eve, Minkie and her quirky gang—led by Bobby, the horse—set out to uncover his secrets, blendin…
Level B2MysteryMidnight In Beauchamp Row: 1895On a stormy Christmas Eve, a young bride is left alone with a bag of cash her husband must protect at all costs, setting the stage for a night filled with tension and mystery in a…
Level B2MysteryMaster tales of mystery, Volume 2 (of 3)A brilliant logician known as The Thinking Machine boldly claims he can escape any prison cell using only his intellect.
Level B2MysteryMaster Tales of Mystery, Volume 3In a quiet Connecticut town shaken by the mysterious poisoning of a rising actress, two determined men rush to unravel a tangled web of secrets, suspicious notes, and hidden motive…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise at DorfieldIn a town struggling to regain its prewar calm, Mary Louise and her friends confront the restlessness and shifting roles of young women eager to find purpose beyond old expectation…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and the Liberty GirlsIn a small town struggling to meet its Liberty Bond quota during wartime, Mary Louise and her friends step up to prove that even the humblest girls can make a vital difference thro…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and Josie O'GormanWhen a young widow faces sudden poverty, she teams up with her friend Josie, a skilled detective and laundress, to rebuild their lives through a quaint shop and a bold charitable p…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Stands the TestAmid whispers of fortune and fading health, Mary Louise faces the challenge of her grandfather’s growing suspicion toward Danny, the scarred war hero she loves.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Solves a MysteryAn eleven-year-old girl anxiously awaits news about her critically ill mother, whose days may be numbered.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Adopts a SoldierAs the Dorfield Regiment returns from war, Mary Louise and her grandfather prepare to welcome the soldiers home, eager to help any displaced men find their place in a community sti…
Level B2MysteryMary LouiseAt Miss Stearne's strict boarding school, Mary Louise navigates teenage tensions and a controversial curfew that sparks a student rebellion.
Level B2MysteryMartin of old LondonIn the smoky streets of 1666 London, fourteen-year-old Martin Leake navigates the bustling riverbank and a mysterious rendezvous that hints at hidden dangers.
Level B2MysteryMalcolm Sage, DetectiveAn unassuming accountant-turned-detective with a bald head and restless hands must navigate post-war intrigue and hidden corruption, while the noble family that trusts him plots to…
Level B2MysteryLord John in New YorkWounded and recovering in a convalescent home, a talented detective and war hero faces unexpected challenges when a powerful New York magnate threatens to ruin the theatrical debut…
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton, Air PilotA determined young woman seizes her chance for a thrilling first flight despite warnings, soaring into the skies with a daring pilot and encountering unexpected dangers that test h…
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Perilous SummerA daring young aviator and her spirited friend take to the skies in their trusty autogiro, only to witness a shocking hit-and-run accident that pulls them into a perilous mystery.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Ocean FlightA daring young aviatrix faces a desperate race against time through dense fog to save a baby whose life hangs by a thread.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Island AdventureA daring young aviator, celebrated for her solo transatlantic flight, defies societal expectations to pursue a thrilling career in the skies.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Hollywood FlightWhen famed aviatrix Linda Carlton returns from a mysterious week-long flight, friends and family eagerly await news of her latest adventure.
Level B2MysteryLillian's vowOn a quiet winter night, an old man is attacked for a mysterious memorandum-book that could expose dark secrets of forgery and embezzlement.
Level B2MysteryLibrary of the World's Best Mystery and Detective StoriesA young woman of modest means receives a rare invitation to a grand ball but faces heartbreak over her lack of a suitable dress, setting in motion a tale of desire, sacrifice, and…
Level B2MysteryLarry Barlow's ambitionA young machinist and volunteer fireman dreams of joining New York’s fire department and inventing a revolutionary extension ladder to fight towering infernos.
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.