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 B2ClassicsJersey Street and Jersey Lane: Urban and Suburban SketchesExplore the clash between urban annoyance and human hardship through vivid sketches of city life, where an organ-grinder’s persistent music tests the patience of a well-to-do lady…
Level B2Children'sJerry; or, the sailor boy ashoreA sailor boy returns home after a long absence, only to face the changes and losses that time has wrought on his family.
Level B2MysteryJerry Todd and the Oak Island TreasureJoin Jerry Todd and his friends as they turn an old canal boat into a thrilling stage show while unraveling the mystery of a ghostly presence, a hidden treasure on a lonely island,…
Level B2ClassicsJerome, A Poor Man: A NovelIn the warmth of spring, twelve-year-old Jerome finds solace in a hidden rock ledge, where a chance encounter with Lucina Merritt, a well-to-do girl, sparks a tender but uneasy con…
Level B2Children'sJeremyAn eight-year-old boy wakes on his birthday to claim new rights in the family nursery, sparking playful battles and moments of self-discovery as he steps into a larger world beyond…
Level B2Science FictionJekyll-Hyde PlanetA family escapes Earth's overcrowded, war-torn future to colonize Centifor, a pristine, untouched paradise planet.
Level B2AdventureJeff Benson, or the Young CoastguardsmanA spirited young man, orphaned and determined, rejects a dull legal career to embrace the sea, rising from novice sailor to coastguard near his hometown.
Level B2Children'sJed, the Poorhouse BoyIn a harsh poorhouse ruled by bitter overseers, sixteen-year-old Jed faces daily cruelty with quiet strength and independence.
Level B2MysteryJeanne of the MarshesIn a world of whispered suspicions and social exile, Major Forrest seeks refuge from an unseen threat among scarce allies and uncertain loyalties.
Level B2ClassicsJean-Christophe in Paris: The Market-Place, Antoinette, the HouseAn awkward newcomer arrives in bustling Paris, overwhelmed by its chaos, grime, and indifferent crowds.
Level B2ClassicsJean-Christophe Journey's EndTwo struggling friends in Paris face sudden fame when a glowing newspaper article crowns one as a musical genius, thrusting him into a whirlwind of journalists and powerful admirer…
Level B2Children'sJean of GreenacresAs Christmas approaches at Greenacres, the Robbins sisters bustle with letters, baking, and preparations, weaving family affection and the simple joys of winter into a heartwarming…
Level B2Children'sJean Cabot at AshtonA young woman leaves her familiar life in California to begin college at Ashton near Boston, facing the challenge of new surroundings, friendships, and self-discovery as she naviga…
Level B2ClassicsJean Baptiste: A Story of French CanadaA young boy in French Canada wrestles with his destiny as a potential priest, caught between divine calling and personal uncertainty, while the voices of his heritage and community…
Level B2Children'sJasperIn a chilly morning filled with childish defiance and sibling quarrels, young Chrissie refuses to put on her stockings, sparking gentle lessons on obedience, happiness, and selfles…
Level B2AdventureJarwin and CuffyStranded on a deserted Pacific island, a weary sailor clings to life alongside his loyal terrier, battling hunger and despair while adrift on a fragile raft surrounded by endless o…
Level B2AdventureJaquelinaA spirited young woman dreams of education and freedom on her rural farm, but a nearby gang of horse-thieves threatens her peaceful life.
Level B2Children'sJapanese folk stories and fairy talesA willful princess refuses to marry until she finds a worthy lord, prompting a parade of suitors including eighty-one brothers with a brave youngest sibling who shows kindness to a…
Level B2Children'sJapanese Fairy TalesA fearless warrior encounters a mighty dragon guarding a bridge, who beseeches him to slay a monstrous centipede terrorizing the lake’s kingdom.
Level B2Children'sJanice Day, the Young HomemakerA determined young girl balances school ambitions and household duties after her mother's death, navigating challenges at home with a stubborn maid and mischievous neighbors in a s…
Level B2Children'sJanice Day at PoketownA determined young girl travels alone to the lakeside town of Poketown to live with her uncle while her father is away, eager to discover the charm and challenges of this new place…
Level B2Children'sJanice DayA determined young girl embarks on her first solo journey from Greensboro to the mysterious Poketown, where she must live with her uncle while her father is away.
Level B2Children'sJanet; or, The Christmas StockingsIn the harsh slums of New York, young Janet discovers unexpected kindness from a mysterious bishop who gifts her Christmas stockings filled with hope and sweets, sparking a heartwa…
Level B2Children'sJanet: A Stock-Farm ScoutA city girl arrives at Green Hill Farm, diary in hand, expecting a summer of rest but finds herself drawn into lively Scout adventures and the refreshing challenges of country life…
Level B2Children'sJanet's college careerJanet navigates the challenges of setting up her college room, balancing home treasures and budget woes, while preparing for a new chapter filled with friendships, traditions, and…
Level B2Children'sJanet's boysIn a household shadowed by loss and discord, a spirited young man challenges the rigid order his father clings to, sparking change and unexpected warmth in their once-staid home.
Level B2MysteryJanet Hardy in HollywoodAs winter snows linger, Janet Hardy rushes to school where the senior class eagerly awaits the announcement of parts for their play, "The Chinese Image.
Level B2AdventureJane, Stewardess of the Air LinesFresh from nursing school, Jane faces the daunting uncertainty of life beyond graduation while clinging to her friendship with Sue and dreaming of a future that promises more than…
Level B2ClassicsJane Journeys OnIn a quiet Vermont village where tradition and expectation reign, Jane Vail faces the pressure to marry well—especially to Martin Wetherby, the perfect suitor everyone expects her…
Level B2ClassicsJane Field: A NovelIn a quiet cottage filled with sea treasures and braided rugs, Amanda Pratt clings to routine and tradition, revealing the gentle monotony and hidden depths of a life shaped by her…
Level B2RomanceJane CableIn a crisp Chicago afternoon, spirited Jane Cable waits impatiently for her father, only to be joined by a charming young man who unravels the tangled social intrigues surrounding…
Level B2Children'sJane Allen, Right GuardA spirited young girl faces the challenge of leaving her beloved Western home to attend Wellington College, determined to embrace her new life with courage and make the most of her…
Level B2ClassicsJan and Her JobAboard a quiet P.
Level B2ClassicsJames Russell Lowell and His FriendsStep into the intimate world of a distinguished Boston literary circle, guided by personal memories and rare letters revealing the boyhood and formative years of a poet born amidst…
Level B2AdventureJacqueline of the Carrier PigeonsIn the serene city of Leyden, a golden-haired girl and her younger brother embark on a journey steeped in history and courage, where carrier pigeons carry messages of hope amid tal…
Level B2AdventureJack, the Young Ranchman: A Boy's Adventures in the RockiesA frail city boy embarks on a rugged adventure at his uncle's remote Rocky Mountain ranch, where wild animals, untamed landscapes, and the challenges of cowboy life await him.
Level B2AdventureJack, the Fire DogIn a bustling city where Engine 33 reigns supreme, Jack, the clever and devoted fire dog, races alongside his firemen comrades through freezing winter nights, ready to brave danger…
Level B2HistoricalJack's Ward; Or, The Boy GuardianIn post-Civil War New York, young Jack Harding faces hardship with a hopeful heart, stepping up to support his unemployed father and struggling family.
Level B2Children'sJack's Two SovereignsIn a cramped family home, thirteen-year-old Jack navigates sibling rivalries and the challenges of growing up as a printer’s boy, while his lively household juggles work, school, a…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Trapper: An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky MountainsAn Eastern boy returns to his uncle’s ranch in the rugged Rocky Mountains, eager to explore the wild frontier where trappers brave fierce storms and untamed wilderness in pursuit o…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Explorer: A Boy's Experiances in the Unknown NorthwestA young explorer ventures into the untamed Northwest, following mountain goats, elk, and elusive buffalo through rugged terrain where few white men have gone.
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Cowboy: An Eastern Boy's Experiance on a Western Round-upAn Eastern boy embraces the rugged life of a cowboy during a transformative era on the Western cattle range, facing the harsh realities behind the romantic allure of open plains, l…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Canoeman: An Eastern Boy's Voyage in a Chinook CanoeA young boy embarks on a daring voyage along the rugged British Columbia coast, discovering the mysterious beauty of the fiords and the traditional fishing methods of the indigenou…
Level B2AdventureJack the Hunchback: A Story of Adventure on the Coast of MaineWhen a deformed boy drifts ashore in a lifeboat carrying a hungry baby, a Maine farm boy’s dull day turns into a gripping adventure sparked by a ship’s explosion and a desperate es…
Level B2Children'sJack the EnglishmanIn the sunlit hills of Tasmania, young Jack, proud of his English heritage and eager to grow up, dreams of joining his naval captain father in England—yet the waiting and farewells…
Level B2Science FictionJack of No TradesIn a distant asteroid belt, a resourceful man transforms a battered tug’s powerful drive unit into a mobile asteroid, sparking curiosity and intrigue as others watch his unconventi…
Level B2AdventureJack in the Rockies: A Boy's Adventures with a Pack TrainA young boy embarks on a rugged journey through the untamed Yellowstone and Piegan territories, discovering wild landscapes and forming deep friendships along the way.
Level B2AdventureJack and his ostrichOn the vast South African veldt, young Jack Treby navigates a rugged life with his father, their faithful farmhands, and the wild landscape surrounding them.
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.