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 B2Children'sCharley's Log: A Story of Schoolboy LifeTwo schoolboys, Charley and Tom, navigate the challenges of boarding school life while dreaming of the sea and adventure.
Level B2ClassicsCharles Chapin's storyA celebrated city editor faces life imprisonment after a devastating act driven by despair and mental anguish.
Level B2Children'sCharity's birthday textOn her tenth birthday, kind-hearted Charity enjoys simple gifts and warm family moments, unaware that her peaceful life may soon face unexpected trials.
Level B2AdventureCharge! A Story of Briton and BoerAmidst a rugged frontier homestead, a sudden warning of mounted men sets a family on alert, blending the challenges of pioneering life with the looming threat of conflict.
Level B2RomanceChantemerleIn the shadow of the Vendéan War, a young woman caught between courtly duty and forbidden love finds herself torn as political tensions rise and loyalty is tested.
Level B2Children'sChange Signals: A Story of the New FootballAt Yardley Hall School, football season kicks off with spirited rallies, determined players, and lessons in school loyalty.
Level B2Science FictionChain ReactionFour former colleagues reunite for a tense poker game in a sanitarium, where a disgraced scientist warns that a dangerous project is about to trigger a catastrophic total conversio…
Level B2RomanceCecilia of the Pink RosesIn a sweltering tenement, young Cecilia struggles to care for her ailing mother and mischievous brother amid harsh poverty and broken dreams.
Level B2AdventureCaves of TerrorSent to India on a secret mission, a resourceful agent partners with a legendary ex-soldier to unravel dangerous propaganda threatening British interests.
Level B2Science FictionCave-Dwellers of SaturnIn a future where Earth faces a dire threat from Martian invaders wielding an unstoppable weapon, a skilled soldier is chosen to lead a perilous mission to Saturn’s mysterious ring…
Level B2RomanceCavanagh, Forest Ranger: A Romance of the Mountain WestReturning to the rugged mountain West, a woman confronts the clash between old frontier life and the encroaching modern world, embodied by a forest ranger navigating both the wilde…
Level B2RomanceCavalry Curt; Or, The Wizard Scout of the ArmyA fearless Union scout races through enemy lines in war-torn Georgia, defying capture with daring skill and unyielding spirit.
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 B2AdventureCattle-Ranch to College: The True Tales of a Boy's Adventures in the Far WestA cattleman races to warn a frontier town of an impending Indian attack, sparking tense preparations in the wild and lawless West.
Level B2AdventureCattle Brands: A Collection of Western Camp-Fire StoriesStranded by swollen rivers on the Old Western Trail, a cattle outfit battles delays and dangers while navigating the unpredictable frontier.
Level B2MysteryCato, the creeper; or, The demon of Dead-Man's ForestIn the eerie depths of Dead-Man’s Forest, the stealthy Cato, known as the Creeper, navigates a world of outlaws and danger under the watchful eye of the ruthless Captain Downing.
Level B2ClassicsCatherine's coquetriesIn a lively French village, Catherine, the gamekeeper’s spirited wife, invents a playful chase among raspberry bushes that sparks joy, rivalry, and unexpected encounters—where laug…
Level B2ClassicsCatherine herselfA young girl named Catherine navigates the rhythms of home, school, and church life in a small town, observing the quirks and mysteries of the adults around her while trying to und…
Level B2HistoricalCatharine's perilAs Napoleon's army sets Moscow ablaze during its 1812 invasion of Russia, young Catharine Somoff becomes lost and alone amid the chaos.
Level B2HistoricalCathalina at GreycliffIn a summer home filled with family ties and tender moments, Cathalina Van Buskirk navigates the joys and trials of youth, longing for change amid the familiar rhythms of school, m…
Level B2Children'sCatcher CraigSeventeen-year-old Sam Craig, captain of his high school baseball team, faces a tough choice between saving money or buying a new catcher's mitt, setting the stage for a summer of…
Level B2Children'sCat and Dog; Or, Memoirs of Puss and the CaptainA well-bred setter reflects on a life filled with kindness, loyalty, and discerning friendships in an old manor.
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 B2RomanceCastle CraneycrowA sharp-witted gentleman catches a burglar in the act but surprises him with unexpected hospitality, sparking a curious alliance.
Level B2Children'sCastle Blair: A Story of Youthful DaysAt Castle Blair in rainy Ireland, three spirited children anxiously await the arrival of their French cousin Adrienne, a graceful stranger destined to bring new warmth and friendsh…
Level B2HistoricalCast Upon the BreakersA wealthy young ward discovers his guardian has squandered his inheritance, leaving him penniless and forced to face a harsh reality.
Level B2AdventureCast Away in the Cold: An Old Man's Story of a Young Man's Adventures, as Related by Captain John Hardy, MarinerAn ancient mariner known as Captain Hardy returns to a small village, sparking curiosity and adventure among three eager children.
Level B2AdventureCasey RyanCasey Ryan races across rugged Western terrain, defying holdups, wild animals, and rival drivers with fearless skill and a fiery temper.
Level B2RomanceCartoucheIn sunlit Florence, a spirited black poodle named Cartouche stirs up lively mischief in a quaint English-style garden, where a young Englishman returns to find warmth, chaos, and u…
Level B2Children'sCarry's Rose; or, the Magic of Kindness. A Tale for the YoungA warm-hearted girl eagerly welcomes her wayward brother home, hoping kindness can soften his temper during rainy days filled with simple pleasures like soap bubbles and shared sto…
Level B2AdventureCarry On! A Story of the Fight for BagdadIn the ancient, desolate plains of Mesopotamia, two men land an aeroplane on a forgotten tell, awakening echoes of a long-lost civilization as they navigate a modern battle for Bag…
Level B2AdventureCarried Off: A Story of Pirate TimesA young farm boy’s restless spirit yearns for adventure beyond his quiet village, set against the backdrop of pirate-infested waters and historic coastal strongholds.
Level B2ClassicsCarolina LeeBorn in Paris but proud of her American heritage, Carolina Lee navigates a world of high society and family legacy, inspired by her father's stirring tales of honor and identity.
Level B2ClassicsCarnac's Folly, Volume 2.After eight months away, Carnac returns to a tangled web of love, betrayal, and power struggles within his family and business.
Level B2MysteryCarmen's MessengerIn a rugged northern town shaken by tragedy, Jake Foster and his partner Featherstone face mysterious threats that could unravel their lumber business and lives.
Level B2Children'sCarlo: or Kindness RewardedWhen kind-hearted Ida saves a little dog from cruel boys, she never imagines that her compassion will be repaid in a life-saving moment years later.
Level B2AdventureCarl the TrailerIn the tense frontier near Sitting Bull’s agency, Lieutenant Parker is tasked with leading a small cavalry group into dangerous mountains to hunt fresh meat amid rising Native Amer…
Level B2AdventureCaptured by the NavajosTwo young brothers, sons of a commanding officer, face cultural clashes and unexpected friendships in a New Mexico frontier town during the Civil War.
Level B2AdventureCaptured by the ArabsA daring expedition ventures into the vast Sahara Desert, where two young explorers face mysterious followers and whispers of hidden treasure guarded by fierce Tuareg tribes.
Level B2MysteryCaptains of soulsA mysterious stranger with a commanding presence disrupts the quiet life of Beryl Merville, hinting at hidden connections and shadowy business dealings that unsettle her family and…
Level B2Children'sCaptain of the CrewAt Hillton Academy, a lively group of boys return from Christmas break, ready to embrace the challenges and camaraderie of school life where athletics and honesty shape their chara…
Level B2AdventureCaptain Ted: A Boy's Adventures Among Hiding Slackers in the Great Georgia SwampTwo boys setting out to find the perfect Christmas tree in snowy Georgia woods tumble into an abandoned gold-mining pit, sparking a tense adventure as they struggle to escape and p…
Level B2MysteryCaptain Sparkle, Pirate; Or, A Hard Man to CatchWhen millionaire Maxwell Kane's yacht is boarded by real pirates, detective Nick Carter is called in to unravel the mystery aboard the luxurious steam-yacht Goalong.
Level B2ClassicsCaptain Mary MillerIn a small wharf town, a spirited woman challenges the traditional roles and rights of wives as she confronts her husband over ownership and autonomy, sparking a stirring drama abo…
Level B2AdventureCaptain Macklin: His MemoirsA young soldier destined for a life of war reflects on his upbringing under a revered grandfather and the sacrifices demanded by his chosen path.
Level B2AdventureCaptain KodakWhen a runaway circus elephant causes chaos in Hazenfield, young Allan Hartel’s fascination with photography is sparked by a missed chance to capture the moment.
Level B2AdventureCaptain JuneA spirited boy embarks on an unforgettable summer in Japan, where bustling streets and enchanting sights awaken his imagination and bring fairy tales to life.
Level B2AdventureCaptain John's Adventures; or, The Story of a Fatherless BoyA young boy loses his fisherman father to a fierce storm and, with his grieving mother and siblings, moves to a nearby town to start anew.
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.