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 B2PhilosophyBorn AgainA man reflects on an act of selfless kindness witnessed on a Detroit street, inspiring a life story filled with travel, conflict, and a quest for truth beyond conventional beliefs.
Level B2AdventureBoris the Bear-HunterIn a remote northern forest, a fearless young hunter faces his greatest challenge: tracking down two marauding bears threatening his village's harvest.![Cover of Book of brief narratives by Frank [Editor] Pemmon](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8ukplnmvfc73biicvg.webp)
Level B2MysteryBook of brief narrativesA determined young detective tackles the baffling theft of prized jewelry, driven as much by duty as by his growing affection for the victim’s daughter.![Cover of Book of Detective Stories by Frank [Editor] Pemmon](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafd1cta8p2c739ite40.webp)
Level B2MysteryBook of Detective StoriesA New York detective unravels baffling crimes where clues come from unexpected places — a loyal dog, a mysterious French note, and a locked-room murder.
Level B2AdventureBonnie Prince Fetlar: The Story of a Pony and His FriendsA black Shetland pony finds himself in a remote wilderness, puzzled by his sudden relocation and guarded by a pale-eyed city boy with a gentle heart.
Level B2AdventureBonnie Prince Charlie : a Tale of Fontenoy and CullodenAmid the turmoil of 18th-century Scotland, a prodigal brother returns with secrets and a mysterious child, sparking tales of battles, loyalty, and daring adventures from Fontenoy t…
Level B2AdventureBonanza: A story of the Gold TrailIn the rugged West, a daring pony express rider races against time across hostile deserts and wild frontiers, embodying grit and courage on a perilous mail route that shapes a nati…
Level B2AdventureBonanzaIn the wilds beside Yellow Sands River, a young man’s peaceful fishing trip turns into an unexpected encounter with a spirited group of Indian maidens, led by the fearless Akshelah…
Level B2AdventureBomba the jungle boy on Jaguar IslandCaught in a fierce jungle storm, Bomba, the fearless jungle boy, must outwit deadly headhunters to protect his ailing friend from capture and death on Jaguar Island.
Level B2AdventureBomba the jungle boy at the giant cataractA jungle boy named Bomba navigates a perilous wilderness filled with deadly animals and ruthless headhunters while seeking answers about his past.
Level B2AdventureBomba the jungle boyIn the heart of a vast jungle, a boy named Bomba navigates dangers both natural and mysterious, drawn by the eerie sound of a strange weapon that may connect him to a hidden past.
Level B2Children'sBolax, Imp or Angel—Which?Two siblings invite imaginary angels and saints into their home, blending childlike wonder with heartfelt prayers and moral lessons.
Level B2AdventureBobby of the LabradorA lone fisherman’s quiet day turns perilous when he discovers a bloodstained, unmanned boat drifting ashore with a dead man inside—igniting a gripping adventure in the wild Labrado…
Level B2Children'sBobby in MovielandAt sunny Long Beach, young Bobby and his new friend Peggy venture into the thrilling yet unpredictable surf, where joy meets the mysterious power of the sea—setting the stage for a…
Level B2MysteryBobby Blake on a Plantation; Or, Lost in the Great SwampAfter a thrilling football victory, Bobby Blake and his friends face more than just schoolyard rivalries when mysterious events unfold nearby, leading them into a tangled web of da…
Level B2MysteryBobby Blake in the Frozen North; Or, The Old Eskimo's Last MessageAmid schoolyard baseball rivalries and spirited friendships, a mysterious message from the frozen north beckons adventure beyond the familiar fields.
Level B2AdventureBob Steele in Strange Waters; or, Aboard a Strange CraftA young expert takes command of a daring deep-sea submarine dive to test the limits of their vessel and skill, plunging 210 feet beneath the ocean’s surface where every move could…
Level B2AdventureBob Hazard, dam builderAt seventeen, Bob Hazard defies his father's hopes to become a lawyer and instead sets out to follow his passion for engineering.
Level B2AdventureBob Hampton of PlacerTrapped in a narrow canyon and ambushed by Sioux warriors, sixteen desperate survivors—including a mysterious stranger named Hampton—must fight for their lives amid the rugged wild…
Level B2AdventureBob Chester's Grit; Or, From Ranch to RichesA country boy’s honesty is tested when strangers entrust him with a fortune in bustling New York City, sparking an adventure that could change his life forever.
Level B2AdventureBob Burton; or, The Young Ranchman of the MissouriOn a Missouri ranch, young Bob Burton helps shelter a runaway boy named Clip while his family navigates the dangerous grudges of a ruthless moneylender with a dark past.
Level B2AdventureBob Bowen Comes to TownIn the sweltering heat of central California, Bob Bowen, a sharp-witted mine dealer with a mysterious past, navigates the high-stakes world of mining stocks and secret fortunes.
Level B2Children'sBluff Crag; or, A Good Word Costs NothingWhen Mr.
Level B2Children'sBluebeardIn a magnificent mansion lives a mysterious man with a blue beard, whose past wives have vanished without a trace.
Level B2MysteryBlue eyes and diamondsWhen Betty Danford loses a high-stakes gamble, she hatches a risky plan: enlist a detective to hire a thief to steal her pawned diamond necklace before her husband finds out.
Level B2AdventureBlue Lights: Hot Work in the SoudanA young man torn between duty and rebellion flees his home after a fierce clash with his father, only to find himself mistaken for a notorious swindler.
Level B2AdventureBlue Jackets: The Log of the TeaserThree young midshipmen aboard the gunboat Teaser navigate strict discipline and cultural tensions as they venture ashore into a bustling foreign city, where every step risks sparki…
Level B2AdventureBlown to Bits; or, The Lonely Man of RakataAmid the calm before a violent volcanic eruption near the Malay Archipelago, a young first mate struggles to prove himself at sea under his stern captain father’s watchful eye, cau…
Level B2PoetryBlottentots, and How to Make ThemDiscover the whimsical world of Blottentots—playful creatures born from inkblots brought to life through simple folds and imagination, each with its own quirky story and personalit…
Level B2MysteryBlindfoldedArriving in fog-shrouded San Francisco, two nearly identical cousins embark on a risky, secretive mission that skirts the law.
Level B2Children'sBlindfoldIn a new American home, Ellen Sydney tends her garden while navigating childhood adventures and friendships in a vibrant neighborhood.
Level B2Children'sBlind Tim, and other Christmas stories written for childrenA blind, crippled boy from a troubled family finds solace and wonder in Sunday School lessons about the Good Shepherd, opening a new world beyond his lonely city life.
Level B2Science FictionBlind SpotIn a future where Earthlings and Martians coexist under strict segregation laws, tensions simmer beneath the surface of enforced harmony.
Level B2ClassicsBlind PolicyA sharp-witted doctor and his charming niece navigate the complexities of love and marriage, while an aging relative warns them of heartbreak and deceit lurking beneath society’s g…
Level B2AdventureBlazing Arrow: A Tale of the FrontierTwo youths race through the Kentucky wilderness in pursuit of a mighty bear, each determined to claim the prize while facing wild terrain and unexpected snares.
Level B2AdventureBlazed trail stories, and Stories of the wild lifeStep into the rugged life of 1880s lumber towns, where birling log contests test the daring river men’s skill and spirit amid a lively Fourth of July celebration.
Level B2ClassicsBlackthorn FarmRupert Dale faces ruin as he awaits his final mining exam results, burdened by debt and a desperate gamble on a horse race.
Level B2AdventureBlackie Thorne at Camp LenapeEager to arrive at Camp Lenape, Blackie Thorne races through woods and meadows, drawn by tales of adventure and mystery.
Level B2Science FictionBlack-outOn a dying Mars, a determined astronomer races to rebuild a powerful telescope and establish contact with a mysterious blue planet whose glowing lights may hold the key to saving t…
Level B2Children'sBlack, White and Gray: A Story of Three HomesTwo siblings discover a rare black kitten among a litter, but must choose only one to keep, facing tough decisions and hopes to save the others.
Level B2HorrorBlack magicIn a sunlit Flemish house filled with mysterious relics and shadows of decay, a solitary young man meticulously gilds a wooden devil, setting green glass eyes that seem to awaken s…
Level B2MysteryBlack hound of deathIn a shadowy Southern wilderness, a desperate man flees a monstrous killer whose savage attacks defy explanation, while a mysterious recluse hides secrets that may hold the key to…
Level B2AdventureBlack PawlIn the lush, tropical Vau Vau islands, seasoned schooner captain Black Pawl navigates both the vibrant beauty of the South Pacific and complex tensions among his crew and island na…
Level B2ClassicsBlack JackIn a dusty cattle town, a daring rider with black hair and twin revolvers sparks chaos as gunfire erupts, leaving a mysterious man shot and sprawled in the street—while Elizabeth a…
Level B2AdventureBlack IvoryA young supercargo faces disaster when the English brig ‘Aurora’ springs a leak off Africa’s east coast, threatening to sink near a treacherous shore.
Level B2AdventureBlack Bruin: The Biography of a BearJourney into the wild heart of the bear’s world, from Arctic ice to tropical jungles, unveiling the surprising habits, habitats, and character of this powerful yet often misunderst…
Level B2HistoricalBlack Beauty, Young Folks' EditionBorn into a peaceful meadow and raised with gentle care, a young horse learns the meaning of kindness and courage through early lessons and the thrilling sight of a hunt nearby.
Level B2HistoricalBlack BeautyBorn into kindness and raised with gentle care, a spirited young horse embarks on a journey through fields, hunts, and the challenges of growing up.
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.