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'sThe story of BettyIn a bustling spring morning on Warren Street, spirited 14-year-old Betty, a freckled Irish-American with a passion for bright colors, navigates the challenges of life in a boardin…
Level B2FantasyThe story of Aaron (so named) the son of Ben AliOn a Southern plantation where cotton grows and mockingbirds sing, children discover the mysterious Aaron, son of Ben Ali, who speaks the language of animals.
Level B2MysteryThe stingA wealthy baronet faces relentless blackmail from a cunning doctor whose demands threaten to unravel dark secrets tied to betrayal and ruin.
Level B2MysteryThe step on the stairA man mistaken for another receives a mysterious letter and key from a frantic lawyer, thrusting him into a tangled web of secrets and mistaken identity.
Level B2FantasyThe star jewels, and other wondersA spoiled little mermaid, Wavilocks, desires a necklace of twinkling stars instead of her treasured pearls, sparking a desperate quest that challenges the limits of oceanic magic a…
Level B2AdventureThe somnolence of SomersAn invalid seeking adventure in the Wild West finds himself drawn into a tense cattle rustler chase, where old friendships and past rivalries resurface amid the sun-drenched danger…
Level B2ClassicsThe soldier's orphansIn the harsh shadows of poverty-stricken Philadelphia, two young brothers and their devoted grandmother cling to hope and each other, finding small joys amid hardship and hunger.
Level B2FantasyThe sociable Sand WitchBeneath the ocean’s sandy shore lives a most unusual witch who emerges only to make new friends.
Level B2MysteryThe smearIn the wild Yukon winter, a murder rocks the Malamute Saloon, and suspicion falls on Finn Charley, who hides a deadly secret beneath a chilling accusation.
Level B2Science FictionThe small bearsExplorers land on a mysterious planet littered with abandoned Earth spaceships and encounter small, seemingly harmless creatures resembling teddy bears.
Level B2AdventureThe skeleton scout; or, The border blockIn the heart of Indian territory, a towering Yankee navigates a river on a log-turned-canoe toward a fortified cabin guarded by wary sentries, setting the stage for a tense encount…
Level B2MysteryThe skeleton crewIn a snow-covered village, a mysterious youth shuns a festive Christmas dance, haunted by secrets and shadowed by a striking horseman cloaked in darkness.
Level B2MysteryThe silver blade: The true chronicle of a double mysteryA terrified young man bursts into police headquarters, insisting a murder has just occurred, plunging the city into a web of intrigue and double mysteries that only a determined de…
Level B2ClassicsThe silica gel pseudomorph, and other storiesIn sandy South Jersey, a college student's quest for rare green sand uncovers a mysterious, translucent figure buried beneath the earth—part man, part glassy enigma—and sparks a cu…
Level B2ClassicsThe silent cabinIn the harsh Alaskan wilderness, a dying man faces solitude with quiet resolve, while two travelers battle brutal winter trails toward uncertain fortunes.
Level B2RomanceThe shotgun princessA fiercely protective brother guards his sister Doris with a loaded shotgun, deterring all suitors—until the determined Johnny Trumbull arrives, eager to win her heart despite the…
Level B2HistoricalThe shoemakerIn a struggling New York neighborhood, a shoemaker rebuilds his life after fleeing persecution, raising his devoted daughter Dora amidst hardship and hope.
Level B2MysteryThe shadow on the sparkWhen a robust banker dies under suspicious circumstances following a routine operation, his close friend Dr.
Level B2RomanceThe shadow of the EastA wealthy American escapes the suffocating society life for a spontaneous voyage to the mysterious East, dragging along reluctant companions and confronting unexpected tensions und…
Level B2RomanceThe shadow between them;In a struggling West Virginia oil town, a spirited young beauty, Eva, faces harsh family dynamics and strict guardianship that threaten to keep her from the simple joys of youth.
Level B2HistoricalThe seed she sowedIn a struggling dockside community, young Winny Chaplin brings warmth and hope to her family amid harsh poverty and illness.
Level B2MysteryThe secret of the old millTwo brothers, amateur detectives and sons of a famed sleuth, find themselves drawn into mystery when a stranger’s urgent request and a missing father set the wheels turning in thei…
Level B2AdventureThe secret of the Australian desertIn the scorching heart of Australia’s desert, a daring expedition sets out to unravel the mysterious fate of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt and uncover ancient secrets hidden beneath t…
Level B2Children'sThe secret of OaklandsWhen a devastating financial crash threatens to strip the Woodford family of their cherished home, young Margaret faces uncertainty and hardship, uncovering hidden trials and secre…
Level B2MysteryThe secret in the hillAfter his mother's death, a young boy accompanies his father on a legal circuit, where courtroom tales and a mysterious feud between twin booksellers set the stage for a hidden sec…
Level B2Children'sThe school-girls' treasuryLonely and disappointed when her friend cancels a visit, Anna faces a week of solitude and must decide whether to brood or embrace resilience with the help of wise Caroline's gentl…
Level B2Children'sThe sailor's homeA wounded sailor returns home to find comfort and purpose in teaching and family life, navigating challenges on land with the same courage he showed at sea.
Level B2AdventureThe sailor heroAs war with France erupts, a spirited young midshipman aboard the flagship Victory faces rivalry and suspicion over his mysterious origins, while forging unlikely alliances and pro…
Level B2AdventureThe sailor boyA young sailor’s heart burns with patriotic fire as news of a naval victory ignites his dreams of joining the fight, but his mother wrestles with the cost of war on her family and…
Level B2Children'sThe royal bannerIn a Scottish Highland mansion, three orphans discover the true treasures beyond gold and rubies as they grow under the loving care of their aunt and uncle.
Level B2RomanceThe rose of old St. LouisA young man recovering from river fever embarks on a tense mission to St.
Level B2ClassicsThe romance of Captain DuffyA rugged sea captain stranded on a remote island where no one ever comes, he recounts a daring escape from a hijacked pig boat and survival against the odds, revealing a tale of ad…
Level B2AdventureThe rogue elephantTwo boys join a daring African expedition to hunt wild elephants, living off the land with no luxury or support.
Level B2AdventureThe robbers' caveSet in wild Calabria, a proud young Englishman and his delicate mother endure a weary journey to a remote inn, where tensions rise amid rugged landscapes and clashing wills, hintin…
Level B2MysteryThe river of starsAn expedition ventures into the perilous Alebi wilderness to uncover the mysterious River of Stars and its rumored diamond mines, but hostile tribes and uncharted dangers threaten…
Level B2AdventureThe rival bicyclistsTwo rival boys race their bicycles under a full moon, unaware that a removed bridge ahead threatens a deadly plunge into a raging river below.
Level B2RomanceThe rise of a starAfter years of struggling in small-town theaters, Frances West finally lands a star role that could change her life—and reunite her with the daughter she sent away for a better fut…
Level B2AdventureThe riddle of Three-Way CreekIn a harsh Canadian wilderness blanketed by an impending snowstorm, a determined mounted policeman escorts a defiant prisoner through treacherous terrain, where survival depends on…
Level B2ClassicsThe revenge of Florida JackIn a tense Western showdown, the volatile herder Florida Jack faces the wrath of ranch boss Jim Kitchin after mistreating a prized sheepdog, sparking a fierce conflict in Woolville…
Level B2RomanceThe reigning belleIn the dazzling world of New York society, a mysterious shop-girl, a society belle, and a shadowed artist are entwined in a thrilling tale of hidden pasts and complex relationships…
Level B2Children'sThe reign of King OberonIn a kingdom where fairies rule the seasons and nature itself, a quarrel between King Oberon and Queen Titania threatens to unravel the world’s harmony.
Level B2Children'sThe red plantA young girl envies the beautiful garden of her wealthy neighbors and impulsively takes a rare red plant, sparking a journey of guilt, honesty, and self-discovery.
Level B2FantasyThe red feathersIn a mystical era where gods and giants roam, Run-all-day, a swift and skilled hunter of the Beothic tribe, strives to protect his growing family amid the wilds of ancient Newfound…
Level B2ClassicsThe reckoningIn a small barber shop, a sharply witty barber and a hurried customer engage in a tense game of patience and power, where every minute lathered reveals deeper conflicts beneath the…
Level B2Science FictionThe recalcitrantIn a peaceful garden home, a man with extraordinary strength faces relentless pursuit by mysterious forces determined to destroy him, forcing him and his beloved Amelia to confront…
Level B2RomanceThe rebellion of the PrincessIn a cold Moscow courtyard, a defiant figure mocks a cruel steward, sparking a daring rebellion within the oppressive walls of a boyar’s palace—where power, wit, and courage collid…
Level B2ClassicsThe real MackayIn a quiet Scottish Highlands croft, a young woman returns home, burdened by a secret heartbreak and memories of lost loved ones.
Level B2MysteryThe rat trapIn the vibrant Hôtel Continental at Ostend, two Englishmen observe a captivating young woman whose presence stirs intrigue and jealousy among her companions—setting the stage for a…
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.