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 B2FantasyA Vision of Venus; Or, A Midsummer-Night's NightmareIn a whimsical garden setting, two friends navigate flirtations, fleeting fortunes, and fanciful dreams as a mysterious living statue and an enchanting Venus stir a playful midsumm…
Level B2HistoricalA Virginia cavalierIn 1746 Virginia’s peaceful countryside, a young George Washington sharpens his woodsman skills, embodying strength and honor amid the natural beauty and emerging tensions of colon…
Level B2AdventureA Virginia ScoutAmid the lush wilderness of 1774 Virginia, a determined scout carries urgent messages as tensions ignite between settlers and Native tribes.
Level B2RomanceA Village StradivariusA blind violinist pours his soul into his treasured Stradivarius, weaving haunting melodies that reveal hidden beauty and pain, while a spirited boy brings color and life to their…
Level B2AdventureA Viking of the Sky: A Story of a Boy Who Gained Success in AeronauticsA determined boy dreams of soaring the skies even as he struggles to keep his rickety old truck running to support his family.
Level B2HistoricalA Victorious UnionAmid the stirring years of the Civil War, a patriotic naval hero fights not for glory but to preserve the Union and the ideals it stands for, embodying courage and unselfish devoti…
Level B2Children'sA Very Naughty GirlOn New Year’s Day at Wynford Castle, sixteen-year-old Audrey resents her family’s open-house tradition that welcomes hundreds of local visitors, sparking tension with her governess…
Level B2HistoricalA Versailles Christmas-TideIn a festive home awaiting their son's return from school in Versailles, parents face a sudden crisis when he falls ill with scarlet fever abroad.
Level B2MysteryA Vendetta of the HillsIn a sunlit California valley, a determined architect turned Westerner returns to a rugged frontier town, where legends of hidden gold, old rivalries, and mysterious figures like t…
Level B2ClassicsA Vanished HandElsie Kilner, cast out from her ancestral home by her brother’s scheming and his wife’s cruelty, fights a silent battle of sorrow and resilience in a humble London room, haunted by…
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the South SeasAmidst fierce rivalries on a remote South Sea island, American midshipmen navigate political intrigue and native customs as they witness a high chief’s dramatic return from exile,…
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the PhilippinesTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in JapanTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in ChinaTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman AfloatTwo newly minted naval officers step aboard a mighty battleship, eager to prove themselves amid the intense drills and unrelenting discipline of life at sea.
Level B2MysteryA Traitor's WooingAt a glittering London ball, a mysterious Maharajah woos a charming Englishwoman under watchful eyes, setting the stage for a tangled web of intrigue and hidden motives where nothi…
Level B2Science FictionA Touch of E FlatA former war scientist turned professor accidentally invents a powerful new weapon—the Cooling gun—that could change the nature of warfare forever, but its development draws danger…
Level B2MysteryA Thousand Francs Reward; and, Military SketchesWhen a respected merchant vanishes without a trace in the bustling Quartier du Marais, a determined detective follows subtle clues—from a watch-check to a final café visit—to unrav…
Level B2Children'sA Terrible TomboyA fearless girl defies danger and rules as she balances atop a barn beam, drawing admiration and concern from those around her.
Level B2RomanceA Terrible Secret: A NovelIn the grand halls of Catheron Royals, a passionate Spanish heiress awaits her wedding day, torn by fiery emotions and a looming, terrible secret that threatens to unravel love and…
Level B2Children'sA Terrible CowardIn the rugged fishing town of Carn Du, where the sea crashes fiercely against towering rocks, young Mark Penelly stands poised to prove his bravery and mastery as the finest swimme…![Cover of A Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor Boys by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8kui5nmvfc73bidk20.webp)
Level B2AdventureA Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor BoysTwo adventurous friends explore New York with motor cars and dreams of aviation, until a surprising letter arrives promising a fortune tied to a mysterious mining claim—setting the…
Level B2AdventureA Tatter of Scarlet: Adventurous Episodes of the Commune in the Midi 1871Two British boys navigate the tense, sunlit streets of a divided French town during the turmoil of the 1871 Commune, witnessing history unfold amid ancient ruins and brewing rebell…
Level B2RomanceA Tame Surrender, A Story of The Chicago StrikeAmidst the backdrop of the Chicago strike, a spirited young woman with charm and complexity finds herself drawn to a reserved, enigmatic man whose mysterious past deepens their unl…
Level B2AdventureA Tale of the Tow-PathA hardworking boy, Joe Gaston longs for a summer escape from relentless chores to enjoy fishing by a peaceful lake.
Level B2Children'sA Tale of the Summer HolidaysFour siblings plan their traditional birthday battle and feast, but their eldest brother’s strange new attitude after school threatens to change everything in this lively summer ad…
Level B2PoetryA Tale of Two Monkeys, and other storiesTwo playful Brazilian monkeys escape their cage, wreaking charming havoc in a kindly doctor's home until their mischief leads to an unexpected fate.
Level B2AdventureA Tale of Three LionsA seasoned hunter returns to the African wilderness with his young son, seeking adventure beyond the suffocating crowds of civilization.
Level B2HistoricalA Tale of Red PekinIn a remote Chinese village, a young girl navigates the challenges of missionary life amid cultural clashes, perilous uprisings, and deep bonds of friendship.
Level B2ClassicsA Tale of Brittany (Mon frère Yves)A sailor’s pay-book reveals a life shaped by the endless sea, from youthful voyages and hard-earned wages to turbulent loves and wild excesses.
Level B2Children'sA Sweet Girl GraduatePriscilla Penywern Peel is about to leave her quiet cottage for college, carrying hopes, nerves, and the support of her lively younger sisters.
Level B2AdventureA Sunny Little LassIn a cramped, sunless corner of New York, young Glory cares for her blind grandfather, turning their tiny "ship" of a home into a sanctuary of hope and resilience amidst hardship a…
Level B2Children'sA Summer in a Canyon: A California StoryA lively group of children and their friends gather to name their summer camp in a sunny California canyon, sparking playful debates and adventures.
Level B2MysteryA Study in ScarletA wounded army doctor returns to London to rebuild his life and unexpectedly meets a brilliant, eccentric scientist with unparalleled knowledge.
Level B2Children'sA Struggle for a FortuneIn a war-torn Missouri cabin, Jonas Keeler struggles to stretch a dwindling sum meant to support an old man, while facing the harsh realities of survival and broken promises in the…
Level B2HistoricalA Strange, Sad ComedyIn war-torn Virginia, the dignified Colonel Corbin faces the arrival of Union soldiers at his shabby plantation, striving to maintain composure amid upheaval.
Level B2Science FictionA Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper CylinderA languid cruise turns captivating when a mysterious copper cylinder is discovered at sea, sparking a thrilling tale of adventure and discovery.
Level B2AdventureA Story of the Golden AgeEmbark on a vivid journey through ancient Greece, where myths and legends come alive against the backdrop of sea-girt Ithaca and heroic quests, weaving the tales that lead to the e…
Level B2MysteryA Stolen Name; Or, The Man Who Defied Nick CarterA master criminal adopts a stolen identity tied to a dilapidated Virginia estate, setting the stage for a daring adventure in debt, deception, and defiance.
Level B2ClassicsA Spoil of Office: A Story of the Modern WestIn the vibrant heart of the American West, a humble young man named Bradley Talcott navigates the rugged landscape and lively Grange community, striving to achieve political succes…
Level B2ClassicsA Speckled BirdA spirited young girl named Eglah struggles with her unwanted name and her place within a strict, sorrowful household marked by loss and tradition.
Level B2HistoricalA Son of the Middle BorderAmid the shadows of a post-Civil War Wisconsin valley, a family reunites with a weary soldier returning home, unveiling a personal saga of pioneer hardships and the intimate strugg…
Level B2MysteryA Son of Ishmael: A NovelIn a remote old house shadowed by mystery, Nancy Follett lives a secluded life under her father's strict watch, until the enigmatic Adrian Rowton breaks through their isolation.
Level B2AdventureA Son of CourageIn a remote wilderness home, Mary Wilson confronts isolation, family tensions, and mysterious hardships, while clinging to her faith and duty to care for those in need.
Level B2ClassicsA Soldier's SonAfter the war ends, a wounded boy named Carol returns home to a loving family eager to welcome him, bringing hope and healing to a household shadowed by loss.
Level B2Science FictionA Soldier's Home Is BattleIn a city devastated by a sudden nuclear attack, Private Jerry Conlon struggles to survive amid the ruins and uncertainty, haunted by the fate of his family and the grim reality of…
Level B2AdventureA Soldier's Daughter, and Other StoriesOn the turbulent North-West frontier of India, a soldier’s daughter grapples with the stark contrast between her tomboy life in the barracks and the refined expectations awaiting h…
Level B2RomanceA Soldier of the LegionAt a grand ball in Fort Ellsworth, a captivating actress’s dazzling entrance sets the stage for romance and intrigue, as a charismatic cavalry officer waits eagerly, caught between…
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.