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 B2HistoricalA Sister's Love: A NovelA fierce storm batters the ancient Von Hegewitz manor as young Anna Maria confronts family tensions and secrets within its shadowed halls, where old traditions clash with youthful…
Level B2HistoricalA Sister of the Red Cross: A Tale of the South African WarAmid the turmoil of the South African War, Sister Mollie Hepworth, a dedicated nurse, takes a brief respite to reconnect with her sister Kitty and confront the stirring emotions an…
Level B2RomanceA Singer from the SeaIn a rugged Cornish fishing village, a protective father fears for his daughter Denas when she wanders beyond their hidden shores, drawn to a mysterious young man whose intentions…
Level B2ClassicsA Sheaf of CornIn a village where sickness and poverty shadow daily life, a resolute woman named Dinah Brome navigates judgment and duty with unwavering indifference.
Level B2MysteryA Sharper's Downfall; Or, Into the NetA daring burglary unfolds in a Wall Street speculator’s home, with thieves escaping under cover of night.
Level B2Children'sA Selection from the Norse Tales for the Use of ChildrenTwo brothers, True and Untrue, set out to earn their living, but betrayal leaves True blind and alone in a dark forest.
Level B2RomanceA Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)A father adopts a convincing disguise to conceal a secret, while his son steps into an unexpected role amid intricate schemes and hidden motives.
Level B2ClassicsA Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)A sharp-witted sixteen-year-old clerk and a distinguished lawyer uncover a mysterious secret that promises to upend lives in quiet Hertfordshire.
Level B2MysteryA Search For A Secret: A Novel. Vol. 2A family's future is thrown into turmoil when a crucial will disappears, sparking fierce rivalries and secret alliances.
Level B2AdventureA Scout of To-dayA spirited fourteen-year-old boy ventures beyond familiar salt-marshes into the vast, mysterious New England woods, eager to uncover hidden secrets and thrilling adventures that te…
Level B2AdventureA Sailor in Spite of HimselfRival rowing crews at a Southern academy prepare for a thrilling championship race that has the whole town buzzing with excitement and divided loyalties.
Level B2RomanceA Sagebrush CinderellaIn a rugged mountain town, fiery Jac During hides her dreams of romance behind the rough life of a cow-puncher.
Level B2AdventureA Runaway Brig; Or, An Accidental CruiseTwo boys seize a rare chance to sail the leaky tender Sally Walker before its skipper departs, unaware their seaside adventure may lead to unexpected challenges far from shore.
Level B2FantasyA Round DozenIn a remote alpine valley, a brave boy named Fritz discovers a mysterious white door carved into a cliff, leading to a hidden world where playful, cloud-like creatures invite him i…
Level B2ClassicsA Rough Diamond: A Comic Drama in One ActAn army captain returns home heartbroken after his beloved marries for wealth and title, revealing the bittersweet clash between passion and duty.
Level B2AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 4: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreIn the frozen wilderness of the North, a solitary mail carrier named Little Babiche braves deadly cold and isolation with his loyal Esquimaux dogs, carrying messages across vast, i…
Level B2RomanceA Romantic Young LadyRaised between two aunts with opposing views and guided by a strict governess, a young woman navigates ambition, health, and introspection while secretly dreaming of romance and a…
Level B2RomanceA Romance of WastdaleA man returns to Wastdale for a week before his wedding, only to find the shadow of a rivalry still lingers with an old friend who shares his mountain haven—and a tragic past haunt…
Level B2ClassicsA Roman SingerAn unlikely boy with a powerful voice rises from poverty and neglect, nurtured by a philosopher and his devoted housekeeper in Rome’s vibrant streets.
Level B2RomanceA Rock in the BalticA chance encounter in a Maine bank sparks a tense chase involving a mysterious woman, a British naval officer, and a suspicious cashier—all entwined in a moment charged with anxiet…
Level B2Children'sA Ring of RubiesA young woman, trapped in a life of poverty and strict family expectations, resolves to break free by pursuing her passion for art in London, challenging the limits placed on her b…
Level B2AdventureA Rebellion in DixieAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a determined community in Mississippi refuses to join the Confederacy, risking everything to resist conscription and forge their own path.
Level B2MysteryA Queen's ErrorIn a neglected, long-shuttered house, a mysterious elderly woman invites a stranger into her dimly lit basement boudoir filled with art and secrets.
Level B2RomanceA Proposal Under Difficulties: A FarceNervous Bob Yardsley musters courage to propose to his beloved Dorothy, but a surprising mix-up with the maid turns his romantic plan into a humorous tangle of misunderstandings an…
Level B2Children'sA Prairie InfantaIn a rugged Colorado mining town, Jane Combs—a tough, solitary woman—must care for a frightened child left behind when a traveling family is struck by tragedy.
Level B2Children'sA Popular SchoolgirlSummer holidays bring a joyful family reunion at a seaside farm, but as the carefree days slip by, school looms ahead.
Level B2MysteryA Point of TestimonyA witty and unconventional detective is summoned to a wealthy estate where a prominent man has been strangled, and suspicion falls on those closest to him.
Level B2RomanceA Poached PeerageIn a bustling English inn, a spirited young woman dreams of leaving her humble life to serve among lords and ladies at a grand estate, while her devoted suitor struggles with jealo…
Level B2RomanceA Plucky GirlBorn into privilege but thrust into poverty, a determined young woman refuses to fade into obscurity and instead transforms her family’s luxury into a daring venture of running a b…
Level B2HistoricalA Plea for Old Cap CollierIn a strict, small-town world where Sundays stretch endlessly and childhood punishments are harsh, a boy's love for forbidden dime novels sparks a quiet rebellion against rigid rul…
Level B2HistoricalA Pilgrim Maid: A Story of Plymouth Colony in 1620Amidst the perilous voyage of the Mayflower, young Constance Hopkins and her family brace themselves to forge a new life in the unknown wilderness of Plymouth Colony in 1620, where…
Level B2Children'sA Picture-book of Merry TalesIn a quaint village, the spirited young Owlglass defies expectations with his wild tricks and mischievous pranks, causing uproar among friends and neighbors alike.
Level B2ClassicsA Personal ProblemIn a remote island outpost, two men with a fraught past navigate uneasy alliances, hidden resentments, and the shadows of betrayal as they confront a personal problem that threaten…
Level B2ClassicsA Perfect Fool: A NovelIn a struggling London household, young Chris Abercarne musters courage and wit to challenge her mother’s old-fashioned views and find a way out of poverty, navigating society’s ex…
Level B2Children'sA Peep Behind the ScenesIn a rain-soaked fairground, a kind old man visits Rosalie, a delicate girl living with her ailing mother in a cramped caravan, offering a picture of hope and compassion that hints…
Level B2Children'sA Patriotic SchoolgirlTwo sisters embark on a new chapter as they prepare to leave home for Brackenfield boarding school—one bold and determined, the other shy and uncertain.
Level B2ClassicsA Pasteboard Crown: A Story of the New York StageIn a forgotten old estate shrouded in mystery and neglect, the arrival of the Lawton family stirs whispers and curiosity in the nearby village.
Level B2ClassicsA Parody on PatienceJoin the Trevellyan family and the button-loving Deacon Fitney on a charming summer journey from Chicago to Niagara Falls aboard the luxurious Michigan Central Railroad, where live…
Level B2Children'sA Pair of ThemIn a charming neighborhood, spirited Bonny-Gay shares her lively world with her clever dog Max and a kindly Gray Gentleman, inviting you to discover their heartwarming adventures a…
Level B2Children'sA Pair of Schoolgirls: A Story of School DaysAs a new school year begins at bustling Avondale College, a close-knit group of girls face the excitement and challenges of elections, friendships, and fresh opportunities in a liv…
Level B2Children'sA Pair of ClogsIn a smoky factory town, a devoted mother braves long, tiring journeys to keep her beloved toddler close, while the child—bright, beautiful, and cherished by all—wins hearts with h…
Level B2RomanceA Noble WomanAt a fashionable boarding school, fragile Elsie Mellen battles illness and youthful turmoil while surrounded by family secrets, unexpected proposals, and thrilling adventures that…
Level B2Children'sA New History of Blue Beard: For the Amusement of Little Lack Beard, and His Pretty SistersTwo sisters are caught in the grip of a wealthy, fearsome nobleman known as Blue Beard, whose sinister past looms over their fate as they are swept away to his grand castle amid da…
Level B2AdventureA Naval Venture: The War Story of an Armoured CruiserAmidst a stormy February afternoon, the crew of the armoured cruiser Achates prepares to sail into the perilous waters of the Dardanelles, facing naval battles and life aboard a wa…
Level B2HistoricalA Muramasa bladeIn feudal Japan, an old jinrikisha man reveals the secret of a rare Muramasa blade, a treasured family heirloom forged centuries ago by a legendary swordsmith.
Level B2ClassicsA Mountain WomanA man marries a rugged mountain woman whose simplicity and strength contrast sharply with the polished society they visit.
Level B2MysteryA Modern WizardTwo young lawyers await their first big case when a mysterious poisoning rocks their city, involving a beautiful musician's suspicious death and her missing physician sweetheart—ca…
Level B2Children'sA Modern Tomboy: A Story for GirlsAt Sunnyside, Lucy Merriman prepares to welcome six new girls to her mother’s home-turned-school, promising a fresh start full of challenges, friendships, and the unexpected trials…
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.