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 B2ClassicsThe ragged edge: A tale of ward life & politicsIn the gritty world of ward politics and city life, a young attorney confronts corruption threatening a local streetcar franchise, navigating legal battles and the manipulations of…
Level B2AdventureThe quest of the Silver Swan: A land and sea tale for boysStranded on a fragile raft in shark-infested waters after their shipwreck, four desperate men battle starvation and the merciless sea, clinging to hope as they navigate the wild oc…
Level B2Children'sThe quest for Santa ClausOn Christmas Eve in merry England, a mysterious Beggar Maid reveals herself as a fairy princess, bringing magic and light to a humble gathering.
Level B2RomanceThe queen of the isleOn isolated Campbell's Isle, fierce pride and dark family secrets simmer beneath a rugged legacy of outlaws and passion.
Level B2Children'sThe proud girl humbled, or the two school-matesTwo schoolmates navigate the challenges of pride, social standing, and friendship, revealing how kindness and good conduct lead to true happiness beyond societal ranks.
Level B2MysteryThe problem of Cell 13A brilliant logician known as The Thinking Machine accepts a deadly challenge: locked in a prison cell with no tools, he must apply pure intellect and ingenuity to orchestrate a da…
Level B2RomanceThe price of saltIn a bustling department store cafeteria, Therese navigates the monotony and isolation of her new job while dreaming of a vibrant future in Europe and the theater.
Level B2ClassicsThe pretty sister of José: 1889In a dusty village near Madrid, slow but kind José dreams of a better life for his pretty sister Pepita and their grandmother.
Level B2Children'sThe power of kindness and other stories: A book for the example and encouragement of the youngIn a school torn by mischief and defiance, a conscientious boy faces the challenge of standing up for what’s right amid peer pressure and injustice.
Level B2MysteryThe porcelain maskA young woman returns home eager to reunite with her family, only to find an unsettling atmosphere and secrets lurking beneath the surface of the grand estate.
Level B2Children'sThe poor Count's ChristmasA noble Count, beloved for his generosity, faces the harshest Christmas yet as poverty threatens his cherished holiday gathering for local children.
Level B2PoetryThe poems of LeopardiA brilliant young poet haunted by melancholy and physical frailty wrestles with the suffocating monotony of his provincial life and the bitter realities of unfulfilled genius, seek…
Level B2Children'sThe play that wonTwo schoolboy baseball players face friendship and financial trouble when Hal needs urgent help to avoid harsh school punishment.
Level B2AdventureThe pirate's goldA seasoned adventurer retraces a perilous mountain path in the Scottish Highlands by night, guided only by the sound of stones tossed ahead, as a mysterious treasure discovered off…
Level B2MysteryThe pirate sharkA determined young mechanic is swept into an unexpected Pacific voyage aboard a millionaire’s yacht, where mystery and adventure await on the enigmatic island of Tringanu.
Level B2ClassicsThe pioneerA seasoned colonel rides through California’s rugged foothills, witnessing the fading echoes of the Gold Rush and the relentless struggles of mule drivers on dusty mountain roads,…
Level B2MysteryThe phantom hunter; or, love after deathIn a Kentucky frontier settlement, a young man is condemned for the arson and murder of his uncle, despite his honorable reputation.
Level B2FantasyThe perverse ErseIn a quiet Irish pub, an anthropology professor reveals a haunting encounter with a leprechaun, challenging centuries of folklore with a chilling firsthand account that blurs the l…
Level B2Children'sThe pennantA summer on Grandfather Sprague’s farm offers a boy a world of adventure, from fishing on Six Town Pond to playful challenges with his lively grandfather.
Level B2Children'sThe pearl of patienceA young boy learns the true meaning of patience as he struggles to untie a stubborn knot and master his lessons, discovering that perseverance leads to success and joy in everyday…
Level B2Children'sThe pearl of charityFrank Jocelyn, once proud and prosperous, now faces hardship after his father's death and financial ruin.
Level B2AdventureThe pearl divers and Crusoes of the Sargasso SeaIn the eerie, weed-entangled Sargasso Sea, bold English youths and mysterious castaways navigate a silent, treacherous ocean filled with lost ships, hidden secrets, and haunting ec…
Level B2Science FictionThe outlaw of TornIn 13th-century England, a bold challenge to King Henry III ignites a fierce power struggle, setting the stage for the mysterious visored horseman and a tale of revenge and lost ro…
Level B2ClassicsThe outcastOn the rugged island of Grimön, a devoted couple wrestle with harsh realities: a stubborn husband clings to farming barren land while his wife yearns for the sea’s promise of fortu…
Level B2Children'sThe orphan niecesAmid schoolroom rivalries and tender friendships, two orphaned nieces navigate the challenges of duty, affection, and the longing for home during the tense days before an important…
Level B2Children'sThe optimistA young boy, left in the care of a strict and unfamiliar family, struggles to find comfort amid cold rooms, strange children, and awkward meals.
Level B2Children'sThe olive branch, and other storiesA young girl embarks on a heartfelt journey to mend a painful family rift, carrying messages of love and forgiveness despite the fear that shadows her path.
Level B2Children'sThe old house, and other storiesAn old Virginia house stands witness to a century of changing times, welcoming families, echoing laughter, and guarding stories of joy, sorrow, and hope beneath its stately porches…
Level B2Children'sThe old Worcester jugIn a shabby lane stands John Griffin’s Old Curiosity Shop, filled with rare and fragile treasures of china and antiques.
Level B2Children'sThe old Stanfield houseCalista Stanfield returns to the neglected family estate, where decaying grandeur and a forgotten graveyard mirror the troubles shadowing her past and present.
Level B2MysteryThe official chaperonA mysterious traveler arrives in Washington, navigating the city's early morning stillness and hidden intrigues.
Level B2MysteryThe ocean wireless boys of the iceberg patrolA young wireless operator aboard a new freighter races against danger on the icy Atlantic, using his inventive portable radio and keen skills to navigate treacherous waters and unr…
Level B2RomanceThe oak staircaseIn a lively schoolroom debate, three children dream of adventure, history, and time travel, setting the stage for a tale woven from real historical episodes and romantic intrigue a…
Level B2AdventureThe nugget findersTwo resourceful boys, an orphan and a young sailor, embark on a daring adventure in Australia’s gold fields, armed with courage, friendship, and a modest sum of money, determined t…
Level B2Children'sThe nightingaleIn an exquisite porcelain palace in ancient China, the Emperor discovers tales of a mysterious Nightingale whose enchanting song captivates all who hear it.
Level B2AdventureThe naval cadet: A story of adventures on land and seaA spirited young Highlander with a mysterious past, Creggan M'Vayne navigates wild seas and rugged lands, earning respect and uncovering adventure from the rocky shores of Skye to…
Level B2MysteryThe mystery of the missing eyebrowsA determined newspaper boy stumbles upon strange lights in an abandoned house, sparking a puzzling mystery that threatens to unravel the quiet town’s secrets.
Level B2MysteryThe mystery of the Sea-LarkIn a quaint Massachusetts fishing town, a fierce storm has claimed a missing boat, stirring old secrets and suspicions.
Level B2MysteryThe mystery of Central ParkA determined heiress refuses to marry her charming but idle suitor until he proves his worth through meaningful achievement, setting the stage for a tale of love, ambition, and sel…
Level B2MysteryThe mystery of Cabin IslandWhen the Hardy boys plan a winter camping trip on a cozy cabin island, their adventure turns icy and thrilling as homemade ice-boats race across frozen Barmet Bay—where a mysteriou…
Level B2AdventureThe moving picture boys on the war frontAmid the chaos of filming a Civil War battle scene, two young cameramen navigate tense rehearsals and unruly extras while a determined producer demands authentic action for his mov…
Level B2MysteryThe moving picture boys on the coastTwo young filmmakers brave desert dangers and hostile tribes to capture rare images of Moqui Indians, but their adventure turns urgent when they must rescue rivals and uncover clue…
Level B2AdventureThe moving picture boys at PanamaTwo adventurous boys on a powerful motorcycle enjoy a peaceful vacation until a runaway horse-drawn carriage races toward a broken bridge, forcing them to act quickly to prevent di…
Level B2AdventureThe moving picture boys and the floodTwo adventurous youths trade lazy country days for the thrill of the Mississippi flood, determined to capture the drama on their moving picture cameras and witness heroism amid nat…
Level B2Children'sThe movie boys under Uncle SamAmidst fierce artillery fire, three brave young cameramen risk their lives capturing real battle footage on the front lines of World War I, determined to bring the true story of Am…
Level B2AdventureThe movie boys at Seaside ParkThree enterprising boys arrive at a bustling seaside resort with a bold plan to open a motion picture showhouse on the lively boardwalk, discovering the perfect vacant building for…
Level B2AdventureThe motion picture comrades aboard a submarineThree adventurous boys prepare to embark on a daring submarine expedition beneath the tropical seas, seeking sunken treasure and capturing extraordinary underwater motion pictures—…
Level B2AdventureThe moral piratesA boy fascinated by pirate tales is offered a thrilling alternative: a summer cruise in a specially outfitted rowboat with friends, promising adventure on the open water without th…
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.