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 B2MysteryThe money-spiderA wealthy Norwegian tycoon and his old sailor friend navigate a shadowy world where money is king and honor is a dangerous luxury.
Level B2AdventureThe mid of the maintopAmidst a fierce storm off the coast of Africa, a daring midshipman falls overboard from a British frigate hunting slave traders, sparking a desperate search through fog and towerin…
Level B2ClassicsThe matrimonial bureauWhen Tekla discovers a peculiar matrimonial ad promising farmers and farms, she sends a dollar and a hopeful letter, dreaming of a rustic life filled with cows, chickens, and a hom…
Level B2AdventureThe mate of the VancouverA seasoned mate joins his troubled brother aboard the Vancouver, setting sail for Melbourne with a cargo as mixed as their turbulent lives.
Level B2ClassicsThe master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a stormy English college, a troubled man battles addiction while those around him face the painful sacrifices love demands.
Level B2ClassicsThe master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 1 (of 2)A poor Yorkshire ploughboy rises to Cambridge’s highest honours against all odds, driven by ambition and a lifelong, patient love.
Level B2FantasyThe marvellous land of SnergsIn a hidden bay where no outsider can sail, children live in a secret society devoted to removing the "superfluous" and giving them a new home.
Level B2HistoricalThe martyr of the catacombsIn ancient Rome's brutal Coliseum, gladiators fight for survival amid a bloodthirsty crowd led by Emperor Decius.
Level B2Science FictionThe marrying monsterA lonely cooper longs for a wife who cooks well but doesn't eat much—until a mysterious, wiry woman appears, charming and tireless, yet harboring a strange secret that could change…
Level B2ClassicsThe marriage of SusanA poised outsider arrives in a quiet Pennsylvania Dutch village, stirring curiosity and challenging the boundaries of class and culture.
Level B2AdventureThe marines have landedDive into the daring exploits of Dick Comstock, a young man whose fight for justice leads him from schoolyard battles to thrilling Marine Corps adventures around the globe.
Level B2RomanceThe man-killersIn the shadowy canyons of the West, a lone stranger is captured by the Scarborough brothers, who suspect him of joining a feared outlaw group.
Level B2AdventureThe man with a grouchOn a remote South Seas island, a dissatisfied trader faces dismissal and the arrival of his replacement, stirring tensions amid tropical forests and island life.
Level B2ClassicsThe man who wonIn a tense South African diamond town on the brink of war, a young Boer named Bert faces personal and political turmoil as whispers of conflict spread and an Englishman lies dying…
Level B2ClassicsThe man who talked too muchTwo weary prospectors, David and Goliath, seek solace on a long train journey but find themselves relentlessly pursued by the boastful and talkative "Lucky" Cochran, whose endless…
Level B2RomanceThe man she hatedIn a bustling New York garment factory, spirited Fairfax Fielding navigates work, rivalry, and romantic tensions—especially with the persistent Waverley Osborne, whose unwanted att…![Cover of The man elephant by Hartwell [Editor] James](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafi545a8p2c739ium50.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe man elephantIn a dark African forest, Parle longs to join her brothers on a hunt but is forbidden—until the witch Ramil offers a magical solution: marry her towering elephant son who can carry…
Level B2AdventureThe lure of Piper's GlenAmid the treacherous, roaring waters of Racket River, Mark Ducat reigns as the fearless "Cock of the River," mastering perilous log drives with unmatched skill and courage.
Level B2AdventureThe luckless trapper; or, The haunted hunterA lone trapper narrowly escapes a deadly shot in the wilderness and finds himself caught in a tense standoff between rival factions on the lawless Back Load Trail.
Level B2Children'sThe luck of the bean-rows, a fairy taleAn old, childless couple discovers a mysterious, wise boy in their bean field who brings magical prosperity and wonder to their humble life, transforming their land and fortunes be…
Level B2MysteryThe lost clueIn the bustling heart of Birmingham, a restless young soldier finds himself tangled in a web of secrets and unexpected encounters as he navigates city streets and crowded stations,…
Level B2MysteryThe lost charmA sharp-witted man races against time to catch a stagecoach in a rugged wilderness where a daring robbery has just taken place.
Level B2AdventureThe loss of the SwanseaTwo young brothers set sail for America on a well-armed brig, but a restless crew and a troubled captain threaten their voyage.
Level B2MysteryThe looker-onIn the bustling heart of London, a tenacious reporter known as the "Murder-Monger" dives into a baffling mystery that even Scotland Yard cannot unravel, balancing intrigue, romance…
Level B2AdventureThe long trail: A story of African adventureTwo determined men lead a weary caravan through harsh African terrain, driven by ambition to uncover hidden riches and study untamed wildlife.
Level B2MysteryThe long patrolIn the remote northern Rockies, Corporal David Dexter discovers the lifeless body of a fellow Mountie, sparking a relentless manhunt through treacherous wilderness to bring ruthles…
Level B2MysteryThe lonely houseHaunted by strange recurring dreams, Lily Fairfield escapes post-war gloom for the sunlit French Riviera, where mysterious connections to a glamorous Countess and her enigmatic son…
Level B2Children'sThe load of chipsA young boy, Joseph Hickie, begs for bread but is challenged to earn it by moving a heavy load of shipyard chips.
Level B2FantasyThe little elves seeking the beautiful worldFour curious elves set out from their queen’s enchanted pine palace to find the fabled beautiful world beyond their cold northern home.
Level B2HistoricalThe little book of British quadrupedsExplore the fascinating traits and stories of British quadrupeds, from the hardy Kyloe Ox of Scotland to the noble Arabian racehorse, revealing their unique roles, behaviors, and e…
Level B2RomanceThe little Cuban rebelA young war correspondent aboard a steamer bound for Santiago de Cuba becomes captivated by a mysterious, beautiful stranger whose presence stirs unexpected feelings amid the loomi…
Level B2Children'sThe little BarefootTwo young siblings, one barefoot and brave, wander from their village to a silent, locked house where their parents should be.
Level B2ClassicsThe light: An educational pageantA city struggles to balance its budget, reluctantly planning cuts to education, when a mysterious figure named Education appears, carrying a symbolic lamp that promises guidance th…
Level B2AdventureThe life story of a squirrelA young squirrel named Scud faces his first daring climbing lesson, only to find his family’s safety threatened by lurking human enemies.
Level B2Science FictionThe legacyIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the last man walks through the ruins of civilization, collecting remnants of humanity’s past to preserve a legacy for those who might come after.
Level B2MysteryThe leading ladyA young actress entangled in the scandal of her fiancé’s murder charges finds herself shadowed by mysterious followers.
Level B2AdventureThe last spike, and other railroad storiesA determined young man with no connections arrives to work on the mammoth task of building the first Pacific Railroad, proving his grit and skill amidst fierce challenges and stric…
Level B2ClassicsThe last crashA seasoned pilot haunted by fate shares a chilling tale of a crash that defies explanation, where every detail seems predestined and death wears a mysterious, almost serene smile.
Level B2ClassicsThe land of mistIn post-war London, a grieving but fiery Professor Challenger and his strong-willed daughter Enid join forces with journalist Edward Malone to investigate mysterious spiritual phen…
Level B2AdventureThe land beyond the mistTrapped in relentless rain and mist, pioneer Tom Cameron leads a weary caravan through Oregon's treacherous wilderness, battling nature and rising tensions as hopes for a promised…
Level B2HistoricalThe kings and queens of England, with other poemsExplore the turbulent reigns of England’s monarchs from William the Norman to Bloody Mary, blending history and verse to reveal power struggles, legendary figures, and the human st…
Level B2Children'sThe key to Betsy's heartAfter losing her family and home, young Betsy embarks on a daunting journey to live with distant relatives in a grand, unfamiliar house.
Level B2Science FictionThe isle of dead shipsA mysterious floating island formed from countless shipwrecks drifts in the Atlantic, defying maps and tempting fate.
Level B2AdventureThe island pirate, a tale of the MississippiA traveler seeking adventure journeys through the Mississippi valley, encountering a notorious pirate imprisoned in a state penitentiary.
Level B2MysteryThe indiscretions of a lady's maidA sharp-witted lady’s maid with a keen eye for secrets navigates the intrigues and scandals hidden behind the elegant façades of English high society, where every household hides w…
Level B2MysteryThe house on the marshAn eighteen-year-old governess arrives at a mysterious Norfolk estate to teach a young girl, only to find her employer and his household far stranger and more complex than expected…
Level B2MysteryThe house of evilTwo lifelong friends—an aristocratic diplomat and a brilliant radio engineer—reunite on the sunny Côte d’Azur, where secrets and silent mysteries begin to unravel beneath their see…
Level B2RomanceThe hope of happinessA young man discovers a secret about his parentage through heartfelt letters from a dying woman, prompting him to confront his identity and the complex ties of love and loyalty tha…
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.