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 black cat, vol. I, no. 7, April 1896An ocean liner laden with thirty million dollars in gold embarks on a perilous voyage amid storms and intrigue, sparking fears of daring conspiracies and a gripping mystery at sea.
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 6, March 1896A wealthy and enigmatic heiress known for her eccentric charm and mysterious rejections leaves behind a will that stirs society into a frenzy, promising unexpected fortunes to her…
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 5, February 1896A New Yorker’s Parisian adventure takes a mysterious turn when a beautiful stranger slips him a cryptic French card, leading to unexpected evictions and a puzzling warning that thr…
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 4, January 1896Beneath ancient Jerusalem lies a vast labyrinth of man-made caverns, holding secrets carved from Solomon’s time.
Level B2ClassicsThe black cat, vol. I, no. 1, October 1895In the lawless early days of a wild state, Bill Bowen recalls a deadly rivalry sparked by love, gambling, and gold, where honor, passion, and violence collide under the relentless…
Level B2AdventureThe black barqueA battle-hardened sailor, freshly ashore in Havre, navigates a world of restless veterans and shifting loyalties after war’s end, seeking a new ship and a fresh start amid simmerin…
Level B2ClassicsThe big townA man and his wife, newly wealthy from an unexpected inheritance, move from a small Midwestern town to bustling New York City with hopes of finding a husband for his sister-in-law.
Level B2ClassicsThe best stories of Sarah Orne Jewett, Volume 2 (of 2)In a twilight forest, a solitary girl navigates the shadows with her elusive cow, encountering a mysterious hunter who disrupts her peaceful world.
Level B2Children'sThe beautiful garment, and other storiesA determined twelve-year-old girl devotes herself to charity, schoolwork, and self-improvement, navigating family expectations and village life with a strong will and a heart for h…
Level B2ClassicsThe beating heartA lively honeymoon party journeys through a moonlit wilderness, oblivious to the lurking dangers and quiet observer Miss Smith, whose poised demeanor hides a deep, unfulfilled year…
Level B2Children'sThe battle of lifeIn a humble village, John Carey dreams of starting a business with a lively partner, but his mother warns him that true success requires more than money—it demands a blessing roote…
Level B2Children'sThe baseball boys of LakeportA spirited group of boys in Lakeport forms a baseball team, dreaming of rivalries, grandstands, and uniforms as they prepare for thrilling contests on the diamond.
Level B2Children'sThe barbarous babesFour imaginative siblings invent playful tortures and daring adventures, balancing childhood mischief with tender moments in a quiet English countryside.
Level B2ClassicsThe bar actWhen rodeo star Len Carter combines auto parts with his daring trick riding, the competition is stunned and on edge.
Level B2MysteryThe astounding crime on Torrington RoadA New York reporter teams up with an insurance expert to unravel a baffling mystery surrounding a gloomy mansion in Boston's Torrington Road, where strange behavior and a hush-hush…
Level B2Children'sThe alley cat's kittenA scruffy alley cat struggles to care for her kittens through biting cold and hunger, finding unexpected kindness in a family’s backyard just before Christmas.
Level B2AdventureThe air splasherDaredevil pilot King Horn defies death with reckless aerial stunts that thrill crowds and test the limits of gravity.
Level B2MysteryThe adventuressA mysterious shooting at a chemistry lab sparks a high-stakes investigation into the Maddox family's deadly feud over a vast fortune, tangled with secrets of a captivating Mexican…
Level B2MysteryThe adventures of HeineA German secret agent navigates the shadowy world of espionage in pre-WWI America and London, balancing deception, political intrigue, and impending war as he takes command of cove…
Level B2RomanceThe adventures of Alphonso and Marina: An Interesting Spanish TaleIn Granada, the beautiful heiress Marina and dashing captain Alphonso share secret letters and moonlit lattice rendezvous, while her greedy guardian schemes to force her into a lov…
Level B2Children'sThe adopted sonA young girl eagerly awaits the arrival of her new brother, adopted from a troubled past, as her community grapples with the surprising choice of a man who once caused ruin.
Level B2MysteryThe Zeppelin Destroyer: Being Some Chapters of Secret HistoryAmidst the dangers of early aviation and World War I’s aerial battles, a determined young pilot and his fellow airmen strive to outmatch the enemy’s deadly Zeppelins using daring e…
Level B2FantasyThe Zankiwank and The Bletherwitch: An Original Fantastic Fairy ExtravaganzaTwo children awaken at an empty Charing Cross Station to find themselves invited on a magical midnight train to Fable Land, where curious creatures like the kaleidoscopic Zankiwank…
Level B2AdventureThe Yukon Trail: A Tale of the NorthAs the midnight sun fades over the Yukon, a newcomer observes the rigid social divides of a frontier mining town where rough prospectors clash with a self-styled elite.
Level B2ClassicsThe Youth of Parnassus, and Other StoriesAn American student arrives at Oxford from the burgeoning town of Parnassus City, Indiana, bringing fresh perspectives and cultural clashes to the ancient halls.
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Sister: A Tale of ManitobaWhen a man’s boat is trapped on deadly rocks and no rescue seems possible, the youngest sister must summon unexpected courage to brave the stormy sea and save a life in peril.
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the SchoolIn a lively London schoolroom, mischievous siblings scramble to prepare for a visit from their formidable Auntie Anna, whose arrival promises change and challenges for the boistero…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the Fifth: A School StoryA talented but unprepared girl is suddenly promoted to the challenging Fifth Form, where she must master tougher subjects with the help of dedicated teachers.
Level B2RomanceThe Younger SetA man’s honor and career are shattered by a merciless divorce scandal, yet he remains dignified and silent while society whispers its cruel judgments.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Woodsman; Or, Life in the Forests of CanadaA young boy in a growing Canadian village dreams of following his father's footsteps into the forest.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Wild-FowlersFour adventurous friends spend a crisp October by the Chesapeake Bay, eager to hunt the famed canvas-back ducks while navigating the challenges posed by poachers wielding massive d…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Voyageurs: Boy Hunters in the NorthEmbark on a thrilling journey through the vast, untamed fur countries of North America, where wild landscapes, scarce settlements, and elusive creatures challenge two young adventu…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Vigilantes: A Story of California Life in the FiftiesWhen a quick-thinking young rigger warns a train of a burning bridge, he earns a free ride and a chance to start fresh in Boston, navigating the bustling world of 1850s labor and o…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Treasure Hunter; Or, Fred Stanley's Trip to AlaskaA determined young boy leaves school to help his injured father and struggling family by seeking work at a promising new mining settlement in Alaska.
Level B2AdventureThe Young TrawlerAmid the rugged life of Yarmouth fishermen, a spirited boy boldly embraces the sea and its harsh demands, while his family confronts the trials that shape men and boys alike.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trailers: A Story of Early KentuckyA strong-willed fifteen-year-old leads his family and neighbors into the wild, untamed forests of early Kentucky, where adventure, danger, and the secrets of the wilderness await u…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Trail Hunters: Or, the Wild Riders of the Plains. The Veritable Adventures of Hal Hyde and Ned Brown, on Their Journey Across the Great Plains of the South-WestTwo young adventurers, Hal and Ned, embark on a perilous journey across the Great Plains, facing wild mustangs, Comanche attacks, and treacherous landscapes, while encountering Nat…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Supercargo: A Story of the Merchant MarineAmidst the cold Brooklyn docks, a determined young supercargo faces the harsh world of the merchant marine, navigating danger from rough seas and tough encounters onshore.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ship-Builders of Elm IslandA young boy wrestles with the question of his future, finding unexpected purpose and strength as he learns the demanding trade of ship-building under the guidance of a trusted blac…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Sharpshooter at AntietamTwo young Union sharpshooters navigate camp life and foraging during the tense days leading to the pivotal Battle of Antietam, encountering the diverse and complex world of the Civ…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Scout: The Story of a West Point LieutenantA determined young scholar stands up to a feared school bully, defending his disabled friend with courage and quick wit.
Level B2Children'sThe Young SalesmanA determined boy crosses the Atlantic alone after his father's death, armed only with a small sum and the hope of finding distant relatives in New York.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Ranchers; Or, Fighting the SiouxA young hunter returns to his South Dakota ranch amid growing unrest among the Sioux, facing the looming threat of attack as tensions rise in the turbulent frontier.
Level B2AdventureThe Young RajahA young man of mysterious heritage travels to India aboard the Glamorgan Castle, where social tensions and romantic intrigue unfold among the passengers.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Railroaders: Tales of Adventure and IngenuityA young boy stumbles upon a dangerous plot by disgruntled railroad workers to sabotage a train and must use his wits and courage to prevent disaster.
Level B2Children'sThe Young PitcherA shy freshman struggles to find his place amid the harsh traditions and social tests of university life, battling loneliness and self-doubt while yearning for acceptance and frien…
Level B2Children'sThe Young O'Briens: Being an Account of Their Sojourn in LondonA family's journey through a stormy London night unfolds with tender humor and quiet tension as they face an uncertain year apart.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Musician; Or, Fighting His WayLeft penniless after his father's death, young Philip Gray faces the harsh prospect of the poorhouse but vows to fight his way up through hard work and his talent for music.
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.