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 B2Science FictionSurvivorsIn a post-atomic war world, survivors navigate a harsh wilderness where remnants of old technology and mutated humanity collide.
Level B2AdventureSunshine and snowAt Firdene School, Charley Gordon excels in academics and athletics, facing fierce competitions and unexpected challenges during a winter day’s paper-chase.
Level B2RomanceSunshine and shadow, or, Paul Burton's surpriseIn a serene New England farm, Nettie Spaulding, a once-wealthy city girl, faces sorrow and change as she finds refuge with kind relatives by the lake, seeking hope and happiness am…
Level B2ClassicsSunshine Sketches of a Little TownStep into the quirky rhythms of small-town life where a sharp-witted observer chronicles the joys, struggles, and eccentricities of its residents with warmth and humor.
Level B2AdventureSunshine BillA spirited boy known as Sunshine Bill navigates hardship and loss with unbreakable cheer, taking on odd jobs to support his struggling family by the sea.
Level B2AdventureSunset Pass; or, Running the Gauntlet Through Apache LandA seasoned captain defies warnings to lead his small family and trusted companions through the perilous Apache lands along Sunset Pass, where danger lurks in every shadow and survi…
Level B2ClassicsSundry AccountsIn a small town where a man’s haunted past keeps his home ablaze with light through the night, secrets and eerie legends intertwine with the lives of unforgettable local characters…
Level B2AdventureSummer DaysAs summer begins, Alice Grey eagerly leaves the scorching city for her family’s cottage at Sandy Shore, where friendship and adventure with Susy Lee promise a delightful escape fil…
Level B2PoetrySugar and Spice: Comical Tales Comically DressedChildren transform daily chores into lively adventures, from playful parties to inventive boot-making and garden games, revealing the joy and lessons hidden in everyday moments.
Level B2ClassicsSuffered in vainDive into a collection of gripping love stories filled with wholesome passion and thrilling action, where every tale promises heartfelt drama and captivating twists far from the or…
Level B2Children'sSue, A Little HeroineIn a gritty London neighborhood, young Sue navigates tough streets and rough characters, drawn to the inspiring sermons of a street preacher.
Level B2Science FictionSuch Blooming TalkA scientist’s breakthrough in giving plants the ability to walk and talk unleashes a lively and unexpected world where flowers not only move—but have plenty to say.
Level B2Children'sSturdy and Strong; Or, How George Andrews Made His WayYoung George Andrews faces hardship when his mother must enter a workhouse infirmary due to failing health, leaving him alone and determined to rise above adversity through perseve…
Level B2RomanceStubborn peopleIn a sun-scorched frontier town, stoic homesteader Jim Hunter battles stubborn pride and unyielding land, haunted by letters that stir both hope and bitterness.
Level B2AdventureStruggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's LuckIn a small village, a determined boy with humble means challenges the privileged son of a wealthy banker to a daring skating race for a prized watch, setting the stage for a story…
Level B2Children'sStrive and Thrive; or, Stories for the Example and Encouragement of the YoungTwo boys face a life-or-death test of courage when their friend breaks through thin ice while skating.
Level B2Children'sStrive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter ConradA determined young boy adopts a new identity to investigate a suspicious mining company's downfall and uncover hidden truths.
Level B2ClassicsStrangers and WayfarersIn a wintry New England journey, a timid mail carrier armed with caution and an elderly passenger wrapped in shawls face the biting cold and quiet roads, weaving tales of old peril…
Level B2ClassicsStrange watersWhen the government commandeers the freighter Aurora for ocean service, little Tim Donahue faces a wrenching change from his life as a humble fireman, caught between loyalty to his…
Level B2HistoricalStrange stories of the Civil WarExperience the Civil War through the eyes of a young boy in Pittsburgh, witnessing the stirring calls to arms, the clash of North and South, and personal tales of heroism and patri…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great Valley: The Adventures of a Boy PioneerA boy pioneer in 1816 Ohio navigates the wilderness on a flatboat, seeking fortune and safety amidst the untamed frontier.
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great River: The Adventures of a Boy ExplorerA spirited boy explorer joins daring French adventurers navigating the mysterious Great River, encountering wild tribes, untamed landscapes, and strange legends that shape the dest…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of Colonial DaysJourney through early colonial America where alliances with Native American leaders, daring escapes, and tense confrontations shape a vivid panorama of survival and conflict, revea…
Level B2ClassicsStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 2 (of 2)A young trader’s son is swept away by a typhoon to a strange land where beauty dictates power, and the people fear his unusual appearance.
Level B2Children'sStraight forward; or, walking in the lightAt school, Lucy’s steadfast refusal to spend beyond her means contrasts sharply with her peers’ impulsive debts, sparking a moral tale about honesty, self-control, and walking in t…
Level B2Children'sStory-Tell LibIn a quiet mountain village, a fragile, crippled girl known as Story-Tell Lib captivates her neighbors with simple, heartfelt tales that teach gentle truths without preaching.
Level B2ClassicsStory of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"As a lone passenger aboard a rain-soaked ship departing New York, Chester Lawrence finds unexpected camaraderie with fellow Mormon missionaries bound for distant lands.
Level B2HistoricalStory of AeneasEmbark on the epic journey of Aeneas as he flees the fall of Troy, braves divine challenges, and seeks a new homeland, weaving through love, war, and prophecy in a legend that shap…
Level B2AdventureStorm-Bound; or, A Vacation Among the Snow DriftsFour Boy Scouts embark on a winter adventure to surprise a reclusive uncle in a remote snowbound forest, but when they lose their way, their scouting skills and teamwork are put to…
Level B2AdventureStormA devastating tornado levels the isolated town of Rock Springs, leaving its residents in desperate need of help.
Level B2AdventureStormIn a rugged highland land haunted by ancient legends and fierce rivalries, Hardcastle, Master of Logie, confronts the menacing Wilderness Folk who claim tribute from all who pass.
Level B2Children'sStories told by the millerOrphaned siblings Janet and Peter endure harsh days with their cruel grandmother near the mysterious mill by the pool.
Level B2RomanceStories of the RailroadAmidst the grit and grind of 1863 railroad life, a young fireman finds family and hope with the seasoned engineer James Dillon and his wife, who secretly plans a Christmas gift tha…
Level B2Children'sStories of the Old WorldA young hero, Jason, embarks on a perilous quest to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece, assembling a band of extraordinary warriors and facing divine challenges on the voyage of…
Level B2Children'sStories of the Nibelungen for Young PeopleIn a kingdom ruled by a wise king, his willful son Siegfried sets out to seek his fortune and discovers a mysterious blacksmith and a deadly forest monster.
Level B2ClassicsStories of the Foot-hillsIn a rugged foothill valley, Lysander Sproul navigates land disputes, stubborn neighbors, and the harsh realities of ranch life, where every acre and alliance is hard-won amid the…
Level B2Children'sStories of a GovernessFour children, still mourning their mother, eagerly await their new governess, whose quiet grace and gentle presence may bring warmth and guidance to their lonely home amid the ble…
Level B2AdventureStories of Ships and the SeaTensions rise aboard the seal-hunting schooner Sophie Sutherland as young Chris Farrington, eager to prove himself equal to seasoned sailors, faces prejudice and injury just as a f…
Level B2AdventureStories of Robin HoodIn a land ruled by cruel Normans, young Robin Hood vows to fight injustice by stealing from greedy lords to aid the starving poor.
Level B2ClassicsStories of Red HanrahanOn Samhain Eve, Red Hanrahan, a fiery-haired schoolmaster, sets out on a urgent journey to reunite with his sweetheart Mary Lavelle, whose mother has just died and whose future han…
Level B2Children'sStories of Old Greece and RomeStep into a world where gods rule from shining Olympus and mighty heroes shape the fate of mankind.
Level B2PoetryStories of Many LandsJourney across continents to meet children from England to China, discovering that despite cultural differences, their joys, mischiefs, and dreams are remarkably alike.
Level B2HistoricalStories of Heroic Deeds for Boys and Girls: Historical Series - Book IIDiscover timeless tales of gods, mortals, and moral lessons that bring history to life—where divine encounters spark justice, music contests reveal pride, and kindness shines amid…
Level B2FantasyStories of EnchantmentIn a hidden mountain valley where reality and enchantment intertwine, a white-haired girl named Snow-flower grows up among a Native tribe, caught between two worlds and the mysteri…
Level B2AdventureStories of ChildhoodOrphaned boy Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche forge an unbreakable bond in a humble Flemish village, where hardship and kindness intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of an aging w…
Level B2HistoricalStories of Animal SagacityDiscover the cleverness of animals as they use reason and perseverance to solve problems, from a cat who learns to knock on a door to gain entry, to other tales revealing surprisin…
Level B2ClassicsStories from the PentameroneA melancholy princess who never laughs embarks on a quest to break a mysterious curse, aided by magical fairies and enchanted gifts, as she seeks the elusive Prince of Round-Field…
Level B2Children'sStories from the Iliad; Or, the siege of TroyAmidst gods’ rivalries and mortal passions, a golden apple sparks a legendary conflict as Paris’s choice ignites the decade-long siege of Troy, where heroes rise and kingdoms clash…
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.