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 One Woman: A Story of Modern UtopiaIn a packed New York church, a charismatic preacher battles inner turmoil and brewing controversy while captivating crowds with his fiery sermons and magnetic presence.
Level B2Children'sThe One Moss-RoseIn a humble garden, young Jacob Dobbin finds joy and purpose in caring for his cherished moss-rose despite his crippled leg, while the wealthy James Courtenay learns lessons about…
Level B2PoetryThe Old-Time Spelling School; In Three PartsStep back into pioneer days with a poetic tribute to the spirited spelling contests and vibrant communities of early Kansas, celebrating the joy of learning and the enduring legacy…
Level B2FantasyThe Old Tobacco Shop: A True Account of What Befell a Little Boy in Search of AdventureA curious boy named Freddie is drawn to a mysterious hunchbacked figure outside an old tobacco shop, where secrets and strange adventures await as the clock tower’s hands align.
Level B2ClassicsThe Old Stone HouseA devoted aunt cares for five orphaned cousins, each with unique struggles and futures, as they spend a summer together in an old stone house by the lake.
Level B2PoetryThe Old Soldier's Story: Poems and Prose SketchesIn the heat of battle, a wounded soldier’s plea for help leads to a darkly humorous and poignant tale of courage, comradeship, and the chaos of war as told through heartfelt poetry…
Level B2PoetryThe Old Soak, and Hail And FarewellA nostalgic, wryly humorous diary captures the Old Soak’s reflections on prohibition, home-made liquor mishaps, and the vanished world of the lively barroom, blending sharp social…
Level B2Children'sThe Old Pincushion; or, Aunt Clotilda's GuestsTwo siblings grapple with the weight of family separation and uncertain futures, as Kathie wrestles between self-care and caring for absent loved ones amidst the looming presence o…
Level B2HistoricalThe Old Miracle Plays of EnglandStep back to medieval England where the first theaters were churchyards, and the earliest plays were vivid religious miracle performances.
Level B2Children'sThe Old Market-CartIn a peaceful farmyard, young Sally transforms an old market-cart into a magical playhouse, while kind-hearted Gill tends the land with care.
Level B2Children'sThe Old Man's StoryA kind old man recounts a childhood adventure with gunpowder that ends in tragedy, teaching a heartfelt lesson about obedience and the consequences of risky choices.
Level B2AdventureThe Old Man of the MountainThree young tea-planters in Assam embark on a thrilling hunt after a tiger terrorizes a nearby village, accompanied by their skilled cook and a seasoned shikari, facing the dangers…
Level B2ClassicsThe Old Lady fliesA veteran stunt pilot clings to his battered old Jenny plane, defying his circus boss’s orders to switch to a newer model.
Level B2Children'sThe Old Castle and Other StoriesOn Flaxy's birthday, children gather by a glowing fire to hear Dudley recount his childhood rivalry and jealousy toward his cousin Bernard, revealing a tale of family, envy, and th…
Level B2PoetryThe Old Arm-ChairA cherished old arm-chair holds the sacred memories of a mother's love, guidance, and final moments, binding heart and soul through loss and enduring devotion.
Level B2RomanceThe Odds: And Other StoriesIn the rugged Australian outback, Dot Burton faces danger and loyalty as her brother Jack hunts the elusive cattle thief Buckskin Bill.
Level B2ClassicsThe Octopus : A Story of CaliforniaIn parched California’s San Joaquin Valley, Presley sets out from the Broderson ranch on a dusty road, caught amid tense whispers of land and labor changes that threaten the lives…
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Wireless Boys on the PacificAboard the speedy yacht Sea Gypsy, a secretive mission unfolds amid the unpredictable South Seas, with coal supplies dwindling and a brewing storm threatening the mysterious journe…
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Wireless Boys on the AtlanticA determined sixteen-year-old dreams of mastering wireless telegraphy, but when a young girl falls overboard at the docks, he must prove his courage with a daring rescue, thrusting…
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Wireless Boys on War Swept SeasTwo adventurous youths board the Kronprinzessin Emilie, a ship carrying millions in gold, unaware that their luxury voyage will soon plunge them into the chaos of a world at war.
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval CodeYoung wireless operator Jack Ready and his friends navigate thrilling maritime adventures filled with danger, daring rescues, and mysterious encounters on the high seas.
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost LinerWhen a blinding flash erupts in the wireless room aboard the luxury liner Tropic Queen, young wireless operators Jack and Sam face a mysterious crisis at sea that will test their s…
Level B2AdventureThe Ocean Cat's Paw: The Story of a Strange CruiseA boy and his uncle explore the wild beauty of Dartmoor, fishing tiny trout and collecting mysterious specimens by a sparkling stream.
Level B2ClassicsThe Obstacle RaceA determined woman escapes the stifling London life for a rugged seaside refuge with only her loyal dog for company, facing unexpected challenges and the stark realities of indepen…
Level B2Science FictionThe ObserversIn a top-secret military lab where every employee hides a secret, the sudden death of a lowly technician sparks suspicion of espionage.
Level B2ClassicsThe Observations of HenryIn the bustling Mile End Road, a sharp young waiter recounts the intertwined lives of a cunning newsboy and a spirited red-haired girl struggling to survive.
Level B2RomanceThe O'Ruddy: A RomanceAn Irish heir, burdened by a fading family legacy and a dying father’s last wish, embarks on a perilous journey to deliver mysterious papers to a powerful English nobleman, steppin…
Level B2PoetryThe Nursery Rhyme BookDive into a charming collection of timeless nursery rhymes, filled with mysterious kings, brave princes, and curious characters whose stories have been passed down through generati…
Level B2Science FictionThe Nostalgia GeneA man haunted by nostalgia for a gentler past builds a time machine to escape his present and revisit the "good old days.
Level B2Children'sThe Norwegian Fairy BookVenture into the rugged Norwegian mountains where Per Gynt, a skilled marksman, faces mysterious giants and enchanted creatures in shadowy forests and wild fjords.
Level B2RomanceThe Northern LightIn the shadow of autumn’s mist, a stern soldier grapples with the restless spirit of his talented yet defiant son, whose wild nature challenges the strict path laid out for him ami…
Level B2HistoricalThe Northern IronAmid the rugged cliffs and shifting sands of 1798 Northern Antrim, a stern Presbyterian minister delves into ancient prophecies while the tides of history and rebellion stir beyond…
Level B2MysteryThe North Shore MysteryA respected Sydney sportsman is found stabbed to death in a locked room, sparking rumors of crime or suicide in a quiet North Shore boarding house.
Level B2PoetryThe Norsk Nightingale; Being the Lyrics of a "Lumberyack"Dive into the rugged world of Scandinavian-American lumberjacks through heartfelt, dialect-rich verses that capture the humor, hardships, and tender moments of life in the Northern…
Level B2AdventureThe Nomad of the Nine LivesFollow the thrilling adventures of a clever cat as he recounts a life filled with danger, loyalty, and survival—revealing the hidden world of feline courage and the bonds that defi…
Level B2AdventureThe Noank's Log: A Privateer of the RevolutionAmidst the Revolutionary War's darkest days, the old whaler Noank sails as a privateer disrupting British commerce, capturing prize after prize.
Level B2ClassicsThe Nine-TenthsIn a bustling printery alive with the clatter of presses and the laughter of young factory girls, Joe Blaine finds a fierce sense of belonging amid the smoke and machinery.
Level B2MysteryThe Nightriders' FeudA brilliant young engineer abandons city life to avenge his uncle’s murder by ruthless Nightriders in the wild Kentucky mountains, where he stakes his claim and faces fierce opposi…
Level B2AdventureThe Night Riders: A Thrilling Story of Love, Hate and Adventure, Graphically Depicting the Tobacco Uprising in KentuckyIn a Kentucky toll-house kitchen, young Sally wrestles with her mother's push to accept the Squire's offer—a chance to escape poverty but at the cost of her pride and independence—…
Level B2AdventureThe Night Riders: A Romance of Early MontanaA weary rider arrives at the fading Forks Settlement in early Montana, seeking shelter and news in a rough prairie town where life is sparse and strangers are met with suspicion.
Level B2AdventureThe Night OperatorAmid the perilous twists of the Hill Division railway, a scrappy newsboy named Toddles—small in stature but big in spirit—navigates the rugged mountain tracks, where the men are to…
Level B2ClassicsThe Night ClubIn a lively Chelsea flat, a group of men form the Night Club—a Sunday gathering where storytelling reigns supreme and women are barred, sparking camaraderie, humor, and the challen…
Level B2PoetryThe Night Before Christmas and Other Popular Stories For ChildrenEnchanting poems and stories capture the magic of Christmas Eve and the joyful surprises that follow, where Santa Claus visits, children dream of sugar-plums, and festive lessons u…
Level B2FantasyThe New-Year's BargainOn the eve of the Old Year's death, siblings Max and Thekla explore a mysterious forest where an ancient man crafts lifelike clay figures from magical materials, unveiling a world…
Level B2Children'sThe New Year's carolIn a snowbound Swiss village, young Barty and his sister Franzelie learn a New Year's carol to bring hope and warmth to their struggling family.
Level B2HistoricalThe New Girl at St. Chad's: A Story of School LifeAt St.
Level B2AdventureThe New Forest SpyA spirited young angler navigates the dense, mysterious New Forest, determined to catch elusive trout while uncovering the secrets hidden within its tangled woods and sparkling str…
Level B2Children'sThe New Boys at OakdaleAt Oakdale Academy, new boys face the challenges of rivalry and teamwork on the baseball field, where fierce competition and youthful determination clash in a gripping game against…
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.