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 B2RomanceJohn Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon WarIn the rugged frontier of Utah during the Echo Canyon War, John Stevens navigates love and loyalty amidst pioneer hardships and stirring conflicts.
Level B2ClassicsJohn Sherman; and, DhoyaIn a quiet Irish town in winter, a restless young clergyman wrestles with isolation and his place in the world, while an old Irish spirit invites you to hear stories of love, idlen…
Level B2RomanceJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 2 (of 3)In a summer estate where love and secrets intertwine, a mysterious letter sets a young woman’s heart and fate in turmoil, unraveling hidden truths and testing the bonds between fam…
Level B2Science FictionJohn Harper's InsightA factory worker shocks everyone by abandoning his steady job to pursue an impossible dream: becoming a concert pianist with no prior training.
Level B2AdventureJohn Gayther's Garden and the Stories Told ThereinIn a sprawling, aristocratic garden tended by the seasoned John Gayther, mysterious stories unfold as he tends the earth and shares tales from his adventurous past.
Level B2FantasyJohn Dough and the CherubIn a bustling bakery filled with sweet aromas, a mysterious Arab named Ali Dubh flees from shadowy pursuers through the streets, sparking curiosity and hinting at an extraordinary…
Level B2ClassicsJohn Dene of Toronto: A Comedy of WhitehallA determined outsider arrives at the unassuming British Admiralty, insisting on delivering a message worth three thousand miles of travel.
Level B2AdventureJohn Corwell, Sailor and Miner; and, Poisonous Fish: 1901A weary colonial governor receives a visit from John Corwell, a seasoned sailor who brings news of a magnificent new harbor and fertile islands in the South Seas, sparking hope for…
Level B2HistoricalJohn Brown: Confessions of a New Army CadetA reluctant soldier named John Brown arrives at a bleak cadet school, facing grueling training and tough military discipline as he prepares to lead men into battle.
Level B2HistoricalJoel: A Boy of GalileeIn ancient Galilee, young Joel navigates bustling markets, encounters caravan dangers, and dreams of companionship while witnessing the vibrant life surrounding the coming of the N…
Level B2AdventureJoe's Luck; Or, Always Wide AwakeFifteen-year-old Joe Mason, honest and proud despite his ragged clothes, faces hardship and humiliation from his employer's son while earning his place through hard work and integr…
Level B2AdventureJoe Wayring at Home; or, The Adventures of a Fly-RodA spirited fly-rod narrates its thrilling adventures with young angler Joe Wayring, battling fierce fish and enduring rugged outdoor trials.
Level B2AdventureJoe Strong, the Boy Fish; or, Marvelous Doings in a Big TankAmid the thrilling spectacle of a bustling circus, young acrobat Joe Strong and his daring trapeze partners prepare to dazzle the crowd with death-defying feats, while the vibrant…
Level B2AdventureJoe Strong the Boy Fire-Eater; Or, The Most Dangerous Performance on RecordStep right up to witness the thrilling act of Joe Strong, a daring young magician who promises to mystify with his vanishing lady trick—no holes, no sleight of hand, just pure, baf…
Level B2AdventureJoe Strong on the Trapeze; Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus PerformerYoung circus performer Joe Strong dazzles audiences with daring feats and thrilling illusions, even as he faces the dangers behind spectacular tricks like the fiery finale.
Level B2AdventureJoe Napyank; or, The River RiflesA skilled hunter navigates the dangers of the Ohio River wilderness, evading hostile forces while seeking to rendezvous with allies aboard a flat-boat.
Level B2MysteryJoe Leslie's Wife; or, a Skeleton in the ClosetA young wife seeks the help of a New York detective to uncover the dark secret her beloved husband, Joe Leslie, hides—a secret that threatens to unravel their perfect marriage and…
Level B2Science FictionJoe Carson's WeaponMars invaders seek to steal the weapon of Joe Carson's brilliant mind to conquer Earth, while Joe, a passionate sci-fi fan, battles his own wild imagination and the chaos it unleas…
Level B2Children'sJoe Brennan's luckNewlyweds Joe and Kitty start their life together full of hope, but as Kitty takes on managing their home alone, Joe soon discovers that love alone can’t guarantee domestic bliss.
Level B2RomanceJock's inheritanceWhen a penniless mother and her spirited daughter arrive unexpectedly, Orris must navigate family tensions and uncertain futures while considering a fresh start in the countryside…
Level B2Children'sJock with MousieA curious boy named Jock eagerly awaits his eighth birthday, juggling childhood wonder and the responsibility of caring for his ailing mother.
Level B2Children'sJoan's handfulIn a charming English rectory, Joan delights in country life and her creative projects, while old friendships and new visitors stir gentle adventures and heartfelt moments.
Level B2Children'sJo's BoysA decade after their youthful dreams, a beloved community thrives at Plumfield, where the original boys return as they face new challenges and adventures, guided by the caring sist…
Level B2Science FictionJingle in the JungleIn a world where prize-fighting is outlawed and corruption runs deep, Charlie Jingle stands alone, fighting a rigged system with nothing but his skill and grit.
Level B2AdventureJimmy, Lucy, and AllA lively family heads to the old mining town of Castle Cliff for a mountain retreat filled with adventure, camping, and curious discoveries—though the gold mines are long abandoned…
Level B2Children'sJimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College TeamAt Cascade College, James Lawrence Kirkland, a confident young athlete and heir to a fortune, arrives eager to prove himself among diverse, worldly students, only to face unexpecte…
Level B2Children'sJimmy Kirkland and the Plot for a PennantAs the championship series heats up, the Bears face setbacks with injured stars and internal tensions, while a determined, slender youth arrives seeking the team’s manager—ready to…
Level B2FantasyJimbo: A FantasyWhen Jimbo's governess stumbles upon a mysterious Empty House, a winter evening ignites a whimsical game of Rabbits that reveals unexpected adventures and the curious nature of chi…
Level B2AdventureJim: The Story of a Backwoods Police DogIn the rugged wilderness of Nipsiwaska County, a determined deputy sheriff trains Jim, a spirited sheep-dog mix, to become a fearless backwoods police dog, battling lawlessness and…
Level B2RomanceJim of Hellas, or In Durance Vile; The Troubling of Bethesda PoolOn a fading island once alive with whaling fleets, weathered sea captains gather in the Upper House, where memories and maritime treasures tell tales of a bygone era.
Level B2MysteryJim Waring of Sonora-Town; Or, Tang of LifeIn the shadowed expanse of Agua Fria Cañon, a lone rider stakes his vigil, tracking elusive men through the desert's maze.
Level B2AdventureJim Spurling, Fisherman: or Making GoodAs Commencement week unfolds at a New England academy, three determined friends—Jim Spurling, Roger Lane, and Winthrop Stevens—face the challenges of youth, ambition, and making th…
Level B2ClassicsJim MortimerA young surgeon spends his holiday managing a private asylum and practice in rural Eastfolkshire, navigating emergencies and eccentric patients with a mix of skill and humor.
Level B2MysteryJim Cummings; Or, The Great Adams Express RobberyThree conspirators meticulously forge letters to execute a daring robbery on the Adams Express train, weaving a tense plan filled with deception, danger, and the threat of violence…
Level B2AdventureJimA former Mountie settles into isolated bush life with only his loyal regimental dog, Jim, for company—until a devastating accident traps him beneath a crushing log, testing their b…
Level B2Children'sJill: A Flower GirlAmid the dazzling grandeur of London's high society, a young flower girl named Jill stands silently, captivated by a world far removed from her own.
Level B2AdventureJill, Vol. 2 (of 2)Bound and captive, two women are dragged through wild Corsican hills by ruthless robbers who plan to imprison them in an abandoned chapel while negotiating a ransom.
Level B2Children'sJill's Red BagThree mischievous siblings turn a quiet Sunday into a chaotic adventure filled with playful pranks, runaway nurses, and lively antics that challenge the limits of patience and orde…
Level B2ClassicsJiglets: A series of sidesplitting gyrations reeled off—An out-of-luck actor embarks on a humorous journey through small-town America, encountering quirky characters, odd accommodations, and absurd situations that test his wit and resil…
Level B2AdventureJibby JonesOn the mighty Mississippi, a group of Riverbank boys guard their summer island haven—until the tall, spectacled newcomer Jibby Jones arrives, unsettling their close-knit world with…
Level B2Children'sJewish fairy storiesDive into a world where King Solomon seeks a magical worm capable of splitting stone without iron tools, blending ancient wisdom and mystical creatures in enchanting tales rooted i…
Level B2ClassicsJewish childrenIn a small village, the tender bond between two children, orphaned and bound by loss, unfolds amid the celebratory backdrop of Passover.
Level B2Science FictionJewels of GwahlurA fierce warrior scales deadly cliffs to reach the hidden, legendary palace of Alkmeenon, where a fabled treasure—The Teeth of Gwahlur—beckons amidst dangerous political intrigues…
Level B2ClassicsJewel: A Chapter in Her LifeA young man steps into the prestigious role of coachman for a wealthy New York gentleman, navigating high expectations, old rivalries, and the challenges of a refined new world.
Level B2Children'sJewel's Story BookA young girl named Jewel eagerly prepares to visit her grandfather in New York, anticipating a special dinner and exciting adventures as she travels by train dressed in her finest…
Level B2ClassicsJessie TrimA child's vivid memories weave through a peculiar family world, where a mysterious stone monkey figure seems to possess eerie powers and secrets linger behind a grandmother’s weddi…
Level B2Children'sJessie Carlton: The Story of a Girl who Fought with Little Impulse, the: Wizard, and Conquered HimIn a quiet village near New York, young Jessie Carlton embarks on a charming adventure of courage and character, battling the mischievous Impulse, the Wizard.
Level B2MysteryJessica, the HeiressAmid California’s blooming ranchlands, Jessica faces whispers of betrayal and family secrets threatening her inheritance.
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.