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 FictionThe Abandoned of YanIn a harsh society where the Abandoned have no rights or hopes, Marigold faces the brutal reality of being left alone and stripped of her family, forced to navigate a future filled…
Level B2Science FictionThe Abandoned Country; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Continent.A daring explorer and a seasoned sailor recount their harrowing journey through icy seas to an uncharted, volcanic land beyond the Antarctic Circle—teeming with forests and wildlif…
Level B2Science FictionThe 4-D DoodlerIn a lab where fourth-dimensional space is dismissed as fantasy, a young assistant’s strange "four-dimensional doodles" hint at a hidden reality—and a breakthrough that could solve…
Level B2Children'sThe 20-Mule-Team brigadeJoin the daring 20-Mule-Team as they embark on lively adventures across the desert, facing battles, mishaps, and teamwork while showcasing the wonders of Borax in everyday life.
Level B2MysteryThe 'Phone Booth MysteryAs secret intelligence threatens to ignite a war between Great Powers, a young secretary races against time to decode crucial dispatches while navigating the enigmatic and unsettli…
Level B2ClassicsThe $30,000 Bequest, and Other StoriesIn a close-knit Western town, a humble bookkeeper and his wife receive news of a $30,000 inheritance—with strict conditions that test their resolve and dreams, sparking hope, secre…
Level B2ClassicsThe "Genius"In a bustling Midwestern town, Eugene Witla grows up under the watchful eye of his hardworking family, navigating the hopes and struggles of American life in the late 19th century.
Level B2MysteryThe "Dock Rats" of New York; Or, The Smuggler Band's Last StandOn a moonlit shore, a mysterious girl warns a government detective of a deadly betrayal aboard a yacht, thrusting him into a dangerous game with ruthless smugglers determined to si…
Level B2MysteryThe "Canary" murder caseWhen the glamorous Margaret Odell, a famed figure of New York’s nightlife, is found strangled in a ransacked apartment, the baffling crime defies all logic—until the brilliant anal…
Level B2HistoricalThat scholarship boyAt Torrington's school, the arrival of Horace Howard, a mysterious scholarship boy from a humble background, stirs rivalry and curiosity among students determined to uphold their s…
Level B2ClassicsThat Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 2After months away, May returns home to find her grandmother's health fading and old friends tangled in new intrigues; amidst whispered rumors and unspoken feelings, she must naviga…
Level B2ClassicsThat Mother-in-Law of MineA newlywed man’s idyllic honeymoon is disrupted when his charming wife’s mother joins their summer trip—and threatens to haunt their married life forever.
Level B2MysteryThat Little Girl of Miss Eliza's: A Story for Young PeopleIn the isolated, struggling community of Shintown, Eliza Wells stands out with her vibrant spirit and unconventional ways, tending her unique golden-brown home and blossoming flowe…
Level B2Children'sThat Little BeggarA weary traveler faces a long, hot walk after missing her carriage, only to encounter a tearful little boy and his injured dog.
Level B2MysteryThat Girl MontanaIn the rugged North, a young woman shrouded in mystery carries the weight of suspicion for a deadly crime she did not commit, while navigating a world of gold prospectors, wild lan…
Level B2HistoricalThat EurasianA gripping autobiography reveals the struggles and societal injustices faced by the Eurasian offspring of European and Asian heritage in British India, exposing dark abuses and cul…
Level B2ClassicsThat Awful Letter: A Comedy for GirlsWhen a city girl learns her father wants to invite a rustic cousin to visit, she panics—worried the country girl’s manners and clothes will ruin her chances with high society.
Level B2ClassicsThankful's InheritanceCaught in a fierce storm on a treacherous coastal road, a widow embarks on a daunting journey to claim her late uncle’s inheritance in the remote village of East Wellmouth, where t…
Level B2Children'sThankful RestIn a quiet Connecticut homestead known as Thankful Rest, the stern siblings Joshua and Hepzibah Strong face unexpected challenges when they must take in their late sister’s orphane…
Level B2ClassicsTh' Barrel OrganAs autumn deepens over the wild Forest of Rossendale, a solitary wanderer climbs moorland paths to a remote quarryman’s cottage, where rustic tales and the serene beauty of nature…
Level B2Science FictionTest Rocket!A mysterious rocket identical to their own but built on an unknown scale lands unexpectedly, carrying an alien man who cannot read his instruments.
Level B2Science FictionTest ProblemA student faces a high-stakes final exam that challenges him to mentally recreate an entire star system—including all its life forms—from raw space materials.
Level B2AdventureTessa: 1901A fever-stricken trader battles harsh tropical heat and treacherous shipmates aboard the rusted steamer Motutapu in the Equatorial Pacific.
Level B2Children'sTessa, Our Little Italian CousinIn a humble Italian village, young Tessa and her brother Beppo dream of a brighter future when an American artist invites them to Rome to become models for his painting, promising…
Level B2Children'sTessa Wadsworth's Discipline: A Story of the Development of a Young Girl's LifeA young woman’s innocent heart stirs with new feelings as she navigates the confusing attentions of a distant, bookish suitor whose own emotions remain tangled in pride and self-ab…
Level B2RomanceTerry: A Tale of the Hill PeopleIn the snow-covered hills, Terry, a young man torn between tradition and his own spirit, embarks on a winter hunt that leads him back to a rigid village where old codes rule and qu…
Level B2AdventureTerry's Trials and TriumphsIn the gritty streets of Halifax, young Terry fights to protect his friends and escape a harsh life shadowed by poverty and a troubled family.
Level B2MysteryTerminal CompromiseIn a high-stakes battle for America's future, a vengeful tycoon unleashes a devastating cyberattack, while a determined journalist and an FBI agent race to unravel a shadowy conspi…
Level B2ClassicsTensionAuntie Iris’s sudden success as a published author sparks excitement and chaos in a genteel household, revealing family tensions and social awkwardness beneath the surface.
Level B2ClassicsTen Nights in a Bar RoomIn a newly opened tavern, a hopeful landlord welcomes guests while his young son tends the bar, unaware of the temptations and tragic consequences brewing within.
Level B2Children'sTen Boys from DickensDiscover the heartfelt stories of ten boys from Dickens’ world, each facing challenges with courage and hope, from Tiny Tim’s gentle spirit to the resilient Oliver Twist, capturing…
Level B2MysteryTempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 2 of 3)Torn between love and looming tragedy, Jerry O'Brien faces a desperate struggle as his friend Alfred’s life hangs in the balance, while shadowy legal battles over salmon weirs thre…
Level B2MysteryTempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 1 of 3)A mysterious woman pleads for help from a locked house where her husband lies ill, sparking a tense night of secrets and danger in a quiet London neighborhood.
Level B2Children'sTeddy: Her Book: A Story of Sweet SixteenIn a cozy family home on a rainy August night, spirited Teddy navigates the trials of growing up and sibling antics, discovering the joys and challenges of youth in this tender tal…
Level B2Children'sTeddy's ButtonA spirited boy captivates his friends with vivid tales of his father's heroic battle, but a skeptical newcomer challenges his stories, igniting a clash of wills and stirring the vi…
Level B2Children'sTeddy and Carrots: Two Merchants of Newpaper RowA clean-cut boy arrives in the bustling city with nothing but a few pennies and determination to earn his way honestly.
Level B2AdventureTed Strong's Motor Car: Or, Fast and FuriousWhen a clever pig named Oof wreaks havoc on a cabbage patch, the ranch hands clash over his antics and intelligence, sparking lively debate and wild schemes in the heart of Moon Va…
Level B2AdventureTed Strong in Montana: Or, With Lariat and SpurAs a fierce Montana snowstorm approaches, Ted Strong leads a desperate cattle drive to save the Circle S herd from being trapped and lost, testing courage and endurance on the rugg…
Level B2Children'sTeam-MatesA shy new boy arrives at Oak Park School, navigating teasing classmates and the challenges of fitting in as he embarks on his first day away from home.
Level B2ClassicsTea-Table TalkIn a lively salon of contrasting voices, a Woman of the World, a Minor Poet, a Girton Girl, and a Philosopher debate the nature of love and the art of love-letters, revealing the h…
Level B2ClassicsTaught by experienceIn a strict country household, rebellious housemaid Fanny clashes with her mistress over Sabbath rules, challenging the boundaries of duty and freedom, while her timid friend Kate…
Level B2Children'sTattineAt seven, Tattine faces the hard truth that some things cannot be fixed, especially when her beloved dogs catch a struggling rabbit.
Level B2HistoricalTattered Tom; or, The Story of a Street ArabA sharp-witted street urchin known as Tattered Tom defies convention and social snobbery in the bustling streets of New York, navigating mud, insults, and survival with boldness an…
Level B2FantasyTarzan, lord of the jungleIn the heart of a vast jungle, a formidable ape-man named Tarzan lives in harmony with mighty beasts like Tantor the elephant, facing the relentless threat of human hunters.
Level B2FantasyTarzan and the Ant MenIn a remote village, a man imprisoned as a feared river devil clings to a secret identity and a hidden fortune, while an unlikely bond with the witch doctor’s daughter sparks a gli…
Level B2ClassicsTartarin of TarasconIn a sun-soaked town obsessed with hunting, Tartarin emerges as an unlikely hero whose exotic garden and vast arsenal hint at grand adventures.
Level B2ClassicsTarnished SilverIn a grand coastal estate, young Julius chafes under his father's ambition to seize every inch of land, especially the stubborn fisherman's cottage that mars their view.
Level B2ClassicsTarA storyteller wrestles with the elusive nature of truth as he attempts to recount his Midwestern childhood, blending memory and imagination to reveal the bittersweet innocence of y…
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.