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 B2PoetrySpring BlossomsCelebrate the joys of spring and the innocence of childhood through vibrant poems that teach kindness, virtue, and the beauty of nature, while introducing timeless characters like…
Level B2ClassicsSport Royal, and Other StoriesIntrigue and danger unfold in Heidelberg when Julius Jason accepts a mysterious invitation involving a royal secret and a risky early-morning duel.
Level B2MysterySpooky HollowIn the quiet village of Hilldale, nestled among Vermont’s autumn hills, detective Fleming Stone arrives to unravel a mystery shrouded by an imposing, secluded mansion and the secre…
Level B2Science FictionSpoilers of the SpacewaysIn a desperate bid against alien conquerors, a man undergoes a radical transformation to become a Trygonian officer, inheriting not only their knowledge but the burden of espionage…
Level B2ClassicsSpiritual AdventuresA restless boy with no true home struggles to learn and find his place in a world that suddenly demands order and knowledge.
Level B2FantasySpirits do returnAccused of a murder he did not commit, a man faces the crushing weight of injustice and imprisonment, clinging to hope and prayer as he navigates a harrowing journey through wrongf…
Level B2Children'sSpinning-Wheel StoriesA fierce winter storm traps a lively family in a grand old house, where restless children discover dusty chests filled with antique costumes and forgotten relics.
Level B2MysterySpies of the Kaiser: Plotting the Downfall of EnglandEngland faces a covert threat as thousands of German spies infiltrate its cities, gathering secrets about military defenses and vital resources.
Level B2AdventureSpears of destinyIn a springtime chase through Crowden Wood, a young Norman and a Saxon girl hunt a cunning fox, leading to a tense encounter that sets the stage for a daring adventure amidst polit…
Level B2Science FictionSpacemen are bornTrase Barnes, born on the Moon with a normal ear and grounded by gravity, dreams of joining the elite spacemen born for the stars.
Level B2Science FictionSpace BatLou Flint defends a fragile ecosystem on a wild planetoid from ruthless hunters wielding deadly ice-ray pistols.
Level B2ClassicsSowing and Reaping: A Temperance StoryTwo men set out in life with starkly different values: one pursues wealth at any cost, while the other chooses conscience over profit.
Level B2ClassicsSowing Seeds in DannyIn a small Manitoba town weighed down by winter's chill, a compassionate woman seeks to nurture the struggling Watson family, especially little Danny, through kindness and the wisd…
Level B2Children'sSouthern Stories: Retold from St. NicholasIn the tranquil beauty of the Blue Ridge, a young boy's imagination is stirred by the echoes of war and the heroic figure of General Lee, as he dreams of courage and honor amidst t…
Level B2HistoricalSouthern Soldier StoriesExperience the tense strategies and vivid realities of Civil War battles as soldiers navigate skirmishes, defensive lines, and the crucial fight to control supply routes in this gr…
Level B2Science FictionSouth to PropontisStranded in a scorching Martian desert, Don Moffat escapes a deadly betrayal only to be forced into a perilous journey south toward Propontis, Mars' capital, alongside two ruthless…![Cover of South African anecdotes by A. [Compiler] Ellman](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daffs9da8p2c739iu9j0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsSouth African anecdotesDiscover a lively collection of humorous and sharp-witted tales from South Africa’s past, where schoolmasters clash with tradition, clever diggers outsmart officials, and even pres…
Level B2Children'sSophie Kennedy's experienceWhen Sophie Kennedy's father announces a new marriage, Sophie faces the challenge of accepting a stepmother amid school gossip and her own feelings of loss.
Level B2PoetrySongs of a SavoyardWitty and sharp, these poems offer a satirical glimpse into human nature, society, and identity—from stubborn English pride to the quirks of disagreeable men—blending humor and ref…
Level B2HistoricalSongs of Heroic DaysAmid the turmoil of war, powerful poems honor heroes like King Albert of Belgium and reflect on the devastation of battle, blending patriotism with poignant reflections on courage,…
Level B2PoetrySongs for All Seasons, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of heartfelt poems reflecting on faith, life's challenges, and the enduring hope found in spiritual devotion.
Level B2PoetrySongs and rhymes of a lead minerExperience the gritty life of a lead miner through heartfelt songs and rhymes that capture the struggles, joys, and resilience of a working-class Scottish community during the earl…
Level B2AdventureSon of PowerAn orphaned boy, drawn irresistibly to the wild creatures of the zoo, grows into a man who understands the secret needs of powerful animals.
Level B2Children'sSon PhilipA young man returns home determined to choose a path of saving lives rather than risking them in war or adventure.
Level B2AdventureSomewhere south in SonoraIn the sweltering heat of a fading gold rush town, a white miner raises a son of Mexican heritage amid simmering racial tensions and secrets.
Level B2Children'sSomebody's Little GirlA little girl named Bessie Bell recalls strange memories that grown-ups insist cannot be true, from magical windows to enchanted objects, as she navigates a world that doubts the w…
Level B2Children'sSome of Æsop's Fables with Modern InstancesCunning animals and clever humans come to life in timeless fables where wit, folly, and wisdom unfold through enchanting tales like a fox outsmarting a crow or a frog's wish for a…
Level B2RomanceSome honeymoon!A steadfast businessman meets a captivating woman on a transatlantic voyage, sparking an unexpected romance that challenges his lifelong singlehood and business-first mindset.
Level B2HistoricalSome great American booksDiscover a thoughtful guide to America's literary heritage, offering a curated course through essential American books paired with insightful advice on how to read deeply and appre…
Level B2RomanceSome buildersA man reeling from a devastating betrayal escapes the city’s strain for solitude in the countryside, where chance encounters and unexpected guests promise to challenge his pain and…
Level B2ClassicsSome Rambling Notes of an Idle ExcursionEscape the daily grind with a leisurely trip where two brothers debate the best cemetery plots, blending humor and reflection on life’s fleeting nature amid the backdrop of a restf…
Level B2PoetrySome One Like YouA heartfelt tribute to a steadfast companion whose presence turns life’s hardships into joys, this poem celebrates unwavering loyalty, genuine friendship, and the simple happiness…
Level B2AdventureSome Little PeopleYoung Lisbeth dreams of London, the only proper place to live, but she lives a hundred miles away in the countryside.
Level B2PoetrySome Broken TwigsExplore the beauty and challenges of life through heartfelt poems that reflect on nature’s wonders and the lessons hidden in both bright days and broken twigs.
Level B2Children'sSolomon Crow's Christmas Pockets and Other TalesA clever boy named Solomon Crow navigates life with shrewdness and honesty despite his harsh upbringing and his mother’s erratic love.
Level B2Science FictionSolid SolutionIn a vast desert owned by the enigmatic genius David Adam Smith, expelled students struggle with their fate while uncovering a groundbreaking method to enlarge geological specimens…
Level B2HistoricalSoldiers of the QueenChildren’s games of tin soldiers spark dreams of real battlefields as young Valentine longs to join the army, set against a cozy English home where the promise of peace lingers.
Level B2RomanceSoldiers of FortuneAt a high-society gathering, Alice Langham finds herself seated next to a mysterious cowboy with a wild past, while navigating the complexities of love and society's expectations.
Level B2FantasySolario the Tailor: His Tales of the Magic DoubletIn a magical forest kingdom, a tailor named Solario captivates the court with tales of enchantment, lost princes, and mysterious knights freed from a witch’s spell.
Level B2Science FictionSolander's Radio TombWhen the wealthy Remington Solander enlists a radio-enthusiast lawyer and cemetery trustee to craft a mysterious clause in his will, the boundaries between life, death, and radio t…
Level B2Children'sSoffrona and Her Cat MuffTwo young girls, Soffrona and Sophia, explore enchanting woods filled with treasures and songbirds, where they rescue a tiny kitten from cruel boys and vow to care for it together.
Level B2AdventureSoap-bubble storiesIn a village where fountains flow from every corner, a mischievous River-Troll plots to disrupt a grand wedding by silencing the sacred Church Fountain.
Level B2AdventureSnug Harbor; or, The Champlain MechanicsA daring young sailor navigates the challenges of Lake Champlain, rescuing a terrified man from a sinking sloop.
Level B2AdventureSnowflakes and Sunbeams; Or, The Young Fur-traders: A Tale of the Far NorthAmid the frozen wilderness of the Red River Settlement, young Charley and his sister Kate face harsh Arctic winters and wild adventures as Charley defies his father’s wishes, deter…
Level B2AdventureSnowed Up; or, The Sportman's Club in the MountainsWhen a young frontiersman challenges seasoned guides over the true path to Fort Bolton, tensions rise among a group of emigrants stranded in the mountains.
Level B2Children'sSnowbound for ChristmasSnowbound by a relentless storm, a family faces the heartbreaking prospect of a Christmas without presents or celebration.
Level B2AdventureSnow-shoes and Sledges: A Sequel to "The Fur-Seal's Tooth"Journey through the rugged Alaskan wilderness with Phil Ryder and his steadfast companion Serge as they navigate treacherous rivers and uncertain fates, determined to reach Sitka a…
Level B2Children'sSnow-White; or, The House in the WoodHidden deep within an ancient forest, a mysterious stone house embraced by towering trees and bustling woodland creatures invites discovery.
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.