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 B2HistoricalSnow on the headlightTensions rise as railroad workers unite to challenge unfair wages and management’s stubbornness, igniting a fierce struggle between labor and leadership.
Level B2AdventureSnow Shoes and Canoes: Or, The Early Days of a Fur-Trader in the Hudson Bay TerritoryBraving harsh wilderness and lurking dangers, a small fur-trading party embarks on a perilous journey across the North-West Territory to deliver vital winter supplies.
Level B2MysterySnarled Identities; Or, A Desperate TangleA detective’s rare vacation is interrupted by shocking news of a notorious criminal’s fiery death, setting the stage for a tangled mystery that only Nick Carter can unravel before…
Level B2AdventureSnagged and Sunk; Or, The Adventures of a Canvas CanoeThree adventurous boys set up camp deep in the forest, far from the usual fishing spots and guided tours, determined to explore and fish on their own terms.
Level B2AdventureSmugglers' Island and the devil fires of San MorosA spirited group of children seize an unexpected vacation to embark on a daring voyage to Smugglers’ Island, a mysterious and remote place steeped in local legend.
Level B2AdventureSmoke BellewA struggling editor in San Francisco’s bohemian scene seizes an unexpected chance to escape his stagnant life by chasing the thrilling promise of the Klondike Gold Rush, risking ev…
Level B2PoetrySmall Means and Great EndsA young girl’s yearning to be rich turns to compassion as she encounters a struggling family, learning how small acts of kindness can bring great blessings and inspire hope amidst…
Level B2Children'sSlow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-MerchantA determined young street merchant navigates the challenges of New York city life, balancing family duties and his rising business, while a street waif struggles with loyalty and s…
Level B2ClassicsSlippy McGee, Sometimes Known as the Butterfly ManIn the heart of Appleboro, South Carolina, a town steeped in tradition and history, the mysterious Slippy McGee, known as the Butterfly Man, weaves through the lives of mill worker…
Level B2ClassicsSkipper WorseIn a small Norwegian coastal town, the fierce clash between devout pietism and worldly life unfolds through vivid portraits, including the complex Skipper Worse and the zealous lay…
Level B2ClassicsSkinner's Dress SuitA modest cashier dubbed the "cage man" battles stage fright and self-doubt as he musters courage to ask his employer for a raise, driven by his devoted wife's hopes and their share…
Level B2ClassicsSketches of GothamIn the bustling streets of old New York, a cunning woman uses charm and wit to ensnare wealthy strangers, weaving a dangerous game of deception and allure where every smile hides a…
Level B2ClassicsSketches New and Old, Part 6.An undertaker reflects on the wishes of a modest man determined to control every detail of his funeral, from a simple coffin to an unconventional hymn.
Level B2ClassicsSketches New and OldDive into a collection of sharp, witty tales and reflections where everyday objects, like a watch, reveal deeper truths through humor and human folly.
Level B2ClassicsSixpenny PiecesIn the gritty streets of London, a battered woman leans on a determined doctor who defies the authorities to care for her at home, revealing the harsh realities of life, loyalty, a…
Level B2FantasySix giants and a griffin, and other storiesA curious boy discovers a secret trapdoor leading to a magical blue land where industrious gnomes and solemn blue elephants await his help.
Level B2ClassicsSix Short PlaysTwo brothers grapple with a chilling confession: one has killed a man in a desperate act tied to a troubled woman’s torment.
Level B2Children'sSix Girls and the Tea RoomSix spirited girls transform their cozy city flat into a charming tea room, weaving joy and friendship through winter’s challenges.
Level B2Children'sSix Girls and Bob: A Story of Patty-Pans and Green FieldsSix lively sisters and their brother Bob navigate the cozy chaos of a tiny kitchen and a bustling household, finding warmth, humor, and togetherness amid their sunny, cramped fourt…
Level B2MysterySix Feet FourA fierce mountain storm traps a diverse group of strangers at a remote road house, where secrets and suspicions brew as they await the arrival of a missing stagecoach driver.
Level B2ClassicsSix Bad Husbands and Six Unhappy WivesExplore the unraveling marriage of a once-kind man whose love and confidence erode under his wife's constant criticism and superiority, revealing the painful dynamics behind six un…
Level B2ClassicsSisters ThreeThree sisters trapped in a quiet country home long for excitement beyond daily chores, dreaming of adventure and change as they face the monotony of their sheltered lives and the w…
Level B2ClassicsSir Hilton's SinA young student indulges in marmalade and chemistry lessons under the watchful eye of his devoted aunt, whose hopes and concerns for family, society, and propriety unfold against t…
Level B2RomanceSir Harry: A Love StoryA novelist-turned-vicar settles into the evocative Royd Castle, where moonlit glades and ancient walls inspire both literary dreams and tender hopes as he awaits his wife and the n…
Level B2ClassicsSir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II.A fierce storm ravages a rocky island, bringing tales of shipwreck and desperate survival.
Level B2AdventureSinopah, the Indian BoyBorn into the vast Blackfeet camp on the plains of Montana, Sinopah's arrival signals the rise of a future chief amid a world rich with buffalo, horses, and ancient traditions.
Level B2Children'sSink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's ResolveA determined young orator from a modest background faces the scorn of wealthier peers at Vernon High School, proving that courage and earnestness outweigh fortune.
Level B2AdventureSindbad the Sailor, & Other Stories from the Arabian NightsA wealthy merchant recounts his seven perilous voyages, beginning with a shipwreck on a mysterious island that turns out to be a giant sleeping sea creature.
Level B2PoetrySimple Poems for Infant MindsDelight in gentle poems that spark the imagination of little ones, exploring simple wonders like sailboats, dolls, birds, and ants through tender verses crafted for infant minds.
Level B2ClassicsSimeon Tetlow's ShadowIn a bustling railroad office, Simeon Tetlow, a relentless and powerful president, clashes with his young assistant John Bennett, whose quiet resignation reveals deeper struggles a…
Level B2Children'sSilverthornsIn a lively household bustling with four boys and a girl, Charlotte and her gentle, clever brother Jerry navigate the chaos of family life and childhood dreams, yearning for the pe…
Level B2AdventureSilverspur; or, The Mountain Heroine: A Tale of the Arapaho CountryIn the rugged Arapaho country, a group of refined mountain men and a mysterious hunter in wild attire navigate perilous landscapes, fierce rivalries, and untamed wilderness.
Level B2PoetrySilver liningsDiscover a world of hope, joy, and resilience through heartfelt poems that celebrate life's simple beauties, the courage to embrace one's unique gifts, and the strength to face eac…
Level B2RomanceSilver and Gold: A Story of Luck and Love in a Western Mining CampIn a rugged Western mining camp shadowed by a mysterious prophecy, a grizzled miner wrestles with fate, fortune, and a captivating artist’s love, as silver and gold symbolize choic…
Level B2AdventureSilver Rifle, the Girl Trailer; Or, The White Tigers of Lake SuperiorA half-breed youth known as the White Tiger races through the dense forests near Lake Superior, pursued by hostile Chippewa warriors determined to capture him alive.
Level B2AdventureSilver RagsWhen a city-bred girl falls overboard in a remote Maine pond, a brave youth plunges in to save her, sparking an adventurous summer among woods, wildlife, and heartfelt friendships…
Level B2ClassicsSilver Pitchers: and Independence, a Centennial Love StoryThree young women face a scandal at a town festival when secret brandy spoils the evening, prompting them to lead a bold social boycott that challenges their community’s customs an…
Level B2AdventureSilver LakeIn a remote wilderness, a fearless hunter leads his family and companions to build a rugged fort far from civilization’s laws and customs.
Level B2ClassicsSilence, and other storiesIn a snowbound village shadowed by the threat of war, Silence senses a lurking danger despite reassurances of safety.
Level B2FantasySigns & WondersAmid shifting eras and cosmic scenes, three strangers traverse time and space, witnessing humanity's rise and fall in a world both familiar and alien.
Level B2ClassicsSigning the Contract, and What It CostA chance glimpse of a desperate woman seen from a speeding train sparks a journey into hardship and sorrow.
Level B2ClassicsSielanka: An IdyllNestled in a tranquil forest clearing, a humble forester’s home thrives amid blooming flowers and whispering trees, where young Kasya learns life's gentle lessons from nature’s qui…
Level B2ClassicsSide-stepping with ShortyWhen a tough-talking physical culture expert is hired by a wealthy, demanding client, he faces the challenge of transforming a high-society man out of shape—on terms that test his…
Level B2AdventureSide Show StudiesAmid the chaos of a bustling circus, a jaguar escapes its cage, threatening performers and spectators alike as trainers scramble to contain the wild beast before disaster strikes.
Level B2HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 5: The Deacon's Adventures at Chattanooga in Caring for the BoysIn the aftermath of battle, the resourceful Deacon navigates the challenges of caring for wounded soldiers Si Klegg and Shorty in Chattanooga, using cunning and courage to provide…
Level B2HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 4: Experiences of Si and Shorty on the Great Tullahoma CampaignAmid the relentless rain and looming battle, soldiers of the 200th Indiana prepare to engage the Confederate forces entrenched in Shelbyville during the intense Tullahoma Campaign,…
Level B2AdventureSi Klegg, Book 3: Si and Shorty Meet Mr. Rosenbaum, the Spy, Who Relates His AdventuresTwo soldiers on picket duty share rustic campfire cooking and unexpected hospitality, while encountering Mr.
Level B2MysteryShuddering castleIn a secluded Long Island castle, a reclusive family’s quiet life shatters when a scientist’s quest to contact Mars via radio sparks eerie phenomena and a mysterious visitor from t…
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.