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 B2ClassicsTreading the narrow wayA man reflects on his Irish-English heritage and the harsh realities of life, from struggles with poverty and loans to the hope for redemption through faith and perseverance on the…
Level B2HistoricalTravels in a Tree-topPerched high above the misty fields, an observer explores the hidden world atop towering trees, where sunlight and sky create a serene canopy and birds view man in a new light.
Level B2Children'sTravellers' StoriesTwo curious boys beg their mother to recount her adventurous European travels, setting sail on a vivid journey across stormy seas, icy wonders, and foreign shores filled with disco…
Level B2Science FictionTransientA biologist's computer begins spitting out cryptic astrological messages instead of scientific data, hinting at a mysterious malfunction—or something more uncanny.
Level B2AdventureTrailin'!Two hardened men watch a dazzling Wild West show in New York, unimpressed by the daredevil horsebreakers, until one challenges the wild mustangs with his own fearless stunt—ready t…
Level B2HistoricalTrail-Tales of Western CanadaIn the rugged mining and lumber camps of Western Canada, a young missionary arrives to confront hardship and despair, guided by Old Ken, a flawed but fiercely loyal prospector whos…
Level B2AdventureTrail and Trading Post; or, The Young Hunters of the OhioTwo young hunters navigate the dangers of the Ohio frontier after the French and Indian War, tracking elusive buffalo while wary of lingering Native American hostilities.
Level B2MysteryTragedy at RavensthorpeWhen Sir Clinton Driffield arrives as the new Chief Constable, a masked ball at Ravensthorpe promises secrets and surprises, but beneath the festive guise lurks a mystery only his…
Level B2Children'sTradingOn a snowy Christmas Eve, Matilda prepares for a dazzling party in a warmly lit house, but her thoughts linger on those less fortunate in the cold.
Level B2MysteryTracked to his lair; or, The pursuit of the Midnight RaiderUnder a moonlit Arizona sky, ranch owner Sam Bowser is jolted awake by a chilling scream that hints at danger nearby.
Level B2MysteryTracked by a Tattoo: A MysteryA mysterious tattoo becomes the key to unraveling a labyrinth of crime and intrigue, as a clever detective follows elusive clues through a maze of startling and inexplicable facts…
Level B2MysteryTracked by WirelessA skilled wireless expert detects a mysterious signal at the same time every evening, unlike any known code, sparking his quest to uncover its origin using his secret amplifier and…
Level B2AdventureTrack's End: Being the Narrative of Judson Pitcher's Strange Winter Spent There as Told by Himself and Edited by Hayden Carruth Including an Accurate Account of His Numerous Adventures, and the Facts Concerning His Several Surprising Escapes from Death Now First Printed in FullAn eighteen-year-old leaves his Ohio home to face a harsh winter in the untamed Dakota Territory, encountering wild landscapes, fierce prairie fires, and the rugged life of a new r…
Level B2MysteryToying with fate; or, Nick Carter's narrow shaveA mysterious old man lingers outside an abandoned house in snowy New York, his sorrow and confusion drawing the attention of a watchful policeman—unravel the secrets behind his hau…
Level B2AdventureTour of the Zero ClubA thrilling winter adventure unfolds as Harry Webb and his friends race rival toboggan teams down icy hills, facing daring challenges and fierce competition amid the snowy exciteme…
Level B2FantasyToto's Merry WinterIn a cozy kitchen where firelight brings pots and kettles to life, a boy named Toto shares whimsical winter days with his animal friends—a raccoon, a bear, and a pig—blurring the l…
Level B2ClassicsTorwood's trustA young man battles against a cunning uncle’s schemes that threaten to steal his inheritance and separate him from his loved ones.
Level B2ClassicsTorchy, Private Sec.A quick-witted office boy seizes an unexpected chance to rise above his lowly position, transforming himself with a sharp suit and a fresh shave.
Level B2RomanceTorchy and VeeAmidst the backdrop of World War I home front life, a devoted daughter struggles with the exhausting demands of caring for her ailing, imperious father while navigating the quiet s…
Level B2ClassicsTorchy As A PaIn the bustling heart of New York, a chance discovery leads two friends to visit Lucy Lee and her new husband, sparking a humorous and candid glimpse into city life, love, and the…
Level B2HistoricalTor, a Street Boy of JerusalemIn the bustling streets of ancient Jerusalem, hungry street boy Tor navigates hardship and harsh guardianship, his fierce spirit clashing with a blind beggar who claims him as kin.
Level B2Children'sToo dearly boughtIn a smoky English town, a persuasive outsider stirs the working men to rise for better wages and shorter hours, sparking a passionate town strike.
Level B2ClassicsToo close fisted, and other storiesTwo brothers, as different in character as dark and light, reveal contrasting approaches to wealth and kindness in a small community.
Level B2AdventureTony, the Hero; Or, A Brave Boy's Adventures with a TrampA weary boy wanders the countryside with a mysterious tramp who claims to be his uncle, but Tony dreams of a different life—one with a home, a future, and the chance to rise above…
Level B2Children'sTony the Tramp; Or, Right is MightA weary boy trapped in a nomadic life questions the fate that binds him to a roving, uncertain existence alongside a grim, gypsy-like companion.
Level B2Children'sToni, the Little WoodcarverHigh in the Bernese Oberland, young Toni lives simply and happily with his family in a stone hut by the Wild brook.
Level B2Children'sTommy's Thanksgiving dinnerStep into a playful Thanksgiving pageant where Tommy dreams of a lively cast of characters—from a jolly Turkey to Cranberry Maids and talking Vegetables—all preparing for the holid…
Level B2AdventureTommy Trot's Visit to Santa ClausA lonely boy named Tommy Trot embarks on a magical Christmas Eve journey to Santa Claus’s snowy city at the North Pole, where he joins his friend Johnny Stout on an exciting hunt f…
Level B2Children'sTommy TregennisA young boy navigates the bittersweet challenges of growing up by the sea, where torn trousers and schoolyard worries collide with the comforting bonds of family.
Level B2HistoricalTommyAmid the smoky mills of Brunford, Tom Pollard wrestles with love and duty, caught between the bold advances of Polly and the steady charm of Alice Lister.
Level B2RomanceTomina in retreatExhausted by the relentless pace of London society, Tomina faces a doctor's stark prescription: escape to a quiet retreat for her health.
Level B2PoetryTom, the Piper's SonA mischievous piper's son learns tunes that spark lively chaos—from dancing animals to a runaway court—turning his playful music into a whirlwind of pranks and laughter in this spi…
Level B2AdventureTom, The Bootblack; or, The Road to SuccessA determined fifteen-year-old bootblack in New York City supports himself and the ailing old man he lives with, navigating poverty with grit and hope.
Level B2Children'sTom, Dot and Talking Mouse and Other Bedtime StoriesA kind-hearted miller, broken by lost love, lives in lonely bitterness until a tiny flour-dusted mouse’s trust begins to thaw his hardened heart, hinting at the power of friendship…
Level B2AdventureTom, Dick and HarryIn the dead of night, a sudden shot and eerie disappearance ignite suspense as a boy awakens to find his friend missing, sparking a chilling mystery of sleepwalking and secrets lur…
Level B2AdventureTom, Dick and HarrietOn a frozen Hudson River in bitter January cold, a quick-witted boy offers a clever fix to a stranded girl’s broken skate strap, sparking an unexpected friendship filled with warmt…
Level B2MysteryTom the telephone boy; or, The mystery of a messageTom lands a temporary holiday job at a bustling Boston bookstore, eager to prove himself and uncover the mystery behind a puzzling message—can a boy with big dreams solve the enigm…
Level B2AdventureTom of the RaidersA determined young man arrives at a Union army camp in 1862, eager to join the fight and find his wounded cousin amid the chaos of war.
Level B2HistoricalTom and Some Other Girls: A Public School StoryWhen sudden wealth propels the Chester family into a grand country estate, they face the challenge of sending their proud daughter Rhoda to public school—where she must confront ne…![Cover of Tom and Maggie Tulliver by Anonymous [Adapter]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daer868e1ofc73dh8brg.webp)
Level B2Children'sTom and Maggie TulliverA determined father plans to send his son Tom to a proper school to secure his future, while spirited Maggie explores the dangers near their home.
Level B2AdventureTom Wallis: A Tale of the South SeasTwo adventurous brothers grow up amidst the wild beauty of a rugged Australian seaport, where the roar of the ocean and the mysteries of the South Seas call them to explore beyond…
Level B2AdventureTom Thatcher's FortuneSixteen-year-old Tom Thatcher toils long hours in a shoe factory to support his mother and sister, all while grappling with the mystery of his missing father's fortune and the grow…
Level B2MysteryTom Terror, the OutlawAn outlaw known as Tom Terror returns to a dangerous canyon where a mysterious young duo—one disguised as a boy—holds a deadly court of justice, challenging his notorious reign and…
Level B2AdventureTom Swift in the City of Gold; Or, Marvelous Adventures UndergroundA thrilling letter from a rescued African missionary sets a young inventor on an extraordinary journey to uncover a hidden city of gold beneath the earth, filled with mysterious tr…
Level B2AdventureTom Swift in the Caves of Ice, or, the Wreck of the AirshipA daring young inventor takes to the skies in his speedy monoplane, coaxing his reluctant companion on a thrilling flight that promises adventure and innovation.
Level B2Science FictionTom Swift circling the globe; or, The daring cruise of the Air MonarchAn audacious wager challenges Tom Swift to circle the globe in just twenty days, relying on his inventive genius and an array of cutting-edge machines.
Level B2FantasyTom Swift and his talking picturesA young inventor races to perfect his groundbreaking "talking pictures" machine, transmitting moving images alongside sound—but the blurry results threaten to derail his revolution…
Level B2AdventureTom Swift and his great oil gusherInventive young aviator Tom Swift takes to the skies in his beloved Hummingbird, only to spot a nearby plane in distress—setting off a daring adventure where innovation and courage…
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.