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 C1MysteryThe Kingdom of the BlindIn a glamorous Ritz Hotel lounge, wounded Captain Ronald Granet returns from the front, reuniting with a circle of intriguing guests whose secrets intertwine with the shadows of wa…
Level C1PoetryThe Kingdom of LoveJourney through realms where dreams, sense, wealth, and home vie for the title of the true Kingdom of Love.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Kingdom of God is Within You / Christianity and Patriotism / MiscellaniesExplore a profound critique of organized religion’s departure from Christ’s original teaching of non-resistance to evil, revealing how true Christianity demands peace and rejects v…
Level C1PoetryThe King's Wake, and Other BalladsAt a lively wake, young Signelil defies her mother's warnings to join the dance, only to encounter the king and a deadly twist of fate.
Level C1HistoricalThe King's Stratagem, and Other StoriesAmidst the tense rivalry between Henry IV of Navarre and the Catholic League, two governors engage in a high-stakes game that threatens loyalty, honor, and control of a strategic f…
Level C1AdventureThe King's ScapegoatA disgraced envoy recounts a perilous mission that nearly cost him honor and life, revealing hidden court intrigues and the harsh realities of loyalty in a turbulent France.
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 3 (of 3)Caught in relentless rain and isolated in a deserted Spanish villa, Quentin and the passionate Donna Isidora navigate growing affection and dangerous uncertainty during the chaos o…
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)An officer faces a sudden summons to command a battalion abroad, forcing a tense farewell amid family hopes and hidden emotions.
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid a stormy November sea near the rugged Scottish coast, Lady Winifred watches anxiously as a brig battles treacherous reefs and rising tides, setting the stage for a tale of war…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's OwnAmid the turmoil of the 1797 Mutiny at the Nore, a talented sailor wrongfully accused of theft faces disgrace and injustice, transforming a loyal subject into a brooding rebel.
Level C1HistoricalThe King's Mirror (Speculum regale-Konungs skuggsjá)Explore the intellectual richness of medieval Scandinavia as a thoughtful author delves into science, society, and philosophy in a didactic work that challenges assumptions about c…
Level C1ClassicsThe King's MirrorA young prince ascends to the throne amid solemn ceremonies and strict guardians, grappling with the weight of kingship and childhood innocence.
Level C1ClassicsThe King's MessengerAt a dimly lit dinner, a man reunites with the enigmatic Miss Lorna, who reveals a secret plan to escape with a mysterious late guest.
Level C1Science FictionThe King's Men: A Tale of To-morrowIn a future England where monarchy is exiled and aristocracy crumbles, a young nobleman wrestles with his fading legacy and a society transformed by political upheaval and economic…
Level C1AdventureThe King's JackalIn the shadowy courts of Tangier, political intrigue and covert alliances unfold as exiled royalty and their loyal followers plot to reclaim a lost throne.
Level C1HistoricalThe King's HighwayAmidst the stormy Irish coast, two military men and a thoughtful boy confront secrets and loss, their fates intertwined with the turbulent sea and shadowed pasts.
Level C1AdventureThe King's Esquires; Or, The Jewel of FranceIn the grand Palace of Fontainebleau, a restless young esquire hones his swordsmanship while shadows lurk behind the curtains, hinting at danger and intrigue within King Francis I’…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's DaughtersIn 1556 Colchester, the lives of women intertwine over the choice of gowns and fabrics, revealing secrets, social tensions, and whispers of heresy in a world where every decision c…
Level C1AdventureThe King's Assegai: A Matabili StoryAn old Zulu warrior guards a priceless assegai, the spear of a forgotten king, and begins to reveal the fierce battles and shifting loyalties of a turbulent era in Zululand’s histo…
Level C1HistoricalThe King's AchievementIn a grand country estate, two brothers return home after long absences, bringing with them secrets and tensions that stir their family’s quiet life.
Level C1AdventureThe King of the MountainsA young German botanist recounts his harrowing fifteen days captive to Hadgi-Stavros, the feared King of the Mountains, revealing a gripping tale of brigandage and survival in the…
Level C1ClassicsThe King of the MamozekelIn a hidden knoll untouched by predators, a monstrous moose-calf is born to a crafty mother who guards their secret refuge fiercely.
Level C1Children'sThe King of the Golden RiverIn a hidden mountain valley blessed by the shimmering Golden River, three brothers face the mysterious Southwest Wind, Esquire, who disrupts their peaceful lives—setting the stage…
Level C1ClassicsThe King of the Dark ChamberIn a kingdom where streets are labyrinthine and the king remains unseen, strangers debate the mystery of power and privacy amid festive celebrations.
Level C1ClassicsThe King of Schnorrers: Grotesques and FantasiesIn 18th-century London, Joseph Grobstock, the clever "King of Schnorrers," navigates the colorful world of Jewish beggars and society’s quirks with wit and charm, revealing a vibra…
Level C1AdventureThe King of Pirates: Being an Account of the Famous Enterprises of Captain Avery, the Mock King of MadagascarDive into the turbulent world of Captain Avery, the so-called King of Pirates, who challenges the wild rumors of his exploits with his own letters revealing the truth behind his no…
Level C1MysteryThe King of Diamonds: A Tale of Mystery and AdventureIn a grim London tenement, a determined boy faces despair as he cares for his dying mother, navigating poverty and harsh realities with courage and hope.
Level C1RomanceThe King of ArcadiaAs Breckenridge Ballard takes on the chief engineer role for the Arcadia Irrigation project, he faces a deadly mystery: three predecessors have met suspicious ends.
Level C1RomanceThe King of AlsanderIn a quaint English village, a whimsical tale unfolds filled with madmen, kings, scholars, and conspiracies, where beauty, love, and absurdity intertwine beneath the sunlit skies o…
Level C1HistoricalThe King Of Beaver, and Beaver Lights: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899On remote Beaver Island, a charismatic prophet known as the King of Beaver wields spiritual and political power over a close-knit community, while Emeline grapples with a forbidden…
Level C1HistoricalThe King Behind the KingUnder the moonlit yews of Black Gill, a vigilant forester confronts a defiant woman caught poaching in the lord’s forest, igniting a battle of wits and will amid the shadows of med…
Level C1ClassicsThe Key to the Brontë Works: The Key to Charlotte Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights,' 'Jane Eyre,' and her other works.Unlock the hidden connections between Charlotte Brontë’s life and her novels as this revealing guide uncovers her true authorship of Wuthering Heights and explores the intimate met…
Level C1AdventureThe Kentuckian in New-York; or, The Adventures of Three Southerns. Volume 1 (of 2)Three Southern gentlemen journey northward, navigating the rugged landscapes and complex social currents of early 19th-century America.
Level C1ClassicsThe KentonsIn a tranquil Midwestern town, the Kenton family navigates the comforts and challenges of middle age, weaving together memories of war, family bonds, and the quiet rhythms of home…
Level C1HistoricalThe Kellys and the O'KellysAmid the heated 1844 Dublin trials against Irish nationalist leaders, the city pulses with divided loyalties and fierce debate, as every legal twist and public reaction reveals the…
Level C1AdventureThe Keepers of the King's PeaceIn a remote land where magic and mystery intertwine, a widow's healing touch sparks suspicion and hope among villagers and spies alike.
Level C1AdventureThe Kangaroo MarinesFour rugged men from the Australian Bush answer a bold call to join the elite Kangaroo Marines, ready to prove their courage and loyalty in the fierce battles of the Dardanelles.
Level C1AdventureThe Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the BushA grieving rector struggles to overcome his loss and wavering faith, torn between staying in his parish or embracing missionary work in distant lands.
Level C1HistoricalThe Justice of the KingAmid the restless unease of ailing King Louis at his château, a mysterious, urgent despatch arrives, stirring intrigue and suspicion within the guarded halls of Valmy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Just and the UnjustIn a modest town where gas lamps flicker to life, young Custer Shrimplin cherishes Sunday mornings filled with his father's vivid tales of a wild Western past, clashing with the un…
Level C1Science FictionThe JunkmakersIn a future where society ritually destroys obsolete machines to create purpose in a world of abundance, Wendell Hart uncovers unsettling truths about consumption, obsolescence, an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Junior Classics, Volume 7: Stories of Courage and HeroismDive into true tales of bravery spanning history—from the heroic stand of Catherine Douglas to the daring adventures of a kidnapped boy among Native Americans—each story vividly br…
Level C1HistoricalThe Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalryEnter a world of knights and legendary quests, where young pages train to become noble warriors, mastering chivalry, combat, and honor in tales of King Arthur, Robin Hood, and Don…
Level C1Children'sThe Junior Classics, Volume 1: Fairy and wonder talesA carefully curated collection of timeless fairy and wonder tales invites young readers to explore enchanting stories that inspire imagination, moral growth, and a lifelong love of…
Level C1AdventureThe Jungle GirlIn colonial India, a daring young officer prepares for a thrilling day of pigsticking with the Maharajah, navigating the challenges of military life, friendship, and the allure of…
Level C1AdventureThe Jungle Fugitives: A Tale of Life and Adventure in India: Including also Many Stories of American Adventure, Enterprise and DaringAmid the rising flames of the 1857 Indian uprising, an American doctor and his daughter navigate a land on the brink of chaos, where loyalty, love, and survival intertwine against…
Level C1PoetryThe Jumblies, and Other Nonsense VersesDive into a whimsical world where curious creatures embark on fanciful adventures, from sailing seas to dancing with animals, all brought to life by playful verses and charming ill…
Level C1PoetryThe Jumble Book of Rhymes: Recited by the JumblerDive into a whimsical jumble of rhymes that blend humor, candid reflection, and playful musings, capturing the highs and lows of life with a refreshingly honest voice that refuses…
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.