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 B2RomanceWho Cares? A Story of AdolescenceA young woman trapped in an ancient, stifling household longs for freedom and youthful joy as spring breathes new life around her.
Level C1PoetryWho Can Be Happy and Free in Russia?In a Russia marked by sorrow and injustice, a poet’s voice rises to reveal the hidden struggles of peasants and nobility alike, weaving personal tragedy and social critique into a…
Level B2Children'sWho Ate the Pink Sweetmeat? And Other Christmas StoriesIn a tiny shop with only three pairs of stockings left before Christmas, these humble garments dream of being chosen to hold holiday gifts.
Level B2Children'sWho Are Happiest? and Other StoriesIn a humble home, a hardworking man wrestles with envy and discontent despite his family's simple comforts.
Level C1ClassicsWhittier at close rangeStep into the intimate world of a beloved New England poet, where personal memories and reflections reveal the beauty of everyday life, nature’s wonders, and the deep spiritual con…
Level C1ClassicsWhitman: A StudyExplore the rugged and poetic spirit of a man whose work channels the primal forces of nature and the cosmos, challenging conventions with his bold, expansive vision of life and ar…
Level C1MysteryWhither Thou GoestA young nobleman’s forbidden love leads him to a Madrid embassy tangled in anarchist plots and venomous vendettas.
Level C1ClassicsWhitewashA dignified widow navigates the challenges of managing her late husband's estate with grace and determination, while preparing for a local fête that may bring unexpected tensions.
Level C1ClassicsWhiteladiesIn an ancient manor shadowed by a haunted family legacy, Miss Susan Austin, the reluctant mistress, wrestles with the weight of generations marked by misfortune and secrets.
Level B2Children'sWhite and black liesA young boy’s small fibs spark lessons in honesty under the watchful eye of Aunt Clarissa, who manages a bustling household where truth and deception intertwine.
Level B2AdventureWhite Wolf's Law: A Western StoryWhen a burning house and brutal murders mark the border town of Cannondale, two cowboys race against time to uncover the ruthless gang behind the violence.
Level C1RomanceWhite Wings: A Yachting Romance, Volume IIIAmidst the rugged beauty of a remote island, a determined young artist captures the truth of her yachting voyage while a group of seal hunters face unexpected scarcity and silent c…
Level C1RomanceWhite Wings: A Yachting Romance, Volume IIAs the yacht White Dove drifts in calm seas, a passionate debate unfolds about the nobility and struggles of the medical profession, drawing a young doctor into a summer journey fi…
Level C1RomanceWhite Wings: A Yachting Romance, Volume IA spirited young woman arrives to join a summer yachting adventure, stirring curiosity and admiration among her new companions.
Level C1ClassicsWhite TurretsTwo sisters from the countryside attend a dim London concert where a mysterious singer named Hertha Norreys captivates their hearts with familiar ballads, sparking a deep fascinati…
Level B2Children'sWhite Sox, the story of the reindeer in AlaskaLost in a thick Alaskan fog, young reindeer White Sox and his mother wander far from their herd, facing loneliness and uncertainty.
Level B2ClassicsWhite Motley: A NovelIn a village ruled by gossip and horse racing, the troubled marriage of Sir Luton Delayne and his gentle wife unravels amid scandal, loss, and mysterious disappearance—setting the…
Level C1RomanceWhite Magic: A NovelAn American painter returns home from Paris to claim a mysterious inheritance, carrying the hopes of building a meaningful career amid the untamed wilderness and the complexities o…
Level C1Children'sWhite Lilac; or the Queen of the MayIn a quaint village cottage, a mother tenderly cares for her fragile newborn, whose strikingly fair skin mirrors the delicate white lilacs on her windowsill.
Level B2RomanceWhite LightningIn 1905 Chicago, twelve-year-old Marvin Mahan, a curious and daring boy with a scientific spark, explores the mysteries of hydrogen and the wonders of chemistry under his father’s…
Level C1RomanceWhite LiesAmid the turmoil of revolutionary France, the noble Baron de Beaurepaire faces ruin, loss, and betrayal, while his devoted family struggles to preserve their legacy and survive in…
Level C1AdventureWhite Jacket; Or, The World on a Man-of-WarSet sail aboard a man-of-war bound for Cape Horn, where a makeshift white jacket becomes both a burden and a symbol amid the harsh sea voyages, camaraderie, and life aboard a naval…
Level C1RomanceWhite Heather: A Novel (Volume 3 of 3)Amid the honey-scented moorlands and shimmering lochs, gentle Meenie receives a troubling letter that shatters her hopes and reveals dark secrets about Ronald’s fate, setting her o…
Level C1RomanceWhite Heather: A Novel (Volume 2 of 3)In the wild Scottish lochs, an unexpected bond forms between a solitary man and an adventurous American woman as they navigate the challenges of ambition, nature, and the thrill of…
Level C1ClassicsWhite Heather: A Novel (Volume 1 of 3)A reserved traveler journeys northward on a cold January evening, revealing kindness and quiet complexity through a chance meeting with a railway conductor.
Level B2RomanceWhite FireA determined young woman embarks on a journey through a bustling industrial town, captivated by its beauty and brimming with quiet resolve.
Level C1AdventureWhite FangIn the frozen, merciless Northland Wild, two men and a pack of wolfish dogs brave the relentless cold and lurking dangers as they struggle against nature’s grim verdict and the hun…
Level B2ClassicsWhite Dandy; or, Master and I: A Horse's StoryA loyal horse named Dandy shares a deep bond with his aging master, Dr.
Level C1AdventureWhite Cockades: An Incident of the "Forty-Five"In the rugged Highlands during the turbulent "Forty-Five," young Andrew Boyd’s quiet afternoon felling an oak tree turns perilous when he discovers a wounded stranger trapped benea…
Level C1ClassicsWhite AshesIn the aftermath of a devastating city fire, a desperate man confronts ruin while navigating complex family ties and financial struggles.
Level C1Children'sWhistler; or, The Manly BoyA bright, talented boy nicknamed Whistler embarks on a summer journey from bustling Boston to a quiet Maine town, where everyday adventures reveal the true meaning of manliness and…
Level B2MysteryWhispering WiresIn a city where wealth masks danger, Detective Drew is summoned to confront a chilling blackmail against a powerful munition magnate.
Level B2HistoricalWhispering TonguesUnder a moonlit sky at Concord College, a close-knit group of students, led by the charismatic Parmenter, navigate friendship, tradition, and rivalry, while the shadow of hazing an…
Level C1MysteryWhispering SmithAfter a catastrophic train derailment near Smoky Creek, Sinclair, the relentless wrecking boss, races against time to clear the twisted wreckage and uncover the mysteries tangled i…
Level C1HistoricalWhirlpools: A Novel of Modern PolandPolitical tensions and family secrets intertwine as Gronski returns to the Jastrzeb manor to attend a funeral, rekindling old friendships and uncovering complex ties among Poland’s…
Level C1ClassicsWhirligigsAfter a deadly dispute in New York, Ralph Merriam flees with a modest fortune to the exotic town of La Paz, where new alliances and unexpected adventures await amidst the lush, tro…
Level B1Children'sWhilst father was fightingTwo young brothers face fear and loneliness while their father fights in the war, finding unexpected comfort and friendship with a kind old neighbor who teaches them the power of f…
Level C1ClassicsWhile the Billy BoilsOld mates reunited by memories of gold rush days, they share tales of lost fortunes, rugged life, and dreams of striking it rich again—while children listen, wide-eyed, to stories…
Level B2AdventureWhig Against Tory: Or, The Military Adventures of a Shoemaker, a Tale of the RevolutionIn the turbulent times of the American Revolution, a courageous shoemaker named Enoch Crosby becomes an unlikely spy, risking everything to gather crucial intelligence against the…
Level B1Children'sWhiffet SquirrelThree adventurous red squirrel siblings find a cozy new home in a forgotten birdhouse high in an old chestnut tree, where mischief and discovery await under the watchful eyes of th…
Level B2RomanceWhich? Or, Between Two WomenA desperate mother flees through stormy March winds, seeking refuge for her newborn amid the wild French countryside.
Level C1HistoricalWhere the battle was foughtIn the shadow of a haunted Tennessee battlefield, a weary general clings to faded honor in a crumbling estate scarred by war and debt.
Level B2AdventureWhere the West beginsIn a harsh desert borderland where water means power, a determined cowboy stakes his claim against a ruthless landowner’s threats and offers, fighting to keep his homestead and pro…
Level C1AdventureWhere the Trail DividesA lone, desperate man treks through a relentless, sun-scorched prairie, gripped by fear and pursued by a deadly threat lurking beyond the horizon.
Level C1ClassicsWhere the Path BreaksA soul lingers in a twilight between worlds, tracing back memories of love and identity in a haunting dream.
Level B2RomanceWhere the Atlantic meets the landAmidst rugged cliffs and shimmering shores, two young lovers navigate the tides of their bond and the promise of marriage, discovering the beauty and challenges where the wild Atla…
Level B2PoetryWhere sunlight fallsDiscover moments of joy, resilience, and nature’s beauty in heartfelt poems that celebrate life’s simple pleasures, courage in adversity, and the quiet strength found in everyday k…
Level B2AdventureWhere Your Treasure Is: Being the Personal Narrative of Ross Sidney, DiverA barefoot boy’s first hard-earned quarter ignites a lifelong hunger for treasure and adventure, as he navigates youthful passion, poverty, and the tantalizing lure of hidden riche…
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.