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 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 B2AdventureThe Jungle BookIn the heart of the jungle, a wolf pack faces the threat of the fierce tiger Shere Khan, whose hunger for man disrupts the delicate balance of the wild.
Level A2AdventureThe Jungle BabyA golden-haired baby named Bab-ba lives peacefully with his devoted Ayah and playful pets on the edge of a sprawling jungle—until a cunning snake named Hoodo lures him into the wil…
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…
Level B2HistoricalThe Jugglers: A StoryA traveling troupe of jugglers and singers faces a crucial decision about where to winter, while their prima donna, Diane, recalls her humble origins and dreams of the town she nev…
Level C1ClassicsThe Judgment of EveIn a small, stifling town where intellect and art are scarce, Aggie Purcell faces a choice between two very different suitors, each offering her a distinct future—but neither can f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Judgment HouseIn the dazzling world of opera and high society, a radiant debutante's triumph ignites a web of ambition, passion, and rivalry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Judgment Books: A StoryIn a serene Cornish retreat, an artist contemplates the ghosts of his past while his friend Frank wrestles with memories stirred by a forgotten Parisian concert program, setting th…
Level C2HistoricalThe Judgement of ValhallaIn the brutal crucible of war, a deserter faces both earthly execution and a chilling judgment in the afterlife.
Level B2ClassicsThe Jucklins: A NovelAn awkward young man longs to prove himself in a society that mocks him, plotting a daring horse trade and a bold confrontation to earn respect and overcome his insecurities in nor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Joys of Being a Woman, and Other PapersExplore a collection of personal essays that celebrate the elusive joy of selfhood, capturing the playful spirit and unique delights of womanhood through thoughtful, witty reflecti…
Level B2Children'sThe Joyous Story of TotoA lively boy named Toto lives with his blind grandmother in a charming cottage by the woods, where everyday adventures and warm-hearted moments unfold amid gingerbread baking, knit…
Level C1AdventureThe Joyous Adventures of Aristide PujolA chance encounter in the desolate town of Aigues-Mortes plunges a solitary traveler into a chaotic clash with locals after a mysterious accident.
Level C1ClassicsThe Joy of Living (Es lebe das Leben): A Play in Five ActsIn a Berlin drawing-room at the turn of the century, political intrigue and social tensions unfold as Count Kellinghausen's electioneering stirs unexpected alliances and rivalries,…![Cover of The Joy of Life [La joie de vivre] by Émile Zola](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf7m30e1ofc73dhc71g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Joy of Life [La joie de vivre]On the rugged Normandy coast, a tender-hearted woman sacrifices everything for a talented but fragile man haunted by an all-consuming fear of death.
Level C1ClassicsThe Joy of Captain RibotIn the sunlit gardens of Valencia, Captain Ribot’s visit sparks a tender idyll and subtle comedy, revealing the rich tapestry of provincial Spanish life filled with warmth, humor,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Journal to StellaDive into the intimate letters of a complex friendship between a seasoned writer and his younger confidante, filled with personal reflections, societal observations, and the challe…
Level C1RomanceThe Journal to Eliza and Various letters by Laurence Sterne and Elizabeth DraperA passionate and turbulent love unfolds through intimate letters and journal entries between a London wit and the captivating Eliza, whose life straddles the exotic allure and hars…
Level C1HistoricalThe Journal of a Voyage to LisbonA revealing voyage diary chronicles a journey to Lisbon, blending poignant reflections on illness, family devotion, and sharp social observations.
Level C1ClassicsThe Journal of a Disappointed ManA young naturalist chronicles his intense passion for science and the poignant struggle with a creeping illness that shatters his youthful dreams.
Level C1ClassicsThe Journal of Sir Walter Scott: From the Original Manuscript at AbbotsfordStep into the intimate world of a celebrated writer as he reflects on ambition, memory, and the passage of time through his private journal entries.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Journal of Leo Tolstoi (First Volume—1895-1899)Dive into the reflective pages of a visionary grappling with Russia’s social upheavals and spiritual questions on the eve of revolution, exploring the true meaning of justice, prop…
Level C1HistoricalThe Journal of Countess Françoise Krasinska, Great Grandmother of Victor EmmanuelA young countess in 18th-century Poland begins a personal journal to chronicle her noble family's legacy and the turbulent events surrounding them, revealing the pride, duty, and c…
Level B2MysteryThe Joss: A ReversionA day of misfortune turns into a tangled mystery when a shop assistant faces dismissal after missing crucial sales, only to be drawn into a curious adventure involving strange cust…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jolly CornerReturning after thirty years abroad, a man confronts the startling transformations of his childhood home and the city around it, uncovering unexpected insights about himself and th…
Level B2Children'sThe Jolliest Term on Record: A Story of School LifeTwo schoolgirls sense a secret stirring at home as their father prepares for a sudden trip abroad, leading to unexpected plans that send them back to boarding school for a term of…
Level B2Children'sThe Jolliest School of AllA spirited girl dreads returning to school until an unexpected family move to Italy promises adventure, new challenges, and a chance to attend a boarding school abroad.
Level C1ClassicsThe Job: An American NovelIn a small Pennsylvania town, Una Golden navigates the confines of respectability and unfulfilled ambition, yearning for knowledge, love, and a life beyond the mundane roles prescr…
Level A2PoetryThe Jingle BookWhimsical poems and playful jingles bring to life a world where kittens sprout wings, kings flounder at sea, and old hens discover their literary flair—inviting readers into a char…
Level B2Children'sThe Jimmyjohns, and other storiesTwin brothers Jimmy and Johnny Plummer, known as the Jimmyjohns, embark on imaginative adventures from their quaint cottage, turning everyday moments into playful quests filled wit…
Level C1AdventureThe Jimmyjohn Boss, and Other StoriesIn the rugged American West, a young, sharp-eyed deputy embarks on a critical mission under the watchful guidance of a seasoned cattleman, tasked with leading men and maintaining o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jews of Barnow: StoriesIn a Galician town where tradition and prejudice reign, Jewish life unfolds within strict boundaries of faith and isolation, revealing the tensions between heritage, identity, and…
Level C1MysteryThe Jewel of Seven StarsA mysterious letter summons a barrister at dawn to aid a young woman whose father lies unconscious after a suspected murder attempt, plunging him into a dark and enigmatic world wh…
Level C2ClassicsThe Jew of MaltaIn a world ruled by power and greed, a wealthy Jew in Malta maneuvers through intrigue and betrayal with cunning Machiavellian schemes.
Level C1ClassicsThe Jew and Other StoriesDive into a profound exploration of human nature and society through a masterful collection of tales that blend poetic insight with the vivid realities of Russian life, revealing t…
Level C1ClassicsThe JewIn a tranquil Italian seaside village, the Albergo della Grotta—once a noble villa—welcomes a diverse crowd, from local workers to quiet tourists, all drawn to its unique grotto di…
Level C1AdventureThe Jester's Sword: How Aldebaran, the King's Son Wore the Sheathed Sword of ConquestDestined to wield the legendary Sword of Conquest, Aldebaran embarks on a daring quest to prove his valor and fulfill a vow made to the maiden Vesta.
Level C1ClassicsThe Jest Book: The Choicest Anecdotes and SayingsDive into a lively collection of timeless jests, witty anecdotes, and clever repartees that have entertained generations, carefully curated to delight readers with humor both old a…
Level C1RomanceThe Jessica Letters: An Editor's RomanceAn aspiring writer seeks guidance from a seasoned editor in bustling New York, confronting the harsh realities and sacrifices demanded by a life devoted to literature.
Level C1HistoricalThe Jessamy BrideIn a lively 18th-century dinner gathering, sharp wit and heated debates unfold among celebrated figures as they clash over the nature of acting—art or mere trickery—unveiling the t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jervaise ComedyAmid a lively dance at the Jervaise Hall, an eerie thirteenth strike of the clock hints at an unfolding mystery that disrupts the evening’s charm and draws a sharp contrast between…
Level C1ClassicsThe Jealousy of le Barbouillé: (La Jalousie du Barbouillé)A jealous husband, tormented by his wife's behavior, seeks counsel from a pompous doctor whose pedantic ramblings only deepen the absurdity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Jealousies of a Country TownIn a provincial town steeped in fading nobility, rivalries ignite around the enigmatic Chevalier de Valois while old-world honor clashes with new ambitions, revealing the complex s…
Level B2Children'sThe Jay Bird Who Went TameWhen a jay bird with a hurt wing is rescued by a boy, an unlikely friendship begins amid kitchen adventures and forest dangers, as clever animals team up to outwit a sly rat threat…
Level B1Children'sThe Japanese TwinsIn a sunny garden on the Happy Islands of Japan, five-year-old twins Taro and Take share joyful days filled with family warmth and playful adventures.
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.