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 B2ClassicsThe JamesonsA quiet village’s long-held tradition of no boarders is shattered when a well-to-do family opens their home to strangers from the city, stirring curiosity and upheaval among neighb…
Level B2Children'sThe Jade Story Book; Stories from the OrientStep into a magical Oriental garden where a mysterious Nightingale’s enchanting song captivates all—except the emperor, who has yet to hear the bird that travelers praise as the ki…
Level C1MysteryThe Jade GodIn an old house filled with curious artifacts, a seasoned appraiser uncovers the unsettling story of a mysterious death—a man found with a fatal wound, yet no clues to explain the…
Level B2PoetryThe Jade Flute: Chinese Poems in ProseImmerse yourself in delicate Chinese prose poems that capture serene landscapes, tender emotions, and timeless reflections on love, nature, and solitude.
Level C2ClassicsThe Jacket (The Star-Rover)A man condemned to life imprisonment reveals his haunting ability to transcend time and inhabit his past lives, grappling with a fiery wrath that has doomed him across centuries.
Level B2ClassicsThe Jack-Knife ManA weathered man clings to his homemade shanty-boat, his only true home, despite tempting offers to sell it.
Level C1AdventureThe Ivory TrailTrapped in quarantine on Zanzibar, a determined English nobleman and his companions confront mysterious dangers and colonial intrigues as they seek fortune and honor in a wild, unt…
Level B2MysteryThe Ivory Snuff BoxA newly married detective is abruptly pulled from his honeymoon to recover a lost ivory snuff box tied to national security, sending him on a secretive mission from Paris to London…
Level C1MysteryThe Ivory Gate, a new editionA prominent solicitor discovers a mysterious £720 cheque paid to an unfamiliar name, Edmund Gray, triggering a puzzling lapse in memory.
Level B2FantasyThe Ivory ChildAn adventurous hunter finds himself drawn into a mysterious conflict involving a colossal elephant god and the enigmatic Black Kendah tribe.
Level C1HistoricalThe Italians: A NovelIn 19th-century Lucca, the vibrant celebration of the Volto Santo festival brings together peasants, nobles, and clergy, weaving a rich tapestry of local life, traditions, and secr…
Level C1HorrorThe Italian, Volume 2 (of 3)In a shadowy Italian convent, Ellena risks exposure to exchange secret messages with the mysterious Vivaldi amid solemn rituals and veiled glances, where danger and intrigue lurk b…
Level C1HorrorThe Italian, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid the shadowed aisles of a solemn Italian church, an assassin seeks sanctuary within the confessional of the Black Penitents, protected by ancient laws and cloaked in mystery.
Level B2ClassicsThe Isles of SunsetAmidst towering sea cliffs and wild birds, a solitary fisherman named David wrestles with a divine calling after a mysterious vision urges him to follow a shining figure across the…
Level C1RomanceThe Isle of UnrestIn a remote Corsican village battered by mistral winds, a mysterious death disrupts the brooding silence and stirs hidden tensions.
Level C1PoetryThe Isle of Palms, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid landscapes and heartfelt reflections through a poetic journey across wild mountains, tranquil lakes, and rustic life.
Level B2AdventureThe Island of Gold: A Sailor's YarnA resilient boy named Ransey Tansey cares for his little sister and their loyal dog in a humble countryside cottage, where simple routines mask the hardships they've faced.
Level C1RomanceThe Island of Fantasy: A RomanceA wealthy young sculptor battles a deep malaise despite his success, haunted by ennui and lost ambition.
Level B2AdventureThe Island of EnchantmentAs Venice faces a looming invasion and internal strife, young Zuan Gradenigo is summoned by his ailing uncle, the doge, who fiercely vows to defend their cherished island of Arbe f…
Level C1AdventureThe Island TreasureA fierce captain commands his crew through relentless storms aboard the Denver City, a ship bound for San Francisco with a precious cargo.
Level B2AdventureThe Island Trapper; or, The Young White-Buffalo HuntersA rugged frontiersman follows mysterious music echoing through Pawnee territory, uncovering danger and intrigue along the Oregon Trail.
Level C1AdventureThe Island QueenStranded in a tiny boat on the vast Southern Ocean, a young man battles exhaustion and despair while caring for his sister and brother, clinging to hope amid starvation and loss.
Level C1ClassicsThe Island PhariseesA young man named Shelton embarks on a daring journey off the well-trodden path, confronting the tension between tradition and the courage to explore the unknown.
Level C1AdventureThe Island MysteryAn obscure Mediterranean island with no government becomes the strategic keystone in a secret wartime struggle, drawing in statesmen, spies, and intrigue as great powers vie for co…
Level B2AdventureThe Island House: A Tale for the Young FolksWhen a sudden flood isolates a house and traps the children inside, resourceful young Alfie sets out on a daring rescue using nothing but a washing tub.
Level C1AdventureThe Island HomeA trading voyage to the East Indian archipelago takes an unexpected turn when a group of young men land on a beautiful but wild Pacific island, where nature’s bounty masks dangers…
Level B2MysteryThe Island CampAs the Lennox cousins arrive for their holiday at the old family estate, the Vaughan children prepare to camp on the mysterious island in the garden’s river.
Level C1ClassicsThe Irrational Knot: Being the Second Novel of His NonageAn Irish-American electrical engineer navigates the clash of cultures and ambitions amid the early days of telephone invention in London, revealing the tensions between American in…
Level B2ClassicsThe Iron WomanIn a world where childhood means both command and rebellion, Elizabeth Ferguson reigns with fearless audacity, challenging family rules and social expectations while navigating the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Iron Trevet; or, Jocelyn the Champion: A Tale of the JacquerieIn a turbulent 14th-century village, a weary serf and a scarred, armored traveler converge at a tense tavern, setting the stage for a tale of rebellion, human nature, and the clash…
Level B2AdventureThe Iron TrailNavigating treacherous Pacific waterways, a seasoned railroad builder turned dreamer joins a cautious sea captain on a journey through breathtaking yet perilous coastal wilderness,…
Level B2FantasyThe Iron Star — And What It Saw on Its Journey Through the Ages: From Myth to HistoryJourney through a primeval world where fire is a precious treasure and ancient fears roam the forest.
Level C1ClassicsThe Iron Rule; Or, Tyranny in the HouseholdIn a household ruled by rigid morality and cold discipline, a young boy’s innocent friendship defies his father’s harsh commands, revealing the clash between strict authority and t…
Level C1AdventureThe Iron Pirate: A Plain Tale of Strange Happenings on the SeaA peculiar man known as the Perfect Fool joins an unlikely group traveling from Calais to Paris, sparking a journey filled with mystery and unexpected adventures on the sea.
Level C1HistoricalThe Iron Pincers; or, Mylio and Karvel: A Tale of the Albigensian CrusadesIn the shadow of the Albigensian Crusades, two brothers embody faith and defiance amidst a world of religious fanaticism, courtly intrigue, and noble excess.
Level C1Children'sThe Iron HorseAmid the relentless roar and tremors of a railway embankment, young Gertie’s lively world unfolds beside her father, a dedicated engine-driver navigating the iron horse that thunde…
Level C1HistoricalThe Iron Game: A Tale of the WarAmid rising tensions and divided loyalties on a college campus, Jack Sprague is expelled but rallies his classmates to join him in the fight for the Union as the Civil War erupts.
Level B1AdventureThe Iron Boys on the Ore Boats; or, Roughing It on the Great LakesTwo young men leave their mining boss roles to work as seamen on the Great Lakes, tasked with uncovering ways to improve ore shipment efficiency aboard the sturdy but old ship, the…
Level B2AdventureThe Iron Boys in the Steel Mills; or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder PitsIn the relentless heat of the steel mills, a young accident department worker races against time and obstructive Iron and Steel Police to reach a disaster site, revealing the harsh…
Level B2AdventureThe Iron Boys in the Mines; or, Starting at the Bottom of the ShaftA determined sixteen-year-old boy fights through obstacles and hostile reception to secure a job in the dangerous coal mines, proving strength and resolve beyond his years.
Level B2AdventureThe Iron Boys as Foremen; or, Heading the Diamond Drill ShiftTrapped in a runaway mining cage hurtling through the depths, three men cling to survival amid chaos and danger.
Level C1HistoricalThe Iron Arrow Head or The Buckler Maiden: A Tale of the Northman InvasionAmidst the looming Northman invasion of France, a brave maiden known as the Buckler Maiden navigates a world shaken by war, adventure, and clashing cultures, where bold invaders ig…
Level C1Children'sThe Irish Fairy BookStep into a mystical Ireland where ancient hills hide fairies with powers to bless or curse, weaving a rich tapestry of myth, magic, and timeless folklore that shapes the lives of…
Level C1PoetryThe Iris: An Illuminated Souvenir for MDCCCLIIExplore vivid American history and Native traditions through richly colored illustrations and original poetry that bring to life the landing of William Penn and the cultural tapest…
Level C1Science FictionThe Invisible Man: A Grotesque RomanceA mysterious stranger arrives in a small village, his face hidden beneath bandages and dark glasses, seeking warmth and refuge from the winter storm.
Level C1ClassicsThe Invisible LodgeA head-forester’s daughter can only marry the man who defeats her in chess within seven weeks—a challenge blending wit, strategy, and unexpected romance.
Level C1MysteryThe Invisible Foe: A Story Adapted from the Play by Walter HackettThree children at Deep Dale reveal a web of wills and secrets: Stephen’s fierce obsession with flight and power, Hugh’s awkward devotion, and Helen’s mysterious invisible playmates…
Level B2Science FictionThe Invisible EnemySent to fight in a war he barely understands, a fifteen-year-old boy faces an invisible enemy while grappling with fading memories and uncertain purpose.
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.