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 Flower Basket: A Fairy TaleIn a decaying castle, three children—Adrian, Amaranthé, and their gentle cousin Claribel—navigate a secluded life shaped by faded fortunes, tender care, and childhood dreams, disco…
Level C2RomanceThe Flourishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory: (Periods of European Literature, vol. II)Explore the vibrant interplay of romance and allegory across medieval Europe, as French, English, German, Provençal, and Icelandic literatures shape a rich tapestry of literary evo…
Level B2ClassicsThe FloodA prosperous farmer reflects on his loving family and bountiful land, preparing for a joyful wedding day filled with hope and unity.
Level C1AdventureThe Floating Light of the Goodwin SandsAmid the treacherous Goodwin Sands, floating lighthouses and their hardy crews battle fierce storms and unseen dangers to protect the coast.
Level B2Science FictionThe Floating Island of MadnessIn the vast Arabian Desert, secret agents from multiple nations chase a mysterious figure whose sudden, impossible speed hints at a shadowy power threatening global stability.
Level C1RomanceThe FlirtValentine Corliss returns to his transformed hometown, navigating its heated streets and shifting landscapes while confronting memories and rivalries that linger beneath the surfac…
Level B2AdventureThe Flight of the Silver Ship: Around the World Aboard a Giant DirgibleDavid faces a tough choice between his dreams and family duty, sacrificing college plans to support his mother and sisters.
Level C1ClassicsThe Flight of the ShadowAn elderly narrator reflects on her humble origins and the deep connection to nature that shaped her life, setting the stage for a tale of family secrets, rural beauty, and heartfe…
Level A2AdventureThe Flight of Pony Baker: A Boy's Town StoryA spirited boy known as Pony Baker struggles against his mother's overprotective care and the expectations that set him apart from other boys in his town.
Level C1RomanceThe Flight of Georgiana: A Story of Love and Peril in England in 1746In 1746 England, a gentleman’s servant hastens to prepare an inn for his master’s arrival, bringing home his niece to Foxwell Court—a place known for its wild frolics and gambling.
Level C1AdventureThe Flemmings and "Flash Harry" of Savait: From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902On a remote Pacific island, a determined trader and his family strive to rebuild their fortunes amid the proud and resilient Polynesian community, navigating challenges with loyalt…
Level C1ClassicsThe Flaw in the SapphireA young man with a striking resemblance to famed statesmen struggles to escape his humble trade of collecting old clothes in Philadelphia.
Level C1ClassicsThe Flaw in the CrystalCaught between a fragile marriage and a mysterious, unspoken bond, Rodney finds refuge in Agatha, who harbors a secret power over him—one that could heal or control, but at a terri…
Level B2AdventureThe Flamp, The Ameliorator, and The Schoolboy's ApprenticeTwo siblings journey to the mysterious city of Ule, where the sun’s daily path is a cherished myth and a fearsome monster called the Flamp terrorizes the townsfolk every Christmas…
Level B2AdventureThe Flamingo FeatherYoung Réné de Veaux, orphaned and determined, joins his uncle’s daring expedition to the New World, embarking on a perilous voyage filled with mystery and adventure as they seek a…
Level B2MysteryThe Flaming JewelA determined man races through upstate forests and shadowy innkeepers to track a band of international thieves linked to a mysterious Levantine diamond broker.
Level B2AdventureThe Flaming ForestA lone Mounted Police sergeant ventures deep into the vast northern wilderness, embracing its wild beauty and hidden dangers.
Level C2ClassicsThe FlameA feverish passion ignites amid the shadowy canals of Italy, where sudden discoveries illuminate the dark recesses of the human spirit.
Level B2Children'sThe Flag-RaisingWhen Rebecca arrives from a rough upbringing to live with the Sawyer sisters, their orderly New England home faces a test of patience, hope, and transformation amid the upheaval of…
Level C1PoetryThe Flag, and Other Poems, 1918Explore a poetic journey through nature, faith, charity, and the human spirit, where mountain tops become sacred spaces and the elusive Flower of Happiness reveals truths about lif…
Level C1AdventureThe Flag of the AdventurerA determined wife defies warnings as she embarks on a perilous journey to Khemistan, confronting rough seas and cultural dangers alongside her guarded husband.
Level C1AdventureThe Flag of Distress: A Story of the South SeaIn the vast Pacific, an English frigate pursues a mysterious Chilean barque flying a reversed flag of distress—an eerie signal contradicted by the vessel’s swift escape and strange…
Level B2Children'sThe FlagIn a snowy village divided between the privileged Hilltops and the spirited Riverbeds, a boy named Pen navigates family tensions and a playful yet fierce rivalry that escalates int…
Level C1FantasyThe Fixed PeriodIn the prosperous colony of Britannula, a radical law mandates a "Fixed Period"—a predetermined end to old age—to prevent the burdens of infirmity and poverty.
Level C1PoetryThe Five Nations, Volume IIExperience the pulse of war and camaraderie through vivid poems capturing the lives of soldiers, colonial troops, and the echoes of battle across the Five Nations during a tumultuo…
Level C1PoetryThe Five Nations, Volume IExplore a vivid tapestry of imperial history, culture, and valor through stirring poems that honor young men, fallen heroes, and distant nations, capturing moments from battlefield…
Level B2MysteryThe Five KnotsIn a grand estate filled with exotic orchids and elegant guests, Beatrice Galloway senses a mysterious presence lurking in the shadows, hinting at secrets beneath the opulent surfa…
Level B2FantasyThe Five JarsA chance dream reveals a mysterious plant and a whispering stream that beckon an explorer deep into an ancient wood.
Level B2Children'sThe Five GiantsMeet five mighty giants with incredible powers—Flare, Roar, Blow, Bounce, and Rush—each shaping nature and history in surprising ways, but beware their fierce tempers that can unle…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fitz-Boodle PapersA once-successful whist player faces ruin after meeting a rival whose skill and luck outmatch his own.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fishguard Invasion by the French in 1797In 1797, a fleet of French frigates lands near Fishguard, Wales, sparking a dramatic and unlikely invasion witnessed by locals and chronicled through firsthand accounts.
Level B2Children'sThe Fisher-Boy UrashimaA kind fisherman rescues a mystical tortoise and is whisked away to the enchanting Dragon Palace beneath the waves, where time flows differently and magic rules.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fisher GirlIn a quiet fishing town shaped by the sea, young Peter struggles between his humble origins and his father's high hopes for refinement and success, navigating family expectations,…
Level C1RomanceThe First of the English: A NovelCaught in a fierce storm on the Schelde, a daring young captain commands the nimble Dover Lass, a battle-ready ship poised to outwit Spanish foes and navigate treacherous waters wh…
Level C1ClassicsThe First and the Last: A Drama in Three ScenesTwo brothers grapple with a shocking confession: one has killed a man in a desperate act to protect a woman he loves.
Level C1Science FictionThe First Men in the MoonWhen a down-on-his-luck playwright retreats to a quiet coastal village, an unexpected meeting with the enigmatic Mr.
Level C1AdventureThe First Mate: The Story of a Strange CruiseA young man’s search for a ship leads him to the stunning yacht Stella Maris, owned by a mysterious, elegantly dressed woman.
Level C1ClassicsThe First ManIn a comfortable Connecticut home, Curtis Jayson wrestles with a life-changing decision: to embark on a grueling five-year expedition in search of humanity’s earliest ancestor.
Level A2Children'sThe First Little Pet Book with Ten Short Stories in Words of Three and Four LettersJoin Ned, Sam, and their playful pets in simple, charming tales told entirely in short words, capturing childhood adventures and lessons with warmth and humor.
Level B2HistoricalThe First Four Books of Xenophon's AnabasisAmidst royal intrigue and suspicion, Cyrus the Younger secretly assembles a formidable army, including seasoned Greek mercenaries, to challenge his brother Artaxerxes for the thron…
Level B2ClassicsThe First DistillerA humble peasant’s simple lunch is stolen by a mischievous imp eager to claim his soul for Hell, but instead of cursing, the peasant’s kindness confounds the devilish plans—sparkin…
Level C1HistoricalThe First Christmas Tree: A Story of the ForestOn the eve of Christmas in 722, a renowned pilgrim recounts tales of wild forests, fierce dangers, and ancient rituals to a captivated convent, setting the stage for a story where…
Level B2AdventureThe First Capture; or, Hauling Down the Flag of EnglandIn a small Maine fishing village, news of the Battle of Lexington sparks a fierce uprising as patriots prepare to confront the British army’s attempt to crush the rebellion and sei…
Level C1ClassicsThe Firm of NucingenIn the smoky privacy of a Parisian dining room, four cunning young men navigate the ruthless world of modern finance and high society, their sharp wit and ambition masking deeper i…
Level B2MysteryThe Firm of GirdlestoneIn the shadowy offices of Girdlestone and Co.
Level C1RomanceThe Firing LineA chance encounter on a misty sea draws a daring swimmer and a contemplative young man together, their fragile connection unfolding against a backdrop of shifting fog and hidden da…
Level B2HistoricalThe FirebrandHunted and marked by violence, Ramon Garcia hides beneath the limestone cliffs, reflecting on a life transformed by love and bloodshed in a Spanish village alive with passion and d…
Level C1AdventureThe Fire-Gods: A Tale of the CongoIn an era when vast parts of Africa remain unexplored, a renowned explorer prepares to venture into the mysterious Congo, joined by his ambitious nephew on a daring quest to uncove…
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.