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 C1RomanceThe Fire Trumpet: A Romance of the Cape FrontierA man unexpectedly inherits a large sum from a troubled friend whose mysterious past and near-fatal sea plunge spark secrets and suspense.
Level B2AdventureThe Fire FlowerA reckless prospector lost in a forbidding wilderness known as “No-Luck Land” seeks solitude and redemption after betrayal and ruin.
Level C1RomanceThe Finger of Fate: A RomanceTwo half-brothers, shaped by their contrasting Indian and English heritages, clash over a stubborn hunting dog during a winter game shoot on their father's English estate—where fam…
Level C1ClassicsThe Finer GrainA rising literary star in Paris finds his success unexpectedly intertwined with a young Lord’s shy request to judge a friend’s ambitious novel, setting the stage for a delicate dan…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fine Lady's Airs (1709)Satire and wit collide as a sharp-tongued lady navigates society’s pretensions, exposing the follies of manners and intrigue in early 18th-century England.
Level C1ClassicsThe Financier: A NovelIn a bustling 19th-century Philadelphia, young Frank Cowperwood emerges as a sharp, ambitious boy fascinated by economics and power.
Level B2MysteryThe Film of FearA rising motion picture star receives a mysterious letter sealed with a grim death's head, shaking her glamorous world and hinting at dark secrets lurking behind the silver screen'…
Level B2MysteryThe Film MysteryA beloved film star collapses and dies suddenly during a movie shoot in a wealthy banker's library, sparking an urgent investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding h…
Level C1MysteryThe Filigree Ball: Being a full and true account of the solution of the mystery concerning the Jeffrey-Moore affairA determined detective seizes the chance to prove himself by unraveling the tangled mysteries surrounding the infamous Moore house, where a flickering light in an abandoned estate…
Level C1ClassicsThe Figure in the CarpetA young writer is tasked with reviewing a mysterious new novel by the elusive Hugh Vereker, whose work promises a hidden secret to uncover.
Level C1ClassicsThe Figure In The Mirage: 1905Under Morocco’s vast desert sky, a chance meeting by a fire sparks tales of a mysterious French woman captivated by the fierce allure of Spahis cavalrymen.
Level B2HistoricalThe Fighting Starkleys; or, The Test of CourageAmid the rugged life of Beaver Dam, the Starkley family’s resilience and courage are forged through hard work, close friendships, and the call to adventure, as young Dick and his s…
Level B2HistoricalThe Fighting ScrubA sixteen-year-old boy faces the painful farewell to his father as he arrives at a new school, where rivalry and harsh judgments await him.
Level B2AdventureThe Fighting EdgeIn a remote desert cabin, June Tolliver harbors a secret that shadows her lonely life with her father, Pete.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fighting ChanceA young man arrives at a bustling railway station, uncertain of his destination but carrying a loyal hunting dog and a mysterious purpose.
Level B2ClassicsThe FighterA fierce and crafty railroad president known for winning every fight faces fresh challenges as rival interests clash over a powerful steel company.
Level C1RomanceThe Fifth StringA celebrated European violinist captivates New York society and finds himself drawn to a talented young artist who struggles with capturing nature’s essence in her work, sparking a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fifth Queen: And How She Came to CourtIn a cold, muddy London lane, Magister Nicholas Udal navigates intrigue and hardship while serving Lady Mary, whose treasonous correspondence entangles powerful men.
Level C1RomanceThe Fifth Queen CrownedIn the shadowy chambers of power, a king’s sharp wit and brewing rage meet the fearful resolve of his Archbishop, as political and spiritual tensions ignite a dangerous game of loy…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's: A School StoryAt Saint Dominic’s, the vibrant life of a great public school unfolds through the trials and triumphs of its spirited boys.
Level C1PoetryThe Fifteen Comforts of Matrimony: Responses from MenExplore the satirical and candid reflections on marriage through a series of "comforts" and responses, revealing the ironies and social commentary of matrimony and town life in ear…
Level B2AdventureThe Fiery Totem: A Tale of Adventure in the Canadian North-WestTwo young friends embark on a daring hunting expedition along the wild, swift currents of the Athabasca River, facing treacherous rapids and towering cliffs in the untamed Canadian…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fiend's DelightIn a rain-soaked coastal city, a desperate woman teeters on the edge of a wharf while a weary officer fails to stop her—setting the stage for dark tales of human frailty and eerie…
Level B2FantasyThe Field of Ice: Part II of the Adventures of Captain HatterasStranded in the Arctic with their ship destroyed and hopes dashed, Captain Hatteras and his loyal crew face a relentless struggle for survival amid treachery, brutal cold, and shat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fiction Factory: Being the experience of a writer who, for twenty-two years, has kept a story-mill grinding successfullyA writer abandons a steady job to fully commit to his craft, navigating the uncertain world of publishing with only his typewriter and determination.
Level B2ClassicsThe Ffolliots of RedmarleyA determined father names his newborn Eloquent, convinced his son will become a powerful orator and politician shaping the future.
Level C1MysteryThe Fever of LifeAt a seaside retreat known as Pinchler's Dockyard, a curious mix of guests seeks healing and respite, each carrying hidden stories beneath their fragile exteriors.
Level C1PoetryThe Festival of Spring, from the Díván of Jeláleddín: Rendered in English Gazels after Rückert's Versions, with an Introduction and a Criticism of the Rubáiyát of Omar KhayyámDive into a world of mystical lyricism where divine love and spiritual insight unfold through enchanting gazels, revealing the profound wisdom and sublime beauty of one of the East…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ferryman of Brill, and Other StoriesAmid the ruthless rule of Duke Alva in 16th-century Flanders, young Protestant merchant Diedrich Meghem navigates love, loyalty, and deadly rivalry as he faces persecution and dang…
Level C1ClassicsThe Female WitsIn a sharp theatrical satire set in 1696 London, a playwright’s clash with actors and critics exposes the bitter rivalry and gender biases faced by women dramatists daring to claim…
Level C1RomanceThe Female Quixote; or, The Adventures of Arabella, v. 1-2In a remote castle, a young woman raised in isolation by her doting father absorbs romance novels so deeply that she begins to live out their fantastical adventures, blurring the l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Female Gamester: A TragedyIn a world where gaming's grip threatens all ranks of society, private lives unravel amid moral struggles and social dilemmas.
Level C1MysteryThe Fellowship of the FrogA secretive society known as the Frogs spreads terror through the city with a series of violent, unexplained attacks.
Level B2FantasyThe FeatherA fearless princess defies warnings of fiery serpents and deadly precipices in a hidden, peaceful kingdom, only to be swept away by a mysterious eagle.
Level C1PoetryThe Feast of the Virgins and Other PoemsExplore vivid poems rooted in frontier life and the rich traditions, customs, and legends of the Dakota and Ojibway Indians, capturing a noble yet vanishing culture with heartfelt…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Feast of St. FriendExplore a heartfelt meditation on the fading magic of Christmas, as the author reflects on how the joyous anticipation and innocent wonder of the past have given way to a forced, h…
Level C1ClassicsThe Faust-Legend and Goethe's 'Faust'Dive into the origins and interpretations of the Faust legend, exploring Goethe’s philosophical approach and the challenges of capturing the living spirit behind this timeless stor…
Level C1ClassicsThe Father and Daughter: A Tale, in ProseAmidst a harsh winter night, Agnes, burdened with her child, journeys back to her father's home, haunted by the choices that led her away.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fate: A Tale of Stirring TimesAmid stirring times and shifting scenes, explore the vivid interplay between human fate and the natural world, where history’s truths are questioned and the passions of the past co…
Level B2AdventureThe Fate of a CrownAn American is summoned to serve as a trusted secretary to a Brazilian revolutionary leader amid a dangerous political conspiracy threatening the empire’s throne.
Level B2ClassicsThe Fatal GloveIn rain-soaked New York, young street-sweeper Arch dreams of bringing a white rose to his ailing mother, but kindness from a mysterious girl and a harsh world challenge his hopes.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fatal Falsehood: A Tragedy. In Five ActsIn a noble household shadowed by war and secret grief, a web of loyalty, love, and rivalry unfolds as young warriors await a hero’s return to secure a destined union—yet hidden mot…
Level C2ClassicsThe Fatal DowryA gripping tragedy unfolds amid the shadows of a deadly dowry, where secrets and betrayals threaten to unravel lives bound by fate and fortune.
Level C1AdventureThe Fatal Cord, and The Falcon RoverIn the wild Arkansas wilderness of a quarter-century ago, six young hunters from diverse backgrounds gather around a campfire, bound by courage and rivalry as they relish their har…
Level B2ClassicsThe Fatal BootsFollow the misadventures of Bob Stubbs, a once-wealthy gentleman whose life spirals into a series of unlucky events, told through twelve tales reflecting a year of hardship, humor,…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fat and the ThinAmid the vibrant chaos of Paris’s Central Markets, a world teems with life where the beauty of fresh violets contrasts starkly with the gritty reality of bustling market trades and…
Level B2Science FictionThe Fastest Gun DeadIn a dusty frontier town, a feared gunslinger known as Dirty Jake battles his past and a reputation as the fastest draw west of the Pecos, while struggling for respect and a fresh…
Level C1AdventureThe Fashionable Adventures of Joshua Craig: A NovelIn a shabby yet exclusive Washington flat, rugged Joshua Craig, a man of wilderness strength, struggles to blend his raw ambition with the polished world of high society as he prep…
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.