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 C1ClassicsThe Fascinating Stranger, and Other StoriesIn a vast, silent factory filled with abandoned car bodies, Mr.
Level C1RomanceThe FarringdonsIn the industrial heart of England, the Farringdon sisters inherit a vast ironworks and the weight of strict Methodism, navigating family duty, love, and power amid the stark contr…
Level C1Children'sThe Farmer's Boy: One of R. Caldecott's picture booksFollow the lively adventures and charming scenes of a young farmer's boy brought to life through irresistibly humorous and colorful illustrations that delight readers of all ages.
Level C1PoetryThe Farmer's Boy: A Rural PoemA young boy’s life unfolds through the changing seasons of rural England, capturing the simplicity, tenderness, and natural beauty of country living.
Level C1ClassicsThe Far HorizonDominic Iglesias, a middle-aged gentleman and paying guest, gazes out over a peaceful London suburb as storm clouds gather on the horizon, hinting at the quiet tensions beneath gen…
Level B2AdventureThe Family on WheelsA troop of boys preparing to welcome soldiers instead encounter a mysterious, towering creature beside a shabby van—a gentle giant that captivates their imagination and curiosity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Family at Gilje: A Domestic Story of the FortiesSet in the mountain district of Valders, this intimate tale explores the lives and social realities of a Norwegian family in the 1840s, revealing vivid character portraits and the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Family Letters of Oliver Goldsmith: A Paper Read Before the Bibliographical Society, October 15th, 1917Explore the intimate family letters of Oliver Goldsmith, revealing the warmth and simplicity behind the celebrated poet's Irish character through personal correspondence with relat…
Level C1HistoricalThe False One: A TragedyIn a kingdom torn by political intrigue and civil war, Queen Cleopatra is confined under suspicion while powerful factions vie for control of Egypt’s throne.
Level C1MysteryThe False GodsA determined reporter navigates rival secret societies obsessed with Egyptian mysteries and the reincarnation of a famed theosophist, seeking a sensational scoop amid intrigue, riv…
Level C1MysteryThe False Faces: Further Adventures from the History of the Lone WolfAmid the deadly chaos of No Man's Land, a lone man escapes enemy trenches with crucial intelligence, risking everything to reach his allies.
Level B2HistoricalThe False Chevalier: or, The Lifeguard of Marie AntoinetteA young French-Canadian fur trader's son embarks on a journey to Paris amid rising demand for beaver pelts, carrying his family's hopes and blessings.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fallen LeavesA young woman’s delicate health sparks a quiet rebellion against her father’s iron rule, setting in motion events that will ripple through lives across land and sea.
Level C1PoetryThe Fall of the NibelungsIn a realm of noble knights and fierce valor, a fair maiden’s haunting dream foretells love and tragedy, while the heroic Siegfried rises to fame amid tournaments and courtly splen…
Level C1FantasyThe Fall of the House of UsherA visitor arrives at the eerie House of Usher, summoned by a childhood friend plagued by mysterious illness and mental torment.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of the Great Republic (1886-88)Amidst economic ruin and political folly, a once-great republic faces collapse as unemployment, social unrest, and misguided leadership unravel the promise of popular self-governme…
Level C1AdventureThe Fall of the Grand Sarrasin: Being a Chronicle of Sir Nigel de Bessin, Knight, of Things that Happed in Guernsey Island, in the Norman Seas, in and about the Year One Thousand and Fifty-SevenRaised by monks on Guernsey Island, a young Norman knight-in-training navigates a world of chivalry, friendship, and mystery, haunted by the unknown fate of his parents as he prepa…
Level C1Science FictionThe Fall of a Nation: A Sequel to the Birth of a NationAmid rising tyranny and religious persecution, a young girl’s steadfast faith sparks a fierce struggle for liberty as the seeds of American democracy are sown through sacrifice, ex…
Level C1ClassicsThe Fall of Ulysses: An Elephant StoryAn Englishman acquires Ulysses, a real Asiatic elephant with remarkable intelligence and personality, and sets out to teach him all an elephant can learn—only to discover the preca…
Level C1PoetryThe Fall of TroyAmid the final chapters of the Trojan War, witness the battles and betrayals that unfold after Hector’s funeral, as gods and heroes clash in a tale weaving Homeric spirit with fres…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of Prince Florestan of MonacoA young prince unexpectedly becomes heir to the throne of Monaco after a tragic sea voyage claims his cousin and uncle.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of Jerusalem: A PoemAmidst divine judgment and national upheaval, witness the poignant tale of Jerusalem’s downfall as a young poet recounts its tragic fate with heartfelt sincerity and humble ambitio…
Level C1HistoricalThe Fall of British Tyranny; Or, American Liberty TriumphantAmid the rising storm of revolution, two shepherds near Lexington and dramatic scenes of patriot sacrifice and naval wit bring to life the fierce struggle against British tyranny.
Level B2Children'sThe Faithless ParrotIn a charming household, faithful Fido the dog adores Tittums the cat, but when the dashing Mr.
Level C2ClassicsThe Faithful Shepherdess: The Works of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher (Volume 2 of 10).A devoted shepherdess mourns her lost love and vows to embrace a life of chastity and healing, wielding the secret virtues of herbs while navigating encounters with mystical woodla…
Level C1AdventureThe Faith of MenIn the frozen wilderness beyond civilization, a mysterious hunter named Thomas Stevens appears, spinning tales of elusive beasts and uncharted lands.
Level C1ClassicsThe Faith Healer: A Play in Three ActsIn a fading Midwestern farmhouse, the arrival of the enigmatic Michaelis stirs restless minds and unsettles old beliefs, challenging a family grappling with illness and fading fort…
Level C1ClassicsThe Faith Doctor: A Story of New YorkIn the bustling heart of New York, Charles Millard navigates the complexities of society and the rising tide of faith-healing movements, exploring the clash between modern skeptici…
Level B2FantasyThe Fairy and the WitchA powerful Black Witch commands the night on Halloween, summoning dark creatures to aid her sinister plans—but eerie silence greets her calls, signaling a shift in the balance betw…
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy Tales of Charles PerraultStep into a world where timeless tales come alive, spun by a man of wit and imagination who defied convention and crafted stories that have enchanted generations.
Level B2FantasyThe Fairy School of Castle FrankIn a grand Canadian woodland, young Robin’s kindness to animals and vivid imagination lead him to a mysterious ravine where fairies might dwell—offering a magical journey into a se…
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy RingStep into a magical garden where golden apples grow—each a timeless fairy tale filled with wise animals, brave heroes, and enchanting adventures that reveal the power of kindness,…
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy NightcapsIn a magical hollow beneath the Highlands, fairies gather under moonlight to weave sweet dreams and tender care for a mortal's fading life.
Level C1FantasyThe Fairy LatchkeyPhilomène Isolde lives a quiet, ordinary life in a modest London home, longing for the magic and adventure found in her beloved storybooks.
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy Godmothers and Other TalesIn a magical land where fairies gather to bestow gifts at christenings, they debate which blessings bring true happiness—beauty, envy, or something more.
Level B2PoetryThe Fairy Godmother-in-lawWhen Cinderella marries the prince, her fairy godmother-in-law arrives uninvited, turning royal life upside down with whimsical spells and mischievous jokes that challenge the pala…
Level C1PoetryThe Fairy Changeling and Other PoemsIn a world where fairies swap children under moonlight, a desperate father seeks to reclaim his stolen son from a changeling’s grasp.
Level C1Children'sThe Fairy Book: The Best Popular Stories Selected and Rendered AnewStep into a world where seven fairies bestow wondrous gifts on a princess, but a spiteful curse threatens her fate.
Level B1Children'sThe FairchildsA determined young man faces the harsh reality of giving up his college dreams to support his family, learning that sometimes doing what you can is the bravest choice of all.
Level C1ClassicsThe Fair RewardsA troubled director battles stomach pains and artistic clashes while rehearsing a controversial play poised to captivate women with its scandal and humor.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fair Maid of Perth; Or, St. Valentine's DayIn the historic heart of Edinburgh, ancient royal ghosts and sacred stains hold their ground against modern commerce and irreverence.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fair HavenA provocative exploration challenges both skeptics and defenders of the miraculous in the ministry of Jesus, weaving theological debate with sharp irony.
Level C1HistoricalThe Fair God; or, The Last of the 'Tzins: A Tale of the Conquest of MexicoAmid the clash of civilizations, a noble Tezcucan scholar recounts the rich, fading world of his people as Spanish conquest threatens to erase a culture more advanced than Europe's…
Level C1Children'sThe Faery Tales of WeirIn the quiet town of Weir, where every day ends with a magical fairy tale, a mysterious peasant girl with a blue glove captures the attention of a king and his three princes, setti…
Level B2AdventureThe Faery Queen and Her Knights: Stories Retold from Edmund SpenserA noble knight embarks on a perilous quest to slay a fearsome dragon, guided by a mysterious lady and a loyal dwarf through enchanted woods filled with lurking dangers and ancient…
Level C1ClassicsThe Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in ConnecticutA man’s peaceful day is upended when a strange, mocking dwarf who eerily resembles him appears uninvited, challenging his habits and stirring unsettling reflections.
Level C1HistoricalThe Facts About ShakespeareAmid England’s turbulent shift from Catholicism to Protestantism, a nation rises in commerce, culture, and ambition.
Level B2Children'sThe Factory BoyA hungry, barefoot boy struggles through a harsh winter to earn a living in a stocking factory, but a chance discovery and a kind stranger may bring hope and help to his struggling…
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.