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 Cycle of SpringIn a royal court shadowed by the looming presence of death and famine, a distressed king grapples with the weight of time and destiny, seeking wisdom from his Pundit amid political…
Level C1HistoricalThe Cutting of an AgateDiscover the intricate artistry and profound symbolism behind shaping an agate as it mirrors the passionate efforts of Irish players forging a new national theatre amidst cultural…
Level C1ClassicsThe Custom of the CountryA young socialite navigates the glittering but cutthroat world of New York high society, where ambition and charm mask deeper intrigues.
Level C1RomanceThe Cursed Patois: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899Amidst the rugged beauty of a lakeside camp, a chance encounter with a widow and her child challenges two guides to confront their fears and prejudices, weaving a tale of unexpecte…
Level C1HistoricalThe Curse of PocahontasA frail woman, proud of her descent from Pocahontas, prepares her daughter Carlita for a future without her, arranging guardianship with long-lost friends.
Level C1HistoricalThe Curse of Koshiu: A Chronicle of Old JapanIn feudal Japan’s turbulent 14th century, the ruthless Hojo family wields iron-fisted power, casting a shadow of bloodshed and vengeance.
Level C1PoetryThe Curse of Kehama, Volume 2 (of 2)A sweeping epic of gods, curses, and ancient realms unfolds as warriors retreat and mystical forces descend upon the city of Baly.
Level C1PoetryThe Curse of Kehama, Volume 1 (of 2)In a world where prayers and sacrifices wield undeniable power, a fierce struggle unfolds among gods and mortals alike, inspired by the complex and potent myths of Hinduism.
Level C1ClassicsThe Curse of EveA quiet outfitter’s life unravels as his wife faces a difficult childbirth, revealing the fragile line between routine and chaos.
Level C1AdventureThe Curse of Carne's Hold: A Tale of AdventureA seemingly charming estate hides a dark curse feared by locals, while the village of Carnesford thrives quietly nearby.
Level B2Children'sThe Curly-Haired HenOn Mother Etienne’s sprawling farm, a devoted hen named Yollande surprises everyone by nurturing a brood of ducklings, sparking a charming tale of unlikely family and tender care a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Curious Republic of Gondour, and Other Whimsical SketchesIn a nation where voting power multiplies with education and property, political influence reshapes society’s values and hierarchies.
Level B2Children'sThe Curious Book of BirdsDiscover a whimsical world where birds shape the very earth, weaving ancient fancies and truths about their role in nature and human imagination.
Level C1ClassicsThe Curate in ChargeA refined scholar reluctantly takes charge of a damp, rural parish where the idyllic landscape contrasts sharply with the struggles of village life and his own dissatisfaction.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cup of Trembling, and Other StoriesIn a remote mountain mining town, whispered rumors swirl around a sudden, mysterious elopement involving a wealthy mine-owner’s wife and the trusted superintendent who abruptly van…
Level C1PoetryThe Cup of Comus: Fact and FancyImmerse yourself in delicate, nature-inspired poetry that brings the landscapes of Kentucky to life with warmth, mystery, and a touch of the ethereal.
Level C1PoetryThe Culprit Fay, and Other PoemsUnder a moonlit sky, a fairy breaks ancient laws by loving a mortal maiden, facing a mystical trial as the elfin court convenes to judge the Culprit Fay’s fate amid enchanted woods…
Level C1ClassicsThe Cuckoo in the Nest, v. 2/2Tensions rise as Colonel Piercey confronts his proud cousin Margaret about the unsettling new dominance of Mrs.
Level C1RomanceThe Cuckoo in the Nest, v. 1/2In a fading country inn once grand, spirited Patience Hewitt confronts the challenges of family pride and complicated courtship, as the old world meets new at The Seven Thorns.
Level B2FantasyThe Cuckoo ClockIn an ancient house where time seems frozen, young Griselda arrives to awaken long-hidden secrets and magical mysteries whispered by the rooks and shadows.
Level B2MysteryThe Crystal StopperUnder the cover of night by a misty lake, a daring heist is set in motion at the Villa Marie-Thérèse, where shadows hide secrets and unexpected dangers lurk among accomplices.
Level B2Science FictionThe Crystal Sceptre: A Story of AdventureCaught in a fierce storm, a desperate balloonist is hurled into an unknown land where strange, half-human creatures observe him with wary curiosity.
Level C1AdventureThe Crystal Hunters: A Boy's Adventures in the Higher AlpsA spirited boy embarks on a daring Alpine adventure guided by a seasoned Englishman and a local mountain expert, discovering the breathtaking heights and hidden dangers of the Swis…
Level C1ClassicsThe Crystal CupIn the shadow of a fading family legacy, young Gita Carteret defies tradition with her boyish defiance and sharp tongue, clashing fiercely with her old-fashioned grandmother as the…
Level C1RomanceThe Cryptogram: A Story of Northwest CanadaIn the vast, untamed wilderness of 19th-century Canada, a young fur trader embarks on a perilous winter journey from Fort Royal to Quebec, navigating brutal landscapes and hidden d…
Level C1ClassicsThe Crux: A NovelIn a small New England town, the Foote sisters stir up gossip about Morton Elder, a troubled orphan whose scandal threatens to shake the community.
Level B2ClassicsThe Crushed Flower, and Other StoriesA six-year-old boy named Yura experiences the world as a vast, magical place filled with towering people and endless mysteries.
Level C1AdventureThe Crusade of the ExcelsiorA barque bound for San Francisco mysteriously turns away from Mazatlan, stirring tension among its passengers as a shrewd man and a gentle, enigmatic figure confront the uncertain…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Thetis: A Tale of the Cuban InsurrectionTwo old schoolmates reunite in London: Jack, a shipbuilder struggling with his health, and Carlos, a patriotic Cuban tobacco heir with ties to the island’s turbulent fight for free…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Snowbird: A Story of Arctic AdventureAmid the bleak Highland winter, young laird Allan McGregor contemplates the faded glory of his ancestral castle and the hardships that have stripped his family of wealth and power.
Level C1ClassicsThe Cruise of the Shining LightA grizzled, scarred sea veteran with a wooden leg and a mysterious past guides his nephew through the harsh realities of life by the sea, blending rough wisdom with dark family sec…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Sally DA boy trapped under his stepfather's control finds hope in Uncle Ben's offer to escape the harsh life aboard the dilapidated schooner Sally D.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the PelicanA determined young newspaperman battles the stubborn small-town spirit and financial ruin while holding onto love and hope.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Nonsuch BuccaneerIn 1569 Plymouth, the arrival of the foreign ship Bonaventure stirs excitement and mystery among local boys and merchants alike, setting the stage for a daring adventure on the sea…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Midge (Vol. 2 of 2)Wounded and feverish, a man lies in a mysterious room where he encounters the ghostly figure of young Henry De Walden, sparking a haunting tale of danger, intrigue, and survival on…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Midge (Vol. 1 of 2)An adventurous young Irishman defies his cautious uncle to captain a trading voyage to the perilous African coast, navigating threats from climate, pirates, and natives, driven by…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Mary Rose; Or, Here and There in the PacificA young man inspired by tales of the Crusades reflects on his family's steadfast faith and the true battles worth fighting in a world shaped by spiritual conviction.
Level B2RomanceThe Cruise of the Make-BelievesA finely dressed stranger ventures into the gritty Arcadia Street, seeking a mysterious Mr.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Kawa: Wanderings in the South SeasEmbark on an unrestrained voyage through the South Seas aboard the sturdy Kawa, where explorers document exotic islands, native cultures, and scientific wonders amid unpredictable…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the Jasper B.A mild-mannered newspaper man receives unexpected news of a large inheritance from his estranged, prohibitionist uncle, sparking a quiet rebellion against his dull routine and the…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the Gyro-CarA young British diplomat returns home to meet his adventurous brother, the sole owner of a revolutionary gyro-car, as they prepare for a daring journey across the wild and untamed…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the FrolicSet sail on the "Frolic" and join a lively crew navigating the thrills and challenges of yachting during a grand regatta, where camaraderie, competition, and the timeless beauty of…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the DolphinA Rivermouth boy’s lifelong dream comes true when he joins friends in buying a sailboat, the Dolphin, embarking on daring river adventures and a thrilling excursion to Sandpeep Isl…
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the DazzlerThree adventurous boys race through San Francisco, but when Joe returns home, his carefree spirit gives way to worry as he faces new challenges.
Level C2HistoricalThe Cruise of the Catalpa: A PoemA stirring poetic account unfolds aboard the ship Catalpa, capturing the daring rescue of Fenian prisoners from Fremantle, Australia.
Level B2AdventureThe Cruise of the "Lively Bee"; Or, A Boy's Adventures in the War of 1812As the War of 1812 erupts, a young boy joins the crew of the "Lively Bee," setting sail from New York Harbor amid patriotic fervor and the looming threat of British naval dominance…
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the "Esmeralda"A seasoned sailor returns home to find his mother in dire financial straits after failed investments.
Level C1AdventureThe Cruise of the "Dainty"; Or, Rovings in the PacificStranded in a relentless Pacific calm aboard the schooner Dainty, a determined crew and their passengers face sweltering heat and restless anticipation.
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.