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 B2Children'sThe Broken Bough: No. 435, IV. SeriesTwo brothers leave school on a sunny May afternoon, eager to share lessons about faith, growth, and divine care learned from their kind teacher.
Level C1RomanceThe Broad HighwayJourney through windswept roads and secluded inns where a highwayman, a pugilist, and a one-legged soldier cross paths in a tale rich with adventure, mystery, and the stirring disc…
Level C1Science FictionThe British BarbariansA bold protest against societal timidity, this novel challenges prevailing norms by boldly expressing unfiltered truths and advocating for purity amidst a world fearful of offense.
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys with the Submarine FleetTwo Brighton schoolboys answer the urgent call to join Uncle Sam’s submarine fleet, leaving behind campus life for daring underwater missions in the European war.
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys with the Flying CorpsAmid the stirring backdrop of World War I, a group of Brighton Academy boys, led by the curious and determined Jimmy Hill, dream of joining the thrilling new battlefield in the ski…
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the TrenchesAs war calls many Brighton Academy boys to daring roles from the skies to the seas, seventeen-year-old Herbert Whitcomb faces the harsh realities of loss and enlistment, determined…
Level B2AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the Submarine Treasure ShipTwo war-hardened naval officers, returning home after heroic service, spot a mysterious object at sea that promises a new adventure beyond their wartime exploits.
Level C1AdventureThe Brighton Boys in the Argonne ForestAmid the grit and glory of World War I, American soldiers from Brighton Academy return to the front lines with unyielding courage and camaraderie, ready to face the horrors of batt…
Level B2MysteryThe BrightenerAmidst secret gardens and whispered rumors, a young princess faces devastating news of war and loss while navigating a web of family intrigue and hidden truths.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bright ShawlIn postwar reflections, a middle-aged man grapples with his nephew's bitter disillusionment and lack of youthful ideals, contrasting sharply with his own vibrant memories of Havana…
Level C1FantasyThe Bright MessengerA man shaped by a mysterious, passionate past wrestles with his place in the world and the wild, unseen forces that stir within him, as an elusive, otherworldly presence visits him…
Level C1AdventureThe Bright Face of Danger: Being an Account of Some Adventures of Henri de Launay, Son of the Sieur de la TournoireA scholarly young gentleman embarks on a daring journey to Paris fueled by a whimsical challenge to cut off a stranger's moustaches and impress a capricious lady.
Level C1HistoricalThe Brigade CommanderAmid the tense silence of a misty September night, a ruthless brigade commander earns fierce loyalty through victory rather than kindness, as soldiers brace for a surprise battle a…
Level C1PoetryThe Bridling of Pegasus: Prose Papers on PoetryExplore the enduring principles that define great poetry, examining how melody, clarity, and imagination transform the real into the ideal.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bridge-BuildersAn engineer battles nature, politics, and human frailty to complete a monumental bridge over the mighty Ganges, transforming a vast landscape and his own life in the process.
Level C1RomanceThe Bridge of the GodsIn the rugged Oregon wilderness, ancient legends come alive as powerful Indian tribes navigate love, conflict, and the mystical Bridge of the Gods—a natural stone arch said to have…
Level C1MysteryThe Bride of the Tomb, and Queenie's Terrible SecretOn the eve of her wedding, the radiant Lily Lawrence is found dead in her bridal gown, clutching a jeweled dagger—an apparent suicide that shatters a wealthy family and ignites a w…
Level C1FantasyThe Bride of the SunA determined scientist arrives in bustling Callao, Peru, carrying priceless manuscripts, but his thoughts are captured by Maria-Teresa, a sharp and beautiful businesswoman managing…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bride of the Nile — CompleteAmidst the decline of Byzantine Egypt under rising Arab power, a determined Moslem merchant leads a guarded caravan into the shadow of the Pyramids, navigating political tension, f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of the MistletoeIn a secluded Kentucky farmhouse, a middle-aged couple's quiet life unfolds over forty hours, revealing profound human truths without external drama.
Level B2HistoricalThe Bride of Mission San José: A Tale of Early CaliforniaIn drought-stricken Alta California, political intrigue and romance intertwine as a soldier serenades a capricious señorita while leaders of the Mission San José navigate threats b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of Messina, and On the Use of the Chorus in TragedyIn a city torn by bitter rivalry, a mourning mother seeks to unite her warring sons and restore peace to Messina, even as deadly hatred simmers beneath the surface.
Level C1RomanceThe Bride of LammermoorA young woman caught between a secret vow and her parents' will faces a tragic choice in a tale of love, duty, and family power set against the backdrop of a distinguished Scottish…
Level C2HistoricalThe Bride of Fort Edward: Founded on an Incident of the RevolutionAmid the stirring backdrop of the American Revolution, young soldiers grapple with loss, love, and the fierce struggle for freedom, as peaceful valleys conceal the brewing crisis o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bride of DreamsIn a fading Dutch town, a solitary man named Muralto lives quietly, burdened by profound thoughts too great for his contemporaries to accept.
Level C1PoetryThe BrideA bride defends marriage against proud maidens who scorn its vows, urging them to embrace the honor and joy of wedlock while revealing unexpected tales, including a unique twist on…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bridal of Pennacook: Part 2 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierFive travelers navigate the wild northern hills, weaving through majestic landscapes and stormy weather, while forging unexpected bonds and facing personal trials amidst the untame…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bridal WreathIn 14th-century Norway, Lavrans and his somber wife Ragnfrid move to the remote Jörundgaard estate, where faith, family loss, and quiet strength shape their lives alongside their s…
Level B1ClassicsThe Bridal March; One DayIn a Norwegian valley, a legendary fiddler’s haunting Bridal March weaves through generations, shaping love and fate.
Level C1FantasyThe Brick Moon, and Other StoriesA group of ambitious students devise a daring plan to solve the problem of longitude by launching a giant brick satellite into orbit.
Level C1AdventureThe BrethrenAmid the clash of Crusaders and Saracens, a noblewoman with divided blood stands at the center of a fierce holy war, challenging a merciful yet determined king to choose peace over…
Level C1ClassicsThe BrentonsA young man stands at a crossroads between ambition and faith, guided by his mother's fervent prayers and his own doubts.
Level C1PoetryThe Breitmann BalladsDive into lively ballads that blend humor, culture, and playful language, capturing the spirited voice of Hans Breitmann as he navigates joy, fashion, and friendship in a uniquely…
Level C1ClassicsThe Breath of the GodsIn a Washington mansion aglow with chrysanthemum-scented splendor, a young society debutante prepares for her grand coming-out party, while a poised Japanese girl and mysterious mu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Breaking of the Storm, Vol. III.Amidst sultry days and tangled emotions, Elsa uncovers a painful secret that threatens a shattered engagement and challenges the bounds of love and societal expectations.
Level C1ClassicsThe Breaking of the Storm, Vol. II.In a time of social unrest, a blind young woman and her father confront the harsh realities of conviction, loyalty, and impending loss, as their beliefs challenge the rigid world a…
Level C1AdventureThe Breaking of the Storm, Vol. I.As a storm gathers over the rugged coastline, a determined young woman aboard a steamer observes the tense discussions of two men disputing the fate of a contested harbor and railw…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bread-winners: A Social StudyIn a grand Buffland estate, a widowed army officer returns from frontier hardships to a life of wealth and comfort, torn between the refined ease of society and the rugged wilderne…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bread Line: A Story of a PaperFour struggling artists and writers in New York unite to launch a daring new paper, fueled by dreams, camaraderie, and uncertain fortunes.
Level C1HistoricalThe Bravo: A TaleAmid the vibrant, tangled streets of Venice, where power and politics intertwine beneath a veneer of grandeur, explore the intricate dance of republics and monarchies, and the frag…
Level C1GothicThe Bravo of Venice: A RomanceBeneath the tranquil moonlit skies of Venice, dark secrets and mysterious passions stir as a daring bravo navigates a world of intrigue and romance.
Level C1AdventureThe Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in SpainAmidst the turbulent War of the Spanish Succession, a daring general with a fiery temper and unmatched genius faces both battlefield dangers and personal conflicts, while a young g…
Level B2Children'sThe Bravest Girl in SchoolTwo sisters’ quiet afternoon is upended by the unexpected arrival of their glamorous aunt from Australia, bringing excitement and mystery to their humble home.
Level C1MysteryThe Brass BowlUnder the guise of an idle adventure, Daniel Maitland—a wealthy bachelor known as "Mad Maitland"—navigates the restless nightlife and exclusive bachelor apartments of the city, whe…
Level C1FantasyThe Brass BottleAn architect haunted by lost love and professional frustration discovers an unexpected chance that could change his fate forever—if only he dares to seize it.
Level C1HistoricalThe Branding Needle; or, The Monastery of Charolles: A Tale of the First Communal CharterIn a tranquil valley untouched by feudal tyranny, a vibrant community thrives under the shadow of a monastery, setting the stage for the first communal charter that challenges the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bramleighs of Bishop's FollyA visionary Irish bishop builds a grand Italian-style villa in a remote mountain region, defying convention and fortune alike.
Level B2Science FictionThe BrainA scientist is flown with a mysterious cargo of termites to Cephalon, a dazzling, uncharted city in the desert that defies maps and understanding.
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.