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 Black Lion InnA struggling man seeking refuge from alcohol stumbles upon the mysterious Black Lion Inn, where a captivating physician offers hope and a chance to reclaim his life from the grip o…
Level B2AdventureThe Black Ghost of the HighwayJourney through mysterious mountain roads and cross borders into the enigmatic kingdom of Alaria, where ancient castles, unexpected reunions, and whispers of ghosts await amidst br…
Level C1AdventureThe Black GalleyAmidst a relentless 32-year war on the stormy Scheldt River in 1599, Spanish soldiers at Fort Liefkenhoek brace for the feared approach of the mysterious and deadly Black Galley, a…
Level B2Children'sThe Black Forge MillsA young pastor seeking inspiration retreats to the hills above a bustling town, where the contrast between nature’s beauty and the industrial Black Forge Mills sparks a deeper refl…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Feather: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899In the bustling fur trade of Fort Mackinac, Charle' Charette, a formidable voyageur adorned with a black feather, faces heartbreak as his spirited wife 'Tite Laboise turns away fro…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black Eagle; or, TiconderogaA disillusioned patriot, exiled in the American wilderness, wrestles with betrayal, ingratitude, and the harsh realities of human nature, while striving to build a new life for him…
Level B2MysteryThe Black Eagle MysteryWhen a prominent corporate lawyer plunges to his death from a skyscraper, a reporter and his wife dive into the tangled world of high finance and secrets lurking in the Black Eagle…
Level C1HistoricalThe Black DwarfAmid the bustling crossroads of Scotland, a schoolmaster recounts tales from a lively inn, revealing the hidden lives and secrets of travelers and locals alike.
Level C1RomanceThe Black DouglasIn 15th-century Scotland, a young armourer’s son wrestles with his future, torn between the forge and the battlefield, while family ties and the promise of romance intertwine benea…
Level C1ClassicsThe Black DiamondBorn into a coal mining family on the edge of a grim industrial town, young Abner navigates a world split between the pit and the pub, where football offers a fleeting escape from…
Level C1RomanceThe Black CrossIn the icy splendor of St.
Level B2ClassicsThe Black Creek Stopping-House, and Other StoriesIn a gritty Winnipeg setting, a reformed gambler seeks redemption through honest work and love, challenging the harsh judgments of his past.
Level C1RomanceThe Black ColonelIn the shadowed Highlands, a mysterious Black Colonel and a lone traveler cross paths on a perilous night, their meeting sparking a tale of gallantry, intrigue, and the restless sp…
Level C2PoetryThe Black Christ, & other poemsExplore profound reflections on identity, struggle, and hope through a vivid collection of poems that confront race, heritage, and humanity with powerful imagery and deep emotion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Cat: A Play in Three ActsA provocative exploration of modern relationships and societal expectations unfolds in a play where comedy masks a tragic fate, challenging the boundaries of morality and the roles…
Level C1AdventureThe Black Box: A Tale of Monmouth's RebellionA lone survivor of a shipwreck finds himself worshipped as a god by island savages, wielding strange power amid danger and deception.
Level B2MysteryThe Black BoxIn the dazzling heights of New York’s elite, Sanford Quest, a master criminologist with unmatched influence, navigates a world where law and crime blur, commanding respect and fear…
Level C1ClassicsThe Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain: The Works of William Carleton, Volume OneA mysterious stranger weaves through the lives of the Gourlay and Cullamore families, sparking secrets, deceit, and dramatic confrontations in an Irish town shadowed by intrigue an…
Level C1AdventureThe Black BarTwo young naval officers patrol the scorching African coast aboard HMS Nautilus, smuggling aboard an unexpected passenger—a chimpanzee—while chasing elusive slave traders in a high…
Level C1MysteryThe Black BagAlone and financially strained in rainy London, artist Philip Kirkwood faces the shadow of despair but resolves to prove his worth.
Level C1AdventureThe Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two RosesIn a turbulent England torn by the Wars of the Roses, young Richard Shelton must navigate shifting loyalties and impending battle as his guardian’s allegiance wavers and the call t…
Level C1MysteryThe Black AbbotAt Fossaway Manor, a noble lord fiercely denies the haunting of the Black Abbot, yet whispers of a ghost stir fear among the servants, while secrets and mysterious visitors hint at…
Level B2MysteryThe Bishop's purseOn a brief train ride from Dover to London, an American girl’s unexpected charm captivates an English bishop, while a mysterious, sorrowful woman with a hidden past stirs curiosity…
Level B2Children'sThe Bishop's ShadowA ragged boy in stormy Boston snatches a lost pocketbook stuffed with cash and hides in a grand church, sparking a tense chase and unexpected adventures as he navigates a world far…
Level C1MysteryThe Bishop's SecretIn the exclusive ecclesiastical society of a small English cathedral city, a determined spinster and a domineering social bully stir intrigue and power plays.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bishop of Cottontown: A Story of the Southern Cotton MillsAmid the vibrant cotton fields of the Tennessee Valley in 1874, the story unfolds with the rich symbolism of the cotton plant—nature’s delicate yet powerful artisan weaving the fab…
Level C1MysteryThe Bishop murder caseWhen a chilling series of murders grips New York, brilliant amateur detective Philo Vance abandons scholarly pursuits to unravel the eerie "Bishop" case, uncovering a dark mystery…
Level B2Children'sThe Bishop and the BoogermanIn a world where belief shapes reality, young Adelaide navigates mysterious happenings and whispers of the past while living with her Uncle Jonas.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bishop and Other StoriesIn a quiet monastery on the eve of Palm Sunday, a weary bishop is haunted by memories and an unexpected visit from his long-absent mother.
Level B2RomanceThe BirthrightA man sets out to clear his name and reclaim the land he believes is his birthright, confronting family betrayal, dark rumors, and dangerous smugglers in a rugged Cornish landscape…
Level C1ClassicsThe BirthplaceA weary couple in a dreary town receive an unexpected offer to oversee the birthplace of a great poet, thrusting them from their confined lives into the heart of a sacred literary…
Level B1PoetryThe Birthday Party: A Story for Little FolksA kind-hearted girl plans a grand birthday party, inviting friends and curious neighbors in hopes of spreading joy and kindness, even to those who might seem difficult.
Level C2PoetryThe Birth of the War-God: A Poem by KálidásaImmerse yourself in the poetic tale of the War-God's mysterious birth, woven with graceful imagery and ancient lore from the polished court of Vikramáditya.
Level B2Children'sThe Birds' Christmas CarolOn a snowy Christmas morning, a new baby named Carol arrives in the Bird household, bringing joy and a touch of holiday magic as the family debates her name and welcomes their litt…
Level C1ClassicsThe BirdsTwo Athenians, fed up with their city's endless quarrels, seek refuge with the birds to build a utopian city in the sky, challenging the gods themselves in a whimsical battle of wi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bird in the BoxA majestic new ship, the Merida, awaits its launch amid the bustling shipyard, while a young girl prepares to christen the vessel—her presence igniting anticipation as this monumen…
Level B2AdventureThe Bird boysFour inventive boys set out on their first thrilling air voyage, facing challenges from lost inventions to unexpected wilderness dangers.
Level C1Children'sThe Bird and Insects' Post OfficeIn a charming post office run by birds and insects, lively letters reveal their adventures, rivalries, and wisdom from the natural world.
Level B2AdventureThe Bird Boys' Aeroplane Wonder; Or, Young Aviators on a Cattle RanchAs school delays grant unexpected freedom, two inventive cousins seize the chance to perfect their remarkable aeroplane, daring to soar where few have before—while their loyal frie…
Level B2AdventureThe Birch and the Star, and Other StoriesTwo young siblings, separated by war and raised in a foreign land, embark on a brave journey home to Finland guided only by the memory of a birch tree and a shining star, trusting…
Level C1ClassicsThe Biography of a Prairie GirlAmid a fierce prairie blizzard, a family hunkers down in their snow-buried farmhouse, awaiting the arrival of a long-absent husband and father whose journey through the storm tests…
Level B2AdventureThe Biography of a GrizzlyFollow the adventures of a grizzly bear family in the wild West, where young cubs learn survival skills from their fierce mother amid the dangers of untamed nature and unexpected t…
Level B2HistoricalThe Billow and the RockIn a turbulent Scotland where lawlessness reigns and powerful lords impose their will, Lady Carse faces a desperate struggle to reclaim her children from a rigid and dangerous soci…
Level B2ClassicsThe Bill-ToppersA young girl named Lily dazzles crowds across continents with her daring cycling acts and charming performances, supported by her determined father who dreams of stardom for the en…
Level C1PoetryThe Biglow PapersSharp wit and biting satire bring to life New England voices grappling with the Mexican War and the shadow of slavery, exposing political hypocrisy and human frailty through vivid…
Level C1ClassicsThe BigamistA man haunted by a secret past cherishes the love of his devoted young wife, yet an unspoken worry shadows their tranquil life.
Level B2AdventureThe Big-Town Round-UpA young city girl encounters the rugged reality of a cattle round-up in the Arizona desert, where wild herds and tough vaqueros test her courage and challenge her romantic notions…
Level C1AdventureThe Big OtterTwo hardy friends embark on a daring winter expedition through the frozen wilderness, braving forty-below-zero temperatures and deep snow to explore untamed backwoods and test thei…
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.