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 Belle of Bowling GreenIn a city shadowed by impending war, the radiant Sapphira Bloommaert navigates the tensions of her aristocratic life near New York’s historic Bowling Green, where love, duty, and d…
Level C1MysteryThe Bellamy trialA red-headed writer takes her first assignment inside a packed courtroom buzzing with reporters and curiosity.
Level C1ClassicsThe Bell-Ringer of Angel's, and Other StoriesIn a secluded riverside settlement transformed by gold discovery, a sharpshooting prospector known as the Bell-ringer of Angel's guards his peaceful domain while new fortunes and r…
Level C1GothicThe Bell in the Fog and Other StoriesAn acclaimed author inherits an ancestral English estate, a perfect blend of history and mystery, where aristocratic ghosts and ancient halls stir his artistic soul amidst loneline…
Level B2Science FictionThe Bell ToneA scientist discovers a mysterious bell-like tone emitted by ants, unlocking a powerful communication system that transmits thoughts across distances.
Level B2Children'sThe Believing YearsAs the last day of school ticks away, a group of boys eagerly await their summer vacation, only to face the dreaded challenge of Mr.
Level B2AdventureThe Belgians to the FrontIn the tense days before war, two Belgian Boy Scouts uncover suspicious activity hinting at a German invasion.
Level B1HistoricalThe Belgian TwinsAmid the serene Belgian countryside, young twins Jan and Marie Van Hove help their family with farm chores, unaware that their peaceful life is about to be upended by the turmoil o…
Level C1ClassicsThe BelfryA young journalist’s chance encounter with a passionate, unconventional sports reporter sparks a story woven with risk, ambition, and the untold depths behind public personas, reve…
Level C1ClassicsThe Beldonald HolbeinAn artist is invited to paint Lady Beldonald, a beautiful yet elusive American woman whose life seems frozen by vanity and circumstance.
Level C1PoetryThe Beginnings of PoetryExplore the rise of poetry as a social institution, tracing its enduring role and challenges through history without delving into its artistic techniques or origins.
Level C1HistoricalThe Beginning of the Sea Story of Australia: 1901Discover the untold maritime origins of Australia, where British sailors and naval governors braved unknown coasts, harsh conditions, and political neglect to lay the foundation of…
Level B2RomanceThe Beggar ManIn a bustling blouse factory, timid Faith navigates the harsh world of noisy machines and tough coworkers, forging an unlikely friendship with the bold and fierce Peg while confron…
Level C1MysteryThe Beetle: A MysteryA desperate man, denied shelter in a cold world, confronts harsh rejection and hidden cruelty as he seeks refuge in London's grim casual wards—uncovering a mystery where appearance…
Level B2FantasyThe Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful TalesIn a land where bees swarm freely, a humble man lives entwined with his buzzing companions until a young sorcerer reveals he may be under a magical transformation.
PoetryThe Bee's Bayonet (a Little Honey and a Little Sting): Camouflage in Word PaintingExplore a vivid collection of poems weaving themes of war, love, patriotism, and nature, each line blending sweetness with sting in a striking tapestry of word-painted emotions and…
Level C1AdventureThe Bee Hunters: A Tale of AdventureIn the untamed Far West, a lone rider navigates vast, wild landscapes where danger lurks behind every rock and the clash between settlers and Native tribes simmers.
Level C1RomanceThe Bedford-Row ConspiracyIn a town divided by rivalry, young lovers John Perkins and Lucy Gorgon navigate family secrets, social expectations, and the quirks of fate as they plan a future together in Bedfo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bed-Book of Happiness: Being a colligation or assemblage of cheerful writings brought together from many quarters into this one compass for the diversion, distraction, and delight of those who lie abed,—a friend to the invalid, a companion to the sleepless, an excuse to the tiredFind comfort and cheer in a curated collection of uplifting writings designed to brighten the spirits of the ill, the sleepless, and the weary, offering a gentle escape and a frien…
Level C1MysteryThe Beckoning Hand, and Other StoriesAt the Ambiguities Theatre, a casual meeting sparks a mysterious tale filled with intrigue and unexpected connections.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beaux-StratagemTwo charming rogues devise a clever scheme to marry rich women and escape their debts, sparking a whirlwind of wit, deception, and romance that unfolds in a single, lively day and…
Level C1RomanceThe Beauty and the BolshevistA passionate socialist editor faces a personal and political dilemma when his brother announces engagement to the daughter of a wealthy capitalist.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beauty Of The VillageIn the quaint village of Aberleigh, Hannah Colson reigns as the undeniable beauty, adored yet spoiled by family and neighbors alike.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beautiful and DamnedA young man, heir to a vast fortune and burdened by high society's expectations, grapples with irony, honor, and his place in a world teetering between grandeur and decay.
Level C1ClassicsThe Beautiful Wretch; The Pupil of Aurelius; and The Four MacnicolsSeventeen-year-old Nan Beresford, dubbed the "Beautiful Wretch" for her sharp wit and independent spirit, wanders the serene English coast, navigating the challenges of youth, fami…
Level B2MysteryThe Beautiful White DevilIn the sultry heat of Hong Kong, a group of colorful characters gather in a smoky billiard room, setting the stage for a mysterious tale where chance encounters and whispered secre…
Level C1RomanceThe Beautiful Miss BrookeAt a lively ballroom, Paul Middleton finds himself reluctantly dancing with the enigmatic and stunning Miss Brooke, an American heiress whose presence stirs intrigue and challenges…
Level C1ClassicsThe Beautiful LadyA young Neapolitan actor's dreams of the stage are dashed, forcing him into a humiliating role as a living billboard in the heart of Paris.
Level C1FantasyThe Beautiful Eyes of YsidriaBeneath the shadow of Tamalpais, a young botanist returns to his California rancho, where superstition and herbal magic collide.
Level C1FantasyThe Beasts of TarzanTarzan faces a new nightmare when his wife’s plea reveals their infant son has been kidnapped, plunging him into a desperate quest to outwit a ruthless enemy recently escaped from…
Level B2Science FictionThe Beast of SpaceIn the shadowy caves of Asteroid Moira, a lone prospector and his telepathic spacehound uncover a mysterious cache of abandoned ships and a chilling signal from a captive girl—spar…
Level C1ClassicsThe Beast in the JungleA man attends a grand estate tour, where a chance encounter with a mysterious woman stirs a forgotten past and unspoken tensions, setting the stage for a haunting exploration of me…
Level B2AdventureThe Bears of Blue RiverIn early Indiana’s wilderness, young Balser Brent grows up amid towering forests, wild animals, and rugged frontier life on his family’s isolated farm by the Big Blue River.
Level C1AdventureThe Beach of Dreams: A RomanceAmidst the harsh life aboard the Albatross, two sailors wrestle with bitter memories and simmering resentments as the ship battles treacherous seas en route from Cape Town to Melbo…
Level B2PoetryThe Bay and Padie bookDive into a whimsical collection of poems that blend playful nonsense with tender lullabies, capturing childhood’s magic and everyday moments through a vivid tapestry of voices and…
Level B2AdventureThe Battleship Boys' First Step Upward; Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty OfficersCaught in a fierce Atlantic gale, the crew of the battleship "Long Island" spots mysterious green signal rockets off the starboard bow, hinting at a vessel in distress.
Level B1AdventureThe Battleship Boys in Foreign Service; or, Earning New Ratings in European SeasTwo young sailors from Uncle Sam’s Navy find themselves in the heart of Paris, rushing to rescue two women from a band of desperate robbers.
Level B2AdventureThe Battleship Boys at Sea; Or, Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's NavyTwo young apprentices journey to New York City, determined to join Uncle Sam's Navy and serve under the Stars and Stripes.
Level C1AdventureThe Battle of the Strong: A Romance of Two Kingdoms — CompleteAmidst the tightly woven traditions of the Channel Island of Jersey, a gripping romance unfolds, where characters struggle against the weight of centuries-old customs, sparking a f…
Level C1ClassicsThe Battle of the Books, and other Short PiecesAmidst a fierce literary quarrel between defenders of Ancient and Modern writers, a sharp-witted scholar navigates rivalries with wit and satire.
Level C2PoetryThe Battle of the BaysDive into a vivid poetic journey through youthful passions, renunciations, and bold declarations against kings and matrons, as the speaker reflects on love, freedom, and fleeting d…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of TalaveraAmid the ancient city of Talavera, battered by centuries of war, a fierce battle unfolds between vastly outnumbered British and Spanish forces against the elite French army.
Level C1ClassicsThe Battle of LifeAmidst the peaceful English countryside lies a forgotten battlefield, where nature thrives over the scars of a fierce and bloody fight.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of Hexham; or, Days of Old: a play in three actsAmid the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses, a disguised heroine braves perilous roads and uncertain loyalties to reach the camp of Henry VI.
Level C1FantasyThe Battle of DorkingWhen secret annexations ignite war, an unprepared Britain faces devastating invasion and military defeat on its own soil, revealing a nation caught between complacency and urgent p…
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of Bunkers-HillAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, this dramatic play captures the fierce spirit and heroic struggle of patriots during the Battle of Bunker's Hill, offering a vivid glim…
Level B2AdventureThe Battle and the BreezeA fearless sailor with a charmed life, Bill Bowls embarks on daring voyages, braving storms, tyrannical captains, and nautical disasters.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle GroundIn a Southern landscape shadowed by slavery and change, children navigate innocence and harsh realities—where whispers of conjuring, lost lives, and fading plantations stir the air…
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.