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 B2AdventureThe Battery and the Boiler: Adventures in Laying of Submarine Electric CablesBorn amid a fierce storm at sea, young Robin Wright grows up fascinated by lightning and the mysteries of electricity.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battaile of AgincourtAmidst the echoes of England’s storied past, this epic poem vividly recounts the fierce and fateful Battle of Agincourt, capturing the valor and national pride that shaped a pivota…
Level C1ClassicsThe Bath Keepers; Or, Paris in Those Days, v.2: (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VIII)In a stormy Paris night, Ambroisine confronts the turmoil of family strife and unexpected visitors, revealing a world of hardship, loyalty, and secrets among the city's bath keeper…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bath Keepers; Or, Paris in Those Days, v.1: (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VII)In 1634 Paris, where superstition rules and nightly dangers lurk in darkened streets, a young man navigates a city where duels, thieves, and rigid social codes shape every encounte…
Level C1RomanceThe Bath ComedyIn the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where wit, gallantry, and high society collide, a cast of charming characters navigate love, scandal, and social intrigue amid the refined ple…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bastonnais: Tale of the American Invasion of Canada in 1775-76As American forces advance through Canada in 1775, young militia officer Roderick Hardinge stands vigilant atop Quebec’s citadel, determined to defend the city and prove his comrad…
Level C1Children'sThe Basket of FlowersIn a distant village long ago, a devoted gardener’s daughter finds joy and purpose in tending flowers alongside her father, learning life’s deepest lessons of faith, love, and resi…
Level C1Children'sThe Basket Woman: A Book of Indian Tales for ChildrenExplore enchanting tales where nature and myth intertwine, revealing how children perceive the living spirit in trees, streams, and animals.
Level C1RomanceThe Bashful Lover (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIX)At a grand 1818 wedding, a seasoned sixty-nine-year-old marquis marries the forty-four-year-old Aménaïde, a woman whose heart remains untouched by love.
Level B2PoetryThe Bashful Earthquake, & Other Fables and VersesWhen an earthquake grows bashful and flees in shame after causing chaos, whimsical fables and verses explore nature’s quirks and curious creatures, blending humor and gentle lesson…
Level C1ClassicsThe Barton ExperimentIn a small town united against alcohol, a grand temperance meeting brings together clergy, citizens, and reformers for a stirring call to battle King Alcohol.
Level B2MysteryThe Bartlett MysteryAt a lavish New York club, a high-society dinner with mysterious theater tickets spirals into chaos, drawing in Detective-Inspector Clancy to untangle secrets hidden beneath glitte…
Level B2RomanceThe Bars of IronIn a rugged Queensland town, a fearless young Englishman confronts a drunken bully, igniting a tense clash fueled by pride and passion.
Level C1RomanceThe Barrier: A NovelIn a New England city ruled by old money and a ruthless political boss, a young reform-minded businessman faces betrayal and loss, threatening both his career and the woman he love…
Level B2AdventureThe BarrierIn a remote northern trading post, a stoic trader faces the arrival of law and change that threaten his way of life, while a spirited young girl brings unexpected warmth amid the h…
Level B2MysteryThe Barrel MysteryIn the grimy shadows of New York’s East Side, a shocking discovery—a man’s body stuffed into a barrel—unleashes a tense investigation that exposes dark secrets and ruthless assassi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Baronet's Bride; Or, A Woman's VengeanceIn a grand estate shadowed by impending tragedy, Sir Jasper Kingsland faces a harrowing night as his wife lies gravely ill, forcing him to confront his past and the weight of his o…
Level C1PoetryThe Baron's Yule Feast: A Christmas RhymeStep into a medieval world where ancient ruins inspire tales of romance, feudal power, and festive celebration.
Level C1ClassicsThe Baritone's Parish; or, "All Things to All Men"In a city church where pulpit and choir rarely connect, the new baritone singer forms an unexpected bond with the pastor, revealing the complex harmony between music, faith, and pe…
Level C1HistoricalThe Barber of ParisIn a rain-soaked, crime-ridden Paris of 1632, a mysterious barber returns home under the shadow of danger and intrigue.
Level B2Children'sThe Barbadoes Girl: A Tale for Young PeopleA young girl from the distant West Indies arrives to live with the Harewood family, sparking curiosity and lessons in kindness as their children prepare to welcome a stranger with…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Banquet (Il Convito)Explore a profound feast of medieval philosophy where human desire for knowledge meets divine love, revealing the soul’s quest for truth amid the limits of earthly understanding an…
Level B2AdventureThe Banner Boy Scouts; or, The Struggle for LeadershipA secretive group of adventurous boys gather under the cover of night to outwit rivals and prove their mettle in the great outdoors, forging bonds and leadership in the thrilling w…
Level B2MysteryThe Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake MountainFour brave Boy Scouts face eerie sounds and a half-open door at a closed feed store, sparking a thrilling mystery tied to a recent robbery.
Level B1MysteryThe Banner Boy Scouts in the AirTwo adventurous Boy Scouts explore a newly opened airport, dreaming of flight and discovery.
Level B1AdventureThe Banner Boy Scouts Snowbound; or, A Tour on Skates and IceboatsA spirited group of Boy Scouts plans a thrilling winter adventure, choosing between icy feats and remote campsites, while facing the challenges of friendship, courage, and the myst…
Level A2MysteryThe Banner Boy Scouts MysteryWhen Ken Armstrong’s little sister, Betty, vanishes from their usual haunts, he embarks on a desperate search through neighbors’ homes and nearby parks, uncovering unsettling clues…
Level B1MysteryThe Banner Boy Scouts Afloat; or, The Secret of Cedar IslandA troop of adventurous Boy Scouts embarks on a thrilling summer cruise to mysterious Cedar Island, uncovering secrets and facing perils that test their courage and loyalty in the w…
Level C1PoetryThe Banks of Wye: A PoemA spirited journey unfolds along the wild and scenic Wye River, where nature’s beauty and historic castles inspire poetic reflections.
Level C1PoetryThe Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent.: A Poem, addressed to a friend, with other piecesA man reflects on his descent from youthful folly and reckless spending into the harsh realities of bankruptcy, exploring the painful process of debt, disgrace, and the hope for re…
Level C1RomanceThe Banished: A Swabian Historical TaleIn sixteenth-century Swabia, a stirring historical tale unfolds amid vivid national customs and dramatic events, inviting readers to explore a land of picturesque beauty and deep-r…
Level C1RomanceThe Bandolero; Or, A Marriage among the MountainsIn a city ruled by corrupt clergy and shadowed by majestic mountains, weary invaders arrive expecting battle but find a complex world of intrigue and forbidden romance.
Level C1MysteryThe BandboxAn American writer in London longs for home but finds himself drawn into a mysterious adventure when he crosses paths with a shadowy figure at a crowded steamship booking office.
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire: Transcribed from Private Manuscripts, Rare Broadsides, and Scarce Publications; with Notes and a GlossaryDiscover a rich collection of Yorkshire's ballads and songs, drawn from rare manuscripts and broadsides, capturing tales from historic battles to legendary abbeys, all preserved wi…
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads & Songs of Derbyshire: With Illustrative Notes, and Examples of the Original Music, etc.Discover over fifty rare and intriguing ballads and songs rooted in Derbyshire’s history, brought to life with notes on their origins and performances by local minstrels like the l…
Level C1HistoricalThe BalladistsExplore the mysterious origins and timeless passion of Scottish ballads, where nameless poets capture fateful love and sorrow beneath open skies, weaving songs that echo through ge…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ballad of the White HorseA legendary King Alfred faces the dark forces threatening his land, blending myth and history in a stirring tale of courage, faith, and the enduring power of tradition amidst the c…
Level B2PoetryThe Ballad of the QuestA weary soul abandons comfort to roam under open skies, seeking faith, peace, and honest love amid life's harsh trials.
Level C2PoetryThe Ballad of St. Barbara, and Other VersesExplore a vivid collection of poems that blend social critique, tradition, and wit—from rebellious carolers to the crafts of guilds and lessons in education—inviting readers to ref…
Level C2PoetryThe Ballad of Reading GaolA man condemned for murdering the woman he loved walks the prison yard in shabby grey, his wistful gaze fixed on the sky above.
Level C2HistoricalThe Ballad of Ensign JoyAmid the grind of wartime duty and the yearning for glory, an earnest young ensign and a reserved woman navigate love, letters, and the harsh realities of the front, capturing the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ball at SceauxA steadfast royalist and war hero struggles to reclaim his lost honor and fortune in post-revolutionary France, only to face cold indifference and political intrigue at the royal c…
Level C1FantasyThe Ball and the CrossSoaring above the earth in a fantastical flying ship, a brilliant inventor and a wise, holy monk embark on a journey that pits scientific skepticism against ancient faith, explorin…
Level C1RomanceThe Bakhtyār Nāma: A Persian RomanceDive into the captivating world of Prince Bakhtyār, where grounded tales of love and adventure unfold without the usual magic and extravagance of Eastern romances.
Level C1PoetryThe Bakchesarian Fountain and Other PoemsIn a secluded harem ruled by a ruthless eunuch, captive beauties endure a life of sorrow and silence, while Khan Giray grapples with a mysterious anguish that shadows his once prou…
Level C1RomanceThe BagpipersAmid the rustic backdrop of 18th-century Berry, a humble peasant named Étienne Depardieu recounts the vivid tales and heartfelt adventures of his youth, revealing the wisdom and pa…
Level C1MysteryThe Bag of DiamondsIn a fog-shrouded London street, a policeman stumbles upon a mysterious trio carrying an injured, bearded man near a doctor's surgery, where secrets and danger lurk in the shadows…
Level B2ClassicsThe Bad Man: A NovelA determined young American stakes his claim in the harsh Arizona borderlands, facing relentless raids and government inaction while struggling to protect his ranch and find hope a…
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.