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 Bad Little OwlsIn a lively woodland, curious creatures encounter a mysterious lantern's flickering flame, learning surprising lessons about fire’s power and safety.
Level C1Children'sThe Bad Family & Other StoriesIn a neighborhood where two families stand side by side, one is known as the Good Family and the other the Bad Family, whose six mischievous children—each with a troublesome trait—…
Level B1ClassicsThe Bad Boy at Home, and His Experiences in Trying to Become an Editor: 1885A mischievous young man with grand ambitions dives into the chaotic world of newspaper publishing, navigating quirky editors, odd tasks, and the lively hustle of New York’s press s…
Level B2AdventureThe BackwoodsmenStranded in a ruthless winter wilderness after his cabin burns to ashes, a lone woodsman must rely on his wits and survival skills to endure the biting cold and isolation.
Level B2Science FictionThe Bacillus of Beauty: A Romance of To-dayIn the bustling heart of New York, a man returns to find the woman he loved transformed beyond recognition, plunging him into a surreal mystery where beauty and identity blur in a…
Level C1RomanceThe Bachelors: A NovelTwo unlikely friends—a reserved lawyer and a dynamic businessman—forge a deep bond amid club life and social expectations, exploring the complexities of friendship and bachelorhood…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babylonian Story of the Deluge as Told by Assyrian Tablets from Nineveh: The Discovery of the Tablets at Nineveh by Layard, Rassam and SmithUnearth the lost library of the Temple of Nebo at Nineveh, revealed through the excavation of ancient Assyrian tablets that shed light on a civilization's history, culture, and the…
Level C1PoetryThe Babes in the Wood: One of R. Caldecott's Picture BooksWhimsical verses and charming illustrations bring to life beloved nursery rhymes and playful tales, inviting readers of all ages to laugh and explore a world of imagination and hum…
PoetryThe Babes in the Wood: May Bells SeriesTwo children face peril after their parents' death, as ruthless villains vie for control, leading to a tragic struggle and ultimate justice served.
Level B2HistoricalThe Babes in the Basket; or, Daph and Her ChargeIn a moonlit southern island room, Daph, a determined woman with a secret mission, stealthily prepares to carry away two sleeping children hidden in a basket—setting the stage for…
Level C1HistoricalThe Babees' Book: Medieval Manners for the Young: Done into Modern EnglishExplore the intricate codes of medieval English manners, customs, and social rituals, revealing the origins of chivalry and courtesy through vivid treatises translated into modern…
Level C1ClassicsThe Babe, B.A. : being the uneventful history of a young gentleman at Cambridge UniversityA young undergraduate navigates the ordinary yet chaotic life of Cambridge University, where cricket, football mishaps, and academic trials shape the uneventful but spirited days o…
Level B2MysteryThe Babbington case; Or, Nick Carter's strange questIn the dead of night, a man enters a locked estate with a woman but emerges alone—leaving behind puzzling footprints in fresh snow.
Level C1PoetryThe Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a SavoyardA witty collection of humorous and whimsical ballads and songs, accompanied by lively illustrations, blending clever satire with charming storytelling.
Level B2PoetryThe Bab BalladsA devoted captain strives to delight his crew with unmatched comforts and surprising matchmaking schemes, while rival curates compete in mildness and mischief in a whimsical world…
Level C1AdventureThe Aztec Treasure-HouseA dedicated scholar embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind ancient Aztec mysteries, facing danger and revolution as he seeks the legendary treasure hidden deep w…
Level C1ClassicsThe Ayrshire Legatees; Or, The Pringle FamilyWhen Dr.
Level C1HistoricalThe Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern EnglishA medieval guide reveals the Ten Commandments' spiritual meaning and the path to repentance, urging readers to cleanse their conscience and live in harmony with divine law.
Level C2ClassicsThe Awkward AgeIn the heart of London’s social scene, a young woman’s awkward transition from girlhood sparks tension and revelation among her family and society.
Level B2AdventureThe Award of Justice; Or, Told in the Rockies: A Pen Picture of the WestA young Bostonian arrives late to a dusty Western town, armed with cameras and curiosity, eager to capture the rugged beauty and unexpected adventures of the Rockies while navigati…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening: (The Resurrection)In the oppressive confines of a city jail, a young woman named Maslova prepares to face trial, embodying the harsh clash between nature's renewal and human cruelty in a world blind…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening, and Selected Short StoriesIn a vibrant coastal retreat, a woman begins to question the confines of her marriage and the roles imposed on her, as her restless spirit stirs beneath the surface of everyday lif…
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening of Spring: A Tragedy of ChildhoodAdolescents grapple with the harsh realities of ignorance and societal repression in a stark exploration of youthful innocence confronted by natural instincts.
Level C1ClassicsThe Awakening of Helena RichieIn a small town marked by secrets and solitude, a widow's quiet life stirs curiosity as a doctor seeks a home for an orphaned boy.
Level C1MysteryThe AvengerA tense midnight confrontation unfolds when a distinguished woman unexpectedly intrudes into Herbert Wrayson's apartment, armed with a mysterious key and a hidden agenda.
Level C1MysteryThe Avalanche: A Mystery StoryIn post-earthquake San Francisco, Price Ruyler senses a hidden secret behind his wife's sudden change in temperament and guarded past, revealing a tangled mystery beneath the city'…
Level B1AdventureThe Automobile Girls in the Berkshires; Or, The Ghost of Lost Man's TrailTwo sisters find themselves lost and injured in the eerie New Jersey woods, where fears and family worries intertwine.
Level B2AdventureThe Automobile Girls at Washington; Or, Checkmating the Plots of Foreign SpiesFour adventurous young women, known as the Automobile Girls, arrive in Washington, D.
Level B2MysteryThe Automobile Girls at Palm Beach; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern SkiesFour adventurous young women arrive at vibrant Palm Beach, ready to explore automobiles, sailing, and social intrigues under the southern sun.
Level B2AdventureThe Automobile Girls at Newport; Or, Watching the Summer ParadeTwo resourceful sisters, determined to attend a glamorous summer party, earn their own way picking strawberries in a quiet New Jersey village.
Level B2MysteryThe Automobile Girls at Chicago; Or, Winning Out Against Heavy OddsTwo young women on a train overhear a sinister conspiracy to ruin powerful men financially, thrusting them into a dangerous web of ambition, revenge, and secret schemes.
Level B2AdventureThe Automobile Girls Along the Hudson; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy HollowThree adventurous girls, united by friendship and fast automobiles, face unexpected challenges while navigating summer trips, mysterious visitors, and the looming threat of forest…
Level C1FantasyThe Automaton Ear, and Other SketchesAn inventor becomes obsessed with capturing all the sounds ever made by creating a device that can hear the inaudible vibrations lingering in the air.
Level B2Science FictionThe Automatic Maid-of-All-Work: A Possible Tale of the Near FutureIn a near-future household, an inventor unveils his creation: an automatic maid-of-all-work powered by electricity, designed to handle every chore from lighting fires to making bre…
Level C1PoetryThe Autocrat of the Breakfast-TableEngage in witty, philosophical conversations at the breakfast table where the Autocrat shares sharp observations on life, language, and learning, blending humor and intellect in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of an Ex-Colored ManBorn into a post-Civil War South, a fair-complexioned Black boy navigates the complex, often painful realities of race in America, uncovering hidden truths about identity, prejudic…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Super-TrampExperience the candid journey of a man living on society's edges, whose simple, poetic reflections reveal the raw truths of a life spent wandering as a super-tramp, untouched by li…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a SlanderIn a sleepy town where gossip reigns, a scandalous slander comes to life, weaving through social intrigues and whispered secrets.
Level B2ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Quack, and The Case of George DedlowConfined to a hospital bed with a mysterious illness, a clever and defiant man recounts his colorful life and dubious schemes, challenging the judgments of society while seeking pu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Play: Papers on Play-Making, IIExplore the art of play-making through the meticulous craft and human insight of a pioneering American dramatist, revealing how thoughtful construction and deep sympathy shape comp…
Level C1HistoricalThe Autobiography of a Journalist, Volume IIAmid a cholera outbreak and strict quarantines, a determined consul navigates political intrigue and local tyranny in Crete, confronting a ruthless pasha while asserting justice in…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of a Journalist, Volume IA journalist reflects on his life’s journey from strict New England Puritan roots to intellectual freedom, sharing personal and public experiences that shaped his unique perspectiv…
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of Mark Rutherford, Edited by his friend Reuben ShapcottA reflective soul wrestles with the weight of lofty ambitions and the pursuit of happiness amid ordinary life’s demands.
Level C1ClassicsThe Autobiography of Goethe: Truth and Poetry: From My Own LifeJourney through a lifetime of poetic creation and self-reflection as a renowned artist arranges his works chronologically, revealing the passions, influences, and intellectual purs…
Level B1MysteryThe Auto Boys' VacationFour boys face a baffling mystery of a stolen car and a murdered dog while uncovering secrets on a lonely country road, testing their courage and friendship during a summer vacatio…
Level B2MysteryThe Auto Boys' MysteryFour boys camping by a remote lake stumble upon an abandoned clubhouse harboring secrets tied to a stolen fortune and dangerous men.
Level C1PoetryThe Authoress of the Odyssey: Where and when she wrote, who she was, the use she made of the Iliad, and how the poem grew under her handsUncover the mystery behind the Odyssey’s creation, exploring who the poetess was, where and when she composed this epic, and how it evolved from the Iliad’s legacy through a detail…
Level C1ClassicsThe Author's CraftA young, naive puppy’s fatal encounter with a motor-bus sparks a quiet spectacle of public opinion, authority, and human indifference on the streets of Fulham Road.
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.