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 B2MysteryThe Adventure of the Cardboard BoxOn a scorching August day, Sherlock Holmes deciphers a puzzling letter that sets him on a trail of a strange and terrible chain of events, revealing his uncanny ability to read sub…
Level B2MysteryThe Adventure of the Bruce-Partington PlansIn a fog-shrouded London, a mysterious death on the Underground draws the attention of an extraordinary mind who connects the threads of national secrets and unseen dangers.
Level B2MysteryThe Adventure of Wisteria LodgeA respectable man seeks Holmes’s help after a bizarre and unsettling experience at Wisteria Lodge, only to discover it’s connected to a mysterious death that has the police puzzled…
Level B2FantasyThe Adventure of Two Dutch Dolls and a 'Golliwogg'On a magical Christmas Eve, two wooden Dutch dolls awaken to explore a world where toys come alive, facing thrilling rides, mischievous tricks, and enchanting new friends like the…
Level B2RomanceThe Adventure of Princess SylviaA spirited princess defies convention, dreaming not of a mere suitor but the Emperor himself—her ideal match in a world where royal blood and political power collide.
Level C1ClassicsThe Adventure of Living : a Subjective AutobiographyAn intimate journey through life’s ironies and adventures, this autobiography captures vivid travels from Jerusalem to Cairo and New York, blending personal memories with reflectio…
Level C1AdventureThe Adventure of Elizabeth Morey, of New York: 1901Stranded in the treacherous South Pacific, Elizabeth Morey must navigate betrayal, savage islanders, and a perilous rescue after being captured by hostile natives—unraveling a grip…
Level B2MysteryThe Adventure LeagueOn a sunlit Scottish island, a group of adventurous youths scramble cliffs and gather seabird eggs, their excitement mounting as a distant steamer approaches—promising new mysterie…
Level C1HistoricalThe Advanced-GuardIn a fledgling British colony struggling under military rule, General Lennox battles fierce opposition to transform Khemistan, while the social rituals of its isolated expatriates…
Level C2HistoricalThe Advance of English Poetry in the Twentieth CenturyExplore the evolution of English poetry as it responds to the upheavals of the early twentieth century, from the impact of the Great War to the voices of new and established poets…
Level B2Children'sThe Adopting of Rosa Marie: (A Sequel to Dandelion Cottage)Four friends cherish their time in a beloved but drafty cottage, where imaginative games like "Mother" require borrowing babies from neighbors—though one girl's knack for misadvent…
Level C1Children'sThe Adopted Daughter: A Tale for Young PersonsA grieving heiress returns to her Sussex estate seeking solace and finds herself entwined with the humble farmer’s family who raised her as a child.
Level C1RomanceThe Admiral: A Romance of Nelson in the Year of the NileIn 1798, amidst the turmoil of war and political intrigue, Admiral Nelson navigates both fierce naval battles and his passionate affair with Lady Hamilton, revealing the complex ch…
Level B2HistoricalThe Admiral's DaughterIn the vibrant spring of the West Country, a young man named Roger wrestles with unseen burdens as the world around him blooms with life and hope.
Level B2FantasyThe Admiral's CaravanIn a quiet harbor town, lonely Dorothy keeps company with Uncle Porticle and a weather-beaten wooden admiral who watches over the Blue Admiral Inn.
Level C1AdventureThe Admirable Tinker: Child of the WorldIn a world where family secrets and social expectations collide, Sir Tancred embarks on a quest to find his lost son while navigating the powerful influence of his formidable stepm…
Level C1AdventureThe Admirable Lady Biddy Fane: Her Surprising Curious Adventures In Strange Parts & Happy Deliverance From Pirates, Battle, Captivity, & Other Terrors; Together With Divers Romantic & Moving Accidents As Set Forth By Benet Pengilly (Her Companion In Misfortune & Joy), & Now First Done Into PrintThrown into perilous adventures from pillories to pirate battles, Lady Biddy Fane and her companion navigate treacherous seas, captivity, and cunning foes in a relentless quest for…
Level C1ClassicsThe Admirable CrichtonIn a grand Mayfair house, a sharp-witted aristocrat and his impeccable butler navigate class boundaries and social expectations, setting the stage for a surprising upheaval that ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Admirable Bashville; Or, Constancy Unrewarded: Being the Novel of Cashel Byron's Profession Done into a Stage Play in Three Acts and in Blank Verse, with a Note on Modern Prize FightingIn a swift, blank verse adaptation, a young author battles copyright law to stage his tale of Cashel Byron, a professional prizefighter navigating honor and hardship in the ring an…
Level B2AdventureThe Adam ChaserStranded in the scorching Arizona desert, an archaeologist faces a stalled car, scarce water, and dangerous companions while searching for missing men linked to a mysterious prehis…
Level B2ClassicsThe Actress' Daughter: A NovelOn a stormy Christmas Eve, the stern and unyielding Miss Jerusha Skamp battles a lazy maid and a mischievous cat while maintaining strict order in her rigid New England household,…
Level C1RomanceThe Actress in High Life: An Episode in Winter QuartersIn the rugged plains of 1812 Portugal, a traveler journeys through wild landscapes and encounters vivid local life, where nature’s beauty contrasts with harsh realities.
Level C1ClassicsThe Acorn-Planter: A California Forest Play (1916)In a primeval forest, Red Cloud, the wise leader of the Nishinam tribe, champions a life of growth and abundance against the warlike Shaman and War Chief.
Level C1ClassicsThe AcharniansFed up with war's endless misery, an Athenian farmer boldly seeks a private peace treaty to save his land and family, challenging the city's war-hungry leaders in a sharp, satirica…
Level C1HistoricalThe Academy Keeper: Or Variety of useful Directions Concerning the Management of an Academy, The Terms, Diet, Lodging, Recreation, Discipline, and Instruction of Young Gentlemen. With the Proper Methods of addressing Parents and Guardians of all Ranks and ConditionsDiscover the practical rules and insider strategies for managing a successful academy, balancing discipline, diet, recreation, and instruction while navigating the expectations of…
Level B2AdventureThe Academy Boys in CampA mysterious prank shatters the calm at Massillon Academy, sparking suspicion and intrigue among the boys.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Academic Questions, Treatise De Finibus, and Tusculan Disputations, of M.T. Cicero, With a Sketch of the Greek Philosophers Mentioned by CiceroExplore the origins of Western philosophy through Cicero’s detailed survey of Greek thinkers, tracing their bold theories on the cosmos, matter, and mind that shaped the foundation…
PoetryThe Absurd ABCDive into a whimsical world where the alphabet takes on playful, nonsensical twists, turning each letter into a delightful surprise that challenges your imagination and tickles you…
Level C1ClassicsThe AbsenteeIn a sharp social satire, an Irish lord returns home in disguise to confront absentee landlords neglecting their tenants while chasing English high society’s approval, revealing th…
Level C1RomanceThe Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas StoryA proud and spirited man, crippled after a heroic rescue, returns home to face a tangled inheritance and a fierce rivalry for the love of Octavia.
Level C1HistoricalThe AbbotIn a world shaped by literary fame and public opinion, a determined author risks all to reclaim his reputation through bold new tales, exploring the delicate balance between creati…
Level C1HistoricalThe Abbess Of VlayeIn a turbulent France ruled by Henry IV, Monsieur des Ageaux governs the province of Périgord with strict justice and quiet ambition, navigating court intrigues and the demands of…
Level C1HistoricalThe Abbatial Crosier; or, Bonaik and Septimine. A Tale of a Medieval AbbessAmidst the turmoil of 8th-century Gaul, where Arab invaders and Frankish conquerors clash, cultures collide in Narbonne—a city where mosques rise beside churches, and diverse peopl…
Level B2Science FictionThe Abandoned of YanIn a harsh society where the Abandoned have no rights or hopes, Marigold faces the brutal reality of being left alone and stripped of her family, forced to navigate a future filled…
Level C1MysteryThe Abandoned RoomIn a gloomy ancestral mansion, a young woman senses a sinister presence as her reclusive uncle grows fearful before his mysterious death, while her troubled cousin drifts into a da…
Level C1ClassicsThe Abandoned Farmers: His Humorous Account of a Retreat from the City to the FarmA couple escapes city life to pursue their dream of owning an abandoned New England farm, diving into humorous trials and unexpected adventures as they restore the land and homeste…
Level C1ClassicsThe Abandoned FarmerA delicate boy’s health prompts his parents to consider uprooting their urban life for a rustic farm, sparking hopes and doubts about trading city comforts for the unpredictability…
Level B2Science FictionThe Abandoned Country; or, Frank Reade, Jr., Exploring a New Continent.A daring explorer and a seasoned sailor recount their harrowing journey through icy seas to an uncharted, volcanic land beyond the Antarctic Circle—teeming with forests and wildlif…
Level B2Science FictionThe 4-D DoodlerIn a lab where fourth-dimensional space is dismissed as fantasy, a young assistant’s strange "four-dimensional doodles" hint at a hidden reality—and a breakthrough that could solve…
PoetryThe 3 Little KittensThree playful kittens embark on a charming adventure filled with lost mittens, gentle washing, and the unexpected arrival of Sir Mouser, weaving a delightful tale of curiosity and…
Level B2Children'sThe 20-Mule-Team brigadeJoin the daring 20-Mule-Team as they embark on lively adventures across the desert, facing battles, mishaps, and teamwork while showcasing the wonders of Borax in everyday life.
Level C1ClassicsThe 13th District: A Story of a CandidateA weary candidate returns to a raucous welcome from his loyal supporters in a bustling district, where political battles have tested his endurance and spirit.
Level C1RomanceThe 'Scots Brigade,' and other talesA young lieutenant in the famed Scots Brigade struggles to balance his forbidden love for the enchanting Dolores against his stern uncle's ironclad military discipline.
Level B2MysteryThe 'Phone Booth MysteryAs secret intelligence threatens to ignite a war between Great Powers, a young secretary races against time to decode crucial dispatches while navigating the enigmatic and unsettli…
Level C1ClassicsThe 'Mind the Paint' Girl: A Comedy in Four ActsIn London’s theatrical world, Lily Parradell’s drawing room becomes the stage for wit, romance, and social intrigue as friends and admirers converge amid flowers and gifts, reveali…
Level C1HistoricalThe 'Blackwood' GroupExplore the vibrant life and legacy of John Wilson, a towering Scottish literary figure whose wit and warmth shaped a brilliant circle of writers, blending spirited outdoor adventu…
Level B2ClassicsThe $30,000 Bequest, and Other StoriesIn a close-knit Western town, a humble bookkeeper and his wife receive news of a $30,000 inheritance—with strict conditions that test their resolve and dreams, sparking hope, secre…
Level C1HistoricalThe "free press"Explore the harsh realities behind the myth of a free press in America, revealing how democracy’s promise clashes with the immense financial and institutional barriers that limit w…
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.