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'sStories from Hans AndersenA wicked demon creates a mirror that distorts beauty and goodness, shattering into shards that twist the world’s view and freeze hearts like ice.
Level C1Children'sStories from Everybody's MagazineAn imaginative eleven-year-old girl, enchanted by romantic novels, secretly falls for her college-aged neighbor and weaves vivid fantasies of love while navigating her lively seasi…
Level B1HistoricalStories from English HistoryJourney back to ancient Britain, where fierce tribes clash with ambitious Roman invaders in a land of wild forests and untamed warriors.
Level C1Children'sStories for the Young; Or, Cheap Repository Tracts: Entertaining, Moral, and Religious. Vol. VI.A cunning poacher and his family survive on the moor through beggary, trickery, and theft, struggling between sloth and survival.
Level B1PoetryStories for children: A book for all little girls and boysFollow Corinne as she discovers the enchanting Fairy of the Rose, who rewards her innocence with magical gifts and sweet songs, teaching the joys of kindness and obedience in a wor…
Level C1Children'sStories for HelenA mischievous girl’s careless words spark unintended consequences at home, teaching valuable lessons about discretion and kindness.
Level B2AdventureStories for BoysA young reporter, hardened by three years covering disasters, crime, and political upheaval, longs for a break from the relentless chaos of New York newsrooms to write his novel—un…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: SpanishIn the serene pine groves near the Escurial, a civil engineer recounts a mysterious tale of love, loss, and supernatural events that defy reason and science, challenging the skepti…
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: ScandinavianA wealthy parish leader navigates the joys and sorrows of fatherhood, facing profound loss and seeking redemption in a tale of faith, family, and the enduring hope for a true bless…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: RussianIn a gloomy Moscow courtyard, Gerasim, a deaf and mute giant, struggles to adapt from a life of rural labor to servitude as a porter under a cold widow.
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: Polish, Greek, Belgian, HungarianAn aging soldier, weathered by battles and wanderings, seeks solace as the new lighthouse keeper on a remote, rocky island where isolation and duty converge amid treacherous waters…
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: ItalianAs Italy braces for the army's advance on Rome, a young patriot defies his family's fears and sets out to witness history firsthand, igniting a clash of ideals and emotions within…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: German — Volume 2Step into 18th-century Leipzig with Christian Gellert, a beloved poet and moral philosopher wrestling with the true meaning of honor, fame, and the impact of his teachings on youth…
Level C1ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: German — Volume 1A determined young woman named Laurella defies local gossip and sets sail for Capri with a kindly priest, carrying a mysterious bundle and a fierce independence in a vibrant coasta…
Level C1AdventureStories by English Authors: The SeaA chief mate survives a mysterious fall overboard near a newly emerged volcanic island, setting the stage for a tale of survival and strange adventure on the open sea.
Level C1AdventureStories by English Authors: The Orient (Selected by Scribners)Two daring wanderers navigate the perilous railways and wild frontiers of India, caught between intrigue and survival as they chase messages, secrets, and the elusive promise of a…
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: Scotland (Selected by Scribners)In a lively Scottish village, Sam’l Dickie navigates rivalry, romance, and local gossip as he courts T’nowhead’s Bell, facing competition from Little Sanders Elshioner and the watc…
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: London (Selected by Scribners)In a London club where waiters blend into the background, one man’s inattentive service sparks a surprising shift in their quiet relationship, revealing the unseen lives and tensio…
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: IrelandAn old Irish gentleman’s servant, Pat, spins a wild tale of survival after their ship sinks in the Atlantic, leaving them adrift with dwindling supplies and hope amid the vast, unf…
Level B2ClassicsStories by English Authors: Germany (Selected by Scribners)A young woman arrives alone at a Swiss hotel, tuning the piano with a passion that surprises onlookers and sparks curiosity.
Level C1ClassicsStories by English Authors: EnglandA chance encounter on an 1847 train journey sparks a delicate dance of attraction and wit between a captivating lady and a charming cavalry officer, set against the mysterious back…
Level B2MysteryStories by English Authors: Africa (Selected by Scribners)In the wilds of Cape Colony, two down-on-their-luck friends face eerie legends and unexpected dangers when a mysterious fiend haunts Sasassa Valley, threatening their fate as they…
Level C1HistoricalStories by American Authors, Volume 9In post-Civil War Virginia, a reflective journey uncovers fading mansions and memories of a bygone era, centered on Marse Chan, a young master whose life intertwines with loyal ser…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 8In the tense darkness before battle, a brigade commander’s ruthless leadership stirs fierce loyalty among his soldiers, who brace for a fight that will test their courage and camar…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 7In a lively Southern town where charm and hardship intertwine, a kind-hearted bishop befriends Demming, a witty vagabond whose tales and antics reveal the complexities beneath pict…
Level B2ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 6A young man recently released from prison returns to his small village, where suspicion and sympathy mingle as he struggles to rebuild his life amid wary neighbors and old ties.
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 5A disillusioned man returns to America, grappling with lost pleasures and searching for meaning in a familiar yet changed world.
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 3Step into a theater where the boundaries between sound and thought blur, and discover a mysterious nook that reveals the secret inner lives of a diverse audience, unveiling hidden…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 2A mysterious ghost haunts the country home of John Hinckman, but this spirit’s existence is far from ordinary—tied to a strange case of mistaken death and uneasy secrets beneath th…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 10In the charming city of Monterey, where centuries-old traditions and picturesque streets enchant, young Pancha cherishes her humble home amidst the vibrant life of her beloved town…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 1A man reflects on a mysterious encounter at Wampsocket Springs, where a secretive woman’s footprints lead him to a wild, enchanting glen—a place both lonely and captivating, where…
Level C1ClassicsStories by American Authors (Volume 4)A young, successful literary man in Rome finds his orderly life disrupted when a mysterious woman named Miss Grief persistently calls on him without explanation, igniting curiosity…
Level C1PoetryStories and ballads for young folksAmidst cold winter winds and quiet rooms, a playful child surprises a wounded lieutenant with laughter and warmth, weaving moments of innocence and care.
Level C1ClassicsStories and Sketches by our best authorsA young physician, haunted by loss and professional struggles, receives an unexpected invitation to treat a mysterious illness involving mental disease, challenging his skills and…
Level B2ClassicsStories and SketchesIn a rural farming village, a mysterious, aged-looking boy named Terry Dolan carries the weight of a harsh past from Ireland while battling loneliness and fear in his new home, whe…
Level C1ClassicsStories and PicturesIn a world where faith, superstition, and daily struggles intertwine, the mysterious Rebbe of Nemirov vanishes every Friday morning, sparking curiosity and wonder among his communi…
Level C1AdventureStories and Legends of Travel and History, for ChildrenExplore enchanting parks, grand palaces, and heroic tales across England and Ireland, where royal history and local legends come alive through the eyes of children discovering the…
Level B2AdventureStories about —Enter a cozy evening filled with lively tales of mischievous monkeys, drawn from personal encounters rather than books.
Level B2Children'sStories Worth RereadingA young boy receives a mysterious series of secret instructions from his father, setting him on a suspenseful journey of obedience and discovery that will test his character and co…
Level C1ClassicsStories That End WellA young socialist heiress inspired by an idealistic vision of a better society hires a cook and maid to help her transform her household with modern conveniences and a new way of l…
Level C1ClassicsStories By English Authors: Italy (Selected by Scribners)In the shadow of a grand estate, a delicate young man named Richard Luscombe navigates the high-stakes thrill of gambling and speculation, revealing the risks and passions hidden b…
Level C1HistoricalStories By English Authors: France (Selected by Scribners)In a snowbound Paris of 1456, Master Francis Villon, a sharp-witted poet and rogue, gathers with a motley crew of thieves and schemers to weave mischief and verse through a bitter…
Level B2Children'sStories About IndiansExplore the lives, customs, and heroic tales of Native American tribes through vivid stories of bravery, gratitude, and cleverness, revealing their rich culture, traditions, and en…
Level B2HistoricalStories About IndiansExplore vivid tales of Native American life, from the construction of wigwams and warrior bravery to acts of gratitude and clever stratagems, revealing the rich culture and history…
Level C1Children'sStopping the leakA sharp-eyed aunt visits her nephew’s household, uncovering hidden troubles beneath the surface of a young couple’s new life.
Level B2Science FictionStopoverIn a post-war world fractured by atomic devastation, a weary young Searcher with mysterious powers arrives in a small town, seeking lost family and a place to belong.
Level C1ClassicsStonepasturesIn a grim industrial town where narrow-gauge tracks replace streets, workers endure perilous labor, poverty, and the haunting cinder flare known as "The eye of God.
Level C1AdventureStoneheart: A RomanceTwo strangers bound by an instant, unexplainable sympathy forge a powerful alliance amid the rugged Sierra Madre, ready to face unknown dangers and secrets together.
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.