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 C1RomanceTwo StudiosIn a hidden London studio, Charles Everitt pursues art with passion and independence, navigating the clash between creativity and commerce amid rumors, rivalry, and unexpected frie…
Level C1ClassicsTwo StrangersIn a damp autumn drawing-room, tensions stir as a young widow’s arrival piques curiosity and loyalty among family and friends, revealing complex bonds and unspoken stories beneath…
Level B2ClassicsTwo Slatterns and a King: A Moral InterludeIn a sharp moral interlude brought to life on stage, two wayward women and a king confront the complexities of virtue and vice, challenging societal expectations with wit and drama…
Level C1HistoricalTwo Sides of the Face: Midwinter TalesIn 1734 Cornwall, a defiant pewterer turns his home into a fortress against the law, sparking a tense standoff marked by bullet scars and local legends.
Level B2HistoricalTwo Royal FoesIn a German town shadowed by legend, young Bettina embarks on a journey woven with tales of ancient emperors and looming war.
Level C1ClassicsTwo PoetsIn a provincial town where printing is an art and politics a peril, a journeyman pressman grapples with ambition, loyalty, and survival amid the dawn of a new era.
Level B2PoetryTwo Poems: Class Day Poem; The Purple HillsExplore heartfelt verses capturing college memories and the serene beauty of Williamstown’s hills, penned by a poet whose words endure beyond his time.
Level C1PoetryTwo Poems Against Pope: One Epistle to Mr. A. Pope and the Blatant BeastBitter and scathing, these two poems launch relentless attacks on a celebrated satirist, revealing the fierce literary feuds and class tensions that shaped 18th-century poetic cult…
Level C1HistoricalTwo Penniless PrincessesIn a rugged Scottish castle amid turbulent times, two young sisters dream of escaping their harsh reality to join their beloved sister Margaret at the French court, where chivalry,…
Level C1ClassicsTwo Men: A Romance of SussexOn the windswept Sussex coast, a commanding father encounters his restless, unconventional son, setting the stage for a stirring tale of family ties, tradition, and personal confli…
Level C1HistoricalTwo Men of Sandy Bar: A DramaAmidst the foggy Rancho of the Blessed Innocents, a mysterious man assumes another’s identity to help a daring young woman escape her watchful father for a secret night out—where l…
Level B1AdventureTwo Little Women on a HolidayThree girls seize an unexpected chance for a week-long adventure in New York City, navigating family concerns and school commitments as they plan their exciting holiday away from h…
Level B2Children'sTwo Little WaifsTwo young siblings, dreaming of a distant father "over the sea," find comfort in imaginative play amid a life shadowed by absence and uncertainty.
Level B2AdventureTwo Little Savages: Being the adventures of two boys who lived as Indians and what they learnedTwo boys escape their strict upbringing to live as Indians, immersing themselves in nature and woodcraft while discovering the wild world and their own spirits.
Level B2AdventureTwo Little Pilgrims' Progress: A Story of the City BeautifulTwo determined siblings, Meg and Robin, struggle to find joy in their harsh life with Aunt Matilda on a vast Illinois farm.
Level C1HistoricalTwo Little ConfederatesIn the quiet Virginia plantation of Oakland, two young boys, Frank and Willy, navigate childhood adventures and the looming shadow of war.
Level C1AdventureTwo Knapsacks: A Novel of Canadian Summer LifeTwo bachelors, united by a love of literature and science, seek escape from city life for a tranquil summer filled with fishing, friendship, and adventure.
Level B1Children'sTwo Indian Children of Long AgoStep back to a time when vast lands belonged to the Native Americans, who thrived by living in harmony with nature—hunting, gathering, crafting, and celebrating life through dances…
Level C1MysteryTwo Ghostly Mysteries: A Chapter in the History of a Tyrone Family; and the Murdered CousinA young woman recounts the eerie disappearance of her ailing sister during a journey home, unraveling dark family secrets and mysterious events in the quiet countryside of Tyrone.
Level C2ClassicsTwo Gentlemen of VeronaTwo friends part ways as one pursues honor abroad while the other remains at home, consumed by love for Julia.
Level C1AdventureTwo Gallant Sons of Devon: A Tale of the Days of Queen BessTwo young men of Devon—an imaginative apothecary’s assistant and a strong, practical shipwright apprentice—set out one summer evening for a simple sail that soon plunges them into…
Level B2Children'sTwo FestivalsChildren eagerly prepare for a joyful May Day festival in the woods, crowned by a queen and king of May, but unexpected rain forces them to adapt their celebration, turning mishaps…![Cover of Two Dyaloges (c. 1549): Wrytten in laten by the famous clerke, D. Erasm[us] of Roterodame, one called Polyphemus or the gospeller, the other dysposyng of thynges and names, translated in to Englyshe by Edmonde Becke. by Desiderius Erasmus](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6p00a2orus73fpjq2g.webp)
Level C1PhilosophyTwo Dyaloges (c. 1549): Wrytten in laten by the famous clerke, D. Erasm[us] of Roterodame, one called Polyphemus or the gospeller, the other dysposyng of thynges and names, translated in to Englyshe by Edmonde Becke.In a lively exchange between Poliphemus and Cannius, the nature of language, names, and scripture sparks thoughtful debate, inviting readers into a witty philosophical dialogue on…
Level B2MysteryTwo Days' Solitary Imprisonment: 1898Confined by illness and restless, Joseph Kilgore’s imagination traps him in a haunting fantasy of wrongful accusation and social isolation.
Level B2AdventureTwo Daring Young Patriots; or, Outwitting the HunsTwo determined young patriots navigate fierce rivalries and unexpected betrayals within their school rowing crew as they prepare for a pivotal race, all while facing the looming th…
Level C1ClassicsTwo College FriendsTwo college friends navigate the complexities of loyalty and secrecy when one hides a budding romance, stirring jealousy and concern.
Level B2ClassicsTwo Christmas Stories: Sam Franklin's Savings-Bank; A Miserable Christmas and a Happy New YearA hardworking man surprises himself by saving money on a modest wage, sparking secret pride and growing anxiety as his hidden savings multiply.
Level B2ClassicsTwo Christmas CelebrationsIn a time when ancient traditions clash with emerging beliefs, a humble carpenter's son named Jesus grows up amid shifting hopes for a great Deliverer.
Level B2AdventureTwo Boys of the Battleship; Or, For the Honor of Uncle SamTwo brothers brave a fierce storm at sea in their sturdy dory, racing against nature to reach the safety of Fire Island’s inlet.
Level B2AdventureTwo Boys in Wyoming: A Tale of Adventure: (Northwest Series, No. 3)Two determined boys, rivals on the football field yet steadfast friends off it, embark on rugged adventures through Wyoming's wild landscapes.
Level B2Children'sTwo Boys and a Fortune; Or, The Tyler WillWhen a frail man collapses on a dangerous railway trestle, four determined siblings find themselves drawn into a mystery of money, family, and unexpected fortune in a small Pennsyl…
Level B2AdventureTwo Boy Gold Miners; Or, Lost in the MountainsAs a relentless drought threatens their family farm, two determined brothers set out on a daring quest to find fortune and secure a better future amidst the unforgiving mountains.
Level B2AdventureTwo Arrows: A Story of Red and WhiteA starving Nez Percé band struggles for survival in a desolate mountain camp, where drought and locusts have ravaged their land and even their ponies rebel.
Level B2AdventureTwo American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle FleetTwo American cousins navigate the treacherous waters of the Dardanelles amid World War I, hoping to reunite with a lost brother while witnessing history unfold where ancient legend…
Level B2AdventureTwo American Boys with the Allied ArmiesTwo American cousins navigate the war-torn fields of Belgium, climbing a battered windmill to scout enemy movements while grappling with a personal mission and the haunting fate of…
Level B2AdventureTwo American Boys in the War ZoneTwo American boys embark on a daring journey to Russia amid political unrest, navigating unfamiliar lands and cultures with courage and resourcefulness.
Level A2Children'sTwinkle Toes and His Magic MittensIn a cozy woodland home, Twinkle Toes and his magical travelling bags lead three little kittens on enchanting adventures filled with friendship, stories, and unexpected surprises h…
Level C1ClassicsTwin Tales: Are All Men Alike, and, The Lost TitianA spirited young heiress chafes against the stifling expectations of her wealthy world, craving freedom and adventure beyond the gilded cage of high society.
Level B1Children'sTwilight storiesGather around the fire as Aunt Ruth shares heartfelt stories and daily promises from the Bible, guiding children through spiritual lessons woven into everyday moments.
Level C1ClassicsTwilight sleepIn a whirlwind of New York society’s relentless schedules and social causes, a young woman navigates her demanding mother’s tireless activism and the restless energy of youth seeki…
Level B2FantasyTwilight LandStep into Twilight Land, a magical realm where legendary characters like Aladdin and Cinderella gather to share tales in the cozy Inn of the Sign of Mother Goose.
Level C1ClassicsTwilightSeeking solitude to escape illness and intrusive loved ones, a woman rents a shabby seaside house where she discovers mysterious letters and diaries hinting at haunting secrets.
Level C1HistoricalTwice-Told TalesIn a tense New England gripped by tyranny under King James II, townspeople gather amid fear and whispered rebellion as Governor Andros parades his troops, stirring a silent but pow…
Level B2AdventureTwice LostA young midshipman embarks on his first voyage aboard the sloop-of-war Heroine, facing pirate attacks and unexpected detours as he sails towards the Pacific.
Level C1ClassicsTwice Killed: A Farce in One ActA lovestruck suitor plots a daring rescue to reach his secret beloved hidden behind guarded windows, while a devoted servant schemes to win his own sweetheart with an unusual gift.
Level B2AdventureTwice BoughtIn the rugged goldfields of Oregon, Tom Brixton battles the harsh realities of luck, gambling, and betrayal, determined to reclaim what was stolen by cheating—while his friend Fred…
Level C1ClassicsTwenty-six and One, and Other StoriesImmerse yourself in vivid tales drawn from the harsh realities of a baker's cellar and the wandering life of tramps, where raw human struggles and resilience unfold with unflinchin…
Level B2Children'sTwenty-Two Goblins. Translated from the SanskritIn a mystical kingdom by the Godavari River, a brave king embarks on a strange night-time quest involving a magical monk, enchanted fruits, and a talking goblin’s tales.
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.