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 C1ClassicsTravelling SketchesA family's autumn tour abroad reveals the humorous struggles and shifting dynamics as they navigate foreign sights, social expectations, and the realities of travel, all while tryi…
Level B2Children'sTravellers' StoriesTwo curious boys beg their mother to recount her adventurous European travels, setting sail on a vivid journey across stormy seas, icy wonders, and foreign shores filled with disco…
Level C1ClassicsTravelers Five Along Life's Highway: Jimmy, Gideon Wiggan, the Clown, Wexley Snathers, Bap. SloanFive distinct travelers journey along life’s challenging highway, each embodying the joys, sorrows, and mysteries of human experience, revealing the profound connections and dramas…
Level C1HistoricalTransplantedIn bustling San Francisco, eleven-year-old Lee navigates the chaotic streets and cares for her ailing mother, finding freedom and resilience amid the vibrant, relentless cityscape.
Level C1PoetryTranslations of Shakuntala and Other WorksDiscover the enchanting legends and poetic genius behind a revered Sanskrit master whose mysterious life unfolds through tales of love, curses, and royal courts, revealing a timele…
Level C1PoetryTranslations of German Poetry in American Magazines 1741-1810Explore the early American fascination with German poetry and culture through rare magazine translations and original works, tracing the growing influence of German literature on A…
Level C1ClassicsTranslations from the German (Vol 3 of 3): Tales by Musæus, Tieck, RichterA wealthy merchant’s ostentatious display of wealth conceals a precarious fortune, inherited by his carefree son who squanders it in lavish feasts and folly.
Level C2PoetryTranslations from LucretiusExplore profound reflections on nature, the cosmos, and human sensation woven through poetic verses that challenge perception and reveal ancient wisdom on life and the universe.
Level B2Science FictionTransientA biologist's computer begins spitting out cryptic astrological messages instead of scientific data, hinting at a mysterious malfunction—or something more uncanny.
Level C1ClassicsTraits of American Humour, Vol. 3 of 3Explore the rich tapestry of American humor shaped by diverse regions and cultures, from the stern Puritan origins of New England to the inventive, resilient spirit of the Yankee,…
Level C1ClassicsTraits of American Humour, Vol. 2 of 3Explore the rich diversity of American humor shaped by regional quirks, history, and character—from the hardy, inventive Yankees of New England to the rollicking spirits of the Wes…
Level C1ClassicsTraits of American Humour, Vol. 1 of 3Explore the rich diversity of American humor shaped by distinct regional cultures, from the stern Puritanical East to the lively, inventive West, revealing a complex blend of pract…
Level C1HistoricalTraitor or patriot?Amid the vibrant May Day festivities at a Hertfordshire farm, young Ruth Rumbold, daughter of the Rye House maltster, captures hearts with her unassuming beauty and quiet strength.
Level C1RomanceTraitor and True: A RomanceIn the bustling heart of Paris, two former officers navigate a dangerous game of loyalty and love, where a mysterious woman’s fierce devotion intertwines with political intrigue an…
Level B2AdventureTrailin'!Two hardened men watch a dazzling Wild West show in New York, unimpressed by the daredevil horsebreakers, until one challenges the wild mustangs with his own fearless stunt—ready t…
Level B2HistoricalTrail-Tales of Western CanadaIn the rugged mining and lumber camps of Western Canada, a young missionary arrives to confront hardship and despair, guided by Old Ken, a flawed but fiercely loyal prospector whos…
Level B2AdventureTrail and Trading Post; or, The Young Hunters of the OhioTwo young hunters navigate the dangers of the Ohio frontier after the French and Indian War, tracking elusive buffalo while wary of lingering Native American hostilities.
Level C1RomanceTragic Romances: Re-issue of the Shorter Stories of Fiona Macleod; Rearranged, with Additional TalesIn the mist-shrouded hills of Strathglas, a family grapples with sorrow and destiny amid relentless rain and haunting landscapes.
Level B2MysteryTragedy at RavensthorpeWhen Sir Clinton Driffield arrives as the new Chief Constable, a masked ball at Ravensthorpe promises secrets and surprises, but beneath the festive guise lurks a mystery only his…
Level C1HistoricalTragedyExplore the evolution of English tragedy from the 16th century onward, uncovering how plays blend destructive actions and profound suffering to shape the drama's unique power, whil…
Level C1PoetryTraffics and DiscoveriesIn a wartime prison camp, an American inventor-turned-captive bonds over scarce newspapers and tales of invention, revealing the resilience and dignity of those caught between conf…
Level C2MysteryTraffic in Souls: A Novel of Crime and Its CureIn the shadowed streets of New York, a lone officer witnesses the grim struggle of a woman caught in the merciless grip of crime and exploitation.
Level C1HistoricalTrafalgar: A TaleA boy from the rough streets of Cadiz grows up amidst the thrilling naval battles of his era, dreaming of the sea and the mysteries of warships.
Level C1ClassicsTraditions of Lancashire, Volume 2Explore the rich lore and history of Lancashire, where ancient halls, family legends, and local folklore intertwine—unveiling tales of haunted mills, noble estates, and daring enco…
Level C1Children'sTraditional Nursery Songs of England, With Pictures by Eminent Modern ArtistsDelight in a charming collection of traditional English nursery songs, brought to life with whimsical illustrations and timeless melodies that spark joy, rhyme, and rhythm for chil…
Level B2Children'sTradingOn a snowy Christmas Eve, Matilda prepares for a dazzling party in a warmly lit house, but her thoughts linger on those less fortunate in the cold.
Level C1ClassicsTracy Park: A NovelWhen Arthur Tracy unexpectedly returns to claim his ancestral estate, his brother Frank faces the threat of losing the luxurious life he’s built at Tracy Park, setting the stage fo…
Level C1ClassicsTracks of a Rolling StoneA vivid memoir unfolds through childhood memories intertwined with historical moments, from royal encounters to family tales of battle.
Level C1MysteryTracks in the snowWhen Eustace Peters is found murdered in his bed, the local rector, once his friend, must unravel the mystery behind the enigmatic man's life and death amidst the quiet parish of L…
Level C1MysteryTrackers of the Fog Pack; Or, Jack Ralston Flying BlindTwo skilled aviators and Secret Service agents, restless during a peaceful San Diego respite, yearn for action amid the serene coastal calm.
Level B2MysteryTracked to his lair; or, The pursuit of the Midnight RaiderUnder a moonlit Arizona sky, ranch owner Sam Bowser is jolted awake by a chilling scream that hints at danger nearby.
Level B2MysteryTracked by a Tattoo: A MysteryA mysterious tattoo becomes the key to unraveling a labyrinth of crime and intrigue, as a clever detective follows elusive clues through a maze of startling and inexplicable facts…
Level B2MysteryTracked by WirelessA skilled wireless expert detects a mysterious signal at the same time every evening, unlike any known code, sparking his quest to uncover its origin using his secret amplifier and…
Level B2AdventureTrack's End: Being the Narrative of Judson Pitcher's Strange Winter Spent There as Told by Himself and Edited by Hayden Carruth Including an Accurate Account of His Numerous Adventures, and the Facts Concerning His Several Surprising Escapes from Death Now First Printed in FullAn eighteen-year-old leaves his Ohio home to face a harsh winter in the untamed Dakota Territory, encountering wild landscapes, fierce prairie fires, and the rugged life of a new r…
Level C1MysteryTraced and Tracked; Or, Memoirs of a City DetectiveA street-smart Yorkshire thief and a cunning local pedestrian clash in Edinburgh, each using speed and wit to outmaneuver the other in a high-stakes race and a web of crime and dec…
Level B2MysteryToying with fate; or, Nick Carter's narrow shaveA mysterious old man lingers outside an abandoned house in snowy New York, his sorrow and confusion drawing the attention of a watchful policeman—unravel the secrets behind his hau…
Level C1PoetryTown and Country; Or, Life at Home and Abroad, Without and Within UsA fallen merchant, crushed by financial ruin, descends into a world of deceit alongside a band of cunning conspirators, while a secret betrayal threatens to unravel their dangerous…
Level C1ClassicsTown Versus CountryA country father fears his son has been spoiled by city life and luxury, while his daughter hopes for his return to the family farm.
Level C1ClassicsTower of Ivory: A NovelIn vibrant Munich, young diplomat John Ordham becomes captivated by the enigmatic opera singer Margarethe Styr, whose commanding presence on stage stirs deep, unsettling emotions.
Level C1PoetryToward the GulfUnveil the haunting voices of a small American town through a series of epigrams blending irony, tenderness, and satire.
Level C1FantasyTourmalin's Time ChequesAboard the steamer Boomerang, Peter Tourmalin wrestles with boredom and a spicy curry as he navigates the social currents of his voyage home, all while balancing the weight of an u…
Level B2AdventureTour of the Zero ClubA thrilling winter adventure unfolds as Harry Webb and his friends race rival toboggan teams down icy hills, facing daring challenges and fierce competition amid the snowy exciteme…
Level C1AdventureTough yarns, vol. 2 (of 2)Set sail on gripping naval adventures filled with ghostly tales, daring feats, and the haunting struggles of a young sailor confronting fear, superstition, and the perils of the se…
Level C1AdventureTough yarns, vol. 1 (of 2)Dive into a world where seasoned sailors spin vivid tales of the sea, blending humor, courage, and the rich language of the waves.
Level C1ClassicsTouch and Go: A Play in Three ActsIn a world where theatre often reduces people to mere roles or parts, this play challenges the stage to show true human beings—complex individuals caught in the raw realities of la…
Level A2AdventureToto, the Bustling Beaver: His Many AdventuresA lively young beaver named Toto ventures out onto the icy river, sparking a search by his worried family and friends as winter’s chill surrounds their cozy, underwater lodge.
Level B2FantasyToto's Merry WinterIn a cozy kitchen where firelight brings pots and kettles to life, a boy named Toto shares whimsical winter days with his animal friends—a raccoon, a bear, and a pig—blurring the l…
Level B2ClassicsTorwood's trustA young man battles against a cunning uncle’s schemes that threaten to steal his inheritance and separate him from his loved ones.
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.