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'sPop-Guns: One Serious and One FunnyJoin a lively group of children as they become the spirited "Pop-gun Children," learning valuable lessons about kindness and good habits through playful tales filled with warmth an…
Level B2Children'sPoor and Proud; Or, The Fortunes of Katy Redburn: A Story for Young FolksIn a struggling coastal town, young Katy Redburn faces poverty and pride with courage and kindness as she seeks to care for her sick mother and navigate the challenges of childhood…
Level C1HistoricalPoor White: A NovelIn a bleak Missouri river town where poverty and despair reign, young Hugh McVey struggles to rise above his harsh upbringing and find purpose, guided by a stern yet caring station…
Level C1ClassicsPoor RelationsIn a Parisian world of bitter envy and hidden malice, a cunning woman sets out to destroy her prosperous relatives, weaving a dark tale of deceit, rivalry, and the corrosive power…
Level C1RomancePoor Miss FinchIn a quiet English corner, a blind girl’s life intertwines with twin brothers, a skilled surgeon, and a mysterious foreign woman, revealing the complexities of human nature and the…
Level C1ClassicsPoor JackBorn into a naval family steeped in seafaring tradition and eccentric characters, a young man recounts his father’s adventures aboard the frigate Druid, navigating pride, seasickne…
Level C1ClassicsPoor FolkIn a humble tenement filled with a mix of strangers, a tender correspondence unfolds between two souls clinging to hope and love amid hardship, revealing the quiet struggles and he…
Level B2Children'sPoor Blossom: The Story of a HorseBorn into a world where horses serve man, a young colt learns early lessons about kindness, duty, and the complex relationship between master and beast.
Level C1HistoricalPonteach; Or, The Savages of AmericaA soldier and frontiersman recounts his tumultuous experiences with Native American tribes during the French and Indian War, revealing alliances, betrayals, and the harsh realities…
Level C1ClassicsPonkapog PapersStep into a world of witty reflections and vivid sketches, where an author's keen observations paint a portrait of society, art, and human nature with humor and insight.
Level B2ClassicsPomona's Travels: A Series of Letters to the Mistress of Rudder Grange from her Former HandmaidenAn uneducated yet sharp-witted young woman embarks on a journey through England and Scotland with her husband, documenting their adventures and cultural discoveries in a series of…
Level C1PoetryPomegranates from an English Garden: A selection from the poems of Robert BrowningDive into a rich selection of intense, thought-provoking poems that challenge the reader to uncover deep human emotions and ideas hidden beneath a rugged, unconventional style.
Level C1ClassicsPolyeucteAn Armenian noble wrestles between his Christian faith and the love of his wife amid a tense political and spiritual conflict.
Level B2Children'sPollyanna Grows UpA spirited young nurse confronts her sister's deep sorrow and bitterness, challenging her to embrace hope and purpose beyond grief.
Level B2HistoricalPollyannaA stern woman reluctantly agrees to care for her late sister’s lively eleven-year-old daughter, whose arrival promises to stir the quiet household and challenge its somber ways.
Level B2Children'sPolly: A New-Fashioned GirlUnder a scorching July sun, a spirited girl named Polly sneaks through fields and gardens, capturing the attention of birds and family alike.
Level C1RomancePolly: A Christmas RecollectionIn a Southern estate ruled by a cantankerous Colonel, young Polly wields unexpected power over family and servants alike, navigating loyalty and hardship amid the shadow of a drunk…
Level B2Children'sPolly's senior year at boarding schoolReturning as seniors to Seddon Hall, Polly and Lois navigate the excitement and challenges of their final year, balancing old friendships with new faces amid the vibrant autumn set…
Level B2Children'sPolly's first year at boarding schoolThirteen-year-old Polly leaves her quiet New England life to face the bustling halls of Seddon Hall boarding school, where new friendships, mysterious teachers, and the challenges…
Level B2RomancePolly's Business VentureReturning to America with a mysterious wireless message in hand, Polly Brewster navigates friendship, flirtation, and the thrill of a secret admirer aboard an Atlantic liner—where…
Level C1RomancePolly the Pagan: Her Lost Love LettersCaught between the rigid traditions of European society and the free spirit of America, a woman navigates love and identity amid cultural clashes and diplomatic intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsPolly of the CircusAmid the dazzling chaos of the Great American Circus, Polly, a young acrobat with a tender heart, watches a newcomer take on the perilous "Leap of Death" stunt, revealing the harsh…
Level B2Children'sPolly of Pebbly PitOn a remote farm nestled in a volcanic crater, young Polly tends to her beloved burro, Noddy, whose near-tragic accident reveals the deep bond between them and the wild, untamed la…
Level C1Children'sPolly and the PrincessAt the June Holiday Home, young Polly Dudley visits her ailing friend Miss Sterling, whose mysterious illness and fading beauty stir whispers and hopes among the residents.
Level C1Children'sPolly Oliver's ProblemIn a quaint New England village, a spirited young girl navigates childhood adventures and challenges, drawing inspiration from the picturesque surroundings and her close-knit famil…
Level C1HistoricalPolitics: A Treatise on GovernmentExplore the foundation of society as a legislator crafts a community aimed at the good life, blending ethics with governance.
Level B2Science FictionPolitical ApplicationIn a near-future world where matter transference is real, a physicist’s disappearance triggers a bodyguard’s hunt through political intrigue and scientific wonders—like a living Ne…
Level A2Children'sPolite bunnyPretty Bunny Manners, eager to practice good manners, receives an invitation from her lonely Aunt Etiquette and prepares for a special visit filled with kindness, surprises, and th…
Level C1ClassicsPolite Conversation in Three DialoguesStep into the sharp wit and biting irony of early 18th-century society, where polished manners mask the lively, often coarse realities of polite conversation.
Level C1MysteryPolice!!!A man flees the New York police, his mind racing with thoughts on science, art, and society while pursued through the city.
Level C1ClassicsPole Baker: A NovelA planter returns to his mountain land, greeted by colorful locals including Pole Baker, a fearless former moonshiner with a fierce reputation and dangerous enemies.
Level C1Science FictionPolaris of the SnowsIn an isolated Arctic refuge, a young man named Polaris confronts the haunting death of his father and the chilling wilderness that surrounds him, as howling dogs and relentless wi…
Level C1Science FictionPolaris and the Goddess GlorianIn the frozen Antarctic wilderness, Polaris Janess embarks on a perilous journey to rescue a lost kingdom of ancient Greeks threatened by vanishing volcanic fires.
Level C1AdventurePoker Jim, Gentleman, and Other Tales and SketchesStep into the rugged world of California’s early mining days, where real characters like Poker Jim and old-time prospectors share tales of adventure, lost legends, and the relentle…
Level C1ClassicsPoison: A FarceA sharp-witted farce unfolds as characters navigate a tangled web of misunderstandings and comedic mishaps.
Level C1MysteryPoison shadowsIn the glittering world of high society, a desperate countess schemes to secure a wealthy marriage for her stubborn ward, entangling love, money, and deception along the Belgian co…
Level B2AdventurePoison IslandA young boy's life changes forever when he encounters the mysterious Captain Coffin in 1813 Falmouth, setting him on a perilous journey toward a deadly island shrouded in secrets a…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of frictionExplore the tension between history’s grand events and everyday life as this collection of essays reflects on human endurance, the significance of historic moments, and the fatigue…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of ViewExplore a thoughtful critique on the fading art of humor and the rise of solemn seriousness in literature, questioning whether laughter still has a place in a world increasingly do…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 2 (of 2)Dive into a world of whimsical characters and eccentric humor, where a jealous hunchback lord courts a fair maiden amidst quirky minstrels and absurd antics—each scene vividly brou…
Level C1ClassicsPoints of Humour, Part 1 (of 2)Dive into a world where wit and vivid illustrations bring to life a gallery of humorous anecdotes and lively characters, from jolly beggars to spirited vagrants, all captured with…
Level B2Science FictionPoint of DepartureAn administrative officer is caught in a web of mystery involving a missing $300,000, stolen letters, and a secretive expedition to Egypt.
Level C2PoetryPoint Lace and DiamondsExplore a richly woven collection of poems and dramatic pieces that delve into love, society, and timeless human emotions, from youthful dreams and marital journeys to parables and…
Level B2ClassicsPoganuc People: Their Loves and LivesStep into a cozy New England kitchen where a spirited young woman kneads dough and shares the curious holiday preparations at her church, unveiling the warmth and traditions of a c…
Level C1HistoricalPoets of the South: A Series of Biographical and Critical Studies with Typical Poems, AnnotatedExplore the rich, often overlooked poetic heritage of the American South through vivid biographical and critical portraits of its leading poets.
Level B2HistoricalPoets and Dreamers: Studies and translations from the IrishTwo old women debate the fierce rivalry between two legendary Irish poets, Raftery and Callinan, whose songs and sharp tongues still echo through the memories of their homeland.
Level C1PoetryPoetry: A Magazine of Verse, Volume 01: October-March, 1912-13Step into a world where ancient kings and their legacies are immortalized through the power of words and song, illuminating the timeless struggle to preserve glory and wisdom again…
Level C1HistoricalPoetry of the Anti-Jacobin: Comprising the Celebrated Political and Satirical Poems, of the Rt. Hons. G. Canning, John Hookham Frere, W. Pitt, the Marquis Wellesley, G. Ellis, W. Gifford, the Earl of Carlisle, and Others.Sharp political and satirical poems from the turbulent era of 1797-98 expose the fierce conflicts between Britain and revolutionary France, capturing the wit and turmoil of a natio…
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.