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 C1FantasyPennsylvania Dutch Rip Van Winkle: A romantic drama in two actsIn a Pennsylvania Dutch village, Rip Van Winkle returns from the woods with tales and troubles, stirring gossip and jealousy among neighbors as old rivalries and romantic tensions…
Level C1ClassicsPenguin IslandA devoted monk renounces his royal heritage to lead a monastery, then feels called to spread the Gospel to pagan islanders worshiping a sacred fig tree.
Level B2AdventurePenelope's Progress: Being Such Extracts from the Commonplace Book of Penelope Hamilton As Relate to Her Experiences in ScotlandThree friends navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and society against the vibrant backdrop of Edinburgh and the Scottish countryside, revealing the charm and challenges…
Level C1Children'sPenelope's PostscriptsJourney alongside Penelope and her companions as they explore the enchanting landscapes and historic sites of Switzerland, blending whimsical reflections with rich cultural discove…
Level C1Children'sPenelope's Irish ExperiencesThree women embark on an unexpected Irish adventure, navigating friendships, love, and life's twists while their men are away.
Level C1Children'sPenelope's Experiences in Scotland: Being Extracts from the Commonplace Book of Penelope HamiltonThree friends with distinct tastes and tangled pasts reunite in Scotland, bringing humor and heart to their adventures as they navigate friendship, love, and the quirks that bind t…
Level C1Children'sPenelope's English Experiences: Being Extracts from the Commonplace Book of Penelope HamiltonThree women of different ages and means navigate the quirky challenges of life and expenses in a London hotel, balancing friendship, finances, and the amusing chaos of everyday liv…
Level B2Children'sPenelope and the Others: Story of Five Country ChildrenA thoughtful thirteen-year-old devises a heartfelt plan to replace her godmother’s cherished broken china figure, rallying her siblings to make the impossible possible.
Level C1GothicPenelope Brandling: A Tale of the Welsh coast in the Eighteenth CenturyAmidst the rugged Welsh coast in the eighteenth century, a young widow turns to her journal to unravel the mysterious calamities that uprooted her family from peaceful Switzerland…
Level C1RomancePenelopeCaught between love and social ambition, a noble lord schemes to win Penelope’s hand, hoping wealth and status will sway her heart.
Level C1ClassicsPencil Sketches; or, Outlines of Character and MannersA naval officer returns home after years at sea, eager to reconnect with his charming cousin and attend a grand country party.
Level C1ClassicsPen-portraits of literary womenExplore the lives and works of remarkable literary women, from the Brontës to Mary Shelley, enriched with vivid backgrounds and personal insights that reveal their struggles, achie…
Level C1HistoricalPen Pictures, of Eventful Scenes and Struggles of LifeAmid the untamed Mississippi River and its rugged frontier towns, an intrepid young man navigates treacherous waters, wild races, and perilous encounters, revealing vivid scenes of…
Level B2Science FictionPemrose Lorry, Camp Fire GirlA spirited Camp Fire Girl stands at the brink of a groundbreaking space adventure, ready to launch the Thunder Bird rocket and send humanity’s first message beyond Earth’s atmosphe…
Level C1ClassicsPembroke: A NovelIn a quiet New England village, stubborn wills clash over trivial disputes, revealing the deep, often hidden struggles of its residents.
Level C1Science FictionPellucidarA chance discovery of a mysterious telegraph instrument buried in the Sahara sparks a thrilling journey beneath the earth’s surface, where hidden worlds and unimaginable adventures…
Level C1HistoricalPelle the Conqueror — CompleteAmid the misty dawn of a Baltic fishing town, a young boy’s journey unfolds from rural apprenticeships to urban struggles, capturing the spirit of the labor movement and the resili…
Level C1ClassicsPelican Pool: A NovelIn the harsh, untamed wilderness of northern Australia, a remote mining camp stands as a fragile outpost against the relentless forces of nature and the encroaching wild.
Level C1AdventurePelham — CompleteBorn into a world of high society and scandal, a young heir navigates family secrets, debts, and eccentric relatives while uncovering the delicate balance between appearances and r…
Level B2Children'sPeggy-AloneA lonely girl named Alene, nicknamed Peggy-Alone, longs for friendship while visiting a grand house, where she meets a lively group of local girls and discovers simple joys like sh…
Level B1FantasyPeggy's GiantOn her lonely birthday, Peggy discovers a sparkling green ring that brings to life a gentle giant right in her nursery.
Level B2AdventurePeggy in ToylandAn eight-year-old girl with a kind heart discovers a mysterious island across the sea and befriends two weathered wooden figures that once led ships on daring adventures, unlocking…
Level B2Children'sPeggy in Her Blue FrockAmid the bittersweet move from their childhood home, lively Peggy and her younger sister Alice face change with curiosity and hope, discovering new friendships, a garden to tend, a…
Level B2Children'sPeggy Stewart, Navy Girl, at HomeA spirited girl with eyes as mysterious as the sea finds solace in her wild colt and loyal wolfhound amid the awakening Maryland spring.
Level C1Children'sPeggy Stewart at SchoolIn the sultry Maryland morning at Severndale, young Peggy Stewart faces unexpected changes as her seafaring father returns after years away, sparking a clash of old traditions and…
Level C1Children'sPeggy Raymond's Way; Or, Blossom Time at Friendly TerraceAs spring vacation begins, four determined friends confront post-war challenges, from high prices to shifting fashions, pledging to fight frivolity with thrift and hard work.
Level C1AdventurePeggy Raymond's Vacation; Or, Friendly Terrace TransplantedAs summer begins, Peggy yearns for the open country—winding roads, clucking hens, and endless skies—and when a surprising letter arrives, her lazy days on Friendly Terrace are tran…
Level B2Children'sPeggy Parsons, a Hampton FreshmanTwo inseparable friends, Peggy and Katherine, embark on their college journey together at Hampton, facing new adventures, friendships, and challenges while navigating the excitemen…
Level B2MysteryPeggy Parsons at Prep SchoolAt a strict finishing school, Peggy Parsons navigates new rules and unexpected adventures when a midnight serenade leads to a delightful mishap involving a rose tree and the school…
Level C1HistoricalPeggy O'NealIn a nation divided, a resolute General fights to preserve the Union, driven by a fierce loyalty to a vulnerable woman scorned by society.
Level B2ClassicsPegeenA weary painter escapes the city’s chaos for a rustic shack, seeking peace amid nature’s quiet beauty.
Level C1HistoricalPeg WoffingtonIn 18th-century London, struggling playwright Triplet wrestles with his fading dreams amid the gritty theater world, while a wealthy gentleman becomes captivated by the radiant and…
Level B2ClassicsPeg O' My HeartIn a small Irish village torn between tradition and rebellion, a fiery agitator returns to challenge the old priest's vision of peace.
Level C1ClassicsPeeps at People: Being Certain Papers from the Writings of Anne Warrington WitherupA determined writer embarks on a whimsical quest to find the elusive explorer Nansen, navigating London’s mysteries and icy adventures to uncover the man behind the legend—where ch…
Level C1ClassicsPeeps at PeopleExplore a lively collection of essays and sketches that capture the spirited essence of youth and the shifting tides of time, revealing the humor and humanity behind everyday peopl…
Level C1HistoricalPeculiar: A Tale of the Great TransitionIn a modest New York room, Emily Charlton battles illness and fading beauty while navigating strained family ties and a loveless marriage.
Level A2Children'sPeck's bad boy abroadA mischievous boy and his eccentric dad embark on a whirlwind journey across cities and countries, encountering quirky characters, royal audiences, and unexpected adventures that t…
Level B2Children'sPeck's Sunshine: Being a Collection of Articles Written for Peck's Sun,: Milwaukee, Wis. - 1882Delight in a collection of humorous, lighthearted tales and witty observations that explore everyday life, quirky characters, and social quirks with a cheerful spirit aimed to brig…
Level B2Children'sPeck's Compendium of Fun: Comprising the Choicest Gems of Wit, Humor, Sarcasm and Pathos of America's Favorite HumoristDiscover the hilarious chaos that ensues when a family gets their first coal stove, turning their home into a blazing hot mess.
Level B2AdventurePeck's Bad Boy with the CowboysA determined father sets out west to become the next Buffalo Bill, hiring cowboys, hunters, and an Indian interpreter to create the ultimate wild west show—if he can survive encoun…
Level B2Children'sPeck's Bad Boy with the CircusA mischievous boy joins his father, the new circus manager, for a whirlwind adventure behind the scenes, where daring stunts, wild animals, and hilarious mishaps create nonstop cha…
Level B1AdventurePeck's Bad Boy in an airshipA mischievous boy is sent to an orphanage while his father embarks on a globe-trotting mission to spy on airship technology for the government.
Level B2Children'sPeck's Bad Boy and His Pa: 1883Mischievous and full of spirit, a boy known for his clever pranks and boundless energy navigates the challenges of childhood alongside his stern but loving father.
Level C1Children'sPeccaviIn the quiet village of Long Stow, a simple church hides secrets beneath its summer leaves, where village life intertwines with curious characters and whispered tales.![Cover of Pebbles on the shore [by] Alpha of the plough by A. G. Gardiner](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6ggmapmtvc73csll9g.webp)
Level C1ClassicsPebbles on the shore [by] Alpha of the ploughReflecting on the quiet solitude of rural life during wartime, a writer adopts the pen name Alpha of the Plough to share intimate essays that capture the moods and musings stirred…
Level C1ClassicsPearls of ThoughtA rich collection of insightful maxims and reflections drawn from timeless literature invites readers to explore wisdom distilled into concise, thought-provoking passages.
Level C1HistoricalPearl-Maiden: A Tale of the Fall of JerusalemIn the turbulent Roman province of Palestine, prisoners face brutal gladiatorial combat and Christians await a savage fate in the amphitheatre, while political and religious tensio…
Level C1ClassicsPearl-Fishing; Choice Stories from Dickens' Household Words; First SeriesJourney through the English countryside to a quaint village where picturesque ruins and a charming vicarage set the stage for tales of refined poverty, romance, and the quiet beaut…
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.