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 C1ClassicsPagan PapersJourney along ancient English roads that seem to lead themselves, each path whispering tales of history, nature, and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsPadre Ignacio; Or, The Song of TemptationIn the tranquil mission of Santa Ysabel del Mar, Padre Ignacio longs for a glimpse of the world he left behind, torn between the serene beauty of his exile and the restless memorie…
Level C1ClassicsPaddy-The-Next-Best-ThingStruggling to choose a blouse that matches her colorful wardrobe, lively Paddy Adair enlists her dreamy sister’s help amid playful banter and unexpected visits.
Level B2AdventurePaddy FinnIn the heart of Ireland, young Terence navigates the trials of Castle Ballinahone with his wise uncle, Major McMahon, whose military past and sharp prudence contrast the family's g…
Level C1HistoricalPabo, the Priest: A NovelKing Henry Beauclerk battles a mysterious internal ailment likened to a rampaging salamander, while navigating tense alliances with Welsh nobility, including the beautiful and defi…
Level C1ClassicsPablo de Segovia, the Spanish SharperFollow the cunning exploits of Pablo de Segovia, a sharp-witted trickster navigating schools, universities, and the bustling streets of Madrid, as he weaves through a world of knav…
Level C1ClassicsP.'s Correspondence (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")A mind caught between past and present blurs reality as a confined man journeys through vivid, spectral encounters with historic figures like Lord Byron.
Level B2AdventureP. T. Barnum's MenagerieStep into a world of wonder as children explore exotic animals—from playful elephants to fierce lions—under the guidance of a curious showman.
Level C1ClassicsP'laski's Tunament: 1891In a Virginia county steeped in history, an esteemed visitor known as "Old Hanover" arrives with a grand entourage, sharing tales of loyalty, lineage, and the enduring ties to a va…
Level B2FantasyOzma of Oz: A Record of Her Adventures with Dorothy Gale of Kansas, the Yellow Hen, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Tiktok, the Cowardly Lion, and the Hungry Tiger; Besides Other Good People too Numerous to Mention Faithfully Recorded HereinCaught in a fierce ocean storm, young Dorothy Gale embarks on a perilous journey with her ailing uncle, leading her back to the magical Land of Oz where old friends and new adventu…
Level C2PoetryOxford Lectures on PoetryExplore the essence of poetry through a series of reflective lectures that delve into its form, experience, and purpose, offering profound insights on poetic art and its timeless i…
Level B2HistoricalOwindia : a true tale of the MacKenzie River Indians, North-West AmericaAmid the rugged beauty of the Mackenzie River, skilled hunter Michel navigates the challenges of survival, tradition, and encroaching change within his Indigenous community.
Level B2Children'sOwen's Fortune; Or, "Durable Riches"In a vibrant autumn village, young Owen dreams of turning humble nut-gathering into a lasting fortune, inspired by tales of invention and hard work.
Level C1AdventureOwen Hartley; or, Ups and Downs: A Tale of Land and SeaA determined boy ventures into a grim Wapping office, seeking help through a connection with Farmer Rowe, amid the harsh realities of trade and sea life.
Level B2AdventureOwen Clancy's Run of Luck; or, The Motor Wizard in the GarageWhen a reckless driver forces a stranger to leap off a cliff on a perilous mountain road near Phoenix, Owen Clancy witnesses the chaos and steps into a world of danger and mystery.
Level B2MysteryOwen Clancy's Happy Trail; Or, The Motor Wizard in CaliforniaIn bustling Los Angeles, a chaotic Chinese festival turns into pandemonium when Hiram Hill spots a man resembling his long-missing father in a car and disrupts the procession to re…
Level C1RomanceOvington's BankIn the bustling market town of Aldersbury, a confident young man named Arthur navigates the lively streets as the Holyhead Mail arrives, bringing news and visitors that will stir t…
Level C1ClassicsOvind: A Story of Country Life in NorwayIn a remote Norwegian valley, young Ovind's simple life intertwines with nature and childhood innocence as he faces a lost goat, a mysterious girl, and the stirring warmth of famil…
Level C1ClassicsOvershadowed: A NovelIn a world where the rich culture of the Negro must survive under the overshadowing dominance of Anglo-Saxon civilization, a noble young woman faces profound struggles and sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsOverruledExplore the complex realities of monogamy, temptation, and jealousy as ordinary people navigate the clash between natural desires and societal conventions, revealing the hidden tru…
Level C1ClassicsOverlookedA blind man reluctantly embraces a month-long stay at a quiet watering-place, where he befriends a novelist struggling to find inspiration.
Level C1AdventureOverland: A NovelIn a struggling 19th-century Santa Fé, a striking young woman and her formidable aunt confront the hardships of lost fortunes, war, and frontier dangers, challenging the desolation…
Level C1AdventureOverland talesJourney through the rugged landscapes of California and New Mexico as a widowed Spanish ranchero and a mysterious lady in mourning forge an unexpected connection, revealing stories…
Level C1AdventureOverdue: The Story of a Missing ShipSet in the golden age of clipper ships, a young midshipman aboard the Salamis faces a perilous voyage when a catastrophic accident sends the second mate overboard, sparking a tense…
Level B2AdventureOver the straitsA battered cannery tender races against a fierce storm to deliver a precious cargo of red salmon before it spoils, testing the courage and skill of its desperate crew battling the…
Level C1FantasyOver the borderAs the battleship Argyll waits in the dark for an elusive enemy, officers debate the future of naval warfare amid threats from airships and submarines.
Level B2MysteryOver the WireIn a fierce mountain blizzard, telegraph operators Big Ben and Jim face a tense night as a gold-laden express train battles the storm, while mysterious troubles and threats loom on…
Level C1ClassicsOver the TeacupsEngage in thoughtful, meandering conversations unfolding over afternoon tea, where characters reveal their nature and hint at unexpected intimacies and love stories, blending refle…
Level C1ClassicsOver the SliprailsA weary group of travelers faces biting cold and eerie silence as they approach a remote shanty where the publican’s wife lies ill, revealing the harsh, unpredictable life on the A…
Level C1AdventureOver the Rocky Mountains: Wandering Will in the Land of the RedskinA young sailor returns home after years at sea to find his mother grieving and his family estate shrouded in mystery.
Level C1ClassicsOver the Plum PuddingA literary editor attempts to publish a unique Christmas collection featuring tales by renowned authors, but unforeseen complications and vanished publishers turn the project into…
Level C1ClassicsOver the Fireside with Silent FriendsStep into quiet twilight conversations that weave memories, friendship, and reflections on life’s fleeting moments, all shared beside a glowing fireside that invites warmth and tho…
Level C1RomanceOver the Border: A RomanceAmidst political intrigue and looming danger, a powerful yet ailing Earl navigates courtly rivalries and secret enemies, while a young French nobleman holds a curious influence ove…
Level B2AdventureOver the Border: A NovelIn the unforgiving Sonora desert, three hardened outlaws carve a ruthless existence in a mountain fortress once mined for elusive gold.
Level C1HistoricalOver There with the Marines at Chateau ThierryAmid the thunder of approaching battle, two American Marines brace themselves to face the enemy at Château Thierry, confronting fear, camaraderie, and the brutal reality of war on…
Level B2HistoricalOver There with the Canadians at Vimy RidgeAmid the mud and mist of Vimy Ridge, two soldiers navigate the perilous front lines, tension mounting between a harsh lieutenant and a defiant private as shells and spies threaten…
Level C1ClassicsOver Strand and Field: A Record of Travel through BrittanyExplore the haunting grandeur of France's historic châteaux, where faded glory and nature's quiet reclaim tell stories of pride, defeat, and timeless beauty along the Loire.
Level B2RomanceOver Paradise Ridge: A RomanceA young woman struggles to reconcile her love for Sam, who has traded city ambitions for the rugged life of a farmer determined to nourish a valley teeming with promise.
Level C1ClassicsOver Bemerton'sIn bustling Westminster, a weary traveler seeks quiet refuge above a second-hand bookshop, where insomnia meets endless stories and unexpected friendships.
Level C1AdventureOutward Bound Or, Young America Afloat: A Story of Travel and AdventureAboard the Academy Ship "Young America," a group of young men embark on an Atlantic voyage that blends rigorous discipline with the follies and adventures of youth.
Level C1ClassicsOutside InnA young woman unexpectedly inherits a fortune and dreams of running a tea-room that balances quality and affordability.
Level B2ClassicsOutpostOn the last day of October, the radiant Sun casts its light on a joyful family celebrating the sixth birthday of their lively daughter, Sunshine.
Level C2PoetryOutlook OdesSharp-witted odes capture the quirks of public life and politics with biting humor and vivid characters, from weary parliamentarians to jubilant crowds.
Level C1HistoricalOutlines of English and American Literature: An Introduction to the Chief Writers of England and America, to the Books They Wrote, and to the Times in Which They LivedExplore the vibrant lives and works of England and America's greatest writers, contextualized within their historical eras and literary movements.
Level B2AdventureOutlaw Jack; or, the mountain devilA perilous journey to the California gold fields unfolds as a grieving emigrant party faces loss and harsh mountain crossings, while young Burr Wythe’s discovery of a gold nugget i…
Level C1FantasyOutlandA restless woman rejects a practical marriage offer, haunted by an inner yearning for passion and creative freedom amid the quiet desolation of her new home near Broken Tree.
Level C1Children'sOutcast RobinBorn into hardship and loss, a newborn named Robin faces the harsh realities of life in London's poorest streets, where family bonds and survival are tested amidst sorrow and strug…
Level B2AdventureOut with Gun and Camera; or, The Boy Hunters in the MountainsFour adventurous boys leave their small town for a summer in the distant mountains, where hunting, fishing, and capturing nature on camera lead to thrilling challenges and unexpect…
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.