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 B2AdventureOn Land and Sea at the DardanellesAmid the looming dangers of the Dardanelles campaign, a soldier haunted by past battles and betrayals navigates war-torn lands and shifting loyalties, determined to confront a shad…
Level C1HistoricalOn HorsemanshipDrawn from years of battlefield experience, this guide reveals the art of horsemanship, teaching how to judge a horse’s soundness from its feet up and avoid being cheated when purc…
Level C1HistoricalOn Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in HistoryExplore the nature of heroism through history’s great men, from divine figures like Odin to the spiritual beliefs shaping their world.
Level B2AdventureOn Foreign Service; Or, The Santa Cruz RevolutionTwo rival British gun-rooms aboard armored cruisers grapple with fierce inter-ship rivalries just as a South American revolution erupts, thrusting them into a high-stakes mission t…
Level C1ClassicsOn EverythingExplore the enduring power of song as a vital force woven through labor, war, exile, and memory, revealing how melody sustains humanity's spirit and connects us across history and…
Level C1AdventureOn Board the Esmeralda: Martin Leigh's Log - A Sea StoryAn orphaned boy, burdened by family cruelty and hardship, sets sail on a perilous voyage around Cape Horn, embarking on a sea adventure that will test his courage and shape his des…
Level C1ClassicsOn AnythingA man’s quest to build castles in Spain leads him through deserted gardens, mysterious encounters, and the harsh realities of Aragon’s muddy lands.
Level B2Children'sOn Angels' WingsConfined to a turret-shaped window, little Violet watches the world pass by, her heart heavy with the loss of her mother and the burden of her difference.
Level B1AdventureOn Adventure IslandSoaring high above the countryside, daring pilot Terry Mapes embarks on a secret mission to South America, facing rival airmen, sabotage, and perilous skies to protect her family's…
Level C1ClassicsOnAn impassioned governor in Egypt seeks a love that truly answers his heart, assembling a grand seraglio yet finding none who can meet his deep longing.
Level B2AdventureOmoo: Adventures in the South SeasStranded in the South Seas, a castaway seizes a chance to join a whaling ship crew, leaving behind island life for uncertain adventures at sea.
Level C1ClassicsOmbraRaised in cold isolation by a guardian who forbids affection, heiress Katherine Courtenay faces a lonely childhood devoid of comfort or friendship.
Level C1AdventureOm: The secret of Ahbor ValleyA seasoned forester returns to the tense, politically charged clubs of India, stirring old rivalries and hidden truths.
Level C1FantasyOlympian NightsA weary traveler seeking a legendary war stumbles upon Mount Olympus, the fabled home of the gods, only to find skepticism and unexpected revelations about the immortals' true natu…
Level C1ClassicsOlla PodridaA man plagued by an all-consuming obsession with politics finds his every thought and experience haunted by parliamentary debates and party rivalries, turning everyday life into a…
Level B2ClassicsOlivia in IndiaSet sail with Olivia as she endures a tempestuous sea voyage to India, forging unexpected friendships and facing the challenges of travel with humor and heart.
Level C1RomanceOliviaIn a charming Devonshire village, Olivia Vanley’s serene life at Hawkwood Grange conceals a subtle mystery, unfolding amid family ties, refined society, and the delicate beauty of…
Level C1RomanceOliver's Bride; A true StoryTwo former lovers reunite after years apart, their hearts rekindling amid past regrets and newfound fortunes.
Level C1HistoricalOliver Wendell Holmes (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)Step into 19th-century Boston's literary elite, where Oliver Wendell Holmes stands as a bridge between aristocratic tradition and broader humanity, embodying the city's fierce prid…
Level C1ClassicsOliver TwistBorn into hardship in a grim workhouse, an infant named Oliver Twist faces a harsh world from his very first breath.
Level C1ClassicsOliver OctoberBorn on a harsh October day in the small town of Rumley, Oliver Baxter Jr.
Level C1ClassicsOliver Goldsmith: A BiographyExplore the life and struggles of a gifted writer navigating poverty, literary rivals, and social circles in 18th-century England, revealing the challenges behind creative genius a…
Level C1ClassicsOliver GoldsmithExplore the humble beginnings of a beloved English writer, tracing his childhood in a remote Irish village and the quirky characters who shaped his early life, revealing the roots…
Level C1HistoricalOliver EllisA soldier’s life unfolds through the eyes of Oliver Ellis, born amidst the drums and bugles of war, who must obey orders and face peril without control over his destiny.
Level B2HistoricalOliver Cromwell: A PlayAmid rising tensions over unjust taxes and common lands, Oliver Cromwell and his allies prepare to challenge the crown’s authority, igniting a fierce struggle that will test loyalt…
Level C1ClassicsOliver Constable, miller and baker, Vol. 3 (of 3)As winter sets in, Harry Stanhope clings to his role as a yeoman with relentless enthusiasm, navigating the hardships of rural life and markets while charming the miller’s family w…
Level C1ClassicsOliver Constable, miller and baker, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a rural town, Oliver Constable, a miller and baker, sparks a spirited debate over cultivating gardens and forming a field naturalists’ society, challenging local attitudes towar…
Level C1ClassicsOliver Constable, miller and baker, Vol. 1 (of 3)Nestled beside the stately Copley Grange, Friarton Mill stands as a picturesque testament to the harmony of water, wood, and heritage.
Level B2MysteryOliver Bright's Search; or, The Mystery of a MineA determined young man embarks on a daring journey west to uncover the truth behind a mysterious mine tied to his ailing father's future.
Level C1ClassicsOlive: A NovelBorn into a modest Scottish home beneath Stirling’s castle, Olive Rothesay enters a world shadowed by hardship and whispered superstitions.
Level B2PoetryOlive Leaves; Or, Sketches of CharacterA young boy’s secret defiance leads him to a perilous swim in a swift river, where danger and unexpected rescue by strangers test his courage and faith.
Level C1Science FictionOlga RomanoffIn a future where aerial fleets dominate and tyrants threaten global peace, a secret brotherhood rises to challenge oppression.
Level C1ClassicsOle Mars an' Ole MissStep into the lush Eastern Shore of Maryland before the war, where vibrant characters sing, dance, and live amid sprawling estates, fragrant gardens, and flowing rivers.
Level C1ClassicsOldtown Fireside StoriesIn a quiet New England town where winter nights stretch long and wild, children gather by the fire to hear Sam Lawson's eerie tales of wilderness adventures, mysterious dreams, and…
Level B2ClassicsOldhamIn a quiet New England parish, a humble red schoolhouse hums with the rhythms of country life, where a determined teacher guides her small class through lessons of faith and resili…
Level C1ClassicsOldfield: A Kentucky Tale of the Last CenturyIn the quiet Pennyroyal Region of Kentucky, two delicate sisters share a tender, ritualized bond in a fading old home, their lives marked by grace and gentle devotion amidst the ch…
Level C1Children'sOld-Time StoriesA princess is blessed by fairies with every gift imaginable—until a spiteful old fairy curses her to prick her hand and fall into a hundred years of sleep.
Level C1Children'sOld-Fashioned Fairy TalesEnter a world where new fairy tales unfold with timeless themes—the weak outwitting the strong, wishes gone awry, and sprites yearning for humanity—each story crafted with brevity,…
Level B2ClassicsOld lamps for newAt a unique school where lessons in empathy outweigh traditional teaching, children experience temporary disabilities—blindness, lameness, silence—to truly understand the challenge…
Level C1RomanceOld friends and new fanciesYears after their iconic stories, beloved characters from Austen’s novels navigate new romances and challenges, as Elizabeth and Darcy guide their family and friends through love’s…
Level C1RomanceOld comradesIn a gloomy London lodging on Christmas Eve, a stern retired colonel and his composed daughter navigate the rigid discipline of their daily life, hinting at quiet tensions and unsp…
Level C1HistoricalOld and New MastersExplore a world where human passions erupt into madness, cruelty, and violent acts, as vivid characters grapple with love, hatred, and torment on a stage filled with sensational dr…
Level B2Children'sOld Wonder-Eyes, and Other Stories for ChildrenIn a charming English garden, a surly old owl named "Old Wonder-Eyes" holds a bittersweet secret tied to a gentle girl named Minnie, whose love tamed even the wildest creatures.
Level C1HistoricalOld Ticonderoga, a Picture of the Past: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")Explore the haunting ruins of the old fortress of Ticonderoga, where nature reclaims ancient battlements and echoes of historic battles linger beneath the peaceful sky.
Level C1PoetryOld Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie, and other poemsUnder a vast starry sky, three cowboys guard a massive herd across the rugged Rockies, where the haunting wilderness and mysterious creeks whisper ancient truths and test their cou…
PoetryOld SongsStep into a world of timeless melodies and heartfelt verse, where love, loss, and celebration echo through age-old songs and poems.
Level B2ClassicsOld SlowpokeIn rugged hunting grounds, the slow-moving but determined Rall Hollidge relies on his seemingly useless dog, Old Slowpoke, as he vies for the affection of Jane Saunders while facin…
Level B2Science FictionOld ShagWhen a brakeman faces a deadly crisis aboard a high-speed freight train loaded with dynamite, a mysterious shaggy-haired stranger appears to guide him through the chaos—unveiling s…
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.