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 C1Science FictionThrelkeld's DaughterTransformed into a captivating human form, a space captain’s daughter struggles to suppress newfound emotions as she embarks on a crucial mission: to lure an Earthling and secure h…
Level B2Children'sThree-Base BensonA mysterious, lanky newcomer with pale blue eyes and an old-fashioned valise arrives at North Bank School, sparking curiosity and quiet rivalry.
Level C1HistoricalThree studies in literatureExplore the rise and fall of Francis Jeffrey, a once-revered literary critic whose sharp reviews shaped 19th-century thought and taste, yet whose legacy now teeters between forgott…
Level C1ClassicsThree short works: The Dance of Death, the Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller, a Simple Soul.Death rides across time, gathering generations with a relentless scythe, embodying both destruction and eternity.
Level B2MysteryThree sevensTrapped in a brutal prison cell known as the "cooler," Craig finds an unexpected companion in a mysterious cat once loyal to the infamous Chi Slim.
Level B2Children'sThree pretty maidsThree sisters return home from school, each with distinct personalities: the practical Persis, dignified Lisa, and delicate Mellicent.
Level B2RomanceThree millions!A self-made millionaire reflects on a lifetime of sacrifice and relentless ambition, amassing a vast fortune yet living in isolation and simplicity.
Level C1ClassicsThree men on the bummelThree friends seek a refreshing escape from everyday life and embark on a humorous bicycle tour through the Black Forest, encountering lively debates, unexpected challenges, and th…
Level B2ClassicsThree men in a boat (to say nothing of the dog)Three friends, each convinced they suffer from a multitude of ailments, decide that a restful escape is essential.
Level A2Children'sThree little kittens who lost their mittensThree little kittens lose their mittens while skating and find unexpected adventures as mischievous foxes take their gloves.
Level C1ClassicsThree hundred Aesop’s fablesDiscover timeless moral lessons cleverly woven into short tales where animals speak and act like humans, revealing universal truths about human nature and conduct with wit and wisd…
Level B2Children'sThree girls and especially oneA gifted twelve-year-old girl dreams of astounding the world with her talents in art, music, or poetry, yet struggles with self-centeredness and family distractions as she navigate…
Level B2MysteryThree girl chums at Laurel HallThree inseparable friends eagerly anticipate their start at Laurel Hall boarding school until Jo’s family faces sudden financial ruin, threatening their plans and friendship.
Level C1ClassicsThree generationsBorn into a family devoted to social reform, a woman reflects on her life intertwined with legacy, love, and the passage of time, beginning in a grand institution for the blind.
Level C1ClassicsThree at Table: The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 12.Lost in eerie marshes shrouded by fog, a weary traveler stumbles upon a mysterious house with a sinister reputation.
Level B1AdventureThree Young Ranchmen; or, Daring Adventures in the Great WestThree brothers struggle to maintain their Idaho ranch amid threats from horse thieves and a scheming prospector, all while their missing uncle’s fate casts a shadow over their unce…
Level B2AdventureThree Young KnightsThree spirited boys earn their holiday pay and gather in their secret treehouse to plan a celebration unlike any other—adventure, friendship, and freedom await as they seek the per…
Level B2ClassicsThree Wonder PlaysIn a royal household where health and tradition clash, a cautious king navigates his strict wife's peculiar rules while tending to his daughter’s spirited nature and mysterious vis…
Level C1PoetryThree WomenThree women’s lives intertwine against the backdrop of a summer train station, where dreams, desires, and restless hearts ignite a timeless drama of passion and strife.
Level C1RomanceThree WeeksA young Englishman’s chance encounter with a passionate, mysterious woman trapped in a brutal marriage awakens desires and ambitions that will challenge his youthful certainties an…
Level C1MysteryThree Thousand DollarsIn a desolate, forgotten church in New York, two men plot a risky scheme involving a mysterious safe in a bustling office building, where every employee must enter a locked room da…
Level C2PoetryThree Sunsets and Other PoemsDelve into a collection of poetic reflections ranging from somber meditations to whimsical fairy tales, each crafted with delicate imagery and thoughtful emotion that invites reade…
Level B2MysteryThree Sides of Paradise GreenIn a quiet town where nothing seems to happen, two teenage girls begin keeping journals at the urging of their inspiring teacher, uncovering secrets and mysteries lurking beneath t…
Level B2AdventureThree Sailor Boys; or, Adrift in the PacificThree boys find themselves stranded in a small boat far from their ship, facing a brewing storm and the vast, unforgiving Pacific.
Level C1ClassicsThree Prayers and SermonsIn the midst of a long and painful illness, heartfelt prayers seek divine mercy and strength, capturing a soul’s struggle with faith, repentance, and hope for salvation.
Level C1ClassicsThree Plays by Granville-Barker: The Marrying of Ann Leete; The Voysey Inheritance; WasteIn an eighteenth-century garden, a startled scream sparks a playful wager between Ann Leete and Lord John Carp, unraveling hidden tensions and social nuances amid whispering trees…
Level C1ClassicsThree PlaysDive into a trio of innovative plays that blur the lines between reality and illusion, exploring the elusive nature of truth, identity, and the creative process itself in a theatri…
Level C1HistoricalThree Philosophical Poets: Lucretius, Dante, and GoetheExplore the philosophical depths of three towering poets—Lucretius, Dante, and Goethe—whose works embody naturalism, supernaturalism, and romanticism, revealing how poetry and phil…
Level C1Children'sThree PeopleIn a world where two babies mark their first birthdays under vastly different circumstances, one born into luxury and the other into humble love, their parallel lives hint at the j…
Level C1MysteryThree More John Silence StoriesA silk merchant revisits his austere Protestant boarding school in the South German mountains, where strict discipline and deep religious rituals shaped his youth.
Level B2PoetryThree Minute StoriesDelight in charming tales and rhymes where playful kittens host moonlit parties and a boy named Tommy meets the New Year, who offers him a chance to change his ways with magical le…
Level B2ClassicsThree Men: A NovelIn a remote forest, Antipa Lunev renounces his sinful life for eight years of silent prayer as a hermit, leaving his rebellious son Jakov to grapple with a tarnished legacy and a v…
Level C1ClassicsThree Loving LadiesIn a bustling industrial city where social status is measured by homes and servants, General Fulton faces a reluctant move with his family, navigating the clash between duty, ambit…
Level B2ClassicsThree Lives: Stories of The Good Anna, Melanctha and The Gentle LenaAmid the bustling streets of Bridgepoint, Anna fiercely manages a chaotic household filled with stray dogs, shifting servants, and tough bargains, all while navigating a life marke…
Level B2HistoricalThree Little Women: A Story for GirlsAmidst a gloomy, rain-soaked afternoon in Riveredge, spirited Jean Carruth longs to escape the confines of home and explore, determined to brave the weather for fresh air and a vis…
Level B2HistoricalThree Little Women's Success: A Story for GirlsIn the charming town of Riveredge, spirited Jean Carruth and her determined family navigate the challenges of youth, ambition, and independence, set against the vibrant backdrop of…
Level B1Children'sThree Little KittensThree playful kittens navigate lessons in cleanliness, friendship, and adventure while exploring their neighborhood and meeting new feline friends.
Level B2Children'sThree Little CousinsAs rain clears, Molly eagerly awaits the arrival of her adventurous cousin Polly from a distant ranch, along with their jovial Uncle Dick.
Level C1MysteryThree John Silence StoriesA doctor with rare psychic abilities takes on baffling cases beyond ordinary medicine, confronting mysterious mental afflictions and hidden forces that threaten his patients' very…
Level B2ClassicsThree Hats: A Farcical Comedy in Three ActsIn a rain-soaked drawing-room, a mix of mistaken identities, secret cigars, and a mysterious hat sparks chaos among a master, his friend, and their lively servant—just as the mistr…
Level C1FantasyThree Good Giants: Whose Ancient Deeds are recorded in the Ancient ChroniclesJourney through the legendary exploits of three towering giants—Grandgousier, Gargantua, and Pantagruel—whose adventures blend humor, humanity, and ancient lore in a world where co…
Level B2Children'sThree Girls from SchoolThree schoolgirls—Priscilla, Mabel, and Annie—face unexpected challenges as letters bring news that could change their futures, testing their friendship and dreams amid the shelter…
Level C1ClassicsThree Ghost StoriesA weary traveler seeking health encounters a house seemingly ordinary by daylight but steeped in eerie spiritual messages and ghostly visitations, challenging his skepticism about…
Level B2ClassicsThree Elephant Power, and Other StoriesA skilled but eccentric chauffeur spins a wild yarn about Henery, a bushman turned motor enthusiast who trades his wood and water job for the thrill of driving and owning a powerfu…
Level C1ClassicsThree DramasThree dramas confront the clash between truth and power, exposing the egotism of journalism, the corruption in finance, and the illusions of monarchy amid a changing Scandinavian s…
Level C1ClassicsThree Days in the Village, and Other Sketches.: Written from September 1909 to July 1910.In a Russian village where cold, hungry tramps seek shelter nightly, the poorest peasants open their homes and hearts, bearing an immense burden that holds society from chaos.
Level C1ClassicsThree ComediesImmerse yourself in vivid tales and spirited comedies that capture the raw beauty and turbulent spirit of rural Norway, where heartfelt characters navigate love, society, and self-…
Level B2Children'sThree Bright Girls: A Story of Chance and MischanceThree spirited siblings navigate lively mishaps and heartfelt moments, from fiery chestnut contests to family dinners, all while growing closer through chance and mischance in a wa…
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.