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 B1AdventureKitty's Picnic, and Other StoriesA young girl dreams of joining a grand picnic near an ancient castle but faces disappointment—until her uncle invites her on a special adventure to explore the ruins and create the…
Level C1RomanceKitty's ConquestA solitary young woman, radiant and mysterious, travels alone through the rugged Southern countryside, sparking the curiosity of a fellow passenger intrigued by her refined presenc…
Level B2Children'sKitty's Class Day and Other StoriesEager to shine at Class Day, spirited Kitty plans a dazzling new gown on a tight budget, navigating sisterly caution and neighborhood gossip in a heartfelt tale of youthful dreams…
Level B1Children'sKitty's Christmas treeWhen Kitty faces unfair punishment at school, her mother’s gentle support and their close-knit community offer warmth and lessons in kindness during the approaching Christmas seaso…
Level C1RomanceKitty of the RosesAmid a lush garden bursting with timeless roses, a man finds his attention captivated by a mysterious presence that outshines even the most exquisite blooms, setting the stage for…
Level B2Children'sKitty TrenireOn a scorching afternoon, four children find themselves perched on an old garden wall, unaware that their playful mischief and chance happenings will alter their fates forever.
Level B2Children'sKitty MaynardA spirited young girl is sent to spend the summer with her aunt in the countryside, where she faces new lessons beyond the classroom and discovers the challenges of growing up away…
Level C1ClassicsKitty CarstairsIn a quiet village, Kitty Carstairs finds fascination in the nightly rush of the London mail train, while reconnecting with Colin Hayward, a young man grappling with family expecta…
Level B2RomanceKitty Canary: A NovelAt sixteen, Kitty revels in the thrilling chaos of first love while navigating the expectations and protective watchfulness of Billy, her childhood guardian now abroad—discovering…
Level C1MysteryKitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 3 of 3)A man haunted by crime and misfortune races against fate to secure his inheritance while grappling with guilt and suspicion.
Level C1ClassicsKitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 2 of 3)In a restless market town, Pasco Pepperill wrestles with risky deals and mounting debts, while young Kitty faces the challenges of a constrained life and complicated relationships.
Level C1ClassicsKitty Alone: A Story of Three Fires (vol. 1 of 3)In a bustling Devon estuary, the quirky and determined Jason Quarm navigates life with his stubborn donkey, Neddy, while weaving through the lively community at Coombe Cellars.
Level B2AdventureKit of Greenacre FarmOn lookout duty at Greenacre Farm, Kit faces the challenge of protecting a prized huckleberry patch from persistent berry thieves.
Level C1RomanceKit and Kitty: A Story of West MiddlesexA quiet life in an ancient garden by the Thames is upended when Christopher Orchardson reflects on his past and the complex ties to his stern uncle Corny, setting the stage for a t…
Level C1AdventureKit Musgrave's LuckA young Liverpool clerk leaves behind his modest life and quiet romance to take a risky post on a Spanish steamer bound for the Canaries, chasing opportunity amid unfamiliar cultur…
Level C1ClassicsKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 3 of 3)A man faces devastating revelations and the fallout of a dark family secret after the death of his father-in-law.
Level C1ClassicsKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 2 of 3)Amid preparations for a high-society wedding, Ellen and Hester navigate the tensions between love, family expectations, and societal manners as Robert’s choice of bride, the elegan…
Level C1RomanceKissing the Rod: A Novel. (Vol. 1 of 3)In the bustling heart of the City, Robert Streightley navigates high-stakes finance with bold intellect and daring ambition, challenging established power while maintaining a humbl…
Level C1ClassicsKismetIn the bustling streets of ancient Baghdad, a beggar named Hajj navigates fate’s unpredictable tides with wit and resilience.
Level B2FantasyKisington TownIn the peaceful town of Kisington, young Harold, a beloved and gifted reader, discovers the magic held within the town's library, forging friendships and unlocking stories that pro…
Level C1HistoricalKirsteen: The Story of a Scotch Family Seventy Years AgoIn the rugged wilds of Argyllshire, Kirsteen, a strong-willed daughter with fiery red hair, navigates family duties and the heavy shadow of her frail mother and stern father, while…
Level B2ClassicsKipps: The Story of a Simple SoulA young boy raised by his aunt and uncle in a small town navigates the mysteries of his past and the rigid manners of society as he grows up.
Level C1PoetryKipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book IIDiscover the vivid tales and stirring poems shaped by a boy raised amid the bustling, diverse life of 19th-century Bombay, whose early experiences across continents ignite a rich i…
Level B2ClassicsKingsworth; or, The Aim of a LifeIn windswept Kingsworth House, two brothers grapple with family legacy and fractured loyalties as one prepares to marry an heiress and assume stewardship of their ancestral estate,…
Level B2HistoricalKingsford, QuarterA tired fifteen-year-old boy arrives at a new school only to face a rough welcome from rowdy upperclassmen.
Level C1HistoricalKings-at-ArmsIn early 18th-century Sweden, a fierce queen and a cautious minister navigate court intrigues as a young King Karl XII, known for his stubborn and autocratic nature, prepares to in…
Level C1AdventureKings in AdversityIn a New York mansion turned refuge for European exiles, a secret letter reveals a crown prince’s covert journey to America, sparking a dangerous conspiracy that could reshape a mo…
Level B2HistoricalKing-ErrantStep into the vivid world of young Babar, heir to the tiny kingdom of Ferghana, whose adventurous life unfolds against a backdrop of beauty, struggle, and the heavy mantle of kings…
Level C1RomanceKing--of the Khyber Rifles: A Romance of AdventureAthelstan King, a British officer deeply entwined with India, is summoned to Peshawur amid the brewing tensions of war.
Level C1ClassicsKing of the CastleA young woman navigates the expectations of family, love, and societal standing amid the tensions of a thriving quarry business.
Level B2AdventureKing of the Air; Or, To Morocco on an AeroplaneA wealthy but stubborn man tests his new motor-car alone, only to face unexpected mechanical trouble on a country road.
Level C1ClassicsKing of CamargueIn the wild Camargue, a mysterious gypsy queen confronts Livette, a young woman on the brink of marriage, demanding oil and hinting at dark secrets and unsettling futures.
Level B2AdventureKing o' the Beach: A Tropic TaleAboard a steamer bound for Australia, young Carey Cranford’s restless spirit craves adventure, eager to explore exotic islands and brave the tropical seas.
Level B2PoetryKing WinterStep into the frosty realm where King Winter reigns from his icy throne, spreading snow and magic across the land while Jack Frost watches over the children’s behavior, bringing jo…
Level C1AdventureKing Solomon's MinesAn experienced hunter recounts a perilous expedition into uncharted African lands, drawn by the promise of legendary treasure and the lure of wild adventure in a realm of fierce wa…
Level C2HistoricalKing Richard IIIIn a kingdom basking in newfound peace, a deformed and cunning duke plots to seize power through deceit and treachery, setting sibling against sibling in a deadly game of ambition…
Level C2HistoricalKing Richard IIPower struggles ignite as King Richard II confronts accusations of treason between nobles, setting the stage for a fierce clash of loyalty, honor, and wrath in a kingdom on the bri…
Level C1RomanceKing Penda's Captain: A Romance of Fighting in the Days of the Anglo-SaxonsIn a land torn by faith and war, the fierce pagan King Penda rallies his allies to challenge the rising Christian powers, while young warrior Feargus, pledged to Penda, rises amids…
Level C1AdventureKing Olaf's Kinsman: A Story of the Last Saxon Struggle against the Danes in the Days of Ironside and CnutAs the Danish fleet looms off the coast, young Redwald faces the loss of his father and the fierce struggle for England’s survival against Viking invaders.
Level B2AdventureKing Matthias and the Beggar BoyA mysterious fortress with no doors or windows guards secrets as a lone traveler arrives, weary and curious.
Level C1HistoricalKing Leopold's Soliloquy: A Defense of His Congo RuleA monarch furiously defends his brutal reign over the Congo, exposing the dark truths behind colonial greed and hypocrisy.
Level C1ClassicsKing Lear's Wife; The Crier by Night; The Riding to Lithend; Midsummer-Eve; Laodice and DanaëStep into ancient halls where queens and warriors navigate power, loyalty, and betrayal through richly woven scenes and haunting atmospheres.
Level C2ClassicsKing LearA aging king decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, sparking a tense battle for power and loyalty that will unravel family bonds and ignite a tragic struggle for…
Level C2HistoricalKing JohnA royal dispute erupts as King John faces a bold claim from France over his kingdom and territories, threatening war and forcing him to defend his crown against his nephew Arthur’s…
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry VIIIAmidst political intrigue and royal spectacle, witness the grandeur and tragic weight of King Henry VIII’s reign as noble figures navigate power, loyalty, and the swift fall from g…
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry VI, Part 3Amidst the turmoil of a kingdom torn by war, the ambitious House of York seizes the palace, challenging King Henry VI's fragile reign and igniting a deadly struggle for the throne.
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry VI, Part 2Amid political turmoil and shifting alliances, King Henry VI welcomes Queen Margaret, setting the stage for a kingdom on the brink of conflict and intrigue.
Level C2HistoricalKing Henry VI, Part 1As England mourns the death of the valiant King Henry V, power struggles ignite among nobles and factions vie for control, setting the stage for a turbulent reign filled with war,…
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.