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 B2Children'sJonas on a Farm in WinterYoung Jonas wakes early on a snowy winter morning to tend the fire and prepare for a day hauling wood on the farm.
Level C1MysteryJonah's LuckA weary traveler, burdened by unseen troubles, stumbles upon a remote inn shrouded in fog and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsJonahIn the gritty streets of Waterloo, a rowdy gang of larrikins rule the night, clashing with the vibrant life of shops and the ominous presence of the Salvation Army.
Level B2RomanceJolly Sally Pendleton; Or, the Wife Who Was Not a WifeIn a summer village where wealthy hearts and social ambitions collide, two dazzling sisters vie for the attention of a charming young millionaire determined to escape society’s exp…
Level C1ClassicsJoking apartA witty author wrestles with criticism and the challenge of capturing everyday life and its characters without conventional descriptions.
Level C1ClassicsJokes For All Occasions: Selected and Edited by One of America's Foremost Public SpeakersMaster the art of storytelling with timeless jokes and expert advice on delivering humor that captivates any audience, whether brief and punchy or richly detailed and amusing.
Level C1ClassicsJohnstone of the BorderA determined soldier-turned-adventurer finds solace in the rugged Canadian wilderness, where solitude and the echoes of his past beckon.
Level C1HistoricalJohnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1Explore the intertwined lives of English poets, from the troubled Richard Savage to the pious Joseph Addison, as their stories reveal the trials, deceptions, and triumphs behind th…
Level C1AdventureJohnny Nut and the Golden GooseAn innocent young cow-boy named Johnny Nut sets off on a whimsical journey to taste the famed roast goose of Hergnies, encountering quirky characters, unexpected tasks, and lively…
Level C1ClassicsJohnny Ludlow, Third SeriesIn a quiet village, the return of delicate Jessy Page stirs hidden tensions and unspoken desires, as John Drench’s admiration shifts from sensible Susan to the enchanting youngest…
Level C1MysteryJohnny Ludlow, Sixth SeriesA determined group sets off to surprise a friend by renting her seaside drawing-room, only to find themselves lost in a mysterious place called Montpellier-by-Sea—an agricultural e…
Level C1MysteryJohnny Ludlow, Second SeriesWhen a fifty-pound cheque vanishes during a tense market-day negotiation, Johnny Ludlow finds himself entangled in a perplexing mystery involving family ties, rivalries, and hidden…
Level C1ClassicsJohnny Ludlow, Fourth SeriesIn a quiet town shaken by ruin and mystery, young William Brook seeks purpose amid family downfall and unexpected challenges, while the disappearance that puzzles the local doctor…
Level B2Children'sJohnny Ludlow, First SeriesAt Dyke Manor, young Johnny Ludlow navigates the complexities of family, friendship, and childhood mischief alongside his spirited stepbrother Tod, set against the backdrop of a gr…
Level C1ClassicsJohnny Ludlow, Fifth SeriesIn a quiet Worcestershire village, intertwined lives unfold through the eyes of Featherston, the dedicated doctor, and his lively sister Mary Ann, whose marriage to a French master…
PoetryJohnny Crow's PartyAnimals gather for lively tea parties, musical mishaps, and playful adventures in a whimsical garden where laughter and surprises bloom at every turn.
PoetryJohnny Crow's GardenStep into a whimsical garden where animals don hats, dance jigs, and share tales, all under the watchful eye of Johnny Crow.
Level B2Children'sJohnny Bear, and Other Stories from Lives of the HuntedIn Yellowstone Park, a quirky little bear cub named Johnny navigates life with his fierce mother, Grumpy, amidst a world of wild bears drawn to a hotel’s open garbage feast.
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 2 of 2Caught between the soaring ideals of young love and the harsh reality of a mundane banking job, John grapples with disillusionment and the search for meaning beyond duty and routin…
Level C1RomanceJohn, A Love Story; vol. 1 of 2After a frightening accident leaves Kate Crediton unconscious, she awakens in a haze, surrounded by mysterious caregivers and haunted by a pair of anxious eyes.
Level B2Children'sJohn's LilyIn a quiet village untouched by swift trains and bustling cities, John Randal's simple world begins to shift when a chance encounter on a London platform introduces him to a fright…
Level C1ClassicsJohn the Baptist: A PlayIn a turbulent Jerusalem, the enigmatic John the Baptist gathers the suffering and hopeful, preaching silent prayer and sanctification as whispers of a coming deliverer stir the de…
Level B2FantasyJohn of the WoodsIn a vibrant village stirred by the arrival of mysterious tumblers, a frail yet graceful boy with a haunting gaze captivates the crowd, hinting at hidden powers and a world where u…
Level C1ClassicsJohn de Lancaster: a novel; vol. III.As John de Lancaster and his companions arrive at the elegant Kray Castle, they confront the shadows of past tragedies and the weight of justice, while hidden family secrets and my…
Level C1ClassicsJohn de Lancaster: a novel; vol. II.Amidst the looming shadows of Kray-Castle, a haunting experiment unfolds as music and mystery intertwine to confront an unseen evil.
Level C1HistoricalJohn de Lancaster: a novel; vol. I.In 18th-century Merionethshire, Cecilia De Lancaster dutifully manages her ancestral home and fends off the persistent, boisterous advances of Sir Owen ap Owen, whose rustic charm…
Level C1Children'sJohn WilliamsA young boy named John Williams, destitute and yearning for freedom, struggles to survive the harsh streets and find his place.
Level B2FantasyJohn Whopper: The NewsboyA daring newsboy's shortcut turns into a thrilling fall through the earth, leading him to a mysterious land on the globe's opposite side.
Level C1ClassicsJohn Wesley, Jr.: The Story of an ExperimentA dedicated preacher launches an ambitious ten-year experiment to transform a young man's life and reveal new possibilities for the church's mission.
Level B2ClassicsJohn Ward, PreacherOn the eve of Helen Jeffrey's wedding, the sleepy village of Ashurst stirs as old traditions and new ambitions quietly collide.
Level C1AdventureJohn Vytal: A Tale of the Lost ColonyAmid the mystery of the vanished Roanoke colony, a young man of fierce vitality navigates the turbulent Elizabethan world, where adventure and enigma intertwine on the edge of the…
Level B2RomanceJohn Stevens' Courtship: A Story of the Echo Canyon WarIn the rugged frontier of Utah during the Echo Canyon War, John Stevens navigates love and loyalty amidst pioneer hardships and stirring conflicts.
Level C1AdventureJohn Splendid: The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of LornA young Highlander returns from foreign wars, dreaming of reclaiming his place in the rugged glens and lively villages of his homeland, where loyalty, love, and old rivalries simme…
Level C1AdventureJohn Solomon—SupercargoAmid the gritty cattle-wharf at Deptford, a sharp-eyed yachtsman and a rough, defiant sunfish cross paths, sparking tension and mystery.
Level C1PoetryJohn Smith, U.S.A.A homesick wanderer in London finds unexpected comfort in the common name "John Smith, U.
Level C1HistoricalJohn Smith's Funny Adventures on a Crutch: Or The Remarkable Peregrinations of a One-legged Soldier after the WarAfter a brutal injury at Antietam leaves him one-legged, John Smith embarks on a series of humorous and remarkable adventures, navigating life and war’s aftermath with wit and resi…
Level C1MysteryJohn Silence, Physician ExtraordinaryA physician with extraordinary psychic abilities tackles baffling cases that defy ordinary medicine, exploring the mysterious forces behind unseen afflictions and the fragile bound…
Level B2ClassicsJohn Sherman; and, DhoyaIn a quiet Irish town in winter, a restless young clergyman wrestles with isolation and his place in the world, while an old Irish spirit invites you to hear stories of love, idlen…
Level C1ClassicsJohn Rawn, Prominent CitizenBorn to humble Methodist parents in a small Texas village, John Rawn defies his modest origins with an unshakable belief in his destined greatness.
Level C2PoetryJohn Marr and Other PoemsAmidst the vast, stormy seas, sailors' voices from a bygone era rise again, evoking memories of camaraderie, duty, and the relentless challenges of life at sea.
Level C1Children'sJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volumes 1-3A young heir embarks on a pivotal Christmas visit to London, where family tensions and social ambitions intertwine against the backdrop of aristocratic expectations and hidden past…
Level C1Children'sJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 3 (of 3)Haunted by loss and driven by a bitter vendetta, Edward Arundel prepares to confront his rival at Marchmont Towers, where past shadows and simmering tensions threaten to ignite a d…
Level B2RomanceJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 2 (of 3)In a summer estate where love and secrets intertwine, a mysterious letter sets a young woman’s heart and fate in turmoil, unraveling hidden truths and testing the bonds between fam…
Level C1Children'sJohn Marchmont's Legacy, Volume 1 (of 3)A carefree young man’s holiday in London sparks the beginning of a life-changing adventure, set against the backdrop of family expectations, social ambition, and the hidden struggl…
Level C1HistoricalJohn March, SouthernerIn the waning days of the Civil War, a young boy rides through the Southern town of Suez with his father, Judge Powhatan March, as the community grapples with the scars of battle a…
Level C1ClassicsJohn Lothrop Motley, A Memoir — CompleteBorn into a distinguished New England family, young John Lothrop Motley grows up amid rich intellectual and social influences, nurturing a love of literature, drama, and history th…
Level C1ClassicsJohn Leech's Pictures of Life and CharacterStep into a bygone era where childhood memories are shaped by haunting portraits, wax figures, and vivid tales of knights and royalty.
Level C1HistoricalJohn Keble's Parishes: A History of Hursley and OtterbourneExplore the rich history of Hursley and Otterbourne, tracing ancient fossils, Roman roads, and local barrows, while uncovering the lives of notable figures and the evolution of chu…
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.