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 C1ClassicsJoe Miller's Jests, or The Wits Vade-MecumDive into a lively collection of the wittiest jests, sharp repartees, and amusing short stories, capturing the vibrant humor and social quirks of the age with sparkling dialogue an…
Level B2MysteryJoe Leslie's Wife; or, a Skeleton in the ClosetA young wife seeks the help of a New York detective to uncover the dark secret her beloved husband, Joe Leslie, hides—a secret that threatens to unravel their perfect marriage and…
Level B2Science FictionJoe Carson's WeaponMars invaders seek to steal the weapon of Joe Carson's brilliant mind to conquer Earth, while Joe, a passionate sci-fi fan, battles his own wild imagination and the chaos it unleas…
Level B2Children'sJoe Brennan's luckNewlyweds Joe and Kitty start their life together full of hope, but as Kitty takes on managing their home alone, Joe soon discovers that love alone can’t guarantee domestic bliss.
Level B2RomanceJock's inheritanceWhen a penniless mother and her spirited daughter arrive unexpectedly, Orris must navigate family tensions and uncertain futures while considering a fresh start in the countryside…
Level B2Children'sJock with MousieA curious boy named Jock eagerly awaits his eighth birthday, juggling childhood wonder and the responsibility of caring for his ailing mother.
Level C1ClassicsJocelynGiles Legard confronts a stirring transformation as he grapples with the stark realities of life during a sunlit afternoon in Hôtel Milano, where isolation and desire intertwine wi…
Level C1RomanceJoan, the CurateAmidst the wild marsh coast plagued by smugglers and wreckers, a courageous curate’s daughter races against time to aid a wounded sailor from a daring revenue cutter, braving tempe…
Level B2Children'sJoan's handfulIn a charming English rectory, Joan delights in country life and her creative projects, while old friendships and new visitors stir gentle adventures and heartfelt moments.
Level C1RomanceJoan of the Sword HandIn a rugged hillland ruled by the proud young Duchess Joan, political intrigue and soldierly camaraderie intertwine as captains Jorian and Boris navigate loyalty, love, and the wei…
Level C1HistoricalJoan of Arc: A Play in Five ActsA mysterious young peasant woman claims divine guidance to rally France’s faltering hopes during the Hundred Years’ War, challenging court intrigues and skeptical nobles as she see…
Level C1ClassicsJoan of Arc of the North WoodsIn the timber-rich Tomah country, young Ward Latisan clashes with the powerful Comas Paper Company over control of the forests, igniting a fierce battle between independent operato…
Level C1Children'sJoan and Peter: The story of an educationBorn into a world of new ideas during Queen Victoria’s reign, young Peter’s story unfolds in a bright nursery filled with love and modern hopes, as his thoughtful parents navigate…
Level C1Children'sJoan and Co.In the glittering world of New York’s social season, Dicky Burnett wrestles with his feelings for the captivating Joan Fairburne, whose sincere aloofness both intrigues and frustra…
Level C1ClassicsJoan Thursday: A NovelCaught between youthful hope and harsh reality, a tired young woman navigates the relentless grind of city life and the looming threat of lost employment, all while striving to mai…
Level C1ClassicsJoan HasteIn a windswept coastal village shadowed by ancient ruins, Joan Haste, a bright and restless young woman, wrestles with her lowly station, unfulfilled desires, and a haunting sense…
Level B2Children'sJo's BoysA decade after their youthful dreams, a beloved community thrives at Plumfield, where the original boys return as they face new challenges and adventures, guided by the caring sist…
Level C1ClassicsJinny the CarrierIn a charming rural landscape inspired by Essex, Jinny the Carrier navigates love and life among simple, kindly country folk, capturing the spirit and dialect of a timeless village…
Level C2PoetryJinglesExplore a heartfelt collection of poems that capture the nuances of parting and the emotions woven into farewells, inviting reflection on life's transitions and the echoes they lea…
Level B2Science FictionJingle in the JungleIn a world where prize-fighting is outlawed and corruption runs deep, Charlie Jingle stands alone, fighting a rigged system with nothing but his skill and grit.
Level B2AdventureJimmy, Lucy, and AllA lively family heads to the old mining town of Castle Cliff for a mountain retreat filled with adventure, camping, and curious discoveries—though the gold mines are long abandoned…
Level C1ClassicsJimmy Quixote: A NovelAn aging countryman returns from the bustling city burdened with mysterious parcels and a mission tied to "Old Paul's babies," blending nostalgia and quiet determination in a quain…
Level B2Children'sJimmy Kirkland of the Cascade College TeamAt Cascade College, James Lawrence Kirkland, a confident young athlete and heir to a fortune, arrives eager to prove himself among diverse, worldly students, only to face unexpecte…
Level B2Children'sJimmy Kirkland and the Plot for a PennantAs the championship series heats up, the Bears face setbacks with injured stars and internal tensions, while a determined, slender youth arrives seeking the team’s manager—ready to…
Level A2Children'sJimmy CrowA young boy named Jack cares for a playful crow named Jimmy who loves mischief, from hiding boots to stealing Christmas candles.
Level B1Children'sJimmy BoyJimmy Boy is a spirited young lad whose adventures with his pet burro and mischievous sister Lucy reveal a charming world of childhood innocence, playful antics, and family warmth…
Level C1ClassicsJimmie Moore of BucktownIn the harsh slums of Bucktown, young Jimmie Moore carries burdens far beyond his years, seeking help for his ailing, desperate family.
Level C1AdventureJimgrim and Allah's PeaceIn the turbulent aftermath of World War I, a journalist arrives in Jerusalem, a city teeming with political intrigue, religious tensions, and conflicting promises.
Level B2FantasyJimbo: A FantasyWhen Jimbo's governess stumbles upon a mysterious Empty House, a winter evening ignites a whimsical game of Rabbits that reveals unexpected adventures and the curious nature of chi…
Level B2AdventureJim: The Story of a Backwoods Police DogIn the rugged wilderness of Nipsiwaska County, a determined deputy sheriff trains Jim, a spirited sheep-dog mix, to become a fearless backwoods police dog, battling lawlessness and…
Level B2RomanceJim of Hellas, or In Durance Vile; The Troubling of Bethesda PoolOn a fading island once alive with whaling fleets, weathered sea captains gather in the Upper House, where memories and maritime treasures tell tales of a bygone era.
Level B2MysteryJim Waring of Sonora-Town; Or, Tang of LifeIn the shadowed expanse of Agua Fria Cañon, a lone rider stakes his vigil, tracking elusive men through the desert's maze.
Level B2AdventureJim Spurling, Fisherman: or Making GoodAs Commencement week unfolds at a New England academy, three determined friends—Jim Spurling, Roger Lane, and Winthrop Stevens—face the challenges of youth, ambition, and making th…
Level B2ClassicsJim MortimerA young surgeon spends his holiday managing a private asylum and practice in rural Eastfolkshire, navigating emergencies and eccentric patients with a mix of skill and humor.
Level B2MysteryJim Cummings; Or, The Great Adams Express RobberyThree conspirators meticulously forge letters to execute a daring robbery on the Adams Express train, weaving a tense plan filled with deception, danger, and the threat of violence…
Level B2AdventureJimA former Mountie settles into isolated bush life with only his loyal regimental dog, Jim, for company—until a devastating accident traps him beneath a crushing log, testing their b…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 3Caught between loyalty and temptation, a young man navigates complex family ties and shifting affections as he wrestles with love, jealousy, and the schemes of his uncle in a tale…
Level C1RomanceJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 2Amid lively family dinners and witty banter, a young man navigates the complexities of love and marriage under his uncle’s watchful eye, uncovering schemes and secrets that challen…
Level C1ClassicsJilted! Or, My Uncle's Scheme, Volume 1An idle young man drifts through a monotonous life in a sleepy French town under the watchful eye of his charming but reckless army major father.
Level B2Children'sJill: A Flower GirlAmid the dazzling grandeur of London's high society, a young flower girl named Jill stands silently, captivated by a world far removed from her own.
Level B2AdventureJill, Vol. 2 (of 2)Bound and captive, two women are dragged through wild Corsican hills by ruthless robbers who plan to imprison them in an abandoned chapel while negotiating a ransom.
Level C1AdventureJill, Vol. 1 (of 2)An intrepid young woman challenges the notion that adventure is a man's realm, revealing a restless spirit that drives her away from monotony and into a life full of bold departure…
Level B2Children'sJill's Red BagThree mischievous siblings turn a quiet Sunday into a chaotic adventure filled with playful pranks, runaway nurses, and lively antics that challenge the limits of patience and orde…
Level B2ClassicsJiglets: A series of sidesplitting gyrations reeled off—An out-of-luck actor embarks on a humorous journey through small-town America, encountering quirky characters, odd accommodations, and absurd situations that test his wit and resil…
Level B2AdventureJibby JonesOn the mighty Mississippi, a group of Riverbank boys guard their summer island haven—until the tall, spectacled newcomer Jibby Jones arrives, unsettling their close-knit world with…
Level C1ClassicsJezebel's DaughterTwo strangers die on the same day, leaving behind widows bound by fate and secrets.
Level B2Children'sJewish fairy storiesDive into a world where King Solomon seeks a magical worm capable of splitting stone without iron tools, blending ancient wisdom and mystical creatures in enchanting tales rooted i…
Level B2ClassicsJewish childrenIn a small village, the tender bond between two children, orphaned and bound by loss, unfolds amid the celebratory backdrop of Passover.
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.