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 B2Science FictionJewels of GwahlurA fierce warrior scales deadly cliffs to reach the hidden, legendary palace of Alkmeenon, where a fabled treasure—The Teeth of Gwahlur—beckons amidst dangerous political intrigues…
Level B2ClassicsJewel: A Chapter in Her LifeA young man steps into the prestigious role of coachman for a wealthy New York gentleman, navigating high expectations, old rivalries, and the challenges of a refined new world.
Level B2Children'sJewel's Story BookA young girl named Jewel eagerly prepares to visit her grandfather in New York, anticipating a special dinner and exciting adventures as she travels by train dressed in her finest…
Level C1FantasyJewel sowers: a novelOn the upside-down planet Lucifram, where kings are chosen for their frailties and worshippers bow before a three-tailed golden Serpent, customs invert reality and challenge all no…
Level C1ClassicsJewel WeedIn a bustling Western city, young Ellery Norris navigates new friendships and ambitions amid a gathering that contrasts worldly ambition with mysterious Eastern spirituality, where…
Level C1MysteryJewel Mysteries, from a Dealer's Note BookOn a gloomy day in Piccadilly, a mysterious man arrives at a jeweler’s shop, unveiling an extraordinary opal of dazzling beauty and intrigue.
Level B2ClassicsJessie TrimA child's vivid memories weave through a peculiar family world, where a mysterious stone monkey figure seems to possess eerie powers and secrets linger behind a grandmother’s weddi…
Level C1ClassicsJessie GrahamAn aging deacon reflects on loss and legacy beneath a towering maple tree, while his young grandson Walter carries the weight of a sorrowful past as the family navigates grief, lov…
Level B2Children'sJessie Carlton: The Story of a Girl who Fought with Little Impulse, the: Wizard, and Conquered HimIn a quiet village near New York, young Jessie Carlton embarks on a charming adventure of courage and character, battling the mischievous Impulse, the Wizard.
Level C1Children'sJessieA young girl, facing the loss of her family home and dreams, finds hope in the kindness of neighbors who offer her a new home and a chance to pursue education while working to supp…
Level B2MysteryJessica, the HeiressAmid California’s blooming ranchlands, Jessica faces whispers of betrayal and family secrets threatening her inheritance.
Level B2Children'sJessica's First Prayer; and, Jessica's MotherA lonely coffee-stall keeper encounters Jessica, a hungry, neglected girl seeking warmth and comfort beneath a London railway bridge, revealing a poignant tale of hardship, kindnes…
Level C1MysteryJessica Trent: Her Life on a RanchA spirited horseback chase through narrow canyon trails leads a stranger to the remote Sobrante ranch, where he meets Jessica Trent, a fearless rider who shares her unique life amo…
Level B2Children'sJessica Trent's InheritanceA young girl embarks on a daunting journey across the country, leaving her beloved ranch and loved ones behind.
Level C1MysteryJesse James' Desperate Game; Or, The Robbery of the Ste. Genevieve BankIn a lively Missouri spring town where danger lurks beneath carefree revelry, three sharply dressed outlaws led by Jesse James blend into the crowd, plotting a daring $10,000 bank…
Level B2AdventureJesse James' Bold Stroke; Or, The Double Bank RobberyCaught between mysterious fires and the threat of U.
Level C1ClassicsJesse CliffeIn a secluded, marshy English landscape, a once-grand farmstead stands abandoned, shrouded in silence and decay.
Level C1RomanceJessamine: A NovelConfined by illness yet captivated by a stirring sermon, a young woman finds hope and heroism in the voice that echoes through her quiet church.
Level B2ClassicsJess of the Rebel TrailOn a stormy night, a mysterious man intrudes upon a reclusive woman, claiming to bridge the gap between ignorance and knowledge with books, while seeking an unexpected favor that c…
Level C1AdventureJessIn scorching Transvaal heat, a weary soldier stumbles upon a fierce ostrich attacking a young woman, forcing him into a sudden, dangerous confrontation that will change his quiet l…
Level C2HistoricalJerusalem DeliveredAs Christian knights unite under Godfrey's command to reclaim Jerusalem, divine forces and earthly valor collide in a soaring tale of faith, warfare, and sacred duty amid the Crusa…
Level C1ClassicsJerusalemIn a steadfast Swedish parish, a powerful religious revival shakes the lives of the Ingmarsson family and their neighbors, leading many to forsake their ancestral homes and embark…
Level B2ClassicsJersey Street and Jersey Lane: Urban and Suburban SketchesExplore the clash between urban annoyance and human hardship through vivid sketches of city life, where an organ-grinder’s persistent music tests the patience of a well-to-do lady…
Level B2Children'sJerry; or, the sailor boy ashoreA sailor boy returns home after a long absence, only to face the changes and losses that time has wrought on his family.
Level C1AdventureJerry of the IslandsStranded in the perilous Solomon Islands, an Irish terrier named Jerry embarks on a gripping adventure through a world of headhunters and danger, where loyalty and survival are tes…
Level B1MysteryJerry Todd and the rose-colored catWhen a mysterious letter promises the arrival of a rare rose-colored cat, Jerry Todd and his friends set out to uncover the truth behind the curious feline—and the surprising secre…
Level B1MysteryJerry Todd and the Talking FrogA ghost haunts the old brick house where a puzzle maker met a strange death, and Jerry Todd and his friends must unravel the eerie mystery involving a talking frog and a secret cal…
Level B2MysteryJerry Todd and the Oak Island TreasureJoin Jerry Todd and his friends as they turn an old canal boat into a thrilling stage show while unraveling the mystery of a ghostly presence, a hidden treasure on a lonely island,…
Level C1RomanceJerryAn American traveler’s summer plans are upended when a surprising letter from his sister arrives, promising unexpected family reunions and restless adventures in picturesque Europe…
Level B2ClassicsJerome, A Poor Man: A NovelIn the warmth of spring, twelve-year-old Jerome finds solace in a hidden rock ledge, where a chance encounter with Lucina Merritt, a well-to-do girl, sparks a tender but uneasy con…
Level C1Children'sJeremy and Hamlet: A Chronicle of Certain Incidents in the Lives of a Boy, a Dog, and a Country TownIn a quaint English town of 1894, a boy named Jeremy and his dog Hamlet navigate the bittersweet rhythms of childhood, loyalty, and the quiet dramas unfolding beneath the kitchen w…
Level B2Children'sJeremyAn eight-year-old boy wakes on his birthday to claim new rights in the family nursery, sparking playful battles and moments of self-discovery as he steps into a larger world beyond…
Level C1ClassicsJenny: A Village IdylAs a train journeys through a quiet countryside, strangers bound by their worries and hopes share fleeting moments—a fierce woman traveling to care for her ailing child, a young wo…
Level C1Children'sJenny: A NovelAmid the bustling streets and timeless beauty of Rome, a young traveler named Helge is drawn into the city's vibrant life and history, discovering unexpected emotions and the thril…
Level C1RomanceJennie Gerhardt: A NovelA young woman and her family struggle against relentless poverty in 1880s Ohio, as they seek work and hope for better days while facing illness and mounting debts.
Level C1MysteryJennie Baxter, JournalistA determined young journalist uses her charm and wit to secure a coveted position at a bustling metropolitan newspaper, navigating the cutthroat world of journalism and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsJenifer's PrayerA troubled man escorts a young English beauty southward through ancient England, their journey shadowed by unspoken tension and a secret past.
Level C1HistoricalJemmy Stubbins, or the Nailer Boy: Illustrations of the Law of KindnessA young boy is forced into the harsh labor of nail-making from childhood, his growth stunted by poverty and toil.
Level C1Children'sJemima Placid; or, The Advantage of Good-NatureA gentle girl’s calm and kind nature guides her through childhood challenges, contrasting sharply with her cousin’s peevish temper.
Level B2Science FictionJekyll-Hyde PlanetA family escapes Earth's overcrowded, war-torn future to colonize Centifor, a pristine, untouched paradise planet.
Level C1RomanceJeff Briggs's Love StoryCaught in a storm at a struggling frontier inn, Jeff Briggs confronts loneliness, loss, and the weight of his family’s legacy while awaiting a delayed stagecoach and the promise of…
Level B2AdventureJeff Benson, or the Young CoastguardsmanA spirited young man, orphaned and determined, rejects a dull legal career to embrace the sea, rising from novice sailor to coastguard near his hometown.
Level B2Children'sJed, the Poorhouse BoyIn a harsh poorhouse ruled by bitter overseers, sixteen-year-old Jed faces daily cruelty with quiet strength and independence.
Level B2MysteryJeanne of the MarshesIn a world of whispered suspicions and social exile, Major Forrest seeks refuge from an unseen threat among scarce allies and uncertain loyalties.
Level C1ClassicsJean-Christophe, Volume IA gifted musician wrestles with truth, integrity, and societal compromise as he grows from youth to a rebellious young man forced to flee his German hometown for Paris.
Level B2ClassicsJean-Christophe in Paris: The Market-Place, Antoinette, the HouseAn awkward newcomer arrives in bustling Paris, overwhelmed by its chaos, grime, and indifferent crowds.
Level B2ClassicsJean-Christophe Journey's EndTwo struggling friends in Paris face sudden fame when a glowing newspaper article crowns one as a musical genius, thrusting him into a whirlwind of journalists and powerful admirer…
Level C1MysteryJean of the Lazy AAt the Lazy A ranch, sixteen-year-old Jean’s cheerful morning routines mask an imminent disaster that will shatter the peace of her home and those she loves.
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.