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 C1HistoricalJane Austen and Her TimesExplore the vibrant world that shaped a singular literary genius, unveiling the social customs, influential figures, and historic backdrop of late 18th-century England where wit an…
Level C1HistoricalJane Austen and Her Country-house ComedyExplore the enduring charm of Jane Austen's world, where keen satire and tranquil domestic life reveal timeless insights into human nature and society.
Level B2Children'sJane Allen, Right GuardA spirited young girl faces the challenge of leaving her beloved Western home to attend Wellington College, determined to embrace her new life with courage and make the most of her…
Level C1Children'sJane Allen, JuniorAt Wellington College, juniors gather beneath the grandmother poplar for a secret ritual called the Whisper, but Jane Allen is mysteriously absent, sparking curiosity and whispers…
Level C1Children'sJane Allen, CenterA spirited girl faces the bittersweet end of summer at her family ranch before returning to college, embracing life’s storms and sunshine with resilience and joy.
Level A2Children'sJan of the Windmill: A Story of the PlainsAmidst storms both outside and within, a humble windmiller’s family faces unexpected trials and changing fortunes on the plains, weaving a tender story of resilience, hope, and the…
Level B2ClassicsJan and Her JobAboard a quiet P.
Level C1ClassicsJan Vedder's WifeIn the rugged Shetland town of Lerwick, Jan Vedder’s betrothal to Margaret Fae sets the stage for a tale steeped in seafaring tradition, Norse heritage, and the stirring passions o…
Level C1ClassicsJames Russell Lowell, A Biography; vol. 1/2Dive into the rich life of James Russell Lowell, tracing his roots to the historic Elmwood estate in Cambridge, and explore the intimate letters, writings, and friendships that sha…
Level C1HistoricalJames Russell Lowell, A Biography; vol 2/2Dive into the turbulent era leading up to the American Civil War through the lens of a literary and political visionary shaping the Atlantic Monthly’s bold stance on freedom, law,…
Level B2ClassicsJames Russell Lowell and His FriendsStep into the intimate world of a distinguished Boston literary circle, guided by personal memories and rare letters revealing the boyhood and formative years of a poet born amidst…
Level C1ClassicsJames Fenimore Cooper: American Men of LettersExplore the origins and early life of a renowned American novelist, tracing his family's pioneering settlement in the scenic village that bears their name and uncovering the myths…
Level C1ClassicsJames Fenimore CooperExplore the life behind the legendary creator of American romance, tracing his roots from a childhood shaped by family fortune in the wilderness of Otsego to the world that inspire…
Level C1AdventureJames Braithwaite, the Supercargo: The Story of his Adventures Ashore and AfloatAmid the bustling naval preparations at Portsmouth, an eager supercargo embarks on the merchant ship Barbara, navigating the chaos of press-gangs, spirited sailors, and the thrill…
Level C1HistoricalJames BoswellExplore the intricate lineage and proud heritage of James Boswell, tracing his Norman roots and noble connections that shaped the man behind the famous Life of Johnson.
Level B1Children'sJakie's ChristmasIn a remote log cabin, young Jakie clings to the hope of meeting jolly Santa Claus despite his grandmother's warnings of poverty and distance.
Level C1ClassicsJafferyIn a blossoming garden, an urbane narrator begins to unravel the spirited life of his indomitable friend Jaffery Chayne, weaving together wit, philosophy, and intimate musings on f…
Level C1HistoricalJacques Bonneval; Or, The Days of the DragonnadesAmid the bustling Fair of Beaucaire in 1685, a young man navigates family ties, first loves, and looming trials in a world where faith and festivity collide.
Level C1ClassicsJacqueline — CompleteIn the lively salons of Paris, Jacqueline stands apart—a striking young girl whose rare beauty and individuality captivate her circle of friends.
Level B2AdventureJacqueline of the Carrier PigeonsIn the serene city of Leyden, a golden-haired girl and her younger brother embark on a journey steeped in history and courage, where carrier pigeons carry messages of hope amid tal…
Level C1ClassicsJacob's RoomA young boy named Jacob wanders a windswept seaside, caught between childhood's fragile moments and the vast, silent world around him.
Level C1MysteryJacob's LadderA once-cheerful man faces the crushing humiliation of bankruptcy and social exile, struggling to maintain dignity amid cold glances and silent creditors.
Level C1AdventureJacob FaithfulBorn on a Thames lighter to a pipe-smoking father and a gin-loving mother, young Jacob faces early loss and hardship.
Level A2AdventureJacky Dandy's DelightFollow Jacky Dandy’s lively journey through a bustling fair filled with wild beasts, playful animals, and charming birds, where each encounter reveals a new wonder and delight.
Level C1HistoricalJackanapes, Daddy Darwin's Dovecot and Other StoriesAmid the quaint village of Goose Green, where age-old tales and local lore intertwine, residents face the turmoil of war and strange visitors, all while children fear the ominous B…
Level C1Children'sJack: 1877A young boy named Jack, burdened by exile and new surroundings, arrives at a prestigious Jesuit school in 1858 Paris with his enigmatic mother, whose charm masks hidden secrets.
Level B2AdventureJack, the Young Ranchman: A Boy's Adventures in the RockiesA frail city boy embarks on a rugged adventure at his uncle's remote Rocky Mountain ranch, where wild animals, untamed landscapes, and the challenges of cowboy life await him.
Level B2AdventureJack, the Fire DogIn a bustling city where Engine 33 reigns supreme, Jack, the clever and devoted fire dog, races alongside his firemen comrades through freezing winter nights, ready to brave danger…
Level B2HistoricalJack's Ward; Or, The Boy GuardianIn post-Civil War New York, young Jack Harding faces hardship with a hopeful heart, stepping up to support his unemployed father and struggling family.
Level B2Children'sJack's Two SovereignsIn a cramped family home, thirteen-year-old Jack navigates sibling rivalries and the challenges of growing up as a printer’s boy, while his lively household juggles work, school, a…
Level B1MysteryJack the runaway; or, On the road with a circusA determined farm boy defies his strict guardian to experience the excitement of a traveling vaudeville show, setting off on an adventurous journey with a circus.
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Trapper: An Eastern Boy's Fur Hunting in the Rocky MountainsAn Eastern boy returns to his uncle’s ranch in the rugged Rocky Mountains, eager to explore the wild frontier where trappers brave fierce storms and untamed wilderness in pursuit o…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Explorer: A Boy's Experiances in the Unknown NorthwestA young explorer ventures into the untamed Northwest, following mountain goats, elk, and elusive buffalo through rugged terrain where few white men have gone.
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Cowboy: An Eastern Boy's Experiance on a Western Round-upAn Eastern boy embraces the rugged life of a cowboy during a transformative era on the Western cattle range, facing the harsh realities behind the romantic allure of open plains, l…
Level B2AdventureJack the Young Canoeman: An Eastern Boy's Voyage in a Chinook CanoeA young boy embarks on a daring voyage along the rugged British Columbia coast, discovering the mysterious beauty of the fiords and the traditional fishing methods of the indigenou…
Level B2AdventureJack the Hunchback: A Story of Adventure on the Coast of MaineWhen a deformed boy drifts ashore in a lifeboat carrying a hungry baby, a Maine farm boy’s dull day turns into a gripping adventure sparked by a ship’s explosion and a desperate es…
Level C1AdventureJack the Giant KillerIn a world where giants roam and griffins soar, a fearless young hero trains to face monstrous foes and win glory.
Level B2Children'sJack the EnglishmanIn the sunlit hills of Tasmania, young Jack, proud of his English heritage and eager to grow up, dreams of joining his naval captain father in England—yet the waiting and farewells…
Level B1AdventureJack of the Pony Express; Or, The Young Rider of the Mountain TrailsA young rider and his swift pony navigate treacherous mountain trails to deliver vital mail between isolated settlements, facing wild landscapes and unexpected dangers on their dar…
Level B2Science FictionJack of No TradesIn a distant asteroid belt, a resourceful man transforms a battered tug’s powerful drive unit into a mobile asteroid, sparking curiosity and intrigue as others watch his unconventi…
Level B2AdventureJack in the Rockies: A Boy's Adventures with a Pack TrainA young boy embarks on a rugged journey through the untamed Yellowstone and Piegan territories, discovering wild landscapes and forming deep friendships along the way.
Level C1AdventureJack at Sea: All Work and No Play Made Him a Dull BoyA delicate, bookish boy struggles to meet his outdoorsy father's expectations of health and vigor, sparking a journey from quiet study to adventures in nature, collecting insects a…
Level C1FantasyJack and the Check BookA desperate mother faces ruin until her resourceful son, Jack, trades their cow for a mysterious pot of beans—only to wake to a giant, magical beanstalk leading to an unexpected ad…
Level C1PoetryJack and the Bean-Stalk: English HexametersA lazy boy trades his cow for magic beans that grow into a towering beanstalk leading to a mysterious island guarded by a fearsome giant and his wife.
Level B2AdventureJack and his ostrichOn the vast South African veldt, young Jack Treby navigates a rugged life with his father, their faithful farmhands, and the wild landscape surrounding them.
PoetryJack and Jill and Old Dame GillFollow the whimsical adventures of Jack, Jill, and Old Dame Gill in charming verses that capture timeless mischief and playful rhyme.
PoetryJack and Jill and Old Dame GillJoin Jack, Jill, Old Dame Gill, and their lively companions as they dance and play through this charming, illustrated collection of joyful rhymes and jigs.
Level B2Children'sJack and JillOn a crisp December afternoon in Harmony Village, Jack and Jill race down snowy hills and brave icy ponds, their friendship and fearless spirits shining amid winter’s frolic and th…
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.