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'sIn the Forest; Or, Pictures of Life and Scenery in the Woods of Canada: A TaleA curious young girl befriends a timid flying squirrel while discovering the wonders of Canadian wildlife, forests, and Indigenous culture.
Level C1ClassicsIn the Footprints of Charles LambTrace the footsteps of Charles Lamb through the streets and homes of London, uncovering the places that shaped the beloved writer’s life and work, while revealing the man behind th…
Level C1MysteryIn the FogIn the exclusive Grill Club, where tradition demands camaraderie among strangers, four men gather on the night after the great London fog of 1897, sparking a mysterious conversatio…
Level C1RomanceIn the Fire of the Forge: A Romance of Old Nuremberg — CompleteUnder moonlight in 1281 Nuremberg, a noble scion silently visits a young woman in a guarded mansion, hinting at secret bonds and whispered romances amid the city's political grande…
Level C1HistoricalIn the Far North: 1901Struggling against a relentless drought that devastates his cattle station in North Queensland, Jack Barrington battles despair, financial ruin, and the harsh, unforgiving land.
Level C1AdventureIn the Eastern SeasA seasoned captain navigates his battered ship through stormy seas, spotting a dismasted vessel in peril.
Level C1ClassicsIn the Dozy Hours, and Other PapersExplore the comforting allure of cherished books that soothe restless nights and evoke the gentle nostalgia of youth, as timeless essays reflect on the joy of rereading and the ser…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Desert of Waiting: The Legend of Camel-back MountainA merchant’s camel falters in the desert, leaving him stranded with a ruined load and fading hopes of reaching the City of Desire.
Level B2AdventureIn the Depths of the Dark Continent; or, The Vengeance of Van VincentAmid a fierce storm, young Van Vincent awakens to a chilling cry of murder and discovers his uncle fatally wounded, naming a mysterious enemy as his assailant.
Level B2ClassicsIn the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3)A proud squire faces financial ruin and must confront the cold reality of borrowing money for the first time, challenging friendships and long-held promises as he seeks a way out o…
Level C1MysteryIn the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)Tensions rise as Edward Cope reluctantly prepares to leave for New York under his father's watchful eye, while a delicate romance with Jane Culpepper hangs in the balance amid soci…
Level C1RomanceIn the Dead of Night: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)On a stormy night along treacherous cliffs, Lionel Dering confronts danger and the haunting memory of a lost love.
Level C1MysteryIn the Dead of NightA man returns to New York after ten years, navigating the dazzling, relentless pulse of Broadway while haunted by past struggles and the tantalizing promise of a mysterious fortune…
Level C1Science FictionIn the Days of the CometAs a comet approaches Earth, a man reflects on a transformative event he calls the Great Change—an upheaval that reshapes society and challenges the boundaries between past and fut…
Level B2AdventureIn the Days of Washington: A Story of the American RevolutionAmid the shadowed streets of occupied Philadelphia, a young student is summoned on a secret night mission that could change the fate of the American Revolution.
Level B2HistoricalIn the Days of Queen VictoriaFollow the early life of Alexandrina Victoria, a royal baby destined to become a beloved queen, as her family navigates court intrigues, names, and the hopes of a nation eager for…
Level B2HistoricalIn the Days of Queen ElizabethAmid political intrigue and royal executions, witness the turbulent early life of Princess Elizabeth as England navigates betrayal, power struggles, and the shadow of a fallen quee…
Level B2RomanceIn the Days of Poor RichardAmidst the turbulent backdrop of pre-Revolutionary America, spirited young Jack Irons and the seasoned scout Solomon Binkus navigate danger, friendship, and adventure in the untame…
Level C1RomanceIn the Days of My Youth: A NovelIn a quaint English hamlet rich with history and charm, a young woman’s deep connection to her ancestral home sets the stage for a heartfelt journey through love, tradition, and th…
Level B2Children'sIn the Days of Giants: A Book of Norse TalesJourney into a world where fiery realms clash with icy giants, and gods forge earth and sky from a colossal giant’s body.
Level C1AdventureIn the Days of DrakeStep into the daring world of Elizabethan England, where valorous sea-dogs challenge the might of Spain and shape the destiny of nations.
Level B2AdventureIn the Days of Chivalry: A Tale of the Times of the Black PrinceIn the autumnal forests of Gascony, twin brothers born of noble blood but raised humbly dream of reclaiming their birthright amid brewing conflict between England and France.
Level C1PoetryIn the Days When the World Was Wide, and Other VersesExplore the rugged Australian outback through vivid verses that capture friendship, hardship, and the spirit of a wide, untamed world.
Level C1HistoricalIn the Day of AdversityA determined soldier braves relentless winter storms, hostile dangers, and secret royal orders as he rushes through snowbound France, carrying a precious child and a mysterious mes…
Level B2FantasyIn the Court of King ArthurIn a realm of legendary knights and chivalry, a young page named Allan faces danger when an arrogant knight demands a perilous message be delivered.
Level B2FantasyIn the Closed RoomIn a sweltering city flat near the thunderous Elevated Railroad, young Judith, a delicate and mysterious child, finds solace in her imagination and a distant aunt’s haunting legacy…
Level B2RomanceIn the Cause of FreedomIn a tense encounter with a suspicious Russian police agent, an English sportsman finds himself entangled in the dangerous politics of Polish patriots.
Level C1HistoricalIn the Carquinez WoodsIn the shadowy Carquinez Woods, a tense encounter unfolds as a bound woman and armed men navigate eerie silence and sudden gunfire, hinting at danger lurking beneath the ancient re…
Level C1ClassicsIn the CageConfined behind a wire screen in a London post office, a young telegraphist navigates the monotony and social divides of her work while contemplating a transfer that could change h…
Level C1AdventureIn the Brooding WildAmid the vast, frozen wilderness of the northern Rockies, a lone hunter battles the relentless forces of nature and the haunting silence of the mountainside, where every breath of…
Level C1HistoricalIn the Blue Pike — CompleteIn a bustling inn on the eve of an imperial assembly, a group of outcasts hides from the watchful eyes of aristocratic enforcers, while a pale, injured girl’s secret connection to…
Level B2MysteryIn the Bishop's CarriageA quick-witted young woman, caught with a stolen watch, escapes an eager pursuer by slipping into the luxurious carriage of a bishop, setting off a daring game of cat and mouse thr…
Level C1ClassicsIn the Arena: Stories of Political LifeDive into the gritty, hand-to-hand battles of political life through the eyes of a seasoned ward-worker, who reveals the game’s fierce struggles, sacrifices, and the rare satisfact…
Level C1ClassicsIn the "Stranger People's" countryIn the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains lies a mysterious burial ground of the "Little Stranger People," an ancient, forgotten race whose secrets unsettle the local mountaineers…
Level B2AdventureIn search of fortune: A tale of the old land and the newOn the eve of his tenth birthday, young Archie dreams of adventure and manhood while his family faces the challenges of life between the old world and the new.
Level C1ClassicsIn peril on the seaExperience the challenges and camaraderie of naval life during wartime, as this engaging narrative explores the realities of sailors’ daily routines, officialdom, and the unique sp…
Level C1HistoricalIn old Narragansett; romances and realitiesExplore the rich tapestry of colonial Narragansett, where vast estates, English traditions, African slavery, and native customs intertwine in a unique New England plantation settin…
Level C1ClassicsIn mid-airA wartime pilot faces a deadly dilemma when his bomb fails to release properly, leaving a live torpedo swinging beneath his plane—each movement threatening catastrophic explosion.
Level C1PoetryIn memoriamA profound poetic journey through grief and remembrance unfolds, exploring the depths of loss and the enduring bonds of memory.
Level B2RomanceIn love's handsA tangled web of secrets and desires unfolds as hearts are tested and love’s true power is revealed in a world where every choice carries weight.
Level C1AdventureIn furthest IndAn English officer's daring escape from the Inquisition in Goa launches a perilous journey through the intrigues of the Mughal court and the exotic lands of India, revealing advent…
Level C1HistoricalIn exitu IsraelAmidst the turbulent dawn of the French Revolution, a parish priest grapples with faith, justice, and shifting loyalties as Church and State collide in a nation on the brink of uph…
Level B2ClassicsIn doors and outA young dry goods dealer strikes out on his own with the backing of a wealthy merchant, only to find his ambitions complicated by the captivating presence of the merchant’s beautif…
Level C1HistoricalIn colonial daysStep back into colonial Boston and explore the faded grandeur of the Old Province House, where echoes of royal governors and Revolutionary history linger in every shadowed room and…
Level C1HistoricalIn and About Drury Lane, and Other Papers, Vol. 2 (of 2): Reprinted from the pages of the 'Temple Bar' MagazineStep into the turbulent early 19th century, where English society navigates war, scandal, and royal drama—from daring prison escapes and high-stakes gambling losses to the complex…
Level C1ClassicsIn and About Drury Lane, and Other Papers Vol. 1 (of 2): Reprinted from the pages of the 'Temple Bar' MagazineStep behind the scenes at Drury Lane Theatre on Boxing Day, 1865, where a bustling pantomime rehearsal contrasts sharply with the grim streets outside.
Level B2ClassicsIn a steamer chair, and other shipboard storiesAs the steamship City of Buffalo departs New York harbor, George Morris embarks on a transatlantic voyage weighed down by restless thoughts and a mysterious urgency to leave the sh…
Level B2AdventureIn a new worldTwo American boys forge a new life in Australia’s wild frontiers, facing shipwrecks, treachery, and the thrill of gold mining as they seek fortune and adventure far from home.
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.