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 B2ClassicsIn a Quiet VillageIn a quiet village, the mysterious tailor Dan’l Coombe lives a life of strict routine and silent purpose, sparking curiosity with his secretive nighttime activities and unexpected…
Level B2ClassicsIn a Mysterious WayIn a bustling household where work never ceases, Mrs.
Level C1AdventureIn a Hollow of the HillsThree horsemen navigate a dark, windswept mountain ridge, haunted by mysterious lights and eerie silence as they search for shelter in an unforgiving wilderness where shadows and s…
Level C1ClassicsIn a Green Shade: A Country CommentarySet in a tranquil village, this reflective commentary explores the rhythms of rural life, the wisdom gleaned from nature, and the enduring connections between neighbors, all seen t…
Level C1MysteryIn a Glass Darkly, v. 3/3A sinister count and a cold-hearted countess conspire in a shadowy room, unfolding a tense drama of hidden treasures and dark intentions.
Level C1MysteryIn a Glass Darkly, v. 2/3A young Englishman traveling through post-Napoleonic Europe encounters a mysterious noblewoman veiled in black, whose gratitude and gaze hint at secrets beneath her elegant exterio…
Level C1MysteryIn a Glass Darkly, v. 1/3A mysterious clergyman suffers sudden, inexplicable collapses during his sacred duties, prompting a curious physician to unravel the strange affliction haunting him between his Lon…
Level C1ClassicsIn a German PensionIn a German pension, guests navigate quirky cultural clashes and lively debates over food, health, and customs, revealing the peculiarities of daily life through sharp, humorous co…
Level C1ClassicsIn a Canadian Canoe; The Nine Muses Minus One, and Other StoriesDrift along the tranquil Backs of the Colleges in a Canadian canoe, where the whims of wind and water guide your journey through art, nature, and quiet meditation.
Level C1MysteryIn White RaimentA respected London doctor hides a secret as he unravels a series of strange, startling events amid the city's stark contrasts of wealth and poverty.
Level C2PoetryIn Various Moods: Poems and VersesExplore a rich tapestry of poems that celebrate the spirit of learning, the power of faith, and humanity’s relentless quest for progress, weaving together history, hope, and timele…
Level B2ClassicsIn VainA young man arrives in the bustling city of Kieff, eager to begin university life and escape his past.
Level C1RomanceIn Trust: The Story of a Lady and Her LoverA determined young woman defies her father’s warnings and threatens their family fortune to stand by a man he distrusts—a charming lawyer with a past she chooses to believe in.
Level C1Children'sIn Touch with Nature: Tales and Sketches from the LifeAmid a fierce winter storm, a family bonds over tales and tender care for fragile Maggie May, recovering from a terrifying runaway horse accident; warmth and love fill their cottag…
Level B2AdventureIn Times of Peril: A Tale of IndiaAmid the tranquil British cantonments of 1857 India, young Ned and Dick Warrener navigate the challenges of colonial life just as unrest begins to stir.
Level B2ClassicsIn Those Days: The Story of an Old ManAs Samuel prepares his son for military service amidst community fears and family tensions, an old man's reflections reveal the struggles and hopes woven into a changing world.
Level C1PoetryIn The Yule-Log Glow—Book 3: Christmas Poems from 'round the WorldStep into a cozy Yule-log gathering where timeless Christmas poems and carols from around the world come alive, evoking the warmth, goodwill, and festive spirit shared beneath snow…
Level C1PoetryIn The Yule-Log Glow, Book IVStep into a festive world where ancient carols, heartfelt hymns, and timeless Christmas ceremonies come alive through a rich collection of poetry and song, capturing the spirit and…
Level C2PoetryIn The Seven Woods: Being Poems Chiefly of the Irish Heroic AgeAmid the ancient whispers of the Seven Woods, a weary queen awakens to a mysterious summons from a shadowy king, stirring forgotten powers and stirring a timeless struggle woven wi…
Level B2HistoricalIn The Boyhood of Lincoln: A Tale of the Tunker Schoolmaster and the Times of Black HawkIn the rugged Illinois frontier, a dedicated Tunker schoolmaster shapes young Abraham Lincoln’s character amid pioneer hardships, Indian tales, and the trials of early American set…
Level B2AdventureIn Texas with Davy CrockettTwo young men aboard a steamboat on the Mississippi sense danger as suspicious figures watch their every move, hinting at a secret mission linked to the brewing conflict in Texas.
Level C1HistoricalIn Taunton town : a story of the rebellion of James Duke of Monmouth in 1685In 1685 Somerset, a farmer’s son recounts his family's deep ties to Taunton and the brewing inns at the heart of James Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion, revealing a vivid portrait of l…
Level B2Children'sIn Sunny Spain with Pilarica and RafaelA young girl’s embroidery struggles lead her into the enchanting gardens of a faded Moorish palace, where riddles, music, and family tales bring the magic of sunny Spain to life in…
Level C1AdventureIn Strange Company: A Story of Chili and the Southern SeasA peaceful English bachelor is thrust into a thrilling mystery when a cryptic letter from Valparaiso sparks a globe-spanning adventure filled with danger, secrets, and a fortune wo…
Level B2FantasyIn Story-landA kind-hearted, plain little girl named Beta finds purpose in bringing joy to her village through simple acts of kindness, while a wise but lame giant watches over them all from hi…
Level C1RomanceIn Spite of All: A NovelIn a wintry Hereford garden, childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities as Gabriel faces a fierce mastiff’s bite, while news of political turmoil and sacrifice looms—where tr…
Level C1RomanceIn Silk Attire: A NovelA passionate marquis wrestles with jealousy and societal scandal as he prepares to declare his love for Annie Napier, London's captivating actress, risking everything for a chance…
Level C1MysteryIn SecretAmid the silent tension of a secretive decoding office, a young woman uncovers a mysterious coded letter that could unravel hidden dangers and shift the fate of war.
Level C1Science FictionIn Search of the UnknownAn ex-government official takes on a new role managing exotic waterfowl at a New York zoological garden, where a mysterious letter hints at the existence of a legendary, supposedly…
Level B2AdventureIn Search of the Okapi: A Story of Adventure in Central AfricaTwo friends embark on a daring expedition into Central Africa's vast, uncharted forest—one chasing the mysterious okapi, the other seeking his missing father's hidden journal and t…
Level A2AdventureIn Search of the Castaways; Or, The Children of Captain GrantA daring quest unfolds as explorers navigate treacherous terrains from the Andes to the wilds of Australia and New Zealand, chasing clues to find a lost captain amid perilous adven…
Level B2HistoricalIn Search of a SonIn the serene French countryside, a man receives a mysterious telegram that promises the return of an old friend, sparking hope and anticipation in his quiet château.
Level B2AdventureIn Search of TreasureA bright young man torn between academic success and a thirst for adventure discovers a mysterious chest belonging to his late sailor uncle, sparking a quest that could unveil secr…
Level C1RomanceIn Search of MademoiselleAmid the fierce clash between French and Spanish colonists in 16th-century Florida, a mariner’s fierce love and hatred intertwine with historic battles and deceptions, revealing a…
Level B2AdventureIn Search of El DoradoTwo daring adventurers meet aboard the record-breaking steamship Everest, setting sail for New York—but their true journey lies ahead, deep in the perilous Amazon Valley’s untamed…
Level B2AdventureIn School and Out; or, The Conquest of Richard Grant.Richard Grant, a boy with a troubled past and a noble heart, navigates dangerous scrapes both in school and on the Hudson River.
Level B2AdventureIn Savage Africa: Or, The adventures of Frank Baldwin from the Gold Coast to Zanzibar.A young boy's school days end abruptly when he receives a thrilling invitation to join his father's ship, embarking on a voyage from the Gold Coast to Zanzibar.
Level B2AdventureIn Quest of Gold; Or, Under the Whanga FallsTwo brothers face the threat of losing their beloved family run to a ruthless creditor eager to claim it all.
Level C1MysteryIn Queer StreetIn a boarding-house named The Home of the Muses, a prim landlady upholds old-fashioned ideals while a flamboyant new boarder disrupts the staid atmosphere, setting the stage for my…
Level C1ClassicsIn Pursuit of SpringA reflective journey unfolds through spring’s awakening landscapes and bustling city life, capturing moments of beauty and fleeting joy amid the crowd’s relentless pace.
Level B2AdventureIn Paths of Peril: A Boy's Adventures in Nova ScotiaA resilient boy and his devoted aunt escape war-torn France to begin anew in wild Nova Scotia, where adventure and new alliances await amid untamed lands and indigenous tribes.
Level B2ClassicsIn Pastures NewAn American titan of industry, accustomed to commanding respect at home, finds himself lost and humbled in foreign lands, struggling to navigate strange languages and customs—from…
Level C1ClassicsIn Partnership: Studies in story-tellingA tale unfolds through letters, news clippings, and documents revealing the scandalous decline and mysterious fate of a once-honorable British family, as gambling debts and secrets…
Level C1ClassicsIn Paradise: A Novel. Vol. IIA city sophisticate inherits a lakeside villa he never wanted, challenging his disdain for nature and solitude with unexpected encounters and reflections in this serene retreat nea…
Level C1ClassicsIn Paradise: A Novel. Vol. I.On a quiet summer Sunday near Munich, artists labor passionately in a sunlit studio surrounded by blooming gardens and scattered sculptures, where the sacred fire of creativity bur…
Level B2ClassicsIn Our TownIn a small Western town, the local newspaper office serves as the social hub, revealing intimate and often humorous details about its residents—from choir scandals to hidden debts—…
Level C1ClassicsIn Our Convent DaysA convent school where childhood innocence meets strict discipline is stirred by the arrival of Marianus, a mysterious young priest whose presence ignites the imaginations and secr…
Level C1HistoricalIn Old MadrasAmid the sweltering streets of colonial Madras, a determined young Englishman arrives to unravel the mystery of his missing uncle, stirring echoes of old secrets and guarded promis…
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.