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'sGranfer, and One Christmas timeIn the cozy kitchen of Lowercoombe Farm, a family gathers around memories and mysteries as they await the return of a long-lost son whose absence still shadows their lives—especial…
Level B2RomanceGrandmother: The Story of a Life That Never Was LivedA young woman arrives as her grandfather’s new, unexpected wife, stirring fierce jealousy and upheaval in the village.
Level C2HistoricalGrandmother's Story of Bunker Hill Battle, as She Saw it from the BelfryAn eighty-year-old grandmother recalls the harrowing sights and sounds of the Battle of Bunker Hill, as cannon fire roars and soldiers clash just beyond the river.
Level B1Children'sGrandmother Puss; Or, The grateful mouseA wise old cat vows to catch a sly gray rat terrorizing the cellar but finds an unlikely ally in a clever mouse named Cooky, leading to a surprising bargain that could change their…
Level C1Children'sGrandmother ElsieAmid autumn's quiet beauty, a family faces the shadow of illness and loss, with tender bonds tested by grief and worry.
Level B1Children'sGrandmother Dear: A Book for Boys and GirlsThree children gather around their warm and whimsical grandmother, imagining magical adventures and playful mischief, as they prepare for a journey filled with surprises and heartf…
Level B2PoetryGrandma's MemoriesAn elderly grandmother drifts through memories of childhood, youth, and marriage as a gentle lullaby stirs the past, weaving a tender portrait of life's stages and the enduring bon…
Level B2Children'sGrandfer's wonderful gardenA young boy, orphaned by war, embarks on a journey from London to Devonshire to live with his mysterious grandfather.
Level B2Children'sGrandfather's Love PieA family faces the heartbreaking illness of their beloved grandfather, whose strength and spirit inspire courage and love amid uncertain days.
Level A2Children'sGrand-Daddy Whiskers, M.D.When the woodland creatures send a plea for help, Grand-daddy Whiskers, M.
Level C1PoetryGrand'ther Baldwin's Thanksgiving, with Other Ballads and PoemsIn a timeless farmhouse, Grand'ther Baldwin’s Thanksgiving gathers family and memories beneath a warmly blazing hearth, where childhood laughter echoes and a bountiful feast celebr…
Level C1ClassicsGrammatical Sketch of the Heve Language: Shea's Library of American Linguistics. Volume III.Explore the rich history and geography of the Heve language, spoken by the Eudeve people in 18th-century Sonora, revealing the culture, lands, and neighboring tribes through detail…
Level C1ClassicsGrammar of the New Zealand language (2nd edition)Explore the rich diversity and deep connections of the Maori language through an insightful grammar that reveals its dialects, origins, and unique structure—offering learners a cle…
Level C1ClassicsGrammar and Vocabulary of the Lau Language, Solomon IslandsExplore the intricate grammar and vocabulary of the Lau language, spoken on artificial islets off Big Malaita in the Solomon Islands, revealing its unique sounds, influences, and d…
Level B2HistoricalGraham of ClaverhouseAmid the chaos of war and swirling loyalties, two young Scottish officers forge destinies intertwined by fate and conflict.
Level C1ClassicsGraf von Loeben and the Legend of Lorelei: From "Modern Philology" vol. 13 (1915)Explore the life and literary influence of Graf von Loeben, a prolific but obscure 19th-century poet whose extensive works and connections with prominent romanticists reveal a comp…
Level C1PoetryGraded Poetry: Seventh YearDelight in the rhythmic beauty and timeless wisdom of poetry as it unfolds through the voices of Shakespeare, Milton, and more, capturing childhood's joy and youth's awakening in v…
Level C1PoetryGraded Memory SelectionsExplore a carefully curated collection of graded poems designed to enrich young minds with beauty, moral strength, and timeless wisdom—nurturing culture through memorable verses su…
Level C1AdventureGrace O'Malley, Princess and PirateAmid the turbulent seas of 16th-century Ireland, a young Scot becomes entwined with the legendary Grace O'Malley, the fierce Pirate Princess whose wit, courage, and passions shape…
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Third Year at Overton CollegeAs college life beckons, Grace Harlowe and her friends share a final, laughter-filled evening before they part ways to pursue new adventures and challenges at Overton College.
Level B1Children'sGrace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School: The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and AthleticsAt Oakdale High, Grace Harlowe and her friends juggle gym class challenges, fierce basketball rivalries, and the drama stirred by a troublemaking junior.
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Senior Year at High SchoolAs college-bound friends bid farewell at the station, Grace and her chums face the bittersweet challenges of their senior year, navigating friendship, rivalry, and new adventures i…
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Second Year at Overton CollegeReturning to Overton College for their sophomore year, Grace Harlowe and her friends navigate new challenges, friendships, and the bustling campus life that makes college feel like…
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Return to Overton CampusReturning to the beloved Overton College, Grace Harlowe embraces a summer pilgrimage filled with friendship, loyalty, and the familiar warmth of campus life.
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's ProblemNine college friends reunite for a sunlit vacation by the ocean, cherishing their bond before returning to their separate paths.
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School: The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshmen GirlsAt Oakdale High, new girl Miss Pierson faces cold judgment for her shabby clothes and quiet nature, but Grace Harlowe is determined to break the barriers of class and friendship, s…
Level B2AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders on the Old Apache TrailAfter wartime service, a group of young women yearn for adventure and join forces for an exhilarating vacation on the Old Apache Trail, promising excitement, camaraderie, and a hea…
Level B2AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders on the Lost River TrailA forest fire threatens the village of Silver Creek as the Overland Riders rush to save its inhabitants, only to face bandits, mysterious disappearances, and wild animal attacks in…
Level B2AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders on the Great American DesertA daring group of young women set out to conquer the wild American desert, facing runaway broncos, desert storms, mysterious horsemen, and hidden treasures.
Level B1MysteryGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the Yellowstone National ParkA group of young adventurers faces missing guides, stolen ponies, mysterious robberies, and wild bears while exploring the wonders and dangers of Yellowstone National Park.
Level B1AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the High SierrasA thrilling summer adventure unfolds as the Overland Riders face train bandits, mysterious attacks, and wild encounters in the High Sierras.
Level B1AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders in the Great North WoodsA spirited group of young adventurers confronts wild animals, forest fires, and timber thieves as they explore the untamed Great North Woods.
Level B1AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders at Circle O RanchIn the rugged Coso Valley, the Overland Riders face rustlers, mysterious attacks, and daring rescues as they defend the Circle O Ranch.
Level C1AdventureGrace Harlowe's Overland Riders Among the Kentucky MountaineersA spirited group of young riders embarks on their third summer adventure through the rugged Kentucky foothills, facing unexpected challenges—and a mischievous mule—that test their…
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Junior Year at High School: Or, Fast Friends in the SororitiesAs juniors at high school, Grace Harlowe and her friends navigate new friendships, rivalries, and the excitement of growing up amidst sorority life and school challenges.
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Golden SummerA close-knit group of college friends spend a golden summer together, navigating lively banter, friendship, and the stirrings of love.
Level B2Children'sGrace Harlowe's Fourth Year at Overton CollegeCollege life reignites as Grace Harlowe and her friends reunite for a lively house-to-house luncheon, blending friendship, fashion, and fun at Overton College.
Level B1Children'sGrace Harlowe's First Year at Overton CollegeAs Grace Harlowe and her friends embark on their first year at Overton College, they face heartfelt goodbyes, new challenges, and the promise of lifelong friendships amid the excit…
Level B2AdventureGrace Harlowe with the American Army on the RhineAmid the tense aftermath of war, Grace Harlowe navigates the uneasy march of the American Third Army to the Rhine, confronting strict superiors, uneasy alliances, and the lurking t…
Level C1ClassicsGrace Abounding to the Chief of SinnersA soul wrestles with sin and temptation, chronicling a profound journey from despair to faith through God's mercy.
Level C1HistoricalGowrie; or, the King's Plot.A gripping tale unfolds around the mysterious Gowrie Conspiracy, challenging the truth behind King James's darkest plot.
Level C1HistoricalGovernor Winthrop's Return to Boston: An Interview with a Great CharacterA visionary poem brings Governor Winthrop back to a transformed Boston, reflecting on the city's growth, the enduring church covenant he authored, and the spiritual legacy of the C…
Level C1ClassicsGov. Bob. Taylor's Tales: "The fiddle and the bow," "The paradise of fools," "Visions and dreams"Experience vivid tales woven with humor, music, and vivid imagery that transport you through storms, love, and life's simple joys, all brought to life by a master storyteller whose…
Level C1HistoricalGossip in a LibraryStep into the intimate world of private libraries, where scattered books hold centuries of passion, ambition, and forgotten lives.
Level C1ClassicsGossamerTorn between loyalty and disillusionment, a man of no country reflects on patriotism and identity while crossing the Atlantic.
Level B2Science FictionGoslingsIn early 20th-century London, George Gosling, a respectable family man and head clerk, navigates the delicate balance between social respectability and hidden desires, revealing th…
Level C1PhilosophyGorgiasSocrates challenges the nature of rhetoric and its claim to power, exposing it as mere flattery beneath a deeper moral debate on true art, justice, and the soul’s well-being.
Level C1HistoricalGordon KeithAmid the grandeur of the Elphinstone plantation, young Gordon Keith inherits the weighty legacy of old Southern gentility, only to witness his world upended by war and loss.
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.