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 C1Science FictionThe vertigo hookIn a world where time twists beyond a single dimension, a brilliant mathematician and his team face a secret mission to engineer a groundbreaking rocket nozzle, navigating the tang…
Level B2HistoricalThe vampire catIn a serene Japanese setting, a mysterious vampire cat weaves its legend through the lives of a prince and his attendants, blending supernatural intrigue with cultural tradition in…
Level C1MysteryThe valley of ghostsWhen a daring diamond theft rattles the quiet town of Beverley, detective Andrew Macleod is drawn into a mysterious chase.
Level B2RomanceThe valley of ArcanaLost in the vast, mysterious redwood forests of Northern California, two hunters must rely on their wits and each other to find shelter as night falls and the wilderness closes in.
Level B2RomanceThe vagabond loverA sensitive young man faces rejection in sports, music, and love as he struggles to find his place at university, dreaming of winning the heart of the campus queen despite repeated…
Level B2MysteryThe unseen earIn a quiet home, a mysterious intruder’s deadly search unravels secrets hidden behind locked doors, drawing newlywed Judith into a chilling web of danger and deception.
Level B2RomanceThe unlit lampOn a bitter night, two friends venture to a distant Staten Island dance, where the warmth and elegance of the Masons' home contrast sharply with the harsh journey—setting the stage…
Level C1ClassicsThe unlit lampIn a household shadowed by the stern presence of Colonel Ogden, family tensions simmer beneath the surface, revealing the quiet struggles of a father, his wife, and their two contr…![Cover of The unknown [Night watches, Part 7.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jniqpmtvc73csnns0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsThe unknown [Night watches, Part 7.]A night-watchman schemes to free Captain Bill Smithers from his overbearing wife’s jealous grip by sending her on a wild-goose chase with a mysterious love letter, sparking a night…
Level C1HistoricalThe unique story bookAmidst the turmoil of the Civil War, a daring raid led by Captain Benson uncovers hidden diamonds and sparks unexpected acts of bravery and kindness.
Level C1ClassicsThe unhallowed harvestIn a city courtroom, a compassionate rector observes a tense negligence trial where a severely injured worker seeks justice against a powerful manufacturing company, exposing the c…
Level B2ClassicsThe underworld: The story of Robert Sinclair, minerIn the harsh world of mining life, a wounded miner’s wife struggles to provide for her family amid poverty and hardship, revealing the resilience and quiet strength forged undergro…![Cover of The understudy [Night watches, Part 3.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jn2qpmtvc73csnnm0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsThe understudy [Night watches, Part 3.]A scrappy dog causes chaos aboard the Henry William, drawing a band of rough men into a night of unexpected companionship and intrigue as they try to claim a reward for their newfo…
Level B2ClassicsThe uncalledIn a bleak Ohio town, a group of women grapple with loyalty, hardship, and judgment as they prepare to lay to rest a troubled friend, revealing the harsh realities and complex bond…
Level B2RomanceThe unbidden guestA mysterious gypsy child is left behind after a cursed eviction, taken in reluctantly by an aristocratic household.
Level C1ClassicsThe type-writer girlA young woman in London, unemployed but endlessly curious, observes the bustling city life and imagines the hidden stories of its inhabitants.
Level B2Children'sThe two kinds of fearTwo boys face temptation: one steals for selfish pleasure, the other resists to honor God despite hardship.
Level B2RomanceThe two countessesAt Sebenberg Castle, the dull post-shooting season is brightened by news of a young Swabian count’s arrival, stirring curiosity and anticipation in the lively Countess Muschi.
Level B2Children'sThe twins in the SouthTwin sisters Janet and Phyllis arrive at Hilltop boarding school, determined to stay together despite the headmistress's plan to separate them.
Level C1MysteryThe twenty-six cluesA gathering of diverse experts debates the limits of scientific crime-solving and human intuition, setting the stage for a complex investigation where modern forensics clashes with…
Level C1ClassicsThe twelve best short stories in the French languageDive into a curated collection of twelve masterful French short stories, each showcasing a unique tone and moral depth from the nineteenth century’s finest writers.
Level C1FantasyThe twelve adventurers, and other storiesTwelve colossal adventurers set sail from Britain to the mysterious Country of the Genii, where ancient skeletons and swirling deserts hint at dark secrets.
Level B2Science FictionThe tunnel thru the airBorn into a troubled world on the Texas frontier in 1906, young Robert Gordon’s life unfolds amid financial panic, family hopes, and deep biblical faith.
Level C1ClassicsThe trumpet in the dustAs Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsThe true-born IrishmanIn a Dublin household shaken by vanity and political intrigue, a man must navigate his wife’s sudden obsession with status and the looming election that threatens to test his honor…
Level C1RomanceThe truce of God: A tale of the eleventh centuryIn a turbulent eleventh century Europe torn by private wars and fading imperial power, feudalism emerges as a fragile yet vital system of justice and protection.
Level C1ClassicsThe trough of the waveIn a rugged Norwegian district, Per, a defiant tenant farmer, clashes with his landlord over unjust demands, igniting tensions that reveal the harsh realities and fierce pride of r…
Level C1MysteryThe trouble at PinelandsIn a gloomy old mansion shrouded in eerie silence and cloaked by whispering pines, an aging guardian watches over a nervous family preparing for a wedding, while unsettling noises…
Level C1HistoricalThe triumph over MidianA fragile heiress returns home, transformed by health and hope, to rediscover joy in familiar places and the promise of new bonds with her cousin.
Level B2ClassicsThe triumph of the nut, and other parodiesA patent washing machine maker in Wisconsin begins to see people as houses and himself as a "bughouse," unraveling his grip on reality through bizarre dreams and naked midnight rit…
Level C1HistoricalThe treatment of nature in English poetry between Pope and WordsworthExplore the shifting attitudes toward Nature in English poetry during the transformative eighteenth century, tracing the roots of Romanticism through poetry, painting, and gardens…
Level B2AdventureThe treasure of Mushroom RockTwo adventurous boys, Percy and Tom, escape their strict English school to explore ancient ruins and hidden secrets near Moseley’s.
Level C1MysteryThe trapAn antique mirror from the Virgin Islands conceals a subtle, eerie force that distorts reality and pulls the curious deeper into its mysterious grip.
Level C1RomanceThe traitor's wayHaunted by a shame that isolates him, a disgraced nobleman clings to a dangerous secret and forbidden love, risking honor and friendship in a tense court rife with conspiracy and b…
Level C1MysteryThe trail of the serpentOn a bleak, rain-soaked November day in the town of Slopperton, the respectable schoolmaster Jabez North faces unsettling thoughts and dark whispers from the weather and his past,…
Level B2RomanceThe trail of the Golden HornIn the frozen Yukon wilderness, a trapper discovers a deserted cabin with no smoke and a crying child inside, hinting at a mysterious and dangerous fate for its occupants.
Level C1HistoricalThe tragical acts, or comical tragedies of Punch and JudyStep into the whimsical world of Punch and Judy, tracing the origins and antics of the notorious puppet hero from Italian roots to global fame.
Level C2PoetryThe town down the riverDive into a rich collection of poems that explore human nature, history, and the mysteries of life, weaving vivid imagery and reflections inspired by places, events, and timeless t…
Level C2PoetryThe towerAmidst the turmoil of civil war, intimate reflections and ancient legends intertwine in a lyrical exploration of heritage, memory, and the soul’s eternal journey, set against the e…
Level B2PoetryThe tongues of toil, and other poemsExplore powerful poems that give voice to laborers, justice, and the struggles for freedom, weaving themes of toil, courage, and defiance into stirring verses that resonate with th…
Level B2MysteryThe tomb of Ts'inA mysterious series of break-ins aboard a China Sea liner draws a determined investigator into a perilous quest involving an ancient emperor's tomb, a secret society, and a captiva…
Level B2Children'sThe toll-keepersSpend a summer day at Bushgrove farm, where lively siblings Sophy and Nelly Cousens run the toll gate that guards their father's return, turning everyday moments into warm, playful…
Level C1RomanceThe time spirit: A romantic taleIn foggy 1890 London, Harriet returns to her sister after a mysterious illness, stepping into a new role managing a noble estate.
Level C1ClassicsThe three wise menIn the dusty, fading town of Calent, the marshal, mayor, and judge—dubbed the “three wise men”—gather in secret to gamble and debate the fate of Peg Nell, a woman trying to escape…
Level B2MysteryThe three stringsReturning to her Washington home after a taxing journey, Evelyn Preston finds the house eerily quiet and unprepared, with servants absent and a mysterious tension lingering in the…![Cover of The three sisters [Night watches, Part 6.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jnfipmtvc73csnnqg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe three sisters [Night watches, Part 6.]On a stormy autumn night, the eldest of three sisters makes a chilling deathbed promise to watch over her siblings beyond the grave, setting a dark, eerie tone in their isolated, m…
Level C1AdventureThe three musketeersIn 1625 France, a young Gascon named d’Artagnan arrives in Paris, eager to join the king’s Musketeers, where he crosses paths with three enigmatic comrades—Athos, Porthos, and Aram…
Level C1MysteryThe three glass eyesA relentless American financier haunts London’s elite, hiding dark secrets behind his polished facade, while a house agent becomes entangled in a web of mystery, danger, and a capt…
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.