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 B2HistoricalFour girls of forty years agoFour motherless sisters face life’s challenges in a gloomy old house near Washington Square, struggling with their father’s absence in China, the loss of their loyal nurse Lizzie,…
Level C1Children'sFour gatesFour young women, bound by duty and dreams, navigate life’s quiet struggles in a sleepy village where opportunity feels out of reach.
Level C1Children'sFour and Twenty Fairy Tales: Selected from Those of Perrault, and Other Popular WritersA mysterious man with a blue beard, feared for his past and strange appearance, wins the heart of a beautiful young woman.
Level B2AdventureFour Young Explorers; Or, Sight-Seeing in the TropicsFour young companions embark on thrilling river expeditions through Borneo’s jungles, encountering exotic tribes and wildlife before venturing onward to the vibrant cities and cult…
Level C1ClassicsFour YearsA young artist navigates the fading charm of a Pre-Raphaelite neighborhood while wrestling with the clash between tradition and modernity, forging a new faith rooted in poetic imag…
Level C1FantasyFour Winds FarmA boy named Gratian grows up on the wild, windswept Four Winds Farm, where the forces of nature seem alive and mysterious.
Level C1FantasyFour Weird TalesA man caught between the mundane and a hidden realm where time and space blur uncovers ancient memories and secret forces shaping existence.
Level C1ClassicsFour Short Stories By Emile ZolaStep into the dimly lit world of Parisian theatre, where anticipation builds before the debut of "The Blonde Venus.
Level B2ClassicsFour Short PlaysIn a cozy drawing room, Rachel and Carteret explore the delicate differences between men and women through candid, witty conversation, revealing fears, love, and the quiet bonds th…
Level B2ClassicsFour Short PlaysIn a bright English countryside setting, a daring woman plunges into a pond to rescue a dog from a fierce fight, sparking gratitude, intrigue, and social tension among the local ge…
Level C2ClassicsFour Plays of Gil VicenteStep into the vibrant world of 16th-century Portugal, where Gil Vicente's plays blend lyrical beauty, sharp satire, and rich cultural insight to explore themes of religion, patriot…
Level C1ClassicsFour Plays of AeschylusMaidens flee forced marriage, seeking sanctuary in Argos, while their pursuers demand their return—sparking a dramatic clash of duty, divine will, and political decision.
Level C1ClassicsFour Phases of LoveTwo blind siblings face a life-changing surgery that promises sight, stirring hope and fear as they confront the unknown world beyond their sheltered village life and the bonds tha…
Level C1ClassicsFour Mystery PlaysJourney through the spiritual awakening of ordinary souls as they confront inner forces and seek initiation into higher knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsFour Minute Essays, Volume XExplore the resilience of the human spirit amid suffering and the vision of a just society where intellectual freedom, equality, and universal brotherhood shape a hopeful future be…
Level C1ClassicsFour MeetingsAt a snowy New England tea-party, a reserved young woman named Caroline Spencer captivates a traveler with her quiet charm and surprising knowledge as they explore photographs of d…
Level C1MysteryFour Max Carrados Detective StoriesIn a rain-soaked London, a private inquiry agent seeks an expert who can authenticate a rare ancient coin crucial to a pending arrest, leading him to the mysterious and brilliant M…
Level B2Children'sFour Little Blossoms on Apple Tree IslandFour spirited siblings on Apple Tree Island embark on lively adventures, from rescuing a sick robin to exploring new gardens and riding in their family's shiny new car.
Level B1Children'sFour Little Blossoms at Oak Hill SchoolFour lively siblings turn everyday furniture into imaginative playhouses, sparking cozy adventures and sibling camaraderie on a rainy afternoon in their hometown of Oak Hill.
Level B1AdventureFour Little Blossoms at Brookside FarmFour lively siblings embark on a bustling afternoon adventure through their hometown, where a chance encounter with an injured dog leads them to the kindly family doctor.
Level B1Children'sFour Little Blossoms and Their Winter FunFour lively siblings embrace the first snowstorm of winter with playful banter, mischievous antics, and the promise of cozy adventures—where sledding mishaps and secret plans turn…
Level B2Children'sFour Girls at ChautauquaFour spirited girls plan an adventurous two-week retreat to Chautauqua, eager to escape their daily routines for camping, camaraderie, and a touch of wildness in the woods.
Level B2AdventureFour Girls and a CompactFour young women, bound by friendship and hardship, hatch a daring plan to escape the city's grind for a summer of freedom in the countryside, seeking a simple, affordable haven wh…
Level B2MysteryFour Ghost StoriesA woman recounts a chilling encounter with a ghost in a quiet Irish village, where health concerns and unexplained supernatural presence intertwine.
Level C1HistoricalFour Early PamphletsAmidst political upheaval and shifting alliances, a powerful coalition challenges the nation’s future, questioning loyalty, ambition, and the true meaning of leadership in a time o…
Level B1AdventureFour Boy Hunters; Or, The Outing of the Gun ClubFour adventurous boys form the Fairview Gun Club and plan a hunting trip deep into the mountains near Lake Cameron.
Level C1FantasyFour Arthurian RomancesJourney to the court of Countess Marie de Champagne, where chivalry, romance, and adventure intertwine in tales of Arthur’s knights—Erec, Yvain, Lancelot, and more—woven with medie…
Level C1PhilosophyFour Americans: Roosevelt, Hawthorne, Emerson, WhitmanExplore the vivid lives and philosophies of four towering American figures—Roosevelt’s relentless vigor, Hawthorne’s dark imagination, Emerson’s transcendental insights, and Whitma…
Level B2AdventureFour Afoot: Being the Adventures of the Big Four on the HighwayFour adventurous boys set out on a walking journey through the countryside, navigating unknown roads and seeking the elusive town of Jericho.
Level B2AdventureFour Afloat: Being the Adventures of the Big Four on the WaterFour boys and their lively terrier embark on a summer cruise aboard the sleek Vagabond, a shining gasoline launch ready for adventure.
Level C1Science FictionFoundling on VenusOn a hostile, divided Venus where survival is brutal and hope scarce, a mysterious toddler found abandoned in the mud holds a secret that could change the fate of its fractured col…
Level C1RomanceFound in the Philippines: The Story of a Woman's LettersAmid the fog and tension at division headquarters, a young officer known as "Belligerent Billy" navigates the challenges of war and duty, caught between his college days and the ca…
Level C1RomanceFound at Blazing StarIn a rain-soaked mining camp, a careless prospector finds a mysterious gold ring inscribed "May to Cass," sparking suspicion, superstition, and quiet dreams that could change his l…
Level C1RomanceFoul PlayIn a stiflingly formal dining room, a young man with remarkable mimicry skills faces a pivotal moment that could shatter his future and his father's trust.
Level B2RomanceFostina Woodman, the Wonderful AdventurerIn a serene Massachusetts village, Fostina Woodman lives peacefully in the picturesque Mountain Glen, surrounded by family and nature’s beauty.
Level B2AdventureFoster's Letter of Marque: A Tale of Old Sydney: 1901In 1802 Sydney Harbour, Captain Foster navigates the challenges of duty and desire as he awaits a crucial meeting while caught in the throes of a passionate romance with Dorothy Gi…
Level B2Children'sForward Pass: A Story of the "New Football"A determined boy leaves home for the first time, embarking on a thrilling journey to boarding school where new challenges and the excitement of the "new football" await him.
Level C1MysteryForty-one Thieves: A Tale of CaliforniaIn the rugged gold fields of 1879 California, a stagecoach journey turns deadly as robbers lie in wait along a dusty mountain road.
Level C2PoetryForty-Two PoemsExplore a haunting journey through memory, loss, and longing in a collection of 42 poems that evoke timeless emotions—from the silent voices of the dead to tender moments in Camden…
Level B2ClassicsForty Minutes Late: 1909Caught in a relentless snowstorm, a determined lecturer races against time to reach a remote settlement for an important lecture, only to find the promised welcome vanishing into a…
Level C1RomanceFortune's My Foe: A RomanceAmid the vibrant backdrop of the 1739 siege of Cartagena, a fleet of British sailors and soldiers prepares for battle, while a captain contemplates the clash of love and war beneat…
Level C1AdventureFortune's FoolIn a London tavern amid political turmoil and looming war, the shrewd hostess Martha Quinn runs a prosperous inn while navigating life's essentials and complex human desires.
Level C1AdventureFortuneA young man leaves his home with only nine crowns and a sword, seeking fortune across a merciless, sun-baked plain.
Level C1ClassicsFortitudeOn a snowy Christmas Eve, young Peter Westcott finds courage and comfort in the rugged warmth of The Bending Mule inn, where stories and shadows mingle amid a rough seaside town’s…
Level C1RomanceFort Lafayette or, Love and Secession: A NovelIn the shadow of the looming Civil War, a young Virginia heiress awaits her brother's return while contending with dark, persistent suitors and the turbulent passions ignited by lo…
Level C1AdventureFort Desolation: Red Indians and Fur Traders of Rupert's LandCaught between the wild frontier and the encroaching civilization of Canada, Jack Robinson endures solitude and hardship with quiet strength and a fierce spirit.
Level C1HistoricalFort AmityIn 1758, amidst the primeval forests by Lake Champlain, a young English ensign embarks on a fraught military campaign where honor and true love will be fiercely tested during a piv…
Level C1ClassicsForrest HouseA young man receives urgent letters pulling him between a playful theatrical role and a sick mother’s need, forcing him to choose between love, duty, and unexpected responsibilitie…
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.