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 B2Science FictionFormula for ConquestWhen a brilliant formula promises to speed Venusian evolution and tip the balance in an interplanetary war, a soldier of fortune and a determined professor must navigate treacherou…
Level C1AdventureForging the Blades: A Tale of the Zulu RebellionIn the sweltering heat of a dense African wilderness, a tense confrontation unfolds by a river where danger lurks both in the wild and between two men locked in a deadly game of bl…
Level B2Children'sForge of FoxenbyIn the fierce County Schools' Cup final, under a biting wind and against a heavier, formidable team, spirited Foxenby faces St.
Level B2ClassicsForge and furnace: A novelIn the fiery heart of Sheffield's steelworks, a stern master and his reluctant son face the grueling realities of industry and family expectations, while a sharp-eyed young workman…
Level B2AdventureForests of Maine: Marco Paul's Adventures in Pursuit of KnowledgeEmbark on a summer journey up Maine’s Kennebec River with young Marco Paul, as he explores the natural world and learns about tides, river life, and fortifications on the way to Qu…
Level B2AdventureForest and Frontiers; Or, Adventures Among the IndiansEmbark on a daring journey through the African interior, where a fearless hunter confronts majestic lions and wild beasts in thrilling, close-quarters battles.
Level C2PoetryForest Pictures in the AdirondacksImmerse yourself in vivid scenes and original poems capturing the serene beauty and wild spirit of the Adirondack wilderness, from rushing rapids to tranquil forests and towering m…
Level C1AdventureForest Glen; or, The Mohawk's FriendshipAmid the tense frontier of Pennsylvania, young settlers train in marksmanship and tomahawk throwing, preparing to defend their homes against looming Indian war threats.
Level C1RomanceForest Days: A Romance of Old TimesIn a vibrant forested England of old, a spirited yeoman navigates the turbulent politics of Henry III’s reign, where rustic charm and fierce loyalty collide in a tale of love, loya…
Level C1ClassicsFore!Step onto the course where golf’s early pioneers battle slow foursomes, etiquette, and the struggle between patience and passion in a game that’s more than just a pastime—it’s a te…
Level C1RomanceFordham's FeudAs a steamer glides across the serene Lake Léman, a chance encounter unfolds amidst a diverse crowd of travelers, setting the stage for a tale of romance and rivalry beneath the wa…
Level B2AdventureFord of H.M.S. Vigilant: A Tale of the Chusan ArchipelagoA young lad’s longing for the sea leads him aboard the H.
Level C1Science FictionForbidden flightA daring crew of young space explorers defies official warnings to embark on a forbidden mission beyond the known universe, risking everything to uncover the mysteries of distant p…
Level C1ClassicsFor whose sake?: A sequel to "Why did he wed her?"A man haunted by dark crimes and a woman trapped in a loveless marriage cross paths aboard a transatlantic steamer, unaware that his forsaken wife and child are also on board.
Level B2Children'sFor the good of the teamTwo old friends reunite on the train, gearing up for a football season full of rivalry, new coaching challenges, and fresh plays that could change the game.
Level B2AdventureFor the freedom of the seasCaught in the stillness of an autumn Atlantic, a seasoned captain and his son navigate the challenges of a slow journey home on their aging schooner, where patience and perseveranc…
Level C1AdventureFor the White Christ: A Story of the Days of CharlemagneAmid the misty dawn on the Seine, a band of Frankish warriors and traders sail toward a world shaped by fierce Norse heroes and legendary battles.
Level C1HistoricalFor the Term of His Natural LifeA gripping portrayal of a convict’s harrowing journey through the brutal English transportation system to Australia, revealing the grim realities of penal colonies and the fragile…
Level C1AdventureFor the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of JerusalemAmid the tranquil beauty of Galilee, young John dreams by the Sea of Tiberias, unaware that the rich land and its people stand on the brink of devastating conflict as Roman forces…
Level B1HistoricalFor the School ColoursWhen a rival school closes, its students flood into Silverside, upending traditions and threatening the established order among the boarders.
Level B2HistoricalFor the Sake of the SchoolSeventeen schoolgirls embark on a lively train journey to The Woodlands, where friendships bloom and surprises await—like the arrival of a mysterious new student from New Zealand.
Level C1ClassicsFor the RightA man driven by pure reverence for justice defies an unjust emperor, forsaking family and security to become an outlaw fighting for righteousness in a world where true justice has…
Level C1HistoricalFor the Master's Sake: A Story of the Days of Queen MaryIn a time when faith divides and reformations stir unrest, Agnes Stone endures harsh servitude under Mistress Winter’s tyranny, clinging to faint memories of love and freedom while…
Level C1ClassicsFor the Major: A NoveletteNestled between two rival mountain towns, Far Edgerley prides itself on aristocratic tradition and distance from commerce, awaiting the return of Major Carroll's daughter in a carr…
Level C1RomanceFor the Love of Lady Margaret: A Romance of the Lost ColonyBanished by his family and haunted by lost love, a gentleman drifts through London's restless streets, facing disgrace and uncertain fate.
Level B2AdventureFor the Liberty of TexasOn the Texas frontier, young hunters face the dangers of wild terrain, hostile Comanche raids, and a fight for freedom as settlers strive to secure their land and liberty against a…
Level B2Children'sFor the Honor of the School: A Story of School Life and Interscholastic SportIn a tense cross-country race between rival schools, a determined team faces fierce competition, harsh weather, and the pressure to win for their academy’s honor.
Level C1RomanceFor the Faith: A Story of the Young Pioneers of Reformation in OxfordIn turbulent Oxford, young reformers grapple with faith, truth, and persecution, challenging church authority to read Scriptures freely and seek greater liberty of thought amid ris…
Level C1MysteryFor the DefenceA devoted retired major raises two orphaned boys from troubled backgrounds, shaping their futures with hope and care at his Surrey estate.
Level C1HistoricalFor the CauseIn a Paris shadowed by political violence and secret loyalties, a young student confronts the brutal reality of his father's execution and the dangerous times that demand courage a…
Level C1ClassicsFor the Allinson HonorIn a peaceful country cottage, Mrs.
Level C1RomanceFor love and life; vol. 2 of 2A young man’s world shifts when love entwines his fate with another’s, compelling him to abandon pride and seek work for the sake of his beloved.
Level C1ClassicsFor love and life; vol. 1 of 2Set against the rugged beauty of Loch Arroch, a young gentleman navigates the delicate ties of duty, pride, and social divide as he cares for a proud, aging matriarch and her innoc…
Level B2MysteryFor a Night of LoveIn a quiet town shadowed by an imposing mansion, shy clerk Julien Michon leads a solitary life filled with routine and secret flute melodies.
Level B2PoetryFor Your Sweet Sake: PoemsExplore heartfelt verses that celebrate love, life, and perseverance through a collection of sincere and inspiring poems, praised for their natural expression and touching simplici…
Level B2Children'sFor Yardley: A Story of Track and FieldOn a gloomy Saturday at Yardley Hall, two friends wrestle with restless boredom and looming exams, longing for the thrill of track, football, and spring sports to chase away the ra…
Level B2RomanceFor Woman's LoveA barefooted orphan rises from foundry boy to governor-elect, winning the hand of a wealthy heiress through relentless ambition and love.
Level C1AdventureFor Treasure BoundA fierce November gale drives a foreign full-rigged ship toward the treacherous Chesil Beach, where desperate attempts to save the vessel and its crew unfold against the unforgivin…
Level B2HistoricalFor The Honor Of France: 1891An old soldier with a scarred past and his devoted wife share memories and tobacco aboard a train through the Rhône valley, revealing tales of honor, war, and family ties in late 1…
Level C1AdventureFor The AdmiralIn a France torn by religious war, a wounded messenger bearing a secret warning arrives at a castle where loyalties and danger collide.
Level C1HistoricalFor Sceptre and Crown: A Romance of the Present Time. Vol. 2 (of 2)Amid mounting tension and strategic maneuvers, the Prussian army prepares for a decisive march while waiting on allies and facing diplomatic deadlock, capturing the restless antici…
Level C1HistoricalFor Sceptre and Crown: A Romance of the Present Time. Vol. 1 (of 2)Amid the tense political intrigue of 1866 Berlin, a sharp observer enters the shadowy world of diplomacy and power, revealing the pivotal struggles shaping Prussia’s rise and the f…
Level B2AdventureFor Name and Fame; Or, Through Afghan PassesAmidst the rugged terrain and tribal alliances of Afghanistan, a British officer confronts suspicion and theft near his estate, unraveling tensions between local gypsies and imperi…
Level C1ClassicsFor Love of the King: A Burmese MasqueIn a vibrant sixteenth-century Burmese palace, a young king navigates political intrigue and a postponed royal marriage amid dazzling ceremonies and mystical traditions.
Level C1AdventureFor Love of a Bedouin MaidWhen a luxury yacht mysteriously encounters an uncharted island, its passengers uncover a baffling secret that challenges maps and reason.
Level C1RomanceFor Love of Country: A Story of Land and Sea in the Days of the RevolutionAmid the turmoil of the American Revolution, a young patriot navigates love, loyalty, and fierce naval battles that test the spirit of a nation.
Level B2RomanceFor JacintaAmid the bustling chaos of a Spanish steamer laden with livestock and colorful passengers, an English purser embarks on a voyage through the Canary Islands, where cultural clashes,…
Level B2Children'sFor His Country, and Grandmother and the CrowA homesick young American studies abroad in France, longing for home and grappling with patriotism and identity.
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.