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 B2RomanceFor Gold or Soul? The Story of a Great Department StoreIn a bustling department store, a determined young woman seeks work but refuses to betray a sick colleague, challenging the harsh, unforgiving world of retail with courage and inte…
Level C1HistoricalFor God and GoldEmbark on a daring voyage with Jasper Festing, a scholar-turned-soldier, as he joins Sir Francis Drake’s perilous expedition to the Spanish Main, navigating intrigue and adventure…
Level C1AdventureFor Fortune and Glory: A Story of the Soudan WarA young man returns home to Holly Lodge, where whispers surround his mysterious uncle who vanished into the desert and returned with strange beliefs.
PoetryFootsteps on the Road to Learning; Or, The Alphabet in RhymeDiscover the alphabet brought to life through charming rhymes and playful repetition, creating an engaging and memorable way for children to learn their ABCs with moral and enterta…
Level C1ClassicsFootsteps of FateA passionate revolt brews among young Dutch writers challenging the sleepy traditions of their predecessors, sparking a fierce literary revolution filled with beauty, delicacy, and…
Level C1HistoricalFootprints on the Sea-Shore (From "Twice Told Tales")A solitary wanderer escapes the bustle of society to find peace along a rugged sea-shore, where the waves, sand, and fleeting encounters with nature inspire deep reflection and qui…
Level B2AdventureFootprints in the ForestCaptured by Sauk Indians, two young friends embark on a perilous quest through the wilderness to rescue a kidnapped companion, guided by the brave Shawanoe warrior Deerfoot and the…
Level B2Children'sFootprintsChildren discover the magic of an extraordinary snowstorm in mild Devonshire, where a rare winter transforms their quiet farm life into a playground of frosty adventures, snowmen,…
Level C1MysteryFootprintsIn a misty hotel lobby, Judith Quilter Whitefield, a wealthy widow from a famed Oregon ranching family, arrives with a secretive purpose—to confront her charming and elusive brothe…
Level C1ClassicsFootlightsIn a small-town vaudeville theater, an actress battles loneliness, shattered dreams, and the harsh backstage reality as she faces the ultimate humiliation of returning home to a fo…
Level B2AdventureFools and mulesIn a snowbound mountain town, a deputy must brave treacherous icy trails and lurking bandits to deliver a payroll to isolated miners—riding a wild horse against advice to trust a m…
Level C1PoetryFood for the Mind: Or, A New Riddle-bookDive into a world where riddles unlock hidden truths and sharpen the mind, blending ancient wisdom with playful challenges that reveal the art of disguise and discovery in everyday…
Level C1ClassicsFontainbleau; a comic opera. In three actsIn a bustling London tavern during race time, the prideful but penniless gentleman Lackland clashes with the sharp-witted landlady, setting the stage for comic misunderstandings, l…
Level C1RomanceFolly CornerIn the sweltering heat of London and the dusty calm of a market town, a young woman’s desperate hope collides with Jethro Jayne’s daring impulse—a story of longing, social divides,…
Level B2Children'sFollowing heavenwardA young man haunted by his late sister’s unfulfilled mission struggles to carry on her work helping neglected boys, seeking new ways to make a difference in a world that seems indi…
Level C1ClassicsFollowing darknessAn intimate fragment of a renowned art critic’s unfinished autobiography unravels the enigmatic life and tragic death of Peter Waring, revealing his intense, morbid aestheticism an…
Level B2MysteryFollowing a Chance Clew; Or, Nick Carter's Lucky FindA mysterious robbery and an unconscious woman draw detective Nick Carter into a shadowy world of clever criminals and secretive strangers.
Level C1Children'sFollowers of the TrailIn a remote forest clearing, a solitary man known as the Hermit lives in harmony with nature, harvesting healing plants and finding unexpected friendship when a stray dog named Pal…
Level B2Children'sFollow the BallAt a strict boarding school, baseball star Joe Kenton navigates rivalry and tension with his roommate Hal Norwin, whose rebellious antics threaten their standing just before a cruc…
Level C1Children'sFollow My Leader: The Boys of TempletonThree boys embark on a nerve-wracking journey to Templeton school, facing the daunting exam that will decide their place among the land’s public schoolboys.
Level C1ClassicsFolle-FarineA young girl named Folle-Farine, called "dust" and deemed worthless, endures harsh labor and cruelty at a mill, while watching the free-floating dust she shares a name with—ponderi…
Level C1ClassicsFolks from DixieIn a snowy Kentucky plantation, Anner ’Lizer, the most admired young woman among the enslaved community, faces a tender but troubled romance with Sam Merritt amid the stirring back…
Level C1HistoricalFolk-lore of ShakespeareExplore the rich folklore woven into Shakespeare's works, revealing the enchanting world of fairies, their courts, and the mystical beliefs of Elizabethan England that inspired his…
Level C1ClassicsFolk-Speech of Cumberland and Some Districts Adjacent: Being Short Stories and Rhymes in the Dialects of the West Border CountiesExplore the rich dialects and lively folk tales of Cumberland and its border counties through vivid short stories and rhymes, capturing the authentic speech and culture of the regi…
Level C1ClassicsFolk-Lore and Legends: OrientalIn the bustling city of Isfahan, an honest cobbler is forced to abandon his trade and pose as an astrologer to satisfy his ambitious wife’s dreams of wealth, plunging him into a pe…
Level B1Children'sFolk Tales from the RussianIn a mystical Russian kingdom, three princes find their destinies by shooting arrows to choose their brides—yet the youngest, Ivan Tsarevitch, must wed a mysterious frog who hides…
Level B2Children'sFolk Tales Every Child Should KnowStep into a world where ancient beliefs, magical creatures, and timeless superstitions come alive through enchanting folk tales passed down through generations, revealing the hidde…
Level C1PoetryFoliage: Various PoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems that celebrate nature, human kindness, and life's simple joys, capturing moments from thunderstorms to May mornings with heartfelt reflection an…
Level C1AdventureFoes in AmbushIn the scorching Arizona desert, a weary paymaster confronts delays and silent tensions as his caravan prepares for a perilous journey through hostile Apache lands, where danger an…
Level C1HistoricalFoesIn the lush Scottish glen, a tutor and a wise woman share tales of visions and ancient omens, hinting at a stirring rebellion and the mysteries entwined with a young laird’s fate.
Level C1ClassicsFoe-FarrellAmid the trenches of the Aisne, a seasoned officer recounts stories that escape the war’s horrors, revealing the camaraderie and quiet struggles of soldiers carving out moments of…
Level C1MysteryFlying the Coast Skyways; Or, Jack Ralston's Swift PatrolTwo daring pilots, flying under aliases, embark on a secret mission from San Diego to the East Coast, navigating smoky skies and coded conversations to meet with Secret Service con…
Level B2Children'sFlying Plover: His stories, told him by Squat-by-the-fireIn the harsh wilderness of Labrador, young Flying Plover lives with his wise grandmother, Squat-by-the-fire, who shares enchanting tales of their Mountaineer tribe’s adventures, an…
Level C1PoetryFly LeavesStep into a world where dawn chases night and lovers meet beneath ancient trees, while whimsical creatures and quiet moments of reflection paint a vivid tapestry of nature, love, a…
Level C1RomanceFlute and Violin, and Other Kentucky Tales and RomancesIn post-Revolution Kentucky, a devoted but misunderstood parson struggles to build a church and inspire faith amidst skepticism and hardship.
Level B2Children'sFloyd's Flowers; Or, Duty and Beauty for Colored Children: Being One Hundred Short Stories Gleaned from the Storehouse of Human Knowledge and Experience: Simple, Amusing, ElevatingA collection of one hundred short stories designed to inspire and uplift young readers, blending duty and beauty through engaging tales and illustrations by a gifted artist.
Level C1RomanceFloyd Grandon's HonorAfter seven years away, Floyd Grandon returns to the grand stone house of his youth, stirring tensions among his ambitious sisters and curious mother as whispers swirl about a myst…
Level C1AdventureFlowing GoldIn booming Dallas, a distinguished stranger awakens to a city ripe with opportunity and danger, navigating the wild world of oil, power, and intrigue where every encounter promises…
Level C1HistoricalFlowers from a Persian Garden and Other PapersExplore a rich tapestry of Persian poetry, wit, and folklore through essays that blend wisdom and humor, revealing timeless tales of kings, poets, and everyday life in the East.
Level C1ClassicsFlowers and fruit from the writings of Harriet Beecher StoweExplore the profound inner life where souls connect beyond absence and death, and truth melts like music into the heart.
Level C1ClassicsFlower, Fruit, and Thorn Pieces;: or, the Wedded Life, Death, and Marriage of Firmian Stanislaus Siebenkaes, Parish Advocate in the Burgh of Kuhschnappel.Delve into the intricate life and reflections of Firmian Stanislaus Siebenkaes, whose story unfolds amid the nuances of marriage, death, and community in Kuhschnappel, enriched by…
Level B2RomanceFlower of the North: A Modern RomanceIn the remote northern wilderness, an artist becomes captivated by the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, sparking a quest filled with passion, mystery, and the untamed wild.
Level C1MysteryFlower of the GorseIn a quaint Breton village, three young women navigate local traditions and hidden tensions as a mysterious bell tolls, promising fortune and stirring secrets among artists and vil…
Level C1RomanceFlower of the DuskA blind composer, surrounded by devoted women and memories of past grandeur, confronts the delicate beauty of a spring evening that stirs his soul and challenges the boundaries bet…
Level C1RomanceFlower o' the lily: A romance of old CambrayAmidst the turmoil of 16th-century battles, a wounded French nobleman fights fiercely against overwhelming foes, driven by loyalty and rage.
Level C1ClassicsFlower o' the PeachIn the vast, sunlit Karoo, a young boy watches over his flock as an old shepherd recounts a haunting tale of a mysterious, singing madman wandering the veld.
Level C1RomanceFlower o' the Heather: A Story of the Killing TimesA reckless student’s drunken prank leads to harsh punishment, forcing him from Oxford to the wilds of Scotland.
Level B2Children'sFlower legends for childrenEnchanting flower legends come to life through fairy tales of angels, knights, and gods—each bloom holding a magical story that reveals its beauty and meaning in a world where fair…
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.