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 B2GothicFlower and Jewel; or, Daisy Forrest's DaughterIn a shadowed chamber, a new mother awakens to twin girls—one dark-eyed, one blue-eyed—named with defiant love despite whispers of scandal and rivalry.
Level B2PoetryFlower FablesBeneath a shimmering summer moon, fairies gather to share enchanting tales of love and courage, as they face the chilling threat of the Frost-King who threatens their floral world.
Level B2PoetryFlower Children: The Little Cousins of the Field and GardenDiscover a charming celebration of children and flowers, revealing their deep connection through tender poems and drawings that invite young hearts to see themselves as part of nat…
ClassicsFlorence Hanemann's Dance Revue: Central School, Glen Rock, New Jersey, June 9, 1950Step into the vibrant world of a 1950 school dance revue, where young performers bring classic tales like Hansel & Gretel to life through ballet, soft shoe, and character dances in…
Level C1HistoricalFlora Lyndsay; or, Passages in an Eventful Life, Vol. II.Aboard a cramped brig bound for new horizons, Flora Lyndsay navigates the challenges of shipboard life, rough seas, and unexpected company.
Level C1ClassicsFlora Lyndsay; or, Passages in an Eventful Life, Vol. I.A young couple faces the harsh realities of limited means and must decide whether to leave their comfortable English home for the uncertain promise of a new life on a Canadian farm…
Level C1RomanceFlora Adair; or, Love Works Wonders. Vol. 2 (of 2)Haunted by past heartbreak yet captivated by Flora’s gentle charm, Mr.
Level B2RomanceFlora Adair; or, Love Works Wonders. Vol. 1 (of 2)In sunny 1860s Rome, Flora Adair, a reserved young woman yearning for intense happiness, navigates society and family devotion amid elegant gatherings and the fragrant promise of s…
Level C1Children'sFloraIn a quiet village framed by elm trees and gentle country charms, Flora navigates the subtle complexities of rural life and society’s expectations, discovering friendship, curiosit…
Level A2AdventureFlop Ear, the Funny Rabbit: His Many AdventuresA young rabbit with a floppy ear lives happily in a cozy underground home with his family, unaware that adventures and troubles lie beyond the woods.
Level C1AdventureFlood watersRelentless rains flood the Mississippi river district, trapping desperate families on isolated high ground as disease and hunger spread.
Level B2FantasyFloating Fancies among the Weird and the OccultA young man defies his father's warnings and sets sail from Norway’s icy coast, driven by an insatiable thirst to uncover the mysteries beyond the northern horizon.
Level C1RomanceFlip: A California RomanceA desperate gambler flees the law, seeking refuge in a mysterious, fiery mountain vale where intoxicating aromas stir wild exaltation.
Level C1ClassicsFlint: His Faults, His Friendships and His FortunesIn a quaint New England house-party clouded by fog and tempers, a diverse group of guests navigate their quirks and friendships, with the lively Winifred Anstice bringing unexpecte…
Level C1PoetryFlint and Feather: Collected VerseExplore the vivid spirit of Canada through powerful verse that blends Indigenous heritage and the natural world, capturing a unique voice that resonates with passion and pride in t…
Level B2Science FictionFlight Into the UnknownA rookie astronaut faces the terrifying realities of space travel as mysterious creatures and deadly dangers close in on his crew during their mission beyond Saturn.
Level C1PoetryFleurs De Lys, and Other PoemsExplore stirring poems that capture moments of sorrow, hope, and national pride, weaving vivid scenes from Canada’s royal past to England’s enduring reign, all through heartfelt ve…
Level C1ClassicsFlemish LegendsStep into the enchanting world of Flemish folk tales, where medieval forests whisper secrets, faery enchantments abound, and clever peasants outwit devils and tyrants alike.
Level C1HistoricalFlemingtonIn the remote Angus countryside of the 1700s, a rigid minister confronts the formidable and enigmatic Christian Flemington, a widow whose fierce dignity and mysterious past unravel…
Level C1FantasyFlaxiusIn an ancient Etruscan festival, young Flaxius, of fairy descent and humble magic, encounters a misunderstood girl whose silent sorrow draws him into a world of wonder and mysticis…
Level B2Children'sFlaxie Growing Up: Flaxie Frizzle StoriesTwelve-year-old Flaxie Frizzle longs to shed her childish nickname as she navigates family duties, school challenges, and imaginative play with friends who transform into fanciful…
PoetryFlashlightsExplore vivid snapshots of everyday life and intimate moments through a collection of poetry that illuminates human experience with delicate insight and emotional depth.
Level C1ClassicsFlappers and PhilosophersA rebellious young woman lounges on a yacht, defying her uncle's authority as she clings to her own wild desires and rejects the stiff social world awaiting her.
Level C1ClassicsFlamsted quarriesAmid the bustling arrival of immigrants at New York’s Castle Garden, a young match girl’s haunting song at a vaudeville theater reveals the raw hopes, struggles, and humanity woven…
Level C1ClassicsFlaming JuneIn a quiet coastal town where the air is prized above all, residents and visitors grapple with the clash between restless children and fragile invalids, while the town’s genteel se…
Level C1PhilosophyFlamesValentine Cresswell, known as the "Saint of Victoria Street," lives a life governed by intellectual refinement rather than passion, struggling with his detachment from the sensual…
Level C2PoetryFlame and ShadowImmerse yourself in vivid, lyrical reflections on nature, love, and the fleeting beauty of life, where each poem ignites the soul with the fierce glow of flame and the gentle myste…
Level C1HistoricalFix bayonets!In the spring of 1918, the rugged Leathernecks of the 2nd American Division, hardened Marines from diverse backgrounds, prepare to face the relentless brutality of the Marne salien…
Level C1AdventureFix Bay'nets: The Regiment in the HillsA rugged regiment of youthful soldiers endures a grueling mountain march, their spirits lifted by camaraderie and the stirring beats of a brass band.
Level C1Children'sFive years of youthTwo young sisters, worn but well-mannered, navigate life on a quaint farm under the care of Nurse Rickham, uncovering memories and virtues shaped by both ordinary days and the quie…
Level B2Children'sFive little Peppers in the Little Brown HouseWhen Ben Pepper rescues a mysterious black chicken from a swamp, the Pepper family dreams of a Thanksgiving feast centered on Polly’s famous chicken pie.
Level C1Science FictionFive Weeks in a Balloon: Or, Journeys and Discoveries in Africa by Three EnglishmenThree Englishmen embark on a daring aerial expedition across Africa in a revolutionary balloon, navigating unknown landscapes and encountering thrilling adventures that challenge t…
Level B2RomanceFive Thousand an Hour: How Johnny Gamble Won the HeiressJohnny Gamble, down to his last hundred dollars and tangled in a risky land deal, stakes everything on a daring gamble at the racetrack—where a mysterious heiress watches and fortu…
Level B2Science FictionFive Thousand Miles Underground; Or, the Mystery of the Centre of the EarthA brilliant professor and two adventurous youths prepare to test a revolutionary airship and submarine on daring quests beneath the ocean and beyond the poles.
Level B2MysteryFive Thousand Dollars RewardA desperate tramp with a dark past threatens a young woman living alone in a secluded cottage, but a mysterious hunter arrives just in time to protect her.
Level C1ClassicsFive TalesIn a dimly lit study, a weary barrister wrestles with his conscience and the strains of family loyalty as his troubled brother unexpectedly intrudes, setting the stage for a tense…
Level C1RomanceFive O'Clock Tea: FarceIn a snowy drawing-room, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsFive Nights: A NovelA solitary voyage through Alaska’s dazzling Taku Inlet reveals the sublime beauty and silent power of the North, where a fragile steamer navigates between towering icebergs and wit…
Level C1Children'sFive Minutes' StoriesA wealthy man, despairing after seeking happiness in art, knowledge, and pleasure, embarks on a transformative year of selfless giving that reveals the true secret to joy and fulfi…
Level B2Children'sFive Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in the Moon.From his perch on the Moon, a curious observer watches the mischievous adventures of five children living in a quirky house called the Mouse-trap.
Level C1HistoricalFive Men and Pompey: A Series of Dramatic PortraitsStep into the turbulent world of ancient Rome through vivid portraits of five men and Pompey, capturing pivotal moments from banquets to battles that shaped history’s grand drama.
Level B2AdventureFive Little Starrs in the Canadian ForestFive adventurous siblings endure a rugged journey into the wild Canadian forest, facing harsh travel and untamed nature as they prepare for a winter in a remote lumber camp.
Level C1ClassicsFive Little PlaysA weary play reader laments the clichés and compromises of the theatrical world while navigating complex relationships in a modest London flat, where desire and discontent simmer b…
Level B2Children'sFive Little Peppers at SchoolAt school, the lively Pepper siblings navigate friendship, rivalry, and daily mischief, with new classmates joining their merry adventures.
Level B1Children'sFive Little Peppers and their FriendsIn a charming garden, a lonely girl’s longing meets Phronsie’s kindness, sparking a tender friendship between two worlds apart.
Level B2Children'sFive Little Peppers and How They GrewIn a humble kitchen, five spirited siblings face hardship with unbreakable cheer and dreams of brighter days.
Level B2Children'sFive Little Peppers MidwayA young girl named Phronsie embarks on a heartfelt adventure to bake a perfect plum pie for her beloved Polly, forging a sweet bond with Jefferson, the cook, amid the bustling kitc…
Level B1Children'sFive Little Peppers Grown UpAs Amy Loughead’s brother is set to visit, young Polly Pepper faces the challenge of helping Amy master the piano in time, balancing kindness with her own commitments in a bustling…
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.