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 C1AdventureFive Little Peppers AbroadThe lively Pepper family embarks on a thrilling overseas adventure, navigating new sights, friendships, and unexpected surprises aboard a grand steamer and across European landscap…
Level B2ClassicsFive Hundred Dollars; or, Jacob Marlowe's SecretAn elderly man returns to his hometown after twenty years, uncovering family tensions and hidden fortunes among the Marlowes.
Level B2ClassicsFive Hundred Dollars: First published in the "Century Magazine"In a coastal sail-loft, tales unfold about Delia, a young woman defying her family's legacy of decline by choosing her own path with David Prince, whose troubled past and uncertain…
Level B2FantasyFive Children and ItFive children move to a country house surrounded by woods and wild gardens, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Level B2AdventureFitz the FilibusterA young midshipman, eager to prove himself, joins a secretive armed boat crew on a mysterious night mission, craving adventure beyond the dull routine of naval life.
Level B2PoetryFishy-WinkleA mischievous trio of children escape to the seaside, where they meet Fishy-Winkle, a curious mer-baby longing to return to the sea.
Level C1RomanceFishpingle: A Romance of the CountrysideAmidst the timeless English countryside, a dedicated landowner grapples with preserving ancestral estates through hard work and modern wisdom, balancing tradition, sacrifice, and t…
Level C1ClassicsFishing with a WormA fisherman embraces the art of fishing with a worm in a tangled, brush-choked brook where fly-casting is impossible, revealing the quiet joys and patient skill of angling in unexp…
Level B2ClassicsFishin' JimmyIn a tranquil New Hampshire village, a weathered angler known as Fishin' Jimmy teaches more than fishing—he imparts life lessons of patience, faith, and resilience drawn from the s…
Level C1ClassicsFisherman's Luck and Some Other Uncertain ThingsA fisherman reflects on the unique greetings and superstitions of his craft, celebrating the unpredictable luck that defines angling and life itself.
Level C1PoetryFiscal BalladsSharp, witty ballads dissect the quirks and controversies of fiscal policy with clever verse and biting humor, revealing the tangled world of trade, protectionism, and economics as…
Level C1ClassicsFirst love, and other storiesA young man’s infatuation with the enchanting Princess Zinaída unfolds with poetic grace, revealing the tender complexities of first love and the subtle struggles of youthful desir…
Level B2AdventureFirst in the Field: A Story of New South WalesA tense clash unfolds among schoolboys over a fragile thrush's nest, revealing rivalries, secrets, and the harsh judgments tied to family reputations in the rugged backdrop of New…
Level C1ClassicsFirst harvestsIn the heart of New York's elite Fifth Avenue stands Mrs.
Level B2AdventureFirst at the North Pole; Or, Two Boys in the Arctic CircleTwo determined boys join an daring Arctic expedition aboard the Ice King, facing fierce polar bears, deadly icebergs, and brutal cold on a quest to reach the North Pole, testing th…
Level B2ClassicsFirst and LastSet sail on the open sea where weighing anchor becomes a metaphor for life's beginnings, testing courage, skill, and truth against the unpredictable tides and winds.
Level C1HistoricalFirst Theater in America: When was the drama first introduced in America? An inquiry, including a consideration of the objections that have been made to the stage.Uncover the true origins of American theater as this inquiry reveals evidence of performances in New York nearly two decades before the celebrated Hallam company arrived, challengi…
Level B2Science FictionFirst Stage: MoonA crew returns from the first manned Moon mission, carrying the hopes of a divided Earth eager for unity and glory.
Level B2MysteryFirst Person ParamountA gifted mimicry artist escapes a harsh upbringing to pursue the stage, but his talent soon entangles him in a web of intrigue and danger.
Level C1RomanceFirst Love: A Novel. Vol. 3 of 3In the aftermath of a masquerade shadowed by murder and mystery, Julia finds herself entwined in a world of whispered secrets, naval heroism, and poignant loss.
Level C1RomanceFirst Love: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 3Amid the breathtaking beauty of a mountain lake, unspoken passions and jealousies stir as Julia finds herself the center of attention between noble suitors.
Level C1RomanceFirst Love: A Novel. Vol. 1 of 3A vulnerable boy endures harsh cruelty and neglect while navigating a harsh world of poverty and danger, seeking refuge and hope near the Lake of Derwent.
Level C1ClassicsFirst Love, and Other Fascinating Stories of Spanish LifeA young boy’s curiosity leads him to a hidden miniature portrait of a breathtaking woman, sparking a tender awakening of first love amidst the quiet mysteries of his aunt’s room an…
Level C1ClassicsFirst Lessons in the Maori Language, with a Short VocabularyUnlock the sounds and structure of the Maori language with practical lessons that guide learners through pronunciation, grammar, and common usage, offering a concise and accessible…
Level B2ClassicsFirst Fam'lies of the SierrasIn a remote Sierra camp called The Forks, rugged men carve out a wild new Eden, electing a hapless judge to rule their lawless world.
Level B2Children'sFirst Base FaulknerA weary sixteen-year-old boy arrives in a cold, unfamiliar town carrying a heavy valise and uncertain hopes, as he embarks on a new life with a distant relative in a place that fee…
Level B2ClassicsFires of St. John: A Drama in Four ActsIn a well-to-do Pomeranian household, a looming family wedding stirs old tensions as a mysterious woman from the past reappears, threatening to disrupt the carefully arranged happi…
Level C2PoetryFires of DriftwoodDelve into a sea of vivid imagery and poignant reflection as drifting remnants of past glories ignite a delicate fire of memory and longing.
Level B2AdventureFire of retributionTrapped by a raging forest fire, a seasoned logger faces his first terrifying parachute jump to save his crew, while pilots risk everything to battle the flames and deliver a lifel…
Level B2AdventureFire in the Woods: IllustratedThree friends embark on a perilous adventure through wild forests, roaring rivers, and fiery disasters, facing nature’s fury and mysterious challenges as they search for a missing…
Level C1ClassicsFire Worship (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")As a once-friendly fire is confined to an iron stove, the narrator reflects on how this elemental force—both creator and destroyer—has transformed from a warm domestic companion in…
Level B2AdventureFire Island: Being the Adventures of Uncertain Naturalists in an Unknown TrackCaught in a deadly storm while exploring the perilous reefs near New Guinea, a young naturalist battles towering waves and fading hope aboard a crippled brig.
Level B2AdventureFire Cloud; Or, The Mysterious Cave. A Story of Indians and Pirates.Amid whispers of a hidden cave filled with untold treasures, a daring captain brings aboard the kidnapped daughter of a powerful man, igniting tension and danger among sailors caug…
Level C1PoetryFir-Flower Tablets: Poems Translated from the ChineseDelve into a unique collaboration that breathes poetic life into ancient Chinese verses, blending literal translation with artistic spirit to reveal the rich imagery and subtle mea…
Level C1Children'sFinnish Legends for English ChildrenEnter a magical realm inspired by the Kalevala, the Finnish epic, where heroic figures, forest gods, and mythical creatures weave enchanting tales that introduce children to the br…
Level C1PoetryFinnish Arts; Or, Sir Thor and Damsel Thure, a BalladA valiant knight returns from Rome to claim his bride, Damsel Thure, whose heart is torn between loyalty and a looming arranged marriage to a powerful duke.
Level B2Children'sFinkler's Field: A Story of School and BaseballAt Maple Ridge School, fierce rivalries ignite on the baseball diamond as the Boarders and Towners prepare for their annual showdown, with sharp-witted players and spirited coaches…
Level C1AdventureFinishedAmid the brewing tensions of 1877 South Africa, adventurer Allan Quatermain witnesses the annexation of the Transvaal and the mysterious forces stirring the Zulu nation toward war.
Level C1ClassicsFinger Posts on the Way of LifeA single clouded brow casts shadows over the Abercrombie household, turning harmony into discord and testing the fragile bonds between family members.
Level B2MysteryFinding the Lost TreasureTwo siblings discover a cryptic family memorandum hinting at a lost treasure that might save their struggling family from foreclosure.
Level C1Children'sFindelkindA dreamy boy named Findelkind lives in a quaint mountain village beneath the towering Martinswand, where he spends his days lost in wonder and stories, caught between the magic of…
Level B2MysteryFinal Proof; Or, The Value of EvidenceA sharp detective and a clever amateur unite to unravel a baffling murder mystery that shocks the city and challenges the very value of evidence.
Level C1ClassicsFilm Truth; September, 1920Dive into the dazzling yet deceptive world of early cinema, where dreams of stardom lure hopefuls into costly schemes disguised as golden opportunities.
Level C2ClassicsFilm Truth; November, 1920A scathing critique emerges from the shadows of early cinema, exposing the tension between art and exploitation through the lens of seduction, censorship, and the battle over a rev…
Level C1MysteryFile No. 113A daring robbery targets a supposedly impregnable bank safe, but the truth behind the heist is far more intricate than the headlines reveal.
Level C1HistoricalFigures of Several CenturiesExplore the profound introspections and divine reflections of a soul seeking meaning through confession and grace, as the narrative intertwines personal struggle with spiritual rev…
Level A2PoetryFigures in Verse and Simple Rhymes, for Little Learners (Second Series; No. 2)Engage young minds with playful verses that teach numbers and simple rhymes, blending counting and rhythm to make early learning fun and memorable.
Level B2HistoricalFighting with French: A Tale of the New ArmyAs young men train in the art of jujutsu and prepare to enlist, a new army faces the looming threat of war.
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.