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 B2AdventureFighting the WhalesA young boy faces hunger and despair in a struggling seaport town, but a fateful encounter sets him on a perilous journey into the brutal world of whale hunting, where man battles…
Level B2AdventureFighting the Sea; Or, Winter at the Life-Saving StationA daring sailor from a life-saving station climbs a church steeple to fix a twisted weather vane, but when his ladder breaks, he’s left stranded high above the ground—setting the s…
Level C1AdventureFighting the FlamesIn a cold London night, a stern railway magnate and his grieving daughter face hidden struggles behind their elegant fireside.
Level B2AdventureFighting in FranceTwo American brothers join the French army during World War I, facing the brutal reality of trench warfare and aerial combat as they prepare for a decisive attack in the war-torn p…
Level B2AdventureFighting in Cuban watersAmid the fiery battles of the Spanish-American War, a young sailor joins the flagship Brooklyn, navigating blockades and naval clashes that will test his courage and resolve.
Level B2AdventureFighting for the RightAmid the Civil War's turmoil, a young naval officer wounded in battle wrestles with duty and recovery, embodying the quiet heroism of those who fight not just on the battlefield bu…
Level B1MysteryFighting for fortuneA thrilling collection of clean, adventurous tales follows young heroes as they strive for success and fortune, embodying the spirit of fair play and determination in the great out…
Level B2AdventureFighting King GeorgeAs tensions ignite in 1775 Charleston, young Tom Deering and his mighty companion Cole navigate the turbulent waters of revolution and personal vengeance against the brutal British…
Level C1AdventureFighting Joe; Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. A Story of the Great RebellionFollow Captain Thomas Somers as he navigates the chaos of the Civil War, balancing daring military exploits with personal loyalty and honor amid a nation on the brink of collapse.
Level B2MysteryFighting Byng: A Novel of Mystery, Intrigue and AdventureIn the wild Georgia turpentine woods, the fiery Howard Byng and his runaway mule collide with a surveying crew, sparking tensions and revealing a fierce spirit ready to face any ch…
Level C1HistoricalFifty-two Stories of the British Navy, from Damme to Trafalgar.Explore fifty-two gripping tales tracing the rise of the British Navy from early Saxon battles against the Danes to the legendary conflict at Trafalgar, revealing how maritime cour…
Level B2Children'sFifty-Two Stories For GirlsAt Miss Melford’s school, young Gloria Dene befriends a gifted music mistress whose soaring voice and tragic past intertwine with romance, ambition, and unexpected peril—where a si…
Level C1FantasyFifty years hence: or, What may be in 1943: A prophecy supposed to be based on scientific deductions by an improved graphical methodIn 1892, a young electrician and devoted Mason embarks on a bold quest to predict life fifty years into the future, blending scientific insight with mystical tradition to glimpse w…
Level C1PoetryFifty Years, & Other PoemsExplore the rich emotions and cultural heritage of African Americans through powerful lyrics and vibrant dialect poems that capture both universal human experiences and the unique…
Level B2Children'sFifty Famous People: A Book of Short StoriesDiscover inspiring tales of fifty remarkable individuals whose real-life deeds shaped history, each story blending truth with moral lessons to engage and uplift young readers throu…
Level B1Children'sFifty Famous FablesDiscover timeless lessons through fifty engaging fables where animals teach the values of self-control, kindness, wisdom, and honesty, inviting young readers to find their own mean…
Level C1ClassicsFifty Contemporary One-Act PlaysDive into a curated collection where emerging American dramatists and lesser-known foreign voices challenge theatrical norms through fifty one-act plays, each crafted for an experi…![Cover of Fifty Christmas poems for children by Florence B. [Compiler] Hyett](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnpso9638s73a33fbg.webp)
Level C2PoetryFifty Christmas poems for childrenCelebrate the magic of Christmas through fifty enchanting poems that capture the wonder, joy, and timeless traditions of the holiday season, perfect for children and families to ch…
Level C1PoetryFifty "Bab" Ballads: Much Sound and Little SenseSet sail with the devoted Captain Reece, who goes to whimsical lengths to ensure his crew’s happiness—even proposing marriage to his own family’s ladies to lift their spirits aboar…
Level C1PoetryFifteen sonnets of PetrarchBask in the timeless beauty of nature and love as delicate sonnets evoke sunlit shores, blooming flowers, and the tender memory of Laura.
Level B2Science FictionFifteen Hundred Miles an HourJourney beyond Earth begins with a mysterious meteorite crash in the Sahara, leading to a daring expedition aboard the spaceship Sirius as explorers venture through space toward Ma…
Level C1ClassicsFifteen Days: An Extract from Edward Colvil's JournalA quiet farm life is transformed when a mysterious young visitor arrives, bringing unexpected joy and new connections.
Level C1HistoricalFiesco; or, the Genoese Conspiracy: A TragedyIn 16th-century Genoa, Count Fiesco weaves a tense web of political intrigue and conspiracy, blending personal passion with the ruthless art of statecraft.
Level C1ClassicsFieldingDelve into a meticulously researched biography that unravels the life of Henry Fielding, correcting misconceptions and unveiling new details from his marriages to his literary rela…
Level B2AdventureField and Forest; Or, The Fortunes of a FarmerIn the rugged Missouri wilderness, young Phil faces a daring challenge when hostile horse thieves strike his homestead, forcing him to confront danger and test his courage to recla…
Level B2Science FictionField TripIn a future where time travel is tightly controlled by strict laws, two travelers become stranded in the 20th century, confronting forbidden emotions and the dangers of breaking th…
Level C1ClassicsFidelity: A NovelTensions simmer beneath polite conversation as old friends reunite in Freeport, revealing unspoken stories of loss, loyalty, and social expectation.
Level C1ClassicsFiddles: 1909In a rustic village, Marny recounts the tale of Fiddles, a charming, roguish musician with a knack for mischief and a mysterious past, whose exploits stir both laughter and intrigu…
Level C1ClassicsFickle FortuneTwo young men, bound by duty and contrasting temperaments, face a grueling winter journey home as they confront family expectations and clashing ambitions—one daring to defy tradit…
Level C1ClassicsFibble, D.D.A well-meaning clergyman sets out to guide the youth of his parish through refined nature study and literature, only to find his well-intentioned plans leading to unexpected and tr…
Level C1ClassicsFiander's Widow: A NovelIn the aftermath of a tragic farmer’s death, an auction disperses his belongings, revealing the struggles of rural life and the fierce grief of a young widow determined to face the…
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 4 (of 4)Betrayed as an infant heir, Henry of Montfort grows up in secret, raised by a loyal guardian and trained for battle to reclaim his rightful inheritance.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 3 (of 4)In a world of hidden snares and secret alliances, Amabel's innocent nature leads her into a web of mystery and danger surrounding her missing sister and a convent refuge.
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 2 (of 4)Amidst treacherous alliances and hidden betrayals, Urania Venosta and Adelaide of the Beacon-Tower navigate a web of deceit and danger that threatens their lives and hearts in a wo…
Level C1RomanceFeudal tyrants; or, The Counts of Carlsheim and Sargans, volume 1 (of 4)A widowed countess retreats to a convent, her grief for a benefactor-husband intertwined with hidden burdens and difficult choices about wealth, loyalty, and sacrifice in a world o…
Level C1Children'sFestival playsCelebrate the seasons and special days with charming one-act plays featuring personified months and festive legends.
Level C1ClassicsFerragus, Chief of the DévorantsIn the shadowy underworld of Napoleonic Paris, a secret society of thirteen men wields power beyond the law, bound by loyalty and mystery.
Level B2ClassicsFern's HollowNestled in a hidden Welsh hollow, a rugged hut shelters a family marked by hardship and hope, living quietly on the edge of society where common land meets solitary hills.
Level C1AdventureFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 3Amid the sun-drenched landscapes of Queensland, a lively gathering of settlers and friends convenes for a spirited day of horse races and camaraderie, where the challenges of bush…
Level C1ClassicsFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 2Amid the rugged Australian bush, two young men venture into an indigenous corroboree, uncovering mysterious rites of passage and the harsh realities of tribal customs.
Level C1HistoricalFern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 1Explore the untamed frontier of Queensland, where settlers strive to build honor and prosperity amidst prejudice and wild challenges.
Level C1ClassicsFern Leaves from Fanny's Port-folio. Second SeriesEscape to the cozy little brown house where warm family memories bloom amidst the changing seasons, only to face the harsh realities of loss and harsh dependency.
Level C1ClassicsFenwick's CareerA painter torn between the serene landscapes of Westmoreland and the seductive allure of Versailles navigates the profound influence of two women, each shaping his art and destiny…
Level C1RomanceFenton's QuestAn Australian merchant visits the tranquil English village of Lidford, where a chance encounter with a captivating young woman stirs thoughts of a quieter, more meaningful life bey…
Level C1ClassicsFennel and RueA struggling author’s serialized story captivates a mysterious, ailing reader who pleads to know its ending before her time runs out, forcing him to confront the power and meaning…
Level B1MysteryFenn Masterson's Discovery; or, The Darewell Chums on a CruiseTwo schoolboys, Fenn and Bart, bond over a shared love of collecting—this time minerals—and a clever scheme to skip a tough algebra exam.
Level C1HistoricalFenimore Cooper's Literary OffencesExplore a scathing critique of a renowned forest adventure novel, exposing its numerous breaches of storytelling rules and literary art, while delving into the quirks and clichés t…
Level C1ClassicsFenellaA fierce swimmer braves the relentless noontide sun and the wild sea, embodying strength and resilience on a desolate shore where nature’s power both nurtures and destroys.
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.