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 B2Children'sCaptain of the CrewAt Hillton Academy, a lively group of boys return from Christmas break, ready to embrace the challenges and camaraderie of school life where athletics and honesty shape their chara…
Level B2AdventureCaptain Ted: A Boy's Adventures Among Hiding Slackers in the Great Georgia SwampTwo boys setting out to find the perfect Christmas tree in snowy Georgia woods tumble into an abandoned gold-mining pit, sparking a tense adventure as they struggle to escape and p…
Level C1PoetryCaptain Sword and Captain Pen: A PoemIn a stirring poetic narrative, two captains—Sword and Pen—clash amid war's brutal realities and aftermath, challenging the glorified tales of battle with raw reflections on its tr…
Level B2MysteryCaptain Sparkle, Pirate; Or, A Hard Man to CatchWhen millionaire Maxwell Kane's yacht is boarded by real pirates, detective Nick Carter is called in to unravel the mystery aboard the luxurious steam-yacht Goalong.
Level C1MysteryCaptain ShannonA shadowy figure known only as “Captain Shannon” orchestrates a chilling spree of brutal crimes across England and Ireland, leaving behind a trail of terror and unanswered question…
Level C1AdventureCaptain Sam: The Boy Scouts of 1814A determined young captain leads a band of boy soldiers on a daring march in 1814, enforcing discipline amidst threats of mutiny and the harsh wilderness.
Level C1MysteryCaptain Rogers: The Lady of the Barge and Others, Part 7.A worn stranger arrives at a riverside tavern, confronting the stern innkeeper with a chilling familiarity and a pistol drawn.
Level C1RomanceCaptain Ravenshaw; Or, The Maid of Cheapside. A Romance of Elizabethan LondonIn Elizabethan London, a stirring romance unfolds amid the bustling streets and vivid characters of a bygone era, where imagination breathes life into history and passion ignites i…
Level C1AdventureCaptain PaulA mysterious seaman named Paul Jones, shrouded in melancholy and bravery, emerges from obscurity as the author delves into naval archives and forgotten memories to uncover the secr…
Level C1AdventureCaptain Mugford: Our Salt and Fresh Water TutorsA young boy's journey to a wild Cornish cape opens a world of untamed seas, rugged landscapes, and the fierce beauty of nature before civilization tames it.
Level B2ClassicsCaptain Mary MillerIn a small wharf town, a spirited woman challenges the traditional roles and rights of wives as she confronts her husband over ownership and autonomy, sparking a stirring drama abo…
Level C1HistoricalCaptain Mansana & Mother's HandsAmidst the fervor of Italy's struggle for freedom, the story follows the patriot Mansana, whose heroic deeds and tragic fate echo through time as his remains are honored by the ver…
Level B2AdventureCaptain Macklin: His MemoirsA young soldier destined for a life of war reflects on his upbringing under a revered grandfather and the sacrifices demanded by his chosen path.
Level C1RomanceCaptain Kyd; or, The Wizard of the Sea. Vol. IIAs a noble party embarks on a graceful yacht bound for adventure, unexpected reunions and tender farewells set the stage for a romance on the high seas filled with gallantry, secre…
Level C1RomanceCaptain Kyd; or, The Wizard of the Sea. Vol. IOn the rugged Irish coast, a grand archery fête unfolds at Castle Cor, setting the stage for a dramatic romance filled with noble rivalries, ancient customs, and the stirring begin…
Level B2AdventureCaptain KodakWhen a runaway circus elephant causes chaos in Hazenfield, young Allan Hartel’s fascination with photography is sparked by a missed chance to capture the moment.
Level C1ClassicsCaptain Kettle on the war-pathA determined ex-sailor, barred from official service due to his wooden leg, teams up with a frustrated MP to hunt down a ruthless German submarine wreaking havoc on shipping.
Level B2AdventureCaptain JuneA spirited boy embarks on an unforgettable summer in Japan, where bustling streets and enchanting sights awaken his imagination and bring fairy tales to life.
Level B2AdventureCaptain John's Adventures; or, The Story of a Fatherless BoyA young boy loses his fisherman father to a fierce storm and, with his grieving mother and siblings, moves to a nearby town to start anew.
Level B2AdventureCaptain John Crane, 1800-1815A modest New Hampshire farm boy follows his lifelong dream, leaving home to embrace the sea and command his own ship, sharing vivid tales of adventure and hardship from his years a…
Level B2ClassicsCaptain Jinks, HeroA mild-mannered farmer known as Colonel Jinks buys an unusual gift for his young son—a box of lead soldiers that captivates the boy, sparking a story of innocence, respect for auth…
Level B2Children'sCaptain JanuaryA devoted lighthouse keeper raises a bright, spirited girl on a rocky Maine island, teaching her only from the Bible and Shakespeare.
Level B1HistoricalCaptain HoraceYoung Horace dreams of adventure and soldiering, while his sister Grace imagines angelic harps under starry Indiana skies.
Level C1AdventureCaptain FracasseIn a decaying Gascony château, shrouded in mystery and overrun by nature, an abandoned world awaits rediscovery.
Level C1AdventureCaptain DieppeA resourceful captain, recently thwarted and on the run, wanders into a stormy night seeking shelter in a remote village dominated by a mysterious half-lit castle.
Level C1AdventureCaptain Desmond, V.C.A determined young woman journeys across the rugged Indian frontier to join her cavalry officer brother, embracing independence and adventure amid the harsh, untamed wilderness whe…
Level B2ClassicsCaptain CranberryIn a stormy Cape Cod night, Cynthia Tinker faces the upheaval of leaving her home and the mystery of an unknown tenant moving in.
PoetryCaptain CraigExplore the lives and struggles of vivid characters through a rich tapestry of poems, where themes of love, loss, and human nature unfold with profound insight and emotional depth.
Level B2AdventureCaptain ChubIn a thrilling final baseball game tied at three, the Crimson captain and pitcher face intense pressure as the Blue team threatens to take the lead.
Level B2AdventureCaptain Chap; or, The Rolling StonesThree adventurous boys seize the chance of a lifetime: a daring two-day tugboat journey to rescue a stranded steamer on a bustling river.
Level C1AdventureCaptain Carey; or, Fighting the Indians at Pine RidgeLieutenant Kit Carey, a fearless frontier soldier, is tasked with escorting Captain Foshay’s daughter through dangerous Indian territory.
Level C1ClassicsCaptain Brassbound's ConversionIn the rugged Moroccan port of Mogador, a steadfast missionary's peaceful routine is disrupted by the arrival of unexpected visitors and a hard-bitten local guide, setting the stag…
Level C1AdventureCaptain Brand of the "Centipede": A Pirate of Eminence in the West Indies: His Love and Exploits, Together with Some Account of the Singular Manner by Which He Departed This LifeAmidst the bustling port of Bordeaux in 1805, a seasoned pirate captain prepares to set sail, bidding tearful farewells to loved ones while navigating the treacherous West Indies s…
Level C1AdventureCaptain BloodA skilled physician watches with detached irony as an impassioned rebellion stirs his town, knowing well the dangerous illusions driving these men to war.
Level B2ClassicsCaptain Billy's Whiz Bang, Vol. 3, No. 32, April, 1922Dive into a sharp, witty collection of musings that peel back the glamor of Hollywood's motion picture world, exposing its mix of ambition, folly, and human longing through humorou…
Level B2ClassicsCaptain Balaam of the 'Cormorant', and other sea comediesAmid the creaking sails and salty air of the Patriarch, a rough-and-tumble crew navigates life under the harsh command of a miserly owner, while Geordie Potts dreams of a kinder, f…
Level C1RomanceCapt'n Davy's HoneymoonNewlyweds Capt’n Davy and Ellen clash over money and the invisible barrier of education that threatens their love.
Level B2Children'sCaps and Capers: A Story of Boarding-School LifeA devoted father, mourning his wife’s loss, faces the heartbreaking decision to send his young daughter to a boarding school while he travels abroad.
Level C1RomanceCapricious CarolineAs a motorcar journey through misty, windswept landscapes unfolds, Camilla Lancing savors a rare escape from life's cares, while Rupert Haverford tends to her with quiet devotion—y…
Level C1ClassicsCapitola's Peril: A Sequel to 'The Hidden Hand'An heiress faces suspicion and scheming when her late father's last wishes spark a bitter conflict with her guardian, igniting a tense struggle over inheritance and loyalty within…
Level C1AdventureCapitola the MadcapIn a tense household bound by a late doctor's mysterious instructions, a young man and an heiress fight to uphold a will's secret wishes against a scheming guardian.
Level C1ClassicsCape of Storms: A NovelA young man leaves his quiet Midwestern village, full of hope and ambition, to conquer the bustling city and forge his future.
Level B2ClassicsCape Cod StoriesTwo old mariners receive mysterious, ornate invitations to a high-society wedding, thrusting them from their quiet Cape Cod life into a world of wealth and social intrigue.
Level C1ClassicsCape Cod FolksOn Cape Cod's rugged shores, Aunt Sibylla warns her community of looming dangers with fiery passion, sparking a mix of fear, faith, and folklore.
Level C1PoetryCape Cod Ballads, and Other VerseVivid ballads capture the spirit of Cape Cod’s coastal life, weaving tales of sea-farers, village characters, and the rugged beauty of New England shores through heartfelt and evoc…
Level C1ClassicsCape Breton TalesExperience the quiet beauty and fading glory of Arichat, a Cape Breton town where summer arrives late and the Acadian community gathers in vibrant, heartfelt celebrations amidst a…
Level B2ClassicsCap'n Warren's WardsCaught in a fierce storm and a delayed train, a gruff sea captain returns from a mysterious business deal in Cape Cod, sparking curiosity in a weary lawyer trapped on the journey.
Level B2ClassicsCap'n Jonah's fortuneA seasoned mariner arrives at a quiet Cape Cod home bearing a mysterious sea chest, stirring the lives of a spirited young woman left alone and longing for escape.
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.