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 B2ClassicsCap'n EriThree seasoned sea captains share camaraderie and humor in a cozy, weathered seaside home, navigating the small frustrations and simple joys of their daily lives while awaiting the…
Level B2ClassicsCap'n Dan's DaughterIn the fading summer season of a quiet seaside town, Captain Daniel Dott struggles to keep his family’s dry goods store afloat amid fierce competition and dwindling customers.
Level B2RomanceCap'n Abe, Storekeeper: A Story of Cape CodTorn between stifling expectations and the call of the sea, young Louise faces a summer with her austere Aunt Euphemia or the enigmatic Cap’n Abe, her mother’s mysterious half-brot…
Level C1PoetryCap and Gown: A Treasury of College VerseCelebrate the joys and reflections of undergraduate life through light, graceful, and sometimes serious verse capturing youth, love, and the bittersweet transition from carefree da…
Level C1PoetryCaoidh airson cor na Gaidhealtachd agus fogradh nan GaidhealA poignant Gaelic lament reflects on the fading language and the forced emigration from the Highlands, mourning lost traditions and the transformation of ancestral lands into pastu…
Level B2AdventureCanoemates: A Story of the Florida Reef and EvergladesA determined young sailor trapped by poverty in a tropical paradise dreams of adventure beyond the Florida reefs and Everglades.
Level B2AdventureCanoe Mates in Canada; Or, Three Boys Afloat on the SaskatchewanThree boys navigate the wild Saskatchewan River in a frail bullboat, facing fierce storms and treacherous rapids in a vast, untamed Canadian wilderness where danger and adventure l…
Level B2AdventureCanoe Boys and Campfires; Or, Adventures on Winding WatersThree adventurous boys reunite at a boathouse by the Susquehanna River, ready to embark on thrilling canoe escapades and unravel mysteries along winding waters.
Level C1ClassicsCandideA young man named Candide embarks on a rapid-fire journey filled with absurd misfortunes and sharp satire, challenging the optimistic philosophy that this is the best of all possib…
Level C1ClassicsCandidaIn the gritty suburbs of London, Reverend Morell juggles his role as a Christian Socialist clergyman with the challenges of family and social duty, all set against the backdrop of…
Level C1PoetryCanadian Wild Flowers: Selections from the Writings of Miss Helen M. JohnsonDelve into heartfelt poems and prose inspired by Canadian nature, faith, and patriotism, weaving reflections on life, hope, and the divine.
Level C1PoetryCanadian Melodies and PoemsDiscover a heartfelt collection of poems inspired by Canada’s landscapes, history, and spirit—from serene lakes and majestic forests to the heroic tales of its ancestors—offering a…
Level C1AdventureCanadian Crusoes: A Tale of the Rice Lake PlainsStranded in the vast, untamed backwoods of Canada, young settlers must rely on nature’s hidden resources to survive the harsh wilderness and find their way home.
Level C1HistoricalCanadian Battlefields, and Other PoemsExplore stirring poems that evoke patriotism, the beauty of nature, and the echoes of historic Canadian battlefields, weaving together tales of valor, home, and the mysteries beyon…
Level B2PoetryCanada, My Land; and Other Compositions in VerseCelebrate the vast beauty and resilient spirit of Canada through stirring verses that honor its landscapes, history, and proud heritage.
Level C1HistoricalCanada for GentlemenFollow a young emigrant's candid letters home as he navigates the hopes, hardships, and unexpected challenges of leaving England for Canada, revealing the often untold realities of…
Level C1PoetryCanada and Other PoemsExplore the soul of a young nation through heartfelt poems that celebrate hope, resilience, and patriotism, capturing the spirit of Canada’s growth and the enduring human journey f…
Level C1RomanceCan You Forgive Her?Caught between family expectations and social ambitions, Alice Vavasor navigates love and loyalty amid the rigid class structures of Victorian England, where fortunes and reputatio…
Level C1FantasyCan Such Things Be?A man lost in a dark forest awakens from a dreamless sleep to utter a mysterious name, then embarks on a haunting journey through a bloodstained, shadowless landscape where unseen…
Level C1PoetryCan Grande's castleAmidst the shadows of war, a poet turns to history, weaving vivid visions through a new form of "polyphonic prose" that blurs the line between past and present, prose and verse, to…
Level B2AdventureCampmates: A Story of the PlainsA weary journey on a slow, rain-soaked train sets the stage for a rugged adventure across the treacherous plains, where natural dangers and the struggles of early rail travel test…
Level B2AdventureCamping on the St. Lawrence; Or, On the Trail of the Early DiscoverersFollow a group of young adventurers as they prepare to camp along the majestic St.
Level B2Children'sCampfire Girls' Outing; Or, Ethel Hollister's Second Summer in CampEthel Hollister navigates her second summer at camp, balancing her mother’s high society ambitions with the rugged charm of Camp Fire life.
Level B2AdventureCampfire Girls' Lake Camp; or, Searching for New AdventuresA lively group of Camp Fire Girls gathers at their lakeside camp, blending friendship, mystery, and the promise of new adventures amid the beauty of Fern Hollow and Butter Creek.
Level C1AdventureCampfire Girls in the Allegheny Mountains; or, A Christmas Success against OddsAmidst the snowy Allegheny Mountains, a spirited group of Camp Fire Girls blend adventure with courage, mastering military drills and nursing skills as they prepare to face the cha…
Level B2AdventureCampfire Girls at Twin Lakes; Or, The Quest of a Summer VacationA spirited group of Camp Fire Girls gathers for a summer adventure at Twin Lakes, where friendship, mysteries, and unexpected challenges await amidst the beauty of Fern Hollow.
Level C1Science FictionCamperdown; or, News from our neighbourhoodA wealthy, well-traveled bachelor grapples with solitude and the desire for love as he transforms his Pennsylvania estate, finding solace and intrigue in quiet musings and unexpect…
Level B2AdventureCamp-fire and WigwamIn a rugged Missouri settlement, young Jack Carleton encounters tales of danger, friendship, and survival as he learns of Deerfoot, a mysterious Indian who once saved his father’s…
Level C1AdventureCamp and Trail: A Story of the Maine WoodsTwo young hunters glide silently over a moonlit pond in northern Maine, using a special lantern to lure deer in a thrilling night adventure that celebrates respect for wildlife and…
Level B2AdventureCamp Venture: A Story of the Virginia MountainsA group of sturdy boys and their doctor companion camp high in the Virginia mountains, facing the challenges of rugged terrain and thin air.
Level B2AdventureCamp Mates in Michigan; or, with Pack and Paddle in the Pine WoodsThree boys camping in the Michigan wilderness face an unexpected visitor when a huge lynx tries to steal their ham, sparking a thrilling hunt through the pine woods armed with guns…
Level B2AdventureCamp Lenape on the Long TrailAt Camp Lenape, privileged newcomer Dirk clashes with rugged camper Brick, who resents carrying Dirk’s heavy luggage and his delicate ways.
Level C1ClassicsCamilla; or, A Picture of YouthAmid the peaceful parsonage of Etherington, young Camilla navigates the trials of youth and virtue, where family contrasts and the complexities of the human heart shape her journey…
Level B2ClassicsCamilla: A Tale of a Violin: Being the Artist Life of Camilla UrsoIn a charming French town, a young girl named Camilla grows up surrounded by music, inspired by her parents' artistry.
Level C1RomanceCameron of LochielA young Scottish exile navigates love and loyalty amid the fading traditions and shifting allegiances of old French Canada, where patriotism, family devotion, and cultural pride sh…
Level C1ClassicsCambridge PiecesExplore the art of clear and powerful expression through reflections on writing style, simplicity, and the struggle to shape thoughts into words.
Level C1HistoricalCambridge Neighbors (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)In a vibrant Cambridge community, the refined scholar Francis J.
Level B2ClassicsCalvary: A NovelBorn into a quiet provincial town shadowed by ancient forests and fading traditions, a sickly child recalls a childhood steeped in family legacy, rural mysteries, and the strange i…
Level B2ClassicsCalvary AlleyIn a gritty urban alley transformed by time, spirited young Nance Molloy fiercely claims her place amid longstanding neighborhood rivalries and childhood battles, setting in motion…
Level C1ClassicsCalumet "K"A massive grain elevator project faces delays and misfortune, prompting a seasoned troubleshooter to take charge amidst harsh conditions and tense labor.
Level C1HistoricalCallista : a Tale of the Third CenturyIn the lush landscapes of third-century Roman Africa, a tale unfolds exploring the delicate tensions and heartfelt bonds between Christians and heathens, capturing the spiritual st…
Level C1HistoricalCallias: A Tale of the Fall of AthensAmid Athens' fading glory and war's toll, a new play unfolds at the theater, where gods Bacchus and Hercules embark on a journey to the underworld to retrieve the lost spirit of tr…
Level C2PoetryCaliforniaImmerse yourself in a lyrical celebration of California's majestic landscapes and rich spirit, where mountains, seas, and valleys sing in harmony.
Level B2Children'sCaleb in the CountryA pale, sickly boy spends summer with his grandmother in the rocky countryside, discovering the wonders of nature through simple lessons and reflections—like seeing a mysterious "b…
Level C1ClassicsCaleb Wright: A Story of the WestA young couple navigates love and ambition in New York City, dreaming of success beyond their modest means—until an unexpected inheritance challenges their future and forces them t…
Level C1GothicCaleb Williams; Or, Things as They AreA young secretary uncovers a dark secret about his cultured employer, plunging him into a dangerous world of power, betrayal, and relentless pursuit.
Level B2AdventureCaleb West, Master DiverAn ambitious engineer races against time to build a lighthouse on a treacherous ledge, relying on a specially designed sloop and daring divers to place massive stones beneath fierc…
Level C1RomanceCaleb TrenchIn a genteel drawing-room, a proud young woman confronts Caleb Trench, the humble village shopkeeper who insists on returning six cents of owed change in person—an encounter that s…
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.