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 C1HistoricalBrief Reflections relative to the Emigrant French ClergyAs political chaos sweeps France, displaced clergy face destitution and despair.
Level C1HistoricalBrief History of English and American LiteratureExplore the evolution of English and American literature through towering figures and transformative periods, uncovering how their works reflect and shape religious, social, and po…
Level C1Science FictionBride of the Dark OneIn a shadowy outpost for galactic outcasts, Ransome, a weary Earthman marked by misfortune, faces a deadly bargain as a seductive dancer and a cunning Venusian offer escape from re…
Level C1ClassicsBride RosesA discerning lady visits a florist to plan the perfect floral arrangements for her upcoming event, navigating her preferences and the florist’s expertise amid the challenges of sea…
Level C1HistoricalBricks Without Straw: A NovelIn a post-Civil War South, a freedman reflects on the tangled legacy of names and freedom, revealing the struggles and hopes of those emerging from bondage.
Level B2Children'sBriarwood GirlsStruggling with the heartbreak of leaving college due to family hardship, Alison receives an unexpected inheritance—a mysterious brass lamp from a distant relative.
Level C1HistoricalBrian Fitz-Count: A Story of Wallingford Castle and Dorchester AbbeyAmid the looming shadows of Wallingford Castle in 1139, Brian Fitz-Count, a formidable Norman lord and royal favorite, wrestles with dark deeds and a secret tied to noble birth, re…
Level B2ClassicsBrewster's MillionsMontgomery Brewster, heir to a vast fortune, faces unexpected challenges on his twenty-fifth birthday amidst a lively gathering of wealthy young men.
Level C1ClassicsBressant: A NovelAn elderly professor finds solace and secret strength in the familiar sights of his garden and the rugged hills beyond, where nature’s quiet mysteries and personal memories intertw…
Level B2Children'sBrenda, Her School and Her ClubFour friends face change when Brenda's cousin Julia arrives, bringing a quiet, scholarly presence that challenges Brenda's reign over her social circle and forces her to navigate n…
Level B2Children'sBrenda's cousin at RadcliffeAt Radcliffe College, Julia Bourne navigates the challenges of exams and new friendships, including the spirited Clarissa from the West.
Level B2Children'sBrenda's Ward: A Sequel to 'Amy in Acadia'Two young girls, newly settled in Boston, navigate friendship, school, and the amusing antics of Angelina, a quirky helper with theatrical dreams.
Level B2Children'sBrenda's Bargain: A Story for GirlsOn a bright October day, Brenda’s thoughtful gift choice shatters in a shop, leading her to an unexpected act of kindness that challenges notions of responsibility and generosity.
Level C1ClassicsBred in the bone: 1908On the eve of the grandest steeplechase at the Jockey Club, old Robin, a revered stableman steeped in memories of pre-war glory, clashes with younger rivals as the horse racing wor…
Level C1ClassicsBred in the Bone; Or, Like Father, Like Son: A NovelAn audacious, reckless squire known for his wild riding and eccentric exploits dominates the quiet Midlands, defying convention and living life on his own bold terms.
Level C1Children'sBreaking Away; or, The Fortunes of a StudentA determined boy faces injustice and favoritism at Parkville Liberal Institute, where the principal favors wealthy students and punishes others unfairly.
Level B2ClassicsBreadIn a struggling household where even the simplest necessities like bread are scarce, a young woman confronts the harsh realities behind her mother’s quiet desperation and the famil…
Level C1ClassicsBrazilian short storiesA fierce protest against foreign influence and a passionate call for Brazil’s cultural independence, these stories capture the raw spirit of a nation grappling with identity, chang…
Level C1ClassicsBrazilian TalesExplore the evolution of Brazilian literature from its Portuguese roots through Romanticism and realism, as it wrestles with identity, originality, and cultural influence in a land…
Level B2MysteryBrazilian Gold Mine MysteryA teenage adventurer flies to the heart of the Amazon to deliver a secret letter to his father, unaware that dangerous rivals are racing to uncover a legendary gold mine.
Level B2AdventureBrave and True: Short stories for children by G. M. Fenn and OthersAmid the hardships of naval life and old school rivalries, a young sailor recounts his daring rescue of a wounded officer under enemy fire, revealing bravery and unexpected friends…
Level B2AdventureBrave and Bold; Or, The Fortunes of Robert RushtonAt Millville Academy, young Robert Rushton and his rivals navigate school life, ambition, and rivalry, all under the watchful eye of an earnest penmanship professor.
Level B2AdventureBrave Tom; Or, The Battle That WonIn a quiet Pennsylvania village, young Tom Gordon's anticipation for the circus is shattered by sudden illness and a mysterious, urgent panic sweeping through Briggsville—an advent…
Level C1AdventureBrave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great RebellionAmid the turmoil of the Great Rebellion, a young naval officer rises through the ranks, navigating duty, honor, and personal aspirations aboard the quarter deck.
Level B2HistoricalBrave Bessie WestlandIn a time of fierce Quaker persecution, young Bessie Westland hides with her sisters in a cellar as their parents face imprisonment for their faith.
Level B2AdventureBransford of Rainbow Range: Originally Published under the title of Bransford in Arcadia, or, The Little EohippusAmid the rugged expanse of Rainbow Range, seasoned cowhands and restless youth gather by firelight, contemplating the wild land’s untamed beauty and the unpredictable lives they le…
Level C1ClassicsBransford in ArcadiaAmid the rugged beauty of the desert, a group of seasoned cowhands unwind after a grueling roundup, sharing lively debates and reflections on the untamed West’s charm, freedom, and…
Level B2AdventureBrandon of the EngineersIn the heat of a tense military campaign, Lieutenant Richard Brandon commands a daring engineering feat, constructing a crucial pontoon bridge under pressure.
Level C1ClassicsBrandon Coyle's wifeA young woman disrupts a high-society gathering by revealing her fiancé, Brandon Coyle, is already married—sparking scandal, denial, and a battle over truth that threatens to unrav…
Level B2MysteryBrandedA young bank bookkeeper faces a devastating moral dilemma when the daughter of his crooked employer asks him to take the blame for a financial scandal that could destroy her family…
Level B2AdventureBrand BlottersLost and desperate in the unforgiving desert, a lone man clings to survival by assuming the identity of a stranger killed in a violent cattle stampede, hoping to escape danger and…
Level C2PoetryBramble BraeExplore a rich tapestry of reflections on life, loss, and nature through evocative poems that traverse personal memories, historical moments, and intimate prayers, inviting readers…
Level B2Children'sBrake upAmid fierce rivalry between two lakeside towns, a determined captain steers a swift steamer to outpace a rival railroad, while battling personal and community conflicts that test h…
Level C1ClassicsBracebridge Hall, or The HumoristsA traveler from America explores the rich history and quaint charm of an old English estate, uncovering the poetry and nostalgia woven into its ancient walls and surrounding countr…
Level C1ClassicsBracebridge HallStep into Bracebridge Hall, where an old English squire's eccentric devotion to tradition sets the stage for a lively wedding celebration, revealing the charm and quirks of an anci…
Level C1ClassicsBoys: their Work and InfluenceExplore the complex world of boyhood, where mischief, courage, and contradictions shape character and destiny.
Level C1AdventureBoys of the Light Brigade: A Story of Spain and the Peninsular WarAmid the turmoil of the Peninsular War, a young soldier joins the legendary Light Brigade as they face overwhelming French forces, enduring grueling marches and fierce battles acro…
Level B2Children'sBoys of the Central: A High-School StoryIn a tense high school classroom, a timid boy struggles with algebra and faces bullying from a ruthless classmate, while a loyal friend stands up for him, sparking a fierce conflic…
Level B2AdventureBoys of The Fort; Or, A Young Captain's PluckTwo sixteen-year-old cousins embark on a rugged journey through the Rocky Mountains to Fort Carson, a remote military outpost.
PoetryBoys and Girls: The Verses of James W. FoleyStep into a world of heartfelt verses capturing childhood adventures, tender moments, and timeless stories filled with warmth and imagination.
Level C1Children'sBoys and Girls from ThackerayA lonely twelve-year-old boy named Henry Esmond finds unexpected kindness and friendship upon the arrival of the new lord and lady at Castlewood, setting the stage for a tale of ch…
Level B2Children'sBoys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17): Fun and Thought for Little FolkNurture young minds with an engaging mix of jingles, stories, and play exercises designed to spark curiosity and build character from infancy through early childhood.
Level C1Children'sBoys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17): Folk-Lore, Fables, And Fairy TalesStep into a magical realm where fairy tales, fables, and wonder stories bring to life enchanted forests, brave heroes, and timeless lessons of courage and kindness.
Level B2Children'sBoyhood in Norway: Stories of Boy-Life in the Land of the Midnight SunIn a Norwegian valley divided by rival boyhood factions, youthful leaders wage imaginative battles that blur the line between play and real conflict.
Level C1HistoricalBoyhoodA young boy embarks on a hopeful journey away from the shadows of recent loss, encountering the vibrant awakening of spring and the lively world beyond his home.
Level B2HistoricalBoycotted, and Other StoriesA student at Draven’s school faces isolation and confusion after his close friend Browne is suddenly expelled, casting a shadow over their once lively term.
Level C1Children'sBoy: A SketchA young boy navigates a troubled childhood marked by his father’s drunken antics and the weight of a noble lineage gone awry.
Level B2AdventureBoy Woodburn: A Story of the Sussex DownsAn enduring horse trainer known as Old Mat defies convention on the Sussex Downs, preparing his jumpers with rugged care and old-school wisdom.
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.