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 B2AdventureBoy Scouts: Tenderfoot Squad; or, Camping at Raccoon LodgeA group of eager Boy Scouts embarks on a week-long camping adventure at Raccoon Bluff, where seasoned leaders mentor new recruits in survival skills, courage, and camaraderie amids…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts with Joffre; Or, In the Trenches in BelgiumThree young Boy Scouts on motorcycles face sabotage and mechanical failure as they speed toward a secret mission, testing their courage and friendship in a tense adventure that lea…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on the TrailA group of Boy Scouts at camp face unexpected restrictions on their swimming grounds after a thrilling and dubious shark sighting stirs excitement and skepticism.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on the Open Plains; Or, The Round-Up Not OrderedFour Boy Scouts from New York set out across rugged Nevada mountains toward their uncles' cattle ranch, eager to explore the vast open plains and ancient cliff dwellings.
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts on the Great Divide; Or, The Ending of the TrailFour Boy Scouts on a wilderness mission await mysterious instructions deep in the Wyoming mountains when a stranger with a secretive past arrives at their campfire, setting the sta…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on a Long Hike; Or, To the Rescue in the Black Water SwampsA determined Boy Scout patrol embarks on a daring 100-mile hike, showcasing their skills in signaling, woodcraft, and courage as they face challenges in the wild Indiana swamps.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on Motorcycles; Or, With the Flying SquadronFour Boy Scouts find themselves stranded in a mysterious Chinese town, waiting for secret instructions from the U.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on Hudson Bay; Or, The Disappearing FleetFive Boy Scouts and their guides brave the wild, frozen North on a daring expedition to reach the mysterious Hudson Bay, facing endless wilderness, grueling portages, and the chall…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts of the Air on Lost IslandFour adventurous boys set out from their lakeside town, armed with fishing gear and boundless enthusiasm, ready to explore hidden waters and tackle the challenges of the wilderness…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the Philippines; Or, The Key to the Treaty BoxFour Boy Scouts journey to the Philippines aboard a U.
Level B1AdventureBoy Scouts in the Northwest; Or, Fighting Forest FiresHigh in the Northwest wilderness, three Boy Scouts set up a secret camp while searching for their missing friends amid looming forest fires.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the North Sea; Or, the Mystery of "U-13"Four resourceful Boy Scouts navigate a flooded war zone between German and neutral lands, caught in a dangerous mission involving secret passages and mysterious disappearances.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the North Sea; Or, The Mystery of a SubBoy Scouts recently entangled in a daring manhunt now find themselves trapped between flooded lands and enemy lines as they navigate a mysterious mission in war-torn Europe.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in the Coal Caverns; Or, The Light in Tunnel SixFour skilled Boy Scouts are tasked with a mysterious mission to find two missing boys last seen working in an abandoned coal mine, unraveling secrets hidden deep within the dark tu…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in the Canal Zone; Or, The Plot Against Uncle SamA group of adventurous Boy Scouts join a Secret Service lieutenant on a covert mission to protect the Panama Canal from a mysterious plot threatening its massive dam.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in an Airship; Or, The Warning from the SkyBoy Scouts Ned, Jimmie, and Sam prepare for a daring aeroplane mission to South America, shadowed by mysterious spies and secret dangers.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in a Submarine; Or, Searching an Ocean FloorA troop of adventurous Boy Scouts prepares for a daring mission beneath the ocean's surface, navigating secret waters with a mysterious Captain Moore and testing their skills in a…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in Southern Waters; Or, Spaniard's Treasure ChestFour resourceful Boy Scouts navigate thick fog and towering waves aboard the sturdy motor boat Fortuna, embarking on a daring voyage from Chicago to the mysterious southern waters…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in Northern Wilds; Or, The Signal from the HillsFour Boy Scouts embark on a daring mission deep into the Canadian wilderness, facing biting insects, harsh weather, and untamed nature as they navigate Moose River and uncover myst…
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts in Mexico; Or, On Guard with Uncle SamA group of resourceful Boy Scouts plans a daring expedition down the Rio Grande, building their own houseboat to navigate the river and stand guard with Uncle Sam amid border tensi…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts in California; or, The Flag on the CliffIn the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, a group of Boy Scouts embarks on a thrilling summer adventure filled with hunting, camping, and the challenges of wilderness survival.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts Mysterious Signal; Or, Perils of the Black Bear PatrolTrapped in a war-torn city, four Boy Scouts face capture by a German officer determined to conscript one of them dressed as a Russian Cossack.
Level C1ClassicsBox and Cox: A Romance of Real Life in One Act.Two lodgers unknowingly share the same room—one works nights, the other days—leading to a comical clash of habits and suspicions under the watchful eye of their landlady.
Level A2Children'sBow-Wow and Mew-MewA mischievous young dog and cat, Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew, struggle to get along in a bustling farmhouse filled with noisy animals and little kindness.
Level C1HistoricalBouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 2Two clerks, Bouvard and Pécuchet, embark on a quest for spiritual and moral enlightenment, grappling with faith, virtue, and the complexities of religious life amid their earnest b…
Level C1HistoricalBouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 1Two clerks, bored with city life and haunted by memories, meet on a scorching Parisian boulevard and find solace in shared conversation about politics, women, and society.
Level B2AdventureBound to get thereYoung adventurers navigate challenges and pursue their dreams with grit and determination in a world where fair play and hard work pave the way to success.
Level B2Children'sBound to Succeed; or, Mail Order Frank's ChancesDetermined to overcome his family’s lost fortune and a ruthless adversary, young Frank sets out from his small town to forge a new path through hard work and clever resolve.
Level B2HistoricalBound to Rise; Or, Up the LadderA poor farming family faces hardship when their only cow falls ill, threatening their meager livelihood.
Level B2ClassicsBound southJoe Breedlove, a solitary rider with a keen eye for the rugged southern land, stumbles upon fresh hoofprints and a dead horse, leading him toward a mysterious, fast-moving cavalcad…
Level B2Children'sBouncing BetIn a quiet village, an unlikely friendship blossoms between a curious boy fascinated by magic and a wheelchair-bound gentleman with a mysterious past.
Level C1ClassicsBought and Paid For; From the Play of George BroadhurstA devoted doctor faces a family's desperate struggle as the patriarch lies gravely ill, revealing the harsh realities of sacrifice, honor, and impending loss amid their refined but…
Level C1HistoricalBothwell; or, The Days of Mary Queen of Scots, Volume 3 (of 3)Amidst shadows and whispered conspiracies, a doomed young king lies vulnerable in his chamber while masked men plot treachery within the dim halls of Scotland's palace.
Level C1RomanceBothwell; or, The Days of Mary Queen of Scots, Volume 2 (of 3)Amid courtly intrigue and shifting loyalties, the dashing Earl of Bothwell pledges fierce allegiance to Queen Mary, navigating love, power, and rivalry in turbulent Scotland.
Level C1RomanceBothwell; or, The Days of Mary Queen of Scots, Volume 1 (of 3)In the turbulent autumn of 1566, amid Norway's stormy seas and the shadow of political unrest, the fate of Mary Queen of Scots intertwines with daring voyages, secret rivalries, an…
Level C1AdventureBoth Sides the Border: A Tale of Hotspur and GlendowerAmid fierce border warfare and shifting alliances, a young lad keeps watch over a rugged fortalice as perilous raids threaten his family’s hold.
Level C1HistoricalBoswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and AnnotationsDive into the personal reflections and historical insights of a renowned 18th-century figure, capturing the essence of his era through memoirs, annotations, and a rich compilation…
Level C1ClassicsBoswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and His Journal of a Tour to CorsicaA young Scotsman ventures into Corsica’s untamed interior during a turbulent war between natives and foreign powers, chronicling the island’s heroic struggle for freedom and inspir…
Level C1ClassicsBoswell the BiographerDive into the intricate relationship between James Boswell and Samuel Johnson, exploring the unique psychology behind the biography that has captivated generations with its vivid,…
Level B2ClassicsBoston Neighbours In Town and OutIn a charming Boston suburb dubbed "Babyland," a group of young mothers form a Tolstoi Club to explore Russian literature and life, sparking unexpected discussions about love, marr…
Level B2Children'sBosom Friends: A Seaside StoryAmid the bustling chaos of a crowded railway station, two young girls from very different worlds meet, sparking a seaside adventure filled with curiosity, friendship, and the charm…
Level C1HistoricalBoscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651In the turmoil following the Battle of Worcester, King Charles II embarks on a perilous escape, relying on loyal subjects and secret hideouts like the famed Royal Oak.
Level C1AdventureBosambo of the RiverIn a wild African penal settlement, Bosambo escapes a life sentence and rises to power among the Ochori, sparking rebellion and danger.
Level C1PoetryBorth LyricsA school community faces upheaval and displacement, seeking refuge by the sea in the Welsh village of Borth.
Level B2RomanceBorrowed feathersLeft to manage a large, lonely house with only a deaf servant for company, spirited Annette’s world brightens when her godmother arrives unexpectedly, promising companionship and s…
Level C1AdventureBorn to Wander: A Boy's Book of Nomadic AdventuresIn a lush, untamed garden where nature thrives in harmony, a young girl named Effie discovers the delicate beauty and hidden adventures of the wild flora and fauna around Grayling…
Level B2AdventureBorn to Good Luck; or The Boy Who Succeeded.A determined boy, burdened with chores and mistreated by his employer's son, refuses to submit and fights back, igniting a fierce struggle to break free from hardship and forge his…
Level C1ClassicsBorn in ExileAt the close of a summer day in 1874, a small English town gathers to unveil a statue honoring a self-made millionaire, while the spirited Warricombe family navigates social expect…
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.