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 B1AdventureBob, the photographerThrown into the world to earn his own way, Bob discovers a passion for photography that leads him to unexpected adventures along a railroad line.
Level B1Children'sBob, the cabin-boyOrphaned young Bob becomes a cabin-boy aboard a rough ship, where kindness and courage guide him through hardship and loneliness.
Level C1Children'sBob, Son of BattleIn a rugged farmhouse shadowed by ancient ruins, a remarkable young sheepdog named Bob displays courage and cleverness, hinting at a legacy that could bring glory back to Kenmuir.
Level B1AdventureBob the Castaway; Or, The Wreck of the EagleA mischievous boy known for his pranks sets off on a simple errand that hints at a clever scheme against the village grocer.
Level C1AdventureBob Strong's Holidays: Adrift in the ChannelA boy’s lively curiosity turns a train journey into a thrilling adventure as he puzzles over the strange, shifting landscape outside the window, discovering the whimsical magic hid…
Level B2AdventureBob Steele in Strange Waters; or, Aboard a Strange CraftA young expert takes command of a daring deep-sea submarine dive to test the limits of their vessel and skill, plunging 210 feet beneath the ocean’s surface where every move could…
Level B2AdventureBob Hazard, dam builderAt seventeen, Bob Hazard defies his father's hopes to become a lawyer and instead sets out to follow his passion for engineering.
Level B2AdventureBob Hampton of PlacerTrapped in a narrow canyon and ambushed by Sioux warriors, sixteen desperate survivors—including a mysterious stranger named Hampton—must fight for their lives amid the rugged wild…
Level B1MysteryBob Dexter and the Storm Mountain Mystery; or, The Secret of the Log CabinWhen Bob Dexter is tasked by his strict uncle to await a mysterious visitor with important papers, his plans for a thrilling ball game are put on hold—leading him into the heart of…
Level B2AdventureBob Chester's Grit; Or, From Ranch to RichesA country boy’s honesty is tested when strangers entrust him with a fortune in bustling New York City, sparking an adventure that could change his life forever.
Level B2AdventureBob Burton; or, The Young Ranchman of the MissouriOn a Missouri ranch, young Bob Burton helps shelter a runaway boy named Clip while his family navigates the dangerous grudges of a ruthless moneylender with a dark past.
Level B2AdventureBob Bowen Comes to TownIn the sweltering heat of central California, Bob Bowen, a sharp-witted mine dealer with a mysterious past, navigates the high-stakes world of mining stocks and secret fortunes.
Level B2Children'sBluff Crag; or, A Good Word Costs NothingWhen Mr.
Level C1ClassicsBluebell: A NovelAt seventeen, Bluebell navigates the harsh realities of poverty and longing in a modest Canadian cottage, yearning for beauty and belonging amidst hardship and dashed hopes.
Level B2Children'sBluebeardIn a magnificent mansion lives a mysterious man with a blue beard, whose past wives have vanished without a trace.
Level C1RomanceBlue-grass and BroadwayA determined Broadway producer and a resourceful Kentucky woman join forces amidst the high-stakes, dazzling world of theatrical productions, chasing success and survival under the…
Level C1ClassicsBlue-Stocking Hall, (Vol. 3 of 3)A young man returns from London to his family estate, grappling with the pretentiousness of city life, the bizarre world of literary society, and the strained health of a beloved u…
Level C1ClassicsBlue-Stocking Hall, (Vol. 2 of 3)Amidst letters of friendship and family news, a nobleman plans his return to England, seeking a grand estate and reconnecting with loved ones who embody honor, independence, and he…
Level C1ClassicsBlue-Stocking Hall, (Vol. 1 of 3)As two friends embark on separate journeys across Europe and Ireland, they exchange letters revealing intimate observations and reflections, challenging preconceived notions about…
Level C1RomanceBlue-Bird WeatherIn the shadowy marshlands of a remote Southern island, a weary man arrives to reclaim a fading duck club, guided by a taciturn boy and greeted by a mysterious young woman—where nat…
Level B2MysteryBlue eyes and diamondsWhen Betty Danford loses a high-stakes gamble, she hatches a risky plan: enlist a detective to hire a thief to steal her pawned diamond necklace before her husband finds out.
Level B2AdventureBlue Lights: Hot Work in the SoudanA young man torn between duty and rebellion flees his home after a fierce clash with his father, only to find himself mistaken for a notorious swindler.
Level C1AdventureBlue Jackets; or, The Adventures of J. Thompson, A.B., Among "the Heathen Chinee": A Nautical NovelCaught between harsh naval discipline and the lure of freedom, a determined sailor navigates life aboard British warships and the exotic challenges of China.
Level B2AdventureBlue Jackets: The Log of the TeaserThree young midshipmen aboard the gunboat Teaser navigate strict discipline and cultural tensions as they venture ashore into a bustling foreign city, where every step risks sparki…
Level C1ClassicsBlue Aloes: Stories of South AfricaUnder the eerie night sounds of a remote Karoo farm, a young governess faces mysterious whispers and ghostly warnings to protect the children in her care, as unsettling secrets fro…
Level B2AdventureBlown to Bits; or, The Lonely Man of RakataAmid the calm before a violent volcanic eruption near the Malay Archipelago, a young first mate struggles to prove himself at sea under his stern captain father’s watchful eye, cau…
Level C1RomanceBlowing weatherReturning to his childhood streets turned bustling trade hub, a young man navigates the docks and warehouses to meet a mysterious merchant tied to distant ports and rare goods.
Level C1RomanceBlow The Man Down: A Romance Of The CoastA captain aboard a luxurious yacht wrestles with an overwhelming, forbidden passion that breaks through his disciplined reserve, risking honor and sanity in a sudden, reckless embr…
Level B2PoetryBlottentots, and How to Make ThemDiscover the whimsical world of Blottentots—playful creatures born from inkblots brought to life through simple folds and imagination, each with its own quirky story and personalit…
Level C2PoetryBlooms of the BerryDive into a world of vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection as poems explore nature’s cycles, mythic seas, and the passage of time, capturing the delicate interplay between light a…
Level C1ClassicsBlood and SandA fierce exploration of Spain’s bullfighting world reveals the clash between tradition and modernity, exposing the brutal psychology and social tensions beneath the spectacle.
Level C1ClassicsBlood Will Tell: The Strange Story of a Son of HamIn fog-shrouded Boston, two twin brothers named J.
Level C1RomanceBlood Royal: A NovelIn a quaint English town, a new governess arrives, sparking quiet intrigue among its residents.
Level C1ClassicsBlixIn a San Francisco household marked by distance and unspoken tensions, the vibrant Travis Bessemer navigates family dynamics shaped by a detached father, a rebellious brother, and…
Level C1ClassicsBlister JonesAt the heart of the racetrack, a seasoned horse-trainer named Blister Jones reveals the fierce world of thoroughbred racing, where young colts are tamed and pedigrees tell stories…
Level C1ClassicsBliss, and other storiesTwo young sisters face a bittersweet farewell as their family prepares for a move, leaving behind familiar comforts and stepping into an uncertain new chapter filled with childhood…
Level B2MysteryBlindfoldedArriving in fog-shrouded San Francisco, two nearly identical cousins embark on a risky, secretive mission that skirts the law.
Level B2Children'sBlindfoldIn a new American home, Ellen Sydney tends her garden while navigating childhood adventures and friendships in a vibrant neighborhood.
Level B2Children'sBlind Tim, and other Christmas stories written for childrenA blind, crippled boy from a troubled family finds solace and wonder in Sunday School lessons about the Good Shepherd, opening a new world beyond his lonely city life.
Level B2Science FictionBlind SpotIn a future where Earthlings and Martians coexist under strict segregation laws, tensions simmer beneath the surface of enforced harmony.
Level B2ClassicsBlind PolicyA sharp-witted doctor and his charming niece navigate the complexities of love and marriage, while an aging relative warns them of heartbreak and deceit lurking beneath society’s g…
Level C1MysteryBlind LoveIn 1881 Ireland, a secretive banker sends his head clerk on a mysterious errand involving a cryptic object at a milestone, setting off a tense tale of intrigue, secrecy, and unexpe…
Level C1Children'sBleak HouseIn a grimy London shrouded in fog and mud, a never-ending legal battle in the Court of Chancery exposes the slow, costly, and tangled machinery of justice.
Level B2AdventureBlazing Arrow: A Tale of the FrontierTwo youths race through the Kentucky wilderness in pursuit of a mighty bear, each determined to claim the prize while facing wild terrain and unexpected snares.
Level B2AdventureBlazed trail stories, and Stories of the wild lifeStep into the rugged life of 1880s lumber towns, where birling log contests test the daring river men’s skill and spirit amid a lively Fourth of July celebration.
Level C1HistoricalBlanche: The Maid of LilleIn a rugged, timeless landscape of castles and legends, a disfigured veteran returns to his ancestral home where he meets Blanche, the Duke’s young daughter, whose boundless love a…
Level C1Children'sBlanche: A Story for GirlsAfter losing her husband, a young English widow must navigate grief, family duties, and the challenges of raising her children in the sunny vineyards of southern France, discoverin…
Level C1ClassicsBlake's BurdenIn the vibrant city of Quebec, a spirited widow seeks escape from society’s bustle, while mysterious guests and exotic creatures hint at deeper intrigues amidst the scenic Canadian…
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.