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 C1MysteryBlair of BalaclavaAmid the chaos and heroism of the Crimean War, brave soldiers confront mismanagement and harsh conditions to prove their valor in battles like Balaclava and Inkermann, revealing th…
Level C1ClassicsBlade-O'-Grass. Golden Grain. and Bread and Cheese and Kisses.In the twisted maze of Stoney-alley, a grim London slum, lives collide amid hardship and strange events, weaving tales of survival, charity, and unexpected hope.
Level B2ClassicsBlackthorn FarmRupert Dale faces ruin as he awaits his final mining exam results, burdened by debt and a desperate gamble on a horse race.
Level C1AdventureBlacksheep! Blacksheep!An idle bachelor is tasked with inspecting a mysterious summer house linked to an eccentric New England family, setting the stage for unexpected adventures that might just change h…
Level B1AdventureBlackie, a Lost Cat: Her Many AdventuresA sleek black cat named Blackie enjoys a loving home with two children who teach her tricks and adorn her with a red ribbon bell.
Level B2AdventureBlackie Thorne at Camp LenapeEager to arrive at Camp Lenape, Blackie Thorne races through woods and meadows, drawn by tales of adventure and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsBlackguardA young poet returns to his stifling Midwestern hometown, wrestling with dreams of artistic freedom amid the harsh realities of family expectations and a life he feels trapped with…
Level C1RomanceBlackbeard; Or, The Pirate of Roanoke.Amid the enchanting yet isolated beauty of Trinidad Island, a noble party enjoys nature’s pure splendor—until the notorious pirate Blackbeard suddenly appears, threatening their pe…
Level B2Science FictionBlack-outOn a dying Mars, a determined astronomer races to rebuild a powerful telescope and establish contact with a mysterious blue planet whose glowing lights may hold the key to saving t…
Level B2Children'sBlack, White and Gray: A Story of Three HomesTwo siblings discover a rare black kitten among a litter, but must choose only one to keep, facing tough decisions and hopes to save the others.
Level C1FantasyBlack spirits & whiteIn 1886 Paris, an heir inherits a sinister house cursed by a notorious sorcerer, rumored to haunt its halls with invisible terrors.
Level B2HorrorBlack magicIn a sunlit Flemish house filled with mysterious relics and shadows of decay, a solitary young man meticulously gilds a wooden devil, setting green glass eyes that seem to awaken s…
Level C1ClassicsBlack is WhiteTwo old friends, bound by decades of shared adventures, await the return of a restless heir to reveal a mysterious wireless message from the far reaches of the Atlantic—one that co…
Level B2MysteryBlack hound of deathIn a shadowy Southern wilderness, a desperate man flees a monstrous killer whose savage attacks defy explanation, while a mysterious recluse hides secrets that may hold the key to…
Level C1ClassicsBlack Sheep: A NovelA stranger braves freezing February winds and a lonely journey to reach a respectable household, where he must navigate cold receptions and hidden family tensions.
Level C1AdventureBlack Rock: A Tale of the SelkirksIn the rugged Selkirk mountains of 1882, a chance encounter pulls a city man into the harsh, untamed world of a remote lumber camp, where nature’s beauty conceals fierce struggles…
Level B2AdventureBlack PawlIn the lush, tropical Vau Vau islands, seasoned schooner captain Black Pawl navigates both the vibrant beauty of the South Pacific and complex tensions among his crew and island na…
Level C1RomanceBlack OxenA weary drama critic, disillusioned with the stagnant world of New York's theater elite, longs for passion and purpose beyond the glittering facade.
Level C1FantasyBlack Nick, the hermit of the hills; or, The expiated crime: A story of Burgoyne's surrenderIn a shadowed forest during a turbulent war, a mysterious hermit known as Black Nick emerges from darkness to confront secret missions, fierce warriors, and ominous threats lurking…
Level B2ClassicsBlack JackIn a dusty cattle town, a daring rider with black hair and twin revolvers sparks chaos as gunfire erupts, leaving a mysterious man shot and sprawled in the street—while Elizabeth a…
Level B2AdventureBlack IvoryA young supercargo faces disaster when the English brig ‘Aurora’ springs a leak off Africa’s east coast, threatening to sink near a treacherous shore.
Level C1AdventureBlack Heart and White Heart: A Zulu IdyllCaught between colonial ambitions and indigenous power, a trader with a mysterious past navigates the perilous world of Zululand during King Cetywayo’s reign, where loyalty, danger…
Level C1FantasyBlack CanaanIn the shadowy swamps of Southern Canaan, ancient grudges and dark voodoo stir as a mysterious, enchanting quadroon woman appears, challenging loyalties and awakening perilous secr…
Level C1MysteryBlack Caesar's Clan : A Florida Mystery StoryIn the sun-drenched Florida Keys, a hidden world of coral reefs and mangrove swamps hides mysteries and romance beneath its lush veneer.
Level B2AdventureBlack Bruin: The Biography of a BearJourney into the wild heart of the bear’s world, from Arctic ice to tropical jungles, unveiling the surprising habits, habitats, and character of this powerful yet often misunderst…
Level C1PoetryBlack Beetles in AmberDive into a haunting collection of verses steeped in Pacific Coast lore, where satire and mystery intertwine, and dreams blur with dark reality—each poem revealing the eerie echoes…
Level B2HistoricalBlack Beauty, Young Folks' EditionBorn into a peaceful meadow and raised with gentle care, a young horse learns the meaning of kindness and courage through early lessons and the thrilling sight of a hunt nearby.
Level B2HistoricalBlack BeautyBorn into kindness and raised with gentle care, a spirited young horse embarks on a journey through fields, hunts, and the challenges of growing up.
Level C1AdventureBlack Bartlemy's TreasureChained to a slave galley under the scorching sun, a condemned man clings to life and prays for justice—and when a tiny crack in his chains appears, hope ignites his quest for veng…
Level C1ClassicsBjörnstjerne Björnson, 1832-1910Explore the life and work of a passionate Norwegian idealist whose poetry and prose fiercely champion national identity and social reform, blending artistic spirit with a relentles…
Level C2PoetryBitter-Sweet: A PoemAmid a fierce winter storm, a devout Puritan patriarch welcomes his gathered family for Thanksgiving Eve, weaving together faith, nature’s harshness, and the warmth of home in a po…
Level C1ClassicsBits of BlarneyJourney to the famed village of Blarney, where a legendary stone grants the gift of irresistible persuasion to those who dare to kiss it, unveiling tales of Irish lore, eccentric c…
Level C1HistoricalBits from Blinkbonny; or, Bell o' the ManseExperience the heartfelt rhythms of Scottish village life between 1841 and 1851, as personal stories unfold amidst the turmoil of the Disruption of 1843, revealing the traditions,…
Level C1ClassicsBisayan grammar and notes on Bisayan rhetoric and poetics and Filipino dialectologyExplore the structure and usage of the Bisayan dialect spoken in Samar and Leyte, with insights into its grammar, rhetoric, and poetics.
Level C2PoetryBirds, Beasts and Flowers: Poems by D. H. LawrenceExplore vivid poems that celebrate the natural world, from fruits and flowers to birds, beasts, and mystical creatures, capturing their essence with striking imagery and deep insig…
Level C1ClassicsBirds of PreyIn a spotless house in a gritty London street, the impeccable surgeon-dentist Philip Sheldon embodies the very image of respectability, stirring curiosity and speculation among his…
Level C1HistoricalBirds in Town & VillageAmid the budding spring, a nature lover finds solace in the lively birdlife of St.
Level C1HistoricalBirds and Poets : with Other PapersExplore the poetic and natural worlds intertwined as vivid bird imagery ignites the imagination, revealing how the spirit of birds inspires timeless poetry and the human soul’s yea…
Level C1RomanceBird of ParadiseTwo women navigate the delicate dance of love and society: Madeline yearns for the elusive Rupert Denison’s affection, while Bertha offers sharp wit and keen insight into the games…
Level B1Children'sBird Stories and Dog StoriesDelight in charming tales where birds and dogs take center stage—whether bravely facing cannons, sharing sunny adventures, or rescuing lost children, these stories teach kindness,…
Level B2Children'sBird StoriesIn a peaceful forest where fir trees stand like steeples, a charming little bird named Chick, D.
Level B2PoetryBird Children: The Little Playmates of the Flower ChildrenDiscover the enchanting world where birds become playful companions to the Flower Children, bringing nature’s melodies and magic to life through charming verses and tender reflecti…
Level B2Children'sBiographical Stories: (From: "True Stories of History and Biography")A young boy faces the darkness of a severe eye condition, confined to a darkened room, but with the loving support of his family and friends, he discovers new ways to find comfort…
Level C1ClassicsBiographical Notes on the Pseudonymous BellsThree sisters, bound by ambition and secrecy, publish their bold poetry under male pseudonyms to escape prejudice.
Level C1ClassicsBiographical EssaysExplore the mysterious early life and legacy of William Shakespeare through detailed historical reflections and cultural insights that uncover the sparse yet profound traces of the…
Level C2ClassicsBiographia Epistolaris, Volume 2: being The Biographical Supplement of Coleridge's Biographia LiterariaJourney alongside a restless poet as he sails from England to Malta, serving as a government secretary while reflecting on friendship, health, and the vivid landscapes of Gibraltar…
Level C1ClassicsBiographia Epistolaris, Volume 1Delve into the intimate letters and biographical insights that reveal the inner life and eloquent mind of the poet-philosopher Coleridge, as he narrates his own story through a ric…
Level B1Children'sBinney the beaver, and other storiesA determined beaver family builds a new home along a peaceful stream, overcoming challenges and welcoming new neighbors in a heartwarming tale of community and perseverance.
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.