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 B2Children'sBear and forbearA young skipper navigates the rivalry between two wealthy magnates who once divided Lake Ucayga with competing steamboats and railroads.
Level B2Children'sBear Brownie: The Life of a BearFollow the adventures of Brownie, a young bear cub growing up in the Rocky Mountains, as he navigates playful tumbles, sibling mischief, and the wild beauty of his hillside home.
Level C1ClassicsBealby; A HolidayYoung Bealby rebels against his destined role as a servant at the grand estate of Shonts, determined to carve out a different future despite his family’s insistence.
Level C1PoetryBeadle's Dime National Speaker, Embodying Gems of Oratory and Wit, Particularly Adapted to American Schools and FiresidesA treasury of powerful speeches and stirring verses designed for American schools and homes, blending serious and humorous pieces to inspire, instruct, and entertain readers of all…
Level B2Children'sBe Polite to AllA lame, modestly dressed man faces rude treatment from a train conductor—only to reveal his true identity as the railway chairman.
Level B2Children'sBe Kind to One AnotherThree young friends face the challenge of earning a coveted school medal amid snowy obstacles, learning the true reward lies in kindness and helping one another through unexpected…
Level C1ClassicsBayou FolkIn post-war Louisiana, a young man seeks purpose as he investigates a dilapidated plantation on the Red River, confronting the legacy of a fallen Creole family and the mysteries of…
Level C2PoetryBay: A Book of PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid scenes where soldiers parade, towns drift to sleep, and trains rush by, capturing moments of tension, beauty, and longing as life unfolds beneath shifting…
Level C1PoetryBay of Seven Islands, and other poems: Part 7 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierA young skipper braves icy northern seas to the remote Seven Islands Bay, where forbidden love blooms between him and a fisherman's daughter amid harsh coastal traditions and jealo…
Level C2PoetryBaudelaire: His Prose and PoetryExplore the dark beauty and haunting visions of a soul restless in its quest for meaning, love, and peace amid sin and sorrow.
Level B2AdventureBattling the cloudsYoung aviators navigate friendship, duty, and daring adventures at a bustling military airfield, where thrilling flights and unexpected challenges await amid the heat and hum of ai…
Level C1HistoricalBattlewrackAmid thick morning fog and the ominous rumble of distant artillery, a young subaltern leads a battery toward its first battle, grappling with fear, duty, and the relentless advance…
Level B2Science FictionBattlefield in BlackCaptain Jon McPartland returns from a perilous patrol to find his connection to Earth mysteriously severed and the view screen to his home planet blank—amid growing fears that the…
Level C1HistoricalBattle-Pieces and Aspects of the WarPoignant verses and reflections chart the turmoil and trials of the American Civil War, capturing the clash of convictions and the relentless march of battles from Manassas to Gett…
Level B2Children'sBattle of the Monkey & the CrabA clever crab and a cunning monkey clash over a persimmon tree, sparking a fierce battle filled with trickery and unexpected allies in this lively Japanese fairy tale of revenge an…
Level B2MysteryBats in the Wall; or, The Mystery of Trinity Church-yardA young man, rejected by his wealthy father-in-law-to-be due to his tarnished reputation and financial woes, faces a harsh ultimatum: prove his worth or lose the woman he loves.
Level C1RomanceBataille de damesIn a world shaped by wit and intrigue, rivalries ignite among women whose schemes and passions collide in a sparkling dance of comedy and romance.
Level B2AdventureBat Wing BowlesA sharp-witted Eastern woman and a mysterious, impeccably dressed man cross paths on a train bound for the wilds of Arizona, where identities blur and adventure beckons beyond the…
Level C1ClassicsBasil and Annette: A NovelUnder the vibrant Australian sun, Basil Whittingham, a charming yet penniless English gentleman, navigates a new life on a remote plantation alongside the enigmatic Anthony Bidaud.
Level C1ClassicsBasilWhen love blooms in the most unlikely places and ordinary street sounds heighten the drama of human passions, a story unfolds where reality and extraordinary events collide to reve…
Level B2Children'sBashful FifteenAt a seaside school where fifty girls live and play, excitement stirs over the mysterious arrival of a new girl mid-term—her special treatment and the secrets of the Blue Room spar…
Level C1ClassicsBashan and IIn serene morning strolls, a man shares a profound bond with Bashan, his spirited dog whose joyful, intricate greetings reveal the subtle depths of canine mind and affection.
Level B2Children'sBases full!In a thrilling hockey showdown between rival schools Wyndham and Wolcott, every goal counts as the clock ticks down in this fierce battle for victory.
Level C2PoetryBase-ball BalladsStep into the lively world of baseball through spirited poems that capture the thrills, dreams, and quirks of the game—from heroic hits and fan antics to the bittersweet fate of Mu…
Level B1AdventureBarty Crusoe and His Man SaturdayWhen Barty discovers an old copy of Robinson Crusoe, his imagination sparks a thrilling adventure with his loyal companion, the Good Wolf.
Level C1ClassicsBartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-StreetIn a quiet Wall Street law office, an unambitious lawyer encounters Bartleby, a peculiar scrivener whose strange behavior challenges the routine of his orderly world.
Level C1ClassicsBartholomew Fair: A ComedyStep into the bustling chaos of Bartholomew Fair, where lively characters and sharp wit collide in a riotous celebration of London's vibrant street life.
Level B2Children'sBart Stirling's Road to Success; Or, The Young Express AgentA determined young boy steps up to manage the busy local express office while his father battles illness, navigating challenges from grumpy coworkers and the bustling railroad worl…
Level C1ClassicsBart Ridgeley: A Story of Northern OhioA weary young man returns to Northern Ohio, burdened by failures and uncertain of his path, only to face the cold judgment of a respected local judge.
Level B2MysteryBart Keene's Hunting Days; or, The Darewell Chums in a Winter CampThree schoolboys embark on a secret midnight mission to prank their friend, only to encounter a mysterious stranger sneaking into their school.
Level B2AdventureBarry Wynn; Or, The Adventures of a Page Boy in the United States CongressA fifteen-year-old boy embarks on an unforgettable journey as a newly appointed page in the United States Congress, carrying a vital message that could impact his hometown.
Level C1HistoricalBarry LyndonAn audacious adventurer navigates the treacherous social and political landscapes of eighteenth-century Europe, weaving a tale of ambition, scandal, and survival inspired by true s…
Level B2Children'sBarry Locke, half-backA shy but eager boy arrives at a bustling Connecticut school, navigating new friendships and unexpected challenges as he settles into life away from home.
Level C1ClassicsBarrington. Volume 2 (of 2)Amid autumn’s changing light, Barrington returns to his ancestral home with his sister and granddaughter, only to find the past and present entwined in unexpected ways.
Level C1ClassicsBarrington. Volume 1 (of 2)In a secluded Irish inn favored by fishermen, a fallen gentleman clings to his passion for law amid the ruins of his fortune and family scandal.
Level C1HistoricalBarriers Burned AwayIn the harsh grip of a fierce winter storm, a dying man wrestles with shattered dreams and faith, while his devoted wife anxiously awaits the arrival of a determined figure who may…
Level C1HistoricalBarren Honour: A NovelIn the bustling industrial heart of Newmanham, a city forged by steel and steam, social tensions simmer beneath the clangor of progress.
Level C1ClassicsBarren GroundIn a desolate Virginia farming community struggling with barren soil and fading traditions, a young woman faces the harsh realities of life and fate amid the relentless spread of b…
Level C1HistoricalBarracks, Bivouacs and BattlesAmid the harsh realities of military life after the Crimean War, Mick Sullivan, a loyal yet unruly private, faces the challenge of winning permission to marry the woman he loves—de…
Level B2PoetryBarrack-room balladsIn the barracks and battlefields, soldiers confront harsh discipline, bitter truths, and fierce respect for foes, revealing the raw realities of military life with gritty verse and…
Level C1FantasyBaron Trump's Marvellous Underground JourneyA curious young baron and his loyal dog set off on a fantastical journey inspired by a mysterious ancient manuscript that claims a hidden world exists beneath the earth’s surface,…
Level C1MysteryBaron Trigault's VengeanceA man crushed by a vicious conspiracy wrestles with despair and the burning desire for vengeance, while new, suspicious faces enter his life, threatening to complicate his desperat…
Level B2Children'sBaron Bruno; Or, The Unbelieving Philosopher, and Other Fairy StoriesIn the prosperous kingdom of Rumpel Stiltzein, Baron Bruno, a fiery and brilliant prime minister, balances statecraft with a secret passion for stargazing, revealing the contrasts…
Level B2Science FictionBarnstormerA young boy dreams of adventure as he sneaks away to meet Murph, a daring rocket pilot offering rides beyond the stars, while his family fears the dangers lurking in the vast unkno…
Level B2AdventureBarney Blake, the Boy Privateer; or, The Cruise of the Queer FishSet sail in 1813 aboard the Queer Fish, a lively privateer bristling with guns and crewed by a colorful band of sailors.
Level B2ClassicsBarnaby: A NovelTrapped in the desolate outpost of Paradise Town, a stranded troupe of actors throws themselves into their performances with desperate passion, clinging to the hope that a passing…
Level C1MysteryBarnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of 'EightyAmid the chaos of the 1780s Gordon Riots, a sharp-eyed raven and a cast of vivid characters reveal a gripping tale of religious intolerance, social unrest, and the human cost of fa…
Level C1HistoricalBarlasch of the GuardIn the shadow of Napoleon’s growing power, Desiree Sebastian, a radiant bride in the Free City of Dantzig, steps into a world of shifting loyalties and looming conflict, where iden…
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.