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 B1AdventureThe motion picture chums at the fairAmid booming business at their motion picture theatre, three young entrepreneurs navigate success, hidden worries, and the bustling energy of early 20th-century New York, where eve…
Level B1AdventureThe motion picture chums at Seaside ParkThree enterprising boys arrive at Seaside Park, eager to establish a motion picture theater on the bustling boardwalk.
Level C1Children'sThe motherless bairns, and who sheltered themOn a bitter winter night, two motherless children find warmth and hope in the glow of a kind family’s hearth, setting the stage for a heartfelt tale of compassion and shelter amid…
Level C1ClassicsThe mother's recompenseIn a sunlit Riviera hotel room, Kate Clephane reflects on a life marked by lost joys, resilience, and the bittersweet pursuit of happiness after separation.
Level C1ClassicsThe motherIn a remote Sardinian village steeped in superstition and tradition, a young priest grapples with the clash between his vows and human love, while his mother faces a heart-wrenchin…
Level B2AdventureThe moral piratesA boy fascinated by pirate tales is offered a thrilling alternative: a summer cruise in a specially outfitted rowboat with friends, promising adventure on the open water without th…
Level C1ClassicsThe moors and the fens, volume 2 (of 3)In a world where friendship can be a trap or a treasure, Mina Frazer navigates the complex affections of those around her, including the enigmatic Miss Warmond, whose intense attac…
Level C1ClassicsThe moors and the fens, volume 1 (of 3)In the bleak Lincolnshire fens, Sir Ernest Ivraine’s dreary ancestral home stands surrounded by stagnant waters and despair.
Level C1ClassicsThe moonshiners at Hoho-hebee Falls: 1895In the rugged landscape of Holly Cove, a spirited boy defies the dangers of mountains and rivers while mastering school lessons with a fearless charm.
Level C1Science FictionThe moon hoaxA breathtaking revelation unfolds as vivid images of the Moon’s lush landscapes and its human inhabitants emerge through a powerful telescope, inviting readers to explore a mesmeri…
Level C1AdventureThe monkey that would not killAn unruly monkey named Tricky escapes every confinement, causing chaos and laughter alike, as no one can tame or abandon him.
Level B2MysteryThe money-spiderA wealthy Norwegian tycoon and his old sailor friend navigate a shadowy world where money is king and honor is a dangerous luxury.
Level C1ClassicsThe modern writerExplore the challenges of forging a unified American literature amid diverse cultures and landscapes, as a storyteller reflects on the rise of modernism and its influence on art, s…
Level B1Children'sThe mission-boxWhen Ida’s teacher invites every girl in her class to a party—including those from humble backgrounds—social divides and prejudices come to light.
Level B1MysteryThe missing chumsFour teenage friends set out on a summer boating adventure along the coast, but when a mysterious motorboat appears trailing them, their fun trip quickly turns into a thrilling mys…
Level C1MysteryThe mis-rule of threeIn a shabby London lodging-house, three struggling friends—a clerk, a writer, and a painter—navigate cramped quarters, artistic pretensions, and simmering tensions as they confront…
Level C1Children'sThe mirror and the braceletA young boy named Bandhu is left alone and dying during a harsh pilgrimage in India, only to face a lurking tiger and an approaching mysterious king.
Level C1ClassicsThe miracle of Saint AnthonyIn a somber Flemish town, a sharp satire unfolds around the figure of Saint Anthony, blending mysticism with biting irony.
Level C1RomanceThe minstrel's curseIn a grand English estate, a passionate tutor defies social ranks by confessing his love to Lady Edith, whose charm conceals a haunting secret tied to the ominous "Minstrel’s Curse…
Level C2PoetryThe minstrelExplore a heartfelt collection of meticulously crafted iambic poems that blend nature's beauty with deep personal reflections and friendship's enduring value, inviting readers into…
Level C1RomanceThe mill house mysteryA sudden bicycle accident near a grand estate draws Sir Robert Hadlow into a mysterious drama that entwines danger, unexpected kindness, and a tangled past.
Level B2AdventureThe mid of the maintopAmidst a fierce storm off the coast of Africa, a daring midshipman falls overboard from a British frigate hunting slave traders, sparking a desperate search through fog and towerin…
Level C1PoetryThe mermaid's prophecy, and other songs relating to Queen DagmarWhen King Valdemar sends his knight to woo a Bohemian princess, a delicate game of diplomacy and honor unfolds, culminating in the arrival of the beloved Queen Dagmar to Denmark, w…
Level C1MysteryThe melody of deathUnder cover of night, skilled burglars attempt a daring diamond heist in a seemingly secure office, but an unexpected third presence threatens to unravel their carefully laid plans…
Level C2HistoricalThe mediaeval stage, volume 2 (of 2)Explore the revival of medieval drama as it emerges from the ruins of Rome, blending ancient ritual, folk performance, and religious ceremonies into the liturgical plays that shape…
Level C1HistoricalThe mediaeval stage, volume 1 (of 2)Explore the origins of English theatre through the Middle Ages, tracing its evolution from wandering minstrels to the religious miracle-plays that paved the way for Shakespeare’s s…
Level B2ClassicsThe matrimonial bureauWhen Tekla discovers a peculiar matrimonial ad promising farmers and farms, she sends a dollar and a hopeful letter, dreaming of a rustic life filled with cows, chickens, and a hom…
Level B2AdventureThe mate of the VancouverA seasoned mate joins his troubled brother aboard the Vancouver, setting sail for Melbourne with a cargo as mixed as their turbulent lives.
Level B2ClassicsThe master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 2 (of 2)In a stormy English college, a troubled man battles addiction while those around him face the painful sacrifices love demands.
Level B2ClassicsThe master of St. Benedict's, Vol. 1 (of 2)A poor Yorkshire ploughboy rises to Cambridge’s highest honours against all odds, driven by ambition and a lifelong, patient love.
Level C1Science FictionThe master mind of MarsA wounded soldier prays to Mars and is miraculously transported to a strange new world, where he awakens amid alien beings and unknown dangers.
Level B2FantasyThe marvellous land of SnergsIn a hidden bay where no outsider can sail, children live in a secret society devoted to removing the "superfluous" and giving them a new home.
Level B2HistoricalThe martyr of the catacombsIn ancient Rome's brutal Coliseum, gladiators fight for survival amid a bloodthirsty crowd led by Emperor Decius.
Level B2Science FictionThe marrying monsterA lonely cooper longs for a wife who cooks well but doesn't eat much—until a mysterious, wiry woman appears, charming and tireless, yet harboring a strange secret that could change…
Level B2ClassicsThe marriage of SusanA poised outsider arrives in a quiet Pennsylvania Dutch village, stirring curiosity and challenging the boundaries of class and culture.
Level B2AdventureThe marines have landedDive into the daring exploits of Dick Comstock, a young man whose fight for justice leads him from schoolyard battles to thrilling Marine Corps adventures around the globe.
Level B2RomanceThe man-killersIn the shadowy canyons of the West, a lone stranger is captured by the Scarborough brothers, who suspect him of joining a feared outlaw group.
Level C2PoetryThe man with the hoe, and other poemsPoignant poems inspired by art and ancient truths explore human toil, divine duality, and the enduring spirit of nations, weaving a powerful reflection on dignity, struggle, and ho…
Level C1Science FictionThe man with the broken earA young engineer returns home wealthy from the Ural mines to a warm welcome—and a cutting-edge laboratory built by his father.
Level B2AdventureThe man with a grouchOn a remote South Seas island, a dissatisfied trader faces dismissal and the arrival of his replacement, stirring tensions amid tropical forests and island life.
Level B2ClassicsThe man who wonIn a tense South African diamond town on the brink of war, a young Boer named Bert faces personal and political turmoil as whispers of conflict spread and an Englishman lies dying…
Level B2ClassicsThe man who talked too muchTwo weary prospectors, David and Goliath, seek solace on a long train journey but find themselves relentlessly pursued by the boastful and talkative "Lucky" Cochran, whose endless…
Level C1ClassicsThe man who limpedA former perfumer turned dragoman recounts his journey from misogyny to unexpected enchantment when a mysterious woman’s haunting song and radiant beauty captivate his heart beneat…
Level C1ClassicsThe man who ate the popomackIn a London gallery where modern art sparks sharp debate, characters confront the boundaries between imagination, reality, and emotion, revealing the tangled human stories behind t…
Level B2RomanceThe man she hatedIn a bustling New York garment factory, spirited Fairfax Fielding navigates work, rivalry, and romantic tensions—especially with the persistent Waverley Osborne, whose unwanted att…
Level C1ClassicsThe man on the other sideA newly independent woman embraces life on her newly acquired farm, discovering the land’s beauty—and a mysterious dog that seems to hold secrets of the past.
Level C1ClassicsThe man in the street: Papers on American topicsExplore the pulse of American life through sharp essays that examine the nation’s politics, culture, and the pride—and contradictions—of small-town and city living in the early 20t…
Level C1MysteryThe man in the darkIn a fog-shrouded London, Kinloch drifts through crowded streets and silent embankments, drawn into a mysterious sequence of events that will alter his life.
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.