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 B2PoetryAesop, in Rhyme: Old Friends in a New DressTimeless fables come alive in witty verse, revealing sharp lessons through the cunning wolf, clever fox, and other memorable characters—each tale blending humor and wisdom to explo…
Level C1Children'sAesop's Fables; a new translationDiscover timeless tales where animals embody human traits, teaching simple yet profound truths through cunning foxes, clever wolves, and noble lions.
Level C1PoetryAesop Dress'd; Or, A Collection of Fables Writ in Familiar VerseDiscover timeless morals and witty lessons through familiar animal fables transformed into graceful, accessible verse that invites reflection and delight.
Level C1ClassicsAeschylus' Prometheus Bound and the Seven Against ThebesBound by the gods for defying Jupiter, Prometheus endures torment while foretelling a hero’s rise to free him; meanwhile, Thebes braces itself against an impending siege as loyalty…
Level C1ClassicsAdèle DuboisIn the wild Miramichi Valley of New Brunswick, a weary traveler finds unexpected refuge at the Dubois House, where young Adèle, a French-Canadian maiden, tends to the hearth amid a…
Level C1ClassicsAdvisory Ben: A StoryBenita Staveley, a practical and decisive young woman, navigates family complexities and societal expectations while managing her father's household.
Level A2PoetryAdvice: A Book of PoemsDive into a vibrant collection of poems that explore modern life and emotion with bold, stirring imagery and a fresh, unapologetic voice.
Level C1HistoricalAdventures of the Comte de la Muette during the Reign of TerrorIn the heart of revolutionary Paris, a royalist lodges with a hedonistic deputy whose shifting loyalties and turbulent city threaten to ignite deadly conspiracies.
Level C1AdventureAdventures of an Aide-de-Camp; or, A Campaign in Calabria, Volume 3 (of 3)Trapped in a grim prison beneath the Calabrian mountains, a mysterious captive known as Osman Carora, a jovial yet savage monk, plots a daring escape with the help of unlikely alli…
Level C1AdventureAdventures of an Aide-de-Camp; or, A Campaign in Calabria, Volume 2 (of 3)Journey through the rugged Calabrian wilderness with a daring aide-de-camp, as he navigates treacherous mountain paths, encounters wild beasts, and unravels Italian intrigues in a…
Level C1RomanceAdventures of an Aide-de-Camp; or, A Campaign in Calabria, Volume 1 (of 3)An aide-de-camp embarks on a daring campaign through the turbulent Calabrias, navigating fierce battles, political intrigue, and romantic entanglements amidst the backdrop of Briti…
Level B2Children'sAdventures of a donkeyA clever donkey named Cadichon recounts his harsh life under a cruel mistress, revealing the intelligence and spirit behind the misunderstood animal.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of a Telegraph Boy; or, "Number 91"A resourceful telegraph boy known as Number 91 navigates the bustling streets of New York, taking on errands that lead him into unexpected adventures and encounters.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of a Sixpence in Guernsey by A NativeOn a bright New Year's day in Guernsey, a sixpence passes from children’s eager hands to a mysterious captain, whisking the coin—and the reader—into a world of charming family mome…
Level C1ClassicsAdventures of Working Men. From the Notebook of a Working SurgeonA working surgeon shares vivid stories from his practice among the steadfast laborers of England, revealing their resilience, faith, and the daily dangers they face in factories, f…
Level B2MysteryAdventures of Sherlock Holmes: IllustratedA brilliant detective with unparalleled powers of observation tackles baffling crimes that confound the official police, all while navigating the complexities of human nature and h…
Level C1MysteryAdventures of Martin Hewitt, Third SeriesWhen a mysterious piece of old music is thrown through a shattered window, a silent abduction unfolds in a shadowy London courtyard.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 36 to the LastTwo boys embark on a daring mission to free a captive friend, defying rules and risking everything with clever tricks and unyielding determination in the heart of the Mississippi V…
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 31 to 35As Huck and Jim drift down the river, they face mounting dangers when Huck’s trusted companion is captured, forcing Huck to confront dark schemes and desperate choices in the heart…
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 26 to 30A cunning king and duke take refuge in a small town, weaving tangled lies and schemes while Huck navigates a web of deception, secret rooms, and uneasy alliances.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 21 to 25Two con men rehearse Shakespeare and stage sword fights on a lazy Mississippi river town’s raft, while the locals loaf, gossip, and scheme under the hot sun.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 16 to 20A young boy and a runaway slave drift down the Mississippi River, haunted by the weight of conscience and the hope of freedom.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 11 to 15A tense murder mystery unfolds in a small town where suspicion falls on a runaway slave and a grieving father, while whispers of hidden money and secret hideouts stir danger along…
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 06 to 10Trapped by his abusive father in a remote cabin, a boy dreams of freedom while plotting a daring escape from confinement and cruelty along the Mississippi River’s wild frontier.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapters 01 to 05A restless boy struggles with the constraints of civilized life under the Widow Douglas, yearning for freedom and adventure along the Mississippi River.
Level C1AdventureAdventures of Hans Sterk: The South African Hunter and PioneerA daring group of South African Boers ventures deep into untamed wilderness, facing fierce battles and deadly predators while seeking fortune and freedom.
Level C1AdventureAdventures of Buffalo Bill from boyhood to manhoodA young Buffalo Bill braves the wild frontier, facing outlaws and untamed dangers with unmatched courage and skill.
Level B2ClassicsAdventures of BindleJoseph Bindle, a furniture remover, navigates domestic chaos and unexpected guests as his wife takes in a lodger to ease rising costs, sparking humorous complications and lively en…
Level C1AdventureAdventures in the Far WestA group of hunters ventures into the untamed American West, braving wild beasts, scarce resources, and mysterious cries in the night as they navigate a perilous wilderness teeming…
Level C1HistoricalAdventures in the Arts: Informal Chapters on Painters, Vaudeville, and PoetsExplore the artist's struggle to capture life's chaos and transform it into order, while facing the relentless presence of criticism as both challenge and inspiration in the creati…
Level B2FantasyAdventures in Wallypug-LandStep into the whimsical kingdom of Why, where animals talk, birds debate politics, and a mysterious invitation leads to adventures alongside the quirky Wallypug king.
Level B1FantasyAdventures in Toyland; What the Marionette Told MollyIn a magical toyshop where toys come to life after hours, a curious girl discovers a talking marionette who promises to share enchanting tales from the secret world of toys, reveal…
Level C1AdventureAdventures in Southern Seas: A Tale of the Sixteenth CenturyIn the early 17th century, Dutch explorers chart unknown southern seas and encounter mysterious islands, fierce tribes, and strange creatures, weaving a gripping tale of discovery…
Level B2AdventureAdventures in Many LandsA skilled trapper faces a terrifying ordeal when separated from his party in the African wilderness, forced to feign death to survive a deadly encounter with a pack of cunning hyen…
Level B2PhilosophyAdventures in FriendshipA chance encounter with a friendly stranger sparks a reflective journey into the true meaning of fellowship and belonging beyond secret societies.
Level C1HistoricalAdventures in CriticismExplore a thoughtful collection of critical essays that delve into the meticulous scholarship behind literary classics, championing the rise of authoritative editions and the pursu…
Level C1PhilosophyAdventures in ContentmentA man escapes the relentless race for success after a sudden collapse, finding solace and renewal in the quiet rhythms of rural life and the profound connection to nature.
Level B2AdventureAdventures in AustraliaTwo brothers journey through the harsh Australian wilderness, armed and determined to find their cousin’s station and secure a future for their family.
Level B2AdventureAdventures in AlaskaVenture into the rugged wilderness of Alaska during the intense Nome gold rush, where a missionary lives alongside miners, braves harsh conditions, and hunts to survive.
Level B2AdventureAdventures in Africa: By an African TraderStranded in the vast Kalahari Desert after a savage attack, a determined trader and his nephew struggle against thirst, wild animals, and hostile forces while navigating an unforgi…
Level C1ClassicsAdventures and RecollectionsA restless youth with a sharp wit and a poetic soul looks back on a life filled with wild adventures, mischief, and fleeting pleasures in a quaint English village.
Level C1ClassicsAdventures and Letters of Richard Harding DavisFollow the spirited youth whose fearless leadership and unyielding honor ignite schoolyard rebellions and imaginative adventures, shaping a life defined by ambition, integrity, and…
Level C1ClassicsAdventures and EnthusiasmsExplore charming essays on hospitality, social graces, and the art of being the perfect guest, blending wit and keen observation to reveal the subtle challenges of fitting graceful…
Level C1PoetryAdventures While Preaching the Gospel of BeautyEmbark on a whimsical journey across the American Midwest with a poet who walks from town to town, sharing his vibrant Gospel of Beauty and trading rhymes for bread, encountering c…
Level C1HistoricalAdventures Among BooksStep into the life of a lifelong booklover who reflects on the enchantments, lessons, and quiet consolations found within pages—from fairy tales and historic chapbooks to poetical…
Level B2AdventureAdventure of a KiteA breezy October morning sets the stage for a thrilling kite-flying adventure as James White and friends race across meadows, battling fierce winds and a wild, powerful kite that s…
Level C1AdventureAdventureA sick doctor alone on a remote island battles a deadly dysentery outbreak among hostile natives, fighting exhaustion, danger, and despair under a blazing sun.
Level B2Science FictionAdvanced ChemistryIn a cluttered lab, a determined professor injects dead rats with a mysterious concoction that sparks unexpected life, igniting hope for groundbreaking healing.
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.