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.
![Cover of Adrift on the Pacific: A Boys [sic] Story of the Sea and its Perils by Edward Sylvester Ellis](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeqvhge1ofc73dh894g.webp)
Level B2AdventureAdrift on the Pacific: A Boys [sic] Story of the Sea and its PerilsA grieving captain reluctantly agrees to transport a mysterious little girl named Inez across the vast Pacific to Japan, where her missionary parents await.
Level B2AdventureAdrift on the AmazonA determined young man known as “Fighting Jones” faces relentless struggles in school and business, challenging authority and injustice at every turn.
Level B2AdventureAdrift in the Wilds; Or, The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked BoysTwo sixteen-year-old cousins, Elwood and Howard, reunite for a summer journey from Brooklyn to their families in booming California, accompanied by their loyal guardian Tim O'Roone…
Level B2Science FictionAdrift in the Unknown; or, Queer Adventures in a Queer RealmWhen Professor Quinn and his steel "castle" vanish without a trace, along with a powerful railroad magnate, the mystery deepens into a thrilling adventure exploring strange realms…
Level C1AdventureAdrift in the Ice-FieldsA group of English gentlemen embarks on a thrilling springtime sea-fowl shooting expedition across the icy Gulf of St.
Level B2Children'sAdrift in the City; or, Oliver Conrad's Plucky FightIn a world where pride and power clash, Oliver Conrad refuses to be anyone’s errand boy, standing up to a wealthy bully with courage and wit.
Level B2AdventureAdrift in a BoatA lively seaside picnic in Cornwall turns tense when two young friends are caught by the tide, sparking an unexpected adventure filled with friendship, danger, and the wild beauty…
Level B2HistoricalAdrift in New York: Tom and Florence Braving the WorldIn a wealthy New York household haunted by the mysterious disappearance of a young heir, family tensions rise as hope and suspicion collide.
Level C1ClassicsAdrienne Toner: A NovelIn pre-war London, a scholarly bachelor is drawn into the orbit of Barney Chadwick, whose invitation to meet a captivating and original American woman promises to stir the calm wat…
Level C1ClassicsAdrienne LecouvreurIn a world of theatrical intrigue and passionate ambition, a celebrated actress navigates the dazzling yet perilous stage of 18th-century Paris, where art and life dangerously inte…
Level B2RomanceAdrienneIn a snow-covered Devon manor, spirited Adrienne navigates family bonds and unexpected letters, as her lively uncles’ contrasting temperaments fill their cozy home with warmth and…
Level C1RomanceAdrien LeroyIn the heart of London’s elite, Adrien Leroy navigates high society’s glittering facades, tangled loyalties, and the mysterious influence of Jasper Vermont, whose shadow looms over…
Level C1ClassicsAdrian Savage: A NovelA well-groomed young man navigates a bleak Paris winter, caught between the vitality of life and the shadows of unexpected farewells.
Level C1ClassicsAdopting an Abandoned FarmEscape the stifling city life for a neglected farmhouse ripe with charm and endless possibilities, where the promise of rustic beauty and rural adventure awaits among fields, a hid…
Level C1HistoricalAdonijah: A Tale of the Jewish Dispersion.In the shadow of Nero’s Rome, a Jewish man wrestles with faith and forbidden love amidst the turmoil of persecution and the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Level C1PoetryAdonaisAn elegy steeped in classical form and personal grief, this poem mourns the untimely death of a beloved poet, blending biographical reflection with soaring sentiment to explore los…
Level C1HistoricalAdieuIn the sweltering summer of 1819, a weary deputy and a hardened soldier navigate tangled forests and stubble fields, their friendship tested by a lost hunt and the looming storm—an…
Level C1ClassicsAdeline Mowbray; or, The Mother and DaughterIn a grand Gloucestershire estate, young Adeline Mowbray grows up surrounded by wealth and indulgence but finds herself captivated by bold philosophical and political ideas that ch…
Level C1AdventureAdelbert and BastelIn the bustling port city of Hamburg, young Adelbert dreams of adventure beyond his prosperous merchant family’s reach.
Level B2ClassicsAdela Cathcart, Volume 3A young girl, Chrissy, recounts a harrowing night of abduction and abandonment in a dilapidated house, clinging to faith and hope as she faces fear and isolation.
Level C1ClassicsAdela Cathcart, Volume 2In a gathering where stories take a solemn turn, Adela’s unexpected song reveals her deep, dreamlike emotions, while others respond with their own heartfelt melodies, exploring the…
Level C1ClassicsAdela Cathcart, Volume 1On a foggy Christmas Eve train journey north from London, a solitary traveler shares a carriage with a mysterious clergyman whose unexpected depth and character challenge his preju…
Level C1ClassicsAde's FablesA young man’s dreams shift from circus performer to military hero to devoted family man, guided by the persistent and ever-changing force of Ambition.
Level C1ClassicsAddresses in America, 1919Celebrate the legacy of James Russell Lowell and explore the unifying power of the English language as a bridge between nations and cultures in the wake of a transformative era.
Level C1ClassicsAddisonStep into the refined world of eighteenth-century England where a reserved yet magnetic figure shapes society, literature, and public opinion with unmatched wit and virtue.
Level C1RomanceAddie's Husband; or, Through clouds to sunshineIn a fading Tudor manor surrounded by wild gardens, Adelaide Lefroy muses over her uncertain future and the mysterious promise of marrying a gentleman.
Level C1FantasyAdded Upon: A StorySpirits in a celestial assembly face a pivotal choice: to leave their pure spiritual existence and enter a material world, gaining experience that will shape their eternal destiny.
Level C1RomanceAdam Johnstone's SonAmid the faded glamour of Florentine society, Clare Bowring navigates the shadows left by her soldier father's death and her mother's quiet grief, uncovering the tangled legacy of…
Level C1HistoricalAdam Hepburn's Vow: A Tale of Kirk and CovenantIn 1638 Scotland, a devoted minister and his children journey to Edinburgh amid growing tensions as the nation prepares to take a solemn stand against oppression.
Level C1RomanceAdam BedeIn a bustling 18th-century workshop, strong-willed Adam Bede and his gentle brother Seth navigate the challenges of craft, faith, and friendship, setting the stage for a stirring t…
Level B2MysteryAda, the Betrayed; Or, The Murder at the Old Smithy. A Romance of PassionA murder at the old smithy sets off a tangled web of passion, betrayal, and dark secrets spanning years.
Level C1HistoricalActon's Feud: A Public School StoryIn a school divided by tradition and change, a fierce football rivalry unfolds as Acton, a fiery and brilliant player, clashes with skilled opponents in a battle that tests loyalty…
Level C1ClassicsActive ServiceIn a snow-covered campus, Marjory nervously reveals to her scholarly father her intention to marry Rufus Coleman, the controversial Sunday editor of the New York Eclipse, igniting…
Level C1PoetryActions and reactionsA man forced into rest by illness escapes to the quiet English countryside with his wife, seeking solace from his shattered ambitions and the relentless pace of business.
Level C1Science FictionAcross the Zodiac: The Story of a Wrecked RecordA chance encounter on a steamboat introduces a mysterious cipher linked to a secret manuscript, drawing a skeptical traveler and a Confederate officer into a world where coded mess…
Level B2ClassicsAcross the YearsA lively elderly couple craves more than traditional gifts this Christmas, dreaming of a sparkling tree, sweet treats, and a festive party before their children’s arrival—can they…
Level C1ClassicsAcross the StreamDelve into a world where childhood memories blur with mysterious spiritual questions, as a young boy’s earliest moments unfold alongside a provocative exploration of communication…
Level C1AdventureAcross the Spanish Main: A Tale of the Sea in the Days of Queen BessTwo young English gentlemen plan a daring voyage to the Spanish Main, hoping to capture treasure-laden galleons and restore their fortunes amid the brewing conflict with Spain.
Level C2PoetryAcross the Sea and Other Poems.Journey across the sea through evocative poems that explore childhood’s lost innocence, the allure of distant shores, and the poignant beauty of memory and life's uncertain voyage.
Level C1RomanceAcross the Salt Seas: A Romance of the War of SuccessionA mysterious, dying Englishman aboard a ship bound for Cadiz haunts the crew with wild tales and haunting visions, setting the stage for a gripping tale of sea-bound adventure and…
Level C1ClassicsAcross the Plains, with Other Memories and EssaysA weary emigrant navigates the chaos and harsh realities of a crowded train station, embarking on a perilous journey across the American plains.
Level C1ClassicsAcross the ChasmA strong-minded Southern beauty challenges the idle affections of a young man caught between tradition and ambition, as she navigates love, duty, and the fading grandeur of her fam…
Level B2AdventureAcross the Cameroons: A Story of War and AdventureTwo boys from different worlds forge a deep friendship amid country shoots and woodland adventures, only to face tension when a proud German officer arrives at their estate.
Level B2AdventureAcross TexasWhen Herbert Watrous’s health falters, his friend Nick Ribsam’s wholesome country life offers hope and healing.
Level B2AdventureAcross India; Or, Live Boys in the Far EastA young millionaire and his companions embark on a thrilling voyage across India aboard the steam-yacht Guardian-Mother, encountering daring sea rescues, royal hospitality, and adv…
Level B2HistoricalAchillesAs the Greeks unite under Agamemnon to avenge the abduction of Helen by Paris, tensions ignite between the proud warrior Achilles and the king, setting the stage for a decade-long…
Level C1AdventureAccount of an expedition to the interior of New HollandA daring expedition ventures into the marshy heart of New Holland, crafting a canoe to navigate vast lakes and rivers, encountering mysterious native peoples and untamed wilderness…
Level C1ClassicsAccording to PlatoWhen Mr.
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.