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 C1ClassicsA trip to PlutopiaIn a starkly divided society called Plutopia, 49,500 workers endure strict control and minimal lives, while 500 elites enjoy opulence and power without government.
Level B2Science FictionA trick of the mindWhen Paul Donovan discovers he can control objects with his mind, he revels in his newfound power—until he uses it to commit a daring robbery.
Level B2MysteryA tragedy of love and hateIn the serene Holme Woods, a chilling discovery shatters the summer calm: Lady Clarice Alden lies drowned in the river, her life cut short beneath the bright sun while the world ca…
Level C1HistoricalA time of terrorIn a tense courtroom charged with treason, a journalist stands accused of plotting revolution through arms smuggling and sabotage, while his son quietly harbors a personal vendetta…
Level C1ClassicsA tight squeezeA gentleman wagers he can travel from New York to New Orleans in three weeks without money, living as a professional tramp.
Level B2Children'sA three-fold promiseSeparated from his mother and entrusted to a stern uncle, young Gerald Weston must keep three promises to endure hardship and hold onto hope.
Level B1Children'sA thoughtless sevenSeven lively siblings left to their own devices during a rainy Sunday afternoon navigate mischief, friendship, and lessons of patience and perseverance under the watchful eyes of a…
Level B2Children'sA third day in Mary Carrow's schoolMary Carrow, a kind and thoughtful teacher, welcomes her cheerful group of young scholars to a bright morning filled with lessons, fresh flowers, and the simple joys of childhood i…
Level B2PoetryA teacher's giftA poor boy’s desperate search for work tests his courage and faith, while a devoted mother’s love offers warmth amid hardship.
Level B1Children'sA tale of three weeksLeft behind while their parents escape to the seaside with baby and nurse, three sisters face a lonely, school-filled fortnight under the watchful eye of their kind governess, disc…
Level B2Children'sA successful ventureOn a stormy day, four sisters at Glen Arden brace for the unexpected visit of their formidable Aunt Sophia, setting the stage for family secrets, adventures, and the spirited chall…
Level C1ClassicsA story teller's storyJourney through the tender struggles and imaginative world of a young American boy whose family, though poor, finds romance and resilience in their everyday life and the art of sig…
Level C1ClassicsA story of the sawdust: The pathetic history of "Old Props'" darlingBorn and raised amid the dust and roar of the circus ring, Patty is a spirited young equestrienne whose dazzling performances captivate audiences, yet her world beyond the tent rem…
Level C1PoetryA spray of lilac, and other poems and songsDelve into a heartfelt collection of poems and songs, each offering a glimpse into a decade of reflections shared across beloved periodicals.
Level C1AdventureA spectre of powerIn the Cherokee town of Great Tellico, the arrival of a Choctaw chief and his enigmatic French interpreter stirs curiosity and political tension, unveiling a web of ambition and cu…
Level B2Children'sA song-birdIn a struggling London home, a devoted mother must leave her young daughter to nurse a wealthy, ill girl in distant Australia.
Level B2AdventureA son of the cityA young boy defies his parents' rules to embark on a secret early morning fishing adventure, savoring the thrill of freedom and friendship before dawn breaks over the city.
Level C1PoetryA silver poolDive into a collection of evocative poems that explore love, longing, and the delicate beauty of fleeting moments, weaving emotions into vivid imagery and timeless reflection.
Level C1MysteryA silent witnessOn a dark, rainy night along a solitary lane, a student’s reflective walk turns chilling when he stumbles upon a mysterious, lifeless body hidden in the shadows—an unexpected witne…
Level B2Children'sA sham princessIn a grimy London neighborhood, young Bert fiercely protects his ailing sister Prin, whose fragile health and mysterious struggles spark hope and fear.
Level C1MysteryA servant of Satan: Romantic career of Prado the assassinAn enigmatic assassin known as Prado weaves a dark path across continents, his crimes rooted in a mysterious vendetta against society's elite.
Level A2Children'sA second day in Mary Carrow's schoolOn a rainy school morning, Mary welcomes her lively students and cares for the drenched Carry Deacon, guiding them through lessons on nouns and kindness.
Level C1ClassicsA scarlet poppy, and other storiesA couple’s clash over a mere twenty-five-cent scarlet poppy ignites a deeper struggle about money, independence, and marital control, revealing the tensions beneath genteel society…
Level B2Children'sA sailor's lassAmid a fierce storm, a family living in a precarious boat-home faces rising tides and crashing waves as a ship struggles on the sandbar nearby.
Level B1AdventureA sailor boy with DeweyA sixteen-year-old merchant’s son embarks on a perilous journey to the Philippines, navigating treacherous storms and a drunken captain as he explores America’s new Pacific territo…
Level B2AdventureA royal smugglerTwo boys embark on a perilous voyage to Batavia, seeking fortune and family ties, only to face fierce monsoons, mysterious markets, and the shadowy world of smuggling in the treach…
Level C1ClassicsA rolling stoneIn Edwardian London, the sharp-witted and independent Leila Wynyard faces the challenges of society as a penniless woman with no suitors.
Level C2RomanceA rogue's tragedyAmid the ethereal Alps, two lovers find their world transformed by a transcendent passion that blurs the line between dream and reality.
Level C1ClassicsA reversion to typeIn a grand, timeworn estate, Dr.
Level B2RomanceA private chivalryIn a remote mining camp, a man haunted by a troubled past faces the harsh consequences of his choices, entangled with a woman whose presence stirs old wounds and unsettled loyaltie…
Level B2Science FictionA princess of MarsA seasoned soldier’s mysterious manuscript reveals a life filled with adventure, loss, and a secret yearning beneath a calm exterior.
Level C1RomanceA prince of loversIn a fragmented land of two hundred kingdoms, a determined duke and his scheming chancellor plot a politically charged union between Princess Ruperta and Prince Ludwig, where pride…
Level C1AdventureA primal womanA desperate Englishman escapes a brutal whaling ship to find refuge on the remote island of Utara, where a solitary French captain and his mysterious daughter guard their fragile p…
Level A2HistoricalA poem on the earthquake at LisbonExplore the haunting aftermath of Lisbon's devastating earthquake through vivid poetic reflection, capturing the shock and profound impact on a city forever changed by nature's fur…
Level B2ClassicsA pixy in petticoatsJohn Burrough's secret sanctuary by the river is invaded when a stray newspaper reveals his hidden retreat, threatening the peaceful solitude he cherishes amid Dartmoor's wild, lus…
Level B1RomanceA perfect gentlemanA rugged stranger known as Joe rides into Oakwood and falls for Carol, a strong-willed woman who demands a perfect gentleman—mild, courteous, and above all, never to fight.
Level C1HistoricalA noble sacrificeAmid a fierce winter flood threatening his fragile bridge, a solitary boatman faces eerie warnings and village whispers of a mysterious castle curse, as nature’s fury and dark lege…
Level C1PoetryA new selection of miscellaneous pieces, in verseExperience the heartfelt verses of a blind poet reflecting on the trials, gratitude, and quiet joys of her solitary life in early 19th-century Scotland, offering a personal glimpse…
Level B2Children'sA new note in the Christmas CarolA tender father reflects on the joyful yet sorrowful memories stirred by Christmas carols, as his young daughter’s innocent love brings new hope and light to their home after loss.
Level B2RomanceA new nameA reckless man waits anxiously in a hospital, haunted by the accident that left Bessie Chapparelle—a once sweet child now stunningly grown—gravely injured.
Level B2Children'sA new graft on the family treeA young woman faces the challenge of leaving her comfortable home to start a new life with Lewis Morgan in a remote country farmhouse, balancing love, sacrifice, and the unknown fu…
Level B2AdventureA new Robinson CrusoeA young Irish sailor recounts his perilous voyage aboard a formidable ship bound for San Francisco and China, where a mysterious passenger named James Robinson Crusoe defies a brut…
Level C1ClassicsA municipal feudIn a sun-scorched desert town, two unlikely partners navigate a fierce municipal feud where rival cities fight to claim everything not nailed down, testing their uneasy alliance an…
Level C1ClassicsA motley jestOn a mysterious island, displaced characters from Shakespeare’s plays grapple with magic, mischief, and mistaken identities, weaving a whimsical fantasy where familiar voices echo…
Level C1ClassicsA moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)Trapped in a remote colonial outpost, a lonely woman battles untrustworthy servants and unsettling fears while confronting the arrival of a charming rival who may hold the key to h…
Level C1ClassicsA moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 2 of 3)In a lonely house haunted by a mysterious white shadow, a woman confronts chilling ghostly encounters and unsettling nightmares that blur the line between reality and the supernatu…
Level C1ClassicsA moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 1 of 3)A struggling gentleman burdened by a demanding family and meager income seeks a desperate escape from his crushing circumstances.
Level C1ClassicsA modern exodus: a novelIn a future England shadowed by rising anti-Semitism, a devout yet reform-minded Jewish politician navigates faith, identity, and societal pressures during the solemn Day of Atonem…
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.