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 C1RomanceA Texas MatchmakerIn the rugged Texas frontier, Lance Lovelace, a seasoned pioneer marked by loss and resilience, presides over his remote ranch while matchmaking schemes stir beneath the vast sky.
Level B2Children'sA Terrible TomboyA fearless girl defies danger and rules as she balances atop a barn beam, drawing admiration and concern from those around her.
Level C1RomanceA Terrible Temptation: A Story of To-DayIn a grand London home, a determined gentleman plots to reclaim his lost inheritance from a dissolute rival, while a gentle beauty navigates the tangled emotions and dangers of lov…
Level B2RomanceA Terrible Secret: A NovelIn the grand halls of Catheron Royals, a passionate Spanish heiress awaits her wedding day, torn by fiery emotions and a looming, terrible secret that threatens to unravel love and…
Level B2Children'sA Terrible CowardIn the rugged fishing town of Carn Du, where the sea crashes fiercely against towering rocks, young Mark Penelly stands poised to prove his bravery and mastery as the finest swimme…
Level C1ClassicsA Tender Attachment: A FarceIn a quiet country house known as "Bachelors’ Paradise," a devoted father seeks his runaway son rumored to have formed a mysterious "tender attachment," only to find a quirky mix o…
Level C1ClassicsA Temporary Dead-Lock: 1891A devoted rector embarks on a much-needed European journey, leaving his family behind as they prepare for summer apart.![Cover of A Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor Boys by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8kui5nmvfc73bidk20.webp)
Level B2AdventureA Taxicab Tangle; or, The Mission of the Motor BoysTwo adventurous friends explore New York with motor cars and dreams of aviation, until a surprising letter arrives promising a fortune tied to a mysterious mining claim—setting the…
Level B2AdventureA Tatter of Scarlet: Adventurous Episodes of the Commune in the Midi 1871Two British boys navigate the tense, sunlit streets of a divided French town during the turmoil of the 1871 Commune, witnessing history unfold amid ancient ruins and brewing rebell…
Level C1ClassicsA Tar-Heel BaronA foreign baron embraces the rugged life of a North Carolina farmer, winning hearts with his charm and humility despite harsh hardships.
Level C1ClassicsA Tangled TaleTwo travelers descend a mountain at a measured pace, sparking a puzzling challenge of time, distance, and speed that twists into a series of mathematical riddles woven through adve…
Level B2RomanceA Tame Surrender, A Story of The Chicago StrikeAmidst the backdrop of the Chicago strike, a spirited young woman with charm and complexity finds herself drawn to a reserved, enigmatic man whose mysterious past deepens their unl…
Level B2AdventureA Tale of the Tow-PathA hardworking boy, Joe Gaston longs for a summer escape from relentless chores to enjoy fishing by a peaceful lake.
Level B2Children'sA Tale of the Summer HolidaysFour siblings plan their traditional birthday battle and feast, but their eldest brother’s strange new attitude after school threatens to change everything in this lively summer ad…
Level C1HistoricalA Tale of the Kloster: A Romance of the German Mystics of the CocalicoIn the heart of colonial Pennsylvania, a devoted band of German mystics seeks a life of faith and simplicity amid a diverse and turbulent new world.
Level C1ClassicsA Tale of a TubDive into a witty and satirical exploration of literary culture and human nature through a series of digressions, dedications, and tales that challenge the conventions of writing a…
Level C1ClassicsA Tale of a Lonely ParishA weary country vicar struggles with the dull routine of tutoring and parish duties while reflecting on a life of sacrificed ambitions and modest success.
Level C1RomanceA Tale of Two Tunnels: A Romance of the Western WatersWhen Captain Jackman’s gold is stolen under mysterious circumstances, suspicion falls on a cunning sailor, while Ada Conway, a thoughtful young woman by the sea, awaits the unfoldi…
Level B2PoetryA Tale of Two Monkeys, and other storiesTwo playful Brazilian monkeys escape their cage, wreaking charming havoc in a kindly doctor's home until their mischief leads to an unexpected fate.
Level B2AdventureA Tale of Three LionsA seasoned hunter returns to the African wilderness with his young son, seeking adventure beyond the suffocating crowds of civilization.
Level B2HistoricalA Tale of Red PekinIn a remote Chinese village, a young girl navigates the challenges of missionary life amid cultural clashes, perilous uprisings, and deep bonds of friendship.
Level B2ClassicsA Tale of Brittany (Mon frère Yves)A sailor’s pay-book reveals a life shaped by the endless sea, from youthful voyages and hard-earned wages to turbulent loves and wild excesses.
Level C1FantasyA Syrup of the BeesIn a world where Indian fairies—shape-shifting sky-wizards—wield unpredictable magic and fierce jealousy, crossing social boundaries invites chaos and danger.
Level B1Children'sA Sweet Little MaidTwo young girls, Dimple and Bubbles, embark on imaginative adventures, playing "Indian" with feathers and hatchets, but their innocent game takes a dramatic turn when an accident t…
Level B2Children'sA Sweet Girl GraduatePriscilla Penywern Peel is about to leave her quiet cottage for college, carrying hopes, nerves, and the support of her lively younger sisters.
Level C1HistoricalA Survey of Russian Literature, with SelectionsExplore the origins of Russian literature intertwined with the nation's dramatic conversion to Christianity in 988, as ancient pagan traditions give way to Byzantine influences and…
Level C1HistoricalA Supplication for the BeggarsAmidst religious upheaval, a fiery pamphlet challenges the church's power and calls out the manipulations of beggars and heretics alike, igniting fierce debates on faith, scripture…
Level B2AdventureA Sunny Little LassIn a cramped, sunless corner of New York, young Glory cares for her blind grandfather, turning their tiny "ship" of a home into a sanctuary of hope and resilience amidst hardship a…
Level C2PoetryA Summer's PoemsImmerse yourself in a collection of reflective poems inspired by six weeks spent amid the majestic mountains of Upper Austria, exploring nature, life’s journey, and fleeting moment…
Level B2Children'sA Summer in a Canyon: A California StoryA lively group of children and their friends gather to name their summer camp in a sunny California canyon, sparking playful debates and adventures.
Level C1Children'sA Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life.A young girl watching her plants yearn for blossoms mirrors her own journey of growth and self-discovery during a summer filled with quiet moments and meaningful connections in a w…
Level C1ClassicsA Summer Evening's Dream: 1898In a tranquil village shaded by ancient elms, two young women while away a languid summer afternoon, pondering the curious, decades-long companionship between a solitary lawyer and…
Level C1MysteryA Successful Shadow; Or, A Detective's Successful QuestA determined detective takes on the haunting mystery of a missing child, whose mother, scarred by tragedy, seeks hope and justice amidst loss.
Level C1ClassicsA Study of ShakespeareEmbark on a voyage through the vast, uncharted seas of Shakespeare’s works, exploring the evolution of his style and the mysteries beneath his poetic craft, guided by a keen ear ra…
Level C1PoetryA Study of PoetryExplore the transformative power of poetry as it turns everyday moments into symbols of hope and resurrection, unveiling how verse elevates human experience from sorrow to ecstatic…
Level C1ClassicsA Study of HawthorneDelve into a vivid portrait of Hawthorne that explores his roots in New England's stern Puritan past and traces how his unique genius blossomed from centuries of history, revealing…
Level B2MysteryA Study in ScarletA wounded army doctor returns to London to rebuild his life and unexpectedly meets a brilliant, eccentric scientist with unparalleled knowledge.
Level C1ClassicsA Study In ShadowsA young Englishwoman confronts the bleak isolation of a winter at Pension Boccard, where six enigmatic women share lives marked by loneliness and guarded secrets.
Level B2Children'sA Struggle for a FortuneIn a war-torn Missouri cabin, Jonas Keeler struggles to stretch a dwindling sum meant to support an old man, while facing the harsh realities of survival and broken promises in the…
Level C1HistoricalA Struggle for Rome, v. 3Amidst the fall of Gothic kings and the turmoil of war, commanders navigate shifting loyalties and imperial ambitions to secure Italy’s future.
Level C1HistoricalA Struggle for Rome, v. 2Amidst the turmoil of Gothic and Byzantine forces clashing over Italy, Valerius faces a desperate battle to defend his homeland from invading Greeks led by the cunning Belisarius,…
Level C1HistoricalA Struggle for Rome, v. 1Amid the shadowed ruins of a once-mighty temple, a mysterious gathering unfolds on a stormy night in 526 A.
Level C1ClassicsA Struggle For LifeAn enigmatic man with a face both young and old stirs curiosity on Boston Common, hinting at a past filled with loss and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsA String of Amber BeadsA young woman’s innocent flirtation sparks a harsh reckoning with society’s unforgiving judgment, exploring the fragile line between reputation and ruin.
Level C1ClassicsA Street of Paris and Its InhabitantIn a neglected Paris street shadowed by the Catacombs, an eccentric, absent-minded scientist with a distinctive appearance emerges from a mysterious garden door, inviting readers t…
Level B2HistoricalA Strange, Sad ComedyIn war-torn Virginia, the dignified Colonel Corbin faces the arrival of Union soldiers at his shabby plantation, striving to maintain composure amid upheaval.
Level C1HistoricalA Strange World: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3)As a proud woman faces a swift and relentless illness, a devoted visitor seeks to uncover long-hidden secrets and offer comfort through faith and compassion, challenging notions of…
Level C1ClassicsA Strange World: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)In a secluded manor steeped in sorrow, a stranger uncovers the haunting legacy of the late young Squire, whose portrait and memory evoke mystery and melancholy amidst the rugged Co…
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.