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 C1AdventureA Secret of the LebomboIn a sun-drenched African valley, a man discovers two thieves butchering his stolen sheep, leading to a tense, dangerous confrontation where survival hinges on quick thinking and u…
Level C1HistoricalA Secret Service: Being Strange Tales of a NihilistIn a London exile’s confession, the shadowy world of Russian Nihilists unfolds amid brutal oppression and desperate hope for reform.
Level C1MysteryA Secret Inheritance (Volume 3 of 3)A murder shrouded in mystery pits brother against brother as secrets, jealousy, and hidden motives surface in a tense investigation.
Level C1MysteryA Secret Inheritance (Volume 2 of 3)A man haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his beloved friend embarks on a solitary quest across distant lands, only to uncover unexpected connections and secrets that intert…
Level C1MysteryA Secret Inheritance (Volume 1 of 3)A young boy grows up in a gloomy London attic, surrounded by poverty and silence, haunted by fleeting memories of a lost, grander past.
Level C1ClassicsA Second HomeIn a dim, narrow Parisian street, two women—an aging mother and her diligent daughter—endure a life of quiet hardship, their humble home a refuge amid the city's damp shadows and f…
Level C1ClassicsA Second ComingWhen a disheveled man bursts into a stiff London dinner party proclaiming that Christ has come again, disbelief clashes with curiosity as he recounts a strange, unsettling encounte…
Level C1PoetryA Season at Harrogate: In a Series of Poetical Epistles, from Benjamin Blunderhead, Esquire, to His Mother, in Derbyshire. With Useful and Copious Notes, Descriptive of the Objects Most Worthy of Attention in the Vicinity of HarrogateFollow Benjamin Blunderhead’s witty and poetic letters as he explores the famed waters and curious company of Harrogate, blending satire and local color in a lively account of a di…
Level C1MysteryA Search For A Secret: A Novel. Vol. 3Years after a failed search for a hidden will, the narrator grapples with loss, hope, and distant love as letters from India keep alive dreams of reunion.
Level B2MysteryA Search For A Secret: A Novel. Vol. 2A family's future is thrown into turmoil when a crucial will disappears, sparking fierce rivalries and secret alliances.
Level C1MysteryA Search For A Secret: A Novel. Vol. 1In a timeless cathedral town where change is scarce, a young man reflects on his childhood and the secrets woven into his peaceful surroundings, setting the stage for a mystery roo…
Level C1AdventureA Sea Queen's SailingAmid the smoldering ruins of his family hall, a lone captive faces the aftermath of a brutal raid that shatters peace between Norse settlers and mysterious invaders.
Level B2AdventureA Scout of To-dayA spirited fourteen-year-old boy ventures beyond familiar salt-marshes into the vast, mysterious New England woods, eager to uncover hidden secrets and thrilling adventures that te…
Level C1PoetryA Satire AnthologyExplore a rich collection of sharp, witty poems that dissect society, politics, and human nature with humor and irony.
Level C1ClassicsA Sappho of Green SpringsIn a dusty editorial office, a mysterious lumberman seeks the true identity of "White Violet," a poet whose verses capture the wild spirit of the forest with haunting truth and del…
Level B2AdventureA Sailor in Spite of HimselfRival rowing crews at a Southern academy prepare for a thrilling championship race that has the whole town buzzing with excitement and divided loyalties.
Level B2RomanceA Sagebrush CinderellaIn a rugged mountain town, fiery Jac During hides her dreams of romance behind the rough life of a cow-puncher.
Level C1RomanceA Safety MatchIn a lively Rectory household, the clever and mischievous Vereker children engage in the simple game of Happy Families while youngest Tony escapes into his own imaginative world, b…
Level C1AdventureA Sack of ShakingsAmidst the serene Pacific, a majestic bull sperm whale and his harem navigate the perils of the deep, nurturing new life while preparing to face the harsh Antarctic and the lurking…
Level C1ClassicsA Russian Proprietor, and Other StoriesA young nobleman abandons university to embrace rural life and improve the harsh conditions of his peasants, facing doubts from family and the challenge of turning idealism into tr…
Level C1ClassicsA Russian GentlemanIn a vivid portrait of ancestral Russia, a proud and fiery patriarch wrestles with family disputes and the lure of untamed lands, revealing a world of honor, tradition, and raw hum…
Level B2AdventureA Runaway Brig; Or, An Accidental CruiseTwo boys seize a rare chance to sail the leaky tender Sally Walker before its skipper departs, unaware their seaside adventure may lead to unexpected challenges far from shore.
Level C1AdventureA Roving Commission; Or, Through the Black Insurrection at HaytiA spirited young midshipman aboard H.
Level B2FantasyA Round DozenIn a remote alpine valley, a brave boy named Fritz discovers a mysterious white door carved into a cliff, leading to a hidden world where playful, cloud-like creatures invite him i…
Level C1AdventureA Rough ShakingAmidst the harmony of a perfect June day, a mysterious bond unfolds between a man and a magnificent horse, stirring curiosity and hinting at a deeper story of friendship and unders…
Level B2ClassicsA Rough Diamond: A Comic Drama in One ActAn army captain returns home heartbroken after his beloved marries for wealth and title, revealing the bittersweet clash between passion and duty.
Level C1RomanceA Rose of a Hundred Leaves: A Love StoryIn a stormy hall of an ancient estate, sixteen-year-old Aspatria Anneys navigates the quiet strength of family ties and the stirring promise of love.
Level C1ClassicsA Rose of YesterdaySylvia receives an enigmatic etching from her guardian, sparking a quiet contemplation of fate, honor, and unseen sorrows as she journeys home from Japan.
Level C1ClassicsA Rose in JuneIn the tranquil garden of Dinglefield Rectory, a gentle rector cherishes his refined pleasures while his daughter, the radiant Rose, embodies innocence and natural joy, untouched b…
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 5: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreA daring smuggler and his quick-witted daughter navigate intrigue and danger aboard the notorious yacht Ninety-Nine, challenging authority with wit and cunning amid the summer haze…
Level B2AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 4: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreIn the frozen wilderness of the North, a solitary mail carrier named Little Babiche braves deadly cold and isolation with his loyal Esquimaux dogs, carrying messages across vast, i…
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 3: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreAmid the roaring rapids and log drives of the Madawaska River, an old man and his spirited granddaughter find refuge in a weathered house once famed as a tavern.
Level C1ClassicsA Romany of the Snows, vol. 2: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreIn a tense frontier town, Malachi faces a grim trial for shooting the young sheriff, staying silent while others defend him fiercely.
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, vol. 1: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreJourney into the rugged Far North alongside Pierre and his close-knit community, where vivid tales of adventure, human passion, and survival unfold amidst snowy wilderness and time…
Level C1AdventureA Romany of the Snows, Complete: Being a Continuation of the Personal Histories of "Pierre and His People" and the Last Existing Records of Pretty PierreJourney into the rugged northern wilderness alongside Pierre, where vivid characters and gripping human passions unfold amidst a landscape as wild and stirring as the tales themsel…
Level B2RomanceA Romantic Young LadyRaised between two aunts with opposing views and guided by a strict governess, a young woman navigates ambition, health, and introspection while secretly dreaming of romance and a…
Level C1RomanceA Romance of the West IndiesAmid the turbulent Caribbean of 1690, a resourceful priest balances his sacred duties with the harsh realities of war, defending his colony against pirates and enemies while naviga…
Level C1HistoricalA Romance of the RepublicIn the vibrant streets and lush suburbs of New Orleans, a young man from Boston encounters the enchanting daughters of a merchant, opening a world of beauty, culture, and unexpecte…
Level C1ClassicsA Romance of Youth — CompleteIn the heart of Paris, a young poet balances the humdrum of government office with his passionate pursuit of art and verse, capturing the quiet struggles and humble lives that ofte…
Level B2RomanceA Romance of WastdaleA man returns to Wastdale for a week before his wedding, only to find the shadow of a rivalry still lingers with an old friend who shares his mountain haven—and a tragic past haunt…
Level C1FantasyA Romance of Two Worlds: A NovelIn a world steeped in skepticism and science, a profound encounter challenges the disbelief in the supernatural and the existence of the soul, exploring mysterious forces that infl…
Level C1RomanceA Romance of Toronto (Founded on Fact): A NovelAmid the vibrant life of Toronto and its charming neighborhoods, two friends navigate love, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.
Level C1RomanceA Romance of Tompkins Square: 1891In a small New York bakery, a determined craftsman battles the mysteries of perfecting traditional lebkuchen while love and loss shape his dreams and sacrifices.
Level C1RomanceA Romance in TransitA diverse group of passengers shares a journey on the Flying Kestrel, where business, personal rivalries, and unexpected connections unfold aboard a moving train.
Level B2ClassicsA Roman SingerAn unlikely boy with a powerful voice rises from poverty and neglect, nurtured by a philosopher and his devoted housekeeper in Rome’s vibrant streets.
Level C2HistoricalA Roman Lawyer in Jerusalem : First CenturyIn first-century Jerusalem, a Roman lawyer wrestles with the mysterious figure of Christus and the controversial betrayal by Judas Iscariot, seeking truth amid political turmoil an…
Level C1ClassicsA Rogue's LifeA man of noble birth but modest means recounts his unconventional upbringing and rebellious youth, exposing the quirks and contradictions of society through his candid and lively c…
Level B2RomanceA Rock in the BalticA chance encounter in a Maine bank sparks a tense chase involving a mysterious woman, a British naval officer, and a suspicious cashier—all entwined in a moment charged with anxiet…
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.