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 C1HistoricalA Certain Rich ManIn a frontier town where past and present collide, a young boy's innocent play leads him into an unexpected encounter with a traveling band of Indians, revealing hidden tensions an…
Level C2PoetryA Century of RoundelsDive into a tapestry of delicate roundels where light laughter meets deep heartbeats, tracing fleeting joys, lingering regrets, and the relentless passage of time through evocative…
Level C1PoetryA Century of Parody and ImitationExplore a rich collection of poetic parodies tracing the art from its 1812 revival in Rejected Addresses to the finest imitations of the 19th century, revealing both playful homage…
Level C1PoetryA Century of EmblemsExplore a rich collection of emblematic poems blending moral and philosophical reflections with evocative illustrations, tracing a tradition that dates back to 16th-century Europe.
Level C1HistoricalA Century Too Soon: The Age of TyrannyIn a Virginia colony divided between strict Puritans and indulgent Cavaliers, tyranny and rebellion simmer under the surface as the harsh rule of Governor Berkeley sparks conflict…
Level C1ClassicsA Cathedral SingerAmid the towering Cathedral of St.
Level B2RomanceA Cathedral CourtshipA spirited young woman embarks on a meticulously planned tour of English cathedral towns with her strict aunt, discovering charming local characters, unexpected delights, and the t…
Level A2RomanceA Castle in Spain: A NovelA diverse group of travelers embarks on a journey from bustling Madrid, where unexpected alliances and mysteries unfold amid soldiers, priests, and peasants.
Level C1ClassicsA Cardinal SinIn a bustling city quarter, a young, uneducated girl entrusts a kind old scribe with a heart-wrenching letter to a distant Louis, revealing her quiet struggles and fragile hope ami…
Level B2HistoricalA Captured Santa ClausIn a Virginia homestead during the Civil War, Christmas loses its joy as blockades prevent gifts and Major Stafford’s absence weighs heavy.
Level C1HistoricalA Captive of the Roman EaglesAmidst the wild forests and misty shores of Lake Constance in 378, Roman legions prepare to confront the fierce Alemanni tribes threatening the empire's northern frontier, weaving…
Level B2HistoricalA Captain in the Ranks: A Romance of AffairsAmid the final desperate moments of the Confederate Army's retreat, a determined captain leads his small band of artillerymen into battle, embodying the spirit of a war-ravaged Vir…
Level C1MysteryA Capillary Crime, and Other StoriesIn a quiet Montmartre street, a mysterious young woman flees under a stormy night, setting the stage for a gripping capillary crime that disrupts the eerie calm of this old Parisia…
Level C1ClassicsA Canadian Heroine, Volume 3: A NovelA man wrestles with troubling secrets and shifting affections as he becomes entangled in the fate of an old friend’s family, uncovering hidden truths and unspoken emotions amid unc…
Level C1ClassicsA Canadian Heroine, Volume 2: A NovelAmidst quiet preparations and hidden fears, Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsA Canadian Heroine, Volume 1: A NovelBeneath breathtaking Canadian skies, a young woman caught between childhood and womanhood dreams of distant England while navigating the tender, complex bond with her mother and th…
Level B2MysteryA Canadian Farm Mystery; Or, Pam the PioneerOn a Canadian farm, resourceful Pam faces unexpected challenges with quick wit and daring plans, turning mishaps into thrilling adventures.
Level C2PoetryA Canadian Calendar: XII LyricsExperience the vivid rhythms of Canadian seasons through lyrical poems that celebrate nature’s cycles, the call of the sea, and haunting memories woven into the landscape’s timeles…
Level B2Children'sA Campfire Girl's Test of FriendshipAt Camp Sunset by Lake Dean, the Camp Fire Girls face tension and rivalry with a neighboring camp, testing their friendships and forgiveness.
Level B2AdventureA Campfire Girl's HappinessAfter a devastating fire nearly destroys their camp, a determined group of Camp Fire Girls refuses to give up, rallying together to rebuild and find joy amid the ruins.
Level B2Children'sA Campfire Girl's First Council Fire: The Camp Fire Girls In the WoodsTrapped in a harsh household where work never ends and kindness is scarce, Bessie dreams of freedom and friendship beyond her chores.
Level B2RomanceA California GirlOn the eve of her wedding, Clara Lawton reflects on love, family, and the future that awaits her in a new home nestled among California’s fertile orchards.
Level B2AdventureA Cadet of the Black Star LineA seventeen-year-old cadet aboard the mighty Black Star liner Roanoke wrestles with the harsh realities of steamship life and the shadow of his seafaring father's legacy as he face…
Level C1MysteryA Cabinet SecretIn the shadow of the South African War, two men in Naples plot a conspiracy that could topple an empire, anxiously awaiting a mysterious steam yacht whose arrival may change the fa…
Level B2AdventureA Butterfly ChaseTwo children embark on a sunny adventure to catch and collect the most beautiful butterflies, armed with nets and curiosity.
Level B2HistoricalA Busy Year at the Old Squire'sA dedicated young teacher transforms a rural schoolhouse with passion, lively lessons, and colorful maps, inspiring even the most reluctant students to discover their purpose and e…
Level C2PoetryA Burlesque Translation of HomerDive into a riotous retelling of the Iliad where gods bicker like quarrelsome neighbors and heroes clash over a captive wench, blending classical epic with sharp wit and bawdy humo…
Level C1ClassicsA Bundle of LettersA young American woman ventures alone through Europe, sharing candid letters from Paris that reveal her bold observations on culture, gender roles, and society.
Level C1PoetryA Bundle of BalladsTravel back to an age when wandering minstrels and storytellers brought heroic legends and heartfelt ballads to life, weaving tales of battles, love, and social appeal that echo th…
Level B2Children'sA Bunch of Cherries: A Story of Cherry Court SchoolNestled in a historic house with a famed walled cherry garden, Cherry Court School offers a unique education where young girls prepare for the cherished annual Cherry Feast, blendi…
Level B2ClassicsA Budget of Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens and OthersIn the biting cold of Christmas Eve, miserly Scrooge scorns joy and generosity, valuing only his wealth.
Level B2MysteryA Broken Bond; Or, The Man Without MoralsA lone sniper waits in the South American mountains, aiming to kill a man riding through a rugged valley.
Level B2RomanceA British Islander: From "Mackinac And Lake Stories", 1899On a vibrant autumn island, Juliana Gunning, a captivating and deaf young woman, navigates the affections of two very different suitors—a devoted army captain and a wealthy Eastern…
Level C1HistoricalA Brief History of the English Language and Literature, Vol. 2Explore the evolution of English as a living, growing organism, tracing its sounds, writing, and changing forms through history.
Level C1RomanceA Bride of the PlainsIn a vast, sun-drenched Hungarian plain, young men face the harsh reality of conscription, torn from their homes and loved ones for three years of military service.
Level C1ClassicsA Bride from the BushA sudden letter disrupts the Bligh family’s quiet morning, revealing Alfred’s unexpected marriage to an Australian bride from the Bush.
Level C1ClassicsA Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed.Escape the stifling sameness of city life and rediscover vitality through nature’s embrace, rustic meals, and the quiet wisdom of the woods.
Level C1ClassicsA Breath of Prairie and other storiesExperience the vast, untamed prairies through stories that reveal the rugged lives, deep nature love, and silent strength of plainsmen shaped by their wild environment.
Level C1Children'sA Brace Of Boys: 1867, From "Little Brother"An insightful bachelor uncle reflects on the joys and challenges of family life while guiding his lively nephews, Daniel and Billy, through the lessons of growing up, responsibilit…
Level B2AdventureA Boy's Trip Across the PlainsA young boy and his ailing mother struggle through poverty and hardship in a harsh Missouri village, clinging to hope and faith as they face illness and loneliness.
Level C1Children'sA Boy's TownA young boy’s world unfolds in a small riverside town teeming with natural wonders and simple adventures—from fishing and skating to kite flying and exploring mysterious locks.
Level B2AdventureA Boy's RideIn turbulent 13th-century England, a fearless fourteen-year-old boy defies his priestly destiny to seek knighthood, riding through danger with only his wits and chain mail for prot…
Level B2AdventureA Boy's Fortune; Or, The Strange Adventures of Ben BakerA determined boy arrives in the bustling city with little money and no place to stay, facing the challenges of urban life as he seeks fortune and survival.
Level B2AdventureA Boy's Adventures Round the WorldAt sixteen, Jack Clewlin chooses the rough and adventurous life of a sailor aboard the famed clipper ship Silver Crown, setting sail from Stonewell on a journey filled with dangers…
Level B2AdventureA Boy Scout's CourageTrapped on mysterious grounds with a twisted ankle and surrounded by spies, a determined Boy Scout must rely on courage and unexpected allies to escape danger and uncover secret en…
Level C1ClassicsA Boy I Knew and Four DogsA coming-of-age story unfolds through the eyes of a boy shaped by a loving, selfless mother and a scholarly, multilingual father.
Level B2AdventureA Boy Crusoe; or, The Golden Treasure of the Virgin IslandsA young Maine boy with a passion for adventure embarks on a voyage to the tropical South Seas aboard the sturdy bark Ethelyn Hope, setting the stage for a thrilling tale of surviva…
Level C1AdventureA Bounty Boy: Being Some Adventures of a Christian Barbarian on an Unpremeditated Trip Round the WorldOn a remote island transformed by faith, a newborn boy’s arrival sparks a journey beyond paradise.
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.