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 B2Historical"To let"A young woman joins her brother’s family in colonial Lucknow, where the dazzling social life masks the harsh realities of the Indian summer and the struggles of an Anglo-Indian hou…
Level B2Children's"Thy kingdom come."A grieving young girl struggles to find comfort after her mother's death, facing sorrow and responsibility while learning the true meaning of faith and love.
Level C1Historical"Their Majesties' Servants." Annals of the English Stage (Volume 3 of 3)Explore the vibrant evolution of English theatre from the retirement of Garrick to the rise of Edmund Kean, revealing the triumphs and struggles of tragic and comic playwrights ami…
Level C1Historical"Their Majesties' Servants." Annals of the English Stage (Volume 2 of 3)At the dawn of the 18th century, a young apprentice seamstress named Anne Oldfield captivates an audience with her radiant voice and passion for the stage, setting the scene for he…
Level C1Historical"Their Majesties' Servants." Annals of the English Stage (Volume 1 of 3)Explore the rich history of the English stage from the Restoration era onward, revealing the struggles and triumphs of actors, playwrights, and theatres through detailed accounts a…
Level B2Classics"The land of the sky"A family debates a summer journey into the wild, elevated mountains of Western North Carolina, seeking fresh air and breathtaking scenery far from fashionable resorts.
Level C1Classics"The Liberry"In a small town, an eccentric old gentleman cherishes his modest but growing library, treating each worn book like a treasured patient and sharing its wisdom aloud with those who s…
Level C1Historical"The Ladies": A Shining Constellation of Wit and BeautyStep into the intimate world of Elizabeth Pepys and other captivating women of history, where personal diaries reveal tender joys, sharp wit, and the hidden dramas behind the grand…
Level C1Classics"The Debatable Land": A NovelIn a rugged New England town where ancestral fields yield little, a spirited young girl named Nellie challenges tradition and carves her own path amid whispers of legends and unset…
Level C1Historical"That Old-Time Child, Roberta": Her Home-Life on the FarmOn a Kentucky farm before the Civil War, young Roberta Marsden is cherished by family and servants alike, growing into a compassionate caretaker of both people and animals.
Level C1Classics"Swingin round the cirkle"A sharp-witted satirical voice navigates the turbulent aftermath of the Civil War, exposing political loyalties and struggles through the eyes of a displaced Democratic pastor.
Level C1Classics"Swat the Fly!": A One-Act FantasyIn a shadowy garden behind a laboratory, a determined inspector confronts a doctor accused of cruel animal experiments, while a curious boy secretly cares for the creatures.
Level C1Classics"Surly Tim": A Lancashire StoryIn a Lancashire factory, a young manager seeks to unravel the mystery behind "Surly Tim," a misunderstood and solitary worker whose gruff exterior hides acts of quiet kindness and…
Level C1Poetry"Stella Australis": Poems, verses and prose fragmentsExperience a lyrical journey through Australia's landscapes, history, and spirit, where evocative poems and prose awaken memories, honor pioneers, and celebrate nature’s beauty wit…
Level C1Classics"Speaking of Operations--"After a mysterious, drifting pain leads him to the surgeon’s office, the narrator explores the strange, shared experience of undergoing an operation—revealing how this personal ord…
Level C1Children's"Some Say"; Neighbours in CyrusIn a quaint New England town, a gentle minister and the Mellen family navigate small-town whispers, unexpected challenges, and the quiet beauty of nature as they forge unlikely fri…
Level A2Poetry"Smiles": A Book of Recitations for GirlsA charming collection of recitations designed especially for girls, offering delightful pieces to speak from early childhood through the joys of growing up.
Level C1Classics"Short Sixes": Stories to be Read While the Candle BurnsIn a cozy New York room, two young women hold a secret ritual worshipping the portrait of a famed French tenor, embodying the restless yearning of youth to idolize and find meaning…
Level C1Classics"Seth"A weary young English miner arrives at a remote Tennessee coal town, hoping to find work and shelter through a connection with a company owner.
Level B1Children's"Sequil"; Or, Things Whitch Aint Finished in the FirstA young boy’s lively diary captures the adventures and rivalries of small-town life in the 1860s, from neighborhood fights to family moments and the trials of growing up in a bustl…
Level B2Historical"Run To Seed": 1891In the aftermath of the Civil War, a poor Southern family struggles with loss, poverty, and the weight of history as they try to rebuild their shattered lives amidst judgment and h…
Level B2Historical"Puffing Billy" and the Prize "Rocket": or, the story of the Stephensons and our Railways.Follow the humble beginnings of George Stephenson, a coal miner’s son with a keen mind and compassionate heart, as he rises through hardship to shape the future of railways and ste…
Level C1Adventure"Pig-Headed" Sailor Men: From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902A seasoned captain known for his steady hand faces off against a flashy new brigantine and its inexperienced commander in a tense race through the South Pacific, where skill and st…
Level C1Mystery"Persons Unknown"A restless writer is haunted by a mysterious command to "Ask Nancy Cornish," plunging him into a shadowy night filled with music, secrets, and enigmatic figures.
Level C1Children's"Peanut": The Story of a BoyA lonely boy named Peanut clings to the memory of Blazer Sam, a notorious outlaw who once cared for him, as he navigates the wild mountain landscape filled with bears, birds, and t…
Level C1Classics"Our Street"A vivid portrait of a street caught between old country charm and rapid urban transformation reveals the quirky characters and spirited conflicts within its fading and rising neigh…
Level C1Children's"Old Scrooge": A Christmas Carol in Five Staves.: Dramatized from Charles Dickens' Celebrated Christmas Story.In a cold London office, miserly Scrooge dismisses Christmas as folly, rejecting warmth, cheer, and charity.
Level B2Adventure"Old Mary": 1901In a remote island village, a young trader joins a spirited family on a hunting trip to visit Old Mary, a resilient and respected matriarch whose tales of courage and survival prom…
Level B2Classics"Old Harmless"In a remote mountain gulch, Old Harmless clings to his cabin and dreams of a hidden gold ledge, finding solace in the steadfast companionship of trees and his loyal partners, David…
Level B2Classics"O Thou, My Austria!"In a tranquil Austrian country-seat, a proud major wrestles with his past and present, from a misappropriated manuscript to lingering echoes of defeat and domestic tensions, weavin…
Level C1Romance"No. 101"In 1745, amid secret negotiations and a looming war, a mysterious cipher known only as "No.
Level B2Children's"No place like home"In a lonely, crumbling hut by the woods, Ishmael grows up surrounded by nature's quiet wonders, under the care of his devoted mother Ruth, whose faith and resilience shape their hu…
Level C1Mystery"No Clue!": A Mystery StoryA powerful woman and her reluctant daughter wrestle with a mysterious grey envelope that promises to change their futures, igniting tension and secrets in a gripping tale of determ…
Level C1Philosophy"My Visit to Tolstoy": Five DiscoursesA determined American Jew challenges Russian prejudice by insisting on his right to enter Russia, leading to a remarkable encounter with the profound and charismatic Leo Tolstoy.
Classics"My Novel" — CompleteIn a winter night’s gathering, intellectual debates and family moments intertwine as Mr.
Level C1Classics"Moo-oo-oo-oo!"A city traffic officer’s dull routine brightens each day with the brief, enchanting visits of a mysterious woman in a silky roadster, stirring dreams of love and longing amid the c…
Level C1Historical"Miss Lou"In a quiet Southern cabin, young Miss Lou struggles against the expectations of her strict guardians and the stifling traditions that confine her, yearning for freedom and her own…
Level C1Adventure"Martin of Nitendi"; and The River of Dreams: 1901A ruthless beachcomber turned tribal leader lurks in the shadows of a smoldering native village, clutching his last cartridge and a secret fortune.
Level C1Adventure"Long Live the King!"A reluctant prince reflects on his childhood and the troubled reign of his scholarly father, King Maximilian II of Pannonia, whose reign is overshadowed by court intrigues, a lovel…
Level C1Children's"Light Ho, Sir!"A hardened sailor, shaped by brutal streets and cruel ships, encounters a life-changing force that challenges his dark past and ignites a profound spiritual awakening.
Level C1Romance"Le Monsieur de la Petite Dame"In the glittering Paris opera box, a striking young American beauty sits with her unnoticed, somber husband—dubbed "Le Monsieur de la petite Dame"—igniting whispers and intrigue am…
Level C1Historical"Laramie;" Or, The Queen of Bedlam. A Story of the Sioux War of 1876Amid the rugged Wyoming frontier during the Sioux War of 1876, tensions rise at a remote military garrison where loyalties, secrets, and survival intertwine under the watchful eyes…
Level C1Children's"Jesus Says So": Or, a Memorial of Little Sarah G--Amidst poverty and hardship in 19th-century London, young Sarah finds unwavering faith and comfort in the promise of Jesus, embracing hope and love even as illness confines her to…
Level B2Children's"It's all real true"In cold, rain-soaked London, young Molly struggles to care for her ailing father while navigating the harsh realities of poverty and hope.
Level C1Historical"In the twinkling of an eye"In a world on the brink of the Lord’s Second Coming, personal dramas unfold against a backdrop of faith, prophecy, and the urgent call to awaken to a sacred truth rarely understood…
Level C1Adventure"In Sargasso." Missing, a romanceA seasoned captain of a tramp steamer embarks on a voyage that leads him into the mysterious Sargasso Sea—a vast, uncharted expanse of floating seaweed and lost ships where untold…
Level B2Classics"Impromptu"; or, How to Think on Your FeetLearn to think and speak spontaneously with practical exercises designed to boost mental agility, confidence, and eloquence.
Level C1Adventure"If Youth but Knew!"A reluctant king rules the patchwork kingdom of Westphalia, caught between Napoleon’s grand designs and his own self-indulgent whims.
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.