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 C1Mystery"I Say No"In a quiet boarding school, tensions rise as a mysterious new student from the West Indies challenges the strict rules and uneasy alliances among the girls, igniting secrets and su…
Level C1Philosophy"I Believe" and other essaysExplore the struggles of the everyday man confronting faith, ethics, and society’s challenges in a world where religion’s role is questioned and personal beliefs shape life’s deepe…
Level B2Poetry"Horse Sense" in Verses TenseSharp-witted verses unveil the everyday struggles and ironies of life, from a tireless hen to the weary milkman’s dawn duties.
Level B1Science Fiction"Hey Ma, Where's Willie?"When Willie vanishes during harvest amid strange lights and eerie sounds, his family grapples with his peculiar nature and unsettling disappearances—hinting at mysteries beyond the…
Level C1Classics"Good-Morning, Rosamond!"In a genteel village where tradition reigns, Rosamond Mearely, a proud widow, navigates the strict rules of decorum and the unyielding scrutiny of her household staff.
Level C1Historical"George Washington's" Last Duel: 1891At Rock Towers, a young woman boldly challenges her uncle’s old-fashioned views by inviting an unconventional guest, setting the stage for clashes of tradition, strong-minded women…
Level B2Adventure"Forward, March": A Tale of the Spanish-American WarIn the tense days before the Spanish-American War, Ridge Norris—a gentle, cultured man torn between luxury and duty—faces family conflicts and political intrigue, while the call to…
Level C1Adventure"Five-Head" Creek; and Fish Drugging in the Pacific: 1901A lone man takes charge of a drought-ravaged cattle run deep in the wild Australian outback, facing desolation and isolation while discovering unexpected beauty and resilience in t…
Level B2Classics"Fin Tireur": 1905Stranded in a Sahara sandstorm, a lone French innkeeper known as "Fin Tireur" reveals a haunting past and a fierce bond with the desert where his daughter lies buried—offering a ta…
Level B2Romance"Farewell"An impoverished orphan and shop assistant encounters a graceful, aristocratic lady who unknowingly drops a precious purse, sparking an unexpected connection that challenges social…
Level C1Poetry"Excelsior"A determined youth travels through a village, tirelessly promoting Sapolio, a miraculous cleaning product, leaving its name shining on every surface from fences to mountain peaks.
Level C1Classics"Everyman," with other interludes, including eight miracle playsMedieval English towns come alive through vibrant pageants and miracle plays, blending biblical tales with the daily lives of craftsmen and townsfolk.
Level B2Classics"Erb"In a vibrant Southwark Park gathering, a young railway worker rises to address fellow laborers with candid questions and bold truths about their hopes and struggles, challenging bo…
Poetry"England and Yesterday": A Book of Short PoemsExplore evocative sonnets and lyrics capturing the essence of England’s historic cities, landscapes, and timeless moments—from the foggy streets of London to the quiet beauty of Ox…
Level C1Classics"Der Tag"; or, The Tragic ManAn Emperor contemplates signing a declaration that will plunge his nation into war, revealing the tense alliances and fragile honor that bind Europe on the brink of conflict.
Level C1Historical"De Bello Gallico" and Other CommentariesFollow Julius Caesar’s firsthand account of the Gallic Wars, revealing the strategic mind and political ambition that shaped Rome’s expansion and his rise to power.
Level C1Classics"Clear the Track!" A Story of To-dayAmidst the vibrant spring festival on the Riviera, a group of foreigners witness lavish floral celebrations and the captivating presence of the Wildenrods, where charm, rivalry, an…
Level C1Classics"Chinkie's Flat": 1904A remote Queensland mining camp thrives amid harsh sun and scarce water, where a famed gold-crushing battery fuels a frenzied rush of prospectors.
Level B2Children's"Carrots:" Just a Little BoyIn a modest household bustling with six children, the youngest, Carrots, stands out not for remarkable deeds but for his fiery curls and independent spirit.
Level C1Adventure"Captains Courageous": A Story of the Grand BanksA spoiled young boy aboard a grand ocean liner faces the gritty reality of the North Atlantic fog and the tough fishing fleet of the Grand Banks, where adventure and harsh lessons…
Level C1Classics"Browne's Folly": (From: "The Doliver Romance and Other Pieces: Tales and Sketches")On a hill known as Brown's Folly, the ruins of a grand, ill-fated mansion hold stories of a Royalist exile and eerie family legends, inviting a journey into the layered history and…
Level B2Adventure"Boy" the Wandering Dog: Adventures of a Fox-TerrierA wandering fox-terrier arrives in bustling New York City, seeking friendship and survival amid wary street dogs and shadowed alleys.
Level C1Adventure"Bones": Being Further Adventures in Mr. Commissioner Sanders' CountryIn the remote Ochori country, Bosambo, a self-styled king, summons his chiefs to a secretive meeting that defies colonial authority, hinting at mysterious plans and strange new pow…
Level B2Historical"Bobbie", a Story of the ConfederacyOn a grand Southern plantation before the Civil War, cheerful young Bobbie, marked by a broken nose and boundless courage, grows up amid lavish horse races and deep bonds, while hi…
Level B2Classics"As Gold in the Furnace" : A College StoryAt St.
Level B2Mystery"And That's How It Was, Officer"When gangsters vanish mysteriously in Morton City, Homer Nicholas recounts a whirlwind of events involving his eccentric uncle, a secret serum, and an unlikely wedding that may hol…
Level C1Historical"All's not Gold that Glitters;" or, The Young CalifornianIn a quiet New England village, news of California’s gold rush sparks dreams of fortune and adventure, but the young hopeful soon learns that wealth and trust are harder to find th…
Level C1Historical"All's Well"; or, Alice's VictoryIn 16th-century Kent, Alice Benden navigates village life amid the hardships of widowhood and the struggles of the cloth-working community, where neighbors' fates intertwine and re…
Level C1Historical"A Soldier Of The Empire"An aging sergeant, revered and beloved in his Parisian Quarter, recounts heroic tales of battle and loyalty to the empire while protecting his community with quiet strength and com…
Level C2Classics"A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry JamesExplore intimate letters revealing intense reflections on Ibsen’s play "Little Eyolf," blending sharp theatrical critique with vivid impressions of drama’s power and complexity.
Level C1Classics"A Modern Hercules," the Tale of a SculptressIn a city torn between wealth and poverty, a bold sculptress shatters societal norms with her daring art, while a fiery preacher challenges the congregation on morality and hypocri…
Level B2Romance"A Daily Rate."On her birthday, Celia Murray waits in a dreary boarding house for a letter that might change her lonely life, finding small comfort in mending worn clothes and imagining the warmt…
Level C1Classics"A Cathcart or a Riggs?"In a turbulent Western mining town, the fiery and unpredictable Pearl Brown ignites reform and rivalry, challenging the status quo with bold actions and sharp wit.
Level C1Historical"1914"As tensions simmer in Europe, an import-export merchant senses an ominous shift disrupting his business and the fragile peace.
Level C1Adventure!Tention: A Story of Boy-Life during the Peninsular WarAmidst the rugged Pyrenees during the Peninsular War, a young rifleman and his comrades navigate deadly skirmishes as they retreat from pursuing French forces, testing loyalty and…
Level A2PoetryA Child's Garden of VersesStevenson's beloved collection of short, musical poems about childhood — swings, shadows, ships, and bedtime.
Level C1Science FictionA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's CourtThe classic science-fiction novel by Mark Twain.
Level B2Science FictionA Honeymoon in SpaceThe classic science-fiction novel by George Chetwynd Griffith.
Level B2RomanceA Romance of Billy-Goat HillThe classic romance novel by Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice.
Level C1ClassicsA Tale of Two CitiesThe classic historical novel by Charles Dickens.
Level C1RomanceA pair of blue eyesThe classic romance novel by Thomas Hardy.
Level B2AdventureAdventures of Huckleberry FinnThe classic adventure novel by Mark Twain.
Level B1FantasyAlice's Adventures in WonderlandDown the rabbit-hole into a logic-bending world of riddles and talking creatures.
Level A2Children'sAndersen's Fairy TalesEighteen timeless tales including The Emperor's New Clothes, The Snow Queen, and The Little Match Girl.
Level C2RomanceAnna KareninaThe classic romance novel by Leo, graf Tolstoy.
Level B1Children'sAnne of Green GablesThe classic historical novel by L.
Level B2AdventureAround the World in Eighty DaysPhileas Fogg wagers his fortune on circling the globe in just eighty days.
Level C1HistoricalAutobiography of Benjamin FranklinThe classic historical novel by Benjamin Franklin.
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.