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 C1AdventureThe golden poolA lost match-box leads a young sea lover into a web of strange rumors, secret relics, and perilous adventures across Africa.
Level B2Children'sThe golden pennies, and other storiesDiscover heartfelt tales where simple acts reveal profound lessons: from the true value of giving golden pennies to the mischievous adventures of Old Tom, the cat, whose surprising…
Level B2FantasyThe golden heart, and other fairy storiesA restless boy slips beneath the waves, guided by a mysterious fish, to explore a magical underwater world where a lonely princess is trapped on a desolate rock, guarded by a fears…
Level C1RomanceThe golden fleeceTwo men inherit contrasting fortunes: one a grand abbey, the other a coal pit.
Level C1ClassicsThe gold-stealersIn the struggling mining town of Waddy, a quirky, ramshackle schoolhouse becomes the heart of community life amid hardship and ingenuity.
Level B2Children'sThe gold thimbleWhen Mary, a hardworking gardener’s daughter, visits the grand house of her employer, a treasured gold thimble mysteriously disappears, sparking a gentle tale of kindness, trust, a…
Level B2AdventureThe gold rock of the ChippewaIn 1775 near the Great Lakes, two American brothers face judgment from a Chippewa tribe torn between hostility and hospitality.
Level C1ClassicsThe gold of OphirA young Chicago man, armed with education but little fortune, navigates love and social disparity when his wealthy beloved’s parents disapprove of their union due to his lack of we…
Level B2Science FictionThe gods of MarsA man long believed dead returns with a secret: the power to travel between planets at will.
Level B2MysteryThe goddess: a demonAfter a night of heavy drinking and a suspicious game of cards with his friend Edwin Lawrence, a man wakes haunted by a disturbing dream that blurs the line between reality and the…
Level B2RomanceThe glad ladyA spirited American girl arrives in northern Spain with her sister and friend, ready to explore mountain villages, fiestas, and ancient monasteries—but she’s most eager to discover…
Level B1Children'sThe girls of Rivercliff School; or, Beth Baldwin's resolveAt Rivercliff School, Beth Baldwin faces the challenges of growing up alongside old friends and new ambitions, while navigating small-town gossip and the arrival of a promising you…
Level B2ClassicsThe girl with the green eyesIn a world of lavish weddings and hidden secrets, a young couple’s secret marriage and the burdens they carry threaten to unravel their lives.
Level C1ClassicsThe girl in the crowdIn a bustling New York apartment, Daisy Reynolds toils as a telephone operator, blending into the crowd yet privy to the city's intimate secrets through overheard conversations.
Level B2RomanceThe girl he lovedTorn between a manipulative stepmother’s schemes and her own heart, a young woman risks everything for a secret love with a handsome, penniless hussar amid the pressures of family…
Level C1ClassicsThe girl from nowhereIn a bleak London lodging-house, a young man of refined background confronts despair and defeat, severing himself from hope and the struggle of life.
Level C1MysteryThe girl from Scotland YardIn the shadowed elegance of Berkeley Square, Lady Raytham awaits unsettling news while navigating high society's secrets and unexpected visitors, including the formidable Princess…
Level B2MysteryThe girl from HollywoodA tense horseback ride through California hills masks deeper mysteries as a man struggles with his drinking and a woman senses hidden dangers in the mountains.
Level B2ClassicsThe girl at Silver ThistleIn the remote desert station of Silver Thistle, Nevada Buckley’s quiet life revolves around the comings and goings of trains, especially the mysterious "Special" that might hold un…
Level C1ClassicsThe gift of friendshipAmidst life's selfish chill, heartfelt connections ignite warmth and inspiration, transforming strangers into cherished friends.
Level C1PoetryThe giant, and other nonsense verseDive into a whimsical world where giants roam, seas turn salty by curious tales, and day and night stir playful debates—all woven through delightfully nonsensical verse that sparks…
Level C1FantasyThe ghost of Charlotte Cray, and other storiesA newlywed publisher wrestles with the ghost of his past in the form of Charlotte Cray, a persistent authoress who refuses to let go—threatening to unravel his carefully constructe…
Level C1MysteryThe genuine tryal of Dr. Nosmoth, a physician in PekinIn imperial China, where physicians face strict exams and deadly consequences for failure, a renowned doctor is put on trial after treating a powerful Mandarin.
Level C1PoetryThe gardenerA devoted servant longs to become the gardener of his queen’s flower garden, offering tender care and quiet companionship.
Level C1RomanceThe garden of resurrectionOn the first day of spring, an unattractive man observes a lively park scene, envying the simple joys and unnoticed connections around him while reflecting on his own lonely existe…
Level C1MysteryThe gamblersTwo women escape the dull confines of London society for a year of glamour and intrigue across Europe, from Paris to Monte Carlo and Rome.
Level C1FantasyThe fulfilmentIn a world where selfishness breeds darkness, a mysterious land called Lucifram reveals the true power of selfless work and the unexpected blessings it brings.
Level C2PoetryThe fugitiveA restless eternal wanderer sweeps through time and space, stirring life and light with each fleeting step.
Level C1AdventureThe frontiersmenIn the untamed wilderness of 1783 Western New York, frontier settlers and Native American tribes clash amid the turmoil of the Revolutionary War, where alliances shift and survival…
Level C1ClassicsThe friends, and other storiesTwo friends, White and Mapleson, navigate the bustling London furnishing trade with a bond forged over endless drinks and shared lunches.
Level C1HistoricalThe friar of WittenbergAmid the opulent intrigue of the Vatican, a fiery friar from Wittenberg challenges the Church’s authority with a bold new faith, sparking tension among cardinals and nobles.
Level B2HistoricalThe freed boy in AlabamaIn post-Civil War Alabama, young Tom Alson wrestles with a choice between pursuing an education and accepting hard labor on a plantation.
Level C1ClassicsThe frantic masterA man haunted by a lost love navigates a tangled social web, where intellect, beauty, and breeding collide beneath the surface of polite gatherings.
Level C1ClassicsThe framed fiftyIn Havana, Mike O'Donnell runs a bustling bar, proudly displaying the framed fifty-dollar bill that symbolizes his independence and success since fleeing Prohibition-era New York.
Level B2HistoricalThe foster-sistersIn a sunlit convent in Provence, a young girl recalls her childhood filled with secret corners, whispered histories, and the gentle care of Mother Prudentia.
Level C1HistoricalThe forty-five guardsmenIn turbulent 1585 Paris, as crowds gather under closed gates and whispers of rebellion stir, a mysterious stranger observes the tense anticipation of an execution and the arrival o…
Level B2HistoricalThe fortunes of FifiIn 1804 Paris, Mademoiselle Fifi rises to become the leading lady of the Imperial Theater, navigating the treacherous world of ambition, flirtations, and power struggles behind the…
Level B2Children'sThe fortunate calamityA family faces unexpected challenges when Aunt Elsie, long cared for by a devoted companion, must find a new home—bringing old tensions and secrets to the surface in a household al…
Level B2AdventureThe fort in the wildernessYoung hunters navigate the dangers of the Virginia wilderness amid rising tensions between settlers and Native tribes led by Chief Pontiac.
Level C1ClassicsThe forged coupon, and other storiesExplore the clash between materialism and spiritual power as a visionary grapples with faith, idealism, and the soul of the common people, revealing the enduring struggle for meani…
Level C1HistoricalThe foreign debt of English literatureExplore the rich tapestry of English literature shaped by diverse foreign influences—from Greek and Roman classics to Italian and French traditions—and discover how these cultural…
Level C1PoetryThe foray of Queen Meave, and other legends of Ireland's heroic ageIn the heart of Ireland’s Heroic Age, legendary warriors and kings clash in epic tales of honor, betrayal, and valor.
Level B2AdventureThe fool of the familyThirteen-year-old Tommy’s good intentions lead to chaos at home, as his zeal turns simple chores into disasters.
Level C1ClassicsThe folk of Furry FarmStep into the heart of an Irish village where folklore meets everyday life, capturing the vibrant spirit and rich traditions of rural Ireland through vivid prose that brings its pe…
Level B2HistoricalThe fog princesIn a stately Welsh castle blending ancient grandeur with modern comforts, the Earl of St.
Level B2AdventureThe flying chanceA young naval ensign with a passion for flying faces rejection due to imperfect eyesight, forcing him to abandon his dreams of aviation and confront the harsh realities of military…
Level C2PoetryThe flower and the leafIn a lush, secret garden blooming with vibrant flowers and melodious birdsong, a restless soul wanders through a fragrant paradise where nature’s beauty and enchanting voices promi…
Level C1HistoricalThe flight of the heronIn the rugged Scottish Highlands of 1745, a young Highlander watches intently by a shimmering loch, caught between loyalty and secret fears.
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.