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 C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen, Vol. 01 (of 11)Dive into the powerful dramas that shaped modern theater, exploring complex characters and societal challenges through carefully crafted translations that preserve the original's i…
Level C1ClassicsThe collected works of Henrik Ibsen Vol. 10 (of 11)In a sharp exploration of human emotions and social constraints, a complex woman navigates her role as her father's daughter rather than her husband's wife.
Level C1ClassicsThe collected stories of Elisabeth Sanxay Holding from Munsey's Magazine, 1920-1928A devoted wife navigates the quirks and restless spirit of her brilliant but troubled husband on their tenth wedding anniversary, balancing love, patience, and silent longing in a…
Level A2Children'sThe cock, the mouse, and the little red henWhen a cunning fox captures a cock, a mouse, and a little red hen, only the resourceful hen’s quick thinking can turn the tables and save them all from danger on the hill.
Level C1HistoricalThe cobbler of NîmesIn 1703 Nîmes, a bustling fair hides secret tensions as a mysterious showman displays the body of a "damned Huguenot," drawing a curious cobbler into a world of religious conflict,…
Level A2PoetryThe coat without a seam, and other poemsExplore a collection of heartfelt poems that reflect on war, sacrifice, and patriotism, blending delicate imagination with sincere emotion.
Level B2ClassicsThe coast guardsmanAubrey Sears, a dedicated coast guardsman, faces suspicion and rivalry as he prepares to inherit the Number One surfman post amidst Cape Cod’s fierce smuggling battles.
Level C1MysteryThe clue of the silver keyAt exclusive parties hosted by the enigmatic and wealthy Mr.
Level C1MysteryThe clue of the new pinIn the shadows of a bustling theater district, a mysterious Chinese restaurant hides secrets behind its gilded doors and discreet private rooms.
Level C1MysteryThe club of masksA confidential assistant to a renowned poison expert is torn between loyalty and duty when a mysterious phone call summons them to a masked dance where a dancer lies dead—poisoned.
Level C1MysteryThe cloven footA troubled heir journeys through a snowbound Devonshire night to claim his dying kinsman’s fortune, only to confront the mysterious young woman who stands between him and the inher…
Level B2ClassicsThe closed doorA stormy shipwreck reveals a tangled web of love and secrets between Captain Harry Owen, his unsuspecting wife, and the enigmatic Kitty Melrose.
Level C1ClassicsThe climbersIn a lavish Fifth Avenue drawing-room, a family navigates the aftermath of a grand event, revealing tensions beneath their polished facade.
Level B2HistoricalThe clammer and the submarineBeneath an ancient pine overlooking a serene harbor, a contemplative gardener wrestles with the changing seasons and the encroaching shadows of war, blending the quiet rhythms of r…
Level C1RomanceThe clammerA solitary clammer treasures his peaceful shore against the encroaching progress of the wealthy, finding solace and mystery in the tides and sunsets—until a sweet voice from the ne…
Level C1RomanceThe city of beautiful nonsenseIn the quiet shadows of Lincoln's Inn Fields, a tender romance unfolds on the eve of St.
Level B2RomanceThe city in the seaA young writer in post-war London struggles to find his place amid the bustling streets and fading romance, until a mysterious submerged city promises adventure beyond the ordinary…
Level C1RomanceThe circuit riderIn a rugged frontier wilderness, a determined circuit rider braves dangers from wild revels to highwaymen, bringing order and faith to a chaotic land.
Level C1ClassicsThe cinnamon heartIn a whimsical medieval realm ruled by King Nougat I, Princess Caramella’s suitors vie for her heart amid curious concoctions and brewing chaos.
Level C1PoetryThe chutney lyrics: A collection of comic pieces in verse on Indian subjectsDive into witty verses and comic ballads that satirize Indian life with sharp humor and lively rhythm, featuring ghostly visitors, bold characters, and playful tales that reveal th…
Level B2MysteryThe chronicles of Michael Danevitch of the Russian Secret ServiceAn explosive attempt on the Russian Emperor's life sparks a relentless pursuit across Europe, led by a determined secret service agent.
Level B2FantasyThe chronicles of Fairy landStep into a magical forest where firelight transforms into enchanted castles, brave knights, and mischievous faeries.
Level C1ClassicsThe chronicles of Break o'DayIn a fertile Michigan territory, Major Ratke, a determined inventor and philosopher, struggles to manage his vast farm and eccentric projects amid unreliable help and looming finan…
Level B2AdventureThe children of Old Park's TavernAt Old Park's Tavern, the bustling preparations for a lively political convention bring Dolly, a curious city girl, into the heart of country life, where debates, feasts, and unexp…
Level B2ClassicsThe children of DickensStep into Dickens’s London, a bustling maze of narrow alleys, crowded streets, and lively riverfronts filled with colorful characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways, rev…
Level C1HistoricalThe children of AlsaceIn the misty forests of Alsace, a divided family grapples with clashing loyalties amid the region's struggle between French and German identities.
Level C1Children'sThe childrenA reserved civil engineer embarks on a Mediterranean voyage, weary of uneventful travel and longing for adventure, when a fragile young mother carrying her heavy child catches his…
Level B2Children'sThe child's curiosity book, embellished with cuts.Discover charming tales and lessons about kindness, honesty, and safety through stories of playful children, friendly robins, and festive treats, all designed to delight and teach…
Level C1ClassicsThe chief Elizabethan dramatists, excluding ShakespeareExplore the vibrant world beyond Shakespeare through vivid plays that reveal the rich tapestry of Elizabethan drama, blending myth, romance, and wit to illuminate the era's theatri…
Level B2Children'sThe chest of toolsTwo boys face the consequences of forbidden mischief when a locked tool chest is opened, leading to a painful injury and a tangled web of secrets and lies.
Level B2AdventureThe cheerful blackguardA half-Spanish, half-Irish youth embarks on a restless quest across the Great Plains, haunted by mysterious howls and the search for his lost brother.
Level C1PoetryThe chaseDive into the vivid world of countryside pursuits and landscapes, where the art of wood engraving brings to life the spirited chase and the natural beauty that defines it.
Level C1FantasyThe chariot of the sunIn a world reshaped by the cataclysmic World-Storm, a newly crowned queen emerges as a beacon of hope and transformation, weaving love and sacrifice into the fate of a nation on th…
Level C1ClassicsThe changed bridesOn a fierce winter night, a determined bridegroom braves a raging storm and treacherous mountain roads to keep his wedding promise, while uncertainty looms over a grand marriage de…
Level C1ClassicsThe championIn a bustling newspaper office, a young printer’s devil dreams of becoming the fastest, most skilled compositor, while grappling with the harsh realities of his humble, ink-stained…
Level B2Science FictionThe cave girlStranded on a lonely shore, a fragile intellectual faces a mysterious, shadowy creature lurking at the forest’s edge, forcing him to confront his fears and primal instincts in a de…
Level B2FantasyThe cats' Arabian nights, or, King GrimalkumIn a kingdom ruled by the ruthless King Grimalkum, cats with lighter fur face exile or worse, while the beloved Pussyanita’s life hangs in the balance.
Level C1AdventureThe castaways of the flagAfter surviving mutiny and island hardships, the Swiss Family Robinson's saga continues as a young colony grows on New Switzerland, blending adventure, romance, and history in a vi…
Level B2MysteryThe case with nine solutionsIn a fog-shrouded town, an overworked doctor faces sleepless nights and unexpected visitors, hinting at a mystery that challenges his resolve and skills.
Level C1AdventureThe cardinal's musketeerIn the shadowy streets of 17th-century Paris, a gifted clockmaker’s adopted son discovers a world of intricate timepieces and hidden mysteries within his father’s shop, where mecha…
Level B1MysteryThe campfire girls of RoselawnTwo curious Campfire Girls dive into the exciting new world of radio, eager to install their own set and uncover strange messages from the air.
Level C2MysteryThe call of CthulhuA scholar's death leads to a mysterious bas-relief depicting a monstrous figure and cryptic writings, hinting at ancient cosmic horrors lurking beyond human understanding.
Level C1ClassicsThe cairnA heartfelt collection of reflections, memories, and shared wisdom, gathered like precious stones from many hands, exploring joy, sorrow, love, and the tender nuances of human expe…
Level B2RomanceThe cableA spirited girl with fiery red hair races through the city, delighting a playful band of street boys with toffee treats as she balances mischief and kindness in a bustling urban wo…
Level C1Children'sThe cabin on the prairieOn the vast prairie, a determined pioneer boy dreams beyond his threadbare clothes and humble cabin, yearning for adventure, purpose, and a life more meaningful than the restless,…
Level C1HistoricalThe bushwhackers & other storiesA young mountaineer climbs a rugged peak daily, eyes fixed on the distant valley below, longing for a sign of approaching conflict amid the serene wilderness.
Level C1AdventureThe buccaneer book: Songs of the black flagDive into the daring world of seventeenth-century pirates as songs and stories reveal fierce battles, forbidden love, and the haunting legends of the Scourge of the Caribs during h…
Level B2Children'sThe brother's return, and other storiesA man returns home after twenty years, hoping to reconcile with his brother Long John, only to find the past and their lives changed beyond recognition.
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.