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 B2ClassicsThe bar actWhen rodeo star Len Carter combines auto parts with his daring trick riding, the competition is stunned and on edge.
Level C1ClassicsThe banker and the bearIn a world where old banking traditions clash with new ambitions, young John Bagsbury struggles to prove himself beyond his father's conservative legacy, encountering sharp contras…
Level C1MysteryThe avengerAn intelligence agent is pulled from diplomatic intrigue to investigate the grisly murder of a fugitive clerk, whose severed head signals the return of the notorious Head-Hunter.
Level B2MysteryThe astounding crime on Torrington RoadA New York reporter teams up with an insurance expert to unravel a baffling mystery surrounding a gloomy mansion in Boston's Torrington Road, where strange behavior and a hush-hush…
Level C1ClassicsThe art of fictionExplore the claim that fiction stands equal to painting, music, and poetry as a Fine Art, governed by laws yet requiring innate talent.
Level C1ClassicsThe aristocratsAmid the untamed wilderness of the Adirondacks, Lady Helen Pole navigates rugged landscapes and unexpected challenges while seeking solace and healing for her ailing husband in a r…
Level C1PoetryThe answering voiceDiscover a curated collection of heartfelt love lyrics penned by women since the mid-19th century, revealing their unique voices and emotions in an era when female poets began to s…
Level C1ClassicsThe angel of his presence; and Gabriel the AcadianA worldly traveler returns to America after years abroad, confident and refined but uncertain about reconnecting with his past and old acquaintances.
Level C1HistoricalThe amulet: A novelAn English girl explores the eerie quiet of a frontier fort in the Great Smoky Mountains after a long war, where the moon’s strange superstition and simmering tensions among soldie…
Level B2Children'sThe alley cat's kittenA scruffy alley cat struggles to care for her kittens through biting cold and hunger, finding unexpected kindness in a family’s backyard just before Christmas.
Level A2MysteryThe aircraft boys of LakeportFive adventurous boys in Lakeport trade their beloved automobile for the thrilling challenge of mastering biplanes and daring flights.
Level B2AdventureThe air splasherDaredevil pilot King Horn defies death with reckless aerial stunts that thrill crowds and test the limits of gravity.
Level C1RomanceThe adventurous ladyIn the chaotic aftermath of war, a composed young woman in a fur coat navigates a bustling train station teeming with diverse travelers, determined to reach her destination beyond…
Level B2MysteryThe adventuressA mysterious shooting at a chemistry lab sparks a high-stakes investigation into the Maddox family's deadly feud over a vast fortune, tangled with secrets of a captivating Mexican…
Level C1Children'sThe adventures of a donkeyFollow the witty and sincere Jemmy Donkey as he recounts his charming life from playful youth to unexpected adventures, revealing the hopes, pride, and challenges of a humble donke…
Level C1ClassicsThe adventures of a black coatA worn black coat reflects on its long life tied to power and politics, sharing its tales of human folly, virtue, and misfortune to guide a youthful white coat facing the unpredict…
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Rob RoyIn the rugged Scottish Highlands, young Colin Bane and Oina MacAleister grow up amidst wild landscapes and fierce clans, where strength and courage are tested in a land marked by a…
Level B2MysteryThe adventures of HeineA German secret agent navigates the shadowy world of espionage in pre-WWI America and London, balancing deception, political intrigue, and impending war as he takes command of cove…
Level C1RomanceThe adventures of Hatim Taï, a romanceFollow the legendary Hatim Taï, a chivalrous Arabian chief renowned for unmatched bravery, wisdom, and generosity, as he embarks on thrilling adventures filled with heroic deeds, n…
Level C1MysteryThe adventures of Dr. Thorndyke (The singing bone)A seemingly cheerful and benevolent man leads a secret life as a careful, solitary burglar with a knack for turning crime into a calculated business.
Level C1MysteryThe adventures of Dora Bell, detectiveIn the glittering world of London’s elite, a clever money-lender and his wife manipulate high society through secret pawnbrokeries.
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Captain O'SheaAmidst the Cuban rebellion against Spain, Captain O’Shea commands the daring tug Fearless, smuggling patriots and explosive cargo through perilous waters where capture means jail a…
Level C1AdventureThe adventures of Captain Mago; or, a Phoenician expedition, B.C. 1000Set sail on a daring Phoenician expedition as Captain Mago is summoned by King Hiram to secure rare treasures from distant Tarshish, aiding in the grand construction of King David’…
Level C1Children'sThe adventures of Andolocia, with the purse and cap of his father FortunatusA young traveler inherits a magical purse that endlessly produces gold and a cap that grants instant travel anywhere in the world.
Level B2RomanceThe adventures of Alphonso and Marina: An Interesting Spanish TaleIn Granada, the beautiful heiress Marina and dashing captain Alphonso share secret letters and moonlit lattice rendezvous, while her greedy guardian schemes to force her into a lov…
Level C1FantasyThe adventure of the broad arrow: An Australian romanceIn a harsh, waterless Australian desert, desperate miners gamble their lives chasing elusive gold amid fever, thirst, and decay.
Level B2Children'sThe adopted sonA young girl eagerly awaits the arrival of her new brother, adopted from a troubled past, as her community grapples with the surprising choice of a man who once caused ruin.
Level C1MysteryThe Zeppelin's PassengerAmid rumors of a daring Zeppelin's near-disaster over Dutchman's Common, a tense gathering unravels secrets of war, missing officers, and mysterious observation cars.
Level B2MysteryThe Zeppelin Destroyer: Being Some Chapters of Secret HistoryAmidst the dangers of early aviation and World War I’s aerial battles, a determined young pilot and his fellow airmen strive to outmatch the enemy’s deadly Zeppelins using daring e…
Level C1ClassicsThe Zeit-GeistIn a small Canadian town transformed by nature and ambition, a schoolmaster encounters Bartholomew Toyner, a philanthropist whose unconventional religious views challenge the rigid…
Level B2FantasyThe Zankiwank and The Bletherwitch: An Original Fantastic Fairy ExtravaganzaTwo children awaken at an empty Charing Cross Station to find themselves invited on a magical midnight train to Fable Land, where curious creatures like the kaleidoscopic Zankiwank…
Level B2AdventureThe Yukon Trail: A Tale of the NorthAs the midnight sun fades over the Yukon, a newcomer observes the rigid social divides of a frontier mining town where rough prospectors clash with a self-styled elite.
Level C1PoetryThe Youth's CoronalInspire young minds with a collection of gentle, instructive poems that blend amusement and moral guidance, offering a wholesome bouquet of verses to nurture the heart and intellec…
Level C1RomanceThe Youth of the Great ElectorAmid political turmoil and looming war, Elector George William confronts rebellious demands from the duchy of Cleves, testing his authority and resolve.
Level B2ClassicsThe Youth of Parnassus, and Other StoriesAn American student arrives at Oxford from the burgeoning town of Parnassus City, Indiana, bringing fresh perspectives and cultural clashes to the ancient halls.
Level C1HistoricalThe Youth of Jefferson: Or, a Chronicle of College Scrapes at Williamsburg, in Virginia, A.D. 1764In 1764 Williamsburg, a sharp-witted young man armed with humor and a gun defends his liberty—and his heart—amid college scrapes and friendships rich with playful banter and secret…
Level C1ClassicsThe Youth of GoetheTrace the formative years of a literary genius as he navigates early life in Frankfort, student days in Leipzig, and the vibrant influences shaping his character and art before set…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Sister: A Tale of ManitobaWhen a man’s boat is trapped on deadly rocks and no rescue seems possible, the youngest sister must summon unexpected courage to brave the stormy sea and save a life in peril.
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the SchoolIn a lively London schoolroom, mischievous siblings scramble to prepare for a visit from their formidable Auntie Anna, whose arrival promises change and challenges for the boistero…
Level B2Children'sThe Youngest Girl in the Fifth: A School StoryA talented but unprepared girl is suddenly promoted to the challenging Fifth Form, where she must master tougher subjects with the help of dedicated teachers.
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Volumes 1-3In a village shadowed by loss and neglect, the youngest daughter, Emma, returns home after her aunt’s scandalous marriage disrupts family fortunes.
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Vol. III.As Margaret anxiously awaits her lover's return, hidden tensions and complex emotions simmer beneath the surface of family and romance.
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Vol. II.Tensions rise in the Watson family as the arrival of the spirited Penelope disrupts their quiet life and stirs rivalry over invitations, friendships, and social standing—setting th…
Level C1RomanceThe Younger Sister: A Novel, Vol. I.A once-respected clergyman’s family faces hardship after his wife’s death and a contentious inheritance leaves the youngest daughter, Emma, caught between loyalty and loss amid shi…
Level B2RomanceThe Younger SetA man’s honor and career are shattered by a merciless divorce scandal, yet he remains dignified and silent while society whispers its cruel judgments.
Level C1PoetryThe Younger Edda; Also called Snorre's Edda, or The Prose EddaExplore the creation of the cosmos and the epic battles of gods and giants as ancient Norse mythology unfolds through vivid tales of order from chaos, divine conflict, and the prom…
Level C1HistoricalThe Younger American PoetsExplore a thoughtful study of America’s emerging poets born within the last fifty years, revealing the diverse voices shaping modern verse and the evolving landscape of contemporar…
Level C1AdventureThe Young Yagers: A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern AfricaNear the confluence of Southern Africa's great rivers, six young hunters gather by a campfire, blending friendship, family ties, and the rugged promise of adventure.
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.