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 C1RomanceThe Young DukeA young duke inherits vast wealth and estates but finds himself caught between the influence of a devoted guardian and the scheming ambitions of his aristocratic relatives, setting…
Level C1HistoricalThe Young Dragoon: Every Day Life of a SoldierA young farmer’s son defies family tradition to don the soldier’s red coat, trading ploughshares for perilous duty.
Level C1Science FictionThe Young Diana: An Experiment of the FutureIn a world where life’s meaning is a constant puzzle, Diana May embarks on a profound journey of self-discovery and wonder, challenging the boundaries of science, psychology, and e…
Level C1AdventureThe Young Deliverers of Pleasant CoveIn a bustling seaside town, a spirited crew of youths embarks on daring voyages aboard the swift brigantine "Arthur Brown," facing peril and adventure as they strive to free a humb…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Continentals at TrentonFour boys navigate the perils of the American Revolution, from secret missions to key battles like Long Island and the daring crossing of the Delaware.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Continentals at MonmouthFour young Continental Army couriers navigate the challenges of war, carrying urgent messages and witnessing pivotal moments like Washington’s daring Delaware crossing and the tens…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Continentals at LexingtonFour boys find themselves at the heart of rising tensions as Boston braces under British occupation, with colonial resistance swelling toward revolution.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Continentals at Bunker HillFour boys navigate danger and duty during the siege of Boston, delivering crucial messages and witnessing the heroic stand at Bunker Hill.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Colonists: A Story of the Zulu and Boer WarsTwo brothers grow up on a Derbyshire farm amid harsh winters and changing times, learning that courage and knowledge are both needed to face challenges ahead.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Circus Rider; or, the Mystery of Robert RuddA daring fifteen-year-old bareback rider and his towering giant companion navigate the thrilling, unpredictable world of the circus, uncovering secrets and facing adventures that t…
Level C1AdventureThe Young Castellan: A Tale of the English Civil WarAmidst the fading glory of a once-mighty castle, a young boy and his loyal caretaker polish ancient armor, unaware that the English Civil War is poised to test their courage and lo…
Level C1AdventureThe Young Carthaginian: A Story of The Times of HannibalAmidst the scorching Libyan desert, a diverse band of soldiers—including fierce Numidian horsemen and rugged Iberians—prepare for the epic struggle between Carthage and Rome, where…
Level B2HistoricalThe Young Carpenters of Freiberg: A Tale of the Thirty Years' WarAmid the harsh siege of Freiberg during the Thirty Years' War, young carpenter Conrad navigates a city under siege, where soldiers bring danger and death, and bravery emerges in th…
Level C1HistoricalThe Young Captives: A Story of Judah and BabylonNoble youths defy King Josiah’s efforts for order, sparking a dangerous clash that forces one, Ezrom, to flee Jerusalem by dawn.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Captives: A Narrative of the Shipwreck and Suffering of John and William DoyleyAfter a shipwreck in the Southern Ocean, two young brothers survive the massacre of their family and crew, enduring years of captivity among island savages before a chance rescue o…
Level C1AdventureThe Young BuglersTwo mischievous brothers at Eton embark on a daring nighttime adventure to avenge a prank gone wrong, setting the stage for a thrilling tale woven with historical battles and youth…
Level B1Children'sThe Young Bridge-Tender; or, Ralph Nelson's Upward StruggleRalph Nelson, the determined young bridge-tender, fights to secure his late father's rightful land amid village disputes and missing deeds, all while managing the daily tolls on th…
Level B2Children'sThe Young Book Agent; or, Frank Hardy's Road to SuccessA determined sixteen-year-old boy steps up as his family faces hardship, learning the ropes of selling books door-to-door.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Berringtons: The Boy ExplorersTwo adventurous brothers in Queensland prepare to welcome their refined English cousins, expecting culture clashes and wild escapades as city boys face rugged colonial life, cattle…
Level B2Children'sThe Young Bank MessengerA determined sixteen-year-old boy cares for his ailing uncle on the edge of the Iowa prairie, facing hardship and responsibility as he ventures into a small village to find help.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Alaskans on the TrailThree adventurous boys set out to retrace the historic fur-trader’s trail across the rugged Rocky Mountains, guided by seasoned experts.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Alaskans on the MissouriA restless uncle sets out to lead a group of young Americans on an adventurous journey up the Missouri River, tracing the historic trail of Lewis and Clark to rediscover the spirit…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Alaskans in the RockiesThree young adventurers set out to follow the ancient fur-traders’ trail through the uncharted Rockies, seeking hidden passes, wild game, and the thrill of a wilderness journey fil…
Level B2AdventureThe Young AlaskansIn the rugged Alaskan town of Valdez, three adventurous boys dream of exploring vast wilderness and hunting mighty bears, as the arrival of a steamboat promises new supplies and ex…
Level B2AdventureThe Young Adventurer; or, Tom's Trip Across the PlainsStruggling to free his family from debt, a determined young boy sets out from his humble farm to seek fortune and a better life beyond the plains.
Level B2AdventureThe Young Acrobat of the Great North American CircusTwo boys in Smyrna eagerly await the arrival of Barlow's Great American Circus, a dazzling spectacle of daring acts and exotic wonders.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yotsuya Kwaidan or O'Iwa Inari: Tales of the Tokugawa, Volume 1 (of 2)In a city mapped with ancient villages and steeped in tradition, unsettling ghost stories reveal the restless spirits and eerie customs of Tokugawa-era Japan.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yoke of the ThorahIn a gloomy 1882 New York, artist Elias Bacharach battles creative despair and finds unexpected fascination in a mysterious young girl at a costumer’s shop, setting the stage for a…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 4 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)Explore a profound dialogue unveiling the nature of the intellect as an eternal, unchanging vacuum that creates and dissolves the world like dreams—challenging the very notions of…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 3 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)In a royal assembly captivated by a sage's profound sermon, princes and saints delve into teachings on Stoicism and Nirvána, exploring the path to ultimate liberation through deep…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 3 (of 4), Part 1 (of 2)A saint embarks on a profound journey through stages of pranava Yoga, meditating on the sacred syllable Om to transcend the body and mind, achieving spiritual quiescence and transf…
Level C2PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 2 (of 2)Delve into profound philosophical discourse exploring the nature of existence, where the world is revealed as a mere projection of the mind—an ephemeral dream dissolving illusions…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 2 (of 4), Part 1 (of 2)Amidst a kingdom ravaged by war and chaos, a new ruler rises to restore order and sovereignty, navigating the turbulence of conquest, rebellion, and the fragile hope of renewal.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol. 1 (of 4)In a world overwhelmed by political strife, ancient sages reveal timeless teachings on true happiness, spirituality, and the nature of reality through profound dialogues.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Yoga-Vasishtha Maharamayana of Valmiki, Vol 4 (of 4), Part 1 (of 2)Explore profound philosophical teachings on ego, action, and renunciation as a sage guides a prince through the nature of reality, habit, and the path to liberation beyond illusion…
Level B2GothicThe Yellow WallpaperConfined to a barred nursery in a remote colonial mansion, a woman struggles against her prescribed rest cure while haunted by the house’s eerie atmosphere and the unsettling yello…
Level C1MysteryThe Yellow StreakAt the country estate of Harkings, the meticulous butler Bude manages the household with aristocratic expertise, while tensions simmer beneath the surface among the wealthy residen…
Level C1HistoricalThe Yellow PoppyAmid the turmoil of 1799 Brittany, Royalist guerrillas hide in a cramped attic, plotting in secret against the corrupt Directory and dreaming of restoring the exiled king.
Level B2ClassicsThe Yellow Pearl: A Story of the East and the WestCaught between two worlds, a young woman of mixed American and Chinese heritage navigates cultural clashes and family tensions as she leaves the East behind for a new life in Ameri…
Level C1AdventureThe Yellow Hunter; or, The Winding Trail of DeathAs war erupts on the Illinois frontier, Kate Blount prepares to defend her home and find her missing father amid a deadly conflict sparked by betrayal and vengeance.
Level C1MysteryThe Yellow House; Master of MenA newcomer to a tight-knit county village encounters whispered rumors about a mysterious woman living in the enigmatic Yellow House.
Level C1AdventureThe Yellow HordeIn the wild foothills, a lone wolfer named Collins contemplates the relentless survival of the cunning coyote, while a mysterious breed-wolf named Breed balances the call of his du…
Level B2MysteryThe Yellow HollyIn a fog-shrouded London boarding house, a mysterious young newcomer disrupts the quiet lives of aging residents clinging to faded respectability.
Level C1RomanceThe Yellow Frigate; or, The Three SistersIn 15th-century Scotland, three sisters’ intertwined fates unfold against a backdrop of royal intrigue, seafaring adventure, and ancient ruins.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow Flag: A Novel. Volume 3 (of 3)In a quiet village where gossip flows as freely as tea, John Calverley seeks refuge with his young wife Alice, hoping to escape his past—but the curious neighbors have other plans,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow Flag: A Novel. Volume 2 (of 3)A mysterious death reveals a man living under two names, entangling two women and their families in a web of secrets and heartbreak.
Level C1ClassicsThe Yellow Flag: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)A reluctant young man sets off for Ceylon with a generous financial backing, caught between family expectations and his own stubborn nature.
Level C1Children'sThe Yellow Fairy BookStep into a magical world where fairies, giants, and enchanted creatures come alive through tales from across the globe.
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.