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 White ShieldA struggling artist hosts his first exhibition, haunted by the elusive quality his paintings lack, until a mysterious woman’s candid insight challenges him to uncover the true esse…
Level C1AdventureThe White ShieldHigh on the forbidding Hlobane Mountain, a white traveler shares tobacco and tales with fierce Zulu warriors, uncovering stories of legendary battles and the rise of a mighty natio…
Level C1AdventureThe White Scalper: A Story of the Texan WarIn the midst of the Texan War, a daring partisan and a determined colonel navigate treacherous terrain and uncertain loyalties, as battles, ambushes, and frontier alliances unfold…
Level B2RomanceThe White Rose of MemphisA daring captain and his partner launch the elegant steamboat "White Rose of Memphis," planning a grand masquerade ball to celebrate its maiden voyage from Memphis to New Orleans,…
Level C1HistoricalThe White Rose of Langley: A Story of the Olden TimeIn a harsh winter refuge, a weary mother wrestles with her past and faith while protecting her innocent child, Maude, whose purity contrasts with her own heavy sins.
Level C1MysteryThe White RoomOn a windy July night in the quiet suburb of Troy, a lone policeman’s patrol is interrupted by mysterious activity at a darkened house where a haunting Irish song drifts through th…
Level C1HistoricalThe White Prophet, Volume 2 (of 2)Amidst a fervent gathering in a grand mosque, an English stranger cloaked in Bedouin robes arrives, stirring hope and unity between long-warring cultures.
Level C1HistoricalThe White Prophet, Volume 1 (of 2)In a tense Cairo arena, a staged battle erupts into a vivid reenactment of the clash between British forces and dervish warriors, stirring ancient rivalries and the looming shadow…
Level C1RomanceThe White Plumes of Navarre: A Romance of the Wars of ReligionAmid the tense eve of Saint Bartholomew in 1572 Paris, Huguenot nobles face a deadly betrayal as political intrigue and religious war collide.
Level B2ClassicsThe White PeopleA lonely heiress in a remote Scottish castle recounts her strange, secret experiences and the mysterious legacy of her vanished parents.
Level C1ClassicsThe White PeacockIn a quiet valley where nature broods over its past, two friends confront the stillness of life and the restless stirrings beneath the surface, revealing tensions between inertia a…
Level C1HistoricalThe White Mr. Longfellow (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)In post-Civil War Cambridge, a young literary man embraces a humble, mortgaged home amid a society where intellect and character outweigh wealth.
Level C1HistoricalThe White Morning: A Novel of the Power of the German Women in WartimeIn a rigid German household ruled by military discipline, three sisters vow never to marry, challenged by a society that denies them freedom.
Level C1MysteryThe White MollIn the shadowy underworld of New York, Rhoda Gray, known as the White Moll, navigates a dangerous life where her true identity is lost amid crime and hardship.
Level B2AdventureThe White MiceIn a world where fate and humor intertwine, a former war hero languishes in a dungeon as four young Americans embark on an adventurous journey through Japan’s vibrant tea-houses an…
Level C1AdventureThe White Man's FootStranded amid the vibrant yet perilous customs of the South Sea Islands, two brothers navigate volcanic dangers and cultural clashes, learning that survival demands more than coura…
Level B2AdventureThe White MailIn a remote railway outpost, a devoted watchman battles illness and time to perform his crucial duty of signaling the White Mail train through storm and shadow.
Level B2MysteryThe White LieA naval officer returns to a quiet Norfolk village to unravel the baffling murder of his old shipmate, Dick Harborne, whose secretive life and sudden death hint at hidden dangers a…
Level C1HistoricalThe White Lady of Hazelwood: A Tale of the Fourteenth CenturyIn 1372 London, the valiant Countess of Montfort faces betrayal and exile after defending her son’s realm.
Level C1RomanceThe White Ladies of Worcester: A Romance of the Twelfth CenturyBeneath the serene cloisters of the White Ladies of Worcester lies a haunting subterranean passage where nuns walk in silent procession, haunted by the tragic fate of Sister Agatha…
Level C1AdventureThe White Kami: A NovelA young woman named Stella wrestles with disappointment and longing for romance amid the mundane struggles of family life in San Francisco, yearning to escape her quiet, unremarkab…
Level C1ClassicsThe White House (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XII)In 1825 Paris, a modest government clerk navigates the bustling corridors of power while maintaining appearances among wealthier acquaintances.
Level C1RomanceThe White HorsesAmid the turmoil of civil war, young Christopher Metcalf faces the fierce challenge of love and loyalty, caught between his heart's desire and the call to ride for the king in a la…
Level C1ClassicsThe White Hecatomb, and Other StoriesAmidst the fierce struggles of tribal wars and relentless migrations, a haunting tale unfolds where ancient customs clash with the terrifying arrival of strange new weapons, changi…
Level C1RomanceThe White Hand and the Black: A Story of the Natal RisingOn a stormy mountain top, two men—one white, one dark—engage in a silent, deadly struggle where survival means outwitting a hidden peril beneath the grass.
Level C1RomanceThe White GauntletIn a sunlit forest clearing, Marion Wade, a radiant high-born woman with her hawk and hound, awaits a mysterious horseman whose arrival stirs anticipation and tension beneath the a…
Level C1ClassicsThe White FlagIn a small, prosperous town, Elizabeth Spellman prides herself on a life built around her ambitious husband’s success and their elegant home.
Level C1Science FictionThe White Feather HexIn the misty hills of Pennsylvania, a weathered farmer bound by ancestral superstitions faces an eerie visitor claiming to be a scholar of German history—an encounter that threaten…
Level C1ClassicsThe White DoveA determined young woman urges a weary doctor to leave his quiet life and seize the vibrant opportunities of London, sparking a journey of ambition, self-discovery, and the fragile…
Level C2ClassicsThe White DevilIn a ruthless Italian court, exiled Count Lodovico confronts betrayal, corruption, and deadly ambition as powerful figures vie for control and desire, setting the stage for a trage…
Level C1AdventureThe White Czar: A Story of a Polar BearVenture into the frozen Arctic where a fearless hunter and his loyal huskies brave blizzards, icy seas, and wild beasts in a relentless quest for survival and adventure atop the wo…
Level B2AdventureThe White Conquerors: A Tale of Toltec and AztecIn the heart of Tenochtitlan, the vibrant Aztec capital, celebrations mask the dark tyranny of human sacrifice demanded by ruthless priests.
Level C1AdventureThe White CompanyIn 14th-century England, a mysterious summons brings together monks, warriors, and common folk alike, setting the stage for a gripping tale of honor, conflict, and adventure amid t…
Level B2Children'sThe White Christmas and other Merry Christmas PlaysCelebrate the spirit of Christmas with a collection of joyful children's plays that capture kindness, goodwill, and festive fun.
Level C1AdventureThe White Chief: A Legend of Northern MexicoIn the remote wilderness of Northern Mexico, a hidden valley thrives in stark contrast to the barren plains and rugged mountains surrounding it.
Level C1HistoricalThe White Chief of the OttawaIn the early 1800s, a determined group of settlers negotiate with Indigenous chiefs for the right to clear land along the Ottawa River, navigating cultural tensions and the harsh r…
Level B2AdventureThe White Chief of the CaffresBorn in India and raised among its people, a young boy embarks on a perilous sea voyage to England, facing storms at sea and the promise of new adventures that will shape his desti…
Level C2PoetryThe White Canoe, and Other VerseImmerse yourself in evocative verses where nature’s whispers, spiritual quests, and intimate reflections unfold—each poem a delicate journey through love, faith, and the quiet myst…
Level C1AdventureThe White BlackbirdA young woman faces a ruthless suitor’s threat aboard a shabby steamer off the African coast, where hidden dangers stir and loyalties are tested under a blazing tropical sun.
Level C2PoetryThe White BeesIn a mystical tale where golden bees vanish with a lost love, the white bees emerge in winter’s chill, weaving a dreamlike harvest of beauty and forgetfulness.
Level C1ClassicsThe WhirlpoolHarvey Rolfe, a man caught between past poverty and present leisure, navigates London's social circles with a quiet detachment.
Level C1ClassicsThe Whirligig of TimeTwo boys lie awake on a tense night as their mother’s mysterious illness unfolds in silence and whispered voices.
Level B2RomanceThe Whip Hand: A Tale of the Pine CountryAmid a fierce storm on Lake Michigan, a determined young leader rallies a brave crew to launch a daring rescue from the treacherous surf.
Level C1AdventureThe Whelps of the WolfIn a vast, frozen wilderness feared for its demon-haunted valleys, a determined French-Canadian trapsman defies superstition and danger to find a hidden river and trade for preciou…
Level B2ClassicsThe Wheels of TimeA devoted doctor balances his demanding medical practice with the tender life he shares in a sunlit rose-garden home, where love, family, and the mysteries of the human mind intert…
Level C1AdventureThe Wheels of Chance: A Bicycling IdyllA modest shop assistant, marked by mysterious bruises and a weary demeanor, embarks on an unexpected adventure fueled by his love for bicycling—discovering freedom and surprises be…
Level C1ClassicsThe Wheel of LifeTrapped in a gilded cage of wealth and beauty, Gerty Bridewell wrestles with unexpected unhappiness in her marriage and the elusive promise of contentment, as memories of friendshi…
Level B2AdventureThe Wheel O' FortuneAmid London's restless streets, a young, well-born athlete confronts the harsh reality of unemployment and social unrest, his fate intertwined with the fierce struggles of the city…
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.