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 Silver Domino; Or, Side Whispers, Social and LiteraryStep into a world of sharp wit and biting satire as social and literary elites face candid critiques and humorous parodies that expose their foibles with irresistible charm and aud…
Level B2ClassicsThe Silver Crown: Another Book of FablesA child embarks on a long journey toward a promised silver crown and kingdom, facing trials, strangers, and moments of kindness that shape his path.
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver Box: A Comedy in Three ActsIn a wealthy London household, a drunken son stumbles home with a stolen reticule, sparking a clash between social classes and hidden secrets.
Level B2ClassicsThe Silly Syclopedia: A Terrible Thing in the Form of a Literary Torpedo which is Launched for Hilarious Purposes Only Inaccurate in Every Particular Containing Copious Etymological Derivations and Other Useless ThingsDive into a wildly inventive lexicon where words are hilariously redefined with wit and absurdity, blending quirky etymologies and sharp social satire into a literary torpedo aimed…
Level C1ClassicsThe Silent MillAn old, decaying mill stands as a silent witness to a family's tragic past, where a fiery father's temper and his sons' fierce rivalry lead to devastating consequences.
Level C1ClassicsThe Silent IsleAn introspective traveler chooses a simple, deliberate life over restless complexity, exploring the quiet rhythms of a secluded landscape where still waters and silent fields evoke…
Level B2ClassicsThe Silent CallIn the harsh, sun-scorched lands where treaties are broken and survival is a daily battle, a band of Indian police patrols the desolate plains, led by a mysterious chief caught bet…
Level B2ClassicsThe Sign of FlameA brooding soldier wrestles with the shadows of a troubled past and the challenges of raising a gifted but rebellious son destined for the military life he resists.
Level C1ClassicsThe Side Of The Angels: A NovelIn a changing English village, young doctor Thorley Masterman struggles to find his place among old family rivalries and shifting social tides.
Level C1ClassicsThe Shoulders of Atlas: A NovelA worn shoemaker battles the relentless weight of debt and fading dreams in an early spring town, where beauty and hardship intertwine.![Cover of The Short-story by William Patterson etc.] Atkinson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagmt8micedc739b6bh0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Short-storyExplore the art of storytelling through the evolution of the short story, from ancient myths to modern narratives, revealing how unity, originality, and economy of means craft comp…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shopkeeper Turned GentlemanA wealthy shopkeeper dreams of rising into the ranks of nobility, hiring masters to teach him music, dance, and the arts of a gentleman.
Level C1ClassicsThe Ship of StarsA boy named Taffy grows up in a mysterious old gate-house, surrounded by lace-making women and his bookish clergyman father.
Level C1ClassicsThe Shewing-up of Blanco PosnetA sharp critique of theatrical censorship unfolds through a detailed parliamentary inquiry, revealing the absurdity and contradictions of controlling art under the guise of moralit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sheriffs Bluff: 1908In a remote Colonial county, the imposing Judge Lomax and the jovial Sheriff Aleck Thompson rule with contrasting styles—one of strict order and dignity, the other of charm and cun…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shepherd's Calendar. Volume I (of II)Amidst harsh winter storms and deep snow, a seasoned shepherd reflects on the hardships facing his flocks and the moral decay he believes curses the land, weaving a tale of nature,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shepherd of the HillsA weary stranger, out of place in the misty mountain wilderness, seeks shelter and meaning beyond gold mines and old legends.
Level C1ClassicsThe Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, and Other TalesAmidst the tranquil Salisbury Plain, a humble shepherd’s simple wisdom and steadfast virtue illuminate the challenges and blessings of rural life, inviting reflection on faith, ind…
Level C1ClassicsThe She Boss: A Western StoryIn the rugged wilderness of Mendocino County, Hiram Hooker, a good-natured but misunderstood young man, faces rumors and judgment from his tight-knit community as he navigates a li…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shakespeare-Expositor: An Aid to the Perfect Understanding of Shakespeare's PlaysUnlock the mysteries of Shakespeare’s plays with detailed corrections, insightful notes, and a comprehensive glossary designed to deepen your understanding beyond the simple text.
Level C1ClassicsThe Shakespeare MythUncover the mysteries behind the Shakespearean plays, exploring their publication history, textual changes, and the intriguing question of authorship in a detailed examination of t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadowy Third, and Other StoriesA young nurse, drawn by a mysterious summons from the renowned surgeon Roland Maradick, finds her life entwined with his charm and the strange case he entrusts her to.
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow of the CathedralIn the shadow of Spain’s majestic cathedrals, a bullfighter’s rise and fall unfolds amid passionate ambition, social divides, and ruthless devotion.
Level B2ClassicsThe Shadow of a ManIn the sun-scorched Australian bush, a city belle embraces a new life far from society’s comforts, while her fiancé harbors quiet doubts about the harshness that lies ahead—can lov…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow of LifeA young orphan named Elspeth is sent to live with her distant relatives in a grand Scottish estate, where the mysterious house and surrounding moorland hold secrets and a haunting…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow of AshlydyatOn a crisp autumn morning in the English countryside, a revered but ailing nobleman defies his frailty to join the spirited meet of the hounds, where old rivalries and deep regrets…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow Line: A ConfessionA young man, restless and discontented, abandons his comfortable maritime life aboard an Eastern steamship to confront the mysterious threshold between youth and maturity.
Level C1ClassicsThe ShadowIn a stormy Southern night, a judge faces a personal crisis as a hidden family secret threatens to unravel his life and challenge his unwavering sense of justice.
Level B2ClassicsThe Seventh NoonIn a laboratory where science meets mystery, a chemist unveils a silent poison that works slowly and surely, challenging notions of life and death.
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Who Were HangedSeven condemned prisoners face their final hours before execution, each wrestling with fear, hope, and despair.
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Poor TravellersOn Christmas Eve in the ancient city of Rochester, seven poor travellers gather at a quaint charity house offering lodging and scant provisions, where warmth and camaraderie ignite…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Plays in English VerseImmerse yourself in seven powerful Greek tragedies that explore fate, honor, and human struggle, from the defiant Antigone to the haunting Oedipus at Colonus, revealing the evoluti…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and IndolenceA young mother transforms a bleak farmhouse and its surroundings into a vibrant haven, crafting a nurturing sanctuary for her eagerly awaited child.
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Ages of ManExplore the early stages of human life through thoughtful reflections on infancy, revealing the mysteries and challenges of babyhood with humor and insight.
Level C1ClassicsThe SettlerIn the vast, untamed Park Lands of Manitoba, a determined settler confronts the harsh realities of frontier life, clashing over scarce resources and claiming his place in a land wh…
Level B2ClassicsThe SetonsIn a cozy Glasgow home, the Thomson family prepares for a lively party, balancing sibling antics and social expectations.
Level C1ClassicsThe Servant in the HouseIn an English country vicarage, a mysterious butler arriving from afar stirs quiet reflections on brotherhood and spiritual struggle, as daily life unfolds amid hidden tensions and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Serpent's ToothIn a quiet Midlands village, the formidable Dorothy Fenchurch rules her household and community with sharp wit and determination.
Level C1ClassicsThe Serapion Brethren, Vol. I.A group of old friends reunite after twelve years, only to confront the bittersweet reality that time has changed them all.
Level C1ClassicsThe SentimentalistsIn a shaded Surrey garden, young Arden courts Astraea, a devoted widow whose steadfast refusal to remarry challenges society’s expectations and tests the limits of love, honor, and…
Level B2ClassicsThe Sentimental Adventures of Jimmy BulstrodeA generous but impractical gentleman wrestles with unrequited love and the complexities of loyalty during a snowy Christmas season in New York, where charity, heartbreak, and socia…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seer of SlabsidesA lifelong naturalist reflects on the simple wonders of life at Slabsides, where every woodchuck and bluebird reveals a deeper connection to the earth.
Level B2ClassicsThe SeekerIn a quiet village where belief and doubt intertwine, a young boy wrestles with the mystery of Santa Claus and the unseen forces shaping their lives.
Level C1ClassicsThe Secrets of the Princesse de CadignanIn post-revolutionary Paris, a once-celebrated duchess now lives in quiet exile, navigating the delicate balance of fading aristocratic privilege and hidden social influence while…
Level C1ClassicsThe Secret SharerA newly appointed captain, unfamiliar with his crew and himself, faces an eerie stillness as his ship anchors near mysterious islands, where an unexpected vessel looms—setting the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Secret Places of the HeartA high-ranking official, tormented by the ethical chaos of a national fuel commission, seeks solace from a kindly doctor who listens as tensions mount and the threat of societal co…
Level C1ClassicsThe Secret GloryAn eccentric man struggles against the rigid conventions of his world, caught between madness and profound insight.
Level B2ClassicsThe Second Thoughts of an Idle FellowA humorous exploration of indecision unfolds as a shopper debates between a red or grey fabric, revealing the endless second-guessing that plagues everyday choices.
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.