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 C1ClassicsSchwartz: A History: From "Schwartz" by David Christie MurrayA writer haunted by a shadowy, axe-wielding presence struggles through a fog of mental exhaustion and creeping madness, as this mysterious visitor lingers relentlessly over his eve…
Level C1ClassicsSchool-Room HumourDiscover the charming and often hilarious world of schoolroom anecdotes, where teachers navigate the trials of education while capturing the unexpected wit and wisdom of their youn…
Level C1ClassicsScenes of Clerical LifeStep into the intimate world of English country life, where vivid characters like the devoted Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsScenes from a Courtesan's LifeAt a dazzling opera ball in 1824 Paris, a handsome young dandy searches anxiously for a mysterious woman, unknowingly shadowed by a masked figure.
Level C1ClassicsScenes and Characters, or, Eighteen Months at BeechcroftSpend eighteen months at Beechcroft with the Mohun family as they navigate everyday joys, challenges, and moral lessons, revealing how simple acts of duty can lead to profound self…
Level C1ClassicsScenes and Characters from the Works of Charles Dickens: Being Eight Hundred and Sixty-six Pictures Printed from the Original Wood BlocksDiscover a rich collection of nearly nine hundred illustrations that breathe life into Dickens' iconic characters and stories, blending faithful homage with vivid realism.
Level C1ClassicsScarlet and Hyssop: A NovelAs London bursts into the vibrant chaos of early summer, Lady Alston and her circle confront the restless monotony and desperate search for meaning beneath society’s polished surfa…
Level C1ClassicsScally: The Story of a Perfect GentlemanA couple’s charming quest to find the Battersea Home for Lost Dogs leads them through London’s streets, blending humor, family debates, and small-town charm as they search for the…
Level C1ClassicsSay and Seal, Volume IIn a tranquil New England town, the arrival of a mysterious stranger stirs curiosity and quiet anticipation, setting the stage for intertwined lives and untold stories beneath the…
Level C1ClassicsSaxe Holm's Stories: First SeriesIn a struggling village, Reuben Miller’s life is marked by misfortune and quiet sacrifice, while the birth of his daughter with an unusual name stirs curiosity and hope among skept…
Level C1ClassicsSawtooth RanchAmid the rugged challenges of Quirt Creek, two determined men struggle to keep a modest cattle ranch alive against the odds of harsh wilderness, strained family ties, and the encro…
Level C1ClassicsSavva and the Life of Man: Two plays by Leonid AndreyevIn a Russia roiling with revolution and despair, two plays probe the human spirit’s struggle against social upheaval and the cosmic mysteries of life and death.
Level C1ClassicsSaunteringsEmbark on a reflective journey across the vast, untamed Atlantic, exploring the myths and realities of discovery, the legacy of Columbus, and the enduring challenge of the ocean’s…
Level C2ClassicsSatiro-Mastix; or, the Vntrussing of the Humorous PoetA fiery literary feud erupts between playwrights in the vibrant world of Elizabethan theater, exposing rivalries, sharp wit, and the battles behind the scenes of the Renaissance st…
Level C1ClassicsSatan's DiarySatan, disguised as a wealthy American, embarks on a European tour seeking amusement but encounters humanity’s hypocrisies, cruelty, and deception.
Level C1ClassicsSarrasineAt a dazzling Parisian ball, whispers swirl around the mysterious and wealthy Lanty family, while the enchanting Marianina captivates all with her unparalleled beauty and voice, se…
Level B2ClassicsSarah's first start in lifeA determined young woman from a humble family prepares to leave home and start work as a kitchen maid, facing the challenges of service life with hope, love, and the support of tho…
Level C1ClassicsSarah BernhardtExperience the whirlwind life of a legendary actress whose unstoppable energy, fierce will, and dazzling presence command the stage and captivate the world, navigating triumphs, ch…
Level C1ClassicsSanta Fé's Partner: Being Some Memorials of Events in a New-Mexican Track-end TownIn the rugged frontier town of Palomitas, where lawlessness runs wild and cultures clash, survival demands grit and a sharp eye.
Level B2ClassicsSanta Claus's PartnerIn a snowy December, Berryman Livingstone—a self-made capitalist admired and envied—reflects on his relentless climb to success and the hollow social invitations that mask a deeper…
Level C1ClassicsSanta Claus' Daughter: A Musical Christmas Burlesque in Two ActsIn Santa Claus’ snowy palace, preparations for Christmas Eve unfold as Santa and his witty daughter Gussie navigate the magical world of fairies, mysterious accidents, and holiday…
Level C1ClassicsSans-Cravate; or, The Messengers; Little StreamsThree stylish young men prowl the fashionable Boulevard des Italiens, mingling wit, flirtation, and sharp social observations in the vibrant heart of Parisian high society, where e…
Level C1ClassicsSanineIn a stifling provincial town, a man who has escaped society's constraints observes the tormented lives of those around him, exposing the harsh truths of love, desire, and societal…
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni — Volume 7Emilia, adorned in a stunning Venetian gown, grapples with her newfound beauty and the complex affections of Merthyr, her enigmatic tutor.
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni — Volume 6In a fog-shrouded city, Emilia faces despair and isolation, caught in a web of power struggles and shifting alliances.
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni — Volume 5In a world of tangled affections and social intrigue, Lady Charlotte grapples with jealousy and desire as Wilfrid’s passionate letters reveal a love that challenges their guarded l…
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni — Volume 3Caught between society’s expectations and his own restless desires, Wilfrid navigates complex relationships with the proud Lady Charlotte and the passionate Emilia Belloni, where l…
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni — Volume 2A spirited group of Hillford's finest, armed with music and robust camaraderie, march to Ipley Common, blending goodwill with boisterous revelry.
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni — Volume 1In a society where music is the key to status, the refined Pole sisters navigate rivalry, social ambition, and mysterious nocturnal melodies that blur the line between art and intr…
Level C1ClassicsSandra Belloni (originally Emilia in England) — CompleteIn a refined English village, the mysterious, enchanting voice heard at night sparks rivalry and social ambition among the daughters of a prosperous merchant, while the enigmatic M…
Level C1ClassicsSandburrsDive into gritty sketches of New York's East Side, where Martin, a barkeeper and dog-fighting enthusiast, introduces a fierce bull terrier named Spot, setting the stage for a raw g…
Level C1ClassicsSanctuaryAmid the serene beauty of a late September estate, Kate Orme basks in the bliss of her engagement to Denis Peyton, yet senses an unspoken complexity beneath their bright future.
Level C1ClassicsSan SalvadorIn a Venetian palazzo, young Don Claudio grapples with forbidden love and his imperious mother's stern warnings, caught between duty, passion, and a family secret that threatens to…
Level C1ClassicsSan IsidroAmid looming floods that threaten to sweep away his riverside home, Don Beltran chooses to stay, embracing the river's wild spectacle alongside Agueda, whose quiet strength reveals…
Level C1ClassicsSamuel JohnsonBorn into a world of superstition and physical challenge, a towering intellect battles hypochondria and social peculiarities while mastering language, literature, and unexpected fe…
Level C1ClassicsSamuel Butler: A SketchBorn into a scholarly family, a young boy’s journey from an English rectory to the vibrant streets of Italy and the stirring music of Handel shapes his unique worldview, blending t…
Level C1ClassicsSamhain, Issue 1, October 1901An impassioned call to establish a vibrant Irish national theatre, blending Gaelic and English plays to awaken the country’s imagination and cultural spirit.
Level B2ClassicsSamantha on the Woman QuestionA determined woman sets out for Washington, D.
Level B2ClassicsSamantha on the Race ProblemWhen Cousin John Richard, a fervent colporter fresh from working with freedmen in the South, unexpectedly visits during a chaotic house-cleaning, he sparks lively debates and heart…
Level B2ClassicsSamantha in EuropeA spirited journey unfolds as Samantha, a curious and lively woman, ventures across the vast Atlantic and into Europe, reflecting on her past and the unfamiliar world around her.
Level B2ClassicsSamantha at the World's FairIn a peaceful evening in Jonesville, a determined woman decides to write about the World's Fair, inspired by the legacy of Columbus and urged by her pragmatic partner.
Level B2ClassicsSamantha at the St. Louis ExpositionJosiah Allen’s secretive behavior and mysterious land measurements hint at a hidden plan tied to the grand St.
Level B2ClassicsSamantha at SaratogaA witty and heartfelt reflection on the restless pursuit of pleasure and the fading sense of home in modern life, told through the eyes of a sharp-tongued observer who mourns the l…
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 7A determined woman challenges the exclusion of women from church leadership, arguing passionately for justice and equality within the religious community.
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 6A spirited woman challenges the church’s resistance to women’s roles, blending humor and heartfelt conviction as she tackles the struggle for justice and equality within her commun…
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 5A sharp-witted woman confronts the church's refusal to let women participate in leadership, challenging long-held beliefs with humor and heartfelt conviction.
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 4A sharp-witted woman challenges the church's exclusion of women from leadership, blending humor and insight as she advocates for justice and recognition in a world that often overl…
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 3A spirited woman challenges the Meetin' House’s refusal to let women sit in conference, arguing for justice and recognition in a world where women tirelessly labor for faith and co…
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.