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 C1RomanceShe and I, Volume 1: A Love Story. A Life History.In a charming, forgotten corner of London, a chance encounter in an ancient church sparks a deep, enchanting romance.
Level C1FantasyShe and AllanAn aging adventurer recounts his mysterious encounter with Ayesha, a mesmerizing and possibly immortal woman who claims supernatural powers and reveals hidden realms, challenging h…
Level C1HistoricalShe Would Be a Soldier; Or, The Plains of ChippewaAmid the tumult of early 19th-century America, a determined woman defies conventions by taking up arms to fight on the Plains of Chippewa, blending patriotism and daring in a tale…
Level C1ClassicsShe Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A ComedyIn a charming old mansion, family tensions and mistaken identities collide as a witty young woman devises a bold plan to win the heart of a shy gentleman, leading to a night full o…
Level C1FantasySheA strikingly handsome young man and his peculiar guardian embark on an extraordinary African adventure, uncovering mysteries that challenge belief and promise profound discoveries…
Level C1ClassicsShapes that Haunt the DuskOn a cold Christmas Eve, Mary slips quietly into a silent barn under a moonlit sky, where shadows and mysterious shapes seem to stir in the stillness.
Level C1HistoricalShanty the Blacksmith; a Tale of Other TimesIn a fading borderland castle, a restless young heir struggles between lofty dreams and harsh realities, turning to invention and the local blacksmith to revive his family's fortun…
Level C1RomanceShaming the Speed LimitA romantic young woman escapes her strict household to indulge in forbidden love stories, only to encounter a mysterious stranger who both intrigues and unsettles her—setting the s…
Level C1RomanceShameless Wayne: A Romance of the last Feud of Wayne and RatcliffeAmidst a fierce moorland feud, a resolute young Wayne faces loss and loyalty as storms rage around Marsh House, where old grudges and new love collide beneath the tolling death bel…
Level C1ClassicsShallow SoilA young man’s journey from hardship in Norway’s rugged north to the struggles and dreams of city life unfolds with stark realism and intense introspection, revealing the raw challe…
Level C1ClassicsShakspere, Personal RecollectionsStep into a soul-lit journey through the life and genius of Shakespeare as seen through the eyes of a timeless narrator who claims a spiritual bond spanning centuries.
Level C1PhilosophyShakspere and Montaigne: An Endeavour to Explain the Tendency of 'Hamlet' from Allusions in Contemporary WorksExplore the hidden political and philosophical conflicts behind Shakespeare's Hamlet, unveiling its role in a fierce theatrical controversy with contemporaries and its debate over…
Level C1HistoricalShakspere & TypographyExplore the intriguing theory that Shakespeare, before fame, worked as a printer in Elizabethan London, revealing how his intimate knowledge of typography may have influenced his t…![Cover of Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 2 of 2]: Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age by Nathan Drake](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf6bsoe1ofc73dhbqn0.webp)
Level C1HistoricalShakspeare and His Times [Vol. 2 of 2]: Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his ageExplore the life and times of Shakespeare through the lens of his patrons, peers, and the rich cultural fabric of Elizabethan England, revealing the influences behind his celebrate…![Cover of Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2]: Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age by Nathan Drake](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagp4sa5dk3s73eg9big.webp)
Level C1HistoricalShakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2]: Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his ageExplore the life and times of a towering literary figure through detailed biography, critical analysis, and vivid portrayals of Elizabethan customs, superstitions, and culture, all…
Level C1HistoricalShakspeare and His TimesExplore the turbulent reception of Shakespeare’s genius in France as this essay traces his profound impact on dramatic art, revealing the challenges of translating his unique style…
Level C1ClassicsShakespearean Tragedy: Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, MacbethExplore the inner workings of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies as vivid imagination meets detailed analysis, revealing the shared substance and structure behind Hamlet, Othello, Ki…
Level C1HistoricalShakespearean Playhouses: A History of English Theatres from the Beginnings to the RestorationDiscover the vibrant origins of English theatre as actors transform inn-yards into bustling stages, where audiences from raucous commoners to aristocrats gather to witness the birt…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare: His Life, Art, And Characters, Volume I.: With An Historical Sketch Of The Origin And Growth Of The Drama In EnglandExplore the mysterious origins and enduring legacy of Shakespeare through detailed historical records and personal accounts, uncovering the life behind the greatest name in English…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare: A LectureDiscover the humble origins and extraordinary genius of a man who transformed the world through words, rising from a small English village to become the unparalleled master of dram…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare, Ben Jonson, Beaumont and FletcherExplore the essence of poetry as a unique art that transcends science and prose, revealing how imagination, passion, and simplicity combine to create profound intellectual and emot…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare, Bacon, and the Great UnknownExplore the enduring debate over the true authorship of Shakespeare's plays, weighing the claims of Francis Bacon and examining the historical, literary, and legal arguments that c…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's treatment of love & marriage, and other essaysExplore the intricate interplay of love, marriage, and poetic imagination in Shakespeare’s works, as this collection delves into how his personal beliefs and social ideals shape hi…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's play of the Merchant of Venice: Arranged for Representation at the Princess's Theatre, with Historical and Explanatory Notes by Charles Kean, F.S.A.In Venice's vibrant streets, a merchant's fortunes and a wealthy heiress's fate intertwine amid themes of mercy, justice, and love.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's legal maximsExplore the hidden legal wisdom woven seamlessly into Shakespeare's works, revealing his profound understanding of English law and its maxims through insightful analysis and precis…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's familyExplore the rich genealogy and heritage of William Shakespeare, tracing his family roots from noble Warwickshire ancestors to surprising London connections, revealing the man behin…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's environmentExplore the world that shaped Shakespeare—his education, family ties, and the turbulent history influencing his art—from Henry VIII’s reign to the 1640 crisis.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's daughtersShakespeare’s iconic heroines gather in a mystical glade, wrestling with love, identity, and the challenges of living in a world shaped by men’s expectations.
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's Roman plays and their backgroundExplore the unique approach of Shakespeare’s Roman plays as they blend historical drama with literary innovation, tracing their sources from Plutarch to Elizabethan translations an…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's Lost Years in London, 1586-1592Explore the mysterious fifteen years that shaped Shakespeare's rise in London, revealing how his early works mirrored the vibrant political and social life of Elizabethan England.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Insomnia, and the Causes ThereofExplore the restless nights and troubled minds of men past youth, as revealed through Shakespeare’s keen observations and timeless reflections on insomnia, its causes, and its grip…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Christmas, and other storiesStep into the lively world of a 1598 Christmas Eve at Shoreditch Theatre, where familiar characters like Falstaff and Prince Hal ignite uproarious laughter and mystery amid swirlin…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen BessIn Elizabethan London, a group of witty and talented men at the Mermaid Tavern eagerly anticipate the Christmas play chosen for Queen Elizabeth's court, spotlighting a young playwr…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Bones: The Proposal to Disinter Them, Considered in Relation to Their Possible Bearing on His Portraiture: Illustrated by Instances of Visits of the Living to the DeadA thoughtful exploration of the proposal to exhume Shakespeare’s remains, examining how such an act could illuminate his true likeness and honor his legacy, while reflecting on the…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare the Boy: With Sketches of the Home and School Life, Games and Sports, Manners, Customs and Folk-lore of the TimeStep into the heart of 16th-century England, exploring the landscapes, customs, and daily life that shaped young Shakespeare’s world—from Warwick’s ancient castles to the games and…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare in the TheatreExplore the vibrant world of Elizabethan theatre where Shakespeare's plays were not just read but performed with dazzling costumes and lively stages.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare as a Dramatic Artist: A Popular Illustration of the Principles of Scientific CriticismExplore a revolutionary approach to Shakespeare that reveals his mastery of dramatic art through scientific criticism, focusing on five key plays to uncover the techniques behind h…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare and the Stage: With a Complete List of Theatrical Terms Used by Shakespeare in His Plays and Poems, Arranged in Alphabetical Order, & Explanatory NotesExplore the origins of English drama as religious rituals evolve into popular theatrical performances, tracing how medieval miracle plays transitioned from sacred ceremonies to vib…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare and the Modern Stage; with Other EssaysExplore the enduring vitality of Shakespeare’s dramas through essays that examine their representation on the modern stage, revealing how performance breathes life into timeless po…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare and Precious Stones: Treating of the Known References of Precious Stones in Shakespeare's Works, with Comments as to the Origin of His Material, the Knowledge of the Poet Concerning Precious Stones, and References as to Where the Precious Stones of His Time Came fromExplore the rich symbolism and historical context of precious stones as they appear in Shakespeare's works, revealing the poet's knowledge and the sources of gems in his time.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare and His Love: A Play in Four Acts and an EpilogueExplore the intimate life and passions behind the genius of Shakespeare, revealing the man reflected in his iconic characters and the love that inspired them.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare Study Programs; The ComediesDive into the lively world of mistaken identities and farcical twists as Shakespeare transforms a Roman comedy into a spirited English play filled with new characters and unexpecte…
Level C1HistoricalShadows of the StageStep into the world of the Elizabethan stage through the eyes of John Lowin, an actor who witnessed Shakespeare's glory days and the theatre's downfall under Cromwell.
Level C1HistoricalShadows of ShastaIn the rugged Sierras, Native American tribes face brutal displacement and broken promises from the government, as brave leaders struggle to preserve their people and homeland agai…
Level C1Science FictionShadows in the MoonlightA desperate girl flees through a wild marshland, hunted by a ruthless conqueror who delights in her torment—until a bloodied stranger emerges, driven by a furious thirst for vengea…
Level C1Science FictionShadows in ZamboulaIn the bustling, dangerous streets of Zamboula, a mighty warrior confronts whispers of a sinister tavern where travelers vanish without a trace—haunted by demons and dark secrets.
Level C1ClassicsShadows and sunbeams: Being a second series of Fern leaves from Fanny's portfolioA young woman recalls the warmth and simplicity of her childhood home, only to face harsh realities and cold dependence after her father’s death.
Level C1PoetryShadowingsA young samurai, ruined and regretful, returns to Kyoto to seek forgiveness from the wife he divorced in folly.
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.