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 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 C1RomanceSamuel Brohl and CompanyFate brings together Count Abel Larinski, a struggling inventor, and Mlle.
Level C1MysterySamuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A MysteryIn a decayed London mansion, Samuel Boyd ruthlessly collects debts amid relics of lost grandeur.
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 C1HistoricalSamboe; or, The African BoyAn African boy’s journey unfolds against the brutal backdrop of the slave trade, revealing the harrowing realities of bondage and the enduring hope for freedom amid cruelty and opp…
Level C1AdventureSamba: A Story of the Rubber Slaves of the CongoIn the heart of the Congo, young Samba faces the brutal reality of the rubber trade that enslaves his people and ravages the land.
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…
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 2A sharp-witted woman challenges the church’s exclusion of women from leadership, blending humor and heartfelt critique as she debates tradition and justice in her rural community.
Level C1ClassicsSamantha among the Brethren — Volume 1A sharp-witted woman challenges the church’s refusal to let women participate fully, arguing for justice and recognition in a world where women have long nurtured faith and hope.
Level C1AdventureSalvageCaptain Drake, an independent steamship captain struggling to keep his ship and crew afloat amid fierce competition, stumbles upon a suspicious cargo and a desperate engineer with…
Level C1AdventureSalute to AdventurersIn a turbulent 1685 Scotland, a young man leaves his troubled home and secretive family life to pursue education in Edinburgh, embarking on a journey filled with political strife,…
Level C1ClassicsSalted with FireA young woman struggles to care for her stubborn father while wrestling with deep distrust for their stern minister, revealing a quiet battle of faith, love, and understanding in a…
Level C1AdventureSalt Water: The Sea Life and Adventures of Neil D'Arcy the MidshipmanBorn by the sea and raised by a steadfast old sailor, a young midshipman embraces the call of the ocean, learning the ropes and braving the harsh realities behind the romance of na…
Level C1MysterySalomy JaneIn a tense frontier standoff, two captured outlaws face a grim fate while Salomy Jane, a bold and enigmatic local beauty, defies expectations by forging a daring connection with on…
Level C1RomanceSally of MissouriA disillusioned young man leaves his restless New York life to seek fortune and purpose in the untamed wilderness of Missouri's rugged hills, where isolation and the raw landscape…
Level C1HistoricalSally DowsAmid the chaos of a fierce Civil War battle, a lone artillery unit holds its ground against relentless assaults, with the eerie charge of a riderless horse foreshadowing the grim t…
Level C1RomanceSally BishopIn foggy London evenings, clerks trudge through weary office routines, their vitality drained by monotonous days.
Level C1ClassicsSalem Chapel, v. 2/2A minister’s mother hides her anguish behind a composed facade as she faces a critical Sunday at Salem Chapel, grappling with fear and hope for her missing daughter.
Level C1ClassicsSalem Chapel, v. 1/2In the humble Salem Chapel of Carlingford, a new young minister arrives to lead a close-knit, spirited congregation divided from the town’s high society.
Level C1HistoricalSalammboAmidst the opulent gardens of Hamilcar's palace, soldiers from diverse nations gather to feast and revel, their cultures clashing and blending under the Mediterranean sun.
Level C1ClassicsSakoontala; Or, The Lost Ring: An Indian DramaA royal love story unfolds when a lost ring triggers a journey through memory and destiny, weaving ancient Indian drama with timeless themes of love, loss, and reunion.
Level C1ClassicsSaint's ProgressIn the summer glow of a peaceful retreat, Edward Pierson returns to his brother’s home, seeking solace from years of war and loss.
Level C1HistoricalSaint Patrick: 1887In a gritty urban neighborhood where dance halls and missions collide, a Saint Patrick's Day festival emerges as a beacon of hope and unity amid tension, temptation, and cultural d…
Level C1RomanceSaint Michael: A RomanceAmid the awakening stir of spring, a noble family faces loss and the weight of inheritance in a secluded mountain castle, where secrets and legacies linger in the shadows of ancien…
Level C1HistoricalSaint JoanA fiercely determined village girl claims divine guidance to lead France against its enemies, challenging kings, generals, and churchmen alike with her unyielding spirit and revolu…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1ClassicsSaint Abe and His Seven Wives: A Tale of Salt Lake City, with a Bibliographical NoteIn the rugged West, Joe Wilson races past a haunted ranch known as Old Nick’s Gallop, where dark memories stir.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level C1PoetrySagittulae, Random VersesIn a spirited poetic lay, the battle over women's higher education unfolds within Cambridge's ancient halls, as determined ladies confront a staunch assembly of fellows defending t…
Level C1PoetrySaga of the oak, and other poemsExplore evocative poems that journey through nature, history, and remembrance—from the silent woods of early Cincinnati to tributes honoring visionary educators—each verse inviting…
Level C1RomanceSaga of Halfred the Sigskald: A Northern Tale of the Tenth CenturyIn a land where elves and legends mingle, Halfred, a fierce Viking and unmatched skald, sets sail on his enchanted ship, the Singing Swan, to win glory through battles and song acr…
Level C1AdventureSaddle and MocassinEmbark on a rugged journey through untamed Yellowstone Park alongside seasoned guides, elusive pack trains, and a fiery Mormon freighter, as the adventurers battle unforgiving terr…
Level C1ClassicsSacrificeBorn into a world of wealth and hidden anguish, young Lilla Delliver navigates the haunting legacy of her aristocratic parents’ tragic fate and the fragile emotions that shape her…
Level C1ClassicsSacred and Profane Love: A Novel in Three EpisodesA young woman trapped in a decaying Victorian household longs for a passionate love that will shatter her inherited calm and awaken her soul.
Level C1HistoricalSac-Au-Dos: 1907A young man, freshly graduated and disillusioned with law, finds himself conscripted into the chaotic French army during the Franco-Prussian War, thrust into the raw confusion and…
Level C1AdventureRídan the Devil, and Other Stories: 1899In a remote Samoan plantation, Rídan, feared as a sorcerer and outcast, struggles with brutal overseers and isolation.
Level C1GothicRutledgeA motherless girl leaves her beloved school and childhood friends, stepping into an uncertain future with a distant aunt and new cousins she barely knows.
Level C1ClassicsRuth Hall: A Domestic Tale of the Present TimeA young woman named Ruth Hall faces an uncertain future as she prepares to marry, reflecting on a childhood marked by loneliness, family indifference, and a longing for love.
Level C1Children'sRuth Erskine's CrossesA young woman faces the challenge of welcoming a new, long-absent sister into her family while grappling with feelings of confusion, resentment, and duty.
Level C1ClassicsRuthIn a fading Tudor town, Ruth Hilton endures grueling nights as a dressmaker’s apprentice, caught between the harsh realities of her laborious world and the chains of social convent…
Level C1HistoricalRussian literatureExplore the vibrant world of 19th-century Russian literature, where poetry, novels, and drama intertwine with social and political ideals, revealing the nation's unique voice amid…
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.