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 Story of Francis CluddeOn a misty February day in 1555, young Francis Cludde stands reluctantly at his uncle’s gates along the ancient Ridgeway, awaiting the arrival of the formidable Queen’s Chancellor…
Level C1HistoricalThe Story of Duciehurst: A Tale of the MississippiStranded on a hidden sand-bar of the mighty Mississippi, a steamboat and its passengers face unexpected delays and rising tensions.
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Doctor DolittleA kind-hearted doctor with a unique gift speaks the language of animals, inviting readers into a whimsical world where creatures big and small share their stories and adventures al…
Level C1MysteryThe Story of Charles Strange: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst London’s crowded streets, Charles Strange wrestles with the mystery of Tom Heriot’s possible escape and elusive presence, driving a desperate search that pits loyalty agains…
Level C1MysteryThe Story of Charles Strange: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)In a quiet country manor, Lord Level lies stabbed in his bed under mysterious circumstances, with suspicion falling on his young and beautiful wife, Lady Level.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Charles Strange: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)A young boy named Charles Strange navigates the fragile beauty and looming sorrow of his early childhood, as his delicate mother battles illness and imparts to him a bittersweet le…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Burnt Njal: The Great Icelandic Tribune, Jurist, and CounsellorIn a land of powerful chiefs and intricate alliances, Hrut navigates feuds and marriage negotiations that will shape his destiny and the fate of those around him.
Level C1Children'sThe Story of Blue-BeardA mysterious nobleman with a striking blue beard captivates curiosity and hides a dark secret behind a forbidden chamber.
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of Bessie CostrellIn a fading rural village, an aging laborer faces the end of an era as the farm he’s worked on for decades changes hands and loved ones pass away, while his spirited niece Bessie b…
Level C1ClassicsThe Story of André CornélisHaunted by a tragic past and burdened with remorse, a man embarks on a personal confession, unraveling the mysterious death of his father and the sorrow that shapes his life.
Level C1FantasyThe Story Without an EndA Child lives simply in a hut, delighting in morning feasts shared with whimsical creatures who reveal the wonders of nature and the joy of freedom.
Level C1Children'sThe Story Hour: A Book for the Home and the KindergartenStep into the enchanting world of storytelling where lively children and whimsical characters come alive through tales of animals, adventures, and timeless virtues, all crafted to…
Level C1ClassicsThe Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century: Two Lectures delivered at the London Institution, February 4th and 11th, 1884Explore a detailed study of a peculiar storm-cloud phenomenon emerging in the 19th century, unknown to ancient and classical observers, revealing a shifting climate marked by prolo…
Level C1HistoricalThe Storm Centre: A NovelAmid the chaos of Civil War Tennessee, a Union captain finds himself unexpectedly welcomed into a Southern household, where tensions simmer beneath genteel refinement and divided l…
Level C1ClassicsThe StormIn a small Russian town untouched by modern ideas, Katerina struggles against the crushing weight of patriarchal tyranny and societal apathy, embodying a quiet revolt that reveals…
Level C1MysteryThe Stoneground Ghost Tales: Compiled from the recollections of the Reverend Roland Batchel, Vicar of the parish.In a transformed East Anglian village, a vicar discovers mysterious blurs in a boy’s photographs that hint at ghostly presences lurking near the ancient parish church.
Level C1MysteryThe Stolen White ElephantA sacred white elephant gifted by the King of Siam is stolen in New York, launching a meticulous investigation led by the unflappable Inspector Blunt, whose methodical approach pro…
Level C1MysteryThe Stolen Statesman: Being the Story of a Hushed Up MysteryAmid political power and public acclaim, the Colonial Secretary grapples with the haunting loss of his beloved wife while a mysterious figure shadows his every move.
Level C1ClassicsThe Stolen Heiress; or, The Salamanca Doctor Outplotted. A ComedyA grieving father schemes to secure his daughter’s fortune through a cunning marriage plot, weaving deception and ambition amid London's high society.
Level C1Science FictionThe Stolen Bacillus and Other IncidentsIn a tense encounter between a bacteriologist and a mysterious visitor, a deadly vial of cholera bacteria sparks a chilling reflection on the unseen dangers lurking in everyday lif…
Level C1MysteryThe Stillwater TragedyAs dawn breaks over the quiet village of Stillwater, a chilling discovery disrupts the peaceful morning: the body of old Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Stickit Minister's Wooing, and Other Galloway StoriesIn the rugged Galloway countryside, a hesitant minister faces the challenges of faith, love, and community in stirring tales that evoke the land’s deep history and haunting spirit.
Level C1ClassicsThe Stepmother, A Drama in Five ActsIn 1829 Normandy, a Napoleonic general’s family faces secrets and suspicions as his second wife’s intentions toward his daughter’s marriage stir tension within their chateau’s wall…
Level C1ClassicsThe Steel FleaAmidst a rivalry between Russian and English gunsmiths, a proud craftsman seeks to prove his homeland's superiority through an ingenious creation—a tiny mechanical marvel that hold…
Level C1ClassicsThe Station; The Party Fight And Funeral; The Lough Derg Pilgrim: Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of: William Carleton, Volume ThreeIn a rural Irish parish, the parish priest navigates the rhythms of peasant life, local disputes, and seasonal traditions, revealing a vivid tapestry of community ties, faith, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Statesmen SnowboundWhen a group of Congressmen travel to rural Kentucky for a senator’s funeral, they encounter old family secrets, political intrigue, and unexpected tales that reveal the human side…
Level C1RomanceThe Stars in the Pool: A Prose Poem for LoversIn a realm of enchanted forests and a gleaming castle, a young sculptor named Flame arrives to win the heart of Princess Roseheart, whose beauty mirrors the dawn itself.
Level C1HistoricalThe Starling: A Scottish StoryIn a Scottish parish, Sergeant Adam Mercer’s hidden past as a passionate poacher threatens to surface, stirring gossip and testing loyalties.
Level C1ClassicsThe StarbucksIn the rugged hills of East Tennessee, Jasper Starbuck, a resilient war veteran haunted by loss, navigates life with humor and iron will, while the arrival of city visitors stirs c…
Level C1RomanceThe Star-GazersIn a quiet English village, gamekeeper Ben Hayle guards his woodland against poachers while his daughter Judith wrestles with a past shadowed by the return of the enigmatic Caleb K…
Level C1RomanceThe Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 2In a court tangled with deceit and poison, Lady Lake’s dark scheme to ruin Lord Roos unfolds amidst fevered betrayals and desperate pleas for love and justice.
Level C1HistoricalThe Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 1In early 17th-century London, the bustling Three Cranes tavern thrives under the charm and savvy of Madame Bonaventure, whose French wit, exquisite wines, and elegant hospitality d…
Level C1AdventureThe Star WomanIn a remote, frostbitten outpost blending savage beauty and cultured artifacts, a lone man contemplates a mysterious calumet heavy with fate—setting the stage for a gripping advent…
Level C1Science FictionThe StarA mysterious new celestial body appears near Neptune, disrupting the solar system and dazzling observers worldwide with its growing brightness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Standard Household-Effect Company (from Literature and Life)In a world where modern comforts multiply household burdens, a sharp critique unfolds on the endless rituals of housekeeping and the toll they take on the "eternal-womanly.
Level C1HistoricalThe Standard BearerIn the turbulent summer of 1685, young shepherd Quintin MacClellan's peaceful life in the Scottish hills is shattered by fierce religious conflict and personal loss, setting him on…
Level C1MysteryThe Staircase At The Heart's Delight: 1894A young man’s desperate search for money leads him into a sinister pawnshop and a shadowy conspiracy tied to a series of mysterious drownings among New York’s elite.
Level C1ClassicsThe Squire: An Original Comedy in Three ActsIn a decayed Elizabethan mansion, a dark-skinned outsider and his sister navigate suspicion and secrets as mysterious keys and a sick lady's arrival hint at hidden intrigues beneat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Squire's Daughter: Being the First Book in the Chronicles of the ClintonsAt a lavish Court Ball, Cicely Clinton, a country squire’s daughter, steps into high society for the first time, navigating the dazzling world of royalty, jewels, and grand expecta…
Level C1RomanceThe Squire of Sandal-Side: A Pastoral RomanceAmid the rugged beauty of the Cumberland dales, ancient family traditions and Viking heritage shape the lives of the Sandals, where love, loyalty, and the clash of old and new worl…
Level C1ClassicsThe Squatter's Dream: A Story of Australian LifeA young squatter thrives on his Australian cattle station, balancing hard work, wild adventures, and refined pleasures—from mustering cattle to lively races and dances in the count…
Level C1RomanceThe Squatter and the Don: A Novel Descriptive of Contemporary Occurrences in CaliforniaAs Mr.
Level C1MysteryThe Spy in BlackA German naval lieutenant embarks on a covert mission, landing on a remote British island harboring the Grand Fleet.
Level C1ClassicsThe Spring SongA sensitive boy named Griffith Weston embarks on a summer journey to his grandpapa’s, caught between childhood innocence and the watchful care of his guardian.
Level C1ClassicsThe Spread Eagle and Other StoriesA young American boy raised amid European high society rebels quietly against his polished upbringing, clinging to his true identity on the Fourth of July.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sportsman: On Hunting, a Sportsman's Manual, Commonly Called CynegeticusEmbark on an ancient journey through the art of hunting, guided by the wisdom of gods and heroes.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sport of the GodsIn a post-slavery Southern town, the Hamilton family navigates newfound freedom and rising fortunes while facing societal challenges and personal ambitions.
Level C1PoetryThe Spook BalladsDive into a whimsical world of ghostly tales and eerie legends, where humor and haunting blend in lively, illustrated ballads that charm with both sprightly verse and clever wit.
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.