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 Son of Clemenceau, A Novel of Modern Love and LifeIn the shadowed streets of Munich, a solitary young stranger navigates a city divided between the fading old town and its restless night dwellers, uncovering a world where beauty a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Solitary SummerA woman decides to spend an entire summer alone, immersing herself in nature’s quiet beauty to nurture her soul and discover true peace.
Level C1MysteryThe Solitary FarmIn a decaying Essex manor, a rough sea captain and a fervent young minister clash over marriage and legacy, revealing hidden tensions beneath the faded grandeur.
Level C1ClassicsThe SocialistIn a world where the British aristocracy reigns supreme, the young Duke of Paddington emerges from obscurity to claim his opulent inheritance and influence.
Level C1HistoricalThe Social Significance of the Modern DramaExplore the power of modern drama as a mirror reflecting society's deepest struggles and social revolts, challenging both radicals and conservatives to see art as a vital force in…
Level C1HistoricalThe Social Cancer: A Complete English Version of Noli Me TangereIn a rapidly changing Philippines under Spanish rule, missionary zeal and colonial power intertwine to reshape society, exposing the tensions between cultural conquest, faith, and…
Level C1ClassicsThe So-called Human RaceWitty reflections and sharp observations dissect the quirks and follies of everyday life with a sunny, alert spirit.
Level C1HistoricalThe SnowballAmidst the shadow of court intrigues and a royal conspiracy in 1602 Paris, a mysterious snowball delivers a cryptic warning—unraveling secrets that could alter the fate of the king…
Level C1PoetryThe Snow-Drop: A Holiday GiftWritten from a place of solitude and inspired by nature’s gentle beauty, these heartfelt poems explore themes of loss, faith, and hope, inviting readers to find solace and reflecti…
Level C1AdventureThe SnareAmidst the turmoil of the Peninsular War, a fiery British commander wrestles with political intrigue, supply shortages, and fierce enemies on the frontier.
Level C1AdventureThe Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-IIIIn a Kentish landscape shadowed by smuggling and lawlessness, bold smugglers clash with dragoons and local peasants defend their homes, weaving a gripping tale of crime, disguise,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Smuggler's CaveIn a remote English village, a humble local pageant unexpectedly ignites scandal, gossip, and political upheaval, all sparked by an eager vicar's wife, a hospitable innkeeper, and…
Level C1AdventureThe Smuggler Chief: A NovelIn the bustling, multicultural port city of Valparaíso, a daring French-born smuggler navigates the wild frontiers of 1833 Chile, where semi-civilized tribes and European settlers…
Level C1FantasyThe Smoky God; Or, A Voyage to the Inner WorldAn elderly Norseman’s astonishing tale reveals a hidden world beyond the frozen North, challenging accepted geography and ancient myths with a voyage into an unknown inner Earth.
Level C1ClassicsThe Smart Set: Correspondence & ConversationsDive into the glittering world of New York high society as a determined hostess orchestrates a grand ball, navigating family tensions, social ambitions, and the clash between old m…
Level C1RomanceThe Small House at AllingtonIn a rural English parish, the ancient Dale family estate stands divided between a grand manor and the lesser Small House, where tradition and changing times pull the heirs in diff…
Level C1ClassicsThe Slim PrincessIn a land where feminine beauty is measured by weight, one slender princess defies tradition and society’s expectations, challenging the very notion of desirability in a world fixa…
Level C1MysteryThe Sleuth of St. James's SquareA brilliant scientist on the verge of revolutionizing the gemstone industry is shadowed by a mysterious, servile Eastern giant whose presence hints at secrets and danger.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sleeping-Car: A FarceIn a bustling sleeping-car on the Boston and Albany Road, a young mother anxiously awaits a reunion with her long-lost brother, while curious passengers and quirky conversations se…
Level C1Science FictionThe Sleeper AwakesA man plagued by relentless insomnia wanders the coast, trapped in a waking nightmare of mental and physical exhaustion.
Level C1FantasyThe Slayer of SoulsHaunted by four years of a shadowy nightmare, a young American woman journeys across the seas, seeking peace and freedom from a mysterious, soul-destroying evil.
Level C1ClassicsThe Slaves of Society: A Comedy in CoversIn a lavish Berkeley Square drawing-room, a sharp-witted marchioness and her enigmatic companion navigate the gilded cage of high society, exposing its constraints and intrigues wi…
Level C1AdventureThe Slave of the Mine; or, Jack Harkaway in 'FriscoIn the gambling dens of San Francisco, a restless Englishman wrestles with luck and fate while shadowy figures and high-stakes games pull him deeper into a thrilling adventure wher…
Level C1AdventureThe Slave of the LampAn adventurous tale unfolds as a young man navigates foreign lands and unexpected challenges, immersing himself in the local customs and politics of distant countries, where danger…
Level C1ClassicsThe SlanderersIn a windswept estate by the sea, the miserly Zeus Gildersedge clings to his wealth and isolation, while his innocent, idealistic daughter Joan grows up untouched by love or sin—he…
Level C1ClassicsThe Slanderer: 1901At a lively wedding feast, a harmless moment in the kitchen spirals into scandal when a mischievous assistant teacher spins a tale of a secret kiss, igniting gossip that threatens…
Level C1AdventureThe Sky Pilot in No Man's LandA striking youth, poised like a god on a rock, plunges into a river, sparking concern and curiosity from a nearby missionary and his daughter.
Level C1ClassicsThe Skipper and the Skipped: Being the Shore Log of Cap'n Aaron SproulA seasoned sea captain, forced ashore by age and rheumatism, reluctantly takes over his late uncle’s tollhouse, trading the open ocean for a life filled with local characters, keen…
Level C1ClassicsThe Skin Game (A Tragi-Comedy)In a genteel English countryside, an aging landowner and his spirited daughter navigate the clash between tradition and modern ambition as new money challenges old social orders, s…
Level C1FantasyThe Sketch-Book of Geoffrey CrayonAn observant wanderer shares charming tales and reflections from both sides of the Atlantic, weaving a rich tapestry of human adventures and literary sketches that invite readers i…
Level C1MysteryThe Sixty-First SecondAmidst a looming financial panic, two powerful trust company presidents—one born to wealth, the other a self-made titan—navigate a web of manipulation and peril, where every second…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sisters-In-Law: A Novel of Our TimeIn the heart of San Francisco's rigid old aristocracy, young Alexina defies her Victorian mother's strict social rules to explore the vibrant, new world of the city's restless yout…
Level C1HistoricalThe Sisters — CompleteIn the shadow of the Serapeum's ancient walls, twin sisters Klea and Irene grow up amidst the intrigues of Ptolemaic Egypt, where Greek and Egyptian cultures collide and powerful r…
Level C1ClassicsThe Sisters Rondoli, and Other StoriesA reluctant traveler finally embarks on a journey through Italy, confronting the discomforts of travel and the loneliness of unfamiliar places, while his companion finds meaning an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Sister Years (From "Twice Told Tales")As the Old Year, weary and battle-scarred, prepares to rest, her hopeful sister—the New Year—arrives, full of promise and untested dreams.
Level C1AdventureThe Sirdar's Oath: A Tale of the North-West FrontierAmidst the roaring crowds celebrating a distant victory, a dignified Oriental man faces brutal hostility and mistaken identity on the streets of England.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sins of the Cities of the Plain; or, The Recollections of a Mary-Ann: with Short Essays on Sodomy and TribadismAn intriguing encounter in Victorian London leads to a candid exploration of the secret lives and desires of a captivating young man known as a "Mary-Ann.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sins of the Children: A NovelAt Oxford during Commemoration, a spirited Rhodes scholar prepares to impress his visiting family while navigating friendship, rivalry, and the complex ties that bind youth and amb…
Level C1PoetryThe Singing Man: A Book of Songs and ShadowsA man sings the toil and triumph of labor under the sun, yet faces a world where others claim his hard-earned bread, leaving him broken and forgotten in mills, mines, and prisons.
Level C1ClassicsThe Sin of Monsieur Antoine, Volume 1 (of 2)In a tranquil countryside setting, a mysterious young woman emerges amidst social tensions and hidden pasts, while a bold critique of society unfolds through interconnected lives m…
Level C1AdventureThe Sin That Was HisIn the rugged Yukon mining camp, the skilled and enigmatic gambler Three-Ace Artie maintains an air of mystery and control—until the arrival of a brash newcomer, the Kid, whose rec…
Level C1HistoricalThe Simple Cobler of Aggawam in AmericaA devoted cobbler in colonial America offers his honest, unpaid efforts to mend the fabric of a fledgling society, blending wit and wisdom to shape law and liberty in a turbulent n…
Level C1ClassicsThe Simpkins PlotAs Sir Gilbert Hawkesby rushes through a bustling train platform, he encounters a mysterious woman whose striking resemblance to his niece unsettles him.
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver Shield: An Original Comedy in Three ActsIn a stately English hall, artists and friends navigate creativity, creditors, and social expectations as a mysterious visitor arrives from Australia, stirring old alliances and ne…
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver PoppyIn a vibrant artist’s studio buzzing with bohemian charm and high society, a young poet named John Hartley navigates the clash between raw genius and societal expectations, where a…
Level C1AdventureThe Silver HordeIn the frozen wilderness near Kalvik, two weary men navigate treacherous trails and bitter storms, bound by mysterious pasts and uneasy companionship, as they confront the harsh re…
Level C1ClassicsThe Silver FoxIn a snowy English manor, Lady Susan and her circle navigate sharp wit, social tensions, and unexpected hardships like a Sunday dinner shortage.
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…
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.