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 Shakespeare-Expositor: An Aid to the Perfect Understanding of Shakespeare's PlaysUnlock the mysteries of Shakespeare’s plays with detailed corrections, insightful notes, and a comprehensive glossary designed to deepen your understanding beyond the simple text.
Level C1FantasyThe Shakespeare garden club: A fantasyFamous Shakespearean heroines gather in Stratford-on-Avon to revive the River Avon’s banks, blending wit, charm, and floral fantasy in a whimsical garden club meeting where classic…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shakespeare MythUncover the mysteries behind the Shakespearean plays, exploring their publication history, textual changes, and the intriguing question of authorship in a detailed examination of t…
Level C1HistoricalThe Shakespeare GardenExplore the lush world of Elizabethan gardens, where Shakespeare’s beloved flowers bloom in stately terraces and intricate knots.
Level C1Children'sThe ShagganappiCaught between two worlds, Fire-Flint Larocque faces the challenge of forging his identity as a "half-breed" in Eastern society, where belonging means everything and prejudice shad…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadowy Third, and Other StoriesA young nurse, drawn by a mysterious summons from the renowned surgeon Roland Maradick, finds her life entwined with his charm and the strange case he entrusts her to.
Level C1MysteryThe Shadow of the RopeTrapped in a loveless marriage and driven by desperation, a young woman plans a daring escape from her husband’s destructive grasp, preparing to flee London and reclaim her life on…
Level C1RomanceThe Shadow of the PastUnder the relentless sun by the Atlantic, two men gamble away a stroke of fortune while a mysterious girl with a collie disrupts their solitude, hinting at deeper connections and r…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow of the CathedralIn the shadow of Spain’s majestic cathedrals, a bullfighter’s rise and fall unfolds amid passionate ambition, social divides, and ruthless devotion.
Level C1HistoricalThe Shadow of a Crime: A Cumbrian RomanceIn a remote Cumbrian village, a brave man faces the extraordinary punishment of peine forte et dure, unraveling a tale of justice, folklore, and love amid the shadow of crime in Re…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow of LifeA young orphan named Elspeth is sent to live with her distant relatives in a grand Scottish estate, where the mysterious house and surrounding moorland hold secrets and a haunting…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow of AshlydyatOn a crisp autumn morning in the English countryside, a revered but ailing nobleman defies his frailty to join the spirited meet of the hounds, where old rivalries and deep regrets…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Shadow On The Dial, and Other Essays: 1909Sharp, witty essays explore political ideologies like socialism, anarchism, and nihilism, challenging accepted ideas with incisive commentary on government, society, and human natu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Shadow Line: A ConfessionA young man, restless and discontented, abandons his comfortable maritime life aboard an Eastern steamship to confront the mysterious threshold between youth and maturity.
Level C1MysteryThe ShadowA captivating woman with a shadowy past walks into Deputy Blake’s office, igniting a tense game of wits and power between law enforcement and a clever criminal.
Level C1ClassicsThe ShadowIn a stormy Southern night, a judge faces a personal crisis as a hidden family secret threatens to unravel his life and challenge his unwavering sense of justice.
Level C1FantasyThe Severed Hand: From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' CorporationA young physician from Constantinople journeys to Paris and Italy, navigating loss, cultural clashes, and mysterious misfortunes while trading exotic goods and practicing medicine…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Who Were HangedSeven condemned prisoners face their final hours before execution, each wrestling with fear, hope, and despair.
Level C1HistoricalThe Seven Vagabonds (From "Twice Told Tales")A lone traveler encounters a mysterious wagon housing a miniature, animated world of artisans, dancers, and soldiers brought to life by a barrel-organ’s music.
Level C1AdventureThe Seven StreamsA rugged warrior embarks on a solemn sea quest from the isolated Purple Isle, driven by faith and fierce resolve to reclaim his missing sister.
Level C1MysteryThe Seven SecretsA rising physician haunted by vague suspicions enlists the help of his investigator friend to unravel a shadowy conspiracy threatening his future.
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Poor TravellersOn Christmas Eve in the ancient city of Rochester, seven poor travellers gather at a quaint charity house offering lodging and scant provisions, where warmth and camaraderie ignite…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Plays in English VerseImmerse yourself in seven powerful Greek tragedies that explore fate, honor, and human struggle, from the defiant Antigone to the haunting Oedipus at Colonus, revealing the evoluti…
Level C1Children'sThe Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the AirTravel the globe with seven curious sisters as they explore diverse lands and cultures, sharing stories that blend geography, history, and heartfelt lessons for young readers eager…
Level C1MysteryThe Seven ConundrumsTrapped in a storm and desperate for rescue, three struggling performers face shadowy threats and unexpected offers of help from a mysterious stranger named Richard Thomson, whose…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and IndolenceA young mother transforms a bleak farmhouse and its surroundings into a vibrant haven, crafting a nurturing sanctuary for her eagerly awaited child.
Level C1ClassicsThe Seven Ages of ManExplore the early stages of human life through thoughtful reflections on infancy, revealing the mysteries and challenges of babyhood with humor and insight.
Level C1HistoricalThe Settling of the SageA lone rider journeys through a harsh, untamed sagebrush wilderness marked by violence and survival, grappling with the fading legacy of the old cattle trade and the relentless enc…
Level C1AdventureThe Settlers: A Tale of VirginiaAn old sea captain’s trophy-filled home overlooks Plymouth Sound, where two young gentlemen arrive seeking him, setting the stage for an adventurous journey from England to the New…
Level C1AdventureThe Settler and the SavageStranded and starving in the vast South African Karroo, young Charlie Considine encounters Hans Marais, a formidable frontier farmer.
Level C1ClassicsThe SettlerIn the vast, untamed Park Lands of Manitoba, a determined settler confronts the harsh realities of frontier life, clashing over scarce resources and claiming his place in a land wh…
Level C1ClassicsThe Servant in the HouseIn an English country vicarage, a mysterious butler arriving from afar stirs quiet reflections on brotherhood and spiritual struggle, as daily life unfolds amid hidden tensions and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Serpent's ToothIn a quiet Midlands village, the formidable Dorothy Fenchurch rules her household and community with sharp wit and determination.
Level C1HistoricalThe SerfIn the brutal anarchy of 12th-century England, Hyla, a scarred and enslaved serf, endures torture and hardship under ruthless lords.
Level C1FantasyThe Serapion Brethren, Vol. IIA scattered group of friends struggles to reunite their once-cherished Serapion Club amid illness and melancholy, seeking solace in shared stories and rekindled bonds beneath the o…
Level C1ClassicsThe Serapion Brethren, Vol. I.A group of old friends reunite after twelve years, only to confront the bittersweet reality that time has changed them all.
Level C1HistoricalThe Sequel: What the Great War will mean to AustraliaAmidst the turmoil of World War I, a wounded Australian aviator reflects on the clash between peace ideals and the brutal realities of modern warfare, revealing the profound impact…
Level C1ClassicsThe SentimentalistsIn a shaded Surrey garden, young Arden courts Astraea, a devoted widow whose steadfast refusal to remarry challenges society’s expectations and tests the limits of love, honor, and…
Level C1HistoricalThe Sentimental VikingsIn a dimly lit Danish hall, the birth of Lord Snorē signals a time of change and destiny.
Level C1RomanceThe Senator's BrideIn post-Civil War Norfolk, a graceful young companion with a mysterious past meets a charming senator's nephew, sparking a delicate dance of wit, allure, and unspoken secrets amid…
Level C1ClassicsThe Seer of SlabsidesA lifelong naturalist reflects on the simple wonders of life at Slabsides, where every woodchuck and bluebird reveals a deeper connection to the earth.
Level C1ClassicsThe Secrets of the Princesse de CadignanIn post-revolutionary Paris, a once-celebrated duchess now lives in quiet exile, navigating the delicate balance of fading aristocratic privilege and hidden social influence while…
Level C1MysteryThe Secret of the TowerA young woman seeks refuge with her doctor friend after a devastating betrayal just before a wedding, uncovering secrets and scandals that threaten to upend their quiet lives.
Level C1AdventureThe Secret of the Sands; Or, The "Water Lily" and her CrewA fierce November gale traps a foreign full-rigged ship against the treacherous Chesil Beach, setting the stage for a daring maritime rescue and a thrilling nautical adventure fill…
Level C1MysteryThe Secret of the ReefA young mate aboard a luxury liner crosses paths with a spirited American heiress who reveals her newfound love for the sea, while tales of perilous voyages and harsh trades hint a…
Level C1MysteryThe Secret of the NightAmidst the lively intrigues of a Russian estate, a mysterious young stranger defies orders and refuses to be searched, setting off a tense game of secrets and authority.
Level C1FantasyThe Secret of the League: The Story of a Social WarAs society grapples with new inventions like flying and sweeping social changes, a sharp-witted young woman challenges old-fashioned norms and a crumbling world order, igniting a s…
Level C1Science FictionThe Secret of the EarthTwo American brothers arrive in London, struggling with poverty and uncertain futures—one an inventor, the other a writer—soon uncover a mysterious, water-damaged document that pro…
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.