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 C1FantasyTales From the "Phantasus," etc. of Ludwig TieckAmid the turmoil of a faithless Europe, a man confronts the deepest moral and existential questions, navigating a world where virtue and vice intertwine with the supernatural.
Level B2AdventureTales From Scottish BalladsAn old, blind harper from Lochmaben, thought simple by his neighbors, sets out on a daring quest to steal the English king’s prized brown horse, relying on his wits, his loyal mare…
Level B2Children'sTales From Catland, for Little KittensIn a grand palace where a princess understands the language of animals, two very different cats—stern Glumdalkin and lively Friskarina—navigate their curious adventures, secrets, a…
PoetryTalesExplore vivid poetic narratives that delve into human nature, society, and morality, revealing timeless tales through rich verse and keen observation.
Level C1ClassicsTalbot's AnglesAs the sun sets over quiet farmland, Linda Talbot faces a painful choice between family loyalty and independence when her brother’s widow claims control of their inherited home, fo…
Level C1ClassicsTaking the Census: A FarceA determined census taker visits Mrs.
Level B2HistoricalTaking the Bastile; Or, Pitou the Peasant: A Historical Story of the Great French RevolutionAmid the harsh winter of revolutionary France, a mysterious traveler arrives at a secluded village, bearing a newborn and seeking Madeline Pitou.
Level B2AdventureTaking Tales: Instructive and Entertaining ReadingIn a village where good water and clean air prevail, mysterious fevers still strike, prompting Farmer Grey to uncover hidden dangers lurking beneath the cottages.
Level C1AdventureTaking ChancesDive into the gritty world of horse racing and high-stakes poker, where gamblers wrestle with luck, deception, and the allure of big wins.
Level B1Children'sTaken or leftIn a bustling household of ten brothers and one cherished little sister, young Peter navigates family struggles and the heavy burdens his mother bears, determined to protect and ca…
Level C1AdventureTaken by the EnemyA wealthy captain returns from a cruise to shocking news that unsettles his normally composed demeanor, setting the stage for a gripping tale of conflict and loyalty amid the linge…
Level C1MysteryTaken AliveA mysterious visitor disrupts the quiet life at a remote mine, setting off a chain of events filled with suspense and unexpected revelations.
Level C1ClassicsTagalog Texts with Grammatical AnalysisExplore the first scientific phonetic transcription and analysis of Tagalog through the vivid speech and stories of an educated native speaker, revealing unique accentuation and li…
Level B2Children'sTad Coon's TricksIn a lively woodland where every creature plays a role, clever dogs sing haunting hunting songs that stir the forest to life, while a rabbit and his friends grapple with the myster…
Level B2AdventureTad Coon's Great AdventureLost in the woods, Tad Coon’s friends rally the woodland creatures for a daring rescue, while Nibble Rabbit discovers unexpected love and new challenges in the Deep Woods.
Level C1HistoricalTacitus on GermanyExplore the rugged lands and fierce tribes of ancient Germany through vivid accounts of their origins, customs, and warrior spirit, revealing a culture both mysterious and unyieldi…
Level C1HistoricalTacitus and Bracciolini. The Annals Forged in the XVth CenturyUncover a riveting historical investigation that challenges the authenticity of Tacitus's Annals, proposing they were a fifteenth-century forgery by the Renaissance figure Poggio B…
Level C1PhilosophyTabletsExplore the profound connection between humanity and nature through meditations on gardens, orchards, and rural life as symbols of civilization, wisdom, and virtue.
Level B2ClassicsTable d'HôteA domestic power struggle unfolds when Mr.
Level C1ClassicsTable Talk: Essays on Men and MannersExplore the quiet joys of painting and the reflective pleasures of art in essays that reveal the intimate struggles and triumphs of creativity, where Nature becomes both adversary…
Level B2Children'sTabby's travelsA mischievous tortoiseshell kitten named Tabby navigates the warmth and trials of a bustling kitchen, where playful antics lead to unexpected adventures and lessons about curiosity…
Level C1ClassicsT. TembaromA resilient ten-year-old boy, orphaned and impoverished in Brooklyn, navigates hardship with a bright grin and fierce determination.
Level C1ClassicsSynge and the Ireland of His TimeStep into the turbulent world of early 20th-century Ireland, where the provocative plays of a daring playwright ignite fierce debate and challenge patriotic ideals, revealing the c…
Level C1Science FictionSymzonia: Voyage of DiscoveryEmbark on a daring voyage to the mysterious southern polar regions, where a captain discovers an unknown continent and enters a hidden internal world inhabited by advanced beings w…
Level C1PhilosophySymposiumAt a banquet celebrating a tragic victory, guests take turns delivering profound speeches honoring love, exploring its divine and earthly forms, its power to inspire courage and vi…
Level C1RomanceSylvie: souvenirs du ValoisA young poet haunted by lost love and memories of the French countryside seeks a mysterious maiden named Sylvie, whose enchanting songs and rustic charm evoke the fading beauty of…
Level B2FantasySylvie and BrunoIn a whimsical realm where protests for "Less Bread!
Level C1HistoricalSylvia's Lovers — CompleteIn the rugged coastal town of Monkshaven, where whaling fortunes shape lives, a young apprentice navigates the harsh sea and social tides of the late 18th century, caught between t…
Level C1HistoricalSylph Etherege: (From: "The Snow Image and Other Twice-Told Tales")In a secluded garden, two observers watch a young girl enchanted by an imaginary cousin she has never met, while a mysterious figure schemes to disrupt her delicate fantasy.
Level C1ClassicsSydney SmithDiscover the intriguing life of Sydney Smith, tracing his rise from humble beginnings to a celebrated figure through letters, memoirs, and personal accounts that reveal his wit, ed…
Level B2RomanceSydney Lisle, the Heiress of St. QuentinOn a rainy London afternoon, young Sydney Lisle eagerly awaits the arrival of her family, clutching a letter that promises her first literary success and a guinea prize—launching h…
Level B2HistoricalSyd Belton: The Boy Who Would Not Go to SeaA spirited boy from a proud naval family shocks his stern uncles by refusing the sea life expected of him, revealing his surprising ambition to become a doctor instead.
Level C1RomanceSybil, Or, The Two NationsIn the opulent world of 1837 high society, wagers and whispered intrigues set the stage for a dramatic exploration of England’s stark social divides.
Level C1HistoricalSybil Chase; or, The Valley Ranche: A Tale of California LifeIn a rugged California valley transformed by the gold rush, a once peaceful ranche becomes a hotspot of lawlessness and wild adventure.
Level B2ClassicsSworn to silenceAline Rodney faces isolation and secrets when forbidden from joining her family's picnic, locked away and left to confront the mysteries that bind her.
Level C1ClassicsSwords ReluctantAmid the chill of a bitter winter, Gabrielle Silvester returns from a stirring peace meeting, caught between the quiet of her suburban life and the urgent call for a new world orde…
Level C1ClassicsSword and Gown: A NovelIn the mild December climate by the Mediterranean shore, Harry Molyneux and the enigmatic Royston Keene reflect on nature’s beauty and hidden depths.
Level C2PoetrySword Blades and Poppy SeedExplore the delicate craft of poetry where beauty reigns above all, and the poet's voice seeks fresh rhythms and vivid images to capture the essence of emotion and the universe wit…
Level C1AdventureSwiss Heroes: An Historical Romance of the Time of Charles the BoldAmidst the turbulent ambitions of Charles the Bold, three Swiss heroes rise to defend their homeland, weaving courage, sacrifice, and fierce patriotism into a gripping tale set aga…
Level C1AdventureSwift and Sure: The Story of a HydroplaneIn the tangled wilderness of a South American river, a jaguar’s haunting roar draws a sinister audience of alligators as a mysterious journey begins, promising adventure amid untam…
Level C1ClassicsSwiftA fiercely proud Jonathan Swift navigates the harsh realities of poverty and family expectations in 17th-century Ireland, his sharp mind a restless spirit seeking fierce employment…
Level C1HistoricalSwiftDive into the turbulent early life and lineage of Jonathan Swift, tracing the loyal struggles and colorful heritage that shaped the famed Dean of St.
Level C2ClassicsSwetnam, the Woman-hater, arraigned by women: A new comedie, acted at the Red Bull, by the late Queenes seruants.In a spirited Sicilian court, men and women debate who bears greater blame in love’s offenses, while a bitter misogynist faces challenge and comic justice from the very women he sc…
Level B2AdventureSwept Out to Sea; Or, Clint Webb Among the WhalersA tense fishing trip turns into a life-changing adventure when a quarrel between cousins aboard the sloop Wavecrest sets off a chain of unexpected events on the open sea.
Level A2PoetrySweets for Leisure Hours: Amusing Tales for Little ReadersDelight in charming tales and gentle poems accompanied by colorful engravings, inviting young readers to explore kindness, contentment, and imagination through familiar stories and…
Level C1ClassicsSweethearts at HomeAmid the serene Swiss landscape by Lake Neuchâtel, two friends embark on a quiet journey filled with literary musings and intimate reflections, uncovering the charm of forgotten pl…
Level C1RomanceSweetapple CoveA doctor abandons city life for a remote coastal village, where he becomes the sole healer and boarder, grappling with his sudden choice and the complexities of a budding romance w…
Level C1RomanceSweet VioletIn a world where appearances define destiny, the captivating Violet navigates love and societal expectations, challenging conventions to claim her own happiness amidst romance and…
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.