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 C1AdventureSunk at SeaBorn with an unquenchable thirst for adventure, young William Osten defies all limits, crawling into danger and mischief from infancy.
Level B2ClassicsSundry AccountsIn a small town where a man’s haunted past keeps his home ablaze with light through the night, secrets and eerie legends intertwine with the lives of unforgettable local characters…![Cover of Sunday sunshine by Catharine [Editor] Shaw](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabo3q09638s73a341ng.webp)
Level A2Children'sSunday sunshineIn a quiet, dusty corner near a bustling Indian city, a small Hindu girl in a red sari sits patiently atop a mud house, her sad eyes hinting at a deeper story as the sun sets in a…
Level C1HistoricalSunday at Home (From "Twice Told Tales")Each Sabbath morning, a quiet observer watches the church steeple as it awakens with the sunrise, embodying the town’s spirit and marking the sacred stillness of Sunday.
Level C2PoetrySun-Up, and Other PoemsAmid flickering shadows and whispered dreams, a child's world unfolds—where fierce love, haunting fears, and vivid imagination intertwine against the backdrop of everyday struggles…
Level C1ClassicsSunCarried away to a sun-drenched villa by the sea, Juliet wrestles with deep frustration and a haunting sense of responsibility while seeking solace beneath the relentless Mediterran…
Level C1ClassicsSummerfield: or, Life on a FarmA young man leaves home to build a new life in a wild, bountiful landscape filled with game, forests, and lakes.
Level C2PoetrySummer of LoveExperience a heartfelt journey through love’s many shades with poems that blend tender emotion and timeless reflection, capturing the warmth and complexity of a summer transformed…
Level C2PoetrySummer Morning: A poemAwaken to the serene beauty of a summer morning, captured in vivid poetic imagery that celebrates nature’s quiet splendor and the gentle rhythms of rural life.
Level B2AdventureSummer DaysAs summer begins, Alice Grey eagerly leaves the scorching city for her family’s cottage at Sandy Shore, where friendship and adventure with Susy Lee promise a delightful escape fil…
Level C1RomanceSummerIn a quiet, sunlit village overshadowed by a looming mountain, a young woman named Charity Royall grapples with her restless heart and the narrow confines of North Dormer as the ar…
Level C2HistoricalSumerian Liturgies and PsalmsExplore the ancient temple library of Nippur through mythological and theological hymns that reveal early Sumerian beliefs on creation, paradise lost, and divine kingship, shedding…
Level C1ClassicsSumerian Hymns from Cuneiform Texts in the British MuseumExplore ancient Babylonian spirituality through meticulously translated Sumerian hymns dedicated to deities like Bêl, Sin, Adad, and Tammuz, revealing the linguistic and religious…
Level B2PoetrySugar and Spice: Comical Tales Comically DressedChildren transform daily chores into lively adventures, from playful parties to inventive boot-making and garden games, revealing the joy and lessons hidden in everyday moments.
Level B2ClassicsSuffered in vainDive into a collection of gripping love stories filled with wholesome passion and thrilling action, where every tale promises heartfelt drama and captivating twists far from the or…
Level B2Children'sSue, A Little HeroineIn a gritty London neighborhood, young Sue navigates tough streets and rough characters, drawn to the inspiring sermons of a street preacher.
Level C1ClassicsSuch is Life: A Play in Five ActsIn a city torn by war and political upheaval, a fierce struggle unfolds as citizens seize power, debate freedom, and crown a new king amidst promises of justice and looming threats…
Level A2Children'sSuch a happy dayEarly morning adventures lead young Cyril and his family to a golden wedding celebration, while a determined flower girl named Bella sells her blooms in the bustling city, each wea…
Level C1ClassicsSuch Things Are: A Play, in Five ActsAmid the exotic backdrop of Sumatra, an English couple navigates the complexities of love, loyalty, and political intrigue in a land ruled by capricious princes and shadowed by sus…
Level C1ClassicsSuch Is LifeAn unemployed traveler embarks on a contemplative journey through the vast Australian Riverina, chronicling the everyday life, landscapes, and encounters that reveal the complex ta…
Level B2Science FictionSuch Blooming TalkA scientist’s breakthrough in giving plants the ability to walk and talk unleashes a lively and unexpected world where flowers not only move—but have plenty to say.
Level C1PoetrySuccessful RecitationsDiscover a curated collection of stirring poems and dramatic pieces designed to captivate any audience, blending patriotism, vivid imagery, and timeless themes that command attenti…
Level C1ClassicsSuccessful Methods of Public SpeakingUnlock the secrets of compelling public speaking by exploring the methods of renowned orators, emphasizing sincerity, thorough preparation, and adapting techniques to your unique s…
Level C1ClassicsSuccess and How He Won ItIn a grand church filled with aristocracy and wealth, a young bride and groom stand united, yet their icy detachment hints at deeper tensions beneath the dazzling ceremony.
Level C1ClassicsSuccessIn a world dominated by industrial power and social intrigue, Michael Annarly, a brilliant yet enigmatic genius, navigates the complex halls of influence and ambition, where admira…
Level C1ClassicsSuburban SketchesExperience the quiet charm and unexpected dramas of suburban life in Charlesbridge, where nature's resilience meets the rhythms of a close-knit community and the promise of simple…
Level C1AdventureSubmarine U93Orphaned and armed only with a dented sixpence bearing his grandfather's legacy, seventeen-year-old Jimmy Burke must navigate the ruthless streets of New York and uphold his family…
Level C1ClassicsStyle and the ManExplore the intimate art of style and its impact on writing, as the author navigates personal preferences, literary tastes, and timeless influences shaping the way we express ourse…
Level C1ClassicsStyleExplore the art of style as it transcends mere writing, shaping expression across literature, music, and even human gesture.
Level C1Children'sStuyvesant: A Franconia StoryIn a peaceful mountain village, young cousins Phonny and Malleville discover the power of kindness and example through simple, everyday adventures—like storytelling to a kitten and…
Level B2Children'sSturdy and Strong; Or, How George Andrews Made His WayYoung George Andrews faces hardship when his mother must enter a workhouse infirmary due to failing health, leaving him alone and determined to rise above adversity through perseve…
Level C1ClassicsStudying the short-story: Sixteen short-story classics with introductions, notes and a new laboratory study method for individual reading and use in colleges and schools.Explore sixteen carefully selected short stories, each accompanied by critical introductions, notes, and study questions designed to deepen understanding and analysis.
Level C1ClassicsStudy of a WomanIn a world where virtue and ambition intertwine, the Marquise de Listomere navigates society with calculated grace while a young, clever man, Eugene de Rastignac, intrigues her wit…
Level C1RomanceStudies on the Legend of the Holy Grail: With Especial Reference to the Hypothesis of Its Celtic OriginDelve into the mysterious origins of the Holy Grail legend, exploring its deep roots in Celtic folklore and the sacred talismans that inspired timeless tales of healing and heroism…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 3 of 3: I. Agorè: Polities of the Homeric Age. II. Ilios: Trojans and Greeks Compared. III. Thalassa: The Outer Geography. IV. Aoidos: Some Points of the Poetry of Homer.Explore the political foundations, cultural contrasts, and geographical context of the Homeric Age, revealing how early Greek society shaped enduring ideals of governance and ident…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 2 of 3: Olympus; or, the Religion of the Homeric AgeExplore the complex blend of theology and mythology in the Homeric age, where ancient traditions meet inventive storytelling, revealing a rich but inconsistent supernatural system…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek RacesDelve into the fierce scholarly debate surrounding the authenticity and value of Homer’s epics, exploring their enduring significance and the evolving understanding of their place…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of the Greek Poets (Vol 2 of 2)Explore the origins and unique conditions that shaped Greek tragedy, focusing on Euripides' revolutionary contributions amid Athens' vibrant cultural and political scene, revealing…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of the Greek Poets (Vol 1 of 2)Explore the origins and evolution of Greek poetry through deep historical and mythological insights, tracing its development from Homeric epics to the philosophical and artistic he…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of Lowell (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)Step into the intimate world of a revered literary figure as a visitor from Venice shares summer evenings, thoughtful conversation, and reflections on youth, home, and the ideals s…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of Contemporary PoetsExplore the vibrant voices shaping modern poetry, as they capture the spirit of their time with social conscience, mysticism, and a deep connection to everyday life.
Level C1HistoricalStudies in the Poetry of Italy, Part II. ItalianExplore the rich origins and evolution of Italian literature, tracing its roots from the ancient Roman legacy through the influence of Germanic tribes and the transformation of Lat…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in the Poetry of Italy, Part I. RomanExplore the origins of Roman poetry through its dramatic, satiric, and epic phases, tracing Rome’s cultural growth amid conquest and lawmaking as Greek art and harsh realities shap…
Level C1HorrorStudies in love and in terrorA proud mayor’s wife gazes from a cliff above a secretive submarine cove, torn between patriotic pride and a haunting personal sacrifice.
Level C1ClassicsStudies in WivesA young bride navigates the complexities of her new life in a stately Westminster home, caught between societal expectations and her own quiet discontent.
Level C2PoetryStudies in Song, A Century of Roundels, Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets, The Heptalogia, Etc.: From Swinburne's Poems Volume V.Explore a rich tapestry of lyrical forms, from roundels and sonnets to odes, as poetic reflections delve into English dramatic poets, timeless themes, and personal elegies, weaving…
Level C2PoetryStudies in SongExplore a rich tapestry of poetic homage, translation, and lyrical invention that bridges classical genius with English verse, capturing the spirit of history, art, and human exper…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Literature and HistoryExplore the intricate connections between history, myth, and literature as this collection delves into the evolution of storytelling and the interplay of fact and fable across cult…
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.