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 C1HistoricalStudies in LiteratureExplore the turbulent world of late 18th- and early 19th-century England through reflections on literature and society, as the era’s transformative events shape the lives and works…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Folk-Song and Popular PoetryExplore the rich world of folk-song and popular poetry as this collection delves into the melodies and stories that shaped cultures across America, Britain, and beyond, revealing t…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Early Victorian LiteratureExplore the vibrant and complex world of early Victorian literature, where social consciousness shapes poetry and prose, marking a distinct departure from previous eras.
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Classic American LiteratureExplore the hidden depths of America's literary pioneers as they grapple with forging a unique cultural identity amid echoes of European influence.
Level C1PhilosophyStudies and Essays: Censorship and ArtIn a society where theatrical censorship protects public sensibilities, an exploration unfolds questioning why similar control isn’t applied to literature, art, and other cultural…
Level B2RomanceStubborn peopleIn a sun-scorched frontier town, stoic homesteader Jim Hunter battles stubborn pride and unyielding land, haunted by letters that stir both hope and bitterness.
Level C1ClassicsStubbleIn a rain-soaked Southern home, Mary Louise confronts the arrival of Zenie, who brings an unexpected bundle—a fragile infant named Nausea Zekiel Thompson—unveiling secrets and shif…
PoetryStruwwelpeter: Merry Stories and Funny PicturesDive into a collection of whimsical and cautionary tales where mischievous children face humorous consequences for their antics, brought to life through lively verses and vivid, un…
Level B2AdventureStruggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's LuckIn a small village, a determined boy with humble means challenges the privileged son of a wealthy banker to a daring skating race for a prized watch, setting the stage for a story…
Level C1AdventureStronghand; or, The Noble RevengeA lone, well-armed Mexican horseman braves a desolate, snake-infested desert under a blood-red sun, driven by urgent purpose and unyielding courage.
Level C1ClassicsStrong as DeathAn aging artist, once celebrated for his strength and beauty, struggles with fading inspiration and the pressure to please a fickle public, as he searches for a new muse amidst the…
Level B1Children'sStrong and Steady; Or, Paddle Your Own CanoeA privileged boy from a wealthy family faces sudden poverty and resolves to "paddle his own canoe," determined to succeed through hard work and perseverance at the Essex Classical…
Level C1ClassicsStrong HeartsIn the post-war South, a young man known as "Crackedfiddle" navigates the tangled realms of faith, poetry, and survival, revealing the profound unity between religion and the human…
Level C1AdventureStromboli and the GunsAn old revolutionary known as Stromboli recounts his daring exploits in 1848 and beyond, revealing a life where revolutions are a skilled craft filled with danger, passion, and unf…
Level B2Children'sStrive and Thrive; or, Stories for the Example and Encouragement of the YoungTwo boys face a life-or-death test of courage when their friend breaks through thin ice while skating.
Level B2Children'sStrive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter ConradA determined young boy adopts a new identity to investigate a suspicious mining company's downfall and uncover hidden truths.
Level C1ClassicsStrife: A Drama in Three ActsTensions ignite at the Trenartha Tin Plate Works, where a fierce winter strike pits the company’s board and management against the determined workers’ committee.
Level C1ClassicsStrife and PeaceAmidst the majestic, untamed mountains and serene valleys of ancient Norway, discover a land untouched by time, where nature’s grandeur and tranquil beauty offer refuge from the wo…
Level C1ClassicsStrictly Business: More Stories of the Four MillionBehind the vaudeville curtain, two performers navigate the realities of the stage far from the glamorous myths—one harboring a secret sketch and searching for the perfect partner t…
Level C2ClassicsStray leaves from strange literature; and, Fantastics and other fanciesDive into a mosaic of exotic legends, fables, and parables drawn from Indian, Buddhist, Polynesian, Moslem, and Talmudic traditions, each reconstructed with poetic license to revea…
Level C1PoetryStray Pebbles from the Shores of ThoughtExplore a rich tapestry of reflections, memories, and heartfelt moments woven into verse, capturing the spirit of home, nature, and personal connections across time and place.
Level C1HistoricalStray Pearls: Memoirs of Margaret De Ribaumont, Viscountess of BellaiseAmid the turbulent Fronde, a noble family navigates the clash between royal authority and noble resistance in 17th-century France, revealing how history’s grand events shape person…
Level C2PoetryStray BirdsDelight in a collection of lyrical, contemplative verses that capture fleeting moments of nature, love, and existence with delicate imagery and profound insight.
Level C1ClassicsStrangers at LisconnelIn the remote hamlet of Lisconnel, life unfolds in quiet rhythms amid vast boglands and changing seasons, where the arrival of strangers is a rare and intriguing event.
Level B2ClassicsStrangers and WayfarersIn a wintry New England journey, a timid mail carrier armed with caution and an elderly passenger wrapped in shawls face the biting cold and quiet roads, weaving tales of old peril…
Level B2ClassicsStrange watersWhen the government commandeers the freighter Aurora for ocean service, little Tim Donahue faces a wrenching change from his life as a humble fireman, caught between loyalty to his…
Level B2HistoricalStrange stories of the Civil WarExperience the Civil War through the eyes of a young boy in Pittsburgh, witnessing the stirring calls to arms, the clash of North and South, and personal tales of heroism and patri…
Level C1HistoricalStrange True Stories of LouisianaUnearth hidden tales of Louisiana’s past, where forgotten court cases, mysterious journeys, and real-life dramas emerge from dusty archives to reveal the strange and captivating st…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great Valley: The Adventures of a Boy PioneerA boy pioneer in 1816 Ohio navigates the wilderness on a flatboat, seeking fortune and safety amidst the untamed frontier.
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great River: The Adventures of a Boy ExplorerA spirited boy explorer joins daring French adventurers navigating the mysterious Great River, encountering wild tribes, untamed landscapes, and strange legends that shape the dest…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of Colonial DaysJourney through early colonial America where alliances with Native American leaders, daring escapes, and tense confrontations shape a vivid panorama of survival and conflict, revea…
Level C1ClassicsStrange Stories from the Lodge of LeisuresDive into a world where Taoist magicians, wandering souls, and Buddhist reincarnations intertwine, revealing the mysterious beliefs and everyday life of eighteenth-century China th…
Level B2ClassicsStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 2 (of 2)A young trader’s son is swept away by a typhoon to a strange land where beauty dictates power, and the people fear his unusual appearance.
Level C1ClassicsStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio, Vol. 1 (of 2)Enter a world where ancient Chinese customs, beliefs, and supernatural tales unfold through the eyes of a scholar deeply immersed in his culture.
Level C1ClassicsStrange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Volumes 1 and 2)Delve into a collection of eerie and fascinating tales that reveal the customs, superstitions, and spiritual life of ancient China, as told by a scholar deeply immersed in Chinese…
Level C1AdventureStrange Stories from History for Young PeopleUncover daring tales of forgotten history where British plots, Seminole alliances, and a rogue bandit’s fortress challenge the early American frontier.
Level C1ClassicsStrange StoriesVenturing into the realms of psychology and sensation, these stories explore hereditary character, moral ambiguity, and cultural clashes through gripping tales of human nature’s de…
Level B2Children'sStraight forward; or, walking in the lightAt school, Lucy’s steadfast refusal to spend beyond her means contrasts sharply with her peers’ impulsive debts, sparking a moral tale about honesty, self-control, and walking in t…
Level C1RomanceStradellaIn Venice, a wealthy senator plans to marry his young niece, Ortensia, whose mixed feelings reveal the tension between duty, power, and personal freedom in a world of art, culture,…
Level C1HistoricalStover at YaleAn eighteen-year-old freshman, Dink Stover arrives at Yale carrying the confidence of a school leader and the weight of new challenges.
Level B2Children'sStory-Tell LibIn a quiet mountain village, a fragile, crippled girl known as Story-Tell Lib captivates her neighbors with simple, heartfelt tales that teach gentle truths without preaching.
Level B2ClassicsStory of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"As a lone passenger aboard a rain-soaked ship departing New York, Chester Lawrence finds unexpected camaraderie with fellow Mormon missionaries bound for distant lands.
Level B2HistoricalStory of AeneasEmbark on the epic journey of Aeneas as he flees the fall of Troy, braves divine challenges, and seeks a new homeland, weaving through love, war, and prophecy in a legend that shap…
Level B2AdventureStorm-Bound; or, A Vacation Among the Snow DriftsFour Boy Scouts embark on a winter adventure to surprise a reclusive uncle in a remote snowbound forest, but when they lose their way, their scouting skills and teamwork are put to…
Level B2AdventureStormA devastating tornado levels the isolated town of Rock Springs, leaving its residents in desperate need of help.
Level B2AdventureStormIn a rugged highland land haunted by ancient legends and fierce rivalries, Hardcastle, Master of Logie, confronts the menacing Wilderness Folk who claim tribute from all who pass.
Level B2Children'sStories told by the millerOrphaned siblings Janet and Peter endure harsh days with their cruel grandmother near the mysterious mill by the pool.
Level B2RomanceStories of the RailroadAmidst the grit and grind of 1863 railroad life, a young fireman finds family and hope with the seasoned engineer James Dillon and his wife, who secretly plans a Christmas gift tha…
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.