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 B2ClassicsStage-LandStep into the chaotic world of George, the hapless stage hero whose life is a tangled mess of mistaken crimes, lost estates, and baffling legal woes.
Level C1ClassicsStage Confidences: Talks About Players and Play ActingA seasoned actress offers candid advice to aspiring young women dreaming of the stage, revealing the fierce competition, harsh realities, and rare chances for success in the crowde…
Level C1ClassicsStaccato Notes of a Vanished Summer (from Literature and Life)As a fierce storm brews off the coast, a tranquil summer returns to a seaside village where the rhythms of life revolve around mail deliveries and the lingering spirit of a fading…
Level C1HistoricalSt. Winifred's; or, The World of SchoolA bright young boy leaves the warmth of his idyllic lakeside home to enter the bustling world of a large public school, embarking on a journey of growth, friendship, and discovery…
Level C1HistoricalSt. Ronan's WellAt a provincial spa known for its snobbish society and simmering tensions, characters clash amid scandal and sharp wit.
Level C1HistoricalSt. Patrick's EveIn a remote Irish valley, villagers gather to celebrate St.
Level C1ClassicsSt. Patrick's Day; Or, The Scheming Lieutenant: A Farce in One ActIn a lively English town, Lieutenant O’Connor faces unruly soldiers and a stern justice who opposes his romance with the justice’s daughter, sparking a playful plot full of farcica…
Level B2Children'sSt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878In a remote Norwegian village, lively twins Olaf and Erik, their little sister Olga, and their loyal dog Krikel embrace the joys of winter and the warmth of family stories by the h…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878A young chorister struggles under the exacting tutelage of a stern choir-master whose high expectations spark jealousy and hardship, but also inspire growth, hope, and unexpected b…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877A determined boy battles a fierce tide in his little skiff, striving to prove his manhood and keep control against overwhelming odds, while unexpected encounters on the water hint…
Level B2AdventureSt. Nicholas, Vol. 13, No. 10, August 1886Isolated in a solitary cabin deep within Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, a lone hermit embraces the wild with only his horse and dog for company, sharing the rugged beauty and challenge…
Level B1Children'sSt. Nicholas Book of Plays & Operettas (Second Series)Step into a magical world where toys come to life on Christmas Eve, dancing and singing in a whimsical dream-toy shop.
Level C1HistoricalSt. Martin's SummerIn a grand Dauphiny chamber, the indolent yet vain Seneschal is roused from his nap by urgent news: the formidable Dowager of Condillac demands an immediate audience, setting the s…
Level C1GothicSt. Martin's Eve: A NovelIn a grand English mansion shrouded by the bleak November gloom, a young mother lies on the brink of death, leaving a newborn heir to a fate entwined with sorrow and mystery.
Level C1GothicSt. Leon: A Tale of the Sixteenth CenturyIn 1687 Venice, a mysterious stranger known as Signor Gualdi captivates high society with his vast knowledge and priceless art collection—yet his true identity and uncanny connecti…
Level C1RomanceSt. Ives: Being the Adventures of a French Prisoner in EnglandA French soldier imprisoned in Edinburgh crafts delicate toys to trade with curious locals, using wit and charm to navigate captivity.
Level C1HistoricalSt. George's Cross; Or, England Above AllAmidst the turmoil of 17th-century England and the Channel Islands, a suspended Member of Parliament and an exiled magistrate navigate political exile, personal enmities, and the s…
Level B2AdventureSt. George for EnglandIn a stormy night of medieval England, a weary woman seeks refuge in a humble village, setting the stage for a tale of courage and chivalry as England’s martial spirit rises to leg…
Level C1HistoricalSt. George and St. MichaelIn a time of political and spiritual upheaval, an aging clergyman and his family grapple with the looming storm threatening their church and kingdom, while hope flickers through th…
Level C1HistoricalSt. ElmoIn the serene Appalachian mountains, a pure-hearted Tennessee girl lives in harmony with nature, unaware of the darker intrigues beyond her world—until the sudden crack of gunshots…
Level B2MysterySt. Cuthbert's towerA coveted farm sparks fierce rivalry when a mysterious new tenant arrives in the quiet village of Rishton, unsettling long-standing local expectations and igniting tensions.
Level B2ClassicsSt. Cuthbert'sA struggling minister faces a pivotal opportunity to preach at the revered St.
Level C1ClassicsSt. Bernard's: The Romance of a Medical StudentA determined young medical student joins the prestigious St.
Level B2ClassicsSt. Andrews Ghost StoriesAn artist exploring eerie coastal legends encounters a mysterious, one-eyed monk who leads him through shadowy caves and ancient traps beneath St Andrews.
Level C1HistoricalSt Baldred of the Bass, a Pictish legendIn a turbulent era of Pictish kings and war, a devout disciple of Saint Kentigern retreats to the solitude of the Bass island, performing miracles and inspiring fierce loyalty amon…
Level C1ClassicsSquire PhinIn the sleepy village of Palermo, a parade of eccentric locals and a city visitor stir quiet summer days, weaving a tapestry of rural life marked by small-town quirks, simmering te…
Level C1ClassicsSquire Arden; volume 3 of 3Tensions rise as Arthur Arden confronts Mrs.
Level C1ClassicsSquire Arden; volume 2 of 3A young man wrestles with his duty to protect his sister Clare as she navigates a complex and uncertain romance with their questionable cousin.
Level C1ClassicsSquire Arden; volume 1 of 3In a quaint village where joy bells ring for a returning heir, the young Squire Arden arrives home to claim his place—bringing hope, memories, and a stirring change to the close-kn…
Level B1AdventureSquinty the Comical Pig: His Many AdventuresA comical pig named Squinty, with one squinting eye and a rubbery nose, charms visitors on the farm with his quirky looks and playful nature.
Level B2FantasySquib and His FriendsA solitary boy nicknamed "the odd one" finds himself misunderstood by his family and nurse, yet quietly harbors a passionate mind and imagination that set him apart.
Level B2Children'sSquare and Compasses; Or, Building the HouseAt Beech Hill Industrial School, students face resistance and rebellion when asked to don uniforms, sparking debates about discipline, identity, and the value of practical educatio…
Level B2PoetrySpun-yarn and SpindriftExplore a world where angels wait patiently and memories of distant homelands sing through the verses.
Level C1HistoricalSpringhaven: A Tale of the Great WarIn a tranquil English valley threatened by war, the peaceful village of Springhaven shelters a proud family whose Saxon roots run deep.
Level C1ClassicsSpring DaysAn overlooked novel grapples with rejection and revival as its author confronts harsh criticism and unexpected praise, revealing the complex journey of a work misunderstood in its…
Level B2PoetrySpring BlossomsCelebrate the joys of spring and the innocence of childhood through vibrant poems that teach kindness, virtue, and the beauty of nature, while introducing timeless characters like…
Level C2PoetrySprays of ShamrockImmerse yourself in a vivid collection of poems that evoke the landscapes, legends, and spirit of Ireland, from tranquil lakes to ancient hills.
Level B2ClassicsSport Royal, and Other StoriesIntrigue and danger unfold in Heidelberg when Julius Jason accepts a mysterious invitation involving a royal secret and a risky early-morning duel.
Level C1PoetrySpoon River AnthologyVoices from a small town rise from their graves, revealing secrets, regrets, and passions that shaped their lives.
Level B2MysterySpooky HollowIn the quiet village of Hilldale, nestled among Vermont’s autumn hills, detective Fleming Stone arrives to unravel a mystery shrouded by an imposing, secluded mansion and the secre…
Level B2Science FictionSpoilers of the SpacewaysIn a desperate bid against alien conquerors, a man undergoes a radical transformation to become a Trygonian officer, inheriting not only their knowledge but the burden of espionage…
Level C1PoetrySplores of a Halloween, Twenty Years AgoVivid verses recall a Halloween from twenty years past, blending nostalgia with haunting imagery as the poet challenges conventional tastes to reveal the deeper literary spirit beh…
Level C1MysterySplashes of redIn the thrilling world of rodeo competitions, Millie Wayne navigates fierce rivalries and shifting loyalties as Curly Bratton’s attention turns to a glamorous newcomer, sparking te…
Level C1ClassicsSpiritual vampirism: The history of Etherial Softdown, and her friends of the "New Light"An enigmatic cabinet, left by a mysterious friend, contains startling revelations about spiritual vampirism and the hidden forces influencing mankind.
Level C2ClassicsSpiritual Tales: Re-issue of the Shorter Stories of Fiona Macleod; Rearranged, with Additional TalesExiled and accused, a noble herdsman finds refuge on the mysterious Isle of Iona, where ancient legends and sacred oaths intertwine with the birth of a child destined for greatness…
Level B2ClassicsSpiritual AdventuresA restless boy with no true home struggles to learn and find his place in a world that suddenly demands order and knowledge.
Level B2FantasySpirits do returnAccused of a murder he did not commit, a man faces the crushing weight of injustice and imprisonment, clinging to hope and prayer as he navigates a harrowing journey through wrongf…
Level C1HistoricalSpirit of Chambers's JournalIn 17th-century Scotland, Lady Jean, the youngest and most beautiful daughter of the Earl of Wigton, is confined to her family estate to protect her sisters’ marriage prospects, sp…
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.