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 C1ClassicsSir Dominick FerrandAn aspiring writer navigates the harsh realities of literary rejection while finding unexpected solace in the melancholic music of his enigmatic new neighbor, Mrs.
Level C1HistoricalSir Copp: A poem for the times, in six cantosIn a vivid poetic drama, a traitorous figure dubbed "Sir Copp" embodies betrayal during a nation's darkest rebellion, while loyal patriots fight to restore liberty and honor.
Level C1RomanceSir Christopher: A Romance of a Maryland Manor in 1644In 1644 Maryland, amid feuds of faith and loyalty, young Cecil and his mother Elinor Calvert face hardship and hope on their new frontier manor, Robin Hood's Barn, where love and s…
Level B2ClassicsSir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II.A fierce storm ravages a rocky island, bringing tales of shipwreck and desperate survival.
Level C1ClassicsSir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I.Amid Dublin’s military society, the enigmatic Sir Brook Fossbrooke—once the fastest man in town—emerges as a gentleman angler with secrets beneath his stern exterior, setting the s…
Level C1FantasySintram and His CompanionsA knight battles the relentless forces of Death and Sin, aided by faith and the example of noble companions, as he struggles to conquer temptation and achieve salvation in a realm…
Level B2AdventureSinopah, the Indian BoyBorn into the vast Blackfeet camp on the plains of Montana, Sinopah's arrival signals the rise of a future chief amid a world rich with buffalo, horses, and ancient traditions.
Level C1ClassicsSink or swim?In a quaint English village resistant to change, scandal brews over John Beacham’s controversial choice to marry an Irishwoman, stirring gossip and suspicion among the locals.
Level B2Children'sSink or Swim; or, Harry Raymond's ResolveA determined young orator from a modest background faces the scorn of wealthier peers at Vernon High School, proving that courage and earnestness outweigh fortune.
Level C1ClassicsSingle Life: A Comedy, in Three ActsIn a witty exploration of courtship, a devoted admirer plans to transform a confirmed bachelor’s untidy apartment—and perhaps his heart—while a cynical friend vows to keep him sing…
Level B1PoetrySing-songDelight in a charming collection of whimsical nursery rhymes and gentle poems, each evoking tender moments, nature’s wonders, and childhood innocence through vivid imagery and soot…
Level B1Children'sSing a Song of SixpenceA young girl treasures a shiny sixpence, dreaming of buying a lamb and chocolates, while struggling to learn her poetry lessons and imagining the Queen’s gracious advice on life an…
Level B2AdventureSindbad the Sailor, & Other Stories from the Arabian NightsA wealthy merchant recounts his seven perilous voyages, beginning with a shipwreck on a mysterious island that turns out to be a giant sleeping sea creature.
Level B2PoetrySimple Poems for Infant MindsDelight in gentle poems that spark the imagination of little ones, exploring simple wonders like sailboats, dolls, birds, and ants through tender verses crafted for infant minds.
Level C1ClassicsSimon the JesterA bold politician retreats to the desolate seaside village of Murglebed-on-Sea, a place so bleak and hostile it bewilders even his closest companions.
Level C1ClassicsSimon Eichelkatz; The Patriarch. Two Stories of Jewish LifeIn the heart of a bustling city, a doctor encounters Simon Eichelkatz, a venerable man whose sharp wit and deep connection to tradition reveal the complexities of Jewish life and f…
Level C1HistoricalSimon DaleBorn under a mysterious prophecy amid a nation in turmoil, Simon Dale must navigate a troubled heritage and uncertain destiny shaped by loyalty, faith, and secrets whispered by a v…
Level C1ClassicsSimon Called PeterAmid the shattered illusions of World War I, a soldier named Peter confronts the harsh realities behind the glamorized tales of war, wrestling with faith, temptation, and the haunt…
Level C1MysterySimonA solitary, secretive man undertakes a covert journey through desolate moors and a quiet town, carefully avoiding recognition while harboring a mysterious purpose.
Level B2ClassicsSimeon Tetlow's ShadowIn a bustling railroad office, Simeon Tetlow, a relentless and powerful president, clashes with his young assistant John Bennett, whose quiet resignation reveals deeper struggles a…
Level B2Children'sSilverthornsIn a lively household bustling with four boys and a girl, Charlotte and her gentle, clever brother Jerry navigate the chaos of family life and childhood dreams, yearning for the pe…
Level B2AdventureSilverspur; or, The Mountain Heroine: A Tale of the Arapaho CountryIn the rugged Arapaho country, a group of refined mountain men and a mysterious hunter in wild attire navigate perilous landscapes, fierce rivalries, and untamed wilderness.
Level C2PoetrySilverpointsDelve into a lush garden of delicate imagery and intimate reflections, where love, nature, and longing intertwine in evocative poems that capture fleeting beauty and the yearning o…
Level B2PoetrySilver liningsDiscover a world of hope, joy, and resilience through heartfelt poems that celebrate life's simple beauties, the courage to embrace one's unique gifts, and the strength to face eac…
Level B2RomanceSilver and Gold: A Story of Luck and Love in a Western Mining CampIn a rugged Western mining camp shadowed by a mysterious prophecy, a grizzled miner wrestles with fate, fortune, and a captivating artist’s love, as silver and gold symbolize choic…
Level B2AdventureSilver Rifle, the Girl Trailer; Or, The White Tigers of Lake SuperiorA half-breed youth known as the White Tiger races through the dense forests near Lake Superior, pursued by hostile Chippewa warriors determined to capture him alive.
Level B2AdventureSilver RagsWhen a city-bred girl falls overboard in a remote Maine pond, a brave youth plunges in to save her, sparking an adventurous summer among woods, wildlife, and heartfelt friendships…
Level B2ClassicsSilver Pitchers: and Independence, a Centennial Love StoryThree young women face a scandal at a town festival when secret brandy spoils the evening, prompting them to lead a bold social boycott that challenges their community’s customs an…
Level B2AdventureSilver LakeIn a remote wilderness, a fearless hunter leads his family and companions to build a rugged fort far from civilization’s laws and customs.
Level C1HistoricalSilver CrossIn a town overshadowed by rival religious powers and ancient relics, the Abbey of Silver Cross grapples with fading sanctity and a rising threat from the ambitious Friary of Saint…
Level C1PoetrySilken threadsDelve into a heartfelt collection of poems that weave everyday moments, tender prayers, and humble wisdom into a tapestry of life's simple beauty and grace.
Level C1PoetrySilhouettesExplore the delicate allure of urban life through evocative verses that celebrate fleeting sensations and artificial beauty, challenging traditional notions of nature and art with…
Level C1MysterySilent guestsA young lawyer’s quest to uncover the fate of a missing English heir leads him deep into the Canadian wilderness, where eerie warnings and a sinister estate named Craighead Hall hi…
Level C1ClassicsSilent StrugglesAmid a fierce Boston storm, two unlikely companions meet on a windswept hill, both drawn by a restless hope and an urgent secret loomed in the turbulent sea.
Level B2ClassicsSilence, and other storiesIn a snowbound village shadowed by the threat of war, Silence senses a lurking danger despite reassurances of safety.
Level C1ClassicsSilas Strong, Emperor of the WoodsIn the fading wilderness of the Adirondacks, Silas Strong—the rugged "Emperor of the Woods"—stands as a living symbol of a vanishing world.
Level C1Children'sSilas MarnerIn a quiet village where superstition shadows every stranger, an isolated linen-weaver named Silas Marner lives a solitary, mysterious life, his strange craft and demeanor stirring…
Level C1HistoricalSilanus the ChristianA thoughtful exploration of faith and reason challenges the necessity of biblical miracles for belief in Christ's divinity, inviting readers wrestling with doubt to reconsider the…
Level B2FantasySigns & WondersAmid shifting eras and cosmic scenes, three strangers traverse time and space, witnessing humanity's rise and fall in a world both familiar and alien.
Level B2ClassicsSigning the Contract, and What It CostA chance glimpse of a desperate woman seen from a speeding train sparks a journey into hardship and sorrow.
Level C2PoetrySignelil, A Tale from the Cornish, and Other BalladsA handmaid’s sorrow unfolds as forbidden love and broken vows weave through secret gifts and whispered promises.
Level C1HistoricalSights from a Steeple (From "Twice Told Tales")From a lofty steeple, a watchful observer surveys a vibrant town, its tranquil streets and bustling wharves, pondering the hidden lives and secrets behind every window and face ben…
Level B2ClassicsSielanka: An IdyllNestled in a tranquil forest clearing, a humble forester’s home thrives amid blooming flowers and whispering trees, where young Kasya learns life's gentle lessons from nature’s qui…
Level C1MysterySidonia, the Sorceress : the Supposed Destroyer of the Whole Reigning Ducal House of Pomerania — Volume 2In 17th-century Pomerania, Sidonia, a feared sorceress confined to a convent, faces accusations, dark plots, and deadly conflicts as she confronts witchcraft trials and political i…
Level C1HistoricalSidonia, the Sorceress : the Supposed Destroyer of the Whole Reigning Ducal House of Pomerania — Volume 1Accused of casting deadly spells over Pomerania’s noble houses, Sidonia von Bork faces a chilling trial amid whispers of sorcery and political intrigue.
Level B2ClassicsSide-stepping with ShortyWhen a tough-talking physical culture expert is hired by a wealthy, demanding client, he faces the challenge of transforming a high-society man out of shape—on terms that test his…
Level B2AdventureSide Show StudiesAmid the chaos of a bustling circus, a jaguar escapes its cage, threatening performers and spectators alike as trainers scramble to contain the wild beast before disaster strikes.
Level C1ClassicsSide LightsImmerse yourself in the life of a towering, passionate schoolmaster who transforms a London slum with fierce kindness and relentless energy, battling injustice both in the classroo…
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.