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 C1ClassicsSibyllaA young student torn between his passion for knowledge and his family’s expectations faces a difficult choice that challenges duty, love, and the pursuit of his true calling.
Level C1HistoricalSi Klegg, Complete, Books 1-6A determined recruit prepares for war with thrift and resolve, joining the 200th Infantry amid the hardships and camaraderie of battle.
Level B1HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 6: Si and Shorty, with Their Boy Recruits, Enter on the Atlanta CampaignAmid the chaos of trains and battle, Si Klegg and Shorty struggle to keep their young recruits safe while navigating the dangers of the Atlanta Campaign.
Level B2HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 5: The Deacon's Adventures at Chattanooga in Caring for the BoysIn the aftermath of battle, the resourceful Deacon navigates the challenges of caring for wounded soldiers Si Klegg and Shorty in Chattanooga, using cunning and courage to provide…
Level B2HistoricalSi Klegg, Book 4: Experiences of Si and Shorty on the Great Tullahoma CampaignAmid the relentless rain and looming battle, soldiers of the 200th Indiana prepare to engage the Confederate forces entrenched in Shelbyville during the intense Tullahoma Campaign,…
Level B2AdventureSi Klegg, Book 3: Si and Shorty Meet Mr. Rosenbaum, the Spy, Who Relates His AdventuresTwo soldiers on picket duty share rustic campfire cooking and unexpected hospitality, while encountering Mr.
Level C1PoetryShylock reasons with Mr. Chesterton, and other poemsExplore a vivid collection of poems weaving historical figures, personal reflections, and poignant scenes—from Shylock’s debate to the struggles of Viennese wood collectors—offerin…
Level B2MysteryShuddering castleIn a secluded Long Island castle, a reclusive family’s quiet life shatters when a scientist’s quest to contact Mars via radio sparks eerie phenomena and a mysterious visitor from t…
Level C1RomanceShrewsbury: A RomanceAmid whispers of scandal and political intrigue, a devoted confidant seeks to clear the name of the Duke of Shrewsbury, revealing a tale of loyalty, suspicion, and the high stakes…
Level C1HistoricalShoulder-Straps: A Novel of New York and the Army, 1862Amid the turmoil of the Civil War, two friends—a merchant and a journalist—uncover secrets and dangers lurking in New York’s society, where loyalty is tested and espionage threaten…
Level B2AdventureShoulder to shoulderAmid the stirring Highland clans and the shadow of Napoleon’s rise, a young soldier’s journey unfolds through battles, betrayals, and daring escapes—where loyalty and courage are t…
Level B2HistoricalShot With CrimsonAs an explosion rocks a country club near the Reynolds Works, tensions flare amid suspicion and patriotism during wartime.
Level B2ClassicsShorty McCabe on the JobWhen a tough streetfighter crosses paths with a polished conman claiming a mysterious legal summons, a gritty showdown unfolds, blending raw brawls with sharp wit in a city where t…
Level B2ClassicsShorty McCabeA former boxer turned trainer teams up with the enigmatic Leonidas Dodge, a slick salesman with a mysterious product, as they navigate the gritty streets and high-stakes hustle of…
Level C1ClassicsShorter novels, vol. 3Explore the final echoes of Augustan thought alongside the dawn of Romantic imagination through three tales that journey from philosophical reflection to gothic mystery and exotic…
Level C1ClassicsShorter Prose PiecesWitty and provocative aphorisms challenge conventions on art, society, and identity, while vivid portraits explore beauty’s timeless influence.
Level C1ClassicsShort-story masterpieces, Vol. 2Dive into a rich collection of French short stories that explore the intricate lives and vivid characters crafted with detailed settings and psychological depth, showcasing a liter…
Level C1ClassicsShort-story masterpieces, Vol. 1Explore the essence of French storytelling through vivid tales that capture national spirit, character, and local color with precision and charm.
Level C1ClassicsShort story writingUnlock the secrets behind crafting compelling short stories with guidance drawn from the masters.
Level C2ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 5, French IIA woman freshly released from prison, condemned for infanticide, wanders through a harsh November night seeking shelter and compassion in a cold world that shuns her.
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 4, French IA young artist, trembling with reverence and self-doubt, seeks entry into the studio of a revered master in 1612 Paris, where passion and talent collide in a world of artistic ambi…
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 3, GermanIn a sun-drenched Provençal village famed for its beauty, Marietta’s arrival stirs hearts and rivalries alike, as her charm captivates every young man—threatening peace and sparkin…
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 2, Italian and ScandinavianA distinguished Egyptologist and professor unpacks a trove of books, stirring memories and rivalries that reveal the passionate world of academic discovery and the delicate balance…
Level C1ClassicsShort story classics (Foreign), Vol. 1, RussianExplore a rich collection of seventy-eight compelling short stories from Russian literature, featuring works by Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Chekhov, capturin…![Cover of Short stories from Life: The 81 prize stories in "Life's" Shortest Story Contest by Thomas L. etc.] Masson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafd1qta8p2c739itea0.webp)
Level C1ClassicsShort stories from Life: The 81 prize stories in "Life's" Shortest Story ContestDive into a unique collection of 81 prize-winning stories crafted under a daring contest challenge: how short can a story be and still captivate?
Level B2Children'sShort stories and selections for use in the secondary schoolsDiscover a curated collection of captivating stories and selections designed to inspire young readers, offering adventures, reflections, and timeless tales that awaken curiosity an…
Level C1ClassicsShort and Sweet: A Comic Drama, in One ActIn a charming London apartment near the Crystal Palace, two wives navigate the quirks of their busy husbands and a planned afternoon ride that promises aristocratic adventure and u…
Level C1HistoricalShort Studies on Great SubjectsExplore the challenges of interpreting history as a science, questioning how truth is shaped by selective narratives and the struggle to find order in the chaos of human events and…
Level C1Children'sShort Stories of the New America: Interpreting the America of this age to high school boys and girlsExplore vivid tales that bring to life the hopes, struggles, and ideals shaping modern America, inspiring young readers to understand and engage with their nation's spirit through…![Cover of Short Stories of Various Types by Laura F. [Editor] Freck](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagmhr6icedc739b69c0.webp)
Level C1Children'sShort Stories of Various TypesDive into a diverse collection of tales that spark adventure, humor, and human emotion—each crafted to captivate young readers with vivid settings from bustling cities to open coun…
Level C1Children'sShort Stories for High SchoolsExplore a curated collection of short stories tailored for high school readers, blending timeless classics with vibrant modern tales that capture the swift pace and diverse experie…
Level C1ClassicsShort Stories for English CoursesDive into a curated collection of short stories designed to captivate adolescent readers with vivid moments of adventure, character, and setting.
Level C1HistoricalShort Stories and Essays (from Literature and Life)Amid a biting winter walk through a bustling tenement district, a small child struggles with a heavy pail of coal, revealing the harsh realities of survival and resilience in a sta…
Level B2ClassicsShort Stories Old and NewExplore a rich collection of stories where vivid settings, intricate plots, and compelling characters intertwine—from ancient Persian courts to haunting American tales—each crafted…
Level B2ClassicsShort StoriesA solitary bachelor’s quiet life is disrupted when his cook insists on taking in a mysterious lodger—a seasoned soldier with a penchant for storytelling—whose presence soon unveils…
Level C2PoetryShort FlightsImmerse yourself in a rich tapestry of emotions and reflections as vivid poems explore love, loss, friendship, and the seasons of life.
Level C1Science FictionShock TroopAn alien invasion force prepares to conquer a mysterious, mammalian-inhabited planet using shock tactics and telepathic assault, but their unfamiliarity with the natives and their…
Level C1HistoricalShirleyIn early 19th-century Yorkshire, three young curates navigate the challenges of their demanding roles and restless camaraderie, revealing the unromantic realities and subtle tensio…
Level C1ClassicsShireen and her Friends: Pages from the Life of a Persian CatFollow the elegant Persian cat Shireen as she navigates life at Uncle Ben’s cozy seaside bungalow, where gentle breezes and whispered waves set the stage for charming adventures an…
Level B2Science FictionShipwreck in the SkyA pioneering pilot's record-breaking spaceflight turns perilous when he discovers a mysterious, tiny second moon orbiting Earth—its gravity threatening a deadly collision with his…
Level C1ClassicsShips that pass in the nightIn a foreign sanatorium, a weary newcomer meets a cynical man whose bleak outlook challenges her fragile hope for recovery.
Level B1PoetryShining HoursStep into a world where childhood imagination and simple wonders come alive—from a little girl’s loyal love for her old doll to a curious cat’s baffling encounter with a mysterious…
Level C1ClassicsShining FerryIn a bustling harbor town, John Rosewarne, a powerful shipping magnate, contemplates his life and legacy on his birthday, as the tides of trade and family fortunes ebb and flow aro…
Level C1AdventureShifting Winds: A Tough YarnAmid a fierce coastal storm, a fisher family's tense vigil reveals deep worries and wild emotions, while a retired naval captain reflects on his modest life and the urgent need to…
Level B2Children'sShifting For Himself; or, Gilbert Greyson's FortunesA determined boy faces sudden poverty just as he prepares for college, forcing him to leave his dreams behind and embrace hard work.
Level C1HistoricalShibusawa; or, The passing of old JapanIn a Japan where ancient customs govern every aspect of life, the powerful lord daimyo Maido faces the unstoppable tide of change.
Level C1ClassicsSheppard Lee, Written by Himself. Vol. 2 (of 2)Caught in a whirlwind of transformations, a man loses his identity while navigating the passions and follies of those around him, from miserly children to unexpected attachments, r…
Level C1ClassicsSheppard Lee, Written by Himself. Vol. 1 (of 2)A penniless man navigates the trials of poverty, politics, and love with wit and ingenuity, uncovering unexpected fortunes and misadventures along the way.
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.