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 C1ClassicsShakespeare's legal maximsExplore the hidden legal wisdom woven seamlessly into Shakespeare's works, revealing his profound understanding of English law and its maxims through insightful analysis and precis…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's familyExplore the rich genealogy and heritage of William Shakespeare, tracing his family roots from noble Warwickshire ancestors to surprising London connections, revealing the man behin…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's environmentExplore the world that shaped Shakespeare—his education, family ties, and the turbulent history influencing his art—from Henry VIII’s reign to the 1640 crisis.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's daughtersShakespeare’s iconic heroines gather in a mystical glade, wrestling with love, identity, and the challenges of living in a world shaped by men’s expectations.
Level C2PoetryShakespeare's SonnetsExplore the timeless meditation on beauty, love, and legacy as these sonnets urge a beloved to embrace life, procreate, and defy the ravages of time through immortal verse and hear…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's Roman plays and their backgroundExplore the unique approach of Shakespeare’s Roman plays as they blend historical drama with literary innovation, tracing their sources from Plutarch to Elizabethan translations an…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's Lost Years in London, 1586-1592Explore the mysterious fifteen years that shaped Shakespeare's rise in London, revealing how his early works mirrored the vibrant political and social life of Elizabethan England.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Insomnia, and the Causes ThereofExplore the restless nights and troubled minds of men past youth, as revealed through Shakespeare’s keen observations and timeless reflections on insomnia, its causes, and its grip…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare's First FolioDive into the original texts of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies as preserved in the First Folio, complete with authentic spellings, printing quirks, and editorial…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Christmas, and other storiesStep into the lively world of a 1598 Christmas Eve at Shoreditch Theatre, where familiar characters like Falstaff and Prince Hal ignite uproarious laughter and mystery amid swirlin…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen BessIn Elizabethan London, a group of witty and talented men at the Mermaid Tavern eagerly anticipate the Christmas play chosen for Queen Elizabeth's court, spotlighting a young playwr…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare's Bones: The Proposal to Disinter Them, Considered in Relation to Their Possible Bearing on His Portraiture: Illustrated by Instances of Visits of the Living to the DeadA thoughtful exploration of the proposal to exhume Shakespeare’s remains, examining how such an act could illuminate his true likeness and honor his legacy, while reflecting on the…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare the Boy: With Sketches of the Home and School Life, Games and Sports, Manners, Customs and Folk-lore of the TimeStep into the heart of 16th-century England, exploring the landscapes, customs, and daily life that shaped young Shakespeare’s world—from Warwick’s ancient castles to the games and…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare in the TheatreExplore the vibrant world of Elizabethan theatre where Shakespeare's plays were not just read but performed with dazzling costumes and lively stages.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare as a Dramatic Artist: A Popular Illustration of the Principles of Scientific CriticismExplore a revolutionary approach to Shakespeare that reveals his mastery of dramatic art through scientific criticism, focusing on five key plays to uncover the techniques behind h…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare and the Stage: With a Complete List of Theatrical Terms Used by Shakespeare in His Plays and Poems, Arranged in Alphabetical Order, & Explanatory NotesExplore the origins of English drama as religious rituals evolve into popular theatrical performances, tracing how medieval miracle plays transitioned from sacred ceremonies to vib…
Level C1HistoricalShakespeare and the Modern Stage; with Other EssaysExplore the enduring vitality of Shakespeare’s dramas through essays that examine their representation on the modern stage, revealing how performance breathes life into timeless po…
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare and Precious Stones: Treating of the Known References of Precious Stones in Shakespeare's Works, with Comments as to the Origin of His Material, the Knowledge of the Poet Concerning Precious Stones, and References as to Where the Precious Stones of His Time Came fromExplore the rich symbolism and historical context of precious stones as they appear in Shakespeare's works, revealing the poet's knowledge and the sources of gems in his time.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare and His Love: A Play in Four Acts and an EpilogueExplore the intimate life and passions behind the genius of Shakespeare, revealing the man reflected in his iconic characters and the love that inspired them.
Level C1ClassicsShakespeare Study Programs; The ComediesDive into the lively world of mistaken identities and farcical twists as Shakespeare transforms a Roman comedy into a spirited English play filled with new characters and unexpecte…
Level C2ClassicsShakespeare Jest-Books: Reprints of the Early and Very Rare Jest-Books Supposed to Have Been Used by ShakespeareDive into a treasure trove of rare, early jest-books that inspired Shakespeare and reveal the wit and satire of 16th-century England, including lost tales, scandalous critiques, an…
Level B2HistoricalShaggycoat: The Biography of a BeaverFollow the life of a beaver whose industrious nature shapes forests and meadows, intertwining with Native American traditions and the relentless expansion of the fur trade that fue…
Level B1AdventureShaggo, the Mighty Buffalo: His Many AdventuresA mighty buffalo named Shaggo lives peacefully in a protected national park, yet his strange recent behavior intrigues his curious young companions as they venture together to the…
Level C1HistoricalShadows of the StageStep into the world of the Elizabethan stage through the eyes of John Lowin, an actor who witnessed Shakespeare's glory days and the theatre's downfall under Cromwell.
Level C1HistoricalShadows of ShastaIn the rugged Sierras, Native American tribes face brutal displacement and broken promises from the government, as brave leaders struggle to preserve their people and homeland agai…
Level C1Science FictionShadows in the MoonlightA desperate girl flees through a wild marshland, hunted by a ruthless conqueror who delights in her torment—until a bloodied stranger emerges, driven by a furious thirst for vengea…
Level C1Science FictionShadows in ZamboulaIn the bustling, dangerous streets of Zamboula, a mighty warrior confronts whispers of a sinister tavern where travelers vanish without a trace—haunted by demons and dark secrets.
Level C1ClassicsShadows and sunbeams: Being a second series of Fern leaves from Fanny's portfolioA young woman recalls the warmth and simplicity of her childhood home, only to face harsh realities and cold dependence after her father’s death.
Level C1PoetryShadowingsA young samurai, ruined and regretful, returns to Kyoto to seek forgiveness from the wife he divorced in folly.
Level B2MysteryShadowed by a detectiveA detective navigates a maze of intriguing cases, from stolen pay trains to mysterious puzzles, each demanding sharp wit and courage.
Level B2MysteryShadow, the Mysterious DetectiveOn a stormy night, a mysterious murder shocks the city, drawing Detective Howard into a dark investigation where danger lurks and secrets threaten to unravel.
Level C1ClassicsSganarelle, or, the Self-Deceived HusbandA jealous husband becomes convinced of his wife's infidelity through a series of misunderstandings, leading to uproarious attempts at revenge fueled by his own cowardice and self-d…
Level C1PoetrySevern & SommeAmid the thunder of war, a soldier-poet captures the haunting beauty of Gloucestershire and the raw pain of the trenches, weaving personal reflections with vivid landscapes and hea…
Level C1ClassicsSeventeen: A Tale of Youth and Summer Time and the Baxter Family, Especially WilliamSeventeen-year-old William Sylvanus Baxter navigates the heavy, idle summer days of youth with a mix of lofty self-assurance and reluctant social encounters, all while grappling wi…
Level B2ClassicsSevenoaks: A Story of TodayIn a bustling mill town shaped by the roar of its rushing stream, everyday lives intertwine amid factories, shops, and homes.
Level C1Children'sSeven daughtersIn a lively household filled with seven daughters, the joys and challenges of girlhood unfold through humor, family dynamics, and dreams of love, all set against the backdrop of a…
Level C1HistoricalSeven and nine years among the Camanches and ApachesCaptured by the Camanches and Apaches, a family’s journey westward unfolds through harrowing trials and captivity, revealing the harsh realities behind frontier legends and the res…
Level B2Children'sSeven Xmas EvesTwo ragged, starving children, Nick and Nan, cling to each other for survival in a grim London attic, their mysterious pasts unfolding through the eyes of a kind washerwoman who wa…
Level B2ClassicsSeven Short PlaysIn a small, restless town, the arrival of a new magistrate stirs up suspicion and gossip among the locals, revealing a community where everyone minds each other's business and secr…
Level C2PoetrySeven Poems and a FragmentOn All Souls’ Night, a narrator summons memories of friends and ghosts whose passions and philosophies intertwine with the supernatural, exploring love, loss, and the quest for pro…
Level B1Children'sSeven O'Clock StoriesThree happy children with unusual names live a joyful country life filled with curious animals, playful adventures, and the simple wonders of nature.
Level C1PoetrySeven Minor Epics of the English Renaissance (1596-1624)Explore seven rare minor epics from the English Renaissance, featuring elusive authors and intriguing tales of love and myth, reproduced faithfully from their earliest editions for…
Level C1ClassicsSeven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class BookSeven young Chinese women in an English class embark on a unique language-learning game, each adopting a role tied to a letter of the alphabet, revealing cultural insights and the…
Level B2FantasySeven Little People and their FriendsSeven Little People embark on enchanting adventures beneath the sea and beyond, guided by mysterious wishes granted on their birthdays.
Level C1ClassicsSeven LegendsDelve into seven beautifully crafted legends that blend edification with psychological insight, revealing transformative journeys of faith and wonder.
Level C1MysterySeven Keys to BaldpateA chance encounter at a desolate railway station pulls a cynical writer into a mysterious woman's sorrow, setting the stage for a suspenseful tale where secrets unfold behind locke…
Level B2AdventureSeven Frozen SailorsA determined captain and a secretive doctor assemble a rugged crew for a daring Arctic expedition, disguised as a sealing voyage.
Level C1HistoricalSevastopolAmid the fog and frost of Sevastopol, the city teems with soldiers, sailors, and civilians caught in the relentless rhythms of war.
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.