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 B2ClassicsSettling DayA desperate father races across the harsh Australian bush to save his young son’s life, relying on a gruff but dedicated local doctor in the remote town of Swamp Creek.
Level B2AdventureSettlers and Scouts: A Tale of the African HighlandsA father and son embark on a daring journey to the untamed highlands of British East Africa, seeking new beginnings amid wild landscapes, exotic wildlife, and the challenges of pio…
Level C1ClassicsSeth's Brother's Wife: A Study of Life in the Greater New YorkTensions simmer in a rural farmhouse as old family grudges ignite when a city-bred Richardson arrives for a funeral, challenging the uneasy peace among the hired folk and kin.
Level B2AdventureSeth Jones; or, The Captives of the FrontierIn the untamed wilderness of early America, a rugged woodman’s peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger from New Hampshire.
Level B2RomanceSet in SilverTorn between her American roots and European sophistication, Audrie navigates friendship, ambition, and unexpected nerves during a summer in Switzerland.
Level C1ClassicsSet Down in Malice: A Book of ReminiscencesA vivid collection of personal reminiscences penned amidst the turmoil of war, offering candid insights into notable figures, artistic minds, and intellectual debates of the early…
Level C1RomanceSestrina: A romance of the South SeasIn the lush Marquesas Isles, young Englishman Royal Clensy navigates a world of tropical beauty, native customs, and unexpected companionship with a disreputable sailor, all while…
Level C1PhilosophySesame and LiliesA passionate call to cherish life's fleeting hours by surrounding oneself with thoughtfully chosen, well-crafted books, urging readers to build a lasting personal library that enri…
Level C1HistoricalServian Popular PoetryExplore the rich history and soul of Servia through its vibrant popular poetry, capturing tales of ancient kingdoms, legendary battles, and the enduring spirit of a people shaped b…
Level C1RomanceServants of Sin: A RomanceIn snowy Paris, a brooding nobleman wrestles with bitter family betrayals and a complicated romance as letters from a hopeful lover stir memories of a future that may never come to…
Level B2MysterySergeant Silk, the Prairie ScoutA skilled scout and a young gentleman cross the vast Canadian prairie, where a mysterious stranger accused of a crime seeks the help of a North-West Mounted Police sergeant to clea…
Level C1ClassicsSerge Panine — CompleteIn the heart of Parisian society, complex characters navigate ambition, desire, and the intricate ties that bind them.
Level B2Children'sSerbian Fairy TalesA boy born of a bear and a woman sets out from his cave, wielding a mighty club, to explore a world filled with strange challenges and fierce rivals—including a formidable suitor n…
Level C1HistoricalSerapis — CompleteAmid the restless nights of 391 Alexandria, a weary family of wandering singers seeks refuge in a city under uneasy Roman watch, where monks gather and mysterious rituals unfold be…
Level C1PhilosophySeraphitaAmid Norway’s wild, intricate fiords, a celestial tale unfolds where nature’s grandeur mirrors the mysterious human phenomena waiting to be revealed.
Level B2Science FictionSequelStranded in the void with dwindling oxygen, a failed Academy dropout drifts toward a lonely asteroid, haunted by betrayal and the ruthless mutiny that sealed his fate.
Level C1ClassicsSeptimusIn the tranquil village of Nunsmere, Zora Middlemist wrestles with grief and defiance after losing her husband to alcoholism.
Level C1ClassicsSeptimius Felton, or, the Elixir of LifeAn American heir journeys to an English manor haunted by a mysterious bloody footprint, uncovering a legend entwined with the quest for eternal youth and the elusive elixir of life…
Level B2HistoricalSentimental Tommy: The Story of His BoyhoodIn a gritty London stairwell, young Tommy navigates childhood with a vivid imagination and a guarded spirit shaped by loss and hardship.
Level C1HistoricalSentimental Education; Or, The History of a Young Man. Volume 2A young man’s passion and ambition collide in a world of art, love, and social intrigue as he navigates duels, shifting alliances, and the pursuit of wealth and status in turbulent…
Level B2HistoricalSentimental Education; Or, The History of a Young Man. Volume 1An idealistic young graduate embarks on a river journey, dreaming of art, passion, and a prosperous future, while encountering a worldly man who offers cynical advice on life and l…
Level C1ClassicsSenator NorthIn the heart of Washington’s political maze, Betty Madison navigates society’s sharp intrigues and the harsh realities behind Senate doors, challenging expectations with wit and de…
Level C1AdventureSemiramis: A Tale of Battle and of LoveAmidst the siege of the impregnable city of Zariaspa, a mighty king wrestles with defeat, while a fierce queen's ambition and passion ignite a legendary tale of love, war, and the…
Level C1ClassicsSelina: Her Hopeful Efforts and Her Livelier FailuresA young woman in the 1880s grapples with her family's financial struggles and her own hopeful but faltering efforts to find independence amid the constraints of Victorian society.
Level C1ClassicsSelf-control: A NovelA young woman, burdened by duty and social limitations, faces a life shaped by self-control and virtue amid trials of health, family, and ambition.
Level C1RomanceSelf-Raised; Or, From the DepthsAmid heartbreak and unspoken devotion, Bee nurtures Ishmael with unwavering love while he grapples with past sorrows and uncertain futures.
Level C1ClassicsSelf-Doomed: A NovelIn a world where ambition clashes with contentment, apprentice Gideon Wolf resents humble labor and dreams of wealth, while those around him embody contrasting virtues and tragedie…
Level B2Children'sSelf-Denial; or, Alice Wood, and Her Missionary SocietyIn a charming village school, Alice Wood inspires her classmates to form a Missionary Society, sacrificing small pleasures to raise funds for spreading the Bible and aiding distant…
Level C1PhilosophySelections from the Prose Writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman: For the Use of SchoolsExplore the profound reflections and eloquent prose of a spiritual thinker whose insights illuminate truth and inspire the heart.
Level C1ClassicsSelections from the Prose Works of Matthew ArnoldExplore the sharp insights and cultural reflections of a dedicated scholar balancing everyday duties with a relentless pursuit of higher knowledge.
Level C1PoetrySelections from the Poems and Plays of Robert BrowningExplore the vivid early world of a young poet shaped by a nurturing home filled with art, music, and nature.
Level C1PoetrySelections from Wordsworth and TennysonIn a remote valley, an aging shepherd named Michael embodies a life of quiet strength, deep connection to nature, and enduring family bonds.
Level C1PhilosophySelections from Previous Works: With Remarks on Romanes' Mental Evolution in Animals, and a Psalm of MontrealIn a society where illness is a crime and immoral behavior a sickness, explore a thought-provoking critique of science, heredity, and social norms through sharp commentary and imag…
Level C1FantasySelections from PoeDive into a world where haunting poems and eerie tales reveal the troubled genius of a solitary dreamer, exploring themes of death, mystery, and the macabre through unforgettable v…
Level B2PoetrySelections from Five English PoetsExplore the rich melodies and moods of English poetry through stirring lyrics, epic tales, and reflective verse by five master poets, revealing how rhythm and story intertwine to a…
Level C1HistoricalSelections from Erasmus: Principally from his EpistlesDiscover intimate glimpses of Renaissance life through the lively letters and reflections of a brilliant scholar, who reveals the personalities and politics shaping England and Eur…
Level C2ClassicsSelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 2: NotesExplore the linguistic and literary treasures of Early Middle English through detailed notes on manuscripts, phonology, and texts like the Peterborough Chronicle and Ancrene Wisse,…
Level C2PoetrySelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 1: TextsExplore the linguistic and poetic heritage of early Middle English through carefully selected texts from 1130 to 1250, featuring original manuscripts and rare characters that illum…
Level C1PoetrySelections from American poetry, with special reference to Poe, Longfellow, Lowell and WhittierExplore the evolution of American poetry from Puritan austerity to the vibrant voices of Poe, Longfellow, Lowell, and Whittier, capturing the nation’s spirit through nature, histor…
Level C1PhilosophySelected Works of Voltairine de CleyreA fierce rebel shaped by hardship and defiance, she challenges societal hypocrisy and champions universal liberty amid America’s transformative era.
Level C1ClassicsSelected Stories of Bret HarteExperience vivid tales of the American West where colorful characters and unexpected twists bring mining camp life to vibrant, romanticized life.
Level C1ClassicsSelected Prose of Oscar WildeDive into a rich anthology of sharp wit, vivid observations, and literary critique that reveals the multifaceted prose of a master storyteller, blending art, society, and philosoph…
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems of Oscar WildeA haunting reflection on love, guilt, and mortality unfolds through vivid verses that reveal the tragic fate of a man condemned for murdering the woman he loved.
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems of Francis ThompsonA poet haunted by fragility and mysticism finds beauty in ordinary moments, weaving celestial visions and personal struggles into golden verses inspired by nature, childhood, and f…
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems (1685-1700)Dive into the fierce world of a fiery Whig journalist who defies tyranny with sharp verses and bold exposés, navigating political intrigue and personal myth-making in a turbulent a…
Level C2PoetrySelected PoemsExperience the poignant reflections on love, life, and mortality as tender verses carry you through moments of joy, loss, and the inexorable passage of time, unfolding a landscape…
Level C1HistoricalSelected Essays of Plutarch, Vol. II.Explore a rich collection of philosophical dialogues and treatises that delve into morality, superstition, and the complexities of human nature, guided by thoughtful commentary and…
Level C1PhilosophySelected Essays of Plutarch, Vol. I.Explore the rich moral and social insights of early Roman-era middle-class life through essays that blend practical philosophy with keen observation, offering timeless reflections…
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.