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 C1PoetrySelect Poems of Sidney LanierImmerse yourself in vivid reflections on nature, music, and life through poems that weave personal history with lyrical beauty.
Level C1PoetrySelect Epigrams from the Greek AnthologyDive into a rich collection of Greek epigrams, short poetic inscriptions blending history, epitaphs, and ancient tradition, carefully curated from classical sources to capture the…
Level C1ClassicsSelect Conversations with an Uncle (Now Extinct) and Two Other ReminiscencesA witty, sharp-tongued uncle struggles to find his place amid London’s literary salons and fashionable society, revealing the emptiness beneath social brilliance and the fading art…
Level C1ClassicsSeldwyla Folks: Three Singular TalesIn a quaint Swiss town frozen in medieval customs, three singular tales unfold, blending humor and satire to reveal the quirks and contradictions of its unprogressive inhabitants.
Level C1ClassicsSekhetAmidst the shadow of death and a father’s obsession with beauty rooted in ancient ideals, a young woman’s journey unfolds—entwining love, art, and the harsh truths of existence acr…
Level C1HistoricalSejanus: His FallIn the volatile world of Roman politics, an ambitious man navigates power, betrayal, and downfall.
Level C1ClassicsSeets i' Paris: Sammywell Grimes's trip with his old chum Billy Baccus, his opinion o' th' French, and th' French opinion o' th' exhibition he made ov hissenTwo friends set off from the moorside to explore Paris during its grand exhibition, confronting cultural clashes and personal ailments along the way.
Level B1Children'sSeeking his fortune, and other dialoguesA determined young man leaves his rural home, dreaming of city life and fortune in bustling Bostown, despite his parents' worries and warnings about the challenges ahead.
Level B2AdventureSeek and Find; or, The Adventures of a Smart BoyA sharp-witted boy named Ernest Thornton embarks on a thrilling adventure after rescuing a frightened young girl who leaps into a lake, sparking a mysterious and daring quest along…
Level B2ClassicsSeeing the ElephantA wealthy young man trades city vices for country life, striving to prove himself a hardworking farmer to win the hand of the woman he loves—yet doubts and challenges threaten thei…
Level C1HistoricalSeeing and HearingExperience the grandeur and solemnity of a royal coronation, where ancient rites blend with the profound covenant between king and people, embodying centuries of history, faith, an…
Level B2ClassicsSeeing Things at NightA reluctant knight-in-training, Gawaine le Cœur-Hardy, is tasked with slaying real dragons threatening the countryside, but his true challenge lies in overcoming fear and embracing…
Level B2ClassicsSeeing France with Uncle JohnEmbark on a lively voyage across France with Uncle John, where family tensions, unexpected companions, and humorous mishaps turn a simple trip into a memorable adventure at sea.
Level C1ClassicsSeed-time and Harvest: A NovelA widowed leaseholder faces ruin as his estate is auctioned off, burdened by grief and hardship in 1829 Pomerania.
Level B2Science FictionSee?Four hobos bound by hardship navigate the Road’s harsh realities until Dirty Pete discovers a mysterious, repulsive object that threatens their fragile camaraderie and challenges t…
Level B2Science FictionSecurityTrapped in a high-security lab where every discovery is censored, a frustrated scientist battles stifling restrictions that choke the free flow of knowledge and threaten the very s…
Level B2AdventureSecrets of the AndesTwo friends survive a harrowing car accident deep in the wilderness and face a desperate trek to safety through the rugged Andes.
Level C1MysterySecret Service; or, Recollections of a City DetectiveIn a decaying borough rife with bribery and corruption, a seasoned city detective navigates the murky world of electioneering, uncovering the sordid tactics behind political power…
Level C1HistoricalSecret Service: Being the Happenings of a Night in Richmond in the Spring of 1865In the tense spring of 1865 Richmond, amid the distant thunder of cannon and the quiet agony inside a Colonial house, women tend to war’s wounded while a mysterious arrival stirs t…
Level C1HistoricalSecret History of To-day: Being Revelations of a Diplomatic SpyA master spy with unparalleled linguistic skills navigates the shadowy world of international intrigue, influencing historic events and royal courts while guarding explosive secret…
Level C1RomanceSecret History Revealed By Lady Peggy O'MalleyWhen a young girl’s simple wish for a white frock intertwines with high-stakes secrets and a looming crisis between the United States and Mexico, she finds herself at the heart of…
Level C1ClassicsSecresy; or, Ruin on the RockIn a remote castle, Sibella Valmont lives under her stern uncle’s strict seclusion, while Caroline Ashburn challenges this harsh isolation through letters that spark forbidden frie…
Level C1RomanceSecond to None: A Military Romance, Volume 3 (of 3)Amidst the clashing regiments and shifting alliances of 18th-century Europe, a resolute British cavalry officer leads his fearless Scots Greys into battle against the formidable Du…
Level C1RomanceSecond to None: A Military Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)Amidst the siege of St.
Level C1RomanceSecond to None: A Military Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)A young heir, disinherited and penniless, faces a bleak future beneath the shadow of his family's harsh legacy.
Level C1ClassicsSecond StringA young man returns to his hometown after years abroad, reconnecting with old friends and memories tied to his late father’s dream of a challenging Pentathlon event.
PoetrySecond Book of VerseDive into a rich collection of poems that journey through tender lullabies, wistful memories, lively scenes, and timeless reflections on love, nature, and everyday life.
Level C1Children'sSecond Book of TalesJourney back to post-war Kansas aboard the rickety Han'bul 'nd St.
Level C2PoetrySecond AprilA restless soul confronts the cycle of spring’s fleeting beauty and the harsh realities of life, seeking meaning amid destruction and renewal.
Level C1HistoricalSebastopolAmid the siege of Sebastopol, explore the raw truths of human nature and the quiet heroism of self-denial in the face of war’s chaos.
Level C1PoetrySeaward: An Elegy on the Death of Thomas William ParsonsA lyrical elegy mourning the death of Thomas William Parsons, a devoted scholar and translator of Dante, whose poetic genius bridged American and Italian literary traditions.
Level C1PhilosophySearch-Light LettersA thoughtful dialogue unfolds aboard an ocean steamer, exploring the tension between personal ethics and social conventions as a young instructress grapples with honesty, duty, and…
Level C1AdventureSea-dogs all!A fierce storm batters a riverside village, where a mysterious man in black watches with dark intent, while a rugged sailor seeks him through the wild landscape—whispers of danger…
Level C1AdventureSea urchinsA determined fourteen-year-old boy boards the pirate ship Susan Jane, eager to prove himself amid a rough crew and a skipper intent on knocking the nonsense out of him.
Level B2FantasySea curseIn a coastal village ruled by fierce sailors, a dark curse is unleashed when a young girl returns dead from the sea, sparking vengeance and terror that haunt the restless ocean and…
Level C2ClassicsSea and Shore: A Sequel to "Miriam's Memoirs"A poignant farewell unfolds as a woman leaves her ancestral home by the sea, haunted by memories and the weight of "nevermore.
Level C1PoetrySea Spray: Verses and TranslationsImmerse yourself in evocative verses and vivid translations that journey through ancient Irish legends, historic battles, and timeless fables, blending lyrical beauty with rich cul…
Level C2PoetrySea PoemsDive into a lyrical voyage where the sea becomes a vast subconscious, stirring powerful emotions and timeless truths through vivid poems that explore storms, love, and the mysterie…
Level B2AdventureSea PlunderAn experienced but down-on-his-luck sea captain is offered a risky, secretive job captaining a private cable-laying vessel, promising high rewards but shrouded in mystery and dange…
Level B2MysterySea Mew AbbeyA grieving sailor seeks refuge for his motherless infant at a remote convent overlooking the sea, where secrets and sorrow intertwine beneath the abbey’s solemn walls.
Level A2AdventureScouting with Kit CarsonTwo weary riders pause at a mountain spring, wary of the rugged Rockies and the hidden dangers—wild beasts and hostile tribes—that lie ahead.
Level C1AdventureScouting Dave: The Trail HunterIn the shadowy wilderness of the Far West, a skilled scout named David Barring faces a perilous mission to warn settlers of an impending attack by Native tribes led by the fierce B…
Level B2ClassicsScottish toastsRaise a glass to Scotland’s spirited gatherings with a collection of toasts, sentiments, and hearty stories that celebrate friendship, patriotism, and conviviality.
Level C1ClassicsScottish sketchesIn the rugged Scottish Highlands, Alexander Crawford treasures his ancestral land and wealth while navigating family pride and tradition.
Level C1HistoricalScottish chapbook literatureExplore the vibrant world of Scottish chapbooks, where traveling publishers spread history, humor, and theology among the common folk over three centuries, revealing a rich cultura…
Level C1PoetryScottish Poetry of the Sixteenth CenturyExplore the turbulent dawn of Scottish Renaissance poetry amid the aftermath of Flodden Field, where feudalism collapses and the Reformation stirs fierce religious fervor, reshapin…
Level B2PoetryScott's Lady of the LakeAmid the breathtaking Highlands and the mysterious Loch Katrine, ancient customs and heroic tales come alive in a poetic journey that weaves romance, valor, and the rugged beauty o…
Level B2MysteryScott Burton on the RangeAn eager newcomer to the rugged West encounters a seasoned old rancher whose tales of fierce rivalries and vast mountain ranges reveal a land shaped by courage, conflict, and the r…
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.