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 A2RomanceThe spider's webA determined man spends days navigating the chaotic Midway, searching through crowds for a mysterious woman who has captivated him.
Level C1ClassicsThe spider and the flyIn a grim convict station by a desolate shore, two prisoners plot a daring escape under the cover of darkness, risking everything to seize a fleeting chance at freedom before the u…
Level C1ClassicsThe speaker's ideal entertainmentsDiscover a unique collection of carefully chosen dramatic pieces paired with expert guidance on gesture and expression, perfect for captivating performances and eloquent speeches t…
Level C1HistoricalThe southern crossAmidst the fading grandeur of a Southern estate during the Civil War, a family grapples with loss, loyalty, and the harsh realities of conflict.
Level C1ClassicsThe soul of the moving pictureExplore the enigmatic power of cinema as it transforms from a misunderstood novelty into a profound art of feeling, capturing the human soul through gestures and movement while evo…
Level C1ClassicsThe soul of a bishopIn a restless dream, a weary bishop confronts the heated theological debates of early Christianity and the elusive mystery of the Trinity.
Level C1ClassicsThe soul of LilithA mysterious man with striking white hair and dark features silently enters a crowded theatre during a powerful Hamlet performance, embodying a strange experiment to explore the un…
Level C1PoetryThe sonnets, triumphs, and other poems of PetrarchDelve into the life and heartfelt poetry of a Renaissance poet shaped by exile, political strife, and enduring love.
Level C1PoetryThe song of the exileJourney through a Canadian epic that intertwines history and passion, from the siege of Quebec to the War of 1812, captured in stirring verse and poignant reflections on love, war,…
Level C1ClassicsThe son of Don Juan: an original drama in 3 acts inspired by the reading of Ibsen's work entitled 'Gengangere'A gifted mathematician torn between rigorous study and a burgeoning passion for literature faces profound personal and intellectual challenges, revealing the complex interplay of l…
Level B2AdventureThe somnolence of SomersAn invalid seeking adventure in the Wild West finds himself drawn into a tense cattle rustler chase, where old friendships and past rivalries resurface amid the sun-drenched danger…
Level B2ClassicsThe soldier's orphansIn the harsh shadows of poverty-stricken Philadelphia, two young brothers and their devoted grandmother cling to hope and each other, finding small joys amid hardship and hunger.
Level C1FantasyThe sociable ghostA heartbroken reporter, rejected by his wealthy love, retreats to a gloomy churchyard where restless ghosts rise for a midnight gathering.
Level B2FantasyThe sociable Sand WitchBeneath the ocean’s sandy shore lives a most unusual witch who emerges only to make new friends.
Level C1FantasyThe snow-image: a childish miracleTwo children, Violet and Peony, set out to craft a magical snow-image sister to play with throughout the winter, blending the innocence of childhood with a touch of wonder in a chi…
Level C1HistoricalThe snow-image, and other twice-told talesExplore a collection of reflective tales and sketches revealing the author's journey from obscurity to recognition, blending personal insights with artistic reimaginings of life’s…
Level C1ClassicsThe snow manIn a cold, abandoned room filled with dust and silence, maps of icy landscapes hint at a forgotten world beyond.
Level B2MysteryThe smearIn the wild Yukon winter, a murder rocks the Malamute Saloon, and suspicion falls on Finn Charley, who hides a deadly secret beneath a chilling accusation.
Level B2Science FictionThe small bearsExplorers land on a mysterious planet littered with abandoned Earth spaceships and encounter small, seemingly harmless creatures resembling teddy bears.
Level C1Children'sThe sleeping beauty and other fairy tales from the old FrenchEnter a world of enchantment where timeless fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast come alive, revealing the charm and elegance of old French storyt…
Level C1ClassicsThe skipper's wooing, and The brown man's servantOnboard the cement-laden schooner Seamew, uneasy whispers stir among the crew as their captain’s strange behavior hints at troubles deeper than the sea.
Level B2AdventureThe skeleton scout; or, The border blockIn the heart of Indian territory, a towering Yankee navigates a river on a log-turned-canoe toward a fortified cabin guarded by wary sentries, setting the stage for a tense encount…
Level B2MysteryThe skeleton crewIn a snow-covered village, a mysterious youth shuns a festive Christmas dance, haunted by secrets and shadowed by a striking horseman cloaked in darkness.
PoetryThe sirensAn evocative ode unfolds through a series of poetic movements, exploring themes of victory, shadow, and unseen realms.
Level C2PoetryThe singing leavesStep into a world woven with songs and spells, where poems evoke the magic of nature, love, and everyday moments, inviting you to explore the enchanting rhythms of life through lyr…
Level C1PoetryThe silver netTwo cousins share secrets, roses, and the bittersweet trials of love in a delicate dialogue where friendship and romance intertwine beneath the watching stars.
Level C1FantasyThe silver keyA man trapped by the loss of his key to dreamlike realms struggles to reclaim the magic and wonder that once filled his nights with fantastical journeys, confronting the harshness…
Level C1RomanceThe silver dial, volume 3 (of 3)Amid chaos and rivalry, a master horologist vows to restore the ruined Horologe in time for the feast of St.
Level C1RomanceThe silver dial, volume 2 (of 3)In a grand ancestral mansion, the brilliant yet distant Radegund grapples with family tensions and unspoken sorrows while her impulsive brother Otto's impatience and jealousy threa…
Level C1RomanceThe silver dial, volume 1 (of 3)In the city of Strassburg, a kind-hearted merchant and his brilliant son Conrad navigate loss and ambition, as the young mathematician’s talent promises a future shaped by intellec…
PoetryThe silver cat, and other poemsDive into a collection where lyrical grace and vivid imagery bring timeless themes to life, inviting readers to explore the delicate interplay of beauty, mystery, and emotion throu…
Level B2MysteryThe silver blade: The true chronicle of a double mysteryA terrified young man bursts into police headquarters, insisting a murder has just occurred, plunging the city into a web of intrigue and double mysteries that only a determined de…
Level B2ClassicsThe silica gel pseudomorph, and other storiesIn sandy South Jersey, a college student's quest for rare green sand uncovers a mysterious, translucent figure buried beneath the earth—part man, part glassy enigma—and sparks a cu…
Level C1AdventureThe silent placesIn the remote northern wilderness, seasoned men of the Hudson's Bay Company gather at a river post, their lives entwined with the harsh land and its secrets.
Level B2ClassicsThe silent cabinIn the harsh Alaskan wilderness, a dying man faces solitude with quiet resolve, while two travelers battle brutal winter trails toward uncertain fortunes.
Level C1AdventureThe sign of the prophetTwo companions navigate the wild Scioto River in 1811, racing to join General Harrison’s army while facing the challenges of early frontier life and unexpected encounters along the…
Level C1Children'sThe sign of the crossAs a village prepares for a long-awaited Confirmation service, young Edah Champlin faces the challenge of living faithfully by the promises made at baptism, confronting daily strug…
Level C1ClassicsThe show girlA Parisian gentleman forsakes high society for the bohemian life of Montmartre, weaving a tale through letters filled with duels, mysterious figures, and the search for the elusive…
Level B2RomanceThe shotgun princessA fiercely protective brother guards his sister Doris with a loaded shotgun, deterring all suitors—until the determined Johnny Trumbull arrives, eager to win her heart despite the…
Level C1MysteryThe shooting partyAt just sixteen, a young writer balances family struggles and his emerging talent amid the backdrop of Russian life, weaving humor and humanity into a complex narrative that hints…
Level B2HistoricalThe shoemakerIn a struggling New York neighborhood, a shoemaker rebuilds his life after fleeing persecution, raising his devoted daughter Dora amidst hardship and hope.
Level C1AdventureThe shipwreckA seaman-poet combines nautical expertise with vivid imagination to portray the harrowing experience of a shipwreck, offering both a gripping narrative and a technical guide to sur…
Level B2MysteryThe shadow on the sparkWhen a robust banker dies under suspicious circumstances following a routine operation, his close friend Dr.
Level C1MysteryThe shadow of the WolfTwo men set sail from a quiet cove, their tense conversations hinting at a past steeped in danger and deception.
Level B2RomanceThe shadow of the EastA wealthy American escapes the suffocating society life for a spontaneous voyage to the mysterious East, dragging along reluctant companions and confronting unexpected tensions und…
Level B2RomanceThe shadow between them;In a struggling West Virginia oil town, a spirited young beauty, Eva, faces harsh family dynamics and strict guardianship that threaten to keep her from the simple joys of youth.
Level C1ClassicsThe sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 2 of 2)Dive into the vivid recollections of a literary life marked by shifting principles, surprising alliances, and the intricate dance between faith, politics, and literature.
Level C1ClassicsThe sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)A reflective literary life unfolds through candid dedications and personal recollections, tracing the journey of an author who rose from humble origins to esteemed recognition, rev…
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.