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 C1ClassicsA Strange World: A Novel. Volume 1 (of 3)In a fading city near a grand cathedral, a weary young woman and her aging actor father grapple with dreams and harsh realities of the theatrical world, revealing the bitter strugg…
Level C1FantasyA Strange Story — CompleteA man’s journey unfolds across three intertwined lives—animal, human, and spiritual—as he confronts mysteries that transcend material existence, guided by supernatural forces and a…
Level B2Science FictionA Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper CylinderA languid cruise turns captivating when a mysterious copper cylinder is discovered at sea, sparking a thrilling tale of adventure and discovery.
Level C1Science FictionA Strange DiscoveryAn Englishman travels to Southern Illinois to settle his late father’s business, only to find himself drawn into a mysterious discovery that intertwines literature, local legends,…
Level C1MysteryA Strange DisappearanceA housekeeper turns to a sharp young detective when a girl who sewed for the household mysteriously vanishes overnight, with whispers and secret movements hinting at a chilling abd…
Level B2AdventureA Story of the Golden AgeEmbark on a vivid journey through ancient Greece, where myths and legends come alive against the backdrop of sea-girt Ithaca and heroic quests, weaving the tales that lead to the e…
Level B2MysteryA Stolen Name; Or, The Man Who Defied Nick CarterA master criminal adopts a stolen identity tied to a dilapidated Virginia estate, setting the stage for a daring adventure in debt, deception, and defiance.
Level C1ClassicsA Start in LifeIn a rapidly changing Paris where old stagecoaches face fierce competition from new transport ventures, a family business fights to maintain its monopoly on key routes.
Level C1MysteryA Stable for Nightmares; or, Weird TalesA journey to the remote and neglected Barwyke Hall reveals eerie landscapes and unsettling local tales long forgotten by time.
Level C1PoetryA Spray of Kentucky Pine: Placed at the Feet of the Dead Poet James Whitcomb RileyA heartfelt tribute intertwining the legacy of the beloved poet James Whitcomb Riley with personal reflections and memories, this collection honors both the dead and the living thr…
Level C1ClassicsA Sportsman's Sketches: Works of Ivan Turgenev, Volume IExplore the contrasting lives of Russian peasants through vivid encounters with eccentric locals, rustic homesteads, and the wild countryside, as a passionate sportsman journeys de…
Level C1ClassicsA Sportsman's Sketches, Volume 2: Works of Ivan Turgenev, Volume 2Step into the serene Russian countryside where Tatyana Borissovna, a kind-hearted widow, welcomes young visitors into her peaceful home, offering warmth, wisdom, and quiet companio…
Level B2ClassicsA Spoil of Office: A Story of the Modern WestIn the vibrant heart of the American West, a humble young man named Bradley Talcott navigates the rugged landscape and lively Grange community, striving to achieve political succes…
Level C1RomanceA Splendid HazardOn a rain-soaked day in Paris, two strangers collide beneath umbrellas near Napoleon’s tomb, sparking memories and mysteries.
Level C1Children'sA Spirit in PrisonOn a sunlit islet near Naples, Vere watches a carefree boy whose singing and daring underwater dives stir her longing for freedom and adventure beyond her privileged life.
Level C1ClassicsA Spinner in the SunAfter twenty-five years away, a woman returns to her long-abandoned, weathered home, haunted by memories and sorrow.
Level B2ClassicsA Speckled BirdA spirited young girl named Eglah struggles with her unwanted name and her place within a strict, sorrowful household marked by loss and tradition.
Level C1ClassicsA Sovereign RemedyTwo men with the same name and striking resemblance collide on a remote moor, sparking a curious partnership as they navigate identity, fate, and the wild landscape stretching towa…
Level C1FantasyA Southern Cross fairy taleOn a warm New Zealand Christmas Eve, two children gather vibrant flowers to honor their mother’s distant memories of snowy Christmases, blending the magic of fairy tales with the u…
Level C1PoetryA Song of the Open Road, and Other VersesExplore the sharp wit and poignant reflections of an Irish poet navigating identity, art, and internationalism amid the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century London and war, cap…
Level C1HistoricalA Song of the GunsAmidst the relentless thunder of artillery in the trenches of World War I, soldiers become both masters and slaves to their guns, navigating the brutal realities of war through the…
Level C1RomanceA Song of a Single Note: A Love StoryAmid the turmoil of a war-torn New York under occupation, an old elder receives troubling news that stirs questions of loyalty, faith, and survival.
Level C1AdventureA Son of the SunStranded on a sun-scorched island, two white men endure fever, heat, and tension while awaiting a mysterious visitor arriving by canoe.
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the StateIn the bustling streets of London, young Bobbie Lancaster navigates the colorful crowds and lively neighborhoods, caught between childhood mischief and serious matters as he become…
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the SoilIn a rain-soaked countryside where locals embrace the weather and rugged life, a worldly young visitor clashes with spirited Colin, a native boy whose resilience and connection to…
Level B2HistoricalA Son of the Middle BorderAmid the shadows of a post-Civil War Wisconsin valley, a family reunites with a weary soldier returning home, unveiling a personal saga of pioneer hardships and the intimate strugg…
Level C1RomanceA Son of the ImmortalsIn early 20th-century Paris, artist Joan Vernon balances her passion for painting with encounters that hint at romance and rivalry, all set against the vibrant backdrop of the Lati…
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the HillsIn the shadow of Lost Mountain, a forgotten community struggles with poverty, pride, and the legacy of a fading aristocracy.
Level C1HistoricalA Son of the Gods, and A Horseman in the SkyAmidst the tense silence of a halted army facing a foreboding stone wall and hedge, soldiers prepare to confront an elusive enemy in a landscape scarred by relentless battle.
Level C1Science FictionA Son of the Ages: The Reincarnations and Adventures of Scar, the Link: A Story of Man From the BeginningJourney through eons as life evolves from primeval seas to fierce prehistoric battles, following a unique link in human ancestry whose mind begins to stir amid savage survival and…
Level C1FantasyA Son of Perdition: An Occult RomanceAn artist struggling to capture the enchanting Cornish landscape finds his vision intertwined with the ethereal presence of a mysterious girl who speaks of unseen nature spirits, d…
Level C1HistoricalA Son of Mars, volume 2Caught between family loyalty and duty, a soldier faces the turmoil of forbidden love and impending war as his regiment prepares for a dangerous campaign in Ashanti.
Level C1ClassicsA Son of Mars, volume 1In a bustling military barracks, a mysterious woman claims a boy raised by a humble family as her own, igniting secrets and tensions beneath the surface of everyday soldierly life.
Level B2MysteryA Son of Ishmael: A NovelIn a remote old house shadowed by mystery, Nancy Follett lives a secluded life under her father's strict watch, until the enigmatic Adrian Rowton breaks through their isolation.
Level C1RomanceA Son of Hagar: A Romance of Our TimeA man of strong passions struggles between good and evil, facing temptation and societal judgment in the rugged mountains of Cumberland and the harsh streets of London.
Level B2AdventureA Son of CourageIn a remote wilderness home, Mary Wilson confronts isolation, family tensions, and mysterious hardships, while clinging to her faith and duty to care for those in need.
Level C1HistoricalA Son at the FrontAn American portrait painter in Montmartre awaits his son's arrival from England just as Europe teeters on the brink of war, capturing a world where art, ambition, and the looming…
Level C1HistoricalA Soldier's Trial: An Episode of the Canteen CrusadeIn the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, Colonel Ray, a seasoned and honorable officer burdened by family financial woes, seeks new hope as he invites his determined relative…
Level B2ClassicsA Soldier's SonAfter the war ends, a wounded boy named Carol returns home to a loving family eager to welcome him, bringing hope and healing to a household shadowed by loss.
Level B2Science FictionA Soldier's Home Is BattleIn a city devastated by a sudden nuclear attack, Private Jerry Conlon struggles to survive amid the ruins and uncertainty, haunted by the fate of his family and the grim reality of…
Level B2AdventureA Soldier's Daughter, and Other StoriesOn the turbulent North-West frontier of India, a soldier’s daughter grapples with the stark contrast between her tomboy life in the barracks and the refined expectations awaiting h…
Level B2RomanceA Soldier of the LegionAt a grand ball in Fort Ellsworth, a captivating actress’s dazzling entrance sets the stage for romance and intrigue, as a charismatic cavalry officer waits eagerly, caught between…
Level C1ClassicsA Society Clown: ReminiscencesStep behind the curtain with a society clown who shares witty, candid recollections of a life on and off the stage, blending humor, humility, and heartfelt moments to entertain and…
Level C1ClassicsA Small Boy and OthersA tender journey into childhood memories unfolds, capturing the vivid scenes, unique characters, and intimate family moments that shaped a young life.
Level C1HistoricalA Sketch of the Life and Times of Judge HaliburtonExplore the rich heritage and colonial history of Nova Scotia through the life of Judge Haliburton, tracing his family roots, education, and the early settlement of Windsor amid a…
Level B2HistoricalA Sister's Love: A NovelA fierce storm batters the ancient Von Hegewitz manor as young Anna Maria confronts family tensions and secrets within its shadowed halls, where old traditions clash with youthful…
Level C1HistoricalA Sister to Evangeline: Being the Story of Yvonne de Lamourie, and how she went into exile with the villagers of Grand PréAmid the apple blossoms of Grand Pré, a soldier-poet returns to his ancestral village, wrestling with memory, loss, and the uncertain ties of family and friendship in the fading wo…
Level B2HistoricalA Sister of the Red Cross: A Tale of the South African WarAmid the turmoil of the South African War, Sister Mollie Hepworth, a dedicated nurse, takes a brief respite to reconnect with her sister Kitty and confront the stirring emotions an…
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.