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 C1MysteryA SirenAs Carnival’s last night ignites the ancient city of Ravenna, masked nobles and mysterious guests gather for a final, dazzling ball where secrets simmer beneath the gaiety, and a f…
Level C1ClassicsA Singular MetamorphosisIn an old mansion shadowed by secrets, Miss Fiske's curiosity grows as she senses a mystery behind the Tracys' guarded home and the unexplained warnings to avoid certain rooms, dra…
Level C1RomanceA Singular LifeIn a lively theological seminary, seven students grapple with faith, science, and the mysteries of heredity, revealing clashes between belief and emerging ideas.
Level B2RomanceA Singer from the SeaIn a rugged Cornish fishing village, a protective father fears for his daughter Denas when she wanders beyond their hidden shores, drawn to a mysterious young man whose intentions…
Level C1RomanceA SimpletonA restless young beauty waits anxiously in a picturesque English villa, her restless mind hinting at deeper intrigues beyond her delicate embroidery.
Level C1RomanceA Simple StoryAn intimate portrait of a small circle of lives unfolds in a refined, emotionally charged tale where passion and restraint intertwine, capturing the intensity of love and the compl…
Level C1ClassicsA Simple SoulIn a modest French town, Felicite, a devoted servant, navigates the hardships of rural life with unwavering loyalty and quiet strength, revealing the hidden depths of a simple soul…
Level C1ClassicsA Silent SingerA young girl enters the troubled home of a struggling minister and his seven sons, where poverty and hardship weigh heavily.
Level C1GothicA Sicilian RomanceIn a crumbling Sicilian castle, the noble Mazzini family’s dark past unfolds through tales of luxury, vice, and complex family dynamics.
Level C1PoetryA Shropshire LadAmid the tranquil landscapes of Shropshire, vivid poems explore the bittersweet realities of youth, friendship, and loss, capturing life’s contrasts with lyrical simplicity and an…
Level C2ClassicsA Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this ArgumentA scathing critique exposes how the English stage corrupts virtue by promoting vice, lewdness, and irreverence, challenging the morality and purpose of contemporary plays.
Level C1HistoricalA Short History of French LiteratureExplore the evolution of French literature from its anonymous medieval origins to the distinctive voices of the Renaissance and the structured schools of the seventeenth and eighte…
Level C1HistoricalA Shepherd's Life: Impressions of the South Wiltshire DownsVast, windswept chalk downs stretch across Wiltshire, a landscape both desolate and quietly captivating, where a lone bird-scarer stands sentinel against the elements.
Level C2PoetryA Sheaf of Verses: PoemsExplore vivid emotions and reflections on nature, love, and life through a collection of lyrical poems that celebrate youth, beauty, and the poetic spirit in every moment.
PoetryA Sheaf of RosesExplore a vibrant bouquet of emotions and imagery through a collection of poems named after roses, each unveiling delicate beauty and heartfelt reflections woven into the language…
Level B2ClassicsA Sheaf of CornIn a village where sickness and poverty shadow daily life, a resolute woman named Dinah Brome navigates judgment and duty with unwavering indifference.
Level C1HistoricalA Sheaf of BluebellsAmidst Napoleon's reign and the shadowy intrigues of his Minister of Police, two noble families seek to reclaim their place in France under a fragile amnesty, navigating a world wh…
Level C1PhilosophyA SheafA reflective exploration of human indifference to animal suffering unfolds through vivid encounters and moral questioning, challenging readers to reconsider the cost of pleasure at…
Level B2MysteryA Sharper's Downfall; Or, Into the NetA daring burglary unfolds in a Wall Street speculator’s home, with thieves escaping under cover of night.
Level C1AdventureA Set of SixSix gripping tales weave adventure, mystery, and human nature across distant lands and seas, each rooted in true events and vivid memories shared by those who lived them.
Level C1AdventureA Set of Rogues: Namely Christopher Sutton, John Dawson, the Señor Don Sanchez Del Castillo De Castelaña and Moll Dawson; Their Wicked Conspiracy, and a True Account of Their Travels and AdventuresA troupe of actors turned wanderers struggles to survive plague-ravaged England, facing misfortune, mischief, and misadventure on the road.
Level C1ClassicsA Servant of the PublicIn a world where mercantile ambition shapes both family and fortune, the rise from humble origins to refined society unfolds with sharp wit and social insight.
Level C1ClassicsA Sentimental Journey Through France and ItalyEmbark on a witty, reflective journey through France and Italy, where a traveler grapples with cultural customs, personal generosity, and the quirks of human nature.
Level C1ClassicsA Selection from the Writings of Guy De Maupassant, Vol. IExplore the depths of human suffering and irony through vivid tales where joy turns to misery and noble intentions mask selfishness, all penned by a writer whose own life was shado…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Works of Frederick LockerDiscover a rich collection of poetic reflections and whimsical tales, from heartfelt invitations to meditations on time and memory, all vividly brought to life with charming illust…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Poems of William MorrisExplore the vivid world of medieval lore and artistic passion through poems that reflect the spirit of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and a unique poetic vision shaped by friendshi…
Level B2Children'sA Selection from the Norse Tales for the Use of ChildrenTwo brothers, True and Untrue, set out to earn their living, but betrayal leaves True blind and alone in a dark forest.
Level C2PoetryA Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert HerrickDive into a rich tapestry of lyrical poems exploring themes of love, nature, and the passage of time, where pastoral beauty and heartfelt emotion intertwine in graceful verse.
Level C1ClassicsA Selection from the Comedies of MarivauxDive into the witty, charming world of 18th-century French society through three of its finest comedies, where love, chance, and clever disguises intertwine in sparkling prose that…
Level C1ClassicsA Select PartyEnter a magnificent castle suspended in the clouds, where the Man of Fancy hosts a gathering of extraordinary guests, including the venerable Oldest Inhabitant.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays: Originally Published by Robert Dodsley in the year 1744Explore rare early English dramas, including the tragic and acclaimed “Damon and Pithias,” alongside insightful historical notes on their creation and dramatic impact during the El…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15Amidst intrigue and passion in 17th-century Valencia, Elvira’s complex tale unfolds with secrets, letters, and shifting loyalties that challenge appearances and question whether th…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14Political intrigue and personal ambition collide in Seville as Spanish and French colonels navigate rebellion and betrayal under the watchful eyes of mysterious figures.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13In a bustling 17th-century London household, young Tim Bloodhound navigates family intrigue, thrift, and matchmaking as his father arranges a marriage with a cunning widow while de…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 12A witty and allegorical comedy unfolds as a quirky old couple navigates unexpected transformations and humorous encounters, revealing the complexities of human nature through vivid…
Level C2ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 11Dive into the witty world of early 17th-century drama where Nathaniel Field’s sharp comedies explore the fickle nature of women and society, blending humor and serious reflection i…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 10In a corrupt Italian court, the vengeful Vendice wields a skull as he plots dark retribution against those who have wronged him, weaving a chilling tale of deceit, lust, and ruthle…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09In a lively London setting, two young couples navigate the challenges of early marriage, revealing the humorous and heartfelt trials of choosing a good wife amid clashing temperame…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 08Dive into the turbulent life of Thomas Nash, a witty and controversial playwright whose sharp satire sparked fierce literary battles and led to imprisonment.
Level C2ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 07In a tale of tragic love and bitter revenge, a queen and her beloved earl meet a sorrowful fate, while a grieving father contemplates a final, desperate act to join them in death.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06Explore five rare Old English plays blending allegory, history, and moral lessons, where abstract virtues and real characters collide on stage, revealing the complex evolution of e…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 05A haunting ghost and the relentless force of Revenge set the stage for a gripping tale of political intrigue, betrayal, and tragic fate in the Spanish court.
Level C2ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 03Step into the world of early English drama where witty moralities and comedies unfold through vibrant characters like Perverse Doctrine and Ralph Roister Doister, revealing the soc…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 02Dive into a lively moral drama where Youth, full of pride and defiance, clashes with Charity, who urges him to embrace virtue before his fleeting days fade.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 01Explore the origins of English drama through a rich, chronologically arranged collection of rare plays and interludes, revealing the evolution of theatrical storytelling from anony…
Level C1ClassicsA Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)Amid whispered deceptions and strained relationships, Sir Thomas clings to his health and freedom while Eleanor wrestles with forgiveness and unspoken desires, all under the watchf…
Level B2RomanceA Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)A father adopts a convincing disguise to conceal a secret, while his son steps into an unexpected role amid intricate schemes and hidden motives.
Level B2ClassicsA Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 1 (of 3)A sharp-witted sixteen-year-old clerk and a distinguished lawyer uncover a mysterious secret that promises to upend lives in quiet Hertfordshire.
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.