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 C1ClassicsLondon's Heart: A NovelIn the shadowed alleys of Soho, a tapestry of desperate lives unfolds—where poverty, mystery, and resilience intertwine amid dusty shops and dim-lit rooms.
Level C1ClassicsLondon LavenderStep into the lively world of Primrose Terrace, where eccentric neighbors, unexpected visitors, and charming adventures unfold amid London's bustling streets and quiet corners, ble…
Level C1ClassicsLoitering in Pleasant PathsAn American family embarks on a healing pilgrimage to England, discovering unexpected wonders and intimate moments as they navigate the gray, somber streets of London.
Level C1ClassicsLoduskyIn a rustic North Carolina gathering, a mysterious and captivating young woman named Lodusky commands the attention of rival suitors with her cool indifference and enigmatic charm,…
Level C1ClassicsLodore, Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst harsh poverty and looming threats from bailiffs, Ethel clings to hope and the promise of reunion with her husband, navigating hardship with the steadfast support of a wise f…
Level C1ClassicsLodore, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a shadowed London home, the vivacious Edward Villiers brings light and warmth to Ethel, whose heart still clings to her father's memory.
Level C1ClassicsLodore, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a remote Essex village, the noble Fitzhenry family faces mysterious misfortunes that cloud their once-glorious legacy.
Level C2ClassicsLocrine: A TragedyIn a kingdom shadowed by loss and divided loyalties, a queen grapples with sorrow and silence while her son confronts the harsh truths of legacy and love.
Level C2ClassicsLocrineAs Brutus faces his final moments, he recounts a heroic journey from exile to triumph, leading loyal lords through battles and alliances that shape their destiny in a land fraught…
Level B2ClassicsLocal ColorAn obscure author vanishes mysteriously, leaving behind unanswered questions and a trail that leads to a petty thief caught in a city trolley car.
Level C1ClassicsLo, Michael!In a city torn by hunger and anger, a fearless boy throws himself between a vengeful crowd's bullet and a wealthy bank president’s innocent baby, igniting a fierce clash between de…
Level C1ClassicsLizzy Glenn; Or, The Trials of a SeamstressA young seamstress struggles to survive in a harsh labor market where her skill barely pays the bills.
Level C1ClassicsLizzie LeighA widow, burdened by years of hidden estrangement, faces Christmas Day with grief and regret after her husband's final, forgiving words.
Level C1ClassicsLiza; Or, "A Nest of Nobles"In a vivid portrayal of Russian provincial life, a young noblewoman named Liza navigates the complexities of society, love, and personal conscience during a time of social transfor…
Level C1ClassicsLives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the turbulent life of Voltaire, a fearless critic of religious dogma and champion of intellectual liberty, as he challenges the powerful church and ignites a revolution in…
Level C1ClassicsLives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 1 (of 2)Explore the fascinating lives of France's most influential literary and scientific figures, beginning with Montaigne, whose unique upbringing and groundbreaking essays reveal a viv…
Level C1ClassicsLives of the English Poets: From Johnson to Kirke White, Designed as a Continuation of Johnson's LivesExplore the lives and works of English poets from Samuel Johnson to Henry Kirke White, revealing their struggles, inspirations, and literary achievements through intimate and detai…
Level C1ClassicsLives of Two CatsTwo cats, Pussy White and Pussy Gray, weave through the tender memories of a home filled with warmth, play, and quiet companionship.
Level B2ClassicsLively plays for live peopleA wealthy man obsessed with his family tradition of twins stirs up chaos and comedy when he places an unusual advertisement seeking twins to inherit his oyster business.
Level B2ClassicsLittle Women Letters from the House of AlcottExperience the heartfelt letters and journals behind the beloved story of four sisters growing up in a warm, intellectual home, revealing the real-life inspirations of "Little Wome…
Level C1ClassicsLittle Travels and Roadside SketchesSet off from a cozy English inn to bustling coaches and stately duchesses, journeying through vivid scenes of aristocratic life, lively travel companions, and the spirited atmosphe…
Level B2ClassicsLittle Stories of Married LifeA wife longs for her husband to remember their wedding anniversary and rekindle the love that has quietly endured amidst daily life’s demands.
Level C2ClassicsLittle Rivers: A Book of Essays in Profitable IdlenessEscape the weariness of city life to wander by gentle rivers, where nature’s music and quiet streams invite reflection, friendship, and simple joys.
Level C1ClassicsLittle Pilgrimages Among the Men Who Have Written Famous BooksExplore the literary journeys and personal lives of America's revered authors through intimate sketches that reveal the struggles, ambitions, and successes behind their celebrated…
Level C1ClassicsLittle Novels of ItalyIn sunlit Verona, Giovanna Scarpa, a striking yet humble washerwoman, struggles to support her large family and dreams of love beyond her lowly station.
Level C1ClassicsLittle NovelsA widowed father and his young daughter encounter a mysterious, ghostlike woman in Kensington Gardens whose eerie presence defies explanation, blurring the line between the living…
Level C1ClassicsLittle NobodyA Northern journalist finds himself enchanted by the vibrant, sunlit world of New Orleans, where dazzling races and a mysterious retired actress draw him into a web of intrigue and…
Level B2ClassicsLittle Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor, Volume IIJourney down the Mississippi in 1827 aboard the Caravan, a slow but steady steamboat, where a boastful captain navigates wood shortages, rival pilots, and a high-stakes game of bra…
Level C1ClassicsLittle Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor, Volume IDive into a rich collection of American humor, featuring voices from Washington Irving to Mr.
Level B2ClassicsLittle Lost SisterIn an industrial town where factory life replaces farming, a young woman defies harsh conditions and low wages to fight for her family's survival and dignity amid the moral and soc…
Level C1ClassicsLittle Guzzy, and other storiesIn a rugged mining camp fiercely resisting the arrival of a schoolteacher, tensions simmer as the miners plot to maintain their hard-won freedom and way of life.
Level C1ClassicsLittle FoxesExplore the subtle, unseen tensions that quietly erode family happiness in a home where affection and flaws collide.
Level C1ClassicsLittle EyolfA father's infatuation and weakness mirror in his son, Little Eyolf, whose mysterious disappearance shakes the family and exposes hidden tensions.
Level C1ClassicsLittle Dinners With the Sphinx, and Other Prose FanciesA man reunites with the enigmatic Sphinx over a delicate dinner, exploring the bittersweet passage of time, memory, and the mysticism found in shared moments.
Level C1ClassicsLittle Brown JugIn a humble shoemaker’s shop, young Will Nutter dreams of escaping the slow, steady life of his trade to conquer the bustling city and its fierce bargains, while old friends debate…
Level C1ClassicsLittle BritainIn the heart of old London, a faded neighborhood called Little Britain preserves its ancient charm, quirky customs, and ghostly legends amidst crumbling mansions and timeworn stree…
Level C1ClassicsLiterature and Life (Complete)Explore the intimate connections between literature and everyday existence through a series of essays and sketches that reveal the poetry hidden in common life, inviting readers to…
Level C1ClassicsLiterary Taste: How to Form It: With Detailed Instructions for Collecting a Complete Library of English LiteratureDiscover how literary taste shapes a deeper, more vivid experience of life, transforming mere distraction into a vital awakening to the world’s hidden beauty and meaning.
Level C1ClassicsLiterary Shrines: The Haunts of Some Famous American AuthorsExplore Concord, a tranquil village that served as the home and inspiration for some of America's greatest literary minds, including Thoreau, whose presence lingers in its landscap…
Level C1ClassicsLiterary Love-Letters and Other StoriesAmidst social gatherings and whispered intrigues, a man rekindles memories of a past love through tender literary letters, capturing the complexities of affection, ambition, and th…
Level B2ClassicsLiterary LapsesA nervous man’s attempt to open a bank account spirals into chaos, revealing his comic ineptitude in navigating the intimidating world of finance.
Level C1ClassicsLiterary CopyrightAt the dawn of a new literary society, writers and artists unite to elevate art and literature through shared standards, honest critique, and mutual support.
Level C1ClassicsLiterary Character of Men of Genius: Drawn from Their Own Feelings and ConfessionsExplore the inner lives and diverse characters of literary geniuses, revealing how their passions, fortunes, and unique minds shape their art and influence human nature.
Level C1ClassicsLiterary Blunders: A Chapter in the "History of Human Error"Explore the amusing and enlightening world of literary blunders, from ghost words and misquotations to translators' errors and schoolboy mistakes, revealing the humorous side of hu…
Level C1ClassicsLinda TresselIn a picturesque Nuremberg home, young Linda Tressel faces the harsh trials imposed by her devout and inflexible aunt, whose rigid virtue clashes with mercy, shaping Linda’s strugg…
Level C1ClassicsLinda Lee, Incorporated: A NovelAmid the glitz of California's motion-picture world, a woman wrestles with love and loyalty as past passions resurface after five years apart.
Level C1ClassicsLinda CondonIn a lavish seaside hotel, young Linda Condon navigates the delicate balance between her mother’s flamboyant gaiety and her own grave, mature demeanor, caught in a world where appe…
Level C1ClassicsLimehouse NightsIn the shadowy streets of Limehouse, a fierce boxer battles his own demons while a fragile girl endures a harsh existence, their lives quietly observed by a lonely, poetic sailor c…
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.