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 C1RomanceLovers' Saint Ruth's, and Three Other TalesIn a quiet English village, a chance reunion sparks a journey into the past, where ancient ruins and whispered legends of Lovers' Saint Ruth's reveal secrets of love, loss, and his…
Level C1HistoricalLoveday's historyAmid the upheaval of religious reforms, a young orphan girl’s life is upended when her destined convent is dissolved, forcing her into a world of new guardians and uncertain future…
Level C1RomanceLove-at-armsIn a tense mountain hideout, six nobles await a secret visitor whose arrival is shadowed by danger and betrayal.
Level C1RomanceLove's labor wonAt a grand reception in the new American Republic, the captivating Marguerite De Lancie commands attention with her striking beauty and fierce independence, navigating a world of p…
Level C1RomanceLove under FireCaught behind enemy lines with crucial intelligence to deliver, a lone soldier risks everything amid whispers of danger and duty.
Level C1RomanceLove and Life: An Old Story in Eighteenth Century CostumeIn eighteenth-century England, a maiden named Psyche is whisked away to a mysterious palace by a secretive husband whose love and identity remain hidden—until curiosity and jealous…
Level C1HistoricalLove Among the RuinsIn a forest ablaze with betrayal and violence, a young woman kneels amid the ruins of her fallen family, caught in the deadly feud that has shattered her world.
Level C1HistoricalLouisa of Prussia and Her Times: A Historical NovelAmid the terror of Napoleon’s relentless advance on Vienna, the city reels under news of defeat and betrayal as imperial coffins roll through the streets.
Level C1AdventureLords of the NorthIn the early 19th century, fur traders and voyageurs of the North-West Company navigate fierce rivalries and untamed wilderness, shaping a vast empire from the Atlantic to the Paci…
Level C1AdventureLord Tony's Wife: An Adventure of the Scarlet PimpernelPassion ignites in pre-revolutionary Nantes as Pierre rallies villagers to revolt against aristocratic tyranny, fueled by injustice and the burning desire for equality.
Level C1RomanceLord Montagu's Page: An Historical RomanceIn the turbulent seventeenth century, loyalty, love, and ambition intertwine as a young page navigates the intrigues and passions surrounding Lord Montagu’s world.
Level C1AdventureLone Pine: The Story of a Lost MineUnder the silver moon of a New Mexican pueblo, young lovers Felipe and Josefa face a desperate countdown as Josefa's father arranges a forced marriage.
Level C1HistoricalLondon Pride, Or, When the World Was YoungerAmid the bitter turmoil of England’s civil war, a weary cavalier and his young daughter flee to exile, carrying the weight of lost honor, shattered loyalty, and a kingdom in mourni…
Level C1AdventureLolóma, or two years in cannibal-land: A story of old FijiJourney into the heart of old Fiji, where ancient customs thrive and cannibal tribes rule the land, as one man chronicles a vanishing world untouched by civilization and filled wit…
Level C1RomanceLochinvar: A NovelAmid the wild lands of Galloway in 1685, a strong-willed widow stirs unrest at Balmaghie House, where a silent gardener resists the charms of a determined handmaiden, setting the s…
Level C1AdventureLoaves and fishesAmid the brutal siege of Saragossa, a resourceful young captain embarks alone on a perilous mission to find salt in the Pyrenees' rugged hills, where danger and unexpected encounte…
Level C1HistoricalLives of the Poets, Volume 1Explore the lives and works of England’s greatest poets through candid biographies that reveal their characters, controversies, and the moral lessons behind their art, all delivere…
Level C1HistoricalLives of the English Poets: Gay, Thomson, Young, Gray, &c.Explore the lives and works of English poets from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, revealing their literary contributions, personal struggles, and the cultural backdrop of t…
Level C1AdventureLittle Oskaloo; or, The White WhirlwindAmid the looming clash between Native tribes and advancing American forces in 1794, two warriors navigate a perilous frontier where alliances, revenge, and survival intertwine.
Level C1HistoricalLittle MetacometIn the peaceful New England woods before King Philip's War, a young Native American boy named Little Metacomet explores nature and the complex world around him, meeting pioneers an…
Level C1HistoricalLittle Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 7: Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent OratorsExplore the lives of history’s greatest orators through intimate letters and stories, from Pericles’ poignant farewell to Aspasia to Heinrich Schliemann’s passionate quest uncoveri…
Level C1HistoricalLittle Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 05: Little Journeys to the Homes of English AuthorsFollow the early life and artistic awakening of William Morris, as he forges a deep friendship at Oxford and champions visionary ideas that challenge the norms of Victorian society…
Level C1HistoricalLittle Annie's Ramble (From "Twice Told Tales")A curious little girl named Annie embarks on a lively ramble through a bustling town filled with exotic creatures, colorful shops, and enchanting sights.
Level C1HistoricalLiterature in the Making, by Some of Its MakersExplore candid conversations with renowned authors revealing their personal insights on writing, creativity, and the impact of war on literature, bridging the gap between literary…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary values, and other papersExplore the enduring essence of literature as this collection examines the timeless qualities that allow certain works and authors to transcend their era, highlighting the virtues…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary studies, volume 2 (of 2)Explore the rise and fall of the South-Sea Company through the lens of Edward Gibbon’s family history, revealing the wild speculation, financial mania, and political intrigue that…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary studies, volume 1 (of 2)Dive into a collection of essays revealing the imaginative mind behind sharp political and economic insights, blending humor, speculation, and vivid judgment to illuminate the comp…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary and Social EssaysExplore the tranquil life of Concord, Massachusetts—a quiet New England town untouched by industrial bustle, where the slow river winds through meadows and poets find inspiration a…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary and General Lectures and EssaysStep back to ancient Athens, where the theater is a sacred stage for gods and mortals alike, filled with citizens, philosophers, and artists.
Level C1HistoricalLiterary Hearthstones of DixieExplore the rich legacy of Southern writers whose heartfelt poetry and prose illuminate the hopes, loves, and struggles of the South’s past.
Level C1HistoricalLiterary Friends and Acquaintance; a Personal Retrospect of American AuthorshipImmerse yourself in vivid recollections of New England’s literary giants, as a devoted poet and journalist reflects on friendships, ambitions, and the vibrant world of American let…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary Celebrities of the English Lake-DistrictExplore the enchanting Lake District through vivid portraits of its literary giants, from Wordsworth’s cherished cottage to the elusive Thomas De Quincey’s solitary wanderings and…
Level C1HistoricalLiterary BywaysExplore the fascinating habits and environments of renowned authors as they craft their works, from dressing rituals to the sounds of household life.
Level C1HistoricalLiterary Boston as I Knew It (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)Step aboard a journey through 19th-century Boston’s vibrant literary scene, where New England’s finest minds shaped American letters amidst evolving regional voices and emerging We…
Level C1AdventureLion Ben of Elm IslandOn rugged Elm Island, a young boy named Lion Ben grows up amid wild shores, dense forests, and abundant wildlife, learning the values of courage, labor, and honor in the challengin…
Level C1HistoricalLimitations: A NovelAt Cambridge, Tom Carlingford wrestles with the dull prospects of academic life, yearning for adventure beyond the cloistered halls.
Level C1HistoricalLily Pearl and The Mistress of RosedaleOn a stormy October night, a solitary, richly dressed woman waits anxiously in a cliffside cottage, her weary mind burdened by a haunting secret and the weight of a fateful moment…
Level C1HistoricalLike Another HelenA young Englishwoman embarks on a daunting journey from her sheltered school life to the unfamiliar world of 18th-century Calcutta, navigating new customs, friendships, and the uph…
Level C1AdventureLike Another HelenAmid the twilight hues of ancient Athens, three young men smuggle weapons and supplies to Cretan insurgents fighting for freedom against overwhelming odds.
Level C1HistoricalLife's Handicap: Being Stories of Mine Own PeopleIn a vibrant Northern Indian monastery, a blind holy man named Gobind shares timeless tales of life, death, and fate, revealing the rich, unspoken stories of his people and the del…
Level C1HistoricalLife of John MiltonExplore the turbulent life and times of a visionary poet and political thinker whose works and controversies shaped English literature and history.
Level C1AdventureLife of Frederick MarryatFollow the life of Frederick Marryat, a brilliant yet underrecognized English novelist shaped by a strict upbringing and challenging school years, as his personal experiences quiet…
Level C1AdventureLife in the Eagle's NestAn orphaned missionary's son in remote India faces a harsh future when his wealthy uncle denies him support, forcing him to navigate survival and purpose on the rugged frontier nea…
Level C1HistoricalLife and works of Alexander Csoma de KörösA devoted scholar embarks on an arduous journey from Transylvania to Tibet, dedicating his life to Tibetan literature and Buddhist studies.
Level C1HistoricalLife and literature in the Roman republicExplore the dynamic interplay between Roman writers and their social environment as this study reveals how literature both shaped and reflected life in the Roman Republic, uncoveri…
Level C1MysteryLife and Confession of Sophia Hamilton: Who was Tried, Condemned and Sentenced to be Hung, at Montreal, L. C. on the 4th of August, 1845, for the Perpetration of the Most Shocking Murders and Daring Robberies Perhaps Recorded in the Annals of CrimeIn a tightly knit community, Sophia Hamilton faces trial for chilling murders and audacious robberies that defy societal norms, revealing a dark tale of crime, moral collapse, and…
Level C1HistoricalLife Without and Life Within; or, Reviews, Narratives, Essays, and Poems.Explore the parallel streams of outward experience and inner spiritual life as one soul reflects on culture, literature, and the divine, revealing a rich interplay between external…
Level C1HistoricalLewis RandA young tobacco-roller’s son dreams beyond his humble life, yearning to rule the wild frontier from Virginia to the Mississippi.
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.