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 C1RomanceThe Lion and the UnicornIn a London flower shop marked by a lion and unicorn, a mysterious American lodger arrives, stirring secrets and social intrigue among the elegant and shadowed lives of Jermyn Stre…
Level C1RomanceThe Lion and the Mouse; a Story of an American LifePowerful railroad directors clash over a legal battle that threatens their empire, exposing the ruthless greed behind the industry’s grip on America.
Level C1RomanceThe LindsaysAn Englishman arrives in remote Scottish countryside, encountering mysterious locals and rugged landscapes that challenge his expectations.
Level C1RomanceThe Lily of the ValleyA neglected child endures a cold and hostile home, growing up with a silent strength born of suffering and solitude.
Level C1RomanceThe Lilac Sunbonnet: A Love StoryA young scholar arrives in the remote parish of Dullarg, carrying his precious books and guarded heart, when a striking local lass unexpectedly offers to share his burden on a quie…
Level C1RomanceThe Light of the Star: A NovelA young playwright becomes obsessed with capturing the elusive genius of a dazzling, enigmatic actress whose public brilliance masks a deeper, darker mystery—blurring the lines bet…
Level C1RomanceThe Light of Scarthey: A RomanceA man haunted by the memory of his first and only love faces the turmoil of being reunited with her after years of separation, as past passions clash with the scars left by life's…
Level C1RomanceThe Life and Adventures of Guzman D'Alfarache, or the Spanish Rogue, vol. 3/3A young nobleman arrives at the Grand Duke’s court, where his mysterious presence and sharp wit spark curiosity and a lady’s affection.
Level C1RomanceThe Life Everlasting: A Reality of RomanceIn a world deaf to divine voices, a passionate plea emerges to awaken souls from their self-made darkness, urging them to embrace life’s true essence and discover the eternal happi…
Level C1RomanceThe Legend of Sister BeatrixIn a remote gorge where ruins whisper of forgotten nobility, a noble widow known as The Saint discovers a miraculous flowering bush that reveals a radiant image of the Virgin Mary,…
Level C1RomanceThe Legend of Sir Lancelot du Lac: Studies upon its Origin, Development, and Position in the Arthurian Romantic CycleDive into the intricate origins and evolving tales of Sir Lancelot, the gallant knight entwined in love and loyalty at King Arthur’s court.
Level C1RomanceThe Lay Anthony: A RomanceTony Ball, a charming yet aimless young man, hides his innocence behind a facade of worldly cynicism while navigating the lively social scene of Ellerton.
Level C1RomanceThe Laurel Bush: An Old-Fashioned Love StoryTwo young, orphaned educators, bound by duty and circumstance, navigate the delicate balance of friendship and unspoken love while caring for mischievous children in a quiet househ…
Level C1RomanceThe Laughing GirlA reluctant heir faces an unexpected challenge when forced to manage a remote Swiss chalet and its curious inhabitants, including a mysterious red-headed girl, amid towering mounta…
Level C1RomanceThe Late Mrs. NullAmidst the quiet grandeur of a Virginia estate, Miss Roberta navigates family expectations and a growing affection for a frequent visitor, balancing tradition with the stirrings of…
Level C1RomanceThe Late Miss HollingfordAs autumn deepens, a young woman reflects on her shift from a privileged school life to the rustic Hillsbro' Farm, uncovering unexpected ties and heartfelt stories told by a dear o…
Level C1RomanceThe Last of the Foresters: Or, Humors on the Border; A story of the Old Virginia FrontierAmid the fading frontier of old Virginia, a young hunter named Verty navigates the clash between wild nature and advancing civilization, while innocence and humor bloom in the rust…
Level C1RomanceThe Last West; and, Paolo's VirginiaAmid the rugged peaks and wild landscapes of the Last West, daring alpinists challenge nature’s might while a stirring romance unfolds against the backdrop of untamed beauty and th…
Level C1RomanceThe Last TournamentIn a kingdom shadowed by rivalry and loss, a precious prize ignites a tournament where loyalty, honor, and hidden truths clash among Arthur's knights, as looming threats challenge…
Level C1RomanceThe Last EntryIn 1837, the wealthy merchant Montagu Vanderholt and his spirited daughter Violet navigate the turbulent world of sea and society, where daring voyages and family legacies intertwi…
Level C1RomanceThe Last Call: A Romance (Vol. 1 of 3)In a quiet Irish cove, Eugene O’Donnell contemplates life and love while Dominique Lavirotte rows with Ellen Creagh, whose impending departure to Dublin challenges the bonds betwee…
Level C1RomanceThe Land of JoyIn a sweltering Cambridge, John North confronts the fading dreams of his college years and the arrival of a younger brother stirring new responsibilities.
Level C1RomanceThe Land of ContentIn a serene mountain crossroads where ancient paths meet, a dedicated doctor returns home after tending a sick child, unaware that a mysterious traveler’s arrival will intertwine t…
Level C1RomanceThe Land of Bondage: A RomanceA reckless Viscount squanders his fortune and love on a noblewoman whose small fortune can't save them from family hatred and ruin.
Level C1RomanceThe Lamp in the DesertUnder the scorching Indian sun, a British officer battles inner turmoil and dangerous secrets amid the oppressive heat and fleeting joys of military life.
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of the IsleOn a radiant May morning in Devon, a lavish wedding is poised to unite noble families—until a mysterious summons disrupts the bride and groom's plans, hinting at secrets that could…
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of the Ice: A NovelA man’s declaration of love sparks a perilous adventure across icy waters, tangled secrets, and unexpected encounters.
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of Loyalty House: A NovelAmidst the brewing conflict of 1642 England, a worldly traveler returns to Cambridge and soon rides to Harby, where loyalty and politics collide.
Level C1RomanceThe Lady of BlossholmeAmid the timeless ruins of Blossholme Abbey, a fierce land dispute ignites deep-seated rivalries, while the legacy of a persecuted lady and the shadow of witchcraft haunt the winds…
Level C1RomanceThe Lady in the CarA mysterious prince with a shadowy past navigates high society and secret intrigues while an inquisitive American girl uncovers the hidden connections between European nobility and…
Level C1RomanceThe Lady ParamountOn her twenty-second birthday, Susanna defies expectations by embarking alone on a bold journey from her Italian island home to explore the wider world, challenging tradition and s…
Level C1RomanceThe Ladies Lindores, Vol. 2 (of 3)A restless duke's son abandons aristocratic life for American adventures, only to return home where his family eagerly schemes to marry him off—despite his charming, unconventional…
Level C1RomanceThe Knights of the Cross, or, Krzyzacy: Historical RomanceAmidst the brutal crusade to conquer pagan Lithuania, a fierce clash unfolds between the militant Knights of the Cross and the resilient Slavic peoples, revealing a gripping tale o…
Level C1RomanceThe Knight of the Golden Melice: A Historical RomanceIn the early 17th century, amid the rugged wilderness of New England, adventurers, merchants, and settlers embark on a perilous quest to establish a new colony, driven by ambition,…
Level C1RomanceThe Knight of MaltaAlong the turbulent coasts of 17th-century Provence, fearless sentries watch for ruthless Barbary pirates who raid villages and seize ships despite fortresses and muskets.
Level C1RomanceThe Knave of DiamondsIn a dazzling ballroom filled with music and laughter, a mysterious woman seeks refuge by an open window, only to be approached by a wary stranger whose intentions unfold amidst wh…
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 3 (of 3)Caught in relentless rain and isolated in a deserted Spanish villa, Quentin and the passionate Donna Isidora navigate growing affection and dangerous uncertainty during the chaos o…
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 2 (of 3)An officer faces a sudden summons to command a battalion abroad, forcing a tense farewell amid family hopes and hidden emotions.
Level C1RomanceThe King's Own Borderers: A Military Romance, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid a stormy November sea near the rugged Scottish coast, Lady Winifred watches anxiously as a brig battles treacherous reefs and rising tides, setting the stage for a tale of war…
Level C1RomanceThe King of ArcadiaAs Breckenridge Ballard takes on the chief engineer role for the Arcadia Irrigation project, he faces a deadly mystery: three predecessors have met suspicious ends.
Level C1RomanceThe King of AlsanderIn a quaint English village, a whimsical tale unfolds filled with madmen, kings, scholars, and conspiracies, where beauty, love, and absurdity intertwine beneath the sunlit skies o…
Level C1RomanceThe Journal to Eliza and Various letters by Laurence Sterne and Elizabeth DraperA passionate and turbulent love unfolds through intimate letters and journal entries between a London wit and the captivating Eliza, whose life straddles the exotic allure and hars…
Level C1RomanceThe Jessica Letters: An Editor's RomanceAn aspiring writer seeks guidance from a seasoned editor in bustling New York, confronting the harsh realities and sacrifices demanded by a life devoted to literature.
Level C1HorrorThe Italian, Volume 2 (of 3)In a shadowy Italian convent, Ellena risks exposure to exchange secret messages with the mysterious Vivaldi amid solemn rituals and veiled glances, where danger and intrigue lurk b…
Level C1HorrorThe Italian, Volume 1 (of 3)Amid the shadowed aisles of a solemn Italian church, an assassin seeks sanctuary within the confessional of the Black Penitents, protected by ancient laws and cloaked in mystery.
Level C1RomanceThe Isle of UnrestIn a remote Corsican village battered by mistral winds, a mysterious death disrupts the brooding silence and stirs hidden tensions.
Level C1RomanceThe Island of Fantasy: A RomanceA wealthy young sculptor battles a deep malaise despite his success, haunted by ennui and lost ambition.
Level C1RomanceThe Invasion of France in 1814As foreign armies invade France in 1814, villagers unite in fierce resistance, blending courage and desperation to defend their homeland.
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.