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 B2ClassicsLife of Oliver Wendell HolmesBorn in a historic Cambridge house once frequented by George Washington, Oliver Wendell Holmes grows up amidst tales of Revolutionary valor and a lineage rich with scholars, soldie…
Level B2AdventureLife in the Red Brigade: London Fire BrigadeBrave firemen of London’s Red Brigade live and fight amidst smoke and flame, balancing perilous duty with the warmth of home.
Level B2HistoricalLife in LondonYoung George Weston eagerly seeks employment in a bustling London office, navigating the challenges of social awkwardness and office dynamics while meeting intriguing characters li…
Level B2ClassicsLife and Death of Harriett FreanA young girl navigates the bittersweet world of childhood, grappling with family love, loss, and the yearning for belonging.
Level B2MysteryLibrary of the World's Best Mystery and Detective StoriesA young woman of modest means receives a rare invitation to a grand ball but faces heartbreak over her lack of a suitable dress, setting in motion a tale of desire, sacrifice, and…
Level B2ClassicsLewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home: The Story of His LifeDiscover the enchanting life behind the creator of Wonderland, tracing his journey from a curious boy in a quiet English village to the imaginative storyteller who transformed chil…
Level B2ClassicsLewis Arundel; Or, The Railroad Of LifeJourney alongside Lewis Arundel as he departs home in a whirlwind of temper and adventure, encountering war, romance, and unexpected discoveries on the railroad of life.
Level B2ClassicsLewie; Or, The Bended TwigA mother’s desperate prayers bring a beloved child back to life, but indulgence breeds a tempestuous temper and tragic consequences.
Level B2ClassicsLetters of the Motor GirlA spirited fourteen-year-old girl discovers the thrill of driving a Franklin motor car in 1905, navigating lessons, family antics, and her own fierce independence in a charming wor…
Level B2Children'sLetters from a Son to His Self-Made Father: Being the Replies to Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His SonA young Harvard freshman navigates the clash between his father's business-driven wisdom and the realities of university life, from noisy dorms to costly experiments, all while con…
Level B2ClassicsLetters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son: Being the Letters written by John Graham, Head of the House of Graham & Company, Pork-Packers in Chicago, familiarly known on 'Change as "Old Gorgon Graham," to his Son, Pierrepont, facetiously known to his intimates as "Piggy."A tough Chicago pork-packer writes candid letters to his Harvard-educated son, mixing blunt business advice with fatherly wisdom to prepare him for the realities of work and life b…
Level B2Children'sLetters from a Cat: Published by Her Mistress for the Benefit of All Cats and the Amusement of Little ChildrenA mischievous cat who plays hide-and-seek and follows her young mistress everywhere surprises everyone by writing letters during a long journey.
Level B2HistoricalLet us follow HimA Roman patrician, once a wild soldier and lover of luxury, seeks relief from tormenting visions in Jerusalem as the city faces the crucifixion of Jesus.
Level B2RomanceLet Us Kiss and Part; or, A Shattered TieA young couple's passionate love is tested by poverty and pride, driving them apart despite their deep affection.
Level B2ClassicsLessons in Life, for All Who Will Read ThemA newly purchased farm hides a hidden right of way, sparking a clash between neighbors over land and respect.
Level B2Science FictionLesson for TodayAfter a devastating nuclear apocalypse, Helen and her child Robbie find themselves mysteriously protected under a strange dome and sustained by alien food—now they must journey acr…
Level B2Children'sLeslie Ross; or, Fond of a LarkLeslie Ross, a spirited boy with a penchant for mischief, faces the challenge of taming his playful nature as his loving parents decide to send him to school, hoping friendship and…
Level B2Science FictionLes MachinesIn a future where the line between humans and machines blurs, Isobel d'Larte faces trial for her husband's brutal murder.
Level B2RomanceLeonie, the Typewriter: A Romance of Actual LifeA talented stenographer steps into a demanding new role as a private secretary for a handsome, honorable lawyer cut out of his inheritance.
Level B2AdventureLeo the Circus Boy; or, Life under the great white canvasYoung Leo Dunbar, bound to a harsh farmer after his parents' death, faces cruelty and injustice—until a runaway circus lion turns his world upside down, offering a thrilling chance…
Level B2RomanceLena GrahamSeparated from her parents and raised by a devoted aunt, young Lena Graham eagerly awaits the arrival of her sisters and the reunion with her family, stepping into a new life fille…
Level B2ClassicsLeilaLeila anxiously navigates mysterious illness and hidden tensions within a secluded villa, where distant trains echo and secrets linger in the shadows.
Level B2ClassicsLegends and tales of the Harz MountainsIn the shadowy Harz Mountains, a princess betrothed to a fearsome giant seeks escape on a mystical snowy steed, sparking a thrilling chase through enchanted valleys where ancient l…
Level B2Children'sLegend-ledThree spirited children defend their cherished beach from rival visitors during a hot July afternoon, dreaming up daring plans to protect their territory.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the training campIn a world where professional baseball is riddled with corruption and deceit, a determined player grapples with the crooked games and schemes that taint the sport he loves.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the bushIn a rough-and-tumble northern league town, rival baseball managers clash as the ambitious Kingsbridge team challenges the reigning champions from Bancroft.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the Blue StockingsIn a tense baseball showdown, the Blue Stockings face relentless rivals and unexpected challenges as star pitcher Grist struggles to maintain his form under pressure.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the Big LeagueA determined young pitcher battles skepticism and fierce competition to prove his worth to a tough big-league baseball team manager, facing rejection and rivalry in the cutthroat w…
Level B2Children'sLefty Locke, pitcher-managerWhen the loyal pitcher Lefty Locke learns his trusted manager faces betrayal and a crooked replacement, he must navigate team loyalties and power struggles to defend the heart of t…
Level B2Children'sLeft with a trustNine children face challenges and changes as the Grainger family struggles with debt and separation, with the father leaving for Australia to secure their future.
Level B2AdventureLeft on the PrairieA young boy grows up on the harsh American prairie, learning to care for his family and their horses while longing for his father’s safe return from long freighting journeys.
Level B2AdventureLeft on the Labrador: A Tale of Adventure Down NorthStranded on a cold, remote mail boat along the bleak Labrador coast, young Charley Norton craves adventure beyond the cramped decks and stale cabins.
Level B2AdventureLeft on Labrador; or, The cruise of the Schooner-yacht "Curlew": As Recorded by "Wash"A daring yacht cruise ventures into the icy, treacherous waters of Hudson Straits, where a crew faces fog, icebergs, polar bears, and encounters with indigenous peoples, all while…
Level B2Children'sLeft at homeA young boy waits anxiously by the fire, forbidden to see his ailing baby sister whose sudden illness casts a shadow over their once-bright home.
Level B2Children'sLeft Tackle ThayerA homesick Virginia boy arrives at a Northern prep school, feeling out of place and lonely as he explores the unfamiliar campus and athletic fields.
Level B2Children'sLeft End EdwardsA young boy prepares for college at Brimfield Academy, balancing his father's strict expectations for serious study with his own curiosity about the school's athletic opportunities…
Level B2AdventureLeft Behind; Or, Ten Days a NewsboyA young boy is accidentally left behind in bustling New York City while his family sails to Europe.
Level B2AdventureLeaves from a middy's logA midshipman aboard a British frigate in the Caribbean faces sudden peril when a mutiny aboard an English merchant ship threatens chaos.
Level B2PhilosophyLay Morals, and Other PapersExplore profound reflections on courage, compassion, and humanity as a traveler confronts the harsh realities of leprosy in remote islands, challenging societal fears and embracing…
Level B2RomanceLavender and Old LaceA city woman spends summer in her aunt's weathered countryside home, navigating rustic life and quirky locals—starting with a cautious carriage ride and a mysterious letter that hi…
Level B2ClassicsLaurel Vane; or, The Girls' ConspiracyAt midnight, a gifted man’s life ends, leaving his innocent daughter alone to face a harsh, unkind world.
Level B2RomanceLatitude 19°: A Romance of the West Indies in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and TwentyStranded in the West Indies in 1820, a castaway recounts harrowing adventures amid pirate caves, mystical rites, and colonial courts, all while grappling with danger and an unexpec…
Level B2ClassicsLast WordsTwo men confront their insecurities on a beach, leading to awkward humor and unexpected moments as they navigate the challenges of vanity, friendship, and self-acceptance in a worl…
Level B2PoetryLast VersesImmerse yourself in a vivid world of childhood wonder, where imagination turns woodland hideouts into enchanted realms filled with fairies, knights, and grand adventures.
Level B2MysteryLarry Barlow's ambitionA young machinist and volunteer fireman dreams of joining New York’s fire department and inventing a revolutionary extension ladder to fight towering infernos.
Level B2AdventureLaramie Holds the RangeA young woman arrives at a remote mountain station, determined to reach Doubleday's ranch despite the harsh, indifferent frontier and its rugged inhabitants.![Cover of Land of play: Verses, rhymes, stories by Sara Tawney [Compiler] Lefferts](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnh109638s73a328i0.webp)
Level B2PoetryLand of play: Verses, rhymes, storiesStep into a whimsical world of verses, rhymes, and stories where beloved characters and timeless tales come alive—from a quaint barge home to playful animals and enchanting poems,…
Level B2MysteryLady Molly of Scotland YardA brilliant female detective takes on a baffling murder at Ash Court, where a young woman's body is found in a secluded pond.
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.