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 C1MysteryThe Laughing Mill, and Other StoriesAn old mariner’s peaceful farmhouse by the sea sets the stage for mysterious, supernatural tales where the impossible quietly unfolds.
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 C1AdventureThe Laughing Cavalier: The Story of the Ancestor of the Scarlet PimpernelIn 17th-century Haarlem, a spirited cavalier known for his laughter and daring adventures comes alive, revealing the true story behind the ancestor of a legendary hero.
Level C1HistoricalThe Later RenaissanceExplore the vibrant flowering of European literature during the later sixteenth century, with a keen focus on Spain’s unique Golden Age of art, war, and letters, while tracing the…
Level C1ClassicsThe Later LifeA man wakes from a vivid, humorous dream of a seaside where fashion and nudity merge in absurd harmony, sparking laughter and reflection at home as family dynamics unfold with the…
Level C1MysteryThe Late TenantA young Wyoming rancher-turned-writer escapes to London seeking peace and literary success, only to confront the city's noisy chaos and social puzzles.
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 C1HistoricalThe Last of the VikingsIn the turbulent aftermath of the Norman Conquest, a brave Danish maiden and a Saxon chieftain navigate a world of betrayal, war, and unexpected alliances amid the fading age of Vi…
Level C1AdventureThe Last of the PlainsmenJourney alongside Buffalo Jones, a relentless wildlife preserver who defies the fading frontier to capture and protect America's wild beasts, as he ventures into the rugged deserts…
Level C1AdventureThe Last of the Mohicans; A narrative of 1757Amid the untamed wilderness of 1757 America, fierce native warriors and colonial settlers clash as ancient tribes face displacement and cultural survival.
Level C1AdventureThe Last of the Legions and Other Tales of Long AgoAs Roman legions are ordered to abandon Britain, a Roman viceroy faces the collapse of imperial rule and rising threats from barbarian tribes and ambitious local leaders, igniting…
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 C1HistoricalThe Last of the Barons — CompleteAmid the turbulent courts of Edward IV and the fierce intrigues of the Wars of the Roses, noble ambitions clash with love, loyalty, and betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalThe Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and WomenExplore the final moments and last words of history’s distinguished figures, revealing their thoughts, regrets, and legacies as they face death.
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 C1MysteryThe Last TenantA contented man faces his wife's restless desire to move from their cozy home, sparking tension between comfort and social ambition.
Level C1MysteryThe Last Stroke: A Detective StoryIn the quiet village of Glenville, a schoolmaster’s unexpected absence on a May morning sparks unease among students and teachers.
Level C1ClassicsThe Last PennyA young man fresh from college faces the reality of adulthood as he navigates family expectations, finances, and the first serious talk about his future.
Level C1ClassicsThe Last MiracleIn a remote manor, a hypnotist chronicles the extraordinary trance journeys of Mary Wilson, whose mind roams through time and space revealing secrets beyond ordinary perception.
Level C1Science FictionThe Last ManIn a haunting exploration of ancient ruins, two travelers uncover mysterious Sibylline leaves inscribed with prophecies in multiple languages, hinting at secrets that bridge past a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Last Look: A Tale of the Spanish InquisitionIn 16th-century Seville, a young girl’s innocent faith challenges the imposing Bishop whose troubled past haunts his visit to her family’s beautiful mansion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Last Lion, and Other TalesDive into a world shaped by fierce independence and passionate struggles, where a relentless spirit confronts poverty, political exile, and adventure across Spain and beyond.
Level C1ClassicsThe Last LaughOn a snowy winter night in Hampstead, a sharp, deaf girl and her sardonic companion explore eerie laughter and mysterious sounds, blurring the line between reality and illusion in…
Level C1HistoricalThe Last Lady of Mulberry: A Story of Italian New YorkA young sculptor in a humble mountain village dreams of transcending his modest beginnings by carving a masterpiece that will bring honor to his hometown of Genoa.
Level C1AdventureThe Last HopeIn a fading English coastal village, River Andrew guides two strangers to a mysterious unmarked grave tied to a long-buried secret.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Last HarvestReflecting on a lifetime of observation, these meditations explore the enduring influence and truths of Emerson and Thoreau, revealing a profound engagement with nature, philosophy…
Level C1Science FictionThe Last Generation: A Story of the FutureIn a future where civilization's progress breeds misery and rebellion, a mysterious Wind of Time offers a journey through history and a glimpse of a world on the brink of upheaval.
Level C1HistoricalThe Last Galley; Impressions and TalesAmid the shimmering Mediterranean, a battered Carthaginian galley limps toward Carthage, its decks stained with blood and exhaustion.
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 C1AdventureThe Last Egyptian: A Romance of the NileA determined English explorer braves the fierce Egyptian heat and deserts along the Nile, navigating ancient mysteries and unfamiliar lands with his loyal Arab companions as he see…
Level C1HistoricalThe Last Duchess of BelgardeIn a lush garden, young Trimousette dreams of marrying the daring Duke of Belgarde, despite her pious grandmother's strict plans.
Level C1ClassicsThe Last Days of TolstoyExplore the final, turbulent years of a literary giant as he wrestles with family strife, spiritual crisis, and the challenge of living true to his principles amid wealth and misun…
Level C1HistoricalThe Last Days of PompeiiIn Pompeii's bustling streets, pleasure-seeking nobles navigate feasts, gambling, and rivalry amid vibrant markets and lavish lifestyles.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Last Christmas Tree: An Idyl of ImmortalityAmid musings on life’s warmth and the universe’s fading candles, a profound reflection unfolds on mortality, immortality, and the mysterious dawn beyond nature’s final night.
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 C1Science FictionThe Last American: A Fragment from the Journal of Khan-li, Prince of Dimph-yoo-chur and Admiral in the Persian NavyIn a distant future, a Persian admiral uncovers the eerie ruins of a vanished civilization on a forgotten continent, revealing a once-vibrant people whose sudden extinction challen…
Level C1MysteryThe LashIn a sweltering room, seasoned political operatives confront the uneasy truth: their grip on power is slipping, and a relentless campaign is their only defense.
Level C1HistoricalThe Lane That Had No Turning, CompleteExperience the quiet virtues and complex characters of French Canadian life in a series of interconnected tales set in the fictional Pontiac, where frugality, faith, and tradition…
Level C1ClassicsThe Landlord at Lion's Head — CompleteA rugged New England man navigates the clash between rustic roots and modern urban life while managing a summer hotel beneath the majestic “Lion’s Head” mountain, revealing the vib…
Level C1HistoricalThe LandleaguersIn 1850s Ireland, newly arrived landlord Philip Jones inherits two estates amid a changing social landscape where old loyalties and new American-inspired defiance collide.
Level C1HistoricalThe Land of Lure: A Story of the Columbia River BasinIn the harsh March winds of the Columbia River Basin, hopeful homesteaders battle drought and desolation, drawn by dreams of fertile land and a home of their own—can determination…
Level C1Children'sThe Land of Lost ToysIn a nursery where toys meet untimely fates, mischievous Sam stages a grand show recreating the city of Lisbon on the morning of a historic day, inviting his steadfast sister Dot t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Land of Long AgoAunt Jane and her companion set out on a quiet country journey to town, weaving through landscapes rich with history and local legends.
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 C1ClassicsThe Land of Heart's DesireIn a remote Irish barony, a young bride becomes enchanted by a mysterious book about a princess who escapes to the timeless Land of Faery, sparking tension between dreams of eterna…
Level C1ClassicsThe Land of Darkness: Along with Some Further Chapters in the Experiences of the Little PilgrimA bewildering descent lands you in a chaotic city where constant noise and relentless traffic defy order, and the people’s smiles hide sharp insults.
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.