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 C1PoetryLyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan AgeDiscover a rich anthology of Elizabethan lyrics where music and poetry intertwine, revealing rare songs from the era’s most celebrated composers and hidden gems unearthed from hist…
Level C1PoetryLyrical Ballads, with Other Poems, 1800, Volume 1Explore vivid emotions and rustic life through poems that challenge traditional verse, blending heartfelt nature and human passions with innovative style to reveal the profound in…
Level C1PoetryLyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems (1798)A weathered mariner halts a wedding guest to recount a haunting voyage from tropical seas to icy polar realms, where storms and strange occurrences challenge the boundaries of natu…
Level C1PoetryLyrical Ballads with Other Poems, 1800, Volume 2Explore haunting pastoral poems where nature and human passion intertwine, from thrilling hunts to quiet reflections by mountain springs, capturing moments of joy, love, and loss i…
Level C1PoetryLyra Heroica: A Book of Verse for BoysDive into stirring verses that celebrate heroism, adventure, and patriotism, as youthful spirits are called to witness the valor and nobility of historic battles like Agincourt, in…
Level C1PoetryLyra FrivolaWry and witty verses reveal the poet’s humble desires and keen observations, from the trials of writers abroad to the woes of seasonal ailments and holiday hardships, all delivered…
Level C1HistoricalLuxury--Gluttony: Two of the Seven Cardinal SinsAmid the luxurious halls of the Élysée-Bourbon, young Count Frantz navigates the intrigues and temptations of Parisian high society, where bravery and innocence clash with the sedu…
Level C1ClassicsLuttrell Of ArranIn the remote, savage landscape of Innishmore, a forgotten island off Ireland’s coast, a weary lord returns to reclaim his ancestral home among famine-stricken islanders clinging t…
Level C1PhilosophyLures of LifeA reflective journey through life's shifting allure—from the vibrant dreams of youth to the calm acceptance of age—exploring the profound emotions and philosophies that shape our p…
Level C1ClassicsLuna BenamorA young diplomat arrives in Gibraltar, a vibrant crossroads of cultures and languages, on the cusp of his first major voyage to Australia.
Level C1Science FictionLumenAfter death, the soul awakens to a new existence beyond the physical, where memories fade and consciousness shifts like a dream.
Level C1PhilosophyLudvig Holberg, The Founder of Norwegian Literature and an Oxford StudentExplore the extraordinary journey of Ludvig Holberg, whose transformation from a young Norwegian corporal to a pioneering literary and philosophical figure reshaped two nations’ in…
Level C1ClassicsLudus CoventriæStep into the medieval world of Coventry, where ancient English mysteries unfold through a treasured manuscript of dramatic plays performed by friars.
Level C1Children'sLucy Raymond; Or, The Children's WatchwordOn a warm June Sabbath in the village of Ashleigh, three girls from different walks of life gather in Sunday school under Miss Preston’s watchful care, their diverse characters and…
Level C1ClassicsLucy Larcom: Life, Letters, and DiaryDive into the intimate letters and diary entries of a thoughtful New England woman whose life unfolds through teaching, poetry, and spiritual growth amid 19th-century American cult…
Level C1MysteryLucretia — CompleteIn a dark tale of family secrets and moral struggle, a woman named Lucretia confronts the haunting influence of wealth and impatience on human character, revealing how early circum…
Level C1ClassicsLucky PehrIn a medieval church tower, an old man’s grudging Christmas rituals ignite a mysterious clash of spirits, mischief, and morality as elves, rats, and voices challenge his harshness…
Level C1PhilosophyLuck, or Cunning, as the Main Means of Organic ModificationExplore a bold critique of Darwinian natural selection, proposing that heredity resembles memory and that intentional design shapes organic evolution.
Level C1AdventureLuck at the Diamond FieldsA tense journey to the Diamond Fields brings together a diverse, uneasy group of passengers, including a determined English governess facing hardship and a notorious local with a s…
Level C1MysteryLucius Davoren; or, Publicans and sinners, vol. 3Amidst the lush gardens and genteel society of an English fête, a restless man wrestles with jealousy and discontent, haunted by love lost and a dark past.
Level C1ClassicsLucius Davoren; or, Publicans and sinners, vol. 2In a quiet town under a tender moon, a desperate suitor dares to plead for love through a friend’s letter, seeking to sway a woman who has long resisted his passion.
Level C1AdventureLucius Davoren; or, Publicans and sinners, vol. 1Three men endure a harsh winter in the uncharted forests west of the Rockies, driven by dreams of exploration, survival, and ambition.
Level C1RomanceLucindaA skilled business envoy returns to London in 1914, navigating high society, family ties, and the impending marriage of Lucinda, whose quiet strength and choices spark curiosity am…
Level C1RomanceLucileIn a lively London May, aristocratic Lord Alfred faces unexpected challenges when a mysterious letter from the enigmatic Comtesse de Nevers disrupts his planned marriage, stirring…
Level C1Science FictionLucian's True HistoryEmbark on a wild voyage beyond reality where satire meets cosmic adventure, as a sharp-witted narrator encounters strange worlds, colossal creatures, and legendary figures in a fan…
Level C1ClassicsLucian the dreamerIn a quiet rural station where trains rarely stop, a mysterious boy and his companion arrive carrying a heavy, treasure-like crate of books, stirring curiosity in the sleepy villag…
Level C1ClassicsLucia in LondonIn a springtime English village, the death of a reclusive aunt sparks whispered expectations and social intrigues, as neighbors speculate about the true feelings of the vibrant and…
Level C1ClassicsLoyaltiesIn the refined world of Newmarket’s Meldon Court, tensions rise as a young, wealthy outsider faces accusations of theft amid the intrigues of horse racing, high society, and fragil…
Level C1PoetryLow Tide on Grand Pré: A Book of LyricsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey through quiet moments and wandering souls, where each poem echoes the tranquil yet restless spirit of Grand Pré at low tide.
Level C1ClassicsLovers' VowsA delicate English adaptation of a German drama explores love’s complexities through refined characters and carefully crafted dialogue, transforming blunt passions into subtle, whi…
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 C1ClassicsLover or FriendIn a small town ruled by strong wills and subtle power plays, Geraldine Ross balances family loyalty and societal expectations while navigating the complexities of love and friends…
Level C1ClassicsLover and Husband: A NovelIn a heavy, airless London, Marion pauses amidst the dullness and disorder of preparing to leave home, when an unexpected visitor arrives, stirring the quiet of her solitary life a…
Level C1Children'sLoveliness: A StoryA charming silver Yorkshire terrier named Loveliness watches the world from his cozy window seat, devoted to love and companionship.
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 C1PoetryLove-Songs of ChildhoodDelight in charming poems that capture the magic of childhood—from dreamy lullabies and playful games to nature’s gentle songs and the joyful mischief of youth—each verse a tender…
Level C1RomanceLove-Letters Between a Nobleman and His SisterAmidst the turmoil of rebellion in Paris, a young nobleman defies honor and law, entangled in a forbidden passion for his wife’s sister.
Level C1ClassicsLove,—and the Philosopher: A Study in SentimentIn a tranquil English garden, a skeptical Philosopher challenges a gentle woman's sentimental view of love and life, sparking a quiet tension between reason and feeling that explor…
Level C1RomanceLove, the FiddlerIn a fading seaport town, a devoted chief engineer longs to win the heart of the beautiful Florence, who suddenly inherits a vast fortune—threatening to change everything in their…
Level C1ClassicsLove, and Other StoriesIn the soft April night, a young man wrestles with the intoxicating, elusive feeling of first love as he pens letters to Sasha, weaving a tender tale of secret meetings and heartfe…
Level C1PoetryLove, Worship and Death: Some Renderings from the Greek AnthologyExplore the tender and intimate world of ancient Greece through lyrical poems that reveal timeless themes of love, friendship, nature, and devotion, capturing the personal spirit a…
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 C1PoetryLove's crucifixDive into a tender exploration of unspoken love and enduring devotion, where dreams blur with reality and a silent muse holds the secret to a poet’s longing.
Level C1ClassicsLove's UsuriesA once-bohemian artist transformed by fame and fortune reflects on the sacrifices and madness entwined with love and success, revealing the hidden stories of those who suffered for…
Level C1RomanceLove's ShadowIn a small Knightsbridge flat, Edith navigates the delicate balance of marriage, motherhood, and the alluring influence of her captivating friend Hyacinth, whose charm stirs romanc…
Level C1ClassicsLove's Meinie: Three Lectures on Greek and English BirdsExplore the delicate world of English and Greek birds through vivid lectures that blend natural history with language, art, and philosophy.
Level C1ClassicsLove's ComedyA biting satire exposes the trivialities and hypocrisies of love and marriage in society, arguing paradoxically that true happiness lies in loveless unions and enduring love exists…
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.