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 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 C1ClassicsLord KilgobbinIn the shadow of Kilgobbin Castle, on the border between Ireland’s bleak boglands and fertile farmlands, a tale unfolds of faded grandeur and enduring struggle where history, hards…
Level C1AdventureLord JimIn a bustling Eastern port, a proud and mysterious water-clerk named Jim faces a haunting past that tests his honor and courage, setting the stage for a gripping tale of adventure,…
Level C1ClassicsLord Arthur Savile's Crime; The Portrait of Mr. W.H., and Other StoriesAt a glittering London reception, Lady Windermere’s fascination with palmistry leads to a curious encounter with a cheiromantist whose predictions promise mischief and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsLord Alistair's RebellionUnder the flickering lights of an imperial city, two opposing forces face off across the river—a symbol of civilization’s power and a shadowy, rebellious underworld—setting the sta…
Level C1FantasyLooking Further Forward: An Answer to Looking Backward by Edward BellamyA sharp critique challenges utopian visions of perfect equality, exposing the flaws and dangers of communism without a religious foundation.
Level C1Science FictionLooking Backward, 2000 to 1887A man born in 1857 awakens in the year 2000 to find a society transformed by equality and shared prosperity, challenging his 19th-century beliefs about class, wealth, and the meani…
Level C1ClassicsLook out for paint: A farce comedy in three actsCity boarders arrive at a struggling New York farm, stirring up unexpected chaos and romantic misadventures.
Level C1ClassicsLook Back on HappinessA man retreats to a remote forest hut, abandoning the chaos of city life to find solitude and confront the restless thoughts burning within him.
Level C1AdventureLong OddsIn the sweltering heat of a remote West African outpost, a relentless Englishman arrives by canoe, bringing with him the promise—and peril—of adventure amid fever, dark forests, an…
Level C1RomanceLonesome LandIn the vast, untamed prairies of northern Montana, a young woman arrives to start a new life on a cattle ranch, filled with hope and the promise of freedom, only to find unexpected…
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 C1ClassicsLondon's Heart: A NovelIn the shadowed alleys of Soho, a tapestry of desperate lives unfolds—where poverty, mystery, and resilience intertwine amid dusty shops and dim-lit rooms.
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 C1PoetryLondon LyricsExplore gentle, reflective verses capturing London life with subtle humor and tender melancholy, as a thoughtful poet observes everyday moments with grace and understated wit.
Level C1ClassicsLondon LavenderStep into the lively world of Primrose Terrace, where eccentric neighbors, unexpected visitors, and charming adventures unfold amid London's bustling streets and quiet corners, ble…
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 C1ClassicsLoitering in Pleasant PathsAn American family embarks on a healing pilgrimage to England, discovering unexpected wonders and intimate moments as they navigate the gray, somber streets of London.
Level C1ClassicsLoduskyIn a rustic North Carolina gathering, a mysterious and captivating young woman named Lodusky commands the attention of rival suitors with her cool indifference and enigmatic charm,…
Level C1ClassicsLodore, Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst harsh poverty and looming threats from bailiffs, Ethel clings to hope and the promise of reunion with her husband, navigating hardship with the steadfast support of a wise f…
Level C1ClassicsLodore, Vol. 2 (of 3)In a shadowed London home, the vivacious Edward Villiers brings light and warmth to Ethel, whose heart still clings to her father's memory.
Level C1ClassicsLodore, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a remote Essex village, the noble Fitzhenry family faces mysterious misfortunes that cloud their once-glorious legacy.
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 C1Children'sLob Lie-By-The-Fire, The Brownies and Other TalesIn a cozy northern homestead, a mysterious house elf named Lob Lie-by-the-fire secretly aids the farm laborers, while two shrewd sisters quietly manage their inheritance and charit…
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 C1ClassicsLo, Michael!In a city torn by hunger and anger, a fearless boy throws himself between a vengeful crowd's bullet and a wealthy bank president’s innocent baby, igniting a fierce clash between de…
Level C1ClassicsLizzy Glenn; Or, The Trials of a SeamstressA young seamstress struggles to survive in a harsh labor market where her skill barely pays the bills.
Level C1ClassicsLizzie LeighA widow, burdened by years of hidden estrangement, faces Christmas Day with grief and regret after her husband's final, forgiving words.
Level C1ClassicsLiza; Or, "A Nest of Nobles"In a vivid portrayal of Russian provincial life, a young noblewoman named Liza navigates the complexities of society, love, and personal conscience during a time of social transfor…
Level C1FantasyLiving AloneAmid a war-torn London committee room, a mysterious young woman disrupts the routine by confessing to stealing a bun—and reveals she has just gambled away her fortune on a magical…
Level C1ClassicsLives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the turbulent life of Voltaire, a fearless critic of religious dogma and champion of intellectual liberty, as he challenges the powerful church and ignites a revolution in…
Level C1ClassicsLives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 1 (of 2)Explore the fascinating lives of France's most influential literary and scientific figures, beginning with Montaigne, whose unique upbringing and groundbreaking essays reveal a viv…
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 C1ClassicsLives of the English Poets: From Johnson to Kirke White, Designed as a Continuation of Johnson's LivesExplore the lives and works of English poets from Samuel Johnson to Henry Kirke White, revealing their struggles, inspirations, and literary achievements through intimate and detai…
Level C1ClassicsLives of Two CatsTwo cats, Pussy White and Pussy Gray, weave through the tender memories of a home filled with warmth, play, and quiet companionship.
Level C1RomanceLittle sweetheartA handsome young traveler becomes intrigued by a mysterious widow and her sleeping child on a dreary train journey, sparking curiosity and quiet longing amidst the humdrum of a res…
Level C1ClassicsLittle Travels and Roadside SketchesSet off from a cozy English inn to bustling coaches and stately duchesses, journeying through vivid scenes of aristocratic life, lively travel companions, and the spirited atmosphe…
Level C1AdventureLittle Rifle; or, The Young Fur HuntersA skilled young trapper navigates the wilds of the Upper Columbia, alone and alert, setting traps and surviving in a rugged landscape filled with danger and mystery—while pondering…
Level C1ClassicsLittle Pilgrimages Among the Men Who Have Written Famous BooksExplore the literary journeys and personal lives of America's revered authors through intimate sketches that reveal the struggles, ambitions, and successes behind their celebrated…
Level C1FantasyLittle Peter: A Christmas Morality for Children of any AgeAmid the towering pine forest, a little boy’s journey unfolds, revealing nature’s secret song of growth, obedience, and self-sacrifice.
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 C1ClassicsLittle Novels of ItalyIn sunlit Verona, Giovanna Scarpa, a striking yet humble washerwoman, struggles to support her large family and dreams of love beyond her lowly station.
Level C1ClassicsLittle NovelsA widowed father and his young daughter encounter a mysterious, ghostlike woman in Kensington Gardens whose eerie presence defies explanation, blurring the line between the living…
Level C1ClassicsLittle NobodyA Northern journalist finds himself enchanted by the vibrant, sunlit world of New Orleans, where dazzling races and a mysterious retired actress draw him into a web of intrigue and…
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 C1Children'sLittle Meg's ChildrenIn the grim labyrinth of London’s East End, young Meg shoulders the weight of caring for her ailing mother and siblings alone, while their sailor father remains far at sea.
Level C1ClassicsLittle Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor, Volume IDive into a rich collection of American humor, featuring voices from Washington Irving to Mr.
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.