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 B2MysteryThe Launch Boys' Cruise in the DeerfootA courageous youth preparing for West Point finds his routine walk home through dark pine woods disrupted by mysterious figures and a shadowy follower, stirring fears that somethin…
Level B2MysteryThe Launch Boys' Adventures in Northern WatersTwo adventurous boys are drawn into a thrilling chase against post office robbers along the Maine coast, using their speedy motorboat to outwit criminals in a high-stakes game of c…
Level B2AdventureThe Laughter of Slim MaloneIn the rough mining town of Appleton, the mysterious Slim Malone rides a white horse, robbing stages and stirring unrest.
Level C1FantasyThe Laughter of Peterkin: A retelling of old tales of the Celtic WonderworldAwaken beneath a moonlit poplar, Peterkin glimpses tiny, laughing moonshine-folk dancing among the leaves, their mysterious songs echoing ancient Celtic magic.
Level C1Children'sThe Laughing Prince: Jugoslav Folk and Fairy TalesIn a world where three brothers follow different paths, the youngest, Stefan, finds joy and magic in farm life, charming animals and telling stories, all while facing his skeptical…
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 C2PoetryThe Lathe of Morpheus; or, The dream song.: A tribute to B.C. from E.MVenture into the realm of dreams with a poetic journey through sleep’s mysterious divisions, where visions and invocations intertwine in a tribute to the elusive Morpheus.
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 B2AdventureThe Last of the Peterkins: With Others of Their KinThe Peterkin family embarks on a series of humorous and chaotic adventures far from home, as Elizabeth Eliza struggles to capture their misadventures in a paper for her club—amid s…
Level B2ClassicsThe Last of the Mortimers: A Story in Two VoicesTwo sisters confront family secrets and the mystery of a lost heir, Richard Arkwright Mortimer, as they navigate inheritance, identity, and the weight of their ancestral legacy.
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…
FantasyThe Last of the HuggermuggersIn a whimsical world where mysterious creatures called Huggermuggers roam, an extraordinary adventure unfolds that challenges the boundaries between reality and imagination.
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 B2AdventureThe Last of the Flatboats: A Story of the Mississippi and Its Interesting Family of RiversA group of determined boys embark on a thrilling adventure along the Mississippi, battling river challenges and uncovering mysterious creatures beneath the water’s surface.
Level B2ClassicsThe Last of the De Mullins: A Play Without a PrefaceAmid the fading grandeur of a centuries-old manor and the looming shadow of a family stroke, the De Mullins grapple with tradition, inheritance, and changing times in a quiet villa…
Level B2AdventureThe Last of the Chiefs: A Story of the Great Sioux WarTwo brothers journey across the harsh, sun-scorched plains toward California, battling exhaustion, rough company, and relentless heat in hopes that the mountains will bring healing…
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 B2ClassicsThe Last of Their RaceIsla Mackinnon stands as the last hope for the ancient Castle of Achree, a crumbling Scottish estate steeped in legend and threatened by hardship.
Level B2FantasyThe Last of Mrs. DeBrughA devoted maid faces sharp rebukes from a harsh mistress as the aging Mr.
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 B2RomanceThe Last WomanIn the high-stakes world of Wall Street, Patricia Langdon defies convention with fierce independence and sharp wit, standing toe-to-toe with her powerful father as they confront a…
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 B2HistoricalThe Last Vendée; or, the She-Wolves of MachecoulAmid the decaying grandeur of a forgotten château near the forest of Machecoul, the last noble descendant faces the shadows of a turbulent past in revolutionary France, where loyal…
Level B2AdventureThe Last TrailA weary group halts in a shadowy Ohio valley as their guide mysteriously deserts them, leaving them vulnerable in a wild frontier where danger lurks in the dark—will they survive t…
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 A2AdventureThe Last Three SoldiersThree soldiers embark on a secret mission to claim a mysterious mountain fortress, navigating treacherous terrain and hidden dangers under the cover of night.
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 B2ClassicsThe Last StetsonIn a mountain mill shadowed by a long-standing feud, a young boy named Isom navigates the tensions between rival families as old grudges resurface and danger lurks near.
Level B2AdventureThe Last RebelLost in the vast, untamed wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains, a lone hunter battles fatigue, hunger, and a looming snowstorm as he searches for shelter and a way back to camp.
Level B2Children'sThe Last Penny and Other StoriesA struggling shoemaker’s love is tested as his sickly daughter wastes away, while his indulgence in small comforts drains the family's scarce resources.
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.
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.