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 C1AdventureList, Ye Landsmen! A Romance of IncidentA seasoned first mate navigates the sturdy Royal Brunswicker through perilous seas and a fierce hurricane as they sail from South America to England in 1814, facing nature’s fury a…
Level C1Children'sLisbeth LongfrockAmid the glittering snow of a Norwegian farm, steadfast Bearhunter guards the mischievous pigs and goats while a curious newcomer approaches along the narrow mountain road, promisi…
Level C1AdventureLion Ben of Elm IslandOn rugged Elm Island, a young boy named Lion Ben grows up amid wild shores, dense forests, and abundant wildlife, learning the values of courage, labor, and honor in the challengin…
Level C1RomanceLinnet: A RomanceIn the heart of the Tyrol, Florian Wood embarks on a journey through the picturesque Zillerthal valley, where tradition and romance intertwine amid the vibrant culture of Alpine mi…
Level C1ClassicsLinda TresselIn a picturesque Nuremberg home, young Linda Tressel faces the harsh trials imposed by her devout and inflexible aunt, whose rigid virtue clashes with mercy, shaping Linda’s strugg…
Level C1ClassicsLinda Lee, Incorporated: A NovelAmid the glitz of California's motion-picture world, a woman wrestles with love and loyalty as past passions resurface after five years apart.
Level C1ClassicsLinda CondonIn a lavish seaside hotel, young Linda Condon navigates the delicate balance between her mother’s flamboyant gaiety and her own grave, mature demeanor, caught in a world where appe…
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton, Air PilotA determined young woman seizes her chance for a thrilling first flight despite warnings, soaring into the skies with a daring pilot and encountering unexpected dangers that test h…
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Perilous SummerA daring young aviator and her spirited friend take to the skies in their trusty autogiro, only to witness a shocking hit-and-run accident that pulls them into a perilous mystery.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Ocean FlightA daring young aviatrix faces a desperate race against time through dense fog to save a baby whose life hangs by a thread.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Island AdventureA daring young aviator, celebrated for her solo transatlantic flight, defies societal expectations to pursue a thrilling career in the skies.
Level B2MysteryLinda Carlton's Hollywood FlightWhen famed aviatrix Linda Carlton returns from a mysterious week-long flight, friends and family eagerly await news of her latest adventure.
Level C1PoetryLincoln & other poemsExplore stirring poems that celebrate historic moments and figures, from Lincoln’s legacy to the dawn of a new century, blending powerful imagery with reflections on justice, faith…
Level B2AdventureLin McLeanA young, skilled cow-puncher restless with routine decides to leave his Wyoming camp and seek new adventures beyond the familiar open ranges.
Level C1HistoricalLimitations: A NovelAt Cambridge, Tom Carlingford wrestles with the dull prospects of academic life, yearning for adventure beyond the cloistered halls.
Level C1ClassicsLimehouse NightsIn the shadowy streets of Limehouse, a fierce boxer battles his own demons while a fragile girl endures a harsh existence, their lives quietly observed by a lonely, poetic sailor c…
Level C1ClassicsLimbo, and Other Essays; To which is now added Ariadne in MantuaExplore a contemplative journey through liminal spaces—both literal and metaphorical—where forgotten memories, lost childhoods, and the delicate threshold between existence and obl…
Level C1Science FictionLimanoraA man awakens in a dazzling, otherworldly chamber of shimmering architecture and mysterious materials, surrounded by endless vistas of fields and sea.
Level B1Children'sLily's birthdayOn a bright, chilly morning, Baby Lily wakes to the excitement of her birthday, surrounded by family, joyful play, and a few surprises that turn the day into a heartwarming celebra…
Level C1HistoricalLily Pearl and The Mistress of RosedaleOn a stormy October night, a solitary, richly dressed woman waits anxiously in a cliffside cottage, her weary mind burdened by a haunting secret and the weight of a fateful moment…
Level B2Children'sLily Norris' EnemyLily Norris struggles with a habit of procrastination that tests the patience of her friends and family as they prepare for a much-anticipated party.
Level B2MysteryLillian's vowOn a quiet winter night, an old man is attacked for a mysterious memorandum-book that could expose dark secrets of forgery and embezzlement.
Level B2AdventureLillian Morris, and Other StoriesA daring captain leads a perilous wagon train across the untamed American West during the gold rush, facing wild landscapes, hostile tribes, and the harsh realities of frontier lif…
Level B2Children'sLill's Travels in Santa Claus Land, and Other StoriesA curious girl discovers a magical gate to Santa Claus Land, where candy fountains flow and toys grow in gardens, leading to an unforgettable encounter with Santa himself in a whim…
Level B2FantasyLilith: A RomanceA young scholar inherits an ancient estate and immerses himself in a vast, mysterious library where the boundaries between science and metaphysical dreams blur, uncovering hidden t…
Level C1ClassicsLilithA man struggles to reclaim life’s beauty after his wife Lilith is brutally murdered, leaving him broken and haunted by grief.
Level C1PoetryLilithDiscover the myth of Lilith, Adam’s mysterious first wife, reimagined beyond legend as a figure of intellect and maternal love whose story echoes through the haunting lullabies of…
Level B2RomanceLiliecrona's homeAmid a fierce Christmas storm that traps a young girl and her family, hopes for a joyful holiday feast are dashed as they face harsh winds and uncertain roads, testing their spirit…
Level C1ClassicsLilianA beautiful young woman toils alone late into the night in a bustling London typewriting office, yearning for the glamorous life just beyond her reach.
Level C1HistoricalLike Another HelenA young Englishwoman embarks on a daunting journey from her sheltered school life to the unfamiliar world of 18th-century Calcutta, navigating new customs, friendships, and the uph…
Level C1AdventureLike Another HelenAmid the twilight hues of ancient Athens, three young men smuggle weapons and supplies to Cretan insurgents fighting for freedom against overwhelming odds.
Level B2AdventureLightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail: A Tale of the Present DayTrapped by a relentless Comanche siege, a desperate courier races on a dying mustang to Fort Adams, carrying a grim plea for reinforcements to save women and children stranded fort…
Level B2AdventureLightning ExpressAmid the bustling world of the Lake Shore Railroad, young Tommy Toppleton wields power as president, but his spoiled arrogance sparks rivalry and moral challenges within the studen…
Level B2ClassicsLightnin': After the Play of the Same Name by Winchell Smith and Frank BaconIn a small town, Lightnin' Bill Jones is a charmingly lazy storyteller whose easy-going nature masks deeper struggles as his family faces financial hardship.
Level B1AdventureLightfoot, the Leaping Goat: His Many AdventuresA daring young goat named Lightfoot dreams of leaping to the high rocks where the sweetest grass grows, despite warnings from the older goats.
Level C1ClassicsLighter Moments from the Notebook of Bishop Walsham HowDiscover the joyful and humorous reflections of a deeply pious bishop whose sunny disposition and keen wit illuminate the trials and triumphs of everyday life, offering warmth and…
Level C1ClassicsLight interviews with shadesStep into a surreal interview with Bluebeard’s shade as he reveals the darkly comic and twisted truths behind his infamous marriages, challenging the myths and exposing the chaos o…
Level B2Children'sLight for Little OnesYoung Frankie, eager to explore beyond his yard in new pants, joins his friends for a barefoot adventure to the creek, where childhood joys mix with lessons of patience, temper, an…
Level C1Children'sLight O' the Morning: The Story of an Irish GirlIn a grand but fading Irish estate, young Nora O'Shanaghgan faces the looming loss of her family’s land and legacy, caught between pride, hardship, and the haunting whispers of her…
Level C1ClassicsLightIn a bleak industrial town, a clerk navigates the daily grind between the factory and divided streets, where the shadows of laborers and the allure of a different life quietly unfo…
Level C1ClassicsLifted Masks; storiesAn American woman navigating Parisian charm and cultural quirks encounters a boisterous fellow countryman whose well-meaning gift plans reveal the surprising nuances of identity an…
Level B1Children'sLife-tanglesSeventeen-year-old Rhoda eagerly awaits her mother's return from India, hoping to reclaim her place in the family and find comfort after years apart.
Level C1Children'sLife's little stageA young girl faces the challenge of leaving school and returning to a home where she feels unwanted and isolated, yearning for true friendship and purpose.
Level C1ClassicsLife's Progress Through the Passions; Or, The Adventures of NaturaFollow Natura’s journey through the triumphs and trials of human passions, as youthful innocence gives way to complex emotions and life’s unpredictable challenges test reason, ambi…
Level C1ClassicsLife's Little Ironies: A set of tales with some colloquial sketches entitled A Few Crusted CharactersA young invalid woman, once a parlour-maid, navigates life’s quiet ironies alongside her well-bred son in a London suburb, haunted by memories of her past in a remote village and t…
Level C1HistoricalLife's Handicap: Being Stories of Mine Own PeopleIn a vibrant Northern Indian monastery, a blind holy man named Gobind shares timeless tales of life, death, and fate, revealing the rich, unspoken stories of his people and the del…
Level B2ClassicsLife on the Stage: My Personal Experiences and RecollectionsA vivid journey through the trials and triumphs of an aspiring actress, exploring the passion, struggles, and behind-the-scenes realities of life on the theatrical stage.
Level B2PoetryLife on the Farm; in Amusing RhymeDiscover the charm and humor of rural life brought to life through playful and entertaining verse, capturing the everyday joys and quirks of the farm in amusing rhyme.
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.