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 C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 2Explore intimate letters revealing a 19th-century scholar's struggles with ambition, loss, and his passion for Persian poetry and translation.
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 1Discover the intimate world of a gentle, witty literary figure through his heartfelt letters, revealing friendships, reflections, and the quiet humor that shaped his life beyond hi…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald to Fanny Kemble (1871-1883)A series of candid letters reveals the intimate friendship between Edward FitzGerald and Fanny Kemble, sharing reflections on life, literature, and personal moments from 1871 to 18…
ClassicsLetters of Anton Chekhov to His Family and FriendsExplore the intimate correspondence revealing the life, character, and thoughts of a literary genius through letters to family and friends, tracing his journey from humble origins…
Level C1HistoricalLetters of Abelard and Heloise: To which is prefix'd a particular account of their lives, amours, and misfortunesTwo brilliant minds, bound by love and tragedy, exchange passionate letters that reveal their intertwined fates of devotion, intellect, and suffering.
Level C1ClassicsLetters from the Raven: Correspondence of L. Hearn with Henry WatkinDelve into the intimate correspondence revealing a sensitive writer's struggles with failing sight, his deep fascination with Japan’s culture, and his spiritual journey blending Bu…
Level B2Children'sLetters from a Son to His Self-Made Father: Being the Replies to Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His SonA young Harvard freshman navigates the clash between his father's business-driven wisdom and the realities of university life, from noisy dorms to costly experiments, all while con…
Level B2ClassicsLetters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son: Being the Letters written by John Graham, Head of the House of Graham & Company, Pork-Packers in Chicago, familiarly known on 'Change as "Old Gorgon Graham," to his Son, Pierrepont, facetiously known to his intimates as "Piggy."A tough Chicago pork-packer writes candid letters to his Harvard-educated son, mixing blunt business advice with fatherly wisdom to prepare him for the realities of work and life b…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from a Landscape PainterJourney through tranquil American landscapes and heartfelt reflections as a landscape painter shares intimate letters capturing nature’s beauty and the quiet joys of life, inviting…
Level B2Children'sLetters from a Cat: Published by Her Mistress for the Benefit of All Cats and the Amusement of Little ChildrenA mischievous cat who plays hide-and-seek and follows her young mistress everywhere surprises everyone by writing letters during a long journey.
Level C1ClassicsLetters from Switzerland and Travels in ItalyJourney through majestic landscapes and ponder the elusive nature of freedom and human longing as a traveler reflects on Switzerland’s rugged beauty and the yearning to transcend e…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 3 (of 3)Explore the turbulent history and impact of Bible translations in England, from Wickliffe’s controversial work to the fiery trials of Henry VIII’s era, revealing how scripture shap…
Level C1HistoricalLetters from England, Volume 2 (of 3)Explore the storied streets and majestic colleges of Oxford through the eyes of a foreign visitor, uncovering the traditions, architecture, and lively student life that define this…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 1 (of 3)A foreign traveler arrives in England, offering vivid, firsthand letters that reveal the daily life, customs, and landscapes of the English with keen observation and a candid, impa…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from AmericaEmbark on a vivid journey through early 20th-century America, Canada, and the South Seas, captured in intimate letters that reveal the landscapes, people, and poetic reflections of…
Level C1PhilosophyLetters and social aimsExplore the dynamic interplay between matter's unyielding laws and the mind's boundless currents, revealing a universe in constant transformation where science, philosophy, and ima…
Level C1ClassicsLetters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and DenmarkExplore a vivid journey through Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, where personal letters reveal intimate reflections on friendship, resilience, and the challenges of a woman forging her…
Level C1PoetryLetters Concerning Poetical Translations: And Virgil's and Milton's Arts of Verse, &c.Explore the art of poetical translation by comparing the swift, fiery style of Homer with the majestic, deliberate verse of Virgil, revealing how capturing an author's unique voice…
Level B2HistoricalLet us follow HimA Roman patrician, once a wild soldier and lover of luxury, seeks relief from tormenting visions in Jerusalem as the city faces the crucifixion of Jesus.
Level B2RomanceLet Us Kiss and Part; or, A Shattered TieA young couple's passionate love is tested by poverty and pride, driving them apart despite their deep affection.
Level C1ClassicsLessons in the Shanghai DialectExplore the rich heritage of the Shanghai Dialect, a language spoken by millions and deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.
Level B2ClassicsLessons in Life, for All Who Will Read ThemA newly purchased farm hides a hidden right of way, sparking a clash between neighbors over land and respect.
Level B2Science FictionLesson for TodayAfter a devastating nuclear apocalypse, Helen and her child Robbie find themselves mysteriously protected under a strange dome and sustained by alien food—now they must journey acr…
Level C1PhilosophyLesser HippiasExplore the intricate challenge of distinguishing authentic philosophical texts from forgeries in ancient literature, as the dialogue delves into criteria for assessing the genuine…
Level C1ClassicsLess than kinAmid the glittering social scenes and whispered judgments of the opera house, a young woman balances loyalty to her ailing uncle with the pressing demands of love and ambition, nav…
Level A2RomanceLeslie's loyaltyIn a quiet coastal village untouched by crowds, Leslie Lisle captivates with her enchanting beauty and spirited charm, unknowingly stirring deep passions in those who meet her.
Level B2Children'sLeslie Ross; or, Fond of a LarkLeslie Ross, a spirited boy with a penchant for mischief, faces the challenge of taming his playful nature as his loving parents decide to send him to school, hoping friendship and…
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 2 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a world of secret passions and calculated deceptions, a tormented lover pleads for truth and connection while others grapple with betrayal and heartbreak.
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 1 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a scandalous web of seduction and deceit, a collection of intimate letters reveals the manipulative games of a corrupt French aristocracy, exposing the dark passions and moral d…
Level C1HistoricalLes beaux messieurs de Bois-Doré Vol. 2 (of 2)In a grand château, a mischievous boy discovers the secret cosmetics his adoptive father uses to preserve his youthful appearance, sparking laughter and gentle reprimands amid the…
Level C1HistoricalLes beaux messieurs de Bois-Doré Vol. 1 (of 2)In a court rife with intrigue and ambition, the sharp-witted and devout Sciarra d'Alvimar navigates shifting alliances and forbidden passions under Queen Marie de Médicis’ shadow,…
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 5/5: Jean ValjeanAmid the turmoil of the June 1848 insurrection, the desperate masses erect monstrous barricades in a city on the brink of collapse, as a man wrestles with his duty and compassion a…
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 4/5: The Idyll and the EpicAmid the turbulent aftermath of the July Revolution, society grapples with the clash between worn-out royal authority and the unstoppable force of historical change.
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 3/5: MariusIn the bustling streets of Paris, a spirited gamin—part street urchin, part impish philosopher—navigates a world of poverty, mischief, and fleeting joys, embodying innocence amidst…
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 2/5: CosetteAmid the echoes of the Battle of Waterloo, a wayfarer uncovers the poignant history of Hougomont, a contested farmstead where valor and resistance shaped the fate of an empire.
Level C1HistoricalLes Misérables, v. 1/5: FantineIn post-Revolution France, a once worldly man becomes a compassionate bishop, embodying hope amid social upheaval and hardship.
Level B2Science FictionLes MachinesIn a future where the line between humans and machines blurs, Isobel d'Larte faces trial for her husband's brutal murder.
Level C1ClassicsLes Bijoux Indiscrets, or, The Indiscreet ToysIn a vibrant African kingdom, the birth of Prince Mangogul stirs curiosity and superstition as a skeptical soothsayer grapples with predicting his fate.
Level C1ClassicsLeonore StubbsA daughter’s marriage to a wealthy man turns to ruin when his fortune disappears, leaving her destitute and her family torn between pride and despair.
Level C1RomanceLeonora D'Orco: A Historical RomanceIn a treacherous mountain pass of Renaissance Italy, where danger and beauty entwine, a dazzling party rides through shadows of bandits and betrayal.
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraA woman trapped by society's harsh constraints reveals her painful journey through love, marriage, and separation in candid letters that expose the tyranny of prejudice and the que…
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, Leonora, a proud and beautiful woman on the brink of forty, navigates the tensions of her marriage and the stark contrasts of her world,…
Level B2RomanceLeonie, the Typewriter: A Romance of Actual LifeA talented stenographer steps into a demanding new role as a private secretary for a handsome, honorable lawyer cut out of his inheritance.
Level C1FantasyLeonie of the JungleA young girl named Leonie, haunted by mysterious black dreams and a strange presence, confides her fears to a kind specialist who seeks to unravel the secrets behind her eerie visi…
Level C1AdventureLeonard Lindsay ;A young sailor embarks on a daring sea voyage from the Scottish coast, carrying the legacy of his fisherman father and the haunting tales of the ocean’s mysteries.
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 2 (of 2)In a noble household crumbling under disgrace and poverty, the Marquesa clings to faith and society’s rituals while secrets and scandals simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 1 (of 2)A woman grapples with jealousy and childhood memories as she reads a heartfelt letter from Leon, unraveling a tale of youthful affection, misunderstandings, and sincere devotion th…
Level B2AdventureLeo the Circus Boy; or, Life under the great white canvasYoung Leo Dunbar, bound to a harsh farmer after his parents' death, faces cruelty and injustice—until a runaway circus lion turns his world upside down, offering a thrilling chance…
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.