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 C1PhilosophyLeo TolstoyExplore the radical moral vision inspired by a great thinker, where simplicity and fierce ethical conviction challenge modern norms, sparking acts of profound and surprising faith…
Level C1AdventureLentala of the South Seas: The Romantic Tale of a Lost ColonyShipwrecked on a mysterious tropical shore, a desperate group of survivors faces hostile natives and the haunting pursuit of their dying vessel, the Hope.
Level B2RomanceLena GrahamSeparated from her parents and raised by a devoted aunt, young Lena Graham eagerly awaits the arrival of her sisters and the reunion with her family, stepping into a new life fille…
Level C1RomanceLemorne Versus HuellThrown into the tangled world of Aunt Eliza Huell's health struggles and a bitter property lawsuit, a young woman navigates high society, family rivalries, and unexpected duties du…
Level C1HistoricalLeila or, the Siege of Granada, CompleteAmid the 1491 siege of Granada, the mysterious enchanter Almamen navigates a city caught between hope and despair, as Moorish warriors and Spanish forces collide under the shadow o…
Level C1HistoricalLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book V.As the dawn breaks over Granada, Moorish warriors rally under their king Boabdil to defend their besieged city against the advancing Christian army.
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book IV.In a besieged castle near Granada, Leila faces a heart-wrenching conflict between loyalty and love as Moorish forces, led by a fierce and seemingly magical warrior, challenge the C…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book III.In a kingdom torn by faith and forbidden love, a gentle Jewish maiden faces the harsh scrutiny of the Inquisition and the protective mercy of a compassionate queen, caught between…
Level C1HistoricalLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book II.Amid the glittering tents of the Spanish king's camp, a tense siege unfolds as political intrigue and military strategy intertwine, threatening to topple Granada from within while…
Level C1RomanceLeila or, the Siege of Granada, Book I.Amidst the 1491 siege of Granada, a mysterious enchanter and noble Moorish prince navigate a city on the brink of conquest, where ancient magic and fierce loyalty intertwine in a d…
Level C1Children'sLeila at Home: a continuation of Leila in EnglandLeila returns to the warm, lively household near Richmond, where her cousin Selina has miraculously regained her speech.
Level B2ClassicsLeilaLeila anxiously navigates mysterious illness and hidden tensions within a secluded villa, where distant trains echo and secrets linger in the shadows.
Level C1HistoricalLeigh Hunt's Relations with Byron, Shelley and KeatsExplore the intertwined lives of Leigh Hunt, Byron, Shelley, and Keats amid the turbulent political and social upheavals of early 19th-century England, revealing how revolution, re…
Level C1ClassicsLegends: Autobiographical SketchesA disgraced author wrestles with poverty, isolation, and conflicting beliefs while navigating the clash between naturalism and occultism in a small Swedish university town.
Level C1PoetryLegends, Tales and PoemsStep into the enchanting world of old Spain, where poetic dreams and haunting legends weave together along the banks of the Guadalquivir.
Level C1HistoricalLegends of the conquest of SpainAmidst the tumult of invasions and shifting empires, Spain emerges as a land where history and legend intertwine, revealing a saga of conquest, valiant heroes, and the clash of cul…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of the Saxon SaintsDive into the stirring era when Anglo-Saxon kingdoms embraced Christianity, witnessing saintly rulers, grand cathedrals rising from ancient temples, and the birth of missions that…
Level C1PoetryLegends of the North: The Guidman O' Inglismill and The Fairy BrideImmerse yourself in the enchanting world of Scottish folklore where the mischievous yet benevolent fairies dwell, weaving tales of magic, temperance, and nostalgia in the rich Dori…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of the Middle Ages: Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and ArtDive into the vivid world of medieval legends, where epic tales of kings, warriors, and mythical creatures reveal the customs and beliefs of a bygone era through poetic and artisti…
Level C1AdventureLegends of the Black Watch; or, Forty-second HighlandersAmid the rugged Highlands, elite companies of the Black Watch—gentlemen-soldiers of noble descent—stand as fierce guardians against rebellion and invasion.
Level C1ClassicsLegends of VancouverAncient Indigenous legends come to life through the intimate stories shared by Chief Joe Capilano, revealing the rich cultural tapestry woven into Vancouver's landscapes and histor…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of LancashireStep into Lancashire’s turbulent past, where castles, battles, and witches once shaped the land.
Level C1HistoricalLegends of Florence: Collected from the People, First SeriesExplore the rich tapestry of Florence through its captivating local legends tied to famous landmarks, ancient towers, and secret byways, revealing a world of folklore, witchcraft,…
Level C1HistoricalLegends of CharlemagneEnter a world of chivalry and legend as noble knights and heroic deeds come alive, weaving tales of honor and adventure from the age of Charlemagne.
Level C1ClassicsLegends from River & MountainTwin brothers, noble and inseparable, rule from a lofty castle above roaring waterfalls and wild mountains, sharing laughter, love, and legend.
Level C1FantasyLegends for Lionel: in pen and pencilDelight in a whimsical collection of sketches and stories born from cozy winter evenings, where legends and art intertwine to spark imagination and joy for readers of all ages.
Level B2ClassicsLegends and tales of the Harz MountainsIn the shadowy Harz Mountains, a princess betrothed to a fearsome giant seeks escape on a mystical snowy steed, sparking a thrilling chase through enchanted valleys where ancient l…
Level C1ClassicsLegends and TalesIn a serene yet untamed California, Father Jose Antonio Haro embarks on a daring missionary journey to convert heathen tribes, encountering mysterious legends and untold challenges…
Level C1PoetryLegends and Lyrics. Part 2In a quiet convent by the Mediterranean, Sister Angela tends her daily prayers and floral offerings, embodying innocence amid an ancient legend.
Level C1PoetryLegends and Lyrics. Part 1A collection of heartfelt poems weaving legends, personal reflections, and lyrical beauty, accompanied by an intimate introduction revealing the secret identity of the poet behind…
Level C1Children'sLegends That Every Child Should Know; a Selection of the Great Legends of All Times for Young PeopleExplore the origins and evolution of legends, from ancient oral tales of saints to imaginative stories like Robin Hood, revealing how these timeless narratives connect us through s…
Level C1AdventureLegendary Tales of the Highlands (Volume 3 of 3): A sequel to Highland RamblesIn 18th-century Nairnshire, a steadfast Englishwoman and her Highland farmer husband navigate loyalty and conflict amid the Jacobite uprising, where allegiances divide friends and…
Level C1AdventureLegendary Tales of the Highlands (Volume 2 of 3): A sequel to Highland RamblesIn the rugged Highlands near the reign of King James III, young Charley Stewart watches over a precious child amidst whispers of ancient legends and looming danger.
Level C1ClassicsLegendary Tales of the Highlands (Volume 1 of 3): A sequel to Highland RamblesDelve into mysterious Highland legends, from ghostly water-kelpies to tales of valor and ancient clans, as oral histories and local lore bring Scotland’s rugged past vividly to lif…
Level C1HistoricalLegendary & romantic tales of Indian historyAmidst the rise and fall of empires, witness the fierce battles and relentless conquests that shaped medieval India under Mahomedan rule, where justice and tyranny collide, and war…
Level B2Children'sLegend-ledThree spirited children defend their cherished beach from rival visitors during a hot July afternoon, dreaming up daring plans to protect their territory.
Level C1HistoricalLegend of Moulin HuetIn Cromwell’s England, a bitter miller’s feud erupts in the Channel Islands when his daughter falls for a Royalist soldier, igniting deadly rivalries and dark secrets beneath the c…
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the training campIn a world where professional baseball is riddled with corruption and deceit, a determined player grapples with the crooked games and schemes that taint the sport he loves.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the bushIn a rough-and-tumble northern league town, rival baseball managers clash as the ambitious Kingsbridge team challenges the reigning champions from Bancroft.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the Blue StockingsIn a tense baseball showdown, the Blue Stockings face relentless rivals and unexpected challenges as star pitcher Grist struggles to maintain his form under pressure.
Level B2Children'sLefty o' the Big LeagueA determined young pitcher battles skepticism and fierce competition to prove his worth to a tough big-league baseball team manager, facing rejection and rivalry in the cutthroat w…
Level B2Children'sLefty Locke, pitcher-managerWhen the loyal pitcher Lefty Locke learns his trusted manager faces betrayal and a crooked replacement, he must navigate team loyalties and power struggles to defend the heart of t…
Level B2Children'sLeft with a trustNine children face challenges and changes as the Grainger family struggles with debt and separation, with the father leaving for Australia to secure their future.
Level C1AdventureLeft to Themselves: Being the Ordeal of Philip and GeraldTwo boys forge a deep and lasting friendship while navigating the challenges of youth and character in a rugged summer landscape, where nature and human nature intertwine in a stor…
Level B2AdventureLeft on the PrairieA young boy grows up on the harsh American prairie, learning to care for his family and their horses while longing for his father’s safe return from long freighting journeys.
Level B2AdventureLeft on the Labrador: A Tale of Adventure Down NorthStranded on a cold, remote mail boat along the bleak Labrador coast, young Charley Norton craves adventure beyond the cramped decks and stale cabins.
Level B2AdventureLeft on Labrador; or, The cruise of the Schooner-yacht "Curlew": As Recorded by "Wash"A daring yacht cruise ventures into the icy, treacherous waters of Hudson Straits, where a crew faces fog, icebergs, polar bears, and encounters with indigenous peoples, all while…
Level B2Children'sLeft at homeA young boy waits anxiously by the fire, forbidden to see his ailing baby sister whose sudden illness casts a shadow over their once-bright home.
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.