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 C1ClassicsLady Barbarina, The Siege of London, An International Episode, and Other TalesDive into a collection of international tales where sharp contrasts between American and European outlooks illuminate human nature.
Level C1RomanceLady BaltimoreIn the charming town of Kings Port, a young man named John Mayrant navigates love, family secrets, and social challenges, all sparked by the bold challenge of a spirited woman name…
Level C1RomanceLady AthlyneAmid the icy grip of a relentless New York blizzard, passengers aboard the White Star S.
Level C1ClassicsLady AnnaA beautiful young woman marries the enigmatic and cruel Earl Lovel, only to discover her marriage may be a sham and her child disinherited.
Level B2ClassicsLadies-In-WaitingA young woman leaves behind her troubled past and a devoted circle of friends to pursue a singing career in London, facing the uncertainty of a new life and the promise of adventur…
Level C1ClassicsLadies and GentlemenIn the heart of a bustling Southern city, aged Confederate veterans gather for their annual reunion, surrounded by waves of lively descendants and vivid memories of a bygone war.
Level C1ClassicsLadies Must LiveIn a world where social success is an elusive game of influence and charm, Mrs.
Level B2AdventureLaddie: A True Blue StoryIn a world where enchanted woods hide secrets and magic, a little sister embarks on a daring solo journey to deliver a mysterious letter for her brother Laddie, facing unseen dange…
Level B2Children'sLaddie, and Miss Toosey's missionAn old woman embarks on a bustling train journey, clutching her belongings and sharing tales of Laddie, a remarkable figure known for hard work and kindness.
Level B2Children'sLad: A DogAn eighty-pound collie named Lad embodies courage, wisdom, and unwavering loyalty as he navigates life at The Place alongside his beloved Lady, guarding their home and upholding a…
Level C1HistoricalLachmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi: The Jeanne D'Arc of IndiaIn the tense heat of 1857 Jhansi, a disinherited queen stirs her people to rebellion against foreign rule, balancing hope and peril as whispers of uprising spread and the fate of h…
Level C1PhilosophyLachesTwo generals debate the value of military training for educating youth, sparking a deeper philosophical inquiry led by Socrates into the true nature of courage—beyond the battlefie…
Level B2AdventureLabrador Days: Tales of the Sea ToilersCaught in a sudden squall on the icy Labrador seas, a small fishing crew—including two determined boys—struggles to survive after their boat capsizes far from shore.
PoetryLabor and the AngelExplore a poetic journey where labor meets the divine, weaving themes of struggle and transcendence amid evocative imagery and lyrical reflections.
Level C1RomanceLa VendéeAmid the turmoil of revolutionary Paris, three young royalists from Poitou band together to protect King Louis XVI and restore the monarchy, navigating dangerous loyalties and the…
Level C1ClassicsLa Mere Bauche: From Tales of All CountriesIn the secluded Pyreneean valley of Vernet, La Mère Bauche runs a strict yet honest hotel famed for its healing thermal baths, attracting weary souls seeking renewal amid rugged mo…
Level C1PoetryLa Légende des SièclesExplore humanity’s journey through history, philosophy, and myth as it struggles from barbarism toward a radiant golden age, depicted in a sweeping series of poetic scenes capturin…
Level B2ClassicsLa GrenadiereNestled on the scenic banks of the Loire, La Grenadiere is an ancient vineyard estate where the beauty of nature and the echoes of history intertwine among terraced cliffs and lush…
Level C1HorrorLa Grande BretecheAn isolated, crumbling manor near Vendôme harbors a chilling mystery hidden beneath its overgrown garden and shattered walls.
Level C1HistoricalLa Gaviota: A Spanish novelIn 19th-century Andalusia, a sharp-tongued young woman known as La Gaviota navigates the complexities of love, society, and tradition, revealing the spirited character and rich cus…
Level C1RomanceLa FiammettaA young man’s passionate longing for the elusive Lady Maria, known as La Fiammetta, unfolds in a poignant exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of the heart set against…
Level C1RomanceLa Chanson de Roland : Translated from the Seventh Edition of Léon GautierIn a Pyrenean valley, Charlemagne’s rear-guard, led by Roland, faces a deadly ambush that sparks legend.
Level C1FantasyL.P.M. : The End of the Great WarA young American visionary secures government backing to meet Europe's crowned heads and propose a bold scheme to end the devastating Great War.
Level C2PhilosophyL. Annaeus Seneca on BenefitsExplore the art of giving, receiving, and repaying kindness through the moral philosophy of a Roman thinker whose insights shaped early Christian and classical thought.
Level C1ClassicsL'AssommoirIn a grim Parisian neighborhood, Gervaise waits in vain for her absent lover, grappling with heartbreak and hardship as she tends to her sleeping children in a cramped, shabby room…
Level C1ClassicsL'Arrabiata and Other TalesAmid the misty dawn by Vesuvius, a determined young woman named Laurella embarks on a journey to Capri, carrying humble goods and secrets, alongside a kindly priest whose presence…
Level C2PoetryL'Allegro, Il Penseroso, Comus, and LycidasEscape into vivid pastoral scenes where mirth and melancholy dance in poetic harmony, inviting you to revel in nature's joys and ponder deeper shadows of the soul through enchantin…
Level C1HistoricalL'AiglonIn 1830s Baden near Vienna, the exiled son of Napoleon and his mother navigate life amid the rigid Austrian court, haunted by loss and political tensions.
Level C1RomanceL'Abbe Constantin — CompleteIn a quiet village, the venerable Abbe Constantin faces the impending sale and division of the grand Longueval estate, a symbol of heritage and family legacy now threatened by chan…
Level C1ClassicsKwan-yinIn a dimly lit temple, silent priests and acolytes worship the golden, impassive face of Kwan-yin, goddess of mercy, unaware as her expression shifts to terror and a mysterious voi…
Level C1ClassicsKwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange ThingsStep into a realm where ancient Japanese legends and ghostly spirits come alive, revealing a world both familiar and otherworldly.
Level B2AdventureKutnar, Son of PicIn a harsh prehistoric world, a cunning hunter named Gonch sets out on a perilous journey to meet the legendary Mammoth Man, a mysterious craftsman whose superior flint blades coul…
Level C1AdventureKronstadtAmid the icy waters of the Baltic, a mysterious fortress looms—Kronstadt, an impregnable island citadel guarding Russia’s gates.
Level C1ClassicsKotto: Being Japanese Curios, with Sundry CobwebsStep into a world of eerie Japanese folklore and haunted waterfalls, where a brave mother faces chilling supernatural voices to retrieve a sacred offering box—only to uncover a ter…
Level B2Children'sKorean Fairy TalesIn the highlands of Korea, a clever tiger known as Mountain Uncle faces a surprising challenge when he falls into a hunter’s trap and must confront the consequences of his own mann…
Level C1RomanceKophetua the ThirteenthIn a remote African colony born from Renaissance ideals, a visionary community seeks to build a society based on pure reason, untouched by old-world corruption.
Level C1HistoricalKonrad Wallenrod: An Historical PoemAmid the fierce conflicts between the Teutonic Order and the Lithuanian nation, a tale unfolds of shifting allegiances, cultural clashes, and a struggle for identity in a turbulent…
Level B2AdventureKobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese WarAmid the looming Russo-Japanese War, a young British observer aboard a ship witnesses the tense approach to conflict in East Asia, uncovering the courage and strategy behind Japan’…
Level C1ClassicsKobiety (Women): A Novel of Polish LifeBasking in the warmth of a summer forest, a woman wrestles between wild dreams and the harsh embrace of life, while a determined rider named Janusz trails her secret path.
Level C1ClassicsKnut HamsunExplore the roots of a solitary wanderer shaped by Norway's rugged landscapes and rich traditions, torn between a proud peasant heritage and the wild, unpredictable spirit of the n…
Level C1ClassicsKnocking the NeighborsTwo small-town merchants, pillars of their dry community, secretly yearn for wild city adventures each autumn.
Level C1HorrorKnock, Knock, Knock and Other StoriesIn 1830s Petersburg, a young officer haunted by a mysterious destiny navigates the rigid world of military life and brooding comrades, where fate and fortune intertwine beneath a v…
Level C1RomanceKnightly Legends of Wales; or, The Boy's Mabinogion: Being the Earliest Welsh Tales of King Arthur in the Famous Red Book of HergestDive into the earliest Welsh tales of King Arthur, where wild adventures, chivalry, and ancient magic intertwine in vivid stories drawn from the mysterious Red Book of Hergest, rev…
Level C1ClassicsKnight-errantTwo lifelong friends, an optimistic Italian and a pragmatic German, celebrate their new status as lawyers in vibrant Naples, setting the stage for a tale of ambition, friendship, a…
Level C1HistoricalKlytia: A Story of Heidelberg CastleIn 1570 Heidelberg Castle buzzes with intrigue as hopefuls and outcasts vie for favor at the court of the Kurfürst.
Level B1Children'sKittyleen: Flaxie Frizzle StoriesA mischievous three-year-old named Kittyleen arrives at Flaxie Frizzle’s bustling home, promising playful chaos and heartwarming lessons in kindness and growth amidst a snowy day t…
Level B2Children'sKittyboy's ChristmasA lost little black cat braves the cold and finds unexpected warmth in a stranger’s home on Christmas Eve.
Level B2Children'sKitty's enemyTwo young gardeners, Kitty and Bob, notice a mysterious, red-haired boy spying on them from next door, sparking curiosity and cautious suspicion during a slow Easter holiday.
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.