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 C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 2 of 3A young woman grapples with solitude and shifting family dynamics after her sister departs, confronting feelings of loss and the challenge of carving out her own place in a world t…
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself; vol. 1 of 3In the sun-drenched town of Bordighera, an irritable English resident encounters an unexpected visitor from his past, stirring old tensions and reluctant memories.
Level C1ClassicsA House Divided Against Itself (Complete)In a sun-drenched Italian town, a resentful English resident confronts the intrusive tourists disrupting his quiet life, only to be unexpectedly recognized by a long-lost acquainta…
Level B2AdventureA Horse's TaleFollow the adventures of Buffalo Bill’s horse, a swift and savvy scout who knows the frontier like the back of his hoof, as he navigates battles, trails, and the wild landscapes of…
Level C1ClassicsA Hoosier ChronicleIn a small Indiana college town, Sylvia navigates life in her grandfather’s austere, book-lined home, where academic rigor and quiet traditions shape every corner.![Cover of A Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313. by Stanley R. [Adapter] Matthews](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf69uge1ofc73dhbqh0.webp)
Level B2MysteryA Hoodoo Machine; or, The Motor Boys' Runabout No. 1313.Three boys chase a wildly uncontrolling runabout tagged with double unlucky number 1313, uncovering a mysterious machine that defies reason and threatens chaos on the road.
Level C1ClassicsA Holiday in Bed, and Other SketchesDelve into the vivid sketches of a Scottish town and the early life of a young man navigating education, poverty, and ambition.
Level B1Children'sA Hive of Busy BeesTwo children, Don and Joyce, face a summer without their usual farm visit as their parents plan a fishing trip.
Level C1HistoricalA History of the French Novel, Vol. 2: To the Close of the 19th CenturyExplore the rich evolution of the French novel throughout the 19th century, with in-depth studies of major authors and insightful reflections on literary trends, capturing a transf…
Level C1HistoricalA History of the French Novel, Vol. 1: From the Beginning to 1800Explore the origins and evolution of the French novel, tracing its rise from early verse romances to prose fiction, while uncovering the literary pleasures and key experiments that…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Spanish LiteratureExplore the vibrant evolution of Castilian literature from its Roman roots to the Silver Age, uncovering its unique originality and powerful influence shaped by diverse cultural cu…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Sanskrit LiteratureExplore the rich tapestry of ancient Indian civilization through a comprehensive history of Sanskrit literature, revealing its profound influence on modern culture and thought with…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Roman LiteratureExplore the origins and evolution of Roman literature, tracing its roots from practical beginnings to political influence, and uncover the lives and works of both celebrated and lo…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Roman Classical Literature.Explore the rise of Roman literature from its humble beginnings through a period of conquest and cultural exchange, revealing how Greek influence shaped Rome’s poetic, dramatic, an…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Pendennis, Volume 1: His fortunes and misfortunes, his friends and his greatest enemyIn the vibrant London season, Major Arthur Pendennis navigates society’s highs and lows, balancing first love, friendships, and the challenges of his era with honesty and wit.
Level C1HistoricalA History of PantomimeTrace the vibrant evolution of pantomime from ancient Grecian and Roman theaters through diverse global traditions, revealing the origins of iconic characters like Harlequin and Cl…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895)Explore the vibrant landscape of 19th-century literature, navigating the challenges of critiquing living authors and the vast array of influential writers shaping the era’s literar…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Literary Criticism in the Renaissance: With special reference to the influence of Italy in the formation and development of modern classicismExplore the origins of modern literary criticism as it emerges from the Italian Renaissance, tracing the birth of classicism and the lasting influence of Italian humanism on Europe…
Level C1HistoricalA History of French Literature: Short Histories of the Literatures of the World: II.Explore the rich tapestry of French literature from the Middle Ages to the decline of Romanticism, uncovering how feudalism, Christianity, and evolving social ideals shaped its art…
Level C2HistoricalA History of English Romanticism in the Nineteenth CenturyExplore the vibrant revival of medieval themes and national heritage as the 19th century’s romanticism unfolds through the works of Scott, Coleridge, and Keats, revealing a complex…
Level C1HistoricalA History of English Romanticism in the Eighteenth CenturyExplore the gradual rise of English Romanticism in the eighteenth century, tracing its scattered origins and unique character through influential poets, Gothic revival, and the ech…
Level C1HistoricalA History of English Prose FictionExplore the evolution of English prose fiction from medieval chivalric romances—filled with knights, magic, and legend—to the diverse novels of the nineteenth century, revealing ho…
Level C1HistoricalA History of English LiteratureExplore the evolution of English literature through its social context, key authors, and timeless works, gaining insight into both the historical backdrop and the artistic expressi…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Elizabethan LiteratureExplore the vibrant world of Elizabethan literature through a meticulous, firsthand study of its authors and works, tracing its origins and evolution with rich critical insight and…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Chinese LiteratureExplore the rich tapestry of Chinese literature from mythical origins to the flourishing of early states, revealing a civilization where ancient cosmogony, feudal rivalry, and cult…
Level C1HistoricalA History of Bohemian LiteratureExplore the rich yet often overlooked evolution of Bohemian literature, deeply intertwined with the nation’s turbulent history and cultural revival, revealing the struggles and tri…
Level C1HistoricalA History of American Literature Since 1870Explore the transformative period in American literature following the Civil War, when writers forged a distinct national voice, breaking from imitation to create works deeply root…
Level C1PoetryA Hidden Life and Other PoemsA young farmer embraces the pride and promise of his ancestral land, discovering the profound beauty in simple toil and the cycles of life and death beneath the sunlit fields.
Level C1HistoricalA Heroine of France: The Story of Joan of ArcAmidst the despair of a France overshadowed by English conquest and a slumbering king, whispers of a mysterious young maiden claiming divine purpose stir hope.
Level C1ClassicsA Hero of the PenIn a thriving Mississippi town, a poised young woman and a determined suitor navigate the tensions of love, ambition, and impending separation as he prepares for a pivotal European…
Level C1AdventureA Hero of TiconderogaIn the quiet wilderness near Fort Ticonderoga, a solitary hunter named Job Carpenter encounters Seth Beeman and his family journeying through the snow, revealing ties of friendship…
Level B2AdventureA Hero of RomanceTrapped indoors on a gloomy half-holiday, young Bertie Bailey faces the tedious punishment of copying lines from Paradise Lost under the watchful eye of a stern usher.
Level C1HistoricalA Hero of Our TimeIn the rugged Caucasus Mountains, a mysterious officer with a shadowed past crosses paths with a new traveler, revealing a world of harsh landscapes, cultural clashes, and the enig…
Level B2AdventureA Hero of Liége: A Story of the Great WarAs Europe teeters on the brink of war, Kenneth Amory navigates the tense atmosphere of a family business divided by loyalty and suspicion.
Level C1ClassicsA Hero and Some Other FolksExplore evolving ideals of heroism through essays that challenge classical icons like Ulysses and Achilles, revealing the deeper human need to find nobility and strength in modern…
Level C1PoetryA Hermit of Carmel, and Other PoemsIn a rugged wilderness where faith battles doubt, a weary hermit and a young knight cross paths, each seeking solace and redemption amid spiritual trials and looming dangers.
Level C1RomanceA Heart-Song of To-day (Disturbed by Fire from the 'Unruly Member'): A NovelIn a world of charm and intrigue, a beautiful widow plots to ensnare a captivating captain torn between fleeting romances and a sincere offer of marriage, while a rival’s fiery pre…
Level C1ClassicsA Hazard of New Fortunes — CompleteAmid the bustling streets of 1889 New York, a young literary couple navigates the challenges of modest living and social change during a citywide street-car strike, revealing the h…
Level B2RomanceA Hardy NorsemanA young Englishwoman, restless and unsatisfied with her sheltered life, embarks on a voyage to Norway seeking renewal amid the majestic fjords.
Level B2ClassicsA Happy BoyIn a humble peasant home, young Oyvind’s laughter fills the air, but a chance encounter with a cunning little girl leads him to trade his beloved goat for a twisted bun—setting the…
Level C1PoetryA Handy Guide for Beggars: Especially Those of the Poetic Fraternity: Being Sundry Explorations, Made While Afoot and Penniless in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These Adventures Convey and Illustrate the Rules of Beggary for Poets and Some Others.Journey through the American South as a penniless poet, relying on wit, verse, and the kindness of strangers while living by a unique code of beggary.
Level C1AdventureA Gunner Aboard the "Yankee": From the Diary of Number Five of the After Port Gun (Russell Doubleday): The Yarn of the Cruise and Fights of the Naval Reserves in the Spanish-American WarExperience the gripping journey of the New York Naval Reserves aboard the auxiliary cruiser "Yankee" as they transition from civilians to sailors, facing the challenges and camarad…
Level B2ClassicsA Guest at the Ludlow, and Other StoriesStep inside the walls of Ludlow Street Jail, where security is absolute and every inmate retires at the same hour.
Level C1ClassicsA Group of Noble DamesIn a grand manor in Wessex, a young heiress faces a bitter family dispute over a proposed marriage to a man deemed unsuitable by her father.
Level C1ClassicsA Group of Eastern Romances and Stories from the Persian, Tamil and UrduDive into a rich tapestry of Eastern tales blending everyday life with magic, jinn, and enchanted palaces.
Level C1ClassicsA Greek-English Lexicon to the New TestamentExplore the rich linguistic heritage of the New Testament with a detailed Greek-English lexicon, illuminating the original meanings behind sacred texts and revealing the profound w…
Level B2ClassicsA Greek Primer: For Beginners in New Testament GreekMaster the essentials of New Testament Greek with a clear, step-by-step guide that covers the alphabet, accents, breathings, and declensions, designed especially for beginners seek…
Level C1ClassicsA Great SuccessA rising lecturer's sharp portraits of political figures ignite London’s intellectual circles, drawing acclaim, rivalry, and a whirlwind of invitations that test the balance betwee…
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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.