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 B2ClassicsThe Invaders, and Other StoriesA volunteer joins a battalion ordered on a mysterious expedition in the Caucasus, eager to witness the realities of war firsthand.
Level B2ClassicsThe IntriguersIn snowy 1888 London, struggling violinist Nello Corsini and his sister face harsh poverty until a mysterious stranger recognizes Nello’s extraordinary talent, setting in motion a…
Level B2ClassicsThe Inner Sisterhood: A Social Study in High ColorsIn a lively social season filled with parties and admirers, a young woman navigates the complexities of high society, longing for genuine connection amid the dazzling yet fickle wh…
Level B2ClassicsThe Indian's Hand: 1892Tensions rise in a frontier settlement as settlers dismiss warnings of returning Native Americans—until a violent raid shatters their fragile peace, leaving a mother haunted by the…
Level B2ClassicsThe Incubator BabyIn a garden where storks deliver babies from blossoming trees, the smallest infant, Marjorie, is unexpectedly carried to a strange new world inside an incubator, where she must nav…
Level B2ClassicsThe Impending Sword: A Novel (Vol. 1 of 3)In the bustling Empire City, two friends navigate high society’s glittering soirées, where wealth, charm, and intrigue intertwine beneath lavish parties and elegant façades.
Level B2ClassicsThe Imaginary InvalidA hypochondriac obsessed with his health navigates a world of costly treatments and meddling doctors, while his sharp-witted maid challenges his delusions and exposes the absurditi…
Level B2ClassicsThe Hungry Heart: A NovelNewlyweds Richard and Courtney return to the imposing Vaughan homestead, where romance meets the weight of family expectations and old resentments.
Level B2ClassicsThe HoydenIn a sunlit drawing-room filled with whispered schemes and tense hopes, a mother faces the desperate necessity of her son's marriage to a spirited young woman known as the Hoyden,…
Level B2ClassicsThe House with the Mezzanine and Other StoriesAn idle painter encounters the enigmatic Volchaninov family at a remote estate, where fading grandeur and quiet desolation mask deeper tensions and unspoken desires.
Level B2ClassicsThe House of the Misty Star: A Romance of Youth and Hope and Love in Old JapanIn a tranquil Japanese hilltop home, a devoted teacher reflects on decades of quiet life and distant dreams, until a mysterious letter from a student ignites a journey filled with…
Level B2ClassicsThe House of MarthaA devoted grandson shares a quiet village life with his perceptive grandmother while reflecting on his rich experiences abroad, uncovering the subtle dynamics of family, society, a…
Level B2ClassicsThe Horse-Stealers and Other StoriesCaught in a fierce snowstorm, a hapless hospital assistant lost his way and stumbles upon a remote tavern run by suspicious characters with shady pasts.
Level B2ClassicsThe Honour of the ClintonsTwin sisters reunite amid the tranquil English countryside, but tensions simmer beneath the surface when family disapproval and a controversial weekend party challenge their bonds…
Level B2ClassicsThe Honorable Senator Sage-BrushIn a world of political intrigue and social upheaval, a young man grapples with love and loyalty amid the backdrop of a senator's powerful family.
Level B2ClassicsThe Honorable PercivalA disillusioned English nobleman jilted by his perfect fiancée escapes to America, convinced he has experienced all life has to offer—until unexpected encounters aboard a Pacific l…
Level B2ClassicsThe High CallingA young man defies his family's expectations to pursue his passion for electrical engineering, sparking a struggle between comfort and calling.
Level B2ClassicsThe Hero of Hill HouseA devoted mother strives to shield her eight children from the shadow of their father's addiction, nurturing hope and love amid poverty and hardship on their rural farm.
Level B2ClassicsThe Heatherford Fortune: a sequel to the Magic CameoWhen Mollie Heatherford bravely saves a child from a dangerous accident, she gains the gratitude of a cultured French aristocrat who arrives with secrets and a heartfelt debt to re…
Level B2ClassicsThe Hazeley FamilySixteen-year-old Flora Hazeley navigates a life split between her careless mother’s neglect and the stern but loving care of her wealthy aunt, who offers her a chance at a better f…
Level B2ClassicsThe Haute Noblesse: A NovelIn a rugged West Country fishing village, sharp-witted Luke Vine battles the relentless sea and the lively company of spirited young women, all against the backdrop of a bustling c…
Level B2ClassicsThe Haunted PajamasA mysterious package from a curious acquaintance in China arrives, wrapped in red silk and secrets.
Level B2ClassicsThe Harlequinade: An ExcursionStep into a whimsical excursion where a lively girl named Alice and her Uncle Edward invite you to witness a colorful blend of humor, sentiment, and timeless tales, all set against…
Level B2ClassicsThe HarborA curious seven-year-old boy wrestles with church sermons and his mysterious harbor-view home, where the past and present collide in shadows of warehouses and docks.
Level B2ClassicsThe Happy EndIn a quiet mountain valley, Calvin Stammark builds a new home for himself and Hannah, dreaming of a future filled with hard work, love, and the promise of prosperity.
Level B2ClassicsThe Hand of the Mighty, and Other StoriesA young man with a restless spirit leaves the comforts of home for the rugged life of the Western plains, seeking adventure and connection with the land and its people.
Level B2ClassicsThe Hallowell PartnershipConfined by illness and restless, Marian watches her brother Roderick grapple with a life-changing job offer that could lift them from their gloomy existence.
Level B2ClassicsThe Half-BrothersA young widow struggles to keep her family afloat amid loss and hardship on a failing farm, until a wealthy farmer offers hope through an unexpected proposal.
Level B2ClassicsThe Green GoddessA devoted vicar grapples with grief and love, cherishing memories of those lost while preparing to let go of his beloved daughter.
Level B2ClassicsThe Greater PowerAmidst the frozen wilderness of British Columbia, a refined man turned logger battles the brutal cold and backbreaking labor to survive in a harsh, unforgiving land where strength…
Level B2ClassicsThe Great God Success: A NovelA recent Yale graduate without a knack for money enters the bustling newsroom of the News-Record, seeking to learn the craft of writing while navigating the challenges of ambition,…
Level B2ClassicsThe Great ExperienceA New Yorker arrives in the close-knit, mountain town of Ephraim to champion temperance, challenging local traditions while forming unexpected bonds with the hearty pioneer family…
Level B2ClassicsThe Great American Pie CompanyIn the town of Gloning, two rival pie makers wage a delicious battle over price and quality, sparking a humorous tale of competition, community, and the sweet art of pie baking.
Level B2ClassicsThe Goose ManIn a quiet Bavarian town, a weaver and his wife struggle against the rise of machine-made cloth, as their hopes for a son collide with the harsh dawn of industrial change.
Level B2ClassicsThe Goodness of St. Rocque, and Other StoriesIn a vibrant Creole community, Manuela grapples with heartbreak after her lover's betrayal, seeking solace and hope through a mystical charm and prayers to St.
Level B2ClassicsThe Gold BrickA struggling cartoonist’s life transforms overnight with a ten-thousand-dollar-a-year job, but success brings unexpected challenges as he navigates love, ambition, and loyalty to h…
Level B2ClassicsThe Going of the White SwanIn the remote wilderness, a young boy wounded by a wildcat clings to life and memories, while his father wrestles with silent fears and the haunting song of a mysterious bird in th…
Level B2ClassicsThe Gods and Mr. Perrin: A Tragi-ComedyVincent Perrin, a dedicated schoolmaster, faces a new term filled with hope and quiet determination amid the challenges of his worn surroundings and a cast of peculiar characters.
Level B2ClassicsThe Girl and Her FortuneTwo orphaned sisters, one clever and one charming, step into the world beyond school under the watchful eye of their chaperone and benefactor.
Level B2ClassicsThe Girl Who Had NothingTwelve-year-old Joan Carthew, left to fend for herself in a Brighton lodging-house, dreams of a better life as she confronts the harsh divide between her world and that of a privil…
Level B2ClassicsThe Gilded Age: A Tale of TodayIn a booming post-Civil War America, enter the lives of the ambitious Hawkins family and the cunning Colonel Sellers as they navigate land speculation, political intrigue, and soci…
Level B2ClassicsThe Gift of the MagiStruggling to buy a meaningful Christmas gift with only $1.
Level B2ClassicsThe Gibson UprightIn a piano factory where craftsmanship meets labor unrest, a determined owner and a passionate worker navigate the tensions between industry, socialism, and personal conviction as…
Level B2ClassicsThe Getting of WisdomOn the eve of her first day at school, young Laura grapples with her mother's strict expectations and her own rebellious spirit, navigating the tender challenges of growing up and…
Level B2ClassicsThe Gentle Art of Cooking WivesIn a lively ladies' club meeting, spirited young women debate a scandalous article titled "How to Cook Wives," blending humor, social satire, and sharp wit as they navigate the com…
Level B2ClassicsThe Gates AjarGrieving a brother lost to war, a young woman confronts the unbearable silence of home and the haunting question of what lies beyond death’s gate.
Level B2ClassicsThe GarottersCaught in a fierce snowstorm, Mr.
Level B2ClassicsThe Garden Party, and Other StoriesMisty mornings at Crescent Bay set the stage for intertwined lives and fleeting moments, where nature’s delicate beauty mirrors the subtle dramas of everyday existence.
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.