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 C1ClassicsThe Heritage of the Kurts, Volume 1 (of 2)A sprawling estate overlooking town and sea holds centuries of secrets and ambition, beginning with a mysterious exile who stakes his claim through love and power.
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of Dedlow Marsh and Other TalesTwo young siblings navigate the eerie Dedlow Marshes at sunset, their bond as strong as the mysterious landscape surrounding them.
Level C1ClassicsThe HenchmanIn a politically charged convention within New York's Demijohn District, Calvin Ross Shelby rises from humble beginnings and fierce local rivalries to claim his place as the "Champ…
Level C1ClassicsThe HelpmateAwakening to a dawn filled with doubt, a newlywed wife confronts the painful truth about her husband’s past, testing the fragile bond of trust and love between them.
Level C1ClassicsThe HelpersIn a bustling Denver opera house, a newcomer wrestles with his hopes and doubts about the city’s promise, while a spirited local woman challenges his views and hints at unexpected…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heiress; a comedy, in five actsIn a witty London setting, the Blandish siblings scheme and spar over fortunes, flirtations, and social standing, weaving a sharp comedy of manners where love and money clash in th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heir to Grand-PréA young geologist embarks on a serene but mysterious voyage along Nova Scotia’s rugged shores, studying tides and landscapes while uncovering secrets hidden in the shifting current…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heir of RedclyffeIn the cozy drawing-room of Hollywell House, a sudden letter brings shocking news of Sir Guy Morville's unexpected death, setting in motion a tale of guardianship, family secrets,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heir Presumptive and the Heir ApparentA charming tale of family dynamics unfolds as Lord Frogmore’s stepbrother, the heir presumptive, declares his intention to marry a country girl, stirring unexpected emotions and ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heavenly TwinsIn a city where a haunting cathedral chime echoes day and night, residents grapple with its mysterious power and meaning, revealing the tensions between tradition, faith, and perso…
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 C1ClassicsThe Heart's KingdomA woman torn between the allure of a charming suitor and the haunting pull of her troubled family legacy must confront the mysterious stirrings of her heart in a battle for her own…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heart of the HillsIn the rugged hills where two feuding clans have long battled, a young boy caught between family loyalty and personal desires navigates the harsh mountain life, secret meetings, an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heart of Rome: A Tale of the "Lost Water"In the heart of a crumbling Roman palace, a noble family faces ruin as their servants vanish and debts mount, leaving the once-grand Conti estate eerily deserted.
Level C1ClassicsThe Heart of PenelopeAfter twenty years of exile and disgrace, Sir George Downing returns to London, bearing the scars of a mysterious scandal intertwined with love and betrayal.
Level C1ClassicsThe Heart of Canyon PassTwo old prospectors, once inseparable, now bitter enemies, set out from the rough mining town of Canyon Pass for another season in the unforgiving desert, their long-standing feud…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heart Line: A Drama of San FranciscoIn the grimy Siskiyou House of 1877 San Francisco, a clean and curious boy finds solace in books amidst squalor and hidden treasures, setting the stage for a drama where the city's…
Level C1ClassicsThe Headsman; Or, The Abbaye des VigneronsAn American family settles in the picturesque Swiss town of Vévey, where chance meetings and the charm of Lake Geneva reveal local lore, rugged landscapes, and the clash between wo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Head of the House of CoombeIn a London nursery overshadowed by wealth and status, a young child’s restless hatred hints at deep family secrets, while her mother, delicate and elusive, drifts through life tet…
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 C1ClassicsThe Haunters & The Haunted: Ghost Stories And Tales Of The SupernaturalExplore a chilling collection of supernatural tales and eerie hauntings that blur the line between reality and the unseen, revealing how ghosts and spirits may be more intertwined…
Level C1ClassicsThe Haunted Room: A TaleIn a charming Elizabethan villa near London, a family’s peaceful life hints at deeper mysteries as Captain Arrows arrives to uncover the truths behind their idyllic existence and t…
Level B2ClassicsThe Haunted PajamasA mysterious package from a curious acquaintance in China arrives, wrapped in red silk and secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Haunted Man and the Ghost's BargainA solitary scholar, haunted by memories and surrounded by shadowy relics, dwells in a gloomy, forgotten corner of the city.
Level C1ClassicsThe HarvesterA solitary harvester faces a poignant choice between the wild freedom of the woods and the temptations of city life, guided only by the silent counsel of his loyal dog, Belshazzar.
Level C1ClassicsThe Harvest of a Quiet Eye: Leisure Thoughts for Busy LivesPause the relentless pace of modern life to find solace and insight in meditative reflections drawn from everyday experiences and nature’s quiet beauty, offering a spiritual respit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Harvest of YearsA young girl’s early life is marked by constant mischief, misunderstandings, and a longing for acceptance, as she navigates family struggles and her own rebellious spirit while gro…
Level C1ClassicsThe Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)Follow the tragic yet theatrically transformed journey of Kitty, a country girl navigating London's debauchery and masquerade, as her story unfolds through a lively blend of pantom…
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 C1ClassicsThe Happy-go-lucky MorgansIn a Balham street named after a distant Welsh town, the Morgans’ lively household brims with family, secrets, and a mysterious tragedy by a garden pond.
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 C1ClassicsThe Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in ChaptersA clever governess turned reluctant widow navigates a delicate social dance under the guardianship of Lady Petherwin, blending sharp wit and grace in a world where servants hold as…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 3 (of 3)A family's quiet life in Hampstead unravels as Henry's mysterious illness and irritability cast shadows over his home, forcing loved ones to confront secrets and strained loyalties…
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 C1ClassicsThe Hallam SuccessionIn the heart of Yorkshire, the proud Hallam family prepares to welcome distant American relatives whose different ways and faith challenge their old English traditions.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hall and the Grange: A NovelIn the tranquil English countryside, two brothers—Colonel Eldridge and Sir William—reconnect amidst sprawling gardens and stately homes, revealing contrasting views on life, legacy…
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 C1ClassicsThe Hairy ApeIn the cramped, roaring firemen's quarters of a transatlantic liner, Yank stands as the fiercest and most powerful coal shoveler, embodying raw strength and primal defiance amid th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Güegüence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of NicaraguaIn a vibrant blend of Nahuatl and Spanish, this comedic ballet unveils the spirited humor and cultural roots of Nicaragua’s native peoples, capturing their unique language and trad…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gypsy Queen's VowUnder a stormy March night, a fierce gypsy woman races toward the shadowed city of London, driven by desperation and a burning vow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gundungurra LanguageExplore the rich structure of the Gundungurra language, revealing unique dual and plural forms, intricate noun inflections, and phonetic nuances that connect Australian Aboriginal…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guinea Stamp: A Tale of Modern GlasgowOrphaned and impoverished, young Gladys Graham faces the harsh realities of life in a dreary fenland village, grappling with the challenge of turning her modest talents into a mean…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guest of QuesnayOn a bustling Paris boulevard teeming with an eclectic parade of global characters, a strikingly disfigured man arrives in a conspicuous white touring car, capturing the attention…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guermantes WayIn a quiet new neighborhood within the prestigious Hôtel de Guermantes, a young narrator and his devoted servant Françoise grapple with upheaval, memory, and the elusive search for…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guardian AngelExplore the haunting legacy of inherited traits and moral struggles as Myrtle Hazard confronts the echoes of her ancestors' flaws, weaving a tale that probes the limits of human re…
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.