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.
ClassicsHolly berries from DickensDive into a festive journey through beloved Dickensian worlds, revisiting iconic characters and tales day by day, each chapter a glimpse into the rich, intertwining stories of Vict…
Level B2ClassicsHoliday Tales: Christmas in the AdirondacksAn old trapper spends Christmas Eve alone in his cozy woodland cabin, reflecting on faith, goodwill, and the hardships faced by those forgotten.
Level C1ClassicsHolden with the CordsIn a quiet elm-lined street, a strikingly plain yet prominent building hints at hidden stories of faith, temptation, and moral struggle.
Level C1ClassicsHocken and Hunken: A Tale of TroyA seasoned captain returns to his seaside hometown after years at sea, reflecting on the changing harbor and familiar faces as he contemplates the tides of life on land and water.
Level C1ClassicsHis vanished starAn architect envisions a grand summer hotel amid the majestic, untamed mountains, seeking to transform wilderness into a thriving retreat.![Cover of His other self [Night watches, Part 10.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jo0qpmtvc73csno0g.webp)
Level B2ClassicsHis other self [Night watches, Part 10.]A night-watchman and an actor hatch a curious plan when the actor insists on transforming himself into the exact likeness of a sailor for a stage role.
Level C1ClassicsHis Unquiet Ghost: 1911Under the eerie moonlight, three men lie in ambush along a silent mountain pass, confronting a mysterious wagon carrying a coffin—the last journey of a local soul amid secrets, sus…
Level C1ClassicsHis Second WifeTwo sisters journey to New York, one wealthy and glamorous, the other modest and mourning her father's death, as they navigate contrasting worlds and hidden tensions beneath their…
Level B2ClassicsHis Royal NibsAn English war veteran, weary but resolute, encounters unexpected challenges while traversing the rugged Canadian foothills, where a tense cattle stampede tests his courage and res…
Level C1ClassicsHis Own PeopleA young American in Rome finds himself enchanted by the dazzling world of Old-World aristocracy, longing to belong to the glamorous society he's dreamed of since youth.
Level C1ClassicsHis MasterpieceIn the vibrant Paris art scene of the Second Empire, a passionate painter battles poverty, criticism, and his own torment to create a masterpiece that challenges the conventions of…
Level C1ClassicsHis Majesty Baby and Some Common PeopleA charming baby captivates an eclectic group of passengers on a city bus, breaking down social barriers with innocent gestures and gentle humor.
Level C1ClassicsHis Lordship's Leopard: A Truthful Narration of Some Impossible FactsIn a bustling New York gripped by war fever and political intrigue, a leisure-seeking novelist finds his sensational book entwined with mysterious foreign agents and secret plots—w…
Level B2ClassicsHis FamilyA widowed father reflects on the vibrant New York of his youth while navigating changing times and relationships with his grown daughters.
Level C1ClassicsHis Excellency the MinisterIn a stirring portrait of modern society and politics, a provincial lawyer rises to become a Minister of State, only to confront the harsh realities and betrayals of power in the b…
Level C1ClassicsHis "day in court": 1895In the rugged Great Smoky Mountains, a tense mystery unfolds as a flickering candle signals a secret rendezvous, stirring suspicion and conflict among a mountain family confronting…
Level C1ClassicsHints to PilgrimsStep into the bustling streets of a modern metropolis where towering skyscrapers, dazzling electric signs, and vibrant neighborhoods create a new pilgrimage.
Level B2ClassicsHints on writing short storiesDiscover practical, no-nonsense advice on mastering the art of short story writing through clear, direct lessons and sudden insights drawn from real-life experience, emphasizing tr…
Level C1ClassicsHints for LoversExplore the intricate dance of attraction and affection through witty reflections on girls, men, and the mysteries of love, courtship, and beauty.
Level C1ClassicsHilda: A Story of CalcuttaIn the vibrant streets of Calcutta, two women from contrasting worlds confront faith, identity, and societal expectations—one draped in luxury, the other barefoot and devoted to a…
Level B2ClassicsHilda Strafford: A California StoryAs Robert Strafford awaits his fiancée's arrival at his isolated Southern California ranch, he wrestles with doubts about whether this rugged land can truly welcome her or if its h…
Level C1ClassicsHilda LesswaysTrapped in a stifling domestic life with her indifferent mother, young Hilda yearns for something more but cannot name it—her restless spirit clings to forbidden poetry and dreams…
Level C1ClassicsHigh Life in New York: A series of letters to Mr. Zephariah Slick, Justice of the Peace, and Deacon of the church over to Weathersfield in the state of ConnecticutA sharp-witted countryman writes humorous letters describing his adventures and misadventures navigating the bustling, flashy society of New York City, contrasting rustic simplicit…
Level C1ClassicsHide and SeekOn a bleak November Sunday in London, a young boy named Zack and his devoted page navigate a world shrouded in fog and mystery.
Level B2ClassicsHidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm PayA young chore boy surveys a once-thriving Pennsylvania farm now fallen into neglect, sparking a journey to revive its fortunes with modern farming methods and labor-saving innovati…
Level B2ClassicsHidden HandIn a remote Virginia mansion surrounded by wild, stormy landscapes, Major Ira Warfield—known as Old Hurricane—lives a solitary, tempestuous life shadowed by dark family secrets and…
Level C1ClassicsHey Rub-a-dub-dub: A Book of the Mystery and Wonder and Terror of LifeA struggling scrivener lives on the gritty outskirts of New York, wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and conflicting ideas about life, faith, and society while observing the vibra…
Level B2ClassicsHetty's Strange HistoryHetty Gunn inherits a vast farm and a legacy of resilience from her indomitable grandfather, facing the loneliness and expectations of a woman alone in a man's world.
Level C1ClassicsHesperus; or, Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days: A Biography. Vol. I.A quirky and profound tale unfolds over forty-five dog-post-days, blending wit, wisdom, and odd fancies to capture the heart and mind with reflections on life, society, and the hum…
Level C1ClassicsHesper, the Home-Spirit: A simple story of household labor and loveIn a quiet farmhouse nestled among the hills, Aunt Nyna endures the humble trials of daily life with steadfast love and patience, while a long-awaited letter stirs hope and emotion…
Level C2ClassicsHermione and Her Little Group of Serious ThinkersStep into a quirky salon where a vibrant cast of artists, mystics, and thinkers gather to debate art, society, and the soul, while Hermione seeks sincerity and meaning by transform…
Level C1ClassicsHermia SuydamIn a cold New York mansion, two sisters face hardship after their father's death leaves them at the mercy of a stern, prideful uncle who grudgingly offers shelter but demands self-…
Level C1ClassicsHermann: A NovelIn a quiet town shaken by the steward Brand's mysterious theft and sudden suicide, the noble household of Count Arnau faces suspicion and sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsHerman Melville, Mariner and MysticDive into the turbulent life of a mariner turned mystic whose youthful adventures on the seas and brushes with cannibals contrast starkly with his later years of solitude and metap…
Level C1ClassicsHeriot's Choice: A TaleA devoted sister leaves behind years of quiet caregiving to answer her brother's urgent plea for help after his wife's sudden death, stepping into a new life filled with unexpected…
Level C1ClassicsHere and HereafterIn a remote farmhouse where isolation breeds mystery, a doctor is summoned to aid a foreign woman facing childbirth alone.
Level C1ClassicsHerb of GraceA young lawyer with a poetic soul finds solace in the quiet corners of London, observing the simple beauty of life and the fragile bond between a crippled child and her cobbler fat…
Level B2ClassicsHer own wayIn a charming nursery alive with playful children and family secrets, a lively birthday celebration reveals tender bonds and amusing rivalries, hinting at the complexities beneath…
Level C1ClassicsHer fairy princeTwo estranged Englishmen reunite in Boulogne, one a fallen man desperate for help, the other a cynical captain with a soft spot.
Level B2ClassicsHer countryIn a fading family estate, young Honor battles doubt and duty, determined to transform her gifted voice into a fortune to restore their legacy.
Level C1ClassicsHer brother's keeperTorn between duty to her unreliable brother and a long-lost love who suddenly inherits a fortune, a devoted woman navigates loyalty, sacrifice, and hope amid the bustling streets o…
Level B2ClassicsHer Lord and MasterA wealthy Western family reunites in New York, where pride, mystery, and unexpected emotions intertwine as patriarch Horatio Stillwater confronts strange feelings and the spirited…
Level C1ClassicsHenry of Ofterdingen: A Romance.A young nobleman’s life is transformed by a profound love that awakens his spirit and fuels his poetic dreams, set against the backdrop of family ties, deep friendships, and a worl…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Wadsworth LongfellowExplore the remarkable life and enduring influence of a beloved American poet whose works crossed continents and languages, shaping the landscape of native literature and touching…
Level C1ClassicsHenry NorthcoteIn a chilly, dilapidated garret on Fleet Street, struggling lawyer Henry Northcote faces starvation and despair—until a mysterious, ragged stranger named Iggs appears, bringing an…
Level C1ClassicsHenry James, Jr.Explore the life and literary rise of Henry James, tracing his transatlantic upbringing, early works, and the unique blend of vivid expression and dispassionate analysis that defin…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Is Twenty: A Further Episodic History of Henry Calverly, 3rdAt twenty, Henry Calverly wrestles with his vanity, self-doubt, and complicated loves in a small Illinois town, navigating the messy, unheroic journey toward adulthood with a touch…
Level C1ClassicsHenry GallyExplore the origins and evolution of character-writing through a critical examination of Theophrastus’ moral sketches, revealing how vivid, concise portraits capture human vices an…
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.