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 House of Heine Brothers, in MunichIn the bustling heart of Munich, the modest yet reputable Heine Brothers bank stands as the backdrop to a tale of family, tradition, and the quiet complexities of German life.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of FulfilmentIn a clash of Northern austerity and Southern indulgence, young Harriet Blair navigates family tensions, cultural divides, and the mysterious charm of a Catholic priest during a tu…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Defence v. 2Amid skeptical debates and personal convictions, Maud defends Christian Science while witnessing a mysterious recovery that challenges medical understanding, setting the stage for…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Defence v. 1In a world where the mind's power over the body blurs the line between science and mystery, a compelling tale unfolds of healing, fear, and the intricate dance of nervous and organ…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Cobwebs and Other StoriesStep into the world of a sensitive scholar struggling against the rigid conventions of Victorian literature and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of BaltazarIn a grand country estate turned military convalescent home, a young officer named Baltazar grapples with the physical and emotional scars of war, his restless spirit caught betwee…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Atreus; Being the Agamemnon, the Libation bearers, and the FuriesA watchman anxiously awaits news from the Trojan War, while the palace of Atreus brims with tension and foreboding.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of ArmourAmid the rugged beauty of Nova Scotia’s harbor, a young woman returns to her native land, haunted by loss and longing, where the sea’s secrets and a mysterious companion hint at a…
Level C1ClassicsThe House by the Medlar-TreeIn a humble Sicilian fishing village, the Malavoglia family faces the harsh realities of life, love, and honor, revealing the timeless struggles and deep humanity beneath their sim…
Level C1ClassicsThe House Behind the CedarsA man returns to his Southern hometown years after the Civil War, confronting the scars of destruction and the complex legacies of race and memory.
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 C1ClassicsThe Honour of the FlagOn the bustling banks of the Thames in 1851, a retired tailor’s curious annual tradition and a scarred old sailor’s unexpected inheritance set the stage for a stirring tale of hono…
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 C1ClassicsThe Honorable Miss MoonlightOn the eve of his arranged marriage, a young nobleman escapes into the dazzling nightlife of the city’s pleasure quarters, torn between duty and the yearning for a freer, more pass…
Level C1ClassicsThe Honeymoon: A comedy in three actsNewlyweds Flora and Cedric navigate the exhilarating uncertainties of their honeymoon, balancing nervous excitement with bold plans for adventure beyond a quiet seaside town.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home; Or, Life in SwedenIn a Swedish household, a spirited debate over home improvements sparks deeper reflections on daily life, family dynamics, and social challenges.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home in the ValleyNestled in a picturesque valley by Lake Wenner, a young maiden named Nanna lives a life touched by both tender care and lingering sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home at GreylockIn a large home filled with love and loss, a devoted mother and her youngest daughter share an unbreakable bond until tragedy strikes, challenging faith and resilience in the face…
Level C1ClassicsThe Home MissionA grieving mother, overwhelmed by loss, finds solace in a visionary dream where hope and heavenly comfort intertwine with the enduring bonds of home and family.
Level C1ClassicsThe Holy War, Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of MansoulIn a spiritual allegory of epic conflict, a city called Mansoul is besieged as forces of good and evil vie for control over its soul, revealing timeless struggles of faith, temptat…
Level C1ClassicsThe Holy Cross and Other TalesDive into a collection of whimsical and tender tales that blend mirth with heartfelt reflections, capturing the spirit of a jester who delights in friendship, childhood, and the po…
Level C1ClassicsThe Holly-TreeA bashful man, heartbroken by lost love, embarks on a solitary winter journey across a frozen England, seeking solace and discovery at the remote Holly-Tree Inn where unexpected en…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hohenzollerns in America: With the Bolsheviks in Berlin and Other ImpossibilitiesFallen German royals, stripped of their titles and wealth, embark on a humble voyage to America as ordinary immigrants, facing ridicule, hardship, and the challenge of starting ane…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)Amidst formal visits, family trials, and delicate negotiations, Sir Charles Grandison navigates complex relationships and social expectations, while grappling with news of friends’…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Samuel Titmarsh and the Great Hoggarty DiamondA young man’s holiday with his wealthy aunt turns mysterious when she gifts him a curious family locket rumored to hold the Great Hoggarty Diamond, sparking intrigue amid secrets,…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Mr. PollyPlagued by indigestion and a deep sense of dissatisfaction, Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe History of Miss Betsy ThoughtlessIn a genteel boarding school, young Betsy Thoughtless navigates friendship, secret romances, and the lessons of courtship as she becomes entwined in the clandestine love affairs of…
Level C1ClassicsThe History of John BullAn honest tradesman named John Bull finds himself entangled in a costly lawsuit and political intrigues that mirror the turbulent public affairs of early 18th-century England.
Level C1ClassicsThe History of David GrieveA young boy tends sheep on a rugged English moorland farm, surrounded by wild beauty and the changing seasons.
Level C1ClassicsThe History and Records of the Elephant ClubA curious club embarks on a whimsical journey to witness the elusive elephant in all its glory, chronicling their quirky meetings, misadventures, and the eccentric characters they…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hills of Refuge: A NovelIn a stately home overlooking the state Capitol, a banker wrestles with the heavy burdens of his career and the troubled life of his younger brother, whose struggles with addiction…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hills of HinghamA contemplative journey unfolds on a modest hill in Hingham, where the author reflects on life, nature, and the quiet compromises between youthful dreams and middle-aged realities…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hill of DreamsA young dreamer ventures into a mysterious, forgotten lane leading to wild hills and silent woods, where reality blurs into a strange, fairy-tale landscape filled with shadowy figu…
Level C1ClassicsThe Higher CourtA young priest, cast down by charges of modernism, grapples with shattered dreams and a city’s changing face as he battles inner turmoil and a fierce blizzard.
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 C1ClassicsThe Hidden MasterpieceA struggling young artist, driven by admiration and poverty, ventures into the atelier of a renowned painter in early 17th-century Paris, confronting the awe and uncertainty that a…
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 C1ClassicsThe Hermit of Far EndIn a quiet, shabby London room, a woman waits anxiously for a man she once loved, clutching a little pearl ring as a sign.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hermit and the Wild Woman, and Other StoriesA young boy, scarred by violent war and loss, retreats to a solitary cave to live a life of piety and peace, seeking refuge from a brutal world and the torment of his haunted soul.
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of the SiouxAs spring breathes life into the vast mesa, a seasoned rancher wrestles with restless ambition and the call of the open range, determined to lead his roundup despite uncertain prom…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of the Kurts, Volume 2 (of 2)In a small community, four remarkable young women known as "The Staff" navigate friendship, music, and the challenges of youth, while the enigmatic Sheriff's daughter Nora grapples…
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…
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.