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 C1RomanceHills of Han: A Romantic IncidentIn springtime Kyoto, an observant young woman quietly sketches a mysterious, solitary journalist, sparking a delicate romance against a backdrop of ancient hills, blooming cherry t…
Level C1RomanceHildebrand; or, The Days of Queen Elizabeth, An Historic Romance, Vol. 3 of 3In the turbulent days of Queen Elizabeth, Abigail stealthily navigates a household steeped in oppression and intrigue, where tyranny crushes the innocent and fortunes turn with sud…
Level C1RomanceHildebrand; or, The Days of Queen Elizabeth, An Historic Romance, Vol. 2 of 3Amidst the trials of Elizabethan England, Evaline de Neville faces heartbreak and uncertainty when her father is imprisoned and her protector, Hildebrand, is out of reach.
Level C1RomanceHildebrand; or, The Days of Queen Elizabeth, An Historic Romance, Vol. 1 of 3A seasoned horseman journeys through the rugged Devonshire countryside during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, drawn into mystery by a sudden pistol shot and a scream.
Level C1RomanceHigh Noon: A New Sequel to 'Three Weeks'Haunted by loss yet driven by duty, a distinguished Englishman returns to the Swiss springtime of his youth to seek solace and strength before embracing a future with a new love.
Level C1RomanceHester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 3 (of 3)In a world where business and love intertwine, Hester navigates the complexities of relationships, societal expectations, and personal desires, questioning the meaning of life beyo…
Level C1RomanceHester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 2 (of 3)Tensions rise as a charming young man returns to his distant relatives in the countryside, stirring old family loyalties and doubts about duty, love, and the ties that bind across…
Level C1RomanceHester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 (of 3)In a banking dynasty famed for its unshakable stability, the younger generation faces family strife, broken promises, and the weight of legacy as fortunes and hearts hang in the ba…
Level C1RomanceHesperus; or, Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days: A Biography. Vol. II.In a world where love, fate, and identity intertwine, Victor navigates complex relationships and hidden truths beneath the surface of everyday life.
Level C1RomanceHero-Myths & Legends of the British RaceExplore the heroic ideals and ancient legends that shaped the British race, revealing timeless tales of honor, loyalty, and valor set against the vivid backdrop of medieval life an…
Level C1RomanceHermann and DorotheaAs refugees fleeing the turmoil of the French Revolution arrive in a peaceful German village, the lives of Hermann and Dorothea intertwine amidst a backdrop of political upheaval a…
Level B2RomanceHer own peopleIn the vibrant spa town of Homburg, Captain Malcolm Haig grapples with financial hardship and his uncle's push to marry for money.
Level C1RomanceHer mother's secretTorn between childhood devotion and her mother’s stern counsel, Odalite faces a heart-wrenching choice as Leonidas returns with hopes of marriage—while another suitor, Angus Angles…
Level C1RomanceHer kingdomAnstice Barrett faces sudden ruin and poverty after the loss of her family estate, forced to navigate a harsh new reality with only a modest income and distant relatives to turn to…
Level C1RomanceHer evil geniusAs Andria Heathcote prepares to leave the convent for a new life as a governess, she must navigate the fierce loyalty and wild rebellion of young Beryl Corselas, whose defiance thr…
Level C1RomanceHer Weight in GoldIn a town where beauty rules, plain Martha Gamble is deemed "worth her weight in gold" by her wealthy stepfather, despite her looks.
Level C1RomanceHer Serene Highness: A NovelA passionate art collector battles against wealthy rivals and a shadowy auction to reclaim a masterpiece misattributed and nearly lost to history.
Level B2RomanceHer Sailor: A Love StoryIn a picturesque New England summer, a spirited young woman and her enigmatic, foreign-born sailor lover navigate the delicate dance of love and commitment on the eve of a life-cha…
Level C1MysteryHer Royal Highness: A Romance of the Chancelleries of EuropeAmid the exotic splendor of the Nile’s timeless desert, a merry group of English travelers revels in the mysteries of ancient Egypt.
Level C1RomanceHer Prairie KnightCaught in a fierce prairie storm, a spirited young woman and her companions face wild weather and rugged terrain on their journey to a distant ranch, where adventure and unexpected…
Level C1MysteryHer Majesty's MinisterIn the shadowy world of diplomacy, a British embassy in Paris grapples with a mysterious betrayal that threatens to ignite a devastating European war.
Level C1RomanceHer Majesty the KingIn a realm where power and tradition clash, a Pasha and his formidable wife grapple over their son's future and the limits of parental control.
Level C1RomanceHer Ladyship's ElephantA charming English gentleman finds his world turned upside down by a captivating American woman who challenges his traditions and confounds his intentions, sparking a witty and unc…
Level C1RomanceHenrietta Temple: A Love StoryTorn between duty and desire, Captain Armine navigates family intrigues and unexpected encounters as he pursues a tender romance with Henrietta Temple.
Level C1RomanceHelena's PathA rebellious aristocrat, dismissed from every institution and living a life of chaotic adventure, must now return home to assume his inherited responsibilities—challenging society'…
Level C1RomanceHelenaAmidst post-war restlessness and fading aristocratic pride, a naval officer returns to his ancestral estate, wrestling with duty, change, and the uncertain future that Helena’s arr…
Level C1RomanceHector GraemeA confident young officer on leave boasts unbeatable shooting skills during a partridge hunt on the estate of Sir Thomas Caldwell, where sparks fly between him and the sharp-witted…
Level C1RomanceHeartsease; Or, The Brother's WifeIn a sunlit English estate, a proud young woman faces unsettling news about her brother's impulsive engagement to a questionable family, threatening honor and estate.
Level C1FantasyHearts of threeThree men bound by fate embark on a thrilling adventure filled with danger and discovery, where love and loyalty are tested amid relentless action and unexpected twists.
Level C1RomanceHearts and the highwayLady Katharine Clanranald embarks on a daring quest, risking jewels, loyalty, and love to reclaim her family's honor amid royal intrigue and perilous journeys on the highway.
Level C1MysteryHearts and MasksAt a mysterious charity masquerade dance with whimsical playing-card invitations, an impulsive visitor finds himself drawn into an enchanting adventure behind the masks, where wit…
Level C1RomanceHeart's Desire: The Story of a Contented Town, Certain Peculiar Citizens, and Two Fortunate Lovers: A NovelIn a rugged frontier town where East meets West, a cast of peculiar citizens navigates love, law, and the arrival of Eastern capital.
Level B2MysteryHeart to heartOn a perfect spring day, a grand wedding stirs whispers of hidden truths and complicated hearts among Lakeview's social elite.
Level C1RomanceHeart of the Blue RidgeIn the misty Blue Ridge mountains, Zeke leaves his lonely mother to reunite with the girl he loves, battling jealousy and longing amid the dawn’s promise.
Level C1RomanceHeart and Science: A Story of the Present TimeIn a world where science challenges the heart, complex characters navigate love, ethics, and the harsh realities behind medical progress.
Level C1RomanceHeart and CrossIn a quiet country estate, a spirited boy with a knack for uncovering village secrets roams freely, drawing together the lives and stories of those around him.
Level C1RomanceHe Fell in Love with His WifeA solitary farmer battles despair and dwindling hope after losing his devoted wife, facing the harsh elements and the unforgiving realities of life on his rugged, inherited land.
Level B2RomanceHawtrey's DeputyIn a rugged Western Canadian settlement, spirited settlers gather in a barn warmed by fire and fiddle tunes, where Gregory Hawtrey’s boyish charm lights up the harsh prairie life—s…
Level C1RomanceHawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees.: A Tale of the Delaware Valley and Historical Romance of 1690.Perched atop Hawk’s Nest Mountain, a breathtaking panorama of the Delaware Valley unfolds, where ancient mysteries and natural wonders intertwine.
Level B2RomanceHarum Scarum's FortuneA spirited young woman faces the challenge of managing her unexpected inheritance while navigating society’s expectations and her own rebellious heart.
Level C1RomanceHarry Coverdale's Courtship, and All That Came of ItAmidst London’s social whirl, Harry Coverdale navigates the challenges of courtship, friendship, and the philosophy of life, all while managing expectations and missteps in his que…
Level C2MysteryHarryA chance smile at a passion-flower sparks an unexpected love between a strong, handsome soldier and a carefree young woman, setting their lives on an enchanting path of romance and…
Level C1RomanceHarold : the Last of the Saxon Kings — CompleteAmid the tumultuous Norman Invasion, a stirring historical romance unfolds, revealing the last days of the Saxon monarchy through the passionate tale of Harold and Edith, where anc…
Level C1Science FictionHarilekAmid the rugged landscapes of Central Asia, a soldier’s mysterious diary reveals encounters with enigmatic tribes, mystical lands, and shadowy figures, blurring the line between ha…
Level B2RomanceHard PressedAmidst the glittering London opera scene, wealthy sportsman Raymond Copley vies for the elusive affection of May Haredale, whose family estate teeters on ruin.
Level C1RomanceHappy-go-luckyA lively schoolboy breakfast gathering sets the stage for youthful adventures and social rivalries, where friendships blur and a mysterious "Freak" stirs curiosity among the boys.
Level C1RomanceHans of Iceland, Vol. 1 of 2A young man’s fevered imagination weaves a passionate tale of first love and heroic dreams, set against the wild backdrop of Iceland’s rugged landscape.
Level C1RomanceHalfway House: A Comedy of DegreesA widowed gentleman in his fifties finds his orderly world upended when a lively young woman at a Sunday-school feast sparks an unexpected and tender passion, leading him to naviga…
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.