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 B2ClassicsHow Robin Hood Once Was a Wait: A Miracle Play or Christmas MasqueIn a snowy wood, Robin Hood and his merry men confront a humble band of Christmas singers called the Waits, leading to a rare and heartwarming celebration of carols, kindness, and…
Level B2HistoricalHow Private George W. Peck Put Down the Rebellion: or, The Funny Experiences of a Raw Recruit - 1887A reluctant recruit joins a cavalry regiment late in the Civil War, expecting an easy ride and a quick payday.
Level B2ClassicsHow John Norton the Trapper Kept His ChristmasAn old trapper spends a quiet Christmas Eve by his cabin fire, reflecting on the meaning of kindness and the true spirit of the season while reading from a cherished, ancient book.
Level B2Children'sHow John Became a Man: Life Story of a Motherless BoyA young boy named John faces the loss of his mother on the prairie and must grow quickly, learning to pray and take on new responsibilities as he navigates loneliness, friendship,…
Level B2Children'sHow Janice Day WonIn the lakeside town of Polktown, young Janice Day faces the challenges brought by new liquor licenses, growing troubles, and the impact on her community.
Level B2ClassicsHow It Feels to Be FiftyExplore the vibrant perspective of turning fifty, where life is not a decline but an exciting ascent filled with newfound confidence and joy.
Level B2ClassicsHow It All Came RoundA young woman of intellect and beauty stands on the brink of marriage, balancing family bonds and personal ambition in a world of wealth and secrets.
Level B2ClassicsHow Deacon Tubman and Parson Whitney Kept New Year's: And Other StoriesOn a crisp New Year's morning, Deacon Tubman stumbles upon a mysterious gift from his meticulous housekeeper, Miss Miranda, setting the stage for a charming tale of unexpected warm…
Level B2Children'sHousehold Tales by Brothers GrimmWhen a princess loses her beloved golden ball in a deep well, a mysterious frog offers to retrieve it—on the condition that she welcomes him as her companion.
Level B2Children'sHousehold Stories by the Brothers GrimmEnter a world where rabbits host wedding feasts under rainbows and daring adventurers with extraordinary talents band together to challenge fate, braving enchanted forests and roya…
Level B2AdventureHorses Nine: Stories of Harness and SaddleA proud, eager horse joins the mounted police, learning the city’s rhythms and commands while longing for spirited freedom.
Level B2Children'sHorse TalesOn John Dobbin’s bustling farm, the old mare Sally tries to keep order among a mischievous donkey, curious animals, and unexpected visitors while her master is away.
Level B2HistoricalHope and Have; or, Fanny Grant Among the Indians: A Story for Young PeopleA mischievous girl faces a stern warning: behave well or be sent away to live among the Minnesota Indians during a time of great unrest.
Level B2ClassicsHope Hathaway: A Story of Western Ranch LifeOn a sprawling Missouri ranch, old-time cattleman Jim Hathaway struggles against the encroaching changes of civilization and rising tensions within his family, especially involving…
Level B2Children'sHope Benham: A Story for GirlsA spirited young girl from the working-class town of Riverview sells delicate arbutus flowers at the elegant Brookside station, navigating the contrast between two worlds as she pu…
Level B2AdventureHooking a sky rideTwo boys living next to a bustling army airfield in Texas dream of flying, sneaking onto the base to watch daring cadets and stunt planes.
Level B2ClassicsHookersIn the gritty border town of Juarez, Pearl Jones fights to make a living under the harsh realities of the oldest trade, navigating corrupt officials, tough rivals, and the relentle…
Level B2Children'sHonoring ParentsA young boy shows kindness and forgiveness at school, honoring his mother’s teachings even when she’s not present.
Level B2AdventureHonor Bright: A Story of the Days of King CharlesA young boy named Charles, confined in a tower room overlooking a vibrant garden, grapples with mysterious sorrow despite his privileged surroundings and gifts.
Level B2Children'sHonor Bright: A Story for GirlsTwelve-year-old Honor Bright faces life as an orphan in a Swiss boarding school, carrying distant memories of exotic lands and loving parents lost to a sudden tragedy.
Level B2AdventureHoney-SweetAs the steamship Caronia prepares to sail, young Anne navigates the bustling chaos of the dock, her keen eyes catching glimpses of strangers, secrets, and a worried uncle whose mys…
Level B2ClassicsHonest Wullie; and Effie Patterson's StoryIn a snow-covered Scottish countryside, honest Wullie, a devoted farm-laborer, faces the challenge of supporting his wayward brother and his family, balancing duty, sacrifice, and…
Level B2ClassicsHomes made and marredA skilled workman and a devoted housemaid plan to start a life together, but hidden tensions and past struggles threaten their dreams of a happy home.
Level B2ClassicsHomeburg MemoriesA small-town train brings a daily flood of characters and stories to Homeburg, where the arrival of old Number Eleven is the highlight of the day, weaving together the lives of hom…
Level B2ClassicsHome Lights and ShadowsIn a home where love and selfishness clash, a wife and husband navigate the delicate balance between duty and defiance, revealing the shadows that can darken even the sunniest dome…
Level B2Children'sHollyhock: A Spirit of MischiefIn the serene Upper Glen, two families—one naming their daughters after flowers, the other their sons after precious stones—live peaceful lives until a mysterious letter arrives on…
Level B2RomanceHolly: The Romance of a Southern GirlA young Southern girl, grieving the loss of her father, embarks on her first journey beyond home, seeking new experiences to soothe her sorrow and discover the deeper meanings of l…
Level B2Children'sHollowmellA spirited schoolgirl named Minnie battles her careless habits and social challenges as she navigates friendships and responsibilities at her lively school.
Level B2AdventureHollowdell Grange: Holiday Hours in a Country HomeOn a scorching midsummer day, young Fred Morris journeys to Hollowdell station, where cousins Harry and Philip eagerly await his arrival.
Level B2AdventureHolidays at BrightonTwo boys explore the bustling seaside town of Brighton, discovering its sparkling sea, grand pier, and strange new buildings while learning about the engineering marvels and seasid…
Level B2Children'sHoliday storiesIn a grand estate shadowed by an irritable matriarch, a devoted maid endures sharp tempers and long years of service, revealing the complex ties of loyalty and hardship beneath the…
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 B2Children'sHoliday TalesSeven spirited brothers imagine grand adventures and dream of transforming their rough "desert" into a beautiful garden to brighten their ailing mother's days, blending childhood m…
Level B2Children'sHoliday Stories for Young PeopleA young girl named Milly Van Doren is entrusted to keep house and care for her grandmother while her parents travel, leading her to eagerly organize a social club and face the real…
Level B2Science FictionHoles, IncorporatedTwo inventors unveil a mysterious device that creates holes into the fourth dimension, defying all logic and revolutionizing construction.
Level B2Children'sHold fastA blind grandfather shares a heartfelt story with his granddaughter about faith, sin, and salvation, revealing how even the most faithful must rely on mercy to find hope.
Level B2Children'sHold 'em, Wyndham!At Wyndham School, football coach G.
Level B2Children'sHistory of my petsA young girl finds unexpected joy and companionship in a beautiful white kitten named Keturah, whose playful antics and loyal presence brighten her days and even accompany her to a…
Level B2HistoricalHistory of Orrin PierceRaised by a devout mother in a quaint cottage by the sea, young Orrin Pierce learns Scripture and the wonders of nature, nurturing a tender faith and a heart longing for holiness.
Level B2HistoricalHistoric Girls: Stories Of Girls Who Have Influenced The History Of Their TimesDiscover the inspiring stories of young girls across history who defy their times with courage, wit, and heart, from the dazzling ancient city of Palmyra to far-reaching lands, pro…
Level B2AdventureHis to flyTwo daring aviators clash over their aging biplane and the future of their partnership, igniting tensions high above a New Jersey meadow as they prepare to take to the skies in a w…![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 B2RomanceHis love storyA solitary French cavalry captain unexpectedly bonds with a fragile newborn puppy just as he's invited to a grand dinner where an American visitor longs to meet a soldier.
Level B2Children'sHis big opportunityTwo boys perched atop a sunlit garden wall seize a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger to turn small moments into meaningful adventures, discovering that true opportunity o…
Level B2RomanceHis Unknown WifeA condemned American prisoner in a South American jail faces a shocking proposal: to marry a mysterious veiled woman who insists on wedlock before his imminent execution.
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 B2Children'sHis Little Royal HighnessAfter a fall leaves young Reginald injured, his siblings crown him king in a playful game of bodyguards and crowns, transforming his recovery into a royal adventure filled with ima…
Level B2RomanceHis Heart's QueenA chance encounter on a Cincinnati incline car brings together a wealthy young woman and a humble carpenter, their lives intertwined as a sudden mechanical failure turns a joyful r…
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.