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 B2Children'sHelen in the Editor's ChairIn a small town where Thursday means press day, young Helen steps into her family’s newspaper office to help with the weekly edition—but when her father falls ill, she must take ch…
Level B2Children'sHelen and Arthur; or, Miss Thusa's Spinning WheelYoung Helen and Arthur embark on a charming journey filled with vivid Southern scenery and heartfelt lessons, guided by the enigmatic Miss Thusa’s spinning wheel.
Level B2Children'sHelen Grant's SchooldaysAt Hope Center, fourteen-year-old Helen Grant navigates the challenges of schooldays, family secrets, and a yearning for belonging while surrounded by lively community traditions a…
Level B2ClassicsHeld to Answer: A NovelIn a bustling Los Angeles office, John, an awkward yet earnest stenographer, struggles against ridicule and stagnation as he clings to his dreams of acting and a life beyond the gr…
Level B2Children'sHeimatlos: Two stories for children, and for those who love childrenIn a quiet mountain village, young Rico finds solace in music and his father's rare visits, while navigating the loneliness of home and the challenges of growing up.
Level B2HistoricalHector's Inheritance, Or, the Boys of Smith InstituteA young boy's future hinges on his uncle’s choice between two vastly different schools—one expensive and elite, the other affordable and homey—setting the stage for challenges, sec…
Level B2Science FictionHeavenly GiftsIn a quiet lab, a humble janitor’s midnight prayers are answered in extraordinary ways when mysterious gifts begin appearing—transforming faith into a cosmic connection that blurs…
Level B2ClassicsHeather's mistressIn a gloomy old house, twin sisters Heather and Bluebell grapple with newfound freedom and the weight of their grandmother’s passing, as they navigate solitude, duty, and the stirr…
Level B2AdventureHearts of OakSet against the daring life of Horatio Nelson, this thrilling naval adventure follows young heroes navigating the perils of war, duty, and courage at sea, capturing the spirit of B…
Level B2ClassicsHearts and clubsAt a seaside hotel, a weary wife struggles with loneliness and aches until a spirited friend introduces her to the X.
Level B2ClassicsHeart's KindredIn a rugged western landscape marked by solitude and fading glory, a solitary man contemplates a small-town wedding that stirs memories and unsettles his quiet life.
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 B2FantasyHeart of the WorldAn English mine manager in remote Chiapas seeks solace in ancient ruins and legends, leading him to a mysterious hacienda and the enigmatic Don Ignatio.
Level B2Children'sHazelRain keeps Hazel indoors, nursing a cold and longing for the simple joys of childhood outside her narrow Boston apartment.
Level B2HistoricalHayslope Grange: A Tale of the Civil WarIn the shadow of England’s Civil War, a young man returns to his ancestral home, Hayslope Grange, where family loyalty, secret tensions, and the turmoil of divided loyalties threat…
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 B2MysteryHawaiian Sea Hunt MysteryIn the lush setting of a Hawaiian hotel, a mysterious man silently intrudes, while distant phone calls hint at hidden dangers and secretive plots involving the Brewster family.
Level B2Children'sHatty and Marcus: or, First Steps in the Better PathAmid the joyful chaos of children eager to welcome their sister Hatty home, young Marcus learns the value of kindness and responsibility through everyday family adventures.
Level B2AdventureHaste and Waste; Or, the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain. A Story for Young PeopleA seasoned young pilot steers a lumber-laden sloop across Lake Champlain, bracing for an unexpected squall that threatens the voyage.
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 B2AdventureHarry's IslandThree schoolboy captains of athletic teams bask in the summer heat on Fox Island, eagerly awaiting a grand boat race and school graduation festivities along the Hudson River.
Level B2Children'sHarry Watson's High School Days; Or, The Rivals of RivertownA new student arrives at Rivertown High, ready to prove his mettle against the school bully's challenge.
Level B2AdventureHarry Milvaine; Or, The Wanderings of a Wayward BoyA restless boy with a vivid imagination turns rainy days into daring naval battles and forest adventures alongside his loyal dog, exploring the wild Scottish pine woods and the rus…
Level B2ClassicsHarry Heathcote of Gangoil: A Tale of Australian Bush-LifeA young squatter in Queensland commands a vast sheep-run, facing the harsh Australian bush and the challenges of independence with unwavering determination.
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding—Messenger "45"A mischievous schoolboy faces punishment after a prank with a lifelike rubber snake lands him in trouble.
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding's Year of PromiseTwo friends spend a summer vacation filled with mischief, adventure, and meaningful stories that reveal the secret to happiness, inspiring them to make their year truly promising.
Level B2Children'sHarry Fenimore's PrinciplesIn a city where autumn's glow fades behind walls and pavements, young Hal Fenimore finds triumph and tension in a game of chess, revealing lessons about competition, kindness, and…
Level B2MysteryHarry Blount, the Detective; Or, The Martin Mystery SolvedOn a bright May morning in Lancashire, an unexpected letter reveals a long-forgotten childhood engagement between Kate and a mysterious American suitor arriving to claim her.
Level B2AdventureHarriganIn the vibrant streets of Honolulu, a fiery-haired stranger named Harrigan draws the wary eyes of the law as he navigates a world where danger lurks beneath the island's colorful f…
Level B2AdventureHarley Greenoak's ChargeTasked with guiding a spirited young Englishman through the wilds of southern Africa, a seasoned hunter and trader prepares for a journey filled with adventure, challenges, and the…
Level B2HistoricalHarebell's friendA lonely child named Harebell returns to England after losing her parents, only to face an uncertain future under the care of a stern aunt.
Level B2FantasyHarding's luckIn a grim, colorless neighborhood, lame boy Dickie dreams of green and life beyond the dirty yard he calls home, sparking a quiet rebellion as he and a kindly neighbor plot to tran…
Level B2ClassicsHarding of AllenwoodIn the vast, untamed prairies of early Saskatchewan, two pioneers toil to transform wilderness into thriving farmland, envisioning a future where grit and innovation will shape pro…
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 B2ClassicsHarbor Jim of NewfoundlandIn the fog-shrouded harbor of St.
Level B2AdventureHappy Pollyooly: The Rich Little Poor GirlA resourceful young housekeeper faces a mysterious threat to her friend, the dancer Esmeralda, involving a relentless nobleman abroad.
Level B2ClassicsHappy Island: A New "Uncle William" StoryOn a quiet harbor, Uncle William studies a map while preparing a lobster meal, navigating local disputes and the challenges of a new fish warden.
Level B2AdventureHappy HawkinsA restless Indiana boy escapes the monotony of business life to seek adventure in the West, learning hard truths about people and self-reliance along the way.
Level B2AdventureHappy Days for Boys and GirlsStep into a charming old English garden where young Polly, guided by her wise grandmother, discovers the simple joys of nature, imagination, and family through apple seeds, playful…
Level B2PoetryHappy DaysCelebrate everyday joys and whimsical reflections in this lively collection of toasts and poems, where even the humble floor and elusive hope receive heartfelt tributes full of hum…
Level B2HistoricalHans Brinker; Or, The Silver SkatesIn a vivid journey through 19th-century Holland, young Hans Brinker and his sister Gretel navigate everyday life, Dutch traditions, and the challenges of a plucky little country th…
Level B2FantasyHans Andersen's Fairy TalesIn a misty northern moor ruled by the mysterious Marsh King, a lost princess of fairy descent arrives, stripped of her magical swan-feathers and trapped in a strange land.
Level B2HistoricalHanover; Or The Persecution of the Lowly: A Story of the Wilmington Massacre.Tensions escalate in Wilmington as organized white mobs forcibly expel Black residents and political opponents, enforcing a brutal new order.
Level B2Science FictionHandymanTrapped alone on a post-apocalyptic Earth, James Ypsilanti battles cold and confinement by chopping up his prison doors for firewood—while a relentless, emotionless carpenter robot…
Level B2AdventureHalsey & Co.: or, The Young Bankers and SpeculatorsIn the high-stakes world of Wall Street, young Fred Halsey uncovers a daring plot involving a forged check and risks everything to stop the criminals before they strike.
Level B2FantasyHalf-Hours with JimmieboyOn a restless Christmas Eve, a young boy named Jimmieboy discovers not one, but two Santa Clauses, who invite him on a magical adventure to help deliver gifts despite the challenge…
Level B2Children'sHalf a dozen boysSix boys navigate the joys and challenges of everyday life in a small New England town, where school, friendship, and unexpected trials, like Fred's sudden blindness, shape their c…
Level B2Children'sHalf a Dozen GirlsIn a sunny household filled with patchwork and playful quarrels, spirited Polly Adams navigates childhood's lessons in patience, friendship, and family warmth.
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.