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 C1ClassicsHugh WorthingtonAmid the wild Kentucky winter, Hugh Worthington returns to Spring Bank, a decaying estate where rugged independence clashes with the echoes of refinement and the haunting legacy of…
Level C1ClassicsHugh Walpole: An AppreciationExplore the vivid worlds of Hugh Walpole through a passionate exploration of his novels, where inner turmoil and outer realities intertwine with haunting atmospheres—from decaying…
Level C1RomanceHugh Crichton's RomanceIn sunlit Civita Bella, a young Italian girl named Violante prepares for a performance that masks her pale sadness, while the arrival of the enigmatic Englishman Hugh Crichton hint…
Level C1ClassicsHubert's Wife: A Story for YouIn the wake of Ellice Lisle’s funeral, tensions simmer on the Kennons plantation as servants whisper of a mysterious woman’s sudden return, stirring fears of rivalry and secrets th…
Level C1AdventureHoward Pyle's Book of Pirates: Fiction, Fact & Fancy Concerning the Buccaneers & Marooners of the Spanish MainDive into the perilous world of pirates and buccaneers along the Spanish Main, where daring captains seek treasure, defy law, and live lives of relentless adventure and unbridled p…
Level C1ClassicsHow to study "The best short stories"Unlock the secrets of crafting compelling short stories through insightful analysis and advice from successful authors.
Level C1ClassicsHow to Write a Play: Letters from Augier, Banville, Dennery, Dumas, Gondinet, Labiche, Legouvé, Pailleron, Sardou and ZolaDiscover the elusive art of playwriting through candid letters from renowned dramatists who confess the mysteries and challenges behind crafting compelling drama, revealing that no…
Level C1ClassicsHow to Write a Novel: A Practical Guide to the Art of FictionDiscover the art behind crafting compelling fiction through clear, practical lessons that explore everything from local color to plotting and love scenes, challenging the notion th…
Level C1ClassicsHow to Tell a Story, and Other EssaysDiscover the art of telling a humorous story, where the teller's subtle delivery and rambling charm create laughter that bubbles gently and unexpectedly, revealing the unique Ameri…
Level C1RomanceHow to Settle Accounts with your Laundress: An Original Farce, in One ActIn a tailor’s showroom, a hopeful gentleman prepares for a secret supper with a captivating ballet dancer, but unexpected complications and comedic misunderstandings threaten his r…
Level C1HistoricalHow to See a PlayDiscover how to become a discerning theater-goer who appreciates the artistic and intellectual values of plays, learning to choose wisely and demand quality drama that enriches bot…
Level C1ClassicsHow to Master the Spoken Word: Designed as a Self-Instructor for all who would Excel in the Art of Public SpeakingUnlock the power of effective public speaking with step-by-step guidance on breathing, voice control, speech construction, and audience engagement to confidently express ideas and…
Level C1ClassicsHow to Fail in Literature: A LectureExplore the trials of aspiring writers who wrestle with ambition, talent, and rejection in their quest to succeed in literature.
Level C1ClassicsHow to Become a Public Speaker: Showing the best manner of arranging thought so as to gain: conciseness, ease and fluency in speechExplore the art of public speaking through practical methods that turn ordinary individuals into confident, eloquent speakers by combining theory with hands-on training.
Level C1ClassicsHow they loved him, Vol. 2 (of 3)A young, lonely woman with a heart too large for her own good falls deeply for a charming but morally weak man whose love is as self-serving as it is genuine.
Level C1ClassicsHow they loved him, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a tranquil convent garden, a graceful young girl named Fenella cares for a fallen fledgling, her quiet sorrow hinting at a deeper loneliness and a life shaped by faith, duty, an…
Level C1Children'sHow little Bessie kept the wolf from the doorIn a once-grand London mansion now home to struggling families, Matthew Reardon fights to support his loved ones by copying legal papers, while young Bessie faces the looming threa…
Level C1HistoricalHow he won herAmidst the turmoil of Civil War, Erminie devotes herself to comforting the wounded and mourning mothers while grappling with loss and unspoken questions about love and loyalty.
Level C1Children'sHow a Farthing Made a Fortune; or "Honesty is the best policy"In a grim London slum, young Dick Nason, the ragman's son, clings to hope and honesty amidst poverty and hardship.
Level C1ClassicsHow Women Love (Soul Analysis)In a small Hungarian village, the strikingly beautiful wife of an unattractive cartwright fiercely repels the advances of charming military officers, revealing the fierce, untamed…
Level C1ClassicsHow Spring Came in New EnglandIn a land where winter’s icy grip battles the warm southern winds, New England teeters between frost and thaw.
Level C1ClassicsHow Shakspere Came to Write the TempestAmidst tales of shipwreck and survival on a mysterious island, the origins of a timeless play unfold, blending history, rumor, and imagination.
Level C1HistoricalHow Lisa Loved the KingIn medieval Palermo, a young merchant’s daughter named Lisa becomes captivated by King Pedro of Aragon, embodying chivalry and heroism, as festive tournaments stir dreams of noble…
Level C1MysteryHow Jack Mackenzie won his epaulettesIn the quiet snowfall of a Glasgow Yuletide, young Jack Mackenzie embarks on a journey from peaceful naval life to the brutal realities of war, where courage and skill will earn hi…
Level C1ClassicsHow It HappenedA spirited girl wrestles with poverty, pride, and family struggles, finding fierce joy and defiance in a battered hat and a worn tambourine.
Level C1ClassicsHow I write my novelsA writer's struggle with inspiration and rejection unfolds through candid reflections on finding plots and characters, revealing the delicate dance between doubt, perseverance, and…
Level C1ClassicsHow He Lied to Her HusbandA witty exploration of love and deception unfolds when a man finds himself entangled in a delicate dance of truth and lies with a woman's husband, challenging the stale tropes of r…
Level C1ClassicsHow Doth the Simple Spelling BeeAn irritable scholar finds his work repeatedly interrupted by zealous advocates pushing a radical reform of English spelling, sparking a humorous clash between tradition and innova…
Level C1ClassicsHousehold Papers and StoriesExplore the intimate challenges and joys of managing a household through heartfelt essays blending humor, practical wisdom, and reflections on family life during a turbulent era.
Level C1HistoricalHouse of Torment: A Tale of the Remarkable Adventures of Mr. John Commendone, Gentleman to King Phillip II of Spain at the English CourtIn the shadowy court of Queen Elizabeth I, John Commendone serves as gentleman to King Philip II of Spain, navigating political intrigue, religious tensions, and a perilous marriag…
Level C1PoetryHours of childhood, and other poemsA heartfelt collection of poems born from youthful labor and modest means, capturing the innocence of childhood, the warmth of a mother's love, and patriotic devotion.
Level C1HistoricalHours in a Library, Volume 3Dive into a thoughtful exploration of Charlotte Brontë’s intense and original character, where literary criticism seeks a balance between passionate admiration and scientific impar…
Level C1HistoricalHours in a Library, Volume 2Dive into the lively world of eighteenth-century literature as the author explores the wit and style of Dr.
Level C1HistoricalHours in a Library, Volume 1Step into the serene world of an old library, where the silent wisdom of countless authors breathes life into dusty pages, inviting you to explore timeless knowledge and the intima…
Level C1ClassicsHot corn: Life Scenes in New York IllustratedExplore the harsh realities of New York's streets through the eyes of little Katy, a young hot corn seller, revealing the struggles of the city's poor amid wealth and luxury.
Level C1ClassicsHortus Vitae: Essays on the Gardening of LifeExplore the unnoticed gifts and deepest consolations of life through reflective essays inspired by a cherished friendship, celebrating resilience, joy, and the enduring beauty foun…
Level C1ClassicsHortus Inclusus: Messages from the Wood to the Garden, Sent in Happy Days: to the Sister Ladies of the Thwaite, ConistonDiscover a serene correspondence where nature’s beauty and gentle wisdom intertwine, revealing the tranquil lives and heartfelt friendship of two sisters devoted to their village a…
Level C1ClassicsHorses and Men: Tales, long and short, from our American lifeIn a candid reflection on desire and perception, a young man recounts his uneasy start working with racehorses, caught between family disapproval and his own uncertain ambitions am…
Level C1AdventureHorse-Shoe Robinson: A Tale of the Tory AscendencyJourney through the rugged South Carolina wilderness where a lone traveler’s chance encounter with a wounded boy and a frontier family draws him into the untamed beauty and hidden…
Level C1ClassicsHorae subsecivae. Rab and His Friends, and Other PapersStep into a vivid world where boyhood camaraderie and the spirited nature of dogs intertwine, exploring courage, endurance, and the raw energy of life through heartfelt stories and…
Level C1ClassicsHorace and His InfluenceExplore the enduring power of Horace's poetry as it shapes ethics, art, and civilization through centuries.
Level C1ClassicsHorace ChaseIn a serene mountain village in 1873, the spirited Ruth Franklin navigates family quirks and societal expectations with a blend of indolence and vivacity, revealing the complexitie…
Level C1HistoricalHoraceRising from humble beginnings to the heights of Roman society, a poet’s journey unfolds, blending sharp wisdom with heartfelt humanity.
Level C1HistoricalHoraceBorn to humble origins, a young Roman poet rises through education and philosophy amidst the turbulent aftermath of Caesar’s assassination, forging his path alongside history's gre…
Level C1ClassicsHopes and Fears: or, scenes from the life of a spinsterIn the bustling heart of London, Honora Charlecote balances city life with her devotion to teaching and uplifting the poor, all while navigating the hopes and fears of a spinster’s…
Level C1ClassicsHope Mills; Or, Between Friend and SweetheartIn a town divided by class and family legacy, two boys from opposite worlds forge a deep friendship tested by social prejudices and youthful adventures.
Level C1RomanceHope Leslie: or, early times in the Massachusetts, volume 2 (of 2)In a tense colonial Massachusetts setting, Hope Leslie encounters Magawisca, a mysterious Native woman bearing news of her lost sister.
Level C1HistoricalHope Leslie: or, early times in the Massachusetts, volume 1 (of 2)Amidst the tension between royal loyalty and rising Puritan ideals, a young English gentleman challenges his uncle’s warnings as he becomes entwined with New England’s fervent lead…
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.