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 C1ClassicsHarvard Classics Volume 28: Essays English and AmericanDive into a rich collection of English and American essays that explore the lives, humor, and human truths behind celebrated writers and their times, revealing the wit and wisdom s…
Level C1HistoricalHarry MuirIn the bustling heart of Glasgow, a sharp-witted clerk named Harry Muir navigates social divides and office camaraderie, challenging the rigid class distinctions of 19th-century Sc…
Level C1ClassicsHarry Joscelyn; vol. 3 of 3After a decade of quiet change, the once-troubled Joscelyn family faces new challenges and shifting roles within their rural estate, where time softens old wounds but stirs fresh t…
Level C1ClassicsHarry Joscelyn; vol. 2 of 3After being cast out by his family and denied support, a young man wrestles with anger and despair as he contemplates leaving everything behind to forge a new identity across the s…
Level C1ClassicsHarry Joscelyn; vol. 1 of 3Tensions simmer in the Joscelyn household as a father and son clash, while the anxious mother and calm daughter navigate their contrasting ways of coping.
Level C1AdventureHarry Escombe: A Tale of Adventure in PeruSeventeen-year-old draughtsman Harry Escombe is offered a thrilling chance to gain real-world experience surveying a challenging railway project across Peru’s rugged mountains.
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 C1ClassicsHarrington: A Story of True LoveOn a scorching Louisiana plantation, simmering tensions rise beneath the oppressive heat and shadowy presence of unseen demons.
Level C1HistoricalHarriet MartineauExplore the intimate life and enduring legacy of a pioneering thinker through fresh insights, personal letters, and untold stories spanning her later years, revealing the vibrant m…
Level C1Children'sHarriet Beecher Stowe: a biography for girlsBorn in a picturesque Connecticut village surrounded by inspiring hills, a young girl grows up immersed in nature's beauty and the rich heritage of her family and hometown.
Level C1PoetryHarps Hung up in BabylonIn a kingdom shadowed by rebellion, a captive’s bold words challenge a king’s judgment, weaving a tale of mercy, truth, and power.
Level C1HistoricalHarold's Bride: A TaleIn colonial India, young missionaries struggle to build a home and adapt to a harsh new life amidst cultural clashes and delays.
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 C1ClassicsHarlequin and ColumbineIn bustling New York, acclaimed actor Talbot Potter navigates the dazzling yet scrutinizing world of Fifth Avenue before stepping onto the stage for a pivotal rehearsal, where a ne…
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 C1AdventureHardscrabble; or, the fall of Chicago: a tale of Indian warfareAmidst the rugged wilderness near early 19th-century Chicago, a determined frontiersman and his companions face the looming threats of Indian warfare, where survival hinges on cour…
Level C1ClassicsHard-Pan: A Story of Bonanza FortunesIn the shadow of fading bonanza fortunes, a mysterious daughter of Colonel Ramsay Reed emerges from obscurity, stirring curiosity and whispers among a close-knit circle.
Level C1ClassicsHard TimesIn an unyielding school where facts alone shape young minds, a rigid educator seeks to extinguish imagination and emotion.
Level C1ClassicsHard CashIn a snowy villa near a bustling seaport, a refined family navigates the tensions between high society and harsh realities, revealing deep truths about human nature and societal ex…
Level C1AdventureHarbor Tales Down North: With an Appreciation by Wilfred T. Grenfell, M.D.Set against the rugged Northland sea, these vivid tales explore the hardy lives and enduring spirit of coastal communities where survival hinges on courage, simplicity, and the rel…
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 C1PoetryHappy days; carolings of Colorado, etc.Immerse yourself in poetic reflections born from the rugged beauty of Colorado’s plains and mountains, where wild nature and memories of a changing frontier inspire heartfelt verse…
Level C1AdventureHappy Jack, and Other Tales of the SeaA spirited boy known as Happy Jack defies his family’s expectations to pursue adventure at sea, joining the crew of the coal-laden brig Naiad.
Level C1HistoricalHansford: A Tale of Bacon's RebellionIn the turbulent era of Bacon's Rebellion, a steadfast Loyalist family in Virginia navigates political upheaval and personal sacrifice.
Level C1HistoricalHans of Iceland, Vol. 2 of 2; The Last Day of a CondemnedA weary regiment marches through Norway's rugged passes, where an old captain mourns the loss of his faithful dog amid looming battles.
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 C1AdventureHannibal's daughterIn the shadow of Carthage's ancient power, a formidable general plots revenge against Rome, his fierce legacy woven with romance and war.
Level C1FantasyHanit the EnchantressIn ancient Egypt, a powerful enemy has desecrated the tomb of Menna, destroying the magic meant to secure his eternal peace.
Level C1HistoricalHaniaAn aging servant, steeped in memories of Napoleonic wars, fiercely guards household order while imparting old military discipline to the children he oversees.
Level C1ClassicsHandy Andy: A Tale of Irish Life. Volume 2In the tense lead-up to a contested election, a cunning scheme unfolds under cover of night as two allies race to intercept opposing voters arriving by coach.
Level C1ClassicsHandy Andy: A Tale of Irish Life. Volume 1Amid charming Irish life, Andy Rooney’s well-meaning blunders spark laughter and chaos as he stumbles through each misadventure, proving that good intentions don’t always lead to s…![Cover of Hands Around [Reigen]: A Cycle of Ten Dialogues by Arthur Schnitzler](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dackaenvk76c73frb0og.webp)
Level C1ClassicsHands Around [Reigen]: A Cycle of Ten DialoguesA cycle of ten intimate dialogues reveals the delicate dance of desire and social roles across Vienna's strata, exposing the nuanced etiquette of love and the bittersweet pursuit o…
Level C1MysteryHand and RingA mysterious murder in a bustling Harlem shop baffles detectives, as suspicion falls on a rough tramp amid a maze of alibis and hidden motives.
Level C1ClassicsHammer and Anvil: A NovelIn a sunlit schoolroom shadowed by strict authority, students grapple with expectations and inner turmoil under the watchful eye of Professor Lederer.
Level C1ClassicsHamlet: A Study with the Text of the Folio of 1623Dive into the intricate world of a prince torn by moral and spiritual turmoil, as this edition unravels the layers of Shakespeare's original texts, revealing the evolution and dept…
Level C1PoetryHalloween, a Romaunt; with Lays Meditative and DevotionalA soul caught between life and death reflects on the haunting beauty of existence and the longing for love beyond the grave.
Level C1HistoricalHalleck's New English LiteratureExplore the rich evolution of English literature from its earliest roots to the vibrant twentieth century, uncovering how historical movements and social changes shaped the voices…
Level C1ClassicsHall Caine, the Man and the NovelistExplore the sincere and compassionate mind behind a renowned novelist, whose life story reveals a relentless struggle and a deep love for humanity.
Level C1ClassicsHalima And The Scorpions: 1905In the heart of the Sahara, a magical hedgehog’s foot blessed by a revered marabout stirs scandal when it falls into the hands of Halima, a captivating dancing girl whose possessio…
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…
Level C1ClassicsHalf-Hours with the IdiotAn eccentric Idiot debates the absurd disparities in American Ambassadors' residences abroad, advocating for a bold architectural identity that truly represents the diverse spirit…
Level C1ClassicsHalf-Hours with Great Story-Tellers: Artemus Ward, George Macdonald, Max Adeler, Samuel Lover, and OthersStep into a world where saints appear at midnight, commanding a bewildered clerk to unearth a restless soul, blending mystery, humor, and the supernatural in a tale that unsettles…
Level C1Children'sHalf-A-Dozen Housekeepers: A Story for Girls in Half-A-Dozen ChaptersSix spirited girls seize the unexpected chance for a two-week adventure when their school recitation hall burns down, deciding to keep house alone in a country cottage under the wa…
Level C1RomanceHalf a RogueA young dramatist battles artistic integrity against the demands of a temperamental star, only to be interrupted by a mysterious woman unable to pay her dinner bill—setting the sta…
Level C1HistoricalHalf a Life-Time AgoIn a remote Westmoreland dale, Susan Dixon, a solitary and resolute farmer, guards the secrets of her ancestral home and her guarded past.
Level C1ClassicsHalf a Hero: A NovelPolitical intrigue brews as Governor Eynesford faces pressure to summon the controversial Mr.
Level C1RomanceHalf A ChanceA voyage aboard the Lord Nelson reveals a tense curiosity as aristocrats seek permission to visit the ship’s dangerous convicts below deck, while a spirited young girl defies conve…
Level C1AdventureHair-Breadth Escapes: The Adventures of Three Boys in South AfricaThree boys embark on a daring adventure aboard His Majesty’s ship Hooghly, navigating treacherous seas and facing unexpected betrayals as they journey toward South Africa in the ea…
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.