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 C1AdventureThe Headless Horseman: A Strange Tale of TexasA mysterious headless rider haunts the Texas plains, unsettling wildlife and travelers alike.
Level C1ClassicsThe Head of the House of CoombeIn a London nursery overshadowed by wealth and status, a young child’s restless hatred hints at deep family secrets, while her mother, delicate and elusive, drifts through life tet…
Level C1Children'sThe Hawthorne: A Christmas and New Years PresentA mischievous boy visits West Point with his family, where history and nature intertwine amidst tales of heroes and hidden pranks.
Level C1HistoricalThe Hawks of Hawk-Hollow: A Tradition of PennsylavaniaNestled along Pennsylvania's Delaware River, a richly woven tale blends history, legend, and domestic life, inviting readers to explore enchanting mountain landscapes and timeless…
Level C1RomanceThe Hawk of EgyptIn the vibrant chaos of Cairo’s silk market, a striking young woman named Damaris navigates a world of exotic sights, scents, and secrets, where fate weaves an unexpected tale of l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Haunters & The Haunted: Ghost Stories And Tales Of The SupernaturalExplore a chilling collection of supernatural tales and eerie hauntings that blur the line between reality and the unseen, revealing how ghosts and spirits may be more intertwined…
Level C1MysteryThe Haunted and the Haunters; Or, The House and the BrainA man ventures into a notorious London house abandoned after eerie hauntings and the mysterious death of its last tenant.
Level C1ClassicsThe Haunted Room: A TaleIn a charming Elizabethan villa near London, a family’s peaceful life hints at deeper mysteries as Captain Arrows arrives to uncover the truths behind their idyllic existence and t…
Level C1HistoricalThe Haunted Mind (From "Twice Told Tales")In the stillness of a frosty midnight hour, the boundary between dream and waking blurs, revealing haunting visions of sorrow, hope, and fate that dwell within the mind’s secret ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Haunted Man and the Ghost's BargainA solitary scholar, haunted by memories and surrounded by shadowy relics, dwells in a gloomy, forgotten corner of the city.
Level C1FantasyThe Haunted Homestead: A NovelA fearless girl fascinated by ghosts embarks on a summer journey with her inseparable friend Mathilde to Saratoga Springs, where amid bustling crowds and new acquaintances, eerie m…
Level C1MysteryThe Haunted Chamber: A NovelAs dusk settles over an ancient castle shrouded in chilling legends and bloodstained secrets, Sir Adrian Dynecourt prepares to host guests who may soon uncover the dark mysteries l…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hated SonIn a dimly lit sixteenth-century chamber, a noble countess endures a perilous childbirth while haunted by fears for her unborn child and the oppressive presence of her husband.
Level C1ClassicsThe HarvesterA solitary harvester faces a poignant choice between the wild freedom of the woods and the temptations of city life, guided only by the silent counsel of his loyal dog, Belshazzar.
Level C1ClassicsThe Harvest of a Quiet Eye: Leisure Thoughts for Busy LivesPause the relentless pace of modern life to find solace and insight in meditative reflections drawn from everyday experiences and nature’s quiet beauty, offering a spiritual respit…
Level C1ClassicsThe Harvest of YearsA young girl’s early life is marked by constant mischief, misunderstandings, and a longing for acceptance, as she navigates family struggles and her own rebellious spirit while gro…
Level C1HistoricalThe Harvest of RuskinExplore the profound teachings of a visionary who sees art as a divine revelation and grapples with the spiritual and economic challenges of the modern world, blending heartfelt re…
Level C1PoetryThe Harvard Classics, Volume 49, Epic and Saga: With Introductions And NotesIn a tale of honor and betrayal, the valiant Roland leads Charlemagne’s rear guard against overwhelming foes in the Pyrenees, while treachery and faith clash amid epic battles and…
Level C1ClassicsThe Harlot's Progress (1733), The Rake's Progress (Ms., ca. 1778-1780)Follow the tragic yet theatrically transformed journey of Kitty, a country girl navigating London's debauchery and masquerade, as her story unfolds through a lively blend of pantom…
Level C1RomanceThe Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 3 (of 3)Amidst the turmoil of war and rebellion, loyal soldiers face fierce battles and uncertain fates while an enchanted opal foretells destiny.
Level C1RomanceThe Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 2 (of 3)A daring mission unfolds aboard The Bohemian as Englishmen and Cholacacans journey north to challenge a rebel stronghold, navigating political tension and peril beneath tropical sk…
Level C1RomanceThe Harlequin Opal: A Romance. Vol. 1 (of 3)Four old friends vow to reunite after fifteen years, each changed by time and distance, amid a backdrop of exotic lands and mysterious legends.
Level C1AdventureThe Hard-Scrabble of Elm IslandFour young men on Elm Island forge their paths into manhood through hard work, ingenuity, and community spirit, building a vessel against all odds.
Level C1AdventureThe Harbor MasterIn the isolated village of Chance Along, where treacherous tides and jagged cliffs spell danger for sailors, Black Dennis Nolan rises from humble fisherman to ruthless leader, turn…
Level C1ClassicsThe Happy-go-lucky MorgansIn a Balham street named after a distant Welsh town, the Morgans’ lively household brims with family, secrets, and a mysterious tragedy by a garden pond.
Level C1Children'sThe Happy IslesAn infant’s world unfolds through discovery and wonder as he learns the rhythms of light and dark, the presence of caretakers, and the magic of language in a nursery filled with co…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hand of Ethelberta: A Comedy in ChaptersA clever governess turned reluctant widow navigates a delicate social dance under the guardianship of Lady Petherwin, blending sharp wit and grace in a world where servants hold as…
Level C1MysteryThe Hand in the DarkAn ancient English moat-house, steeped in centuries of bloodshed and haunted by a chilling curse, stands as a silent witness to dark family secrets and restless spirits.
Level C1RomanceThe Hand but Not the Heart; Or, The Life-Trials of Jessie LoringIn a society where wealth and appearances deceive, a young man wrestles with his feelings for Jessie Loring, whose heart may be swayed by riches he lacks.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 3 (of 3)A family's quiet life in Hampstead unravels as Henry's mysterious illness and irritability cast shadows over his home, forcing loved ones to confront secrets and strained loyalties…
Level C1MysteryThe Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 2 (of 3)A newlywed man faces a harrowing inquiry when his wife mysteriously disappears after their wedding day, leaving him isolated and under suspicion as he struggles to prove his innoce…
Level C1RomanceThe Hampstead mystery: a novel. Volume 1 (of 3)A young woman’s secret romance sparks a fierce family feud, as her strict father battles to control her suitors and protect the family fortune—igniting tensions between love, duty,…
Level C1Science FictionThe Hampdenshire WonderA mother travels with her astonishing infant, whose extraordinary intelligence captivates and unnerves fellow passengers on a train journey from London.
Level C1HistoricalThe Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean TimesIn 174 B.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hallam SuccessionIn the heart of Yorkshire, the proud Hallam family prepares to welcome distant American relatives whose different ways and faith challenge their old English traditions.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Hall of Fantasy (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")Step into a vast, dreamlike hall where the spirits of imagination converge beneath stained glass and Moorish arches, mingling with echoes of legendary poets and philosophers.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hall and the Grange: A NovelIn the tranquil English countryside, two brothers—Colonel Eldridge and Sir William—reconnect amidst sprawling gardens and stately homes, revealing contrasting views on life, legacy…
Level C1AdventureThe Half-HeartedA young man returns to his misty, rugged homeland to settle down and enter politics, navigating the wild landscapes and old friendships that shape his fate.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hairy ApeIn the cramped, roaring firemen's quarters of a transatlantic liner, Yank stands as the fiercest and most powerful coal shoveler, embodying raw strength and primal defiance amid th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Güegüence; A Comedy Ballet in the Nahuatl-Spanish Dialect of NicaraguaIn a vibrant blend of Nahuatl and Spanish, this comedic ballet unveils the spirited humor and cultural roots of Nicaragua’s native peoples, capturing their unique language and trad…
Level C1ClassicsThe Gypsy Queen's VowUnder a stormy March night, a fierce gypsy woman races toward the shadowed city of London, driven by desperation and a burning vow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Gundungurra LanguageExplore the rich structure of the Gundungurra language, revealing unique dual and plural forms, intricate noun inflections, and phonetic nuances that connect Australian Aboriginal…
Level C1MysteryThe Gully of Bluemansdyke, and Other storiesOn a stormy night in a remote mining town, two men anxiously await the return of missing friends who vanished along a dangerous road with a dark history of treachery and murder.
Level C1PoetryThe Guinea Voyage: A Poem in Three Books: To Which Are Added Observations on a Voyage to the Coast of AfricaA seaman's harrowing journey exposes the brutal realities behind the slave trade along Africa’s coast, blending stirring poetry with firsthand observations to reveal the dark depth…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guinea Stamp: A Tale of Modern GlasgowOrphaned and impoverished, young Gladys Graham faces the harsh realities of life in a dreary fenland village, grappling with the challenge of turning her modest talents into a mean…
Level C1MysteryThe Guilty RiverA troubled heir returns home after years abroad to claim his inheritance, haunted by a dark family legacy and a cold stepmother’s presence.
Level C1ClassicsThe Guest of QuesnayOn a bustling Paris boulevard teeming with an eclectic parade of global characters, a strikingly disfigured man arrives in a conspicuous white touring car, capturing the attention…
Level C1ClassicsThe Guermantes WayIn a quiet new neighborhood within the prestigious Hôtel de Guermantes, a young narrator and his devoted servant Françoise grapple with upheaval, memory, and the elusive search for…
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.