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 C1MysteryThe House on the BorderlandIn a remote Irish hamlet shrouded in mystery and isolation, two friends set up camp by an unnamed river, only to encounter strange locals and an eerie manuscript that promises to u…
Level C1ClassicsThe House on the Beach: A Realistic TaleA self-made man retreats to a humble seaside home, juggling the ambitions of gentility with the stubborn habits of his mercantile past.
Level C1FantasyThe House of the Wolfings: A Tale of the House of the Wolfings and All the Kindreds of the Mark Written in Prose and in VerseAmidst a vast, ancient forest lies the Mid-mark, a thriving clearing shaped by a fierce people skilled in iron and tillage.
Level C1RomanceThe House of the Wolf: A RomanceIn the tense summer of 1572, three brothers and their cousin Catherine face a stirring revelation and looming dangers at the French court, where loyalty, love, and the shadow of a…
Level C1MysteryThe House of the White ShadowsIn Geneva, a sensational murder trial grips the city as a lowly woodman faces charges for the death of a poor flower-girl, sparking fierce debate and intrigue that entwines social…
Level C1MysteryThe House of the Whispering PinesA man returns to his isolated country clubhouse on a snowy night, only to find a fire burning inside despite having locked it up for the season.
Level C1HistoricalThe House of the Seven GablesA haunted mansion with seven gables looms over the Pyncheon family, cursed by past injustices and dark secrets rooted in colonial Salem.
Level B2ClassicsThe House of the Misty Star: A Romance of Youth and Hope and Love in Old JapanIn a tranquil Japanese hilltop home, a devoted teacher reflects on decades of quiet life and distant dreams, until a mysterious letter from a student ignites a journey filled with…
Level B2MysteryThe House of the ArrowA mysterious letter from Dijon sets off a tense struggle over a wealthy widow’s inheritance, drawing her niece into a web of suspicion and danger amid secrets hidden in La Maison C…
Level C1RomanceThe House of de MaillyIn 1744 Paris, Count Claude de Mailly navigates treacherous court intrigues and forbidden desires as he grapples with his feelings for the proud and elusive Mme.
Level C1MysteryThe House of a Thousand CandlesAn engineer inherits a mysterious estate under the condition he must live in the eerie Glenarm House for a year, facing challenges that test his character and resolve.
Level B2MysteryThe House of WhispersA blind baronet haunted by a mysterious affliction retreats to his ancestral Scottish home, where shadows of past glory and untold secrets linger.
Level C1HistoricalThe House of Walderne: A Tale of the Cloister and the Forest in the Days of the Barons' WarsAmid the shadowed ruins of Walderne Castle, a medieval world of loyalty, faith, and mystery unfolds, blending the lives of knights, friars, and legends during the tumultuous Barons…
Level C1RomanceThe House of ToysA young architect, charming yet struggling, dreams of building a house of love for the girl who inspires him—but fate and unexpected encounters test his hopes, weaving a tale where…
Level C1MysteryThe House of Strange Secrets: A Detective StoryOn a stormy night, Squire Carrington and his son Laurence leave a lively ball, but their journey takes a mysterious turn when a lone cyclist appears on the desolate moor road behin…
Level B2AdventureThe House of SpiesIn the dead of night, Jasper Benham confronts a daring stable break-in by ruthless horse thieves, setting off a pulse-pounding chase and a fight to protect what’s left from a ruthl…
Level C1FantasyThe House of SoulsA London clerk's mundane life is shattered when ancestral memories awaken, revealing a haunting contrast between his dull suburban existence and the noble traditions of an ancient…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Rimmon: A Drama in Four ActsIn a fragrant Damascus garden under moonlight, a priest and a noblewoman plot to undermine a beloved war hero and sway a kingdom’s fate amid the looming threat of Assyrian conquest…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Quiet: An AutobiographyA gentle soul, sidelined by frailty and misfortune, grapples with shattered hopes and the challenge of finding meaning and love amid life's harshest setbacks.
Level C2PoetryThe House of Orchids, and Other PoemsDive into a world where nature’s grandeur meets profound reflection, as vivid sonnets and meditative verses explore the sea’s voice, cosmic mysteries, and the eternal dance of life…
Level C1MysteryThe House of Mystery: An Episode in the Career of Rosalie Le Grange, ClairvoyantOn a train journey through the Berkshires, a keen observer becomes fascinated by a mysterious young woman whose delicate appearance hints at hidden depths.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of MirthIn the bustling heart of New York, Lily Bart navigates society’s glittering yet unforgiving demands, her every move a delicate dance between desire and survival.
Level B2ClassicsThe House of MarthaA devoted grandson shares a quiet village life with his perceptive grandmother while reflecting on his rich experiences abroad, uncovering the subtle dynamics of family, society, a…
Level C2PoetryThe House of LifeDive into a tapestry of sonnets where Love reigns supreme, exploring the soul’s eternal moments, passionate yearnings, and sacred unions.
Level C1HistoricalThe House of IslâmIn the Ottoman Empire, displaced Georgian and Circassian refugees seek sanctuary under Sultan Abdul Mejìd’s rule, sparking tensions and power struggles in a remote province where l…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of HelenIn the quiet town of Shannon, where flowered porches bloom and old customs hold sway, the arrival of education and ambition stirs the delicate balance of home and society.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Heine Brothers, in MunichIn the bustling heart of Munich, the modest yet reputable Heine Brothers bank stands as the backdrop to a tale of family, tradition, and the quiet complexities of German life.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of FulfilmentIn a clash of Northern austerity and Southern indulgence, young Harriet Blair navigates family tensions, cultural divides, and the mysterious charm of a Catholic priest during a tu…
Level C1HistoricalThe House of EgremontAmid the shifting tides of English history, the House of Egremont navigates royal favor, religious strife, and personal daring—from daring escapes with a platter of beans to secret…
Level C1RomanceThe House of Dreams-Come-TrueIn a shadowy, grand hall, a father and daughter share a moment charged with unspoken hopes as an unexpected invitation to England promises to change their lives forever.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Defence v. 2Amid skeptical debates and personal convictions, Maud defends Christian Science while witnessing a mysterious recovery that challenges medical understanding, setting the stage for…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Defence v. 1In a world where the mind's power over the body blurs the line between science and mystery, a compelling tale unfolds of healing, fear, and the intricate dance of nervous and organ…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Cobwebs and Other StoriesStep into the world of a sensitive scholar struggling against the rigid conventions of Victorian literature and society.
Level C1AdventureThe House of Cariboo, and Other Tales from ArcadiaJourney through the serene Arcadian Archipelago, where peaceful islanders live untouched by modern strife, and nature’s timeless beauty conceals stirring adventures along the majes…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of BaltazarIn a grand country estate turned military convalescent home, a young officer named Baltazar grapples with the physical and emotional scars of war, his restless spirit caught betwee…
Level C1ClassicsThe House of Atreus; Being the Agamemnon, the Libation bearers, and the FuriesA watchman anxiously awaits news from the Trojan War, while the palace of Atreus brims with tension and foreboding.
Level C1ClassicsThe House of ArmourAmid the rugged beauty of Nova Scotia’s harbor, a young woman returns to her native land, haunted by loss and longing, where the sea’s secrets and a mysterious companion hint at a…
Level B2FantasyThe House of Arden: A Story for ChildrenTwo children, Edred and Elfrida Arden, live in a once-grand but now crumbling family estate by the sea, struggling with the hardships of lost fortune and unwelcome lodgers.
Level C1HistoricalThe House of AdventureIn the silent dawn of a war-torn village, a weary soldier awakens alone, haunted by the death of his comrade and the memories of a fractured past.
Level C1MysteryThe House in the MistA lone traveler, drawn by a flickering candlelight through a dense mist, discovers an eerie mansion with open doors and empty rooms.
Level B2Children'sThe House in TownIn a warm household filled with lively siblings, young Norton and Matilda navigate changes and new responsibilities, discovering courage and family bonds as they face unexpected ne…
Level C1ClassicsThe House by the Medlar-TreeIn a humble Sicilian fishing village, the Malavoglia family faces the harsh realities of life, love, and honor, revealing the timeless struggles and deep humanity beneath their sim…
Level B2MysteryThe House by the LockA restless adventurer returns to London seeking new thrills after years abroad, only to find his night at the theatre entwined with a mysterious mining magnate and unexpected intri…
Level C1MysteryThe House by the Church-YardIn a quaint Irish village where time and tradition collide, dark secrets stir beneath the fading charm of old Chapelizod.
Level B1FantasyThe House With Sixty Closets: A Christmas Story for Young Folks and Old ChildrenIn a grand house built with sixty closets to store countless gifts, a generous judge and his wife prepare to host a Christmas filled with unexpected wonders.
Level B2RomanceThe House Under the Sea: A RomanceA seasoned seaman embarks on a mysterious voyage to the remote Ken Archipelago, driven by a secret cause tied to a woman named Ruth Bellenden, as his ship nears uncharted shores un…
Level B1PoetryThe House That Jack Built: One of R. Caldecott's Picture BooksDive into a rhythmic chain of characters and events, each linked to the house that Jack built, weaving a playful and memorable tale through repetitive, charming verse.
Level B1PoetryThe House That Jack Built, a Game of Forfeits: To Which is Added, the Entertaining Fable of "The Magpie"Follow the whimsical chain of events in a cumulative rhyme where each character builds upon the last, culminating in the quirky tale of a crafty magpie teaching—and outsmarting—oth…
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.