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 B2PhilosophyThe Hour GlassIn a dialogue between a wise man and a fool, ancient wisdom clashes with lived experience, revealing hidden angels and unseen worlds beyond scholarly knowledge.
Level C1AdventureThe Hound From The NorthIn the unforgiving wilderness of the northern Rockies, a desperate man battles freezing cold and starvation, clinging to life and hope as haunting howls echo through the icy mounta…
Level C1AdventureThe Hot SwampSet sail with Captain Arkal and Prince Bladud as they embark on a daring Mediterranean voyage in ancient times, navigating treacherous seas, fierce warriors, and the mysteries of o…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hosts of the LordIn a sun-drenched colonial outpost, British officers grapple with the complexities of control and understanding amid a swelling tide of pilgrims and political tension.
Level B2AdventureThe Hosts of the AirTrapped in the grim reality of World War I trenches, a young soldier wrestles with the brutal landscape and the memory of a distant love, while the thunder of artillery and the sha…
Level B2ClassicsThe Horse-Stealers and Other StoriesCaught in a fierce snowstorm, a hapless hospital assistant lost his way and stumbles upon a remote tavern run by suspicious characters with shady pasts.
Level C1PoetryThe Horse Shoe: The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil, Showing How the Horse-Shoe Came to Be a Charm against WitchcraftDiscover the enchanting tale behind the horse-shoe’s power as a charm against witchcraft, revealing how St.
Level C1Science FictionThe HopliteIn a sterile future where warriors live confined lives, Jord prepares for another grueling tour encased in a machine, yearning for connection amid the cold, mechanical existence th…
Level C1RomanceThe Hope of the Katzekopfs; or, The Sorrows of Selfishness. A Fairy Tale.In a world where fairy tales hold hidden lessons, a timeless storyteller seeks to awaken young hearts to the dangers of selfishness and the power of empathy, inviting readers into…
Level B2Children'sThe Hoosier School-boyA shy new boy arrives at the village school, navigating teasing classmates and unfamiliar playground games while quietly seeking his place among them.
PoetryThe Hoofs of PegasusExplore a rich collection of poems weaving themes of nature, spirituality, and human experience, from quiet moments of sleep to the soaring myth of Pegasus.
Level C1RomanceThe Honourable Mr. TawnishIn a world of duels, dog-fights, and high society intrigues, a young gentleman faces the scandal of a rebellious love that defies his family's plans—challenging honor, tradition, a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Honour of the FlagOn the bustling banks of the Thames in 1851, a retired tailor’s curious annual tradition and a scarred old sailor’s unexpected inheritance set the stage for a stirring tale of hono…
Level B2ClassicsThe Honour of the ClintonsTwin sisters reunite amid the tranquil English countryside, but tensions simmer beneath the surface when family disapproval and a controversial weekend party challenge their bonds…
Level C1RomanceThe Honour of Savelli: A RomanceIn a tense camp before Arezzo, a sharp betrayal shatters fragile peace among knights and nobles, entangling honor, friendship, and passion in a volatile Italian romance set against…
Level B2ClassicsThe Honorable Senator Sage-BrushIn a world of political intrigue and social upheaval, a young man grapples with love and loyalty amid the backdrop of a senator's powerful family.
Level C1RomanceThe Honorable Peter Stirling and What People Thought of HimA smooth-talking socialite challenges the notion that modern life lacks romance and nobility, arguing that love and heroism still shape destinies amid the bustle of a New York yach…
Level B2ClassicsThe Honorable PercivalA disillusioned English nobleman jilted by his perfect fiancée escapes to America, convinced he has experienced all life has to offer—until unexpected encounters aboard a Pacific l…
Level C1ClassicsThe Honorable Miss MoonlightOn the eve of his arranged marriage, a young nobleman escapes into the dazzling nightlife of the city’s pleasure quarters, torn between duty and the yearning for a freer, more pass…
Level C1MysteryThe Honor of the NameIn post-Waterloo France, a tense village bristles with fear and resentment under the restored Bourbon monarchy, while a notorious local thief, Father Chupin, arrives with urgent ne…
Level B2AdventureThe Honor of the Big SnowsIn a remote northern post, John Cummins faces a haunting night as his beloved Mélisse hears mysterious music before her final moments.
Level C1ClassicsThe Honeymoon: A comedy in three actsNewlyweds Flora and Cedric navigate the exhilarating uncertainties of their honeymoon, balancing nervous excitement with bold plans for adventure beyond a quiet seaside town.
Level C1HistoricalThe Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church: Containing the Sermones Catholici, or Homilies of Ælfric, in the Original Anglo-Saxon, with an English Version. Volume I.Explore the earliest sermons of the Anglo-Saxon Church, revealing the religious doctrines and language of a bygone era through the homilies attributed to Ælfric, archbishop of York…
Level C1MysteryThe Homicidal DiaryA brilliant criminologist becomes obsessed with a series of gruesome weekly murders marked by mysterious decapitations.
Level B2HistoricalThe Homesteader: A NovelIn a struggling Indiana farming family, Agnes—a young woman marked by mysterious, captivating eyes—bears the weight of her family's future as they return home broken but determined…
Level C1HistoricalThe Homeric Hymns: A New Prose Translation; and Essays, Literary and MythologicalExplore the mysterious origins and varied purposes of the so-called Homeric Hymns through a new prose translation and insightful essays that delve into their literary and mythologi…
Level C1ClassicsThe Home; Or, Life in SwedenIn a Swedish household, a spirited debate over home improvements sparks deeper reflections on daily life, family dynamics, and social challenges.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home in the ValleyNestled in a picturesque valley by Lake Wenner, a young maiden named Nanna lives a life touched by both tender care and lingering sorrow.
Level C1ClassicsThe Home at GreylockIn a large home filled with love and loss, a devoted mother and her youngest daughter share an unbreakable bond until tragedy strikes, challenging faith and resilience in the face…
Level C1HistoricalThe Home and the WorldIn a traditional Rajah's house, a young bride navigates the tensions between old customs and modern ideals while discovering the depths of love, devotion, and her own identity in a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Home MissionA grieving mother, overwhelmed by loss, finds solace in a visionary dream where hope and heavenly comfort intertwine with the enduring bonds of home and family.
Level C1HistoricalThe Home Life of PoeDiscover the intimate domestic world of Edgar Poe through the eyes of those who knew him best, revealing a side of the poet hidden from public view and correcting long-held misconc…
Level C1ClassicsThe Holy War, Made by King Shaddai Upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; Or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of MansoulIn a spiritual allegory of epic conflict, a city called Mansoul is besieged as forces of good and evil vie for control over its soul, revealing timeless struggles of faith, temptat…
Level C1HistoricalThe Holy Isle: A Legend of Bardsey AbbeyA mystical journey transports you to Bardsey Isle a thousand years ago, where saints and monks in a radiant abbey sing eternal praises and guard a sacred legacy.
Level C1ClassicsThe Holy Cross and Other TalesDive into a collection of whimsical and tender tales that blend mirth with heartfelt reflections, capturing the spirit of a jester who delights in friendship, childhood, and the po…
Level C1ClassicsThe Holly-TreeA bashful man, heartbroken by lost love, embarks on a solitary winter journey across a frozen England, seeking solace and discovery at the remote Holly-Tree Inn where unexpected en…
Level C1MysteryThe Hollow of Her HandA mysterious woman braves a fierce snowstorm to arrive at a remote station, where a tense meeting hints at hidden dangers and urgent questions about a man named Wrandall.
Level B1AdventureThe Hollow Tree and Deep Woods BookJourney into the Big Deep Woods where a clever 'Coon, a curious 'Possum, and a wise old Crow share tales of friendship and adventure inside a hollow tree.
Level B2AdventureThe Hollow Tree Snowed-In Book: Being a continuation of stories about the Hollow Tree and Deep Woods peopleIn the heart of the Big Deep Woods, the Hollow Tree People—Mr.
Level C1MysteryThe Hollow Needle; Further adventures of Arsène LupinIn a moonlit chateau, two young women face a mysterious intruder and a violent struggle that leaves a deadly secret in their wake.
Level C1FantasyThe Hollow LandIn a land shadowed by feuds and fierce ambition, Florian de Liliis seeks the elusive Hollow Land where he first saw his love.
Level C1MysteryThe Hole in the WallIn the shadowy docks of Wapping, a boy recalls his formidable grandfather—a publican with a missing finger and a mysterious past—unraveling secrets of a harsh riverfront world wher…
PoetryThe Hole BookDive into a whimsical collection where playful poems and clever holes invite you to explore the unexpected spaces between words and pages, turning reading into an imaginative adven…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hohenzollerns in America: With the Bolsheviks in Berlin and Other ImpossibilitiesFallen German royals, stripped of their titles and wealth, embark on a humble voyage to America as ordinary immigrants, facing ridicule, hardship, and the challenge of starting ane…
Level C1PhilosophyThe HiveExplore the unfolding of the child mind and the soul’s growth through a philosophical journey that blends the beauty of life with the quest for truth, love, and democracy, inviting…
Level C1Science FictionThe Hitch HikersOn a dying Mars where moisture has vanished and an ancient race faces extinction, a mysterious water-based visitor arrives, sparking hope and curiosity.
Level C1RomanceThe History of the Seven Wise Masters of RomeA young prince faces a deadly accusation from his stepmother, but seven wise sages weave tales to defend his innocence against her deceitful plots.
Level C1MysteryThe History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard: Containing a Particular Account of His Many Robberies and EscapesA young carpenter’s descent into crime unfolds through a series of daring robberies, escapes, and alliances with notorious accomplices in London’s shadowy underworld.
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.