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 B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level C1RomanceThe Hill of VenusIn the mystical summer twilight of 1266 Basilicata, a young court page named Francesco embarks on a solitary journey to the ancient cloisters of San Cataldo, where secrets and pass…
Level C1ClassicsThe Hill of DreamsA young dreamer ventures into a mysterious, forgotten lane leading to wild hills and silent woods, where reality blurs into a strange, fairy-tale landscape filled with shadowy figu…
Level C1RomanceThe HighgraderA spirited young girl selling paper stars aboard a tranquil ocean liner captures the attention of a curious American boy, sparking a tender connection amidst the voyage's gentle rh…
Level C1ClassicsThe Higher CourtA young priest, cast down by charges of modernism, grapples with shattered dreams and a city’s changing face as he battles inner turmoil and a fierce blizzard.
Level C1MysteryThe High Toby: Being further chapters in the life and fortunes of Dick Ryder, otherwise Galloping Dick, sometime gentleman of the roadA notorious highwayman, known as Captain Ryder, unexpectedly intercepts a coach under moonlight, only to be faced with a mysterious offer involving a runaway wife and a tempting re…
Level B2Children'sThe High School Pitcher; or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley DiamondAt Gridley High, a new principal stirs unease as Dick Prescott and his loyal friends navigate school challenges, sports rivalries, and social divides.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Left End; or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football GridironTensions rise at Gridley High as the football team faces mysterious unrest and wavering support from the Athletics Committee.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Freshmen; or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and SportsAt Gridley High, freshman Dick Prescott faces false accusations and a challenge from a bigger rival, sparking a tense showdown fueled by loyalty, honor, and the fierce bonds of fri…
Level B2Children'sThe High School Captain of the Team; or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic VanguardTensions rise on Gridley High's football team as Drayne challenges Captain Dick Prescott for the quarterback spot, igniting a fierce rivalry that threatens to shake the undefeated…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Training HikeA resourceful high schooler negotiates to rent an innovative camping wagon for a summer adventure, uncovering its hidden potential and the quirky owner’s stubborn pride along the w…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Fishing TripTeen Tom Reade devises a clever plan to help young Timmy sneak past his watchful father after curfew, setting off an adventurous night of daring and quick thinking in a small town.
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Canoe ClubSix high school friends face a summer of unexpected challenges and adventures when a failed Indian exposition goes up for auction in their town, pitting them against rivals and tes…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys in Summer CampSix high school boys face summer challenges as they navigate friendship, adventure, and a risky canoe sale, all while encountering mysterious strangers and testing their courage in…
Level C1RomanceThe High History of the Holy GraalEmbark on a medieval quest filled with chivalry and mystery as knights of the Round Table seek the elusive Holy Grail, weaving tales of valor, romance, and ancient legend from a ri…
Level C1RomanceThe High HeartIn a genteel summer setting, a determined governess navigates social constraints and uncertain prospects for love and security, caught between fleeting flirtations and the hope of…
Level B2ClassicsThe High CallingA young man defies his family's expectations to pursue his passion for electrical engineering, sparking a struggle between comfort and calling.
Level C1PoetryThe Hidden Servants and Other Very Old StoriesStep into a world where ancient Italian legends and heartfelt ballads come alive, weaving faith, beauty, and simple wisdom through vivid stories told with poetic grace.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hidden MasterpieceA struggling young artist, driven by admiration and poverty, ventures into the atelier of a renowned painter in early 17th-century Paris, confronting the awe and uncertainty that a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Hidden Force: A Story of Modern JavaUnder a blood-red moon in the Dutch East Indies, a heavy silence blankets the colonial town, where the complex and tense relations between Europeans and natives simmer beneath the…
Level C1RomanceThe Hidden ChildrenAmid the fading legacy of the Iroquois Confederacy, a tale unfolds where history and romance intertwine, revealing the struggles and spirit of noble tribes bound by loyalty, betray…
Level B2RomanceThe Hidden Cabin: a pathetic story in condensed formHigh atop Palomar Mountain, a mysterious hidden cabin becomes the backdrop for a heartfelt romance filled with nature’s beauty, deep friendship, and inspiring messages of manhood a…
Level B2Children'sThe Hickory LimbYoung Margery faces the sting of exclusion when her older sisters embark on formal calls without her, sparking a mix of frustration, loneliness, and a secret plan that promises a s…
Level C2PoetryThe Hesperides & Noble Numbers: Vol. 1 and 2Dive into a rich collection of lyrical poetry blending classical influences with exquisite melodies, where each poem offers a unique song of beauty and inspiration from a master of…
Level C1GothicThe HeroineIn a world where Regency ideals shape womanhood, a witty and satirical tale explores the adventures and social expectations of the delicate yet spirited heroine, blending humor wit…
Level C1HistoricalThe Heroic AgeExplore the origins and shared traits of heroic poetry across Teutonic and Greek cultures, uncovering their historical, mythical, and anthropological roots through a comparative st…
Level B2Children'sThe Heroes; Or, Greek Fairy Tales for My ChildrenStep into the enchanting world of ancient Greece, where gods, heroes, and mythical creatures come alive through timeless fairy tales that have shaped history, art, and imagination…
Level B2AdventureThe Heroes of the School; or, The Darewell Chums Through Thick and ThinAt Darewell High, a sudden expulsion shocks the students, but when John Newton tries to shift blame onto Fenn Masterson, secrets and loyalties among friends are put to the test in…
Level C1Children'sThe Heroes of Asgard: Tales from Scandinavian MythologyStep into the icy halls of ancient Scandinavia, where gods and heroes shape a vivid world of myth and magic.
Level B2RomanceThe Hero of the People: A Historical Romance of Love, Liberty and LoyaltyAmid the turmoil of the French Revolution, a skilled artisan with secret motives watches the royal procession, weaving a tale of love, liberty, and loyalty as hidden forces stir th…
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain BoysIn the tense winter of 1764, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys confront a royal proclamation that threatens their land and loyalty.
Level B2ClassicsThe Hero of Hill HouseA devoted mother strives to shield her eight children from the shadow of their father's addiction, nurturing hope and love amid poverty and hardship on their rural farm.
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Garside SchoolAt Garside School, young Paul Percival wrestles with the legacy of a naval family lost to war and the shadows of looming conflict.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hermit of Far EndIn a quiet, shabby London room, a woman waits anxiously for a man she once loved, clutching a little pearl ring as a sign.
Level C1ClassicsThe Hermit and the Wild Woman, and Other StoriesA young boy, scarred by violent war and loss, retreats to a solitary cave to live a life of piety and peace, seeking refuge from a brutal world and the torment of his haunted soul.
Level C1MysteryThe Hermit Of ——— Street: 1898A young woman, captivated by the enigmatic and reclusive Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of the SiouxAs spring breathes life into the vast mesa, a seasoned rancher wrestles with restless ambition and the call of the open range, determined to lead his roundup despite uncertain prom…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of the Kurts, Volume 2 (of 2)In a small community, four remarkable young women known as "The Staff" navigate friendship, music, and the challenges of youth, while the enigmatic Sheriff's daughter Nora grapples…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of the Kurts, Volume 1 (of 2)A sprawling estate overlooking town and sea holds centuries of secrets and ambition, beginning with a mysterious exile who stakes his claim through love and power.
Level B2AdventureThe Heritage of the HillsIn the rugged hills of Halfmoon Flat, a tense standoff unfolds between a calm, fearless rider and a furious adversary, revealing a land where law, survival, and grudges collide ben…
Level C1AdventureThe Heritage of the Desert: A NovelIn the unforgiving Utah desert, a wounded spy lies among a tense group of Mormon settlers caught between faith and violence as relentless outlaws close in, threatening their land a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Heritage of Dedlow Marsh and Other TalesTwo young siblings navigate the eerie Dedlow Marshes at sunset, their bond as strong as the mysterious landscape surrounding them.
Level C1HistoricalThe HeritageIn a frozen Balkan forest, two revolutionary leaders navigate betrayals and alliances amid rising unrest, summoned by a dying Englishman whose mysterious final request could tip th…
Level C1HistoricalThe Herd Boy and His HermitA young shepherd boy discovers a lost noble girl wandering the treacherous moorlands at twilight and must guide her safely to shelter, navigating wild landscapes and unexpected dan…
Level B2MysteryThe Herapath PropertyWhen Jacob Herapath, a prominent London MP and estate owner, mysteriously vanishes after returning home late at night, his secretary Selwood must unravel the baffling clues left be…
Level C2PoetryThe HeptalogiaExplore a collection of evocative poems weaving themes of love, identity, and higher pantheism, each stanza ringing like a bell in a cap of seven, inviting readers into a rich tape…
Level C1ClassicsThe HenchmanIn a politically charged convention within New York's Demijohn District, Calvin Ross Shelby rises from humble beginnings and fierce local rivalries to claim his place as the "Champ…
Level C1MysteryThe Hemlock Avenue MysteryA rising lawyer’s public clash with a rival hides deeper tensions as a young reporter becomes drawn into the mysteries behind Hemlock Avenue’s polished facade, where quiet respecta…
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.