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 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 B2MysteryThe Haunted Sentry Box of Porto RicoBeneath the old fort of San Cristobal lies a sentry box shrouded in mystery after a soldier and a beloved priest vanish without a trace.
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 B2ClassicsThe Haunted PajamasA mysterious package from a curious acquaintance in China arrives, wrapped in red silk and secrets.
Level B2AdventureThe Haunted MineA young telegraph messenger boy takes a risky gamble on a mysterious sealed box at an express office auction, convinced it holds hidden treasure.
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 B2MysteryThe Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern VeniceA mysterious woman with a ghostly pallor seeks out a renowned London doctor, pleading for help with a terrifying question: is she on the brink of madness?
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 B2MysteryThe Haunted Hangar: Sky Scouts/Air Mystery series #3Teen pilots Larry, Dick, and cautious Sandy make a daring forced landing at a haunted estate, where eerie noises and ghostly glows spark their curiosity.
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 B2AdventureThe Hartley brothersTwo brothers embark on a daring journey to India, facing battles, desert rides, and dark deeds as they follow the spirit of early Christian knights.
Level B2Science FictionThe Harris-Ingram ExperimentAn artist torn between family expectations and his passion embarks on a journey with his wealthy industrialist family, exploring love, travel, and an ambitious social experiment bl…
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 B2ClassicsThe Harlequinade: An ExcursionStep into a whimsical excursion where a lively girl named Alice and her Uncle Edward invite you to witness a colorful blend of humor, sentiment, and timeless tales, all set against…
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 B2ClassicsThe HarborA curious seven-year-old boy wrestles with church sermons and his mysterious harbor-view home, where the past and present collide in shadows of warehouses and docks.
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 B2Children'sThe Happy Prince, and Other TalesA gilded statue, once a prince, weeps above a city full of sorrow he never knew in life, while a lone swallow must choose between his journey and helping those in need.
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 B2MysteryThe Happy HomicideIn a courtroom where a murder trial hinges on a bizarre machine that reanimates the victim's brain recordings, John Bork faces charges for killing his wife—while the corpse itself…
Level B2AdventureThe Happy FamilyIn the rugged West, Andy Green, a seasoned cowpuncher, navigates the untamed landscape and clashes with the naive newcomer Sherwood Branciforte, revealing the raw beauty and deep-r…
Level B2ClassicsThe Happy EndIn a quiet mountain valley, Calvin Stammark builds a new home for himself and Hannah, dreaming of a future filled with hard work, love, and the promise of prosperity.
Level B2RomanceThe Happy AverageA recent college graduate nervously visits the Carters' home, where playful banter and quiet tension hint at the complexities of young romance and social expectations on a warm Jul…
Level B2FantasyThe Happy AdventurersA young girl, sidelined by illness and injury, finds herself confined to a quiet country home where loneliness and restlessness threaten her spirit.
Level B2HistoricalThe Hand-Made Gentleman: A Tale of the Battles of PeaceA spirited boy named Cricket navigates the challenges of youth amid the dawn of steam power and industrial change, encountering ghosts, inventions, and battles of enterprise.
Level B2ClassicsThe Hand of the Mighty, and Other StoriesA young man with a restless spirit leaves the comforts of home for the rugged life of the Western plains, seeking adventure and connection with the land and its people.
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 B2MysteryThe Hampstead MysteryA mysterious letter claims Sir Horace Fewbanks was shot dead in his library, but everyone insists he was away in Scotland.
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 B2ClassicsThe Hallowell PartnershipConfined by illness and restless, Marian watches her brother Roderick grapple with a life-changing job offer that could lift them from their gloomy existence.
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.
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.