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 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 B2ClassicsThe Half-BrothersA young widow struggles to keep her family afloat amid loss and hardship on a failing farm, until a wealthy farmer offers hope through an unexpected proposal.
Level B2Children'sThe Half-Back: A Story of School, Football, and GolfAt Hillton Academy, a rough newcomer from the countryside dares to challenge seasoned football players, sparking rivalry and curiosity on the school’s bustling gridiron.
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 C2PoetryThe Habitant and Other French-Canadian PoemsStep into the vibrant world of French-Canadian villagers, portrayed with warmth and authenticity through poetic tales that capture their simple joys, heartfelt dreams, and enduring…
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 B2HistoricalThe Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western CampaignAmid the chaos of a crushing defeat, young Northern soldier Dick Mason grapples with despair as his army retreats, setting the stage for a gripping tale of courage and conflict in…
Level B2AdventureThe Guns of EuropeAmid the looming chaos of Europe’s great war, a young American traveler contemplates art and humanity, witnessing the stirring moments that ignite a global conflict.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Bull Run: A Story of the Civil War's EveAs winter snow blankets a Kentucky town on the eve of the Civil War, two cousins—one destined to fight for the South, the other for the North—face divided loyalties amid the brewin…
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 B2AdventureThe Gun Club boys of LakeportTwo brothers venture through a fierce snowstorm in the wilderness surrounding Lakeport, uncovering family secrets and facing challenges that test their courage and resourcefulness…
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 B2AdventureThe Guide of the DesertCaptured by Patagonians and stripped of all hope, a young harpooner endures fourteen grueling months in the wild steppes of Patagonia.
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…
Level C1AdventureThe Guerilla Chief, and Other TalesAmidst the fierce aftermath of the Battle of Cerro Gordo, a lone soldier reflects on missed glory and the relentless chase of elusive enemies, offering a gripping glimpse into war’…
Level B2Children'sThe GuardsmanOn a misty Halloween night, a group of boys in Fairweather plot a mischievous prank against a cobbler selling flea-ridden puppies, sparking a secret adventure filled with youthful…
Level C1HistoricalThe Guards Came Through, and Other PoemsExperience the vivid pulse of wartime through stirring poems that capture the courage, humor, and resilience of soldiers and civilians amid the tumult of World War I.
Level C1ClassicsThe Guardian AngelExplore the haunting legacy of inherited traits and moral struggles as Myrtle Hazard confronts the echoes of her ancestors' flaws, weaving a tale that probes the limits of human re…
Level C1RomanceThe Guarded HeightsA skilled horseman from a struggling family becomes the trusted companion of a proud heiress, sparking a restless longing that challenges social boundaries and ignites a passionate…
Level C1ClassicsThe Growth of a SoulAmid the spirited and unruly world of university life in Upsala, a young student named John confronts the harsh realities of competition, social divides, and ambition while strivin…
Level C1HistoricalThe Group: A FarceIn the heat of the American Revolution, sharp wit and satire become weapons on stage as a bold playwright challenges British loyalists and mocks well-known figures of Boston societ…
Level C1Children'sThe Ground-AshIn the wild woods of Hampshire, two spirited children, Harry and Bessy Leigh, live a humble but hopeful life amid nature’s beauty and hardship.
Level A2Children'sThe Grocery Man And Peck's Bad Boy: Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa, No. 2 - 1883Mischief and mayhem abound as a crafty boy and his hapless pa navigate hilarious pranks, family squabbles, and small-town antics.
Level B2RomanceThe Grip of Honor: A Story of Paul Jones and the American RevolutionAmidst the stormy seas of the American Revolution, a daring captain and his loyal lieutenant chase a mysterious merchant ship near treacherous reefs, their pursuit fueled by honor,…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grip of Desire: The Story of a Parish-PriestA parish priest grapples with desire and faith in a quiet village, challenging traditional morals with his unconventional beliefs about work, prayer, and goodness.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grim Smile of the Five TownsIn the industrial heartland of the Five Towns, a young man’s devotion to his frail half-brother leads to a tragic accident that unravels their lives and exposes the harsh realities…
Level C1MysteryThe Grim HouseA family uproots their settled life to seek health and renewal at distant spas, but beneath the surface of their travels and changing seasons, deeper tensions and mysteries begin t…
Level C1FantasyThe Greylock: A Fairy TaleIn a land of ruins and mystery, a valiant knight discovers a beautiful woman bound by chains and trapped by a fierce spirit demanding her hand in marriage.
Level B2AdventureThe Greycliff Girls in CampA group of adventurous girls set off on a thrilling summer journey through Niagara, Toronto, and the White Mountains, guided by their English teacher, before arriving at a Maine ca…
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Woman and other TalesAt a quiet mill by the Neckar River, a storm brings unexpected guests into the miller’s home, revealing a family rich in history and mystery.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey Wig: Stories and NovelettesTwo aging women, Madame Valière and Madame Dépine, coexist in a cramped Parisian hotel, bound by shared history yet divided by silence and rivalry.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey MonkOn a stormy October night, a proud baronet wrestles with the shame of his eldest son's reckless gambling and estrangement, while rare coins and family legacies cast long shadows ov…
Level B2HistoricalThe Grey ManIn a land torn by clan rivalries, a father and son navigate the fiery siege of Ardstinchar Castle, caught between fierce factions and deadly suspicion.
Level C1ClassicsThe Grey LadyTwo brothers bound by a seafaring legacy face a devastating blow when one fails the naval exam, shattering their shared dreams of life on the ocean wave.
Level C1Children'sThe Grey Fairy BookJourney through a magical world of enchanted dresses, clever escapes, and timeless fairy tales from across the globe.
Level B2RomanceThe Grey CloakIn the shadowy streets of Paris, a masked man in a grey cloak embarks on a perilous quest to steal a secret paper that could save his life and fortune, weaving intrigue, danger, an…
Level C1PoetryThe Grey Brethren, and Other Fragments in Prose and VerseStep into a serene Quaker colony where quiet devotion and gentle spirits shape a world of peace and reflection, seen through the eyes of a child discovering faith, resilience, and…
Level B2MysteryThe Grell MysteryOn a stormy London night, Robert Grell, a worldly diplomat and newly engaged man, prepares a priceless pearl necklace gift for his bride-to-be, unaware that danger may be lurking c…
Level C1MysteryThe Greene murder caseA baffling double murder grips the nation, shrouded in secrecy and impossible to solve by ordinary means.
Level B2MysteryThe Green RustA dying millionaire entrusts a lawyer with a secret mission to protect a lost heiress from dangerous suitors and uncover her true identity amid a web of deceit and international in…
Level C1ClassicsThe Green Mirror: A Quiet StoryIn a fog-shrouded London square steeped in history and quiet tradition, the steady, unchanging life within an old house unfolds against the backdrop of a city on the brink of trans…
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.