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 C1HistoricalIdle Hours in a LibraryExplore the vibrant daily life and social customs of Elizabethan London through lively essays that reveal the era’s literature, culture, and early English novels, offering a captiv…
Level C1PoetryIdle Hour StoriesCaught in a fierce storm at a remote train station, a weary station-master faces eerie isolation and a mysterious coffin that seems to demand his watchful attention—setting the sta…
Level C1PhilosophyIdeas of Good and EvilExplore the quest to create a truly Irish poetic style that captures the spirit and stories of the people beyond politics and imitation.
Level B2ClassicsIdealia, a Utopian Dream; or, ResthavenA chance visit to a serene country hamlet reveals a hidden utopia where nature and thoughtful design invite rest and reflection.
Level C1ClassicsIdealaA mysterious woman quietly enters a community, bringing a mix of charm and contradictions that captivate those around her.
Level B2Children'sIda's new shoesA lively little girl named Ida struggles with her temper while showing off her new shoes, all under the watchful eyes of her ailing mother and caring family.
Level C1Children'sIda NicolariIn a Chelsea artist’s studio, young Ida Nicolari embodies the grace and beauty of the mythic Psyche as her father, a dedicated sculptor, balances his passion for art with the chall…
Level C1HistoricalIconoclasts: A Book of Dramatists: Ibsen, Strindberg, Becque, Hauptmann, Sudermann, Hervieu, Gorky, Duse and D'Annunzio, Maeterlinck and Bernard ShawExplore the intense soul struggles and moral dilemmas within the intimate settings of Henrik Ibsen’s dramas, where the human spirit battles doubt, wrath, and hope in a world poised…
Level C1HistoricalIberia Won; A poem descriptive of the Peninsular War: With impressions from recent visits to the battle-grounds, and copious historical and illustrative notesImmerse yourself in vivid poetic reflections and firsthand accounts of the Peninsular War, tracing the relentless British campaign across Spain and Portugal’s battlefields.
Level B2ClassicsI.N.R.I.: A prisoner's Story of the CrossIn a city gripped by fear and unrest, a condemned prisoner awaits his fate amid a crowd divided by judgment and sympathy.
Level C1HistoricalI. Beówulf: an Anglo-Saxon poem. II. The fight at Finnsburh: a fragment.Dive into the heroic world of Beowulf, where ancient battles and legendary feats shape the fate of kingdoms.
Level C1PoetryI. Beowulf: an Anglo-Saxon poem. II. The fight at Finnsburh: a fragment.Dive into the epic world of heroic deeds and ancient battles as warriors confront monsters and fate in a timeless Anglo-Saxon saga, enriched with detailed scholarly notes and lingu…
Level C1RomanceI, Thou, and the Other One: A Love StoryIn the rugged hills of Yorkshire, a spirited wrestling match between a proud squire and a mysterious stranger sparks a clash of tradition and revolutionary ideas, setting the stage…
Level C2ClassicsI, Mary MacLane: A Diary of Human DaysA fiercely introspective diary delves into the restless mind of a woman confronting her complex, contradictory self amid solitude and societal estrangement.
Level B2ClassicsI've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of SuccessTwo brothers wrestle with the challenge of turning their bountiful harvest into profit in a struggling rural town.
Level C1HistoricalI will repayIn pre-revolutionary Paris, a heated insult over a scandalous beauty sparks a dangerous duel between aristocrats, revealing fierce passions, fragile honor, and the precarious socia…
Level C1ClassicsI and My ChimneyAn aging homeowner shares a whimsical and affectionate portrait of his grand, domineering chimney, revealing how this towering fixture shapes every corner of his house and life.
Level C1HistoricalI Will MaintainIn a turbulent Dutch Republic, a steadfast statesman grapples with guiding the young Prince whose future could alter the fate of the nation, navigating political intrigue, loyalty,…
Level B2MysteryI SpyAmid the looming threat of German espionage during World War I, a young British officer grapples with loyalty, love, and the shadows of secret plots that could topple England from…
Level C1ClassicsI Saw Three Ships and Other Winter TalesIn a stormy Christmas morning in a remote parish, the church congregation wrestles with tradition, fatigue, and festive spirits, while young Zeb Minards faces the weight of family…
Level C1ClassicsI PoseA young gardener in London, caught between dreams and reality, navigates the quirks of life and love with a mix of awkward charm and thoughtful imagination.
Level C1FantasyHypolympia; Or, The Gods in the Island, an Ironic FantasyAncient Greek gods find themselves exiled to a remote Northern European island in the early twentieth century, grappling with mortality, lost power, and a strange new world far fro…
Level C2RomanceHypnerotomachia: The Strife of Loue in a DreameIn a dreamlike journey through a mysterious, enchanted landscape, a solitary traveler confronts the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and the vanities of life, guided by vivid v…
Level C1ClassicsHyperionHaunted by sorrow and loss, a young man wanders the misty banks of the Rhine, seeking solace amidst ancient castles, legends, and the silent whispers of the past that echo along th…
Level C1HistoricalHypatia — or New Foes with an Old FaceAmid the turbulent fifth century, the Christian Church rises against the decadent Roman Empire’s tyranny, igniting a fierce battle of faith, power, and morality that will reshape t…
Level C1PoetryHymns, Songs, and Fables, for Young PeopleDelight in a collection of hymns, songs, and fables crafted to inspire and entertain children, blending joyous and thoughtful themes that nurture young minds with lessons of faith,…
Level C1ClassicsHymns in the Chinook Jargon LanguageExplore a collection of hymns crafted in Chinook Jargon and related indigenous languages, designed for oral memorization and sung to familiar tunes, reflecting Christian teachings…
Level B2PoetryHymns and PoemsExplore heartfelt hymns and poems that offer comfort and hope to the weary and humble, weaving sacred themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and faith into verses meant to uplift every…
Level C1HistoricalHyacinthIn mid-19th century Connemara, a devoted young convert returns as a Protestant rector to spread a new faith among Irish Catholics, facing resistance, fading enthusiasm, and the com…
Level C1ClassicsHusksOn a relentless rainy day in a respectable New York neighborhood, a drenched, impoverished girl selling matches finds unexpected refuge in a young lady’s home, exposing the stark c…
Level C1MysteryHushed Up! A Mystery of LondonA man lives quietly in a quaint English village, shielding dark secrets tied to a mysterious death masked as natural causes.
Level C1RomanceHurricane IslandA disillusioned doctor trapped in London's grim East End finds escape in the mysteries of the bustling river and the arrival of a secretive steam-yacht, promising a chance to break…
Level C1RomanceHurricane HurryBorn to a seafaring fate, a young sailor embarks on perilous voyages across the seas, facing duels, war, and shipwrecks while forging unbreakable bonds and chasing adventure on the…
Level B2AdventureHurrah for New England!: Or, The Virginia Boy's VacationA reluctant Virginian sets sail on a rugged New England fishing schooner to cure his health, accompanied by his adventurous cousin who discovers the charm and independence of coast…
Level C1ClassicsHurlothrumboIn a world where pride sparks rebellion and kings reign among the stars, a tangled web of love, power, and supernatural forces unfolds.
Level C1AdventureHuntingtowerIn wartime Russia, a young woman of striking beauty embarks on nursing at the Alexander Hospital, while shadows gather in the marble halls of Nirski Palace—where secrets and danger…
Level B2AdventureHunting the Skipper: The Cruise of the "Seafowl" SloopTwo young midshipmen aboard H.
Level C1AdventureHunting the LionsTom Brown, a settler’s son from Cape Town, embarks on daring adventures into Africa’s wild interior, driven by an irresistible urge to explore unknown lands and encounter the untam…
Level B1MysteryHunting for hidden goldTwo brothers dream of joining their detective father on a thrilling case involving stolen gold hidden deep in a Montana mining camp.
Level C1ClassicsHunting SketchesExplore the paradox of men who chase the thrill of the hunt yet find no joy in it, revealing the quirks, struggles, and subtle pleasures of a pastime pursued more from tradition th…
Level B2Children'sHunter's MarjoryA lonely girl burdened by secrets and denial finds an unexpected friendship in new neighbors who offer kindness and understanding.
Level B2AdventureHunter Quatermain's StoryWhen a mysterious treasure of diamonds hidden deep in Africa sparks curiosity and envy, the legendary hunter Allan Quatermain arrives with tales of danger, survival, and adventure…
Level C1AdventureHunted and HarriedA determined troop of dragoons hunts a mysterious man rumored to aid rebels, navigating rugged Scottish moors and treacherous paths.
Level C1MysteryHunted Down: The Detective Stories of Charles DickensIn a life assurance office where faces reveal hidden truths, a shrewd manager observes a mysterious, impeccably dressed stranger whose polished manners mask something sinister.
Level C1ClassicsHungerA young man wanders the streets of Kristiania, battling starvation and isolation while grappling with his pride and desperation.
Level C1HistoricalHung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book IIIn a world where dreams blur with reality, a young maid navigates the intrigues and secret desires of a grand household, while a brooding nobleman wrestles with his feelings and th…
Level C1HistoricalHung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book IIn a world where dreams and visions intertwine with reality, a mystical stone with hidden powers embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption, revealing the profound stori…
Level B1Children'sHumpty Dumpty's Little SonAfter his father’s great fall, Little Dumpty navigates school, friendship, and a bustling household filled with pets and surprises.
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.