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 C1RomanceHildebrand; or, The Days of Queen Elizabeth, An Historic Romance, Vol. 3 of 3In the turbulent days of Queen Elizabeth, Abigail stealthily navigates a household steeped in oppression and intrigue, where tyranny crushes the innocent and fortunes turn with sud…
Level C1RomanceHildebrand; or, The Days of Queen Elizabeth, An Historic Romance, Vol. 2 of 3Amidst the trials of Elizabethan England, Evaline de Neville faces heartbreak and uncertainty when her father is imprisoned and her protector, Hildebrand, is out of reach.
Level C1RomanceHildebrand; or, The Days of Queen Elizabeth, An Historic Romance, Vol. 1 of 3A seasoned horseman journeys through the rugged Devonshire countryside during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, drawn into mystery by a sudden pistol shot and a scream.
Level C1ClassicsHilda: A Story of CalcuttaIn the vibrant streets of Calcutta, two women from contrasting worlds confront faith, identity, and societal expectations—one draped in luxury, the other barefoot and devoted to a…
Level B2Children'sHilda's Mascot: A Tale of "Maryland, My Maryland"Two children, Jerusha and Horace, face the harsh reality of an orphan asylum after leaving their ailing mother’s care, where Jerusha’s pride in her fine clothes clashes with the st…
Level C1HistoricalHilda's Home: A Story of Woman's EmancipationIn a time of social upheaval, a young woman challenges traditional roles to seek freedom and equality within the home and society.
Level C1MysteryHilda Wade, a Woman with Tenacity of PurposeIn a revolutionary hospital led by the brilliant Professor Sebastian, Hilda Wade pursues nursing not only for science but driven by a deeper purpose.
Level B2ClassicsHilda Strafford: A California StoryAs Robert Strafford awaits his fiancée's arrival at his isolated Southern California ranch, he wrestles with doubts about whether this rugged land can truly welcome her or if its h…
Level C1ClassicsHilda LesswaysTrapped in a stifling domestic life with her indifferent mother, young Hilda yearns for something more but cannot name it—her restless spirit clings to forbidden poetry and dreams…
Level C1PoetryHilaria. The Festive BoardExplore the joyous fusion of love and wine as this poetic collection celebrates the pleasures of conviviality, laughter, and spirited gatherings—inviting readers to savor the essen…
Level C1HistoricalHilaire Belloc, the man and his workDive into the complex life of a passionate English thinker whose fierce love for his country clashes with his disdain for its imperial ambitions, revealing a man who challenges pre…
Level B2AdventureHiking Westward: Being the Story of Two Boys Whose Ambition Led Them to Face Privations and Hardships in Their Quest of a Home in the Great WestTwo determined brothers leave their city life behind to claim a homestead in the untamed West, facing hardship and hardship with grit and hope to secure a future for their ailing m…
Level B2AdventureHike and the aeroplaneTwo adventurous boys navigate treacherous canyons and unexpected dangers on horseback along the California coast, testing their courage and friendship as they face thrilling challe…
Level C1HistoricalHighways of Canadian LiteratureExplore the evolving story of Canadian literature, tracing its roots from the 18th century and revealing how poets and prose writers shaped a unique national identity.
Level B2AdventureHighway Pirates; or, The Secret Place at CoverthorneTwo rival schoolboy tribes, the daring Foxes and the ruthless Eagles, clash in secret woods where adventure and danger lurk at every turn.
Level C1RomanceHigh Noon: A New Sequel to 'Three Weeks'Haunted by loss yet driven by duty, a distinguished Englishman returns to the Swiss springtime of his youth to seek solace and strength before embracing a future with a new love.
Level B2Science FictionHigh ManCaught in a whirlwind of suspicion and silence, a man becomes entangled with a renegade professor whose anti-gravity belt promises to defy the limits of Earth—and launch them into…
Level C1ClassicsHigh Life in New York: A series of letters to Mr. Zephariah Slick, Justice of the Peace, and Deacon of the church over to Weathersfield in the state of ConnecticutA sharp-witted countryman writes humorous letters describing his adventures and misadventures navigating the bustling, flashy society of New York City, contrasting rustic simplicit…
Level C1HistoricalHieroglyphicsIn a shadowed London retreat, a reclusive hermit shares mystical philosophies and esoteric secrets with a curious visitor, revealing a world where ancient wisdom and unseen visions…
Level C1FantasyHieroglyphic TalesIn an age obsessed with fleeting tales, an ancient collection of Hieroglyphic Tales emerges, promising timeless wisdom and deep learning preserved through mysterious oral tradition…
Level C1PhilosophyHieroA poet visits Hiero, a tyrant turned monarch, to explore the true nature of despotic life versus that of ordinary citizens, uncovering surprising insights into the pleasures and pa…
Level C1ClassicsHide and SeekOn a bleak November Sunday in London, a young boy named Zack and his devoted page navigate a world shrouded in fog and mystery.
Level B2Children'sHidden seedA determined fifteen-year-old girl resolves to become a missionary and wrestles with her mother’s expectations of music lessons and household duties.
Level B2AdventureHidden gunsTrapped by relentless snow in a remote wilderness cabin, two trappers battle isolation and mounting tensions as they struggle to survive the harsh winter and the strain of their un…
Level C1AdventureHidden WaterIn a rain-swept Arizona frontier town, a mysterious, scholarly stranger stands apart from rough cowmen and prospectors, challenging their rough camaraderie with his quiet defiance…
Level B2ClassicsHidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm PayA young chore boy surveys a once-thriving Pennsylvania farm now fallen into neglect, sparking a journey to revive its fortunes with modern farming methods and labor-saving innovati…
Level B2ClassicsHidden HandIn a remote Virginia mansion surrounded by wild, stormy landscapes, Major Ira Warfield—known as Old Hurricane—lives a solitary, tempestuous life shadowed by dark family secrets and…
Level B2MysteryHidden Foes; Or, A Fatal MiscalculationA man is found mysteriously dead in a quiet corridor, with no sign of violence or struggle.
Level B2AdventureHidden CountryAn uninspired literary secretary escapes city life to join a mysterious Arctic expedition, only to encounter fierce rivalries and shadowy secrets in the icy north.
Level C1ClassicsHey Rub-a-dub-dub: A Book of the Mystery and Wonder and Terror of LifeA struggling scrivener lives on the gritty outskirts of New York, wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and conflicting ideas about life, faith, and society while observing the vibra…
Level A2Children'sHey Diddle Diddle and Baby Bunting: R. Caldecott's Picture BooksDelight in whimsical nursery rhymes where playful animals leap over the moon and a baby's cozy adventures begin with a father's thoughtful gift.
Level C1FantasyHeu-Heu, or The monsterDeep in the African wilderness, a seasoned hunter and his loyal servant uncover a terrifying monster-god worshipped by natives, sparking a tale of prehistoric beasts and ancient my…
Level B2Children'sHetty's garden-party, and what came of itWhen cousins Lettice and Harry come to visit, young Hetty is determined to host a grand garden-party to impress her friends—despite her family's modest means and the challenges tha…
Level B2ClassicsHetty's Strange HistoryHetty Gunn inherits a vast farm and a legacy of resilience from her indomitable grandfather, facing the loneliness and expectations of a woman alone in a man's world.
Level C1HistoricalHetty WesleyA hardened merchant, having spent decades amassing fortune in colonial India, prepares to leave Surat and confronts the shadows of his past amid the bustling, treacherous world of…
Level B2Children'sHetty Gray;In a charming English village, curious four-year-old Hetty Gray explores the world with wide-eyed wonder, from the fiery forge to fluttering butterflies, as she navigates childhood…
Level C1RomanceHester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 3 (of 3)In a world where business and love intertwine, Hester navigates the complexities of relationships, societal expectations, and personal desires, questioning the meaning of life beyo…
Level C1RomanceHester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 2 (of 3)Tensions rise as a charming young man returns to his distant relatives in the countryside, stirring old family loyalties and doubts about duty, love, and the ties that bind across…
Level C1RomanceHester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 1 (of 3)In a banking dynasty famed for its unshakable stability, the younger generation faces family strife, broken promises, and the weight of legacy as fortunes and hearts hang in the ba…
Level B2Children'sHester's Counterpart: A Story of Boarding School LifeAt the brink of boarding school life, Hester faces a reluctant farewell to home and the woman who raised her with love and firm resolve.
Level C1RomanceHesperus; or, Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days: A Biography. Vol. II.In a world where love, fate, and identity intertwine, Victor navigates complex relationships and hidden truths beneath the surface of everyday life.
Level C1ClassicsHesperus; or, Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days: A Biography. Vol. I.A quirky and profound tale unfolds over forty-five dog-post-days, blending wit, wisdom, and odd fancies to capture the heart and mind with reflections on life, society, and the hum…
Level A2PoetryHesperus: and Other Poems and LyricsExplore a collection of heartfelt poems and lyrics that journey through faith, hope, and the mysteries of life, inviting readers to embrace the sacred fires of music and the gifts…
Level C1ClassicsHesper, the Home-Spirit: A simple story of household labor and loveIn a quiet farmhouse nestled among the hills, Aunt Nyna endures the humble trials of daily life with steadfast love and patience, while a long-awaited letter stirs hope and emotion…
Level C1PoetryHesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and HomericaExplore the origins and evolution of early Greek epic poetry, tracing the transition from heroic romantic tales to practical, moral, and genealogical themes, revealing the lasting…
Level B2AdventureHervey WillettsA fearless but rebellious scout, Hervey Willetts blazes his own trail at Temple Camp, charming everyone despite constant trouble and expulsion.
Level B2HistoricalHeroines of the Modern StageExplore the captivating lives of groundbreaking actresses who transformed the modern stage, from Sarah Bernhardt’s extraordinary rise amid personal turmoil to the vibrant careers o…
Level B2HistoricalHeroines That Every Child Should Know: Tales for Young People of the World's Heroines of All AgesDiscover stories of courageous women whose strength and sacrifice stand beside history’s greatest heroes, revealing the quiet heroism that shapes nations and inspires generations t…
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.