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 C1HistoricalHenry of Guise; or, The States of Blois (Vol. 3 of 3)In a Parisian convent where worldly pleasures and strict devotion collide, Marie de Clairvaut wrestles with confinement, forbidden love, and political intrigue as the city teeters…
Level C1HistoricalHenry of Guise; or, The States of Blois (Vol. 2 of 3)Amidst the tense atmosphere of a small town inn, the Duke of Guise and his companions face imminent danger from enemy troops as they strategize their escape with dwindling forces a…
Level C1HistoricalHenry of Guise; or, The States of Blois (Vol. 1 of 3)Amidst the turbulent backdrop of 16th-century France, a bold and ambitious Duke faces a fateful choice on the day of the barricades—seize the crown or uphold his restraint—while po…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Wadsworth LongfellowExplore the remarkable life and enduring influence of a beloved American poet whose works crossed continents and languages, shaping the landscape of native literature and touching…
Level B2HistoricalHenry VIII and His Court: A Historical NovelIn 1543, Catharine Parr becomes King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, stepping into a world of opulent ceremonies and perilous court intrigues where a single misstep could mean ruin or dea…
Level C1HistoricalHenry Smeaton: A Jacobite Story of the Reign of George the First.In 1715 London, a mysterious man loiters by St.
Level C1ClassicsHenry NorthcoteIn a chilly, dilapidated garret on Fleet Street, struggling lawyer Henry Northcote faces starvation and despair—until a mysterious, ragged stranger named Iggs appears, bringing an…
Level C1ClassicsHenry James, Jr.Explore the life and literary rise of Henry James, tracing his transatlantic upbringing, early works, and the unique blend of vivid expression and dispassionate analysis that defin…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Is Twenty: A Further Episodic History of Henry Calverly, 3rdAt twenty, Henry Calverly wrestles with his vanity, self-doubt, and complicated loves in a small Illinois town, navigating the messy, unheroic journey toward adulthood with a touch…
Level C1ClassicsHenry GallyExplore the origins and evolution of character-writing through a critical examination of Theophrastus’ moral sketches, revealing how vivid, concise portraits capture human vices an…
Level C1ClassicsHenry Fielding: a Memoir: Including Newly Discovered Letters and Records with Illustrations from Contemporary PrintsExplore the life of Henry Fielding through newly uncovered letters, documents, and contemporary prints that reveal his personal struggles, social activism, and career as a London m…
Level C1HistoricalHenry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four GeorgesIn a richly layered narrative, a reflective and melancholy gentleman navigates love, honor, and society with a keen humor that reveals the complexities of humanity.
Level B2ClassicsHenry Dunbar: A NovelIn the shadows of a vast London banking empire, Henry Dunbar returns after decades in exile, bearing a scandalous past that could shatter his inherited fortune and reputation.
Level C1ClassicsHenry D. ThoreauExplore the intimate life and profound intellect of Henry D.
Level C1ClassicsHenrik IbsenExplore the life and artistic journey of a groundbreaking playwright whose Norwegian roots and European influences shaped modern drama.
Level C1ClassicsHenrietta's Wish; Or, DomineeringTwin siblings reunited after school face family tensions and hopes of moving closer to home, where attachments run deep but life feels stagnant—will Henrietta's wish bring change t…
Level C1RomanceHenrietta Temple: A Love StoryTorn between duty and desire, Captain Armine navigates family intrigues and unexpected encounters as he pursues a tender romance with Henrietta Temple.
Level C1AdventureHendricks the Hunter; Or, The Border Farm: A Tale of ZululandIn the untamed landscapes of Zululand, a daring trader leads a rugged expedition through wild valleys and roaring rivers, navigating dangers both natural and human while transporti…
Level C1HistoricalHelps to Latin Translation at SightMaster the art of translating unseen Latin passages with guided demonstrations and historically rich extracts, designed to build both language skills and knowledge of Roman Republi…
Level B2Children'sHelps and hints for Hallowe'enStep into a world of magical Halloween traditions with festive party ideas, spooky games, and ancient customs that bring witches, fairies, and fortune-telling to life.
Level B2HistoricalHelping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's AmbitionA minister’s son faces crushing debt and family hardship, compelling him to seek work and forge his own path in 1857 New York.
Level C1HistoricalHelon's Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Volume 2 (of 2): A picture of Judaism, in the century which preceded the advent of our Savior.Amid the fading echoes of Passover, Helon wrestles with melancholy and a deep yearning for spiritual purpose in Jerusalem.
Level C1HistoricalHelon's Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Volume 1 (of 2): A picture of Judaism, in the century which preceded the advent of our Savior.A young Alexandrian Jew returns to Jerusalem in 109 BCE, embracing his ancestral faith amid the city's religious festivals and political shifts.
Level B2HistoricalHello, Boys!Poignant verses capture the spirit and sacrifice of soldiers and sailors during the Great War, offering heartfelt tributes from the battlefields and camps of France to the shores o…
Level C1HistoricalHellenicaAmidst the turbulent waters of the Hellespont during 411 B.
Level C1ClassicsHell Fer Sartain and Other StoriesIn the rugged Kentucky hills, fiery rivalries and raw mountain life collide during a tense Christmas dance, where moonshine, love, and deadly grudges intertwine.
Level C1RomanceHelena's PathA rebellious aristocrat, dismissed from every institution and living a life of chaotic adventure, must now return home to assume his inherited responsibilities—challenging society'…
Level C1ClassicsHelena Brett's CareerA successful author struggles with family tensions and the pressures of marriage while navigating the complexities of his career and personal life, revealing the unromantic realiti…
Level C1RomanceHelenaAmidst post-war restlessness and fading aristocratic pride, a naval officer returns to his ancestral estate, wrestling with duty, change, and the uncertain future that Helena’s arr…
Level B2ClassicsHelen's BabiesA bachelor is roped into babysitting his sister's two mischievous boys for a fortnight at a country estate, where their impish antics and lively personalities promise unexpected ch…
Level C1ClassicsHelen with the High Hand (2nd ed.)In the industrial heart of the Five Towns, where human nature is as tough as stone, the creation of a town park sparks rare moments of beauty and romance.
Level B2ClassicsHelen of the Old HouseIn an industrial town dominated by one powerful mill and its enigmatic owner, a stark divide separates wealth from hardship as two neglected children navigate the dusty streets ben…
Level C2PoetryHelen of Troy, and Other PoemsHaunted by beauty and divine wrath, Helen of Troy reflects on her eternal legacy of desire and destruction, trapped between life’s allure and the shadow of death.
Level C1PoetryHelen of TroyIn the grand halls of Lacedaemon, a mysterious prince arrives bearing gifts and tales of distant lands, stirring curiosity and fate alike.
Level B2Children'sHelen in the Editor's ChairIn a small town where Thursday means press day, young Helen steps into her family’s newspaper office to help with the weekly edition—but when her father falls ill, she must take ch…
Level B2Children'sHelen and Arthur; or, Miss Thusa's Spinning WheelYoung Helen and Arthur embark on a charming journey filled with vivid Southern scenery and heartfelt lessons, guided by the enigmatic Miss Thusa’s spinning wheel.
Level C1MysteryHelen Vardon's confessionA woman recalls the moment her peaceful life shattered when she overhears a conversation revealing her father's potential criminal liability, setting her on a path through secrets…
Level C2PoetryHelen Redeemed and Other PoemsStep into the twilight of Troy’s tenth year, where Helen’s women confront fate amid incense and whispers to Aphrodite, weaving epic drama and lyrical passion in a powerful poetic r…
Level B2Children'sHelen Grant's SchooldaysAt Hope Center, fourteen-year-old Helen Grant navigates the challenges of schooldays, family secrets, and a yearning for belonging while surrounded by lively community traditions a…
Level C1Children'sHelen FordIn a bustling boarding house filled with working-class residents, a determined young girl leads her ailing father in search of a humble room, revealing themes of resilience and soc…
Level B2ClassicsHeld to Answer: A NovelIn a bustling Los Angeles office, John, an awkward yet earnest stenographer, struggles against ridicule and stagnation as he clings to his dreams of acting and a life beyond the gr…
Level C1ClassicsHeld for Orders: Being Stories of Railroad LifeIn a rough cattle town where railroad workers face constant danger from hostile cowboys, Callahan struggles to keep the yard running amid sabotage and violence.
Level C1AdventureHeld by Chinese BrigandsIn the mysterious and treacherous lands beyond Hong-Kong, a daring American adventurer confronts ruthless Chinese brigands who defy law and order.
Level C1AdventureHeld Fast For England: A Tale of the Siege of Gibraltar (1779-83)Amid the relentless Siege of Gibraltar, mischievous yet plucky Bob Repton faces schoolyard battles and harsh discipline, embodying youthful defiance against a backdrop of historic…
Level C1ClassicsHelbeck of Bannisdale — Volume IIAmid the fiery chaos of a factory accident, a young woman named Laura steps into the heart of a desperate community, confronting the raw human cost and social tensions ignited by t…
Level C1ClassicsHelbeck of Bannisdale — Volume IAmid the brooding marshlands and rising hills of a border country, Alan Helbeck returns home, contemplating the tensions surrounding his household and an anticipated visit from his…
Level C2HistoricalHeimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of NorwayJourney through the Viking Age with sagas of Norway’s kings, from Halfdan the Black to Magnus Erlingson, revealing battles, alliances, and the clash of pagan and Christian worlds.
Level B2Children'sHeimatlos: Two stories for children, and for those who love childrenIn a quiet mountain village, young Rico finds solace in music and his father's rare visits, while navigating the loneliness of home and the challenges of growing up.
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.