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 C1RomanceHe Fell in Love with His WifeA solitary farmer battles despair and dwindling hope after losing his devoted wife, facing the harsh elements and the unforgiving realities of life on his rugged, inherited land.
Level C1FantasyHeAn unexpected mummy case arrives with a mysterious letter, plunging the narrator into a tale of ancient secrets and a thrilling quest to Treasure Island where hidden fortunes and d…
Level C1HistoricalHazlitt on English Literature: An Introduction to the Appreciation of LiteratureExplore the passionate and incisive critiques of English literature from the Elizabethan era to the Romantic age, revealing intimate insights into great writers and the cultural ti…
Level C1Children'sHazelhurstIn a grand estate known for its powerful voices and proud lineage, the arrival of a mysteriously different child challenges the Le Mesurier family’s traditions and secrets.
Level B1AdventureHazel Squirrel and Other StoriesTwo city squirrels, Hazel and Bushy-Tail, embark on a playful adventure through the park in search of a magical tree bearing every kind of nut.
Level B2Children'sHazelRain keeps Hazel indoors, nursing a cold and longing for the simple joys of childhood outside her narrow Boston apartment.
Level B2HistoricalHayslope Grange: A Tale of the Civil WarIn the shadow of England’s Civil War, a young man returns to his ancestral home, Hayslope Grange, where family loyalty, secret tensions, and the turmoil of divided loyalties threat…
Level B2RomanceHawtrey's DeputyIn a rugged Western Canadian settlement, spirited settlers gather in a barn warmed by fire and fiddle tunes, where Gregory Hawtrey’s boyish charm lights up the harsh prairie life—s…
Level C1ClassicsHawthorne: (English Men of Letters Series)Explore the quiet life and subtle genius of a writer rooted deeply in New England’s landscape and society, whose modest yet profound works reveal the complex moral and cultural fab…
Level C1ClassicsHawthorne and His CircleBorn into the radiant circle of his father’s illustrious friendships, a son reflects on the priceless legacy of genius, integrity, and human kindness that shaped his life amid the…
Level C2PoetryHawthorn and Lavender, with Other VersesExplore a vivid tapestry of nature’s cycles and human emotions, where rich imagery and poignant harmonies reveal the clash between life's fleeting joys and the shadow of despair, a…
Level C1ClassicsHaworth'sIn a gritty foundry town, a determined man rises from a starving runaway boy to a powerful ironworks owner, ready to reshape his world and confront the challenges of leadership wit…
Level C1RomanceHawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees.: A Tale of the Delaware Valley and Historical Romance of 1690.Perched atop Hawk’s Nest Mountain, a breathtaking panorama of the Delaware Valley unfolds, where ancient mysteries and natural wonders intertwine.
Level B2MysteryHawaiian Sea Hunt MysteryIn the lush setting of a Hawaiian hotel, a mysterious man silently intrudes, while distant phone calls hint at hidden dangers and secretive plots involving the Brewster family.
Level C1MysteryHavocAs crowned heads convene in a palace shrouded with secrets, a journalist and a spy grapple with ominous whispers of war and political intrigue threatening to engulf Europe.
Level C1HistoricalHaviland's ChumAt Saint Kirwin’s, a new boy named Mpukuza—an African Zulu—faces prejudice and bullying but finds unexpected support from a determined prefect, challenging the school’s rigid socia…
Level C1AdventureHavelok the Dane: A Legend of Old Grimsby and LincolnA young prince, hidden in humble servitude, faces treacherous plots and ancient rivalries as he journeys toward reclaiming his rightful place.
Level C1FantasyHauntings: Fantastic StoriesIn a world where the supernatural lingers in the shadows of memory and imagination, eerie tales unfold beneath moonlit skies and ancient castles.
Level B2Children'sHatty and Marcus: or, First Steps in the Better PathAmid the joyful chaos of children eager to welcome their sister Hatty home, young Marcus learns the value of kindness and responsibility through everyday family adventures.
Level C1HistoricalHatsu: A Story of EgyptIn ancient Abydos, as King Tothmes the First lies dying, his daughter Hatsu faces a heartbreaking oath: to wed her brother, the future Pharaoh, to secure her survival in a palace f…
Level C1Children'sHathercourtIn the quiet, ancient Hathercourt Church, young Mary Western’s Sunday daydreams awaken the echoes of centuries-old lives and forgotten mysteries, blending history with the lively b…
Level C1HistoricalHatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue: A Tale of the Mississippi and the South-westIn 1848, a young Southern lawyer navigates the opulent yet morally complex world of New Orleans, where ambition, vice, and the shadow of slavery intertwine along the Mississippi Ri…
Level B2AdventureHaste and Waste; Or, the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain. A Story for Young PeopleA seasoned young pilot steers a lumber-laden sloop across Lake Champlain, bracing for an unexpected squall that threatens the voyage.
Level C1AdventureHassan; or, The Child of the Pyramid: An Egyptian TaleIn the shadow of the Egyptian pyramids, young Hassan, a strong and determined youth, faces bitter insults questioning his birthright, sparking fierce confrontations that challenge…
Level C1ClassicsHassan : the story of Hassan of Bagdad, and how he came to make the golden journey to Samarkand : a play in five actsIn old Baghdad, Hassan, a humble confectioner, finds himself hopelessly in love with a mysterious widow whose beauty haunts him, leading him to seek out magic and the help of a cun…
Level C1ClassicsHarvestAmid drought and war, two old laborers confront a changing countryside where women take the reins of farming and politics, challenging traditional roles and sparking new hopes and…
Level C1HistoricalHarvard episodesIn the heart of Harvard, a sophomore wrestles with the elusive social currents that define college life, seeking meaningful connection amid intellectual rigor and tradition.
Level C1HistoricalHarvard Stories: Sketches of the UndergraduateStep into the lively world of Harvard undergraduates, where camaraderie, sports rivalries, and timeless traditions shape the days of Jack, Holworthy, and their spirited friends.
Level C1ClassicsHarvard Classics Volume 28: Essays English and AmericanDive into a rich collection of English and American essays that explore the lives, humor, and human truths behind celebrated writers and their times, revealing the wit and wisdom s…
Level B2RomanceHarum Scarum's FortuneA spirited young woman faces the challenge of managing her unexpected inheritance while navigating society’s expectations and her own rebellious heart.
PoetryHarry's Ladder to LearningExplore a charming collection of illustrated lessons, nursery rhymes, and simple verses designed to introduce young learners to everyday objects, animals, and playful scenes, nurtu…
Level B2AdventureHarry's IslandThree schoolboy captains of athletic teams bask in the summer heat on Fox Island, eagerly awaiting a grand boat race and school graduation festivities along the Hudson River.
Level B2Children'sHarry Watson's High School Days; Or, The Rivals of RivertownA new student arrives at Rivertown High, ready to prove his mettle against the school bully's challenge.
Level C1HistoricalHarry MuirIn the bustling heart of Glasgow, a sharp-witted clerk named Harry Muir navigates social divides and office camaraderie, challenging the rigid class distinctions of 19th-century Sc…
Level B2AdventureHarry Milvaine; Or, The Wanderings of a Wayward BoyA restless boy with a vivid imagination turns rainy days into daring naval battles and forest adventures alongside his loyal dog, exploring the wild Scottish pine woods and the rus…
Level C1ClassicsHarry Joscelyn; vol. 3 of 3After a decade of quiet change, the once-troubled Joscelyn family faces new challenges and shifting roles within their rural estate, where time softens old wounds but stirs fresh t…
Level C1ClassicsHarry Joscelyn; vol. 2 of 3After being cast out by his family and denied support, a young man wrestles with anger and despair as he contemplates leaving everything behind to forge a new identity across the s…
Level C1ClassicsHarry Joscelyn; vol. 1 of 3Tensions simmer in the Joscelyn household as a father and son clash, while the anxious mother and calm daughter navigate their contrasting ways of coping.
Level B2ClassicsHarry Heathcote of Gangoil: A Tale of Australian Bush-LifeA young squatter in Queensland commands a vast sheep-run, facing the harsh Australian bush and the challenges of independence with unwavering determination.
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding—Messenger "45"A mischievous schoolboy faces punishment after a prank with a lifelike rubber snake lands him in trouble.
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding's Year of PromiseTwo friends spend a summer vacation filled with mischief, adventure, and meaningful stories that reveal the secret to happiness, inspiring them to make their year truly promising.
Level B2Children'sHarry Fenimore's PrinciplesIn a city where autumn's glow fades behind walls and pavements, young Hal Fenimore finds triumph and tension in a game of chess, revealing lessons about competition, kindness, and…
Level C1AdventureHarry Escombe: A Tale of Adventure in PeruSeventeen-year-old draughtsman Harry Escombe is offered a thrilling chance to gain real-world experience surveying a challenging railway project across Peru’s rugged mountains.
Level C1RomanceHarry Coverdale's Courtship, and All That Came of ItAmidst London’s social whirl, Harry Coverdale navigates the challenges of courtship, friendship, and the philosophy of life, all while managing expectations and missteps in his que…
Level B2MysteryHarry Blount, the Detective; Or, The Martin Mystery SolvedOn a bright May morning in Lancashire, an unexpected letter reveals a long-forgotten childhood engagement between Kate and a mysterious American suitor arriving to claim her.
Level C2MysteryHarryA chance smile at a passion-flower sparks an unexpected love between a strong, handsome soldier and a carefree young woman, setting their lives on an enchanting path of romance and…![Cover of Harrison's New Nursery Picture Book by J. [Compiler] Harrison](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da7ai1acitjc73afmd30.webp)
Children'sHarrison's New Nursery Picture BookDiscover a charming collection of seventy detailed engravings designed to captivate young imaginations and introduce children to a world of wonder and delight through timeless nurs…
PoetryHarrison's Amusing Picture and Poetry BookDive into a whimsical collection where seventy captivating engravings meet playful poetry, inviting readers to explore humor and imagination through vivid imagery and clever verse.
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.