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 C1ClassicsHamlet: A Study with the Text of the Folio of 1623Dive into the intricate world of a prince torn by moral and spiritual turmoil, as this edition unravels the layers of Shakespeare's original texts, revealing the evolution and dept…
Level C2ClassicsHamletOn a cold, restless night, sentinels encounter a ghostly apparition resembling the deceased king, stirring fear and curiosity.
Level C2PoetryHamewithJourney to the distant Transvaal where the spirit of Scotland endures in heartfelt verses that echo the landscapes, language, and lost traditions of a homeland left behind but neve…
Level B2AdventureHalsey & Co.: or, The Young Bankers and SpeculatorsIn the high-stakes world of Wall Street, young Fred Halsey uncovers a daring plot involving a forged check and risks everything to stop the criminals before they strike.
Level C1PoetryHalloween, a Romaunt; with Lays Meditative and DevotionalA soul caught between life and death reflects on the haunting beauty of existence and the longing for love beyond the grave.
Level B1AdventureHallowe'en at MerryvaleJoin Toad and his friends as they prepare for a thrilling Halloween party filled with spooky costumes, pumpkin lanterns, and playful ghostly fun in the charming small town of Merry…
Level C1HistoricalHalleck's New English LiteratureExplore the rich evolution of English literature from its earliest roots to the vibrant twentieth century, uncovering how historical movements and social changes shaped the voices…
Level C1ClassicsHall Caine, the Man and the NovelistExplore the sincere and compassionate mind behind a renowned novelist, whose life story reveals a relentless struggle and a deep love for humanity.
Level C1ClassicsHalima And The Scorpions: 1905In the heart of the Sahara, a magical hedgehog’s foot blessed by a revered marabout stirs scandal when it falls into the hands of Halima, a captivating dancing girl whose possessio…
Level C1RomanceHalfway House: A Comedy of DegreesA widowed gentleman in his fifties finds his orderly world upended when a lively young woman at a Sunday-school feast sparks an unexpected and tender passion, leading him to naviga…
Level A2Children'sHalf-Past Seven StoriesJoin the Toyman and the Three Happy Children in a world of playful adventures, handmade toys, and heartwarming mischief around the White House with the Green Blinds by the Side of…
Level C1ClassicsHalf-Hours with the IdiotAn eccentric Idiot debates the absurd disparities in American Ambassadors' residences abroad, advocating for a bold architectural identity that truly represents the diverse spirit…
Level B2FantasyHalf-Hours with JimmieboyOn a restless Christmas Eve, a young boy named Jimmieboy discovers not one, but two Santa Clauses, who invite him on a magical adventure to help deliver gifts despite the challenge…
Level C1ClassicsHalf-Hours with Great Story-Tellers: Artemus Ward, George Macdonald, Max Adeler, Samuel Lover, and OthersStep into a world where saints appear at midnight, commanding a bewildered clerk to unearth a restless soul, blending mystery, humor, and the supernatural in a tale that unsettles…
Level C1Children'sHalf-A-Dozen Housekeepers: A Story for Girls in Half-A-Dozen ChaptersSix spirited girls seize the unexpected chance for a two-week adventure when their school recitation hall burns down, deciding to keep house alone in a country cottage under the wa…
Level B2Children'sHalf a dozen boysSix boys navigate the joys and challenges of everyday life in a small New England town, where school, friendship, and unexpected trials, like Fred's sudden blindness, shape their c…
Level C1RomanceHalf a RogueA young dramatist battles artistic integrity against the demands of a temperamental star, only to be interrupted by a mysterious woman unable to pay her dinner bill—setting the sta…
Level C1HistoricalHalf a Life-Time AgoIn a remote Westmoreland dale, Susan Dixon, a solitary and resolute farmer, guards the secrets of her ancestral home and her guarded past.
Level C1ClassicsHalf a Hero: A NovelPolitical intrigue brews as Governor Eynesford faces pressure to summon the controversial Mr.
Level B2Children'sHalf a Dozen GirlsIn a sunny household filled with patchwork and playful quarrels, spirited Polly Adams navigates childhood's lessons in patience, friendship, and family warmth.
Level B2ClassicsHalf BrothersA young woman awaits her missing husband in a remote Austrian village, grappling with fear, loneliness, and the weight of a secret marriage as she reflects on their journey through…
Level C1RomanceHalf A ChanceA voyage aboard the Lord Nelson reveals a tense curiosity as aristocrats seek permission to visit the ship’s dangerous convicts below deck, while a spirited young girl defies conve…
Level B2ClassicsHalcyoneA curious girl discovers an enigmatic old man living in an abandoned garden house, sparking a friendship that promises adventure, wisdom, and the chance to explore the wider world…
Level B2MysteryHal Kenyon DisappearsIn the rugged beauty of Mummy Cañon, a group of spirited Boy Scouts and their eccentric headmaster return from a mountain outing, ready to build a campfire and share stories.
Level C1AdventureHair-Breadth Escapes: The Adventures of Three Boys in South AfricaThree boys embark on a daring adventure aboard His Majesty’s ship Hooghly, navigating treacherous seas and facing unexpected betrayals as they journey toward South Africa in the ea…
Level B2AdventureHair Breadth Escapes: Perilous incidents in the lives of sailors and travelers in Japan, Cuba, East Indies, etc., etc.Sail the high seas where danger lurks at every turn as a merchant ship faces ruthless pirates demanding hidden treasure.
Level C1ClassicsHagarAs the Civil War strains Ohio’s resources and spirit, a determined young man stumbles upon a desperate struggle on a quiet country road, igniting a tense battle between courage and…
Level C1HistoricalHagarA curious twelve-year-old girl aboard a fading canal packet-boat questions forbidden ideas and observes the shifting world around her, from convicts on the railroad to genteel soci…
PoetryHafiz in LondonAncient Persian verses find new life amid the bustling streets of London, weaving timeless longing and fate into a poetic dialogue between East and West.
Level C1RomanceHafbur and Signe: a balladCaught between rival kings and enchanted realms, a bold prince pursues a dream of love and destiny, weaving his fate through elfin maidens, royal intrigue, and secret nights.
Level C1ClassicsHadrian the SeventhA weary scholar, plagued by physical pain and mental fatigue, wrestles with his writing amid mysterious political turmoil in Rome and tragic upheaval in Russia.
Level C1ClassicsHadda PadaIn a world where ancient superstition meets modern struggles, Hadda Padda embodies the fierce spirit of Iceland's past and present, balancing tender love with a proud, unyielding w…
Level C1AdventureH.M.S. ----In a world reshaped by sudden geological upheaval, an intrepid airship journey explores the vast, newly exposed seabed of the North Sea—once a prehistoric plain teeming with ancien…
Level B2ClassicsH. R.A determined bank clerk chafes against a life confined to routine and mediocrity, seeking more than just a paycheck in the bustling heart of New York.
Level C1ClassicsH. G. WellsExplore the life and mind of a visionary who escaped early limitations to view the world with rare clarity, shaping his radical ideas through diverse experiences and a unique persp…
Level C1RomanceGómez Arias: Or, The Moors of the Alpujarras, A Spanish Historical Romance.In the shadow of Granada's snowy Sierra Nevada, a tale unfolds where Moorish and Christian worlds clash amidst ambition and romance.
Level B2Children'sGypsy's Cousin JoyA lively girl named Gypsy is suddenly summoned home from school under mysterious circumstances, sparking whispers and wild rumors in her town.
Level A2PoetryGypsy VersesDiscover the rhythms and emotions of a wandering soul through vivid, heartfelt poems that capture the essence of autumn and the spirit of the gypsy life.
Level B2Children'sGypsy BreyntonGypsy Breynton is a lively, tomboyish girl full of mischief and heart, navigating childhood with scrapes, laughter, and a fearless spirit.
Level B2AdventureGypsies of the AirA determined young pilot takes to the skies in her trusty plane to search for two missing aviator friends on a perilous transatlantic flight, facing danger and uncertainty as she r…
Level C1HistoricalGycia: A Tragedy in Five ActsIn a realm torn by war and political strife, a king fears for his son's future as rival republics and invading forces threaten their land, while a desperate plan to unite through m…
Level C1Children'sGwendolineAmid London's dense fog, Gwendoline Halcombe, the eldest of ten siblings and a talented young artist, seeks a crucial meeting with a respected lawyer, setting the stage for a tale…
Level C1RomanceGwen Wynn: A Romance of the WyeAlong the scenic Wye River stands Llangorren Court, home to the spirited and captivating Gwen Wynn, a young heiress living freely amid her vast estate and vibrant community.
Level B2AdventureGuy in the Jungle; Or, A Boy's Adventure in the Wilds of AfricaA young British captain is tasked with delivering secret documents to the Somali Coast Protectorate amid looming threats of an Abyssinian attack.
Level C1AdventureGuy Rivers: A Tale of GeorgiaAmid the barren hills of Cherokee lands in Georgia, a lone traveler ventures into a harsh wilderness hiding untapped gold beneath its rugged surface, where nature’s bleakness masks…
Level C1HistoricalGuy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — CompleteAn enigmatic astrologer predicts a perilous fate for a newborn heir, urging his parents to shield him from sin and temptation until his twenty-first birthday—when the true test of…
Level C1HistoricalGuy ManneringA mysterious astrologer predicts a perilous fate for a newborn heir, urging his parents to shield him from worldly temptations until his twenty-first birthday—when his destiny will…
Level C1AdventureGuy Livingstone; or, 'Thorough'A new boy faces the harsh trials of a large public school, where rivalries and social hierarchies rule.
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.