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 B2PoetryThe Diverting History of John Gilpin: Showing How He Went Farther Than He Intended, and Came Safe Home AgainA frugal London linendraper sets off on a holiday ride with his family, but his horse has other plans, galloping wildly and sending John on an unexpected, riotous adventure beyond…
Level B2RomanceThe Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian MutinyAmidst the looming chaos of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, young ensign Ted Russell grapples with his brother Jim’s unexpected infatuation with a spirited young woman, challenging thei…
Level B2MysteryThe Disappearance of Kimball WebbOn the eve of his wedding, playwright Kimball Webb mysteriously vanishes, leaving his devoted but conflicted family and fiancée Elsie Powell in anxious suspense.
Level B2MysteryThe Disagreeable Woman: A Social MysteryAt a bustling boarding house in New York, a sharp-tongued woman known only as the Disagreeable Woman stirs curiosity and unease with her biting remarks and mysterious past.
Level B2ClassicsThe Dinner ClubSix distinguished men form a club where each hosts a dinner and shares a gripping story from his profession.
Level B2AdventureThe Dingo Boys: The Squatters of Wallaby RangeThree adventurous boys arrive at the rough frontier town of Port Haven, eager to stake their claim and explore the wild Australian inland.
Level B2ClassicsThe Diary of a SaintA young woman grapples with faith, doubt, and the weight of her community’s strict beliefs as she cares for a troubled child haunted by the fear of damnation.
Level B2ClassicsThe Diary of a NobodyA meticulous city clerk begins a diary chronicling the humorous trials of domestic life, from troublesome tradesmen to neighborhood visits and household mishaps.
Level B2HistoricalThe Diary of a FreshmanA young freshman navigates the challenges of college life, from overprotective parents to the hunt for the perfect room in Cambridge.
Level B2HorrorThe Diary of Philip WesterlyA cruel man’s obsession with a gigantic mirror turns into a nightmare when his reflection becomes a sinister, mocking entity that refuses to mirror his every move.
Level B2MysteryThe Diamond MasterAn unmarked package delivers a dazzling, flawless diamond to a jeweler’s office, sparking intrigue and mystery as its origin remains unknown.
Level B2MysteryThe Diamond Cross Mystery: Being a Somewhat Different Detective StoryA chilling murder in a fog-shrouded jewelry shop sets the stage for an unusual detective story where every ticking second counts.
Level B2ClassicsThe DevourersA mysterious baby with dark hair disrupts the quiet household, bringing tension and secrets to light.
Level B2Science FictionThe Devolutionist and the EmancipatrixFour explorers return from an astonishing journey to Mercury and Venus, where they uncover advanced civilizations and telepathic powers.
Level B2RomanceThe Devil's Own: A Romance of the Black Hawk WarAmid the tense frontier of 1832, a young soldier at a remote fort witnesses the brewing conflict between restless Native tribes and encroaching settlers, where fierce rivalries and…
Level B2MysteryThe Devil's AdmiralA worn-out cargo steamer, the Kut Sang, becomes the stage for a gripping tale of danger, intrigue, and fierce loyalty in the China Sea.
Level B2ClassicsThe DeserterIn the tense backdrop of wartime Salonika, a young soldier battles despair and the haunting urge to desert his post, confronting the harsh realities of duty, honor, and the cost of…
Level B2MysteryThe Desert Moon mysteryWhen the mysterious Canneziano twins decide to move from Switzerland to the Desert Moon Ranch in Nevada, long-hidden secrets and dark pasts resurface, turning the quiet ranch into…
Level B2ClassicsThe Desert FiddlerA skilled fixer and reluctant fiddler rides through the desert night to repair a tractor, only to be captivated by a mysterious woman in a remote shack.
Level B2MysteryThe Demon CruiserAboard the ship Maxwell, a wealthy passenger guards a hidden fortune while a ruthless third mate plots to steal it under cover of night.
Level B2ClassicsThe Demi-godsIn a quiet countryside, Mary tenderly tends her donkey while sharing a simple meal with her father, whose musings reveal a world where kindness and hardship intertwine beneath a fa…
Level B2HistoricalThe Deliverance: A Romance of the Virginia Tobacco FieldsAmid Virginia's vast tobacco fields, a lawyer returns to Blake Hall, a plantation marked by old rivalries and fresh passions.
Level B2RomanceThe Delafield AffairIn a parched New Mexican ranch, Curtis Conrad faces the harsh realities of drought and loss, until a surprising letter from old attorneys stirs new hope.
Level B2RomanceThe Definite Object: A Romance of New YorkIn the bustling heart of New York, a mournful millionaire searches for meaning beyond wealth and creditors, guided by the peculiar charm of a dignified butler’s whiskers.
Level B2AdventureThe Deep Sea Hunters: Adventures on a WhalerTwo adventurous boys discover that the old, abandoned whaling ship Hector is being refitted for a cruise, sparking their imaginations and setting them on a thrilling journey into t…
Level B2MysteryThe Deep Lake MysteryAt a serene Wisconsin lake estate, a peaceful death shrouded in strange symbols sets off a tangled mystery.
Level B2MysteryThe Deaves AffairA struggling artist wanders the vibrant, gritty streets of New York's immigrant quarters, drawn to a peculiar old man whose furtive behavior and small disputes hint at secrets lurk…
Level B2ClassicsThe Dearest Things in BootsA young man starts his first day working in his family’s shoe store, determined to charm every customer—especially Betty, the lively girl with the “dearest little feet.
Level B2PoetryThe Deaf Shoemaker: To Which Are Added Other Stories for the YoungIn a world where every soul embarks on a tempestuous voyage towards eternity, a noble hero’s fearless rescue amid a fiery shipwreck offers hope—and a life-preserver named Christ.
Level B2PoetryThe Dead Men's Song: Being the Story of a Poem and a Reminiscent Sketch of its Author Young Ewing AllisonDive into the haunting tale behind the creation of the infamous pirate poem "Fifteen Men on the Dead Man’s Chest," intertwined with personal recollections and rare manuscripts reve…
Level B2ClassicsThe Dead Lake, and Other TalesIn a remote Alpine inn shadowed by a mysterious lake, a weary stranger arrives amid storm and silence, seeking to fish by torchlight.
Level B2ClassicsThe Dead Are Silent: 1907In the shadowy streets near the Prater, a tense rendezvous unfolds as Franz and Emma navigate secrecy and suspicion during a stormy autumn evening, their clandestine meeting shadow…
Level B2RomanceThe Dazzling Miss DavisonIn a lively Bayswater house where young hopefuls gather, a clever but struggling barrister becomes captivated by the portrait—and soon the presence—of a charming, intelligent girl…
Level B2RomanceThe Day of the DogA determined lawyer races against time to secure a crucial signature on a sprawling estate, only to face unexpected obstacles—including a fierce bulldog guarding a lonely country b…
Level B2ClassicsThe Day of the BeastWounded soldiers return home from war to a changed world, facing the harsh reality of lost connections and fading dreams.
Level B2RomanceThe Day of JudgmentThree friends explore the wild beauty near Scotland's border, uncovering the intriguing and unconventional laws of Scottish marriage—where a simple mutual promise can bind two live…
Level B2Children'sThe Daughters of the Little Grey HouseThree young women navigate the delicate transition from girlhood to womanhood in a warmhearted family home, discovering the true meaning of maturity, friendship, and self-discovery…
Level B2HistoricalThe Daughter of the Chieftain : the Story of an Indian GirlIn the contested Wyoming Valley during the American Revolution, young Alice Ripley finds joy and innocence amid the harsh realities of frontier life and colonial conflict.
Level B2Children'sThe Daughter of a Soldier: A Colleen of South IrelandOn a sunlit summer day in rural Ireland, young Maureen, daughter of a fallen soldier, navigates life at Templemore Rectory amid family joys and the shadow of a new, unsettling step…
Level B2AdventureThe Daughter of a MagnateAs a mighty river floods the valley, engineers and travelers confront the relentless power of nature and the looming threat it poses to the vital railway bridge.
Level B2AdventureThe Daughter of Virginia DareA determined group of English colonists sets sail for the mysterious and untamed lands of Virginia, facing betrayal and the unknown as they strive to build a new home amidst danger…
Level B2ClassicsThe DashwoodsA family from the countryside navigates the overwhelming bustle of city life, each member reacting differently to the noisy streets and endless attractions.
Level B2AdventureThe Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile ExpeditionAmid the turmoil of the Nile Expedition, two lads raised as brothers face a reckless choice fueled by youthful impulse and secrecy.
Level B2ClassicsThe Darling and Other StoriesA devoted woman finds purpose and love in the struggles of running a failing open-air theatre, where art battles against an indifferent, demanding public and relentless rainy weath…
Level B2AdventureThe Dark Road: further adventures of Chéri-BibiA condemned man endures the brutal life of a convict settlement, haunted by injustice and fierce enemies, while forging a fragile bond with the legendary outlaw Chéri-Bibi; surviva…
Level B2Science FictionThe Dark OtherA man obsessed with capturing pure, undefinable horror in his writing finds himself drawn into dark conversations and mysterious moods by the shores of Lake Michigan, where reality…
Level B2MysteryThe Dark House: A Knot UnravelledIn a gloomy house where death has just struck, mysterious visitors arrive demanding strange wines and unsettling rituals, stirring fear and suspicion among the servants.
Level B2ClassicsThe Dark FlowerA young Oxford student, caught between tradition and his own restless spirit, contemplates the world around him, his tutor, and the mysterious allure of freedom and creativity.
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.