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 C1MysteryThe Dorrington Deed-BoxA man returns to England burdened by a dark family mystery and a deadly encounter in Naples with the notorious Camorra.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dop DoctorAmid the vast South African veld, a weary Englishman journeys with a tragic loss shadowing his path, as oxen and men alike endure relentless hardship.
Level C1FantasyThe Doors of DeathA dying man confronts the mystery of death and the nature of heaven while reflecting on his family’s dark past and the unsettling possibility of being buried alive.
Level C1Science FictionThe Door in the Wall, and Other StoriesA man haunted by a mysterious Door in the Wall reveals a secret from childhood that offers a glimpse into a realm of beauty and happiness beyond ordinary life, challenging the boun…
Level C1RomanceThe Doomswoman: An Historical Romance of Old CaliforniaIn a vibrant Monterey filled with tradition and tension, a bold and enigmatic man known as Don Diego Estenega captivates the lives of high society, stirring old rivalries and forbi…
Level C1Science FictionThe DoomsmanA young marksman contemplates a mysterious shadow on the horizon from a fortified, primitive shoreline—where ancient wilderness meets unexpected technology.
Level C1HorrorThe Doom of the GriffithsA family curse cast by the legendary Welsh chieftain Owain Glendwr dooms the Griffiths to a tragic fate spanning generations.
Level C1Science FictionThe Doom of LondonAn unprecedented Arctic blizzard traps London in snow and ice, severing communication and threatening famine and chaos.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dominant StrainCaught between society’s expectations and her own doubts, Beatrix grapples with the charm and secrets of Mr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dominant DollarTwo men, one coldly pragmatic and the other more emotional, navigate a tense friendship tested by clashing worldviews and the inevitable changes time will bring.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dolliver RomanceIn a world shadowed by illness and war, a writer grapples with the elusive quest for the Elixir of Life, weaving a haunting romance that blurs the line between mortality and immort…
Level C1Children'sThe Doll and Her Friends: or Memoirs of the Lady SeraphinaA small English doll narrates her quiet life of steadfast devotion, revealing the deep bonds and gentle lessons born from childhood playthings.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dogs and the Fleas: By One of the DogsIn a world where dogs once lived peacefully, a rebellious group challenges the oppressive rule of bloodsucking fleas who exploit and corrupt their society.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. IIA family abroad navigates the trials of money, bureaucracy, and new languages while seeking refuge from past troubles.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. IAn Irish family's ambitious journey through Europe unfolds in a series of witty letters, revealing their comical misadventures and cultural misunderstandings.
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's Wife: A NovelIn a quaint Midlandshire town, young doctor George Gilbert strives to live honorably under the watchful eye of his devoted father, navigating the expectations of a narrow, traditio…
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's FamilyA young surgeon struggles to build his medical practice in a rough new district, overshadowed by family secrets and personal disappointments.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Doctor's Dilemma: Preface on DoctorsExplore the troubling contradictions of the medical profession, where doctors wield power over life and limb yet face conflicts of interest that challenge trust and ethics.
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's DilemmaTrapped in a gloomy London room and pushed to the brink of madness, a determined narrator battles unseen forces demanding submission.
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's DaughterAmid reflections on life's sorrows and joys, an earnest author offers a humble tale shaped by personal experience and steadfast perseverance, inviting readers into a world where ev…
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor's Christmas EveOn a bitter Christmas Eve in Kentucky, two spirited children set out from their family manor to share a festive celebration with close friends, weaving a tale of friendship, warmth…
Level C1ClassicsThe Doctor : A Tale of the RockiesNestled in the serene beauty of the Rockies, a quaint old mill and its hardworking family reveal tales of love, tradition, and the enduring spirit of Highland ancestry against the…
Level C1HistoricalThe Dixie Book of DaysExplore the rich history and literature of the Old South through a curated collection of prose and verse that reveals the region's profound influence on America’s founding, culture…
Level C1RomanceThe Divine Lady: A Romance of Nelson and Emma HamiltonIn a quiet London suburb, a beautiful young woman with a passionate spirit faces suspicion and scorn, yet her vibrant voice and presence hint at a story that will intertwine with t…
Level C1ClassicsThe Divine FireIn the serene Devonshire garden, Horace Jewdwine grapples with the discovery of a promising young poet, Savage Keith Rickman, whose genius may ignite a brilliant future—or prove a…
Level C1PoetryThe Divine Comedy, Volume 2, PurgatoryJourney through the realm where souls undergo purification, ascending the mountain of Purgatory to shed their sins.
Level C1PoetryThe Divine Comedy, Volume 1, HellLost in a dark forest, a poet meets the ancient Roman Virgil, who offers to guide him through the harrowing realms of the afterlife.
Level C1PoetryThe Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: The InfernoJourney through a vivid underworld where the poet himself navigates the harrowing circles of Hell, revealing his deepest fears, strengths, and a poignant plea to his native Florenc…
Level C1AdventureThe Disowned — CompleteA young traveler sets out on a twilight journey through England's wild lanes, encountering a mysterious, imposing companion whose passionate views on progress and freedom hint at d…
Level C1ClassicsThe DisentanglersIn a shabby London room, two struggling young men hatch a daring plan to escape poverty and reshape society, driven by wit, ambition, and the promise of a "Great Idea" that could c…
Level C1MysteryThe Disappearing EyeA tangled web of love, wealth, and social ambition unfolds as Cannington, a penniless lord, navigates the affections of Lady Mabel and the mysterious Wentworth Marr, while secrets…
Level C1MysteryThe Disappearance of Lady Frances CarfaxA solitary woman vanished after leaving a Swiss hotel, carrying priceless jewelry and a mysterious financial trail.
Level C1RomanceThe Dim LanternIn a fading suburb overshadowed by change, Jane Barnes embraces life with boundless enthusiasm while her brother Baldwin battles despair and dreams of a brighter future.
Level C1ClassicsThe DictatorAn exiled dictator awakens in a London hotel, surrounded by symbols of power and memory, plotting a return to glory.
Level C1ClassicsThe Diary of a Man of FiftyA man in his fifties returns to Florence, where the warmth of the sun revives memories of a lost love and youth long past.
Level C1Children'sThe Diary of a Goose GirlEscaping city life, a young woman embraces the simple joys of rural England as a Goose Girl, tending to geese, rabbits, and hares in a quaint village untouched by time.
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary of Dr. John William Polidori, 1816, Relating to Byron, Shelley, etc.Travel alongside a young physician whose sharp wit and artistic eye bring him into the turbulent worlds of Byron and Shelley in 1816 Europe.
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 3Experience the turbulent life of a French émigré amid revolution and exile, as personal letters and diaries reveal intimate moments of love, royal encounters, and the struggles of…
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 2Experience the intimate world of 18th-century court life through detailed diaries revealing royal ceremonies, intrigues, and personal dramas amid pivotal events like the trial of W…
Level C1HistoricalThe Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay — Volume 1Step into the vivid world of 18th-century England through the intimate diary and letters of a rising literary star, navigating society, celebrated figures, and court life with wit…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Diamond Sutra (Chin-Kang-Ching) or Prajna-ParamitaExplore profound Buddhist teachings as the Buddha instructs his disciple Subhuti in the Prajna-Paramita, unveiling transcendent wisdom that transcends all knowledge and endures bey…
Level C1MysteryThe Diamond ShipAt a lively Kensington Fancy Fair, a wealthy, enigmatic doctor known for his silent demeanor and obsession with precious gems captivates a circle of colorful characters.
Level C1Science FictionThe Diamond LensA passionate microscopist discovers a hidden universe teeming with mysterious life beneath the smallest drops of water, unlocking wonders invisible to the naked eye and embarking o…
Level C1RomanceThe Dew of Their YouthAt Eden Valley Academy, where boys and girls share woods and secrets, a spirited schoolmaster’s son becomes intrigued by Gertrude, the swift runner in a grey-green dress.
Level C1Science FictionThe Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A NovelAn uncharted tropical mountain, Roraima, rises as a mysterious table-land teeming with unknown flora and fauna, isolated for ages.
Level C1ClassicsThe Devil's PoolIn a humble countryside, simple lives unfold beneath the watchful eyes of nature and the looming presence of death.
Level C1MysteryThe Devil's PawIn the windswept Blakeney marshes, a chance meeting between a shrewd Labour MP and a conflicted barrister stirs questions of peace, power, and hidden alliances as mysterious guests…
Level C1FantasyThe Devil's Motor: A FantasyAt the stroke of midnight, a fiery demon commands a colossal motorcar, racing between Earth and Heaven and unleashing devastation on humanity’s greed and vice.
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.