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 C1RomanceDe L'Orme.: The Works of G. P. R. James, Esq., Vol. XVI.A young man’s thirst for adventure draws him into perilous errors and bitter regrets in a tale that explores honor, virtue, and the harsh consequences of reckless ambition.
Level C1PhilosophyDe Amicitia, Scipio's DreamExplore the nature of true friendship through Laelius’s reflections on loss, virtue, and loyalty, alongside Scipio’s visionary dream revealing the soul’s immortality and the cosmic…
Level C1ClassicsDays with Sir Roger De CoverleySpend a month in the charming country house of Sir Roger de Coverley, where old friendships, loyal servants, and gentle humor reveal the warmth and quirks of rural English life thr…
Level C1ClassicsDays and hours in a gardenStep into a tranquil English garden where seasons turn and nature’s quiet dramas unfold—trees grow tall, birds flit among blossoms, and memories linger beneath the shade.
Level C1ClassicsDays Off, and Other DigressionsEscape the grind of routine with Uncle Peter's philosophy of taking true "days off"—moments of spontaneous freedom that nourish the soul and reveal life’s deeper lessons beyond sch…
Level C1HistoricalDays Before historyStep back to prehistoric Britain, where hunters stalk the wild hills and ancient tribes craft stone weapons as they navigate a world of forests, rivers, and fierce rivalries.
Level C1FantasyDaybreak: A Romance of an Old WorldAs a couple returns home after years apart, a tender yet distant love faces a test: can passion and warmth be awakened in a relationship long defined by quiet affection and unspoke…
Level C1HorrorDay and Night StoriesA man returns home after fifteen years determined to keep a youthful promise to reunite with a woman who waited for him—yet time and hardship have changed his heart and memories.
Level C1ClassicsDawnIn a tender twilight conversation, a married couple explores the complexities of love, individuality, and freedom within marriage, challenging the traditional bonds that often conf…
Level C1ClassicsDavid: A TragedyIn a richly adorned palace fraught with tension, David navigates court intrigues and the shadow of King Saul's suspicion as enemies gather beyond the hills.
Level C1ClassicsDavid Poindexter's Disappearance, and Other TalesA young clergyman from a struggling family navigates love, ambition, and a restless spirit in early 19th-century England, where his engagement to a colonel's daughter stirs tension…
Level C1AdventureDavid MalcolmA young boy sets off on a thrilling fishing trip into the mysterious mountains, eager to prove his bravery despite his mother’s cautious warnings.
Level C1ClassicsDavid Lockwin—The People's IdolIn the bustling world of Chicago's elite, David Lockwin faces rivalry and romance as he navigates ambition, politics, and the mystery surrounding the captivating Esther Wandrell an…
Level C1ClassicsDavid Harum: A Story of American LifeIn a small New York town, the shrewd yet good-natured country banker David Harum navigates life, love, and horse-trading with homespun wisdom and humor, revealing the colorful char…
Level C1HistoricalDavid Fleming's ForgivenessTwo brothers carve out a thriving Canadian settlement from the wilderness, transforming a rugged frontier into a prosperous village.
Level C1ClassicsDavid ElginbrodIn a humble Scottish cottage, David Elginbrod’s steadfast faith and quiet life intertwine with his daughter Meg’s restless wanderings through the fir-wood, where she seems drawn by…
Level C1Children'sDavid BlaizeAt Helmsworth Preparatory School, young David Blaize navigates the distractions of a quirky museum-classroom, a stern headmaster’s fearsome discipline, and the trials of boyhood le…
Level C1AdventureDavid Balfour: Being Memoirs Of His Adventures At Home And Abroad, The Second Part: In Which Are Set Forth His Misfortunes Anent The Appin Murder; His Troubles With Lord Advocate Grant; Captivity On The Bass Rock; Journey Into Holland And France; And Singular Relations With James More Drummond Or Macgregor, A Son Of The Notorious Rob Roy, And His Daughter CatrionaAfter inheriting a lairdship and fortune, David Balfour navigates the treacherous streets of Edinburgh, caught between dangerous intrigues and his own uncertain fate.
Level C1ClassicsDavenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day. Volume 2 (of 2)When a cryptic telegram threatens the financial stability of the Ossory Bank, Davenport Dunn faces a sudden crisis that challenges both his reputation and his resolve.
Level C1ClassicsDavenport Dunn, a Man of Our Day. Volume 1 (of 2)At the enchanting Villa d’Este on Lake Como, a luxurious water cure establishment becomes the backdrop for vivid characters and dramatic encounters, where the charm of the setting…
Level C1ClassicsDaughters of MenAmid the glittering salons of Athens, a celebrated pianist's return ignites a vibrant world of aristocrats, diplomats, and artists, weaving a dazzling tapestry of culture, ambition…
Level C1RomanceDaughters of DestinyA determined prince returns from exile in London to reclaim his usurped throne in Baluchistan, seeking the aid of a shrewd English financier to convert ancient treasures into an ar…
Level C1RomanceDaughters of Belgravia; vol. 3 of 3Passion and betrayal collide in a world of high society as Gabrielle, fiercely in love with the elusive Lord Delaval, confronts the heartbreak of his faithlessness and her own fier…
Level C1RomanceDaughters of Belgravia; vol. 2 of 3Torn between scorn and secret longing, Zai navigates a treacherous social web where appearances deceive and hearts are broken.
Level C1RomanceDaughters of Belgravia; vol. 1 of 3In the glittering world of London’s elite, Lady Beranger’s lavish parties mask a family tangled in ambition, rivalry, and hidden resentments.
Level C1AdventureDastral of the Flying CorpsIn the midst of World War I’s fierce battles, a young English pilot named Dastral pushes the limits of daring aerial combat to earn his wings and face the deadly mastery of the ski…
Level C1ClassicsDarrel of the Blessed IslesIn a remote wilderness where legends mingle with reality, a mysterious boy arrives in a little red sleigh, sparking a tale of rugged virtues, lost histories, and the quiet struggle…
Level C1RomanceDarnley; or, The Field of the Cloth of GoldAmid the winding roads of 16th-century Kent, a stalwart knight embarks on a journey filled with adventure and historical intrigue, set against the vibrant backdrop of King Henry VI…
Level C1HistoricalDarkness and Dawn; Or, Scenes in the Days of Nero. An Historic TaleIn the turbulent days of Nero’s Rome, a decadent pagan world faces the dawn of Christianity.
Level C1PoetryDarkey Ways in DixieImmerse yourself in poignant and vibrant verses capturing the rhythms, struggles, and everyday life of African American communities in the South.
Level C1MysteryDark HollowWhen a mysterious woman breaches the long-locked gates of Judge Ostrander’s secluded estate, the quiet town of Shelby stirs with curiosity and suspicion, uncovering secrets guarded…
Level C1ClassicsDark HesterIn a quiet Essex village, Monica Wilmott wrestles with haunting resentment toward Hester, the enigmatic woman married to her son Clive.
Level C1RomanceDariel: A Romance of SurreyA young man struggles to revive his family's fortunes by farming the Surrey countryside, facing skepticism and hardship despite his dedication and hard work.
Level C1HistoricalDante: Six SermonsExplore the life and principles of Dante as a philosopher, poet, and social reformer driven by a passionate zeal to unite Italy and uplift humanity through virtue and truth, blendi…
Level C1HistoricalDante: His Times and His WorkExplore the turbulent political and social landscape of Dante’s Italy, revealing his complex worldview shaped by factional strife and elite society, while uncovering fresh scholarl…
Level C1HistoricalDante: "The Central Man of All the World": A Course of Lectures Delivered Before the Student Body of the New York State College for Teachers, Albany, 1919, 1920Explore Dante’s Divine Comedy through a journey across medieval Italy, uncovering timeless struggles of the human soul and the spiritual battles that shape every individual’s quest…
Level C1HistoricalDante. An essay. To which is added a translation of De Monarchia.Explore the origins and impact of the Divina Commedia, tracing the personal history and political context behind Dante's monumental work and his treatise De Monarchia, illuminating…
Level C1HistoricalDante and the early astronomersExplore the captivating intersection of astronomy and poetry as a medieval scholar turns to ancient texts and celestial wonders for solace and enlightenment, revealing the profound…
Level C1ClassicsDante Alighieri, Apostle of Freedom: War-time and Peace-time EssaysExplore the enduring spirit of Dante Alighieri as an apostle of liberty, whose timeless words inspire political, intellectual, and spiritual freedom amid the upheavals of war and p…
Level C1HistoricalDanteStep into the turbulent world of 12th and 13th-century Italy, where the clash between emperors and popes shapes emerging city-states and fierce political factions.![Cover of Danish ballads by E. M. [Translator] Smith-Dampier](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da92bfdnmvfc73bikctg.webp)
Level C1PoetryDanish balladsAncient Danish ballads come alive with metrical fidelity and rich cultural insight, revealing a world where dance and song blend communal tradition with individual genius in mediev…
Level C1ClassicsDaniel DerondaIn a lavish gambling salon where European high society mingles, a young boy’s gaze fixes on a mysterious woman whose restless charm sparks questions of fate and desire, setting the…
Level C1HistoricalDaniel DefoeAn extraordinary man of action and letters, he leads a life as adventurous as his famed characters, navigating rebellion, commerce, espionage, and literary fame.
Level C1AdventureDangerous deedsAmid Washington’s morning fog, a daring young aviator clings to the edge of adventure, haunted by a troubled past and driven by a mysterious black handbag that could unlock his for…
Level C1MysteryDangerous Dilemmas: Startling but TrueAt a luxurious European spa, a gambler's luck leads to unexpected perils as he and a companion stray into a forest maze, only to find themselves trapped in a sinking morass with da…
Level C1ClassicsDangerous Connections, v. 1, 2, 3, 4: A Series of Letters, selected from the Correspondence of a Private Circle; and Published for the Instruction of Society.In a society where appearances mask deceit, a tangled web of private letters reveals the dangerous entanglements of passion, manipulation, and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsDanger; Or, Wounded in the House of a FriendAmid a fierce winter storm, a young man, lost and disoriented, stumbles into a deadly danger that threatens to shatter his family.
Level C1MysteryDanger! and Other StoriesA small European navy captain reveals how England’s mighty fleet is rendered powerless when a hidden threat exploits its overlooked vulnerabilities, forcing a nation to confront th…
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.