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 B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on a SubmarineA determined inventor refuses to sell his groundbreaking submarine to a foreign power, risking everything to ensure it serves only his country.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on Battle PracticeTwo cousins from a quiet mountain village dream of leaving farm life behind to join the navy, inspired by a vivid poster of a battleship and the promise of adventure.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys on Aero ServiceTwo young sailors volunteer for the navy's daring new Aero Service, eager to explore the skies after mastering the seas.
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys in Home WatersTwo young naval officers aboard a crowded train face tension and suspicion when a lost wallet sparks accusations, revealing challenges of authority and camaraderie as they prepare…
Level B2AdventureThe Dreadnought Boys Aboard a DestroyerTwo young sailors, Ned and Herc, freshly celebrated for their bravery, find themselves drawn into a mysterious encounter with a foreign agent near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
PoetryThe Dread Voyage: PoemsEmbark on a haunting journey through nature, history, and human emotion as vivid poems explore icy voyages, storms, and timeless reflections, weaving a tapestry of adventure, sacri…
Level C1HistoricalThe Draytons and the DavenantsAmid the quiet New England harvest, a woman’s memories transport her across the seas to her childhood in war-torn England, unveiling vivid tales of family, faith, and survival duri…
Level B2MysteryThe Draycott murder mysteryOn a stormy night in a remote farmhouse, a man discovers a woman mysteriously dead with a chilling wound to her temple, while a shadowy figure watches unseen from outside.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatist; Or, Stop Him Who Can! A Comedy, in Five ActsIn a lively comedy set amidst Bath society, spirited Marianne rebels against her restrictive upbringing and meddling aunt, while tangled romances and sharp wit unfold around love,…
Level C1PoetryThe Dramatic Works of John Dryden, Volume 1: With a Life of the AuthorExplore the meticulously edited works and life of a master poet and dramatist, revealing his enduring influence and the editorial challenges of preserving his legacy for modern rea…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann, Volume IIIn a vivid portrayal of social realities, intertwined lives unfold against the backdrop of injustice and human struggle, capturing timeless passions and the relentless flow of life…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann, Volume IStep into the world of early 20th-century social dramas, where the lives of Silesian peasants and Berlin’s common folk unfold through authentic, dialect-rich dialogue.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing: Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the WiseExplore the groundbreaking dramas that shaped German literature, featuring powerful tragedies and the profound plea for tolerance in Nathan the Wise.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramatic Values in PlautusExplore the misunderstood comic genius of Plautus through a meticulous analysis of his dramatic methods, revealing the humor, recurring characters, and theatrical techniques behind…
Level C1ClassicsThe Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, EsmeraldaIn Tudor England, political intrigue swirls around Queen Mary, whose passion for the mysterious Fabiano Fabiani stirs jealousy, betrayal, and deadly power struggles among nobles de…
Level C1ClassicsThe DramaExplore the vibrant world behind the curtain, where the art of acting breathes new life into classic characters and the stage reflects society’s evolving morals and tastes, challen…
Level B2MysteryThe Dragon's SecretLeslie and her aunt seek solace in a remote ocean bungalow, finding unexpected peace—but the locked neighboring cottage, Curlew’s Nest, hints at secrets lurking beyond the tranquil…
Level C1AdventureThe Dragon and the Raven; Or, The Days of King AlfredAmidst the wild, untamed fenlands of 870 England, a young boy and his loyal wolf-hound await the return of his father during a time of brutal Danish invasions and desperate surviva…
Level B2Science FictionThe Dragon SlayersIn a futuristic Venusian jungle, workers struggle under strict rules to harvest a vital resource while facing deadly creatures and a menacing dragon.
Level C1ClassicsThe Dragon PainterIn the mystical dawn of Tokyo, an aging artist experiences a profound moment of inspiration and renewal as nature and beauty awaken around him.
Level B2Science FictionThe Downhill Side of ThirtyIn a future where government bans sex and tobacco for those over thirty-five to preserve health, Chuck Dane struggles with desire, rebellion, and the oppressive controls of a tight…
Level C1HistoricalThe Downfall (La Débâcle): A Story of the Horrors of WarAmid the turmoil of the Franco-Prussian War, diverse characters from all social classes navigate the chaos and tragedy of the Battle of Sedan.
Level C1HistoricalThe DownfallBeneath a gray August sky, a weary French corps prepares for battle near the Rhine, haunted by recent losses and the looming threat of Prussian forces.
Level C1HistoricalThe Dove in the Eagle's NestIn a turbulent era where private feuds replace law and noble independence clashes with rising imperial power, a tale unfolds amid the splendor of free cities and savage barons.
Level C2ClassicsThe Double-Dealer: A ComedyIn a world of deception and hidden motives, an unsuspecting gentleman finds his trust shattered by a cunning friend whose duplicity threatens to unravel lives.
Level C1MysteryThe Double TraitorIn the heart of Berlin's elite circles, a young English diplomat navigates intrigue and shifting loyalties amid the city's allure and political tensions, guided by a mysterious Aus…
Level B2Science FictionThe Double SpyIn a world where secret codes and mysterious powers collide, a seemingly unremarkable man becomes an electrifying performer in New York’s Times Square, dazzling crowds with impossi…
Level B2MysteryThe Double Life Of Mr. Alfred BurtonA shrewd young auctioneer tries to lease a mysterious West End house, locked away by a nobleman's strange past and sealed secrets.
Level C1MysteryThe Double LifeA mysterious chest arrives, containing memoirs that reveal a startling secret: a man’s identity linked to a notorious criminal and hidden treasures scattered across Paris.
Level C1ClassicsThe Double GardenA young bulldog named Pelléas embarks on a tender exploration of the world, learning its secrets and boundaries through innocent eyes.
Level C1MysteryThe Double FourA peaceful life on a Somerset farm is shattered when Peter Ruff receives a mysterious summons from a secretive circle known as the Double Four, pulling him back into a dangerous wo…
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 B2AdventureThe Donovan chanceLarry Donovan works hard in the railroad yards but dreams of more than a lifetime spent wiping engines and climbing the ranks.
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 B2Children'sThe Dogs' Dinner PartyIn a grand dinner party hosted by the elegant Mr.
Level B2AdventureThe Dogs of BoytownIn the idyllic town of Boytown, two adventurous boys and their loyal dogs explore vibrant autumn woods, secret caves, and the simple wonders of nature, embarking on heartwarming es…
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.
AdventureThe Dog Crusoe and His Master: A Story of Adventure in the Western PrairiesEmbark on a thrilling journey across the untamed Western Prairies alongside a loyal dog and his master, where danger and discovery await at every turn in this gripping tale of adve…
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.