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 C1AdventureThe Desert Drum: 1905In the vast Sahara, where superstition and solitude blur reality, a mysterious desert drum foretells doom, echoing through endless dunes.
Level C1Science FictionThe Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-WorldA desperate merchant kidnaps a noblewoman, only to be swept by a tempestuous voyage to the icy pole where their vessel mysteriously crosses into a fantastical new world.
Level C1ClassicsThe Descent of Man and Other StoriesA devoted professor retreats to the Maine woods, escaping the confines of domestic life through a captivating idea that stirs his imagination and offers a glimpse into a world of i…
Level C1ClassicsThe Deputy of ArcisIn a provincial French town preparing for a pivotal election, tensions rise as Simon Giguet faces the daunting challenge of winning a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, with family a…
Level C1ClassicsThe Depot MasterIn a seaside village transformed by wealth and old rivalries, a versatile handyman faces a delicate challenge: moving a beloved colonial house to a contested estate, stirring tensi…
Level C1HistoricalThe Departing Soul's Address to the Body: A Fragment of a Semi-Saxon Poem: Discovered Among the Archives of Worcester CathedralAn ancient fragment uncovered from Worcester Cathedral archives reveals a haunting dialogue between soul and body, illustrating early English moral poetry and the language’s transi…
Level C1AdventureThe Denver Express: From "Belgravia" for January, 1884A diverse group of passengers embarks on the "Denver Fast Express," a night train racing through the wild American West toward the mountains.
Level C1AdventureThe Demon Trapper of Umbagog: A Thrilling Tale of the Maine ForestsIn the shadowy Maine forests, dark passions and old grudges simmer beneath the surface of rural life, where solitude breeds both love and deadly revenge.
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 C1ClassicsThe Demagogue and Lady PhayreA passionate young cabinetmaker faces a tempting offer to leave his trade for political ambition, confronting the clash between principle and opportunity in the rising tides of new…
Level C1HistoricalThe Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 2Amidst relentless cannon fire and cunning diplomacy, the monks of Yasna Gora fortress stand defiant against Swedish forces, relying on faith and resilience to protect their sacred…
Level C1HistoricalThe Deluge: An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. Vol. 1Amidst the turbulent 17th-century wars between Poland, Sweden, and Russia, political and religious conflicts ignite as nations vie for power and survival.
Level C1RomanceThe DelugeA bold financier rises from humble beginnings to challenge the iron grip of the kings of finance, using unorthodox methods and fearless self-assertion to sway the masses and shake…
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 C1HistoricalThe Delight MakersDive into an evocative tale grounded in eight years of ethnological study among the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, revealing their ancient customs, architecture, and daily life befo…
Level C1HistoricalThe Delicious ViceAt forty, a devoted novel-reader reflects on a lifetime spent immersed in stories, yearning for the chance to experience the joy of reading his favorite tales anew for the very fir…
Level C1ClassicsThe Delectable MountainsIn a secret woodland altar where ancient idols linger, Aaron and Silvia grapple with fear and defiance as they face a menacing family fate, their fragile hope flickering amid natur…
Level C1ClassicsThe Delectable DuchyA journalist escapes the bustle of city life to explore the hidden charms of a quaint Cornish harbor town, discovering that its true allure lies not in grand sights but in the smal…
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 C2HistoricalThe Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 3 (of 3)Philosophers and poets debate the nature of pleasure, luxury, and virtue, contrasting the austere lives of ancient heroes with the indulgent customs of their present day.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 2 (of 3)At a learned banquet, guests debate ancient festivals, literary history, and the nature of feasting, weaving philosophy, poetry, and culinary lore into a rich tapestry of erudition…
Level C2ClassicsThe Deipnosophists; or, Banquet of the Learned of Athenæus, Vol. 1 (of 3)At a lavish Roman banquet, a gathering of erudite guests engages in vibrant discussions spanning history, poetry, music, cuisine, and curiosities, weaving a rich tapestry of ancien…
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 C1ClassicsThe DefendantDive into a series of incisive essays defending optimism against the tide of pessimism, exploring how love for the world’s hidden virtues sparks true progress amid doubt and skepti…
Level C1RomanceThe Defence of Guenevere and Other PoemsStep into a world of chivalry and enchantment, where angels arm noble knights and legends like Sir Galahad and Rapunzel unfold through lyrical tales of love, valor, and mystical qu…
Level C2AdventureThe DeerslayerIn the untamed wilderness of colonial New York, two foresters navigate dense forests and hidden dangers, where every step reveals the raw beauty and peril of nature untouched by ci…
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 C1ClassicsThe DeemsterIn a rugged island community, the death of a revered patriarch sparks a fierce struggle for control between two very different brothers, revealing secrets, ambition, and the heavy…
Level C1RomanceThe Deceased Wife's Sister, and My Beautiful Neighbour, v. 3A young man becomes captivated by a mysterious, beautiful neighbor seen only once during a midnight walk, sparking an intense, secret longing that distracts him from his studies an…
Level C1HistoricalThe Decameron, Volume IIDive into a vibrant tapestry of love, wit, and daring adventures as noble knights, clever cooks, and spirited ladies navigate fortunes and folly across medieval lands, with tales o…
Level C1HistoricalThe Decameron, Volume IIn a vivid tapestry of tales told over ten days, a group of storytellers reveal the wit, folly, and intrigue of varied lives—from clever deceptions and daring adventures to sharp c…
Level C1HistoricalThe Decameron of Giovanni BoccaccioIn a vivid tapestry of tales told over ten days, a group of storytellers explores themes of deception, faith, love, and fortune, revealing the complexities of human nature through…
Level C2HistoricalThe Decameron (Day 6 to Day 10): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsSeven noble ladies and three gentlemen share a series of witty, unexpected tales over ten days, each revealing clever repartees and sharp insights that turn taunts into triumphs, b…
Level C1HistoricalThe Decameron (Day 1 to Day 5): Containing an hundred pleasant NovelsA company of young people escape the plague-ridden city to share a hundred tales that reveal human nature’s wit, folly, and virtue.
Level C1ClassicsThe Debtor: A NovelIn the genteel village of Banbridge, where social rituals and appearances govern life, two women navigate the delicate dance of status, friendship, and obligation during the town’s…
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 C1PoetryThe Death-Wake: or Lunacy; a Necromaunt in Three ChimerasA young poet haunted by medieval fantasies and the macabre crafts a haunting meditation on death and madness, blending lyrical romance with dark, original melodies.
Level C1ClassicsThe Death of the LionA young journalist is tasked with writing about the elusive author Neil Paraday, whose reclusive life and upcoming book stir curiosity and challenge journalistic conventions.
Level C1HistoricalThe Death of the Gods: (Christ and Antichrist, 1 of 3)In a world torn between fading Paganism and rising Christianity, a Roman Emperor battles to revive the ancient gods while confronting the new faith that will reshape civilization.
Level C2HistoricalThe Death of WallensteinIn the midst of the Thirty Years' War, a powerful general delves into astrology and secret negotiations to shape his fate, but when his confidant is captured, his carefully laid pl…
Level C1PoetryThe Death of Saul and other Eisteddfod Prize Poems and Miscellaneous VersesExplore a rich tapestry of heartfelt and varied poetry spanning twenty-five years, including the award-winning "Death of Saul," where the poet reflects on creativity, restraint, an…
Level C1ClassicsThe Death of BalderIn a rugged Norwegian pine-wood, Balder, tormented by unrequited love for the proud Nanna, confides in Thor as he struggles against a relentless fate and the cold echoes of his des…
Level B1PoetryThe Death and Burial of Cock RobinA whimsical assembly of birds takes part in the funeral of Cock Robin, each stepping forward to claim a role in his burial.
Level C1RomanceThe Death Shot: A Story RetoldOn a stark Texan prairie, a mysterious, disembodied human head defies natural laws, warding off predatory beasts with eerie life and menace.
Level C1FantasyThe Death Ship: A Strange Story, Vol. 3 (of 3)Stranded aboard the eerie Flying Dutchman, a cursed ship haunted by ghostly sailors, a master mariner clings to hope and love while navigating a voyage steeped in doom and despair.
Level C1FantasyThe Death Ship: A Strange Story, Vol. 2 (of 3)Trapped aboard the eerie Flying Dutchman, a sailor and a captive woman plot a daring escape from the ghostly crew and endless sea.
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.