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 Death Ship: A Strange Story, Vol. 1 (of 3)A young second mate embarks on a perilous 18th-century voyage aboard the Saracen, navigating the dangers of war and the vast, unpredictable seas.
Level C1Science FictionThe Death From OrionAn outlaw imprisoned and doomed faces a deadly choice: retrieve the lost Jewels of Orion from a crashed ship in deep space to save his condemned comrades, or watch them die.
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 C1MysteryThe Dean's WatchTwo young musicians brave a harsh winter journey to Heidelberg, facing rivalry and mysterious warnings as they prepare for a crucial Christmas concert that could make or break thei…
Level C1AdventureThe Dealings of Captain Sharkey, and Other Tales of PiratesIn a Caribbean world haunted by ruthless pirates, Captain John Scarrow nervously navigates dangerous seas, haunted by the fearsome Captain Sharkey.
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 C1GothicThe Dead Secret: A NovelIn a shadowed Cornish estate, servants whisper of a dying lady and a mysterious past marked by sorrow and secrets.
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 C1MysteryThe Dead Letter: An American RomanceIn the Dead Letter office, a mysterious two-year-old letter addressed to John Owen captivates a cynical clerk, pulling him into a tangled web of secrets and forgotten connections t…
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 C1HistoricalThe Dead Boxer: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoIn early 18th-century Ireland, the strong and proud Lamh Laudher O'Rorke confronts a fierce, scarred woman whose bitter past intertwines with his family’s dark secrets, sparking a…
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 C1MysteryThe Dead AliveA young barrister, forced to rest after overwork, sets off for America to recover at a relative’s farm—only to find himself drawn into a quiet rural world hiding unexpected secrets…
Level C1ClassicsThe Deacon: An Original Comedy Drama in Five ActsIn a lively Virginia town, a hapless Deacon stumbles through a series of comic misadventures involving mistaken identities, a hidden treasure, and a thwarted romance, all unfolding…
Level C1ClassicsThe De Coverley Papers, From 'The Spectator'Step into the genteel world of Sir Roger de Coverley, a charming country gentleman whose simple, generous spirit and whimsical quirks reveal timeless English character through live…
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 C1ClassicsThe Days of My Life: An AutobiographyA proud country girl encounters two mysterious strangers on an autumn evening, sparking tension and curiosity as they claim a surprising connection to her family estate.
Level C1HistoricalThe Days of MohammedA devout Persian priest, haunted by a tragic sacrifice, embarks on a spiritual quest across ancient Arabia, seeking a deeper truth and divine love beyond the idolatry and rituals o…
Level C1AdventureThe Days of Chivalry; Or, The Legend of CroquemitaineStep into the legendary era of Charlemagne, where towering heroes wield mighty swords, and chivalry blends with magic, battles, and whimsical adventures.
Level C1HistoricalThe Days of Bruce: A Story from Scottish History. Vol. 1Amidst the storm-lashed towers of 1306 Scotland, noble warriors prepare for the relentless tides of war that engulf their land.
Level C1ClassicsThe Days of Auld Lang SyneIn a tight-knit Scottish community, the delicate balance of tradition and change unfolds through the fierce negotiations and spirited rivalries over farm leases, where wit and dipl…
Level C1ClassicsThe Day's WorkAmid the relentless heat and danger, two engineers labor tirelessly to complete a monumental railway bridge over the Ganges, confronting unexpected challenges and the weight of res…
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 C1HistoricalThe Day of Wrath: A Story of 1914As war breaks out across Europe in 1914, Arthur Dalroy navigates the chaos of Berlin with a mysterious Englishwoman desperate to escape to Belgium, facing suspicion and danger amid…
Level C1MysteryThe Day of TemptationA shadowy plot unfolds as two men debate the dangers of an inexperienced girl’s arrival in London, revealing hidden secrets that threaten to upend their carefully guarded world.
Level C1ClassicsThe Day of Small ThingsConfined to her sofa for two years, a woman finds unexpected blessings in the small joys of life—a comforting bed, the changing light on a nearby hill, and the kindness around her—…
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 C1ClassicsThe Day of His YouthA grieving father retreats to the wilderness to raise his son in nature's pure embrace, building a simple log cabin and forging a life of strength and solitude away from society's…
Level C1PoetryThe Day of Doom; Or, a Poetical Description of the Great and Last JudgementWitness the vivid and solemn portrayal of the Last Judgment, as Puritan theology comes alive in verse, revealing the terrors of sin and the hope for salvation on the Day of Doom.
Level C1PoetryThe Day Before YesterdayChildhood fantasies come alive in a dusty attic cupboard transformed into a pirate ship, where paper boats sail enchanted seas and mice become fierce rats, inviting readers to reli…
Level C1Children'sThe Dawn of a To-morrowIn the foggy streets of London, Antony Dart wakes each day trapped in a relentless cycle of exhaustion and despair, struggling against a mind tormented by unyielding pressure and e…
Level C1Science FictionThe Dawn of AllAwakening in a hospital with fragmented memories, a scholar pieces together his lost days amid a turbulent society where ancient beliefs clash with modern thought.
Level C1HistoricalThe Dawn and the Day; Or, The Buddha and the Christ, Part IExplore the profound parallels and contrasts between Buddhism and Christianity as ancient truths, shared values, and spiritual hopes intertwine across cultures and epochs, challeng…
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 C1Children'sThe Daughters of a GeniusWhen a gifted but impractical artist dies, his numerous orphaned children face an uncertain future, prompting distant relatives to confront family duty, social differences, and hid…
Level C1ClassicsThe Daughters of DanausIn a moonlit garret, a mysterious sister leads her siblings in a secretive dance before challenging their beliefs on fate with a bold lecture that promises to ignite fierce debate…
Level C1PoetryThe Daughter of the Storage: And Other Things in Prose and VerseAmid the vast, orderly corridors of a fire-proof storage warehouse, a family unpacks trunks filled with cherished memories and forgotten treasures, as a child's playful imagination…
Level C1RomanceThe Daughter of the CommandantA young sergeant's sheltered upbringing unravels amid family drama and unexpected events, as he navigates education, loyalty, and love in a turbulent world shaped by duty and rebel…
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 C1HistoricalThe Daughter of an EmpressIn a Russia torn by betrayal and power struggles, Countess Natalie Dolgorucki faces the execution of her husband and the destruction of her family, vowing to seek justice and prese…
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 C1HistoricalThe Daughter of HeavenAmidst the smoldering fires of revolution in 19th-century China, a secret heir to the Ming dynasty stirs hope for restoration while the young Tartar Emperor of Peking grapples with…
Level C1RomanceThe Daughter PaysIn a sunlit London art gallery, two captivating young women, Virginia and Miriam, bask in luxury and carefree charm—until a mysterious, hostile stranger’s gaze unsettles their sere…
Level C1MysteryThe Datchet DiamondsAmid whispered dances and chance encounters on a windswept pier, a gentle yet enigmatic man draws a young woman into a web of intrigue and hidden dangers, where diamonds and secret…
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.
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.