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 B1HistoricalDocasJourney back to a Pacific Coast Indian village where young Docas and his family live, play, and learn the ways of their ancestors long before modern settlers arrived.
Level B2AdventureDo and Dare — a Brave Boy's Fight for FortuneA determined young boy fights to keep his mother’s post office job against the powerful Squire Walsingham’s nephew, facing selfish rivals and political influence in their small tow…
Level B1Children'sDixie KittenA curious kitten with striking black and tawny fur explores the sights and sounds of a bustling barnyard, learning about home, family, and the wide world beyond her cozy nest.
Level C1ClassicsDixie HartIn a rugged mountain village, a determined farmer wrestles with a troubled marriage while finding unexpected hope in the resilient and cheerful Dixie Hart, whose strength and spiri…
Level C1PoetryDivine SongsGentle hymns and simple verses invite children into lessons of faith and virtue, nurturing young hearts with praise, wisdom, and moral guidance.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through a mystical realm where souls cleanse their sins to ascend toward paradise, guided by celestial beings and illuminated by divine light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres where divine light and order shape the universe, as a soul guided by Beatrice seeks to comprehend the eternal harmony and profound mysteries o…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, HellLost in a dark forest and pursued by terrifying beasts, a man meets the ancient poet Virgil who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey into the underworld, revealing the t…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest and blocked by fearsome beasts, a troubled soul embarks on a harrowing journey guided by a revered poet through the eternal realms of the afterlife, where des…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through the second realm where souls purge their sins and prepare for Heaven’s ascent, guided by celestial beings and ancient wisdom.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres guided by Beatrice, as the soul ascends beyond mortal sight to witness divine order and eternal light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, HellLost in a dark, forbidding forest, a weary traveler encounters three terrifying beasts blocking his path and meets the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrow…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest, the narrator confronts terrifying beasts blocking his path and encounters the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey across…
Level C2PoetryDivine Adventures: A Book of VerseEmbark on a lyrical journey through love, nature, and myth, where poetic musings bring to life timeless tales and heartfelt reflections.
Level B2Children'sDivided SkatesA spirited girl on roller skates accidentally topples a timid old lady, sparking an unlikely friendship between a lively street child and a dignified woman living alone in a grand…
Level C1ClassicsDivers WomenIn a richly adorned modern church, a preacher's unexpected sermon challenges the congregation to confront the true meaning of faith beyond Sunday rituals, urging them to take heed…
Level C1ClassicsDitte: Girl Alive!Born into a hardy but struggling family on a desolate coastal hamlet, Ditte grows up amidst the fierce tides of nature and poverty, embodying resilience and the relentless human sp…
Level C1RomanceDiscovering "Evelina": An Old-fashioned Romance: A Companion Book to "The Jessamy Bride"In a household stirred by the magnetic influence of the famed Mr.
Level C1ClassicsDiscoveries: A Volume of EssaysA theatrical troupe performs in a half-ruined Irish ballroom, stirring reflections on art, spirituality, and cultural identity amid decaying architecture and conflicted audiences.
Level C1PoetryDiscoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some PoemsExplore a rich collection of sharp observations on human nature, fortune, and wisdom, woven with poetic insight and timeless counsel from one of England’s most astute minds, whose…
Level C1HistoricalDiscourses on Satire and on Epic PoetryDive into a rich dialogue on the art of satire and epic poetry, where critical debates, literary aspirations, and the poet's own reflections unfold against the backdrop of 17th-cen…
Level C1PhilosophyDiscourses of KeidanskyIn a vibrant Ghetto café, a disillusioned social reformer wrestles with shattered ideals and the relentless grip of harsh realities, questioning whether dreams of revolution can su…
Level C1ClassicsDiscourses in AmericaExplore incisive reflections on patriotism, politics, and moral causes shaping nations, as a keen observer dissects America and England’s social and political landscapes with both…
Level C1ClassicsDisciplineA rebellious young woman reflects on her wayward childhood and complex family history, revealing a spirit in need of firm guidance amid the tensions between pride, patience, and mo…
Level C1ClassicsDisarm! Disarm!A young woman raised on tales of military glory wrestles with her desire for heroism in a world where fame is reserved for men, confronting the harsh realities behind the glorified…
Level B2MysteryDisappeared From Her Home: A NovelWhen seventeen-year-old Amy Warden vanishes without a trace on a bright summer’s day, a small town is gripped by mystery and fear—was it foul play, a desperate escape, or something…
Level B2Science FictionDirect WireTwo small-time gamblers, Mort and Mike, suddenly enlist in the armed forces during wartime, leaving their racket behind.
Level C2ClassicsDionysius of Halicarnassus On Literary Composition: Being the Greek Text of the De Compositione VerborumExplore the art of literary composition through the eyes of a master critic who reveals the harmony of word order, sound, and style in Greek poetry and prose, illuminating the endu…
Level B2Children'sDimple DallasA shy girl faces the challenges of her first day at school, overcoming embarrassment and making new friends, while discovering the wonders of lessons like electricity that spark he…
Level B2ClassicsDiminutive dramasStep into a witty breakfast debate between King Henry VIII and Catherine Parr, where a simple boiled egg sparks a clash of opinions and a playful argument over history, love, and t…
Level B2ClassicsDimbie and I—and AmeliaIn a sunlit Surrey garden, a woman’s joy blooms as her beloved husband Dimbie returns home, bringing warmth and love that outshines family woes and everyday troubles.
Level B2Children'sDiligent DickA determined twelve-year-old boy sets out to win a Christmas decorating contract by selling evergreen supplies, aiming to help his family and surprise his father.
Level C1MysteryDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3)In a web of deceit and ambition, a ruthless solicitor and his cunning accomplice scheme to secure a noble inheritance by framing an innocent man for a grisly murder.
Level C1RomanceDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 2 of 3)Torn between brotherly loyalty and his own growing passion, a young gentleman struggles to navigate love and rivalry within the elegant society of Cheltenham.
Level C1HistoricalDilemmas of Pride, (Vol 1 of 3)Amid the sprawling, ancient estates of Arden Park, twin brothers Sir Willoughby and Alfred Arden come of age, their lives entwined with family legacy, celebration, and deep-seated…
Level C1AdventureDikes and Ditches; Or, Young America in Holland and BelgiumYoung sailors aboard the Academy ships face not only the challenges of navigating the calm, looming waters off Holland and Belgium but also the trials of a strict and overbearing i…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: Adventures in CaliforniaAn eighteen-year-old neglected youth, passionate about art but stifled by his harsh uncle’s demands, dreams of forging his own path beyond the grim expectations of work and duty in…
Level B2AdventureDigging for Gold: A Story of CaliforniaA determined sixteen-year-old boy faces hardship and neglect in a struggling household, dreaming of a better life as he confronts his stingy stepfather and contemplates the promise…
Level C1Children'sDigby Heathcote: The Early Days of a Country Gentleman's Son and HeirA spirited nine-year-old boy navigates childhood at Bloxholme Hall, where indulgence meets discipline, and mischief often leads to heartfelt lessons.
Level B2MysteryDig Here!A young girl faces a summer away from her missionary parents, sent to live with her distant Aunt Calliope, whose lonely letters hint at hidden sorrows.
Level C1ClassicsDifferent GirlsIn a provincial town, Margaret faces the quiet sacrifice of youth spent caring for an ailing mother, all while wrestling with the bittersweet longing for the vibrant life she was m…
Level B2AdventureDiego Pinzon and the Fearful Voyage He Took Into the Unknown Ocean A.D. 1492In 1492 Andalusia, a daring crew led by the fearless Martin Alonzo Pinzon prepares to embark on a perilous voyage into the uncharted ocean, defying superstition and fear to chase a…
Level C2HistoricalDiego Collado's Grammar of the Japanese LanguageExplore the early 17th-century Japanese language through a detailed Latin grammar that applies classical Latin frameworks to a non-Indo-European tongue, offering unique insights in…
Level B1AdventureDido, the Dancing Bear: His Many AdventuresJoin Dido, the smallest bear cub, as he embarks on playful races and mischief with his brothers in a cozy mountain den, discovering the joys and challenges of growing up in the wil…
Level C1Children'sDiddie, Dumps, and Tot; Or, Plantation Child-LifeThree young sisters grow up on a Mississippi cotton plantation, where their lives intertwine with those of the enslaved people who care for them.
Level C1HistoricalDiddie, Dumps & Tot; or, Plantation child-lifeThree young sisters grow up on a Mississippi cotton plantation, surrounded by devoted caretakers and the rich traditions of Southern slave life.
Level B2Children'sDickory DockIn a quiet Bloomsbury house, two children and a loyal dog become devoted caretakers of an orphaned baby whose arrival stirs new life and challenges in their humble world.
Level C1PhilosophyDickory Cronke: The Dumb Philosopher, or, Great Britain's WonderBorn mute and gifted with a sharp mind, Dickory Cronke defies expectations as he quietly shapes his own path amid hardship and mystery.
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.