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 B1MysteryDean Dunham; Or, the Waterford MysteryA modest land sale promises unexpected fortune for Adin Dunham, but rumors and wary neighbors hint that the thousand dollars might bring more trouble than relief.
Level C1Children'sDeaf and Dumb!A young boy eagerly anticipates a joyful ride to his nurse’s house, surrounded by caring friends and family.
Level B2AdventureDeadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road; or, The Black Rider of the Black HillsA young, striking hunter named Fearless Frank joins a rugged caravan bound for the gold-rich Black Hills, where danger looms from hostile tribes and lawless men.
Level B2AdventureDeadwood Dick Jr. Branded; or, Red Rover at Powder Pocket.A daring train robbery unfolds as masked men halt a speeding engine, aiming to seize the Castleville Bank's secret shipment.
Level C1HistoricalDeadham Hard: A RomanceIn the shadowy world of Deadham Hard, a scholar seeks refuge in a house steeped in mystery and moral ambiguity, where rivers meet and secrets flow beneath the surface.
Level C1RomanceDead-sea fruit, Vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by love and betrayal, a man searches desperately for Medora, who has vanished after witnessing his secret meetings with another woman.
Level C1RomanceDead-sea fruit, Vol. 2 (of 3)A weary aristocrat returns to his childhood estate, seeking solace and rekindled friendships amidst memories and faded dreams.
Level C1ClassicsDead-sea fruit, Vol. 1 (of 3)In a tranquil Belgian city frozen in time, a young English tutor with a mysterious past navigates quiet streets and a solitary existence, haunted by the absence of his father's ide…
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 3 (of 3)Haunted by past sorrows and village scandal, Alexis finds solace and unexpected affection in caring for a mysterious child and his devoted nurse, Linda.
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 2 (of 3)In a provincial town where social ambitions clash, Sibyl faces the scrutiny of the county elite and the unsettling prospect of a serious courtship from Sir Wilford Cardonnel.
Level C1ClassicsDead men's shoes, vol. 1 (of 3)A young woman, burdened by poverty and past hardships, receives a letter offering a chance to escape her bleak existence by reconnecting with a wealthy, eccentric uncle.
Level C1ClassicsDead lettersStep into a world where history and imagination intertwine through a collection of fictional letters from legendary figures, revealing unexpected glimpses behind timeless myths and…
Level C1ClassicsDead SoulsA cunning man embarks on a journey across Russia to buy up "dead souls"—deceased serfs still registered for tax—to amass a fortune through deception.
Level B2RomanceDead Shot; Or, The White Vulture: A Romance of the YellowstoneA seasoned guide haunted by his father’s murder leads a wagon train through the perilous Yellowstone wilderness, where fierce Native tribes and untamed nature threaten every step o…
Level B2MysteryDead Men's MoneyA mysterious one-eyed stranger arrives seeking quiet lodgings in a small town, bringing with him a heavy bag of gold and secrets that hint at danger and long-buried family ties.
Level C1MysteryDead Men Tell No TalesA young woman with a mysterious past embarks on a long sea voyage back to England, accompanied by a noble step-father and a motley crew of passengers, each carrying their own secre…
Level C1MysteryDead Man's RockHaunted by a cryptic will and a family legacy tied to a legendary gem, a man unravels dark secrets from his grandfather's mysterious past, smuggling tales, and a vanished fortune.
Level C1HistoricalDead Man's Plack and an Old ThornIn the quiet solitude of Hampshire's Harewood Forest, a chance encounter with a mysterious stone cross unravels a centuries-old legend about King Edgar and a fatal betrayal.
Level B2MysteryDead Man's LoveAn escaped convict seizes a daring chance to flee prison during a fire, risking everything for freedom in a wild, unforgiving landscape.
Level B2AdventureDead Man's Land: Being the Voyage to Zimbambangwe of certain and uncertain blacks and whitesWhen a determined tutor’s tales of daring adventures ignite the imaginations of two spirited boys, their quiet country estate becomes the starting point for an extraordinary voyage…
Level C1HistoricalDe Quincey's Revolt of the TartarsImmerse yourself in a richly imagined episode of Russian history as a brilliant and eccentric mind weaves vivid narrative from obscure sources, blending scholarly insight with impa…
Level C1ClassicsDe ProfundisIn the shadowed confines of a prison cell, a once-celebrated man confronts unending sorrow and the weight of disgrace, weaving a profound meditation on suffering, love, and redempt…
Level C1PhilosophyDe OfficiisAmid the collapse of the Roman Republic, a statesman turns to philosophy to guide his son through the practical duties of life, blending Greek ethical thought with Roman values to…
Level C1HistoricalDe Libris: Prose and VerseExplore the rich history and curious associations behind rare books, from Bacon’s reflections on life to the artistic legacy of Thomas Bewick, uncovering captivating stories that l…
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 C2PoetryDays and Dreams: PoemsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey of longing, conversation, and song, where voices intertwine in a poetic dance of dreams and reflections across time and mood.
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 B2Children'sDaybreak: A Story for GirlsIn a bustling orphanage on Christmas morning, new arrivals Kate and her sister Frances face loneliness and hardship, yet find fleeting beauty and hope in the world around them.
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 B2FantasyDay of the DruidIn a fog-shrouded land, Gaar wrestles with restless longing and ancient legends of a sleeping beauty guarded by deadly Druids.
Level B2Science FictionDay of the CometAs a comet hurtles toward Earth, nations and individuals confront the imminent apocalypse, forcing bitter enemies to seek unity and estranged lovers to face their regrets in the sh…
Level B2Science FictionDay of WrathAs volcanic eruptions and earthquakes threaten Rona, the vital food planet of the Norgan System, leaders must face an urgent evacuation and desperate measures to save their civiliz…
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 B2RomanceDawn of the MorningIn a somber 1824 estate, a young girl struggles with the shadow of her mother’s banishment and the cold authority of her father’s new wife, igniting a fierce defiance that challeng…
Level B1Children'sDawnAs Keith Burton turns fourteen, he confronts a mysterious new challenge: blurred vision that clouds the world he loves.
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 B2FantasyDawnA fierce clash between cousins reveals bitter family secrets and simmering rivalries, as strength and cunning collide in a struggle for power and inheritance.
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 B2Children'sDavid's Little LadIn a quiet Welsh village, sixteen-year-old Gwladys wrestles with feelings of isolation and melancholy amid familiar landscapes.
Level B2Children'sDavid the Shepherd BoyIn the quiet hills of Bethlehem, young David tends his sheep with courage and care, unaware that a secret anointing by the prophet Samuel marks him as the future king chosen by God…
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 A2AdventureDavid Lannarck, Midget: An Adventure StoryA determined circus midget escapes a threatening pursuer in Cheyenne, only to find friendship and adventure when a towering Westerner comes to his aid.
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.