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 C1RomanceDarnley; or, The Field of the Cloth of GoldAmid the winding roads of 16th-century Kent, a stalwart knight embarks on a journey filled with adventure and historical intrigue, set against the vibrant backdrop of King Henry VI…
Level B2RomanceDarkness and Daylight: A NovelA once-abandoned ancestral mansion stirs with secrets and renewal as a father and son return to Collingwood, confronting haunting memories and the promise of new beginnings amid vi…
Level C1HistoricalDarkness and Dawn; Or, Scenes in the Days of Nero. An Historic TaleIn the turbulent days of Nero’s Rome, a decadent pagan world faces the dawn of Christianity.
Level B2Science FictionDarkness and DawnAwakening alone in a decayed, abandoned tower, Beatrice Kendrick confronts a transformed world where time and reality have shattered.
Level C1PoetryDarkey Ways in DixieImmerse yourself in poignant and vibrant verses capturing the rhythms, struggles, and everyday life of African American communities in the South.
Level B2MysteryDark powerIn the aftermath of a whirlwind wedding, Di finds herself abandoned and penniless, grappling with the harsh realities left behind by the enigmatic Angelina.
Level C2PoetryDark of the MoonExplore a luminous collection of poems that capture the shifting moods of nature, seasons, and the human heart, from starlit nights to autumnal reflections and midsummer dreams.
Level C1MysteryDark HollowWhen a mysterious woman breaches the long-locked gates of Judge Ostrander’s secluded estate, the quiet town of Shelby stirs with curiosity and suspicion, uncovering secrets guarded…
Level C1ClassicsDark HesterIn a quiet Essex village, Monica Wilmott wrestles with haunting resentment toward Hester, the enigmatic woman married to her son Clive.
Level C1RomanceDariel: A Romance of SurreyA young man struggles to revive his family's fortunes by farming the Surrey countryside, facing skepticism and hardship despite his dedication and hard work.
Level B2ClassicsDaphne: An Autumn PastoralAn American girl navigates language barriers and cultural quirks while exploring the Italian countryside alone, uncovering the beauty and challenges of villa life amid whispers of…
Level C1HistoricalDante: Six SermonsExplore the life and principles of Dante as a philosopher, poet, and social reformer driven by a passionate zeal to unite Italy and uplift humanity through virtue and truth, blendi…
Level C1HistoricalDante: His Times and His WorkExplore the turbulent political and social landscape of Dante’s Italy, revealing his complex worldview shaped by factional strife and elite society, while uncovering fresh scholarl…
Level C1HistoricalDante: "The Central Man of All the World": A Course of Lectures Delivered Before the Student Body of the New York State College for Teachers, Albany, 1919, 1920Explore Dante’s Divine Comedy through a journey across medieval Italy, uncovering timeless struggles of the human soul and the spiritual battles that shape every individual’s quest…
Level C1HistoricalDante. An essay. To which is added a translation of De Monarchia.Explore the origins and impact of the Divina Commedia, tracing the personal history and political context behind Dante's monumental work and his treatise De Monarchia, illuminating…
Level C1HistoricalDante and the early astronomersExplore the captivating intersection of astronomy and poetry as a medieval scholar turns to ancient texts and celestial wonders for solace and enlightenment, revealing the profound…
Level C1ClassicsDante Alighieri, Apostle of Freedom: War-time and Peace-time EssaysExplore the enduring spirit of Dante Alighieri as an apostle of liberty, whose timeless words inspire political, intellectual, and spiritual freedom amid the upheavals of war and p…
Level C1HistoricalDanteStep into the turbulent world of 12th and 13th-century Italy, where the clash between emperors and popes shapes emerging city-states and fierce political factions.
Level B2ClassicsDanny's Own StoryRaised by a quarrelsome couple who can’t agree on his name or his place in the world, young Danny navigates a harsh life where love, identity, and hardship collide in a raw, unforg…![Cover of Danish ballads by E. M. [Translator] Smith-Dampier](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da92bfdnmvfc73bikctg.webp)
Level C1PoetryDanish balladsAncient Danish ballads come alive with metrical fidelity and rich cultural insight, revealing a world where dance and song blend communal tradition with individual genius in mediev…
Level B2HistoricalDaniraAfter a fierce storm, a young Austrian officer arrives at a remote, mountainous harbor where danger and mystery await.
Level B2Children'sDaniel's YouthFollow the story of Daniel and three schoolboys as they learn the power of true purpose—beyond mere plans or words—to live with faith, diligence, and integrity despite challenges a…
Level C1ClassicsDaniel DerondaIn a lavish gambling salon where European high society mingles, a young boy’s gaze fixes on a mysterious woman whose restless charm sparks questions of fate and desire, setting the…
Level C1HistoricalDaniel DefoeAn extraordinary man of action and letters, he leads a life as adventurous as his famed characters, navigating rebellion, commerce, espionage, and literary fame.
Level B2AdventureDaniel Boone, BackwoodsmanVenture into the untamed American frontier alongside Daniel Boone, a fearless backwoodsman whose explorations and battles shape the westward expansion.
Level C1AdventureDangerous deedsAmid Washington’s morning fog, a daring young aviator clings to the edge of adventure, haunted by a troubled past and driven by a mysterious black handbag that could unlock his for…
Level B2MysteryDangerous Ground; or, The Rival DetectivesIn the storm-ravaged frontier of 1859 Kansas, a mysterious death with a scorched mark sparks tension among a group of weary travelers.
Level C1MysteryDangerous Dilemmas: Startling but TrueAt a luxurious European spa, a gambler's luck leads to unexpected perils as he and a companion stray into a forest maze, only to find themselves trapped in a sinking morass with da…
Level C1ClassicsDangerous Connections, v. 1, 2, 3, 4: A Series of Letters, selected from the Correspondence of a Private Circle; and Published for the Instruction of Society.In a society where appearances mask deceit, a tangled web of private letters reveals the dangerous entanglements of passion, manipulation, and ambition.
Level C1ClassicsDanger; Or, Wounded in the House of a FriendAmid a fierce winter storm, a young man, lost and disoriented, stumbles into a deadly danger that threatens to shatter his family.
Level C1MysteryDanger! and Other StoriesA small European navy captain reveals how England’s mighty fleet is rendered powerless when a hidden threat exploits its overlooked vulnerabilities, forcing a nation to confront th…
Level B2AdventureDanger signalsA seasoned engineer reunites with an old friend to uncover the mysterious past of "the Kid," a once-cheery fireman who vanished beyond the Great Divide, revealing a tale of innovat…
Level B1Children'sDanger Cliff, and other storiesA wealthy gentleman entrusts his family's safety to a cautious coachman who knows the peril of Danger Cliff, a treacherous chasm that tempts those who underestimate it.
Level B2AdventureDanforth Plays the Game: Stories for Boys Little and BigA strikingly handsome boy, new to Barnstead Academy, faces teasing and doubt as he joins the football team’s awkward squad, determined to prove his skill and rise above the jeers i…
Level C1ClassicsDandy Dick: A Play in Three ActsIn a bright deanery, two young women face a scandalous dilemma as they prepare to attend a masked ball under the watchful eye of their strict father.
Level B2Children'sDandelion CottageFour neighborhood girls discover friendship and adventure around the quaint, dandelion-surrounded cottage behind the big stone church in Lakeville, where challenges and charm aboun…
Level B2ClassicsDancers in the DarkIn the glow of her first prom night, Joy Nelson steps into a dazzling world of late-night dances, rebellious roommates, and thrilling secrets.
Level B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
Level B2AdventureDan MerrithewA strong, mysterious tugboat man crosses paths with a radiant young woman aboard a luxurious yacht, sparking a connection felt across stormy seas.
Level C1RomanceDamon and Delia: A TaleAt the heart of Southampton's dazzling races, the enchanting Delia captivates a host of admirers with her beauty and grace, yet her heart remains untouched—until fate stirs passion…
Level C1Children'sDame Wonder's Picture Alphabet: Amusing Alphabet, Dame Wonder's Series.Explore a whimsical collection of beloved nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and playful stories designed to delight young readers while teaching the alphabet through charming pictures a…
Level B2PoetryDame Trot and Her CatDame Trot’s gentle cat surprises her by preparing tea, keeping the house spotless, and even teaching the dog to dance—but her fondness for fashionable dress leads to a charming, mi…
Level A2PoetryDame Duck's First Lecture on EducationFollow Dame Duck as she teaches her lively ducklings how to waddle, swim, and thrive in their new world, blending gentle guidance with charming lessons in this delightful poetic ta…
Level B2ClassicsDame CareA family faces ruin as their estate is seized and a newborn’s arrival deepens their despair.
Level C1PoetryDalziels' Illustrated GoldsmithStep into the turbulent world of 18th-century literature, where a young Irishman confronts the fading era of patronage to forge his own path as a writer, guided by honesty and gene…
Level B2FantasyDaisy; or, The Fairy SpectaclesIn a lonely forest, a humble woodcutter searches for love but faces rejection—until a mysterious old woman leads him to Susan, a gentle girl with a tender heart, sparking a magical…
Level C1ClassicsDaisy: the autobiography of a catA spirited Boston-born cat recounts her early life, guided by her wise mother’s lessons on kindness and self-control amid rough neighborhood alley cats.
Level C1Children'sDaisy's Work: The Third CommandmentIn a bustling city street, Daisy, a delicate flower-girl with a refined air, sells bouquets while hiding a poignant secret of loss and loneliness.
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.