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 C1PoetryThe dog's book of verseCelebrate the loyalty, courage, and companionship of dogs through a heartfelt collection of poems that explore their playful puppyhood, steadfast friendship with humans, brave deed…
Level C1PhilosophyThe doctor, &c., vol. 7 (of 7)Dive into a rich tapestry of philosophical reflections and linguistic interplay, where Latin, Greek, and English mingle to challenge and enlighten scholars and readers alike.
Level C1PhilosophyThe doctor, &c., vol. 6 (of 7)Explore a reflective journey through human folly, virtue, and the complexities of reform as a thoughtful physician-narrator navigates the challenges of truth, satire, and societal…
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 5 (of 7)Dive into a contemplative journey where philosophy, patience, and the pursuit of truth intertwine with reflections on human nature and society.
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 4 (of 7)Dive into a rich tapestry of reflections, anecdotes, and philosophical musings that invite readers to explore life's diverse subjects with clarity and wit, guided by a voice both c…
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 3 (of 7)Journey through the intertwined life and reflections of a thoughtful doctor whose story unfolds alongside rich philosophical and societal insights, revealing the pursuit of true ha…
Level C1HistoricalThe doctor, &c., vol. 2 (of 7)Explore the intertwining lives and historical events of Doncaster through the eyes of a thoughtful observer, as he reflects on justice, society, love, and the pursuit of knowledge…
Level C2ClassicsThe doctor, &c., vol. 1 (of 7)Dive into a playful yet profound exploration of life's follies and wisdom, where wit and raw honesty intertwine to challenge and entertain.
Level B2RomanceThe doctor's daughterA young woman cares tenderly for her weary doctor father in a quiet country home, longing for connection and meaning amid loneliness.
Level C1HistoricalThe doctor looks at literatureDelve into the intricate relationship between psychology and literature as a physician explores how fiction reveals the mysteries of the human mind, behavior, and life’s complexiti…
Level C2PoetryThe divine comedyLost in a dark forest, a troubled soul meets the spirit of a revered poet who offers to guide him through terrifying beasts and an eternal realm of despair, revealing a harrowing j…
Level C1ClassicsThe divine and moral songs of Isaac WattsDiscover the timeless hymns and moral songs crafted to teach children faith and wisdom through simple, heartfelt verses.
Level B2RomanceThe discovery of DamarisIn quiet London, Damaris lives a sheltered life under her uncles' watchful eyes, her graceful exterior hiding fierce, slumbering passions.
Level C1HistoricalThe discovery and decipherment of the trilingual cuneiform inscriptionsUnravel the century-long scholarly quest to decode the mysterious trilingual cuneiform inscriptions of ancient Persia, revealing the languages and histories carved in stone by king…
Level C1PhilosophyThe discipleA young man grapples with the moral and national crises facing France after defeat and turmoil, exploring how personal and collective responsibility shape the nation's soul and fut…
Level C1HistoricalThe discarded daughter; or, The children of the isleAmid the lush, mysterious islets of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, old rivalries and hidden secrets simmer near the once-promising town of St.
Level A2AdventureThe dinky ducklingsTwo duckling brothers, Peter and Puddle, set out on a lively adventure to visit their Aunt Daffy, encountering new friends and unexpected detours led by a cunning fox.
Level C1ClassicsThe diary of a superfluous man, and other storiesOn the brink of death, a weary man begins a candid diary, reflecting on his troubled upbringing, the stark contrasts between his virtuous mother and flawed father, and his own sens…
Level A2ClassicsThe diary of Delia : Being a veracious chronicle of the kitchen, with some side-lights on the parlourA sharp-witted kitchen maid navigates the harsh demands and petty cruelties of a wealthy household, revealing the struggles and small rebellions of those who serve behind closed do…
Level C1HistoricalThe devil in a nunnery, and other mediaeval talesIn medieval Buckinghamshire, a mysterious young pilgrim arrives at a devout nunnery, challenging the strict rules of sanctuary and stirring whispers among the cloistered sisters.
Level C1ClassicsThe despot of Broomsedge CoveIn the rugged wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains, a young psalmist rides fiercely between faith and frontier life, his fervent spirituality clashing with the practical demands…
Level C1RomanceThe desire of the moth ;In a vast, untamed landscape, John Wesley Pringle embarks on a leisurely journey westward, seeking new horizons beyond prosperity and routine.
Level C1ClassicsThe deserted wifeIn a society where marriage is often entered into lightly and dissolved easily, a young bride faces abandonment, ill health, and social ruin, revealing the harsh realities behind d…
Level B2AdventureThe desert homeVast and varied, the Great American Desert stretches over a million square miles of shifting sands, rugged mountains, and surprising oases, inviting daring explorers to uncover its…
Level C1FantasyThe descent of the sun: A cycle of birthJourney into a mystical solar myth where the sun’s descent symbolizes the profound cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, intertwining divine light, darkness, and the eternal dance be…
Level C1ClassicsThe demon ship, or The pirate of the MediterraneanA young soldier's unrequited love for Margaret Cameron leads him to India, only to return and discover a devastating loss that shatters his hopes and alters his destiny amid myster…
Level C1PhilosophyThe decadentAmidst the grime and chaos of a bustling industrial city, Malcolm McCann arrives at a bleak station, uncertain of what awaits him.
Level B2Science FictionThe deadly thinkersA vast, mile-wide machine known as Urei begins to show signs of sentience, sparking fear as it might influence or even control human minds.
Level C1RomanceThe dead trystTwo cousins, bound by a childhood betrothal, face the arrival of a dashing English officer who stirs conflicting emotions amidst the looming siege of Paris; loyalty, love, and duty…
Level B2MysteryThe de Bercy AffairWhen a prominent lady linked to a shocking West End murder disappears, Chief Inspector Winter races against time to unravel her mysterious past and uncover the truth behind the de…
Level B2ClassicsThe day's journeyIn a tranquil English countryside, Rose Summers visits her cousin Cecily, now living quietly at the Priory with her husband Robert Kingslake, a struggling writer.
Level C1RomanceThe day will comeJoy bells ring through the village as an ambitious self-made man returns to his ancestral estate with his new bride, sparking hopes and rivalries in a remote Dorsetshire community.
Level B2FantasyThe daughter of the dawnIn a London study, a mysterious visitor clad in feathers and cloaks arrives with a tale of Maori magic and ancient secrets, drawing the narrator into a world where legend and reali…
Level C1ClassicsThe daughter of JorioIn the rugged Abruzzi, ancient customs clash with forbidden love as a daughter defies tribal bounds, stirring passion and tragedy in a land where old blood and new desires collide.
Level C1HistoricalThe dark year of DundeeAmid the looming shadow of pestilence in 1544 Dundee, Mary Wigton faces hardship and lost family lands while navigating a town gripped by turmoil and uncertain loyalties during the…
Level B2Children'sThe dark nightTwins Osric and Elsie navigate childhood challenges on their way to school, where secrets and fears test their bond.
Level B2MysteryThe dark eyes of LondonIn the shadowy underworld of London, Inspector Larry Holt confronts a terrifying gang of blind giants lurking in the city's darkest corners.
Level C1ClassicsThe darkA weary terrorist on the brink of a critical assassination seeks refuge in a brothel, confronting his inner turmoil and unfamiliar desires as he prepares for a deadly mission that…
Level C1ClassicsThe dangerous inheritanceIn a fading artist’s studio, a young singer’s rare talent draws the attention of a powerful patron who offers a fortune to secure her future—on the condition she forsakes love and…
Level B2MysteryThe dangerous gameAn acclaimed English novelist seeks solace on the enchanting island of Corfu, but mysterious tensions arise between a charming woman and her enigmatic husband, drawing him into a w…
Level C1ClassicsThe daft daysOn a frosty New Year’s morning, a cheerful, quirky bell stirs a sleepy town into waking merriment, setting the stage for lively characters and unexpected joys amid the festive, sno…
Level C2RomanceThe cõforte of louers: The Comfort of LoversA heart weighed down by sorrow seeks solace in a mystical garden where a wise lady offers hope and healing for a love long concealed and deeply felt.
Level C1ClassicsThe cynic's breviary: Maxims and anecdotes from Nicolas de ChamfortDive into a sharp, witty collection of maxims and anecdotes that reveal the cynical yet insightful mind of a man who navigated the dazzling and turbulent society of 18th-century Fr…
Level C1MysteryThe curse of the ReckavilesAmidst the roaring chaos of a fiercely contested hospital rugby final, Sefton’s triumph is shattered by a sudden, desperate telegram: his father is dying.
Level C1ClassicsThe curse of goldIn the grim confines of a pauper’s hospital ward, two young women lie on the edge between life and death, bound by hardship and secrets.
Level C1RomanceThe curse of CliftonTwo cavalry officers navigate treacherous mountain passes shrouded in fog, their contrasting personalities hinting at deeper mysteries.
Level C1ClassicsThe cup; and The falconIn a Galatian city under Roman rule, a sacred cup stirs devotion and destiny amidst priestesses and warriors, while in an Italian cottage, sharp wit and simmering emotions unfold a…
Level B2AdventureThe cruise of the SnarkA daring crew abandons comfort and convention to sail their small yacht, the Snark, around the world, driven by a thirst for personal achievement and the call of the sea’s wild adv…
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.