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 C1PoetryTargum: Or Metrical Translations From Thirty Languages And DialectsDive into a rich tapestry of poetic voices from thirty languages, revealing the soul and character of diverse cultures through metrical translations.
Level C1PoetryTar-Heel Tales in Vernacular VerseDive into vivid, vernacular verse capturing the tales of Tar-Heel refugees during Sherman’s campaign in North Carolina, blending humor, hardship, and local color through the eyes o…
Level C1PoetryTannhäuserA visionary seeker battles illusions, doubts, and cosmic ironies in a mystical quest to penetrate the deepest truths of existence, challenging old religious symbols and uncovering…
Level C1PoetryTales of a Wayside InnStep into a cozy inn where travelers share captivating tales—from daring midnight rides to legendary sagas of kings and warriors—woven into an enchanting tapestry of poetry that br…
Level C1PoetryTales of Ind, and Other PoemsIn a lush Indian valley, love blossoms between Seeta and Rama amid vibrant village life, but a devastating famine soon shatters their paradise, forcing them to confront hunger, los…
Level C1PoetryTales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — CompleteDive into a rich collection of fables, tales, and poetic stories that blend wit, wisdom, and timeless human nature, revealing the quirks and morals of society through charming char…
Level C1PoetrySuccessful RecitationsDiscover a curated collection of stirring poems and dramatic pieces designed to captivate any audience, blending patriotism, vivid imagery, and timeless themes that command attenti…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 3 of 3: I. Agorè: Polities of the Homeric Age. II. Ilios: Trojans and Greeks Compared. III. Thalassa: The Outer Geography. IV. Aoidos: Some Points of the Poetry of Homer.Explore the political foundations, cultural contrasts, and geographical context of the Homeric Age, revealing how early Greek society shaped enduring ideals of governance and ident…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 2 of 3: Olympus; or, the Religion of the Homeric AgeExplore the complex blend of theology and mythology in the Homeric age, where ancient traditions meet inventive storytelling, revealing a rich but inconsistent supernatural system…
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3: I. Prolegomena II. Achæis; or, the Ethnology of the Greek RacesDelve into the fierce scholarly debate surrounding the authenticity and value of Homer’s epics, exploring their enduring significance and the evolving understanding of their place…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of the Greek Poets (Vol 2 of 2)Explore the origins and unique conditions that shaped Greek tragedy, focusing on Euripides' revolutionary contributions amid Athens' vibrant cultural and political scene, revealing…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of the Greek Poets (Vol 1 of 2)Explore the origins and evolution of Greek poetry through deep historical and mythological insights, tracing its development from Homeric epics to the philosophical and artistic he…
Level C1HistoricalStudies of Contemporary PoetsExplore the vibrant voices shaping modern poetry, as they capture the spirit of their time with social conscience, mysticism, and a deep connection to everyday life.
Level C1HistoricalStudies in the Poetry of Italy, Part II. ItalianExplore the rich origins and evolution of Italian literature, tracing its roots from the ancient Roman legacy through the influence of Germanic tribes and the transformation of Lat…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in the Poetry of Italy, Part I. RomanExplore the origins of Roman poetry through its dramatic, satiric, and epic phases, tracing Rome’s cultural growth amid conquest and lawmaking as Greek art and harsh realities shap…
Level C1HistoricalStudies in Folk-Song and Popular PoetryExplore the rich world of folk-song and popular poetry as this collection delves into the melodies and stories that shaped cultures across America, Britain, and beyond, revealing t…
Level C1PoetryStray Pebbles from the Shores of ThoughtExplore a rich tapestry of reflections, memories, and heartfelt moments woven into verse, capturing the spirit of home, nature, and personal connections across time and place.
Level C1PoetryStories in VerseEnter a world where vivid tales unfold through poetic verses, weaving stories of love, mystery, betrayal, and unexpected fortune.
Level C1AdventureStories from the OdysseyJourney through the fragmented world of ancient Greece, where gods mingle with mortals and heroes navigate treacherous seas and shadowy realms beyond death.
Level C1PoetryStories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 2Dive into the vibrant world of Italian Renaissance poetry, where noble poets balance courtly duties with epic tales of love, valor, and enchantment.
Level C1PoetryStories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 1Dive into captivating tales from Italy’s greatest narrative poets, blending rich biography with prose renditions and poetic excerpts that illuminate the intensity and passion shapi…
Level C1PoetryStories from the IliadAmid the raging Trojan War, Achilles' fierce wrath alters the fate of Greeks and Trojans alike, unleashing epic battles, divine interventions, and heroic deeds that shape the desti…
Level C1PoetryStories and ballads for young folksAmidst cold winter winds and quiet rooms, a playful child surprises a wounded lieutenant with laughter and warmth, weaving moments of innocence and care.
Level C1HistoricalSt Baldred of the Bass, a Pictish legendIn a turbulent era of Pictish kings and war, a devout disciple of Saint Kentigern retreats to the solitude of the Bass island, performing miracles and inspiring fierce loyalty amon…
Level C1PoetrySpoon River AnthologyVoices from a small town rise from their graves, revealing secrets, regrets, and passions that shaped their lives.
Level C1PoetrySplores of a Halloween, Twenty Years AgoVivid verses recall a Halloween from twenty years past, blending nostalgia with haunting imagery as the poet challenges conventional tastes to reveal the deeper literary spirit beh…
Level C1PoetrySpider-webs in Verse: A Collection of Lyrics for Leisure Moments, Spun at Idle HoursReflect on the delicate interplay between life's fleeting moments and deeper ideals through a collection of lyrical verses crafted during quiet, idle hours.
Level C1PoetrySpenser's The Faerie Queene, Book IAmid the vibrant England of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a revival of chivalry and national pride sparks an epic allegory of ideal knighthood, weaving romance, classical learning, and…
Level C1PoetrySpenser's Faerie Queene, Vol. 1 (of 2)Enter a richly imagined realm where knights embark on quests embodying virtues, encountering enchantments and allegories that weave a tapestry of morality and chivalry in an epic p…
Level C1PoetrySpenserExplore the rise of English poetry through the life of a pioneering poet whose work bridges the gap between medieval tradition and Renaissance brilliance, laying the foundation for…
Level C1RomanceSpeculum Amantis: Love Poems, from Rare Songbooks and Miscellanies of the Seventeenth CenturyDiscover a provocative collection of seventeenth-century love poems, ranging from audacious dedications to rare verses hidden in forgotten miscellanies, revealing the shifting boun…
Level C1PoetrySpecimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, CompleteExplore the dawn of English poetry through the lives and works of lesser-known British poets, tracing the rise of literary tradition from early Christian missionaries to the first…
Level C1PoetrySpecimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor ColeridgeEnter the intimate world of a brilliant mind through vivid recollections of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s conversations, where profound thoughts and eloquent expressions reveal his uni…
Level C1HistoricalSpecimens of the Russian poets, vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the rise of Russian poetry amid a vast empire's quest for civilization, power, and liberty.
Level C1HistoricalSpecimens of the Russian poets, vol. 1 (of 2)Discover the early sparks of Russian poetic genius as this collection unveils the works and lives of pioneering poets who shaped a nascent literary tradition emerging from centurie…
Level C1PoetrySoutherly BustersVividly capturing the rugged life of the Australian bush, these poems blend humor and hardship through the eyes of wanderers and jackeroos, offering a raw and heartfelt glimpse int…
Level C1PoetrySonnets from the PatagonianAmidst the turmoil of war and fading empires, a poet reflects on beauty, soul, and the true battleground beyond guns and armies.
Level C1PoetrySonnets from a prison campA soldier's soul clings to poetry as a lifeline amid the harsh realities of captivity during war.
Level C1PoetrySonnets by the Nawab Nizamat Jung BahadurExplore a collection of sonnets born from a life bridging Hyderabad and England, where deep emotions meet the disciplined art of poetry, reflecting timeless truths and the noble sp…
Level C1PoetrySonnets and madrigals of Michelangelo BuonarrotiDiscover the profound inner world of a master sculptor through his sonnets and madrigals, where each verse is crafted with the same intense passion and precision as his art, reveal…
Level C1PoetrySonnets and CanzonetsExplore heartfelt sonnets and canzonets that bridge youth and age, celebrating timeless truths, noble souls, and the enduring spirit of poetry through reflections on friendship, vi…
Level C1PoetrySongs, Sonnets & Miscellaneous PoemsExplore intimate reflections and vivid landscapes through heartfelt songs, sonnets, and verses crafted for private joy, revealing the quiet passions of an artist-poet who cherished…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the unblind CupidExplore a collection of evocative poems that weave themes of love, youth, and nature through vivid imagery and heartfelt verse, capturing the tender complexities of the human heart…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the cattle trail and cow campExperience the rugged life of cowboys through authentic songs and poems collected from the cattle trails and cow camps, capturing the spirit, challenges, and camaraderie of the Ame…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the Sea and Lays of the LandDive into vivid ballads capturing the adventurous spirit of old sailing mariners and eccentric post-war American life, blending authentic sailors’ lore with tales of shipwrecks, di…
Level C1HistoricalSongs of the RidingsExplore the vivid lives and dialects of Yorkshire peasants and artisans through dramatic monologues that capture their unique outlooks, habits, and voices—bringing to light a vibra…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the Mexican SeasVenture into a mysterious, untamed land where the sea and forest hold secrets of ancient nature and fierce human struggles, unveiling a world untouched by law or civilization, shap…
Level C1HistoricalSongs of love and empireExplore a collection of stirring poems that weave together themes of love, honor, and empire, capturing moments from Trafalgar to Waterloo and reflections on peace and loyalty to t…
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.