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 C1PoetryMore Cricket SongsCelebrate the spirit and charm of cricket through verse that captures the game's joys, trials, and timeless appeal.
Level C1HistoricalMore BywordsIn a rugged Roman-Gallic villa, the people of Claudiodunum gather for a sacred procession invoking divine protection over their lands, while a senator and his guest watch from afar…
Level C1PoetryMoral EmblemsA young boy living in snowy Davos-Platz channels his precocious business spirit into printing poems and programs, navigating family struggles and the challenges of early entreprene…
Level C1PoetryMoorish Literature: Comprising Romantic Ballads, Tales of the Berbers, Stories of the Kabyles, Folk-Lore, and National TraditionsExplore the rich oral traditions of the Moors, Berbers, and Kabyles through romantic ballads, folk tales, and songs that reveal a vibrant culture shaped by history, love, and war a…
Level C1PoetryMoores Fables for the Female SexExplore a series of engaging fables that use animal characters and allegory to reveal insights and morals aimed at women, blending wit and wisdom with captivating illustrations to…
Level C1PoetryMontezuma: An Epic on the Origin and Fate of the Aztec NationDiscover the epic journey of the Aztecs, tracing their origins from ancient Shinar through sun worship and migration, as they face the brutal realities of the Spanish Conquest.
Level C1PoetryMoments of Vision and Miscellaneous VersesExplore a poetic journey through memory, nature, and human emotion as reflections surface in moments of vision and whispered voices of the past, revealing hidden depths beneath eve…
Level C1PoetryMolly O'Rigge: Sit Ye Awhile and Tipple a Bit. The Delights of Wine. Caledonia! Native Land! The Warrior Bard. Beadle of the Parish.Dive into lively verses brimming with humor, love, and local color as Molly O'Rigge's spirited tale unfolds alongside toasts to wine, patriotic pride, and the boisterous Beadle of…
Level C1PoetryMollie Charane, and Other BalladsExplore haunting ballads and vivid tales where love, loss, and ancient valor intertwine, from Mollie Charane’s mysterious gold to heroic Danish warriors and reflections on life’s f…
Level C1PoetryModern Prose And Poetry; For Secondary SchoolsExplore a diverse collection of modern prose and poetry selected for secondary students, designed to engage their interests and develop critical reading and writing skills through…
Level C1HistoricalModern Poets and Poetry of SpainExplore the rich world of modern Spanish poetry through critical insights and English translations that reveal the minds and culture of Spain’s literary elite, bridging history and…
Level C1HistoricalModern Italian Poets; Essays and VersionsExplore the passionate intersection of poetry and politics in Italy’s struggle for national unity, as poets wield their pens like swords to inspire freedom and shape a new era duri…
Level C1PoetryMisrepresentative WomenWitty and sharp, these poems playfully satirize notable women and societal norms, blending humor and critique through clever verse and lively illustrations.
Level C1PoetryMirth and metreDive into a collection of witty lays and legends crafted in a comic verse style inspired by the Ingoldsby Legends, blending admiration and originality in tales of ancient heroes, m…
Level C1PoetryMirror of the MonthsExperience the unique character of each month through vivid observations blending country and city life, where nature’s subtle changes come alive in a poetic calendar that reveals…
Level C1HistoricalMirror for Magistrates, Volume 2, Part 1Explore a vivid reflection on governance where the fate of princes and magistrates reveals how ambition, justice, and corruption shape the destiny of a realm.
Level C1HistoricalMirror for Magistrates, Volume 1Amidst England's turbulent reigns, a poetic chronicle unfolds, tracing the fates of nobles and commoners alike, offering a mirror to history’s lessons.
Level C1HistoricalMinstrelsy of the Scottish border, Volume 1Journey through the turbulent Scottish borders, where fierce clans and noble houses clash in a saga of valor, betrayal, and shifting power.
Level C1PoetryMinstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 3 (of 3): Consisting of Historical and Romantic Ballads, Collected in the Southern Counties of Scotland; with a Few of Modern Date, Founded Upon Local TraditionDive into a collection of ancient Scottish ballads where kings, knights, and enchanted palaces blur history and legend, revealing tales of romance, transformation, and chivalry fro…
Level C1HistoricalMinstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2 (of 3): Consisting of Historical and Romantic Ballads, Collected in the Southern Counties of Scotland; with a Few of Modern Date, Founded Upon Local TraditionAmid the turbulent backdrop of 17th-century Scotland, where fierce religious and civil wars shape the land, discover ballads that capture the clash between monarchy and church, tra…
Level C1PoetryMinor Tibetan Texts: 1. The song of the Eastern Snow-mountainExplore the intricate world of Tibetan language and culture through a meticulous study of ancient texts, focusing on the revered reformers of Lamaism and their enduring spiritual l…
Level C1PoetryMinor Poets of the Caroline Period, Vol. IIIDive into the rich world of 17th-century English poetry with carefully curated works from lesser-known Caroline poets, complete with scholarly revisions and historical insights tha…
Level C1PoetryMinor Poems of Michael DraytonExplore the heartfelt devotion and poetic craft of a Renaissance poet whose verses blend history, legend, and pastoral themes with personal passion and political nuance, revealing…
Level C1PoetryMinor PoemsExplore a diverse collection of poems capturing themes from love and laughter to mystery and heroism, each verse a window into the varied human experience and the subtle beauty of…
Level C1PoetryMilton: Minor PoemsExplore the challenges and rewards of studying the profound, musical poetry of one of literature’s gravest minds, as this guide offers insights into mastering difficult diction, sy…
Level C1PoetryMichael Robartes and the dancerDive into a mystical world where dreams blur with memory, as Michael Robartes unravels ancient secrets and explores the enigmatic visions that connect past lives, love, and the elu…
Level C1PoetryMichael FieldDiscover the enchanting world of Michael Field, the joint pseudonym of two women poets whose lyric and dramatic works captivated Victorian literary circles.
Level C1PoetryMerlin: A PoemStep into the mystical world of Merlin, where poetry weaves a tale of magic, destiny, and timeless enchantment.
Level C1PoetryMen, Women and GhostsExplore a collection where poetry becomes storytelling, blending rhythmic free verse with vivid scenes—from gardens and music to war and cityscapes—inviting you to hear the music b…
Level C1PoetryMen and WomenExplore a vivid collection of dramatic monologues and lyrical poems that bring to life complex characters and fleeting emotions, revealing the depths of human experience through im…
Level C1PoetryMemorial Day, and Other Verse (Original and Translated)A heartfelt collection of poems honors the sacrifices of soldiers and the enduring spirit of patriotism, blending vivid imagery of war, peace, and remembrance to inspire gratitude…
Level C1PoetryMazelli, and Other PoemsAn aged hermit offers weary travelers humble refuge beneath a guardian willow, sharing visions of youth, nature, and the bittersweet lessons of life amid a tranquil valley untouche…
Level C1PoetryMay-Day, and Other PiecesCelebrate the vibrant arrival of May and the stirring rebirth of nature in evocative verse that captures the hopeful pulse beneath the thawing earth and the promise of new beginnin…
Level C1PoetryMay Day with the MusesAs winter fades, a joyful celebration unfolds with rustic charm and poetic musings on love, nature, and hope.
Level C1PoetryMay CarolsCelebrate the sacred month of May through poems that intertwine nature’s beauty with profound Christian mysteries, exploring the divine link between Creation and the Incarnation in…
Level C1PoetryMaurine and Other PoemsIn a sunlit June morning, a spirited conversation unfolds about friendship, love, and the delicate bonds between women, set against the tender backdrop of blooming roses and heartf…
Level C1PoetryMatthew ArnoldExplore the life and literary world of Matthew Arnold, the influential 19th-century poet and critic, through a detailed examination of his letters, works, and the impact of his ren…
Level C1PoetryMathieu Ropars: et ceteraOn two rugged isles guarding the sea near Brest, a devoted father watches his spirited daughters and their mischievous goat, while tales of distant voyages and a mysterious lieuten…
Level C1PoetryMarsk Stig: a balladAmidst war and royal intrigue, Marsk Stig rides off to battle while his beloved Ingeborg faces betrayal by the King, who threatens her honor and tests their love.
Level C1PoetryMarsk Stig's Daughters, and Other Songs and BalladsTwo daughters of a disgraced marshal seek aid from kings across Scandinavia, weaving their sorrow and fate into intricate tapestries.
Level C1HistoricalMarmion: A Tale Of Flodden FieldIn the shadow of the Battle of Flodden, a poetic minstrel weaves a stirring tale of war, honor, and Scotland’s turbulent autumn, capturing the clash of swords and the spirit of a n…
Level C1PoetryMarlborough, and Other PoemsA collection of poignant poems and personal letters from a young officer in World War I, capturing the raw realities of war and reflections on life before his untimely death in bat…
Level C1PoetryMarguerite; or, The Isle of Demons and Other PoemsA haunting poetic journey into the tragic legend of Marguerite, set against the eerie Isle of Demons and the harsh realities of early Canadian colonization.
Level C1RomanceMalayan Literature: Comprising Romantic Tales, Epic Poetry and Royal ChroniclesEnter a world of enchanted palaces, mystical sentinels, and passionate tales where love and supernatural forces intertwine in captivating Malayan romances filled with vivid imagery…
Level C1PoetryMaha-bharata: The Epic of Ancient India Condensed into English VerseIn an ancient kingdom on the Ganges, rival princes—god-born sons of two royal brothers—vie for honor and power through a grand tournament of skill and valor.
Level C1PoetryMabel Martin, a Harvest Idyl; and other poems: Part 4 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierIn a tranquil New England valley, the memory of Susanna Martin, accused of witchcraft, lingers amid harvest celebrations and simple rural life.
Level C1PoetryLyrics of EarthImmerse yourself in a collection that captures the natural world's subtle beauty and profound moments, inviting reflection through vivid, lyrical poetry rooted in the earth’s timel…
Level C1PoetryLyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan AgeDiscover a rich anthology of Elizabethan lyrics where music and poetry intertwine, revealing rare songs from the era’s most celebrated composers and hidden gems unearthed from hist…
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.