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 C1PoetryGoblins and PagodasExplore a profound meditation on art, literature, and human emotion amid the upheavals of early 20th-century thought.
Level C1PoetryGleams of Sunshine: Optimistic PoemsExplore heartfelt poems that seek light and love amid human struggle, offering hopeful reflections on faith, brotherhood, and the pursuit of peace in a world shadowed by war and ha…
Level C1PoetryGitanjaliExperience a journey through profound spiritual and poetic reflections that blend nature, love, and divine contemplation, revealing a rich cultural tradition where poetry and relig…![Cover of Gifts of Genius: A Miscellany of Prose and Poetry by American Authors by Samuel etc.] Osgood](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daglnfmicedc739b63o0.webp)
Level C1PoetryGifts of Genius: A Miscellany of Prose and Poetry by American AuthorsA heartfelt collection of original prose and poetry by distinguished American authors, united to support a beloved teacher who, after losing her sight, inspires through resilience…
Level C1HistoricalGiant Hours with Poet PreachersExplore the stirring call for a new social order where Christian ideals transform society, weaving brotherhood and justice into the fabric of industry and civilization through the…
Level C1PoetryGeorge Crabbe: Poems, Volume 3 (of 3)Explore a rich collection of poems revealing early drafts, unpublished pieces, and detailed notes on landscapes and portraits, offering an intimate glimpse into the creative proces…
Level C1PoetryGeorge Crabbe: Poems, Volume 2 (of 3)Explore vivid human tales and reflective poetry that delve into society, intellect, and personal merit, framed by a voice that honors greatness while revealing the poet’s own grati…
Level C1PoetryGeography and PlaysDive into a groundbreaking exploration of language where words are revived, reshaped, and given new life beyond their usual roles.
Level C1PoetryGenesis ADive into an ancient retelling of Genesis, where celestial beings revel in divine majesty until pride leads one angel astray, setting the stage for a timeless battle between innoce…
Level C1PoetryGebir, and Count JulianIn a tale of ambition and love, Gebir, prince of Boetic Spain, faces a fateful vow to invade Egypt but finds his conquests challenged by deeper passions and the haunting consequenc…
Level C1PoetryGaudeamus! Humorous PoemsDive into a witty journey through history and humanity, where prehistoric creatures, ancient civilizations, and student revelry collide in humorous ballads that blend scientific cu…
Level C1PoetryGammer Gurton's Garland; Or, The Nursery Parnassus: A Choice Collection of Pretty Songs and Verses for the Amusement of All Little Good Children Who Can Neither Read nor Run.Delight in a charming collection of whimsical songs and verses crafted to entertain little children who are yet to read or run, featuring playful tales of animals, nursery rhymes,…
Level C1PoetryGalateaAmidst scholarly debates and historical mysteries, a pastoral tale unfolds through lyrical poetry, exploring love and nature’s beauty with rich Renaissance charm and intricate refl…
Level C1PoetryGabriele Rossetti: A Versified AutobiographyDive into the life of Gabriele Rossetti, whose poetic voice and political backdrop in Napoleonic Italy intertwine with a complex era of dynastic upheaval, revolution, and personal…
Level C1PoetryFun and NonsenseDelight in whimsical poems where everyday objects and characters come to life with humor and charm, from a peppermint barber pole to a wise pen navigating the quirks of daily life.
Level C1PoetryFugitive PoetryExplore a collection of reflective and heartfelt poems that seek to ease sorrow, inspire kindness, and brighten the human spirit through vivid scenes, personal musings, and timeles…
Level C1PoetryFugitive PiecesEarly poetic works reveal the youthful voice of a restless spirit grappling with love, loss, and identity through a collection of intimate verses and reflections.
Level C1PoetryFrontier Humor in Verse, Prose and PictureDive into uproarious tales and vivid sketches of frontier life, where awkward social calls, quirky characters, and sharp humor paint a lively picture of everyday adventures and mis…
Level C1PoetryFrontier BalladsExperience the rugged spirit of prairie life through stirring ballads that celebrate frontier faith, courage, and the harsh realities of Dakota militia patrols, capturing the raw b…
Level C1PoetryFrom the Five RiversUnder a star-studded sky, Gunesh Chund, village headman, awaits the birth of his heir amid omens of luck and renewal in a timeless rural landscape where tradition and nature intert…
Level C1PoetryFritiofs SagaJourney into a world where nature's wild music and ancient gods walk among mortals, as a heroic saga unfolds, embodying the spirit and ideals of a proud people through stirring ver…
Level C1PoetryFridthjof's Saga; a Norse romanceIn a land of northern storms and ancient rites, a steadfast youth named Fridthjof grows alongside the graceful Ingeborg, their bond blossoming amid wild adventures and heartfelt le…
Level C1PoetryFrench LyricsDiscover the rich, distinct world of French lyric poetry, tracing its evolution from the Troubadours' courtly love verses to intricate, artful forms.
Level C1PoetryFreedom, truth and beautyBlind yet soaring beyond darkness, a poet finds divine joy and profound truth in suffering and faith, inspiring readers to discover hope and beauty within life's deepest trials.
Level C1PoetryFragments of Ancient PoetryUnearth the passionate and mysterious translations of ancient Gaelic poetry that captivated Edinburgh’s literary elite and sparked a fierce controversy over their authenticity and…
Level C1PoetryFood for the Mind: Or, A New Riddle-bookDive into a world where riddles unlock hidden truths and sharpen the mind, blending ancient wisdom with playful challenges that reveal the art of disguise and discovery in everyday…
Level C1PoetryFoliage: Various PoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems that celebrate nature, human kindness, and life's simple joys, capturing moments from thunderstorms to May mornings with heartfelt reflection an…
Level C1PoetryFly LeavesStep into a world where dawn chases night and lovers meet beneath ancient trees, while whimsical creatures and quiet moments of reflection paint a vivid tapestry of nature, love, a…
Level C1PoetryFlint and Feather: Collected VerseExplore the vivid spirit of Canada through powerful verse that blends Indigenous heritage and the natural world, capturing a unique voice that resonates with passion and pride in t…
Level C1PoetryFleurs De Lys, and Other PoemsExplore stirring poems that capture moments of sorrow, hope, and national pride, weaving vivid scenes from Canada’s royal past to England’s enduring reign, all through heartfelt ve…
Level C1HistoricalFive Men and Pompey: A Series of Dramatic PortraitsStep into the turbulent world of ancient Rome through vivid portraits of five men and Pompey, capturing pivotal moments from banquets to battles that shaped history’s grand drama.
Level C1PoetryFiscal BalladsSharp, witty ballads dissect the quirks and controversies of fiscal policy with clever verse and biting humor, revealing the tangled world of trade, protectionism, and economics as…
Level C1PoetryFir-Flower Tablets: Poems Translated from the ChineseDelve into a unique collaboration that breathes poetic life into ancient Chinese verses, blending literal translation with artistic spirit to reveal the rich imagery and subtle mea…
Level C1PoetryFinnish Arts; Or, Sir Thor and Damsel Thure, a BalladA valiant knight returns from Rome to claim his bride, Damsel Thure, whose heart is torn between loyalty and a looming arranged marriage to a powerful duke.
Level C1PoetryFifty Years, & Other PoemsExplore the rich emotions and cultural heritage of African Americans through powerful lyrics and vibrant dialect poems that capture both universal human experiences and the unique…
Level C1PoetryFifty "Bab" Ballads: Much Sound and Little SenseSet sail with the devoted Captain Reece, who goes to whimsical lengths to ensure his crew’s happiness—even proposing marriage to his own family’s ladies to lift their spirits aboar…
Level C1PoetryFifteen sonnets of PetrarchBask in the timeless beauty of nature and love as delicate sonnets evoke sunlit shores, blooming flowers, and the tender memory of Laura.![Cover of Faust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagka1micedc739b5s80.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of GoetheA restless scholar, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, turns to dark and supernatural forces in a desperate quest for meaning, setting in motion a dramatic clash between…
Level C1PoetryFaust — Part 1A scholar disillusioned by the limits of knowledge makes a pact with a mysterious stranger, unleashing a profound exploration of human desire, ambition, and the quest for meaning a…![Cover of Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6p56q2orus73fpjrfg.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original MetresA scholar, disillusioned yet desperate for meaning, summons dark forces in a pact that challenges the limits of human knowledge and ambition.
Level C1PoetryFarm LegendsExplore the heartfelt and honest tales woven through rural life, where every character—whether humble or seemingly flawless—reveals the comic, tragic, and profound moments that sha…
Level C1PoetryFarm BalladsTensions rise between Betsey and her husband as years of small disagreements and stubborn pride push their marriage to the breaking point, forcing them to confront what it truly me…
Level C1PoetryFanny, with Other PoemsA shy young woman named Fanny navigates the hopes and hardships of youth amid New York’s social climb and family ambition, as a poet reflects on love, society, and the transformati…
Level C1HistoricalFamiliar Studies in HomerExplore the vibrant world of Homeric epics brought to life through archaeological discoveries that connect myth to history.
Level C1PoetryFairy Realm: A Collection of the Favourite Old Tales Told in VerseIn a kingdom where silence suddenly falls, a royal christening sparks a tense encounter with an uninvited, spiteful fairy whose unpredictable gift threatens the fate of a newborn p…
Level C1PoetryFables of Flowers for the Female Sex. With Zephyrus and Flora, a VisionDelight in a poetic vision where flowers speak through fables, offering moral lessons and gentle wisdom to young women.
Level C1HistoricalExcursions, and Poems: The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 05 (of 20)Embark on reflective journeys through nature and society, tracing the vivid landscapes and thoughtful observations of a traveler who challenges conventions and finds profound meani…
Level C1HistoricalEvery Man His Own Poet; Or, The Inspired Singer's Recipe BookDive into a witty exploration of poetry as a craft, where inspiration meets science and trickery in the pursuit of verse.
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.