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 C1FantasyA Draught of the Blue, together with An Essence of the DuskIn a land where death is but an illusion and the color blue holds mystical power, witness a tale woven with cosmic echoes and eternal consequences, where every action reverberates…
Level C1FantasyA Diversity of CreaturesIn a futuristic world governed by the Aërial Board of Control, Northern Illinois secedes from all communication systems, sparking a tense investigation into privacy and control ami…
Level C1PoetryA Defence of Poesie and PoemsExplore the rich world of Renaissance poetry and politics as a young nobleman navigates court intrigues, travels across Europe, and champions the art of poesie amid the rise of Eng…
Level C1PoetryA Day with the Poet TennysonStep into the tranquil retreat of a great poet, where daily life unfolds amid nature's beauty and creative devotion.
Level C1PoetryA Day with Walt WhitmanExperience a tranquil summer morning with Walt Whitman as he reflects on nature’s vast beauty and the simple joys of rural life, revealing the deep wellspring of inspiration behind…
Level C1PoetryA Day with Samuel Taylor ColeridgeIn the picturesque Quantock Hills, a young Samuel Taylor Coleridge balances the humble demands of rural life with his soaring poetic dreams, striving to cultivate both his garden a…
Level C1PoetryA Day with Lord ByronStep into an afternoon with Lord Byron as he wrestles with melancholy and genius in his haunting Italian palazzo, surrounded by ghosts, friends, and the restless musings that fuel…
Level C1PoetryA Day with LongfellowStep into a day in the life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, where the serene scholar balances heartfelt sorrow, devoted work, and the lively interruptions of admirers and children i…
Level C1PoetryA Day with KeatsIn the serene gardens of Hampstead, a frail young poet finds inspiration in nature’s beauty and the promise of love, as he wrestles with his dreams of immortal verse and the restle…
Level C1PoetryA Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations: Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.Explore a vast collection of sacred poetry from diverse ages and nations, arranged under thoughtful headings and enriched with scripture passages, offering timeless devotional refl…
Level C1PoetryA Collection of BalladsUnearth timeless tales of love, battle, and magic woven through traditional ballads, revealing the raw voices of history and legend captured in song.
Level C1PoetryA Cluster of Grapes: A Book of Twentieth Century PoetryStep into a poetic journey through time and emotion, where contemporary voices craft vivid verses that beckon readers to savor the sweetness of beauty, truth, and the human spirit.
Level C1PoetryA Christmas FaggotCelebrate the joy and sacred mystery of Christmas through a collection of heartfelt poems inspired by the Nativity, blending art, faith, and festive reflection to kindle the spirit…
Level C1PoetryA Chesterton Calendar: Compiled from the writings of 'G.K.C.' both in verse and in prose. With a section apart for the moveable feasts.Start each day with provocative reflections and witty paradoxes drawn from verse and prose, exploring courage, renewal, and the mysteries of life through a unique blend of philosop…
Level C1PoetryA Century of Parody and ImitationExplore a rich collection of poetic parodies tracing the art from its 1812 revival in Rejected Addresses to the finest imitations of the 19th century, revealing both playful homage…
Level C1PoetryA Century of EmblemsExplore a rich collection of emblematic poems blending moral and philosophical reflections with evocative illustrations, tracing a tradition that dates back to 16th-century Europe.
Level C1PoetryA Bundle of BalladsTravel back to an age when wandering minstrels and storytellers brought heroic legends and heartfelt ballads to life, weaving tales of battles, love, and social appeal that echo th…
Level C1PoetryA Book of Irish Verse: Selected from modern writers, with an introduction and notes by W. B. YeatsExplore the rich tapestry of modern Irish poetry as voices emerge from peasants to leisured classes, blending patriotism, literature, and soul-stirring emotions to awaken a deeper…
Level C1PoetryA Book of Christian SonnetsReflect on divine and eternal truths through a series of meditative sonnets, crafted with devotion and deep scriptural insight.
Level C1PoetryA Book for the YoungAn earnest collection of poetry and reflections invites young readers to embrace gratitude, self-improvement, and the true meaning of life's blessings, especially during the hopefu…
Level C1PoetryA Apple PieDelight in the charming, ancient rhyme of A Apple Pie, brought to life with intricate woodblock illustrations and a whimsical alphabet journey through letters and playful verse.
Level C1Poetry'All's Well!'Amid the horrors of war, powerful verses offer hope and faith, portraying the struggle between might and right and envisioning a future where love and justice prevail over darkness…
Level C1Poetry"Stella Australis": Poems, verses and prose fragmentsExperience a lyrical journey through Australia's landscapes, history, and spirit, where evocative poems and prose awaken memories, honor pioneers, and celebrate nature’s beauty wit…
Level C1Poetry"Excelsior"A determined youth travels through a village, tirelessly promoting Sapolio, a miraculous cleaning product, leaving its name shining on every surface from fences to mountain peaks.
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.