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 C1PoetryPoems of Rural Life in the Dorset DialectImmerse yourself in vivid Dorset countryside scenes, where rustic life bursts to life through heartfelt poems rich with local dialect, nature’s beauty, and the simple joys and tria…
Level B2PoetryPoems of PurposeA young man’s journey through youth’s temptations and disillusionments unfolds in stirring verse, exploring the costs of reckless choices and the quest for meaning amid society’s c…
Level C1PoetryPoems of Progress and New Thought PastelsExplore a poetic journey through love’s elusive language, human longing, and the world’s unspoken needs, as spirits wander between realms in search of connection, truth, and spirit…
Level C1PoetryPoems of ProgressExplore a profound journey into Spiritualism, where the spirit world meets natural law and human progress, challenging old creeds and inviting a harmonious development of body and…
Level C1PoetryPoems of PowerExplore the divine power within every human being through evocative poems that celebrate hope, faith, and the enduring spirit amid the trials of history and change.
Level C1PoetryPoems of PleasureExplore a rich collection of poems that delve into love, loss, hope, and the human spirit, inviting readers to find beauty and meaning in life's joys and sorrows.
PoetryPoems of Peace and WarExplore a collection of poems that navigate the contrasts of peace and war, capturing moments of hope, patriotism, and reflection amid the turmoil of a world in conflict.
Level B2RomancePoems of PassionFiery and heartfelt poems explore the grand passion of love—its power, despair, and triumph—capturing moments of intense emotion and timeless human experience that challenge sentim…
Level B2PoetryPoems of OptimismAmid the turmoil of war and peace, these poems weave courage, sacrifice, and hope into vivid verses that honor the resilience of nations and the quiet strength of those who support…
Level C1PoetryPoems of Nature, Poems Subjective and Reminiscent and Religious Poems, Complete: Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore vivid landscapes and timeless reflections through poems that celebrate nature’s changing seasons, personal memories, and spiritual quests, inviting you to experience the Fr…
Level C1PoetryPoems of NatureExplore the intimate reflections and vivid imagery of nature intertwined with personal insight, as a young poet captures the spirit of transcendentalism and the landscapes of Conco…
Level B2PoetryPoems of LifeExplore intimate reflections and tender moments captured in heartfelt verses that reveal the rhythms and whispers of everyday life through a poetic lens.
Level B2PoetryPoems of James Russell Lowell: With biographical sketch by Nathan Haskell DoleExplore the rich heritage and poetic journey of a New England gentleman whose verses and life intertwine with historic families and the literary circles of 19th-century Cambridge.
Level C1PoetryPoems of James McIntyreCelebrate the vibrant spirit and rich history of Canada through heartfelt odes, patriotic songs, and vivid reminiscences that capture the young nation's landscapes, people, and piv…
Level C1PoetryPoems of Henry Vaughan, Silurist, Volume IIExplore the life and lineage of Henry Vaughan, the Silurist, through poetic reflections and biographical notes that reveal his journey from Welsh scholar to esteemed physician and…
Level C1HistoricalPoems of Henry Timrod; with MemoirExplore the heart and soul of the South through stirring poems born from the trials of war, patriotism, and the enduring spirit of a people.
Level C1PoetryPoems of Giosuè Carducci, Translated with two introductory essays:: I. Giosuè Carducci and the Hellenic reaction in Italy. II. Carducci and the classic realismExplore the revival of ancient Hellenic spirit amid Italy's religious transformations, as poetry uncovers the enduring clash between pagan roots and Christian influence shaping nat…
Level C2PoetryPoems of Gerard Manley Hopkins: Now First PublishedDive into a collection where rhythm and language intertwine, exploring the tensions of faith, beauty, and sorrow through innovative poetic forms that challenge traditional English…
Level B2PoetryPoems of ExperienceDive into a collection of heartfelt poems exploring resilience, hope, and the human spirit—from prayers for strength to tributes honoring everyday heroes—each verse inviting reflec…
Level C1PoetryPoems of Emile VerhaerenImmerse yourself in vivid, free-verse poems that evoke misty Flemish landscapes, relentless rain, and the quiet power of nature’s melancholy.
Level C2PoetryPoems of ColeridgeDive into a world of haunting ballads, mystical odes, and profound meditations where human love intertwines with nature, friendship, and the depths of the soul, revealing the passi…
Level C1PoetryPoems of CheerExplore the vivid journey through life’s challenges and joys, where hope, dreams, duty, and love intertwine in a poetic celebration of resilience and the human spirit’s triumph ove…
Level C2PoetryPoems of Arthur Hugh CloughExplore the profound conflict between conscience and the world through stirring poems and the evocative dramatic poem "Dipsychus," tracing inner struggles amid Venice’s haunting ba…
Level C1PoetryPoems of American PatriotismExplore the spirit and history of America through a stirring collection of patriotic poems that chronicle daring deeds, noble sacrifices, and the enduring quest for freedom from co…
PoetryPoems of AdorationExplore a collection of heartfelt verses that celebrate love and devotion, weaving emotions into timeless poetic adoration.
Level C2HistoricalPoems in Wartime: Part 4 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierIn the tumult of civil war, heartfelt poems confront the agony and hope of a nation divided, exploring sacrifice, liberty, and the fight against slavery with solemn resolve and sti…
Level C1PoetryPoems in Two Volumes, Volume 2Journey through the Scottish Highlands with vivid poems that capture rugged landscapes, heroic tales, and quiet moments of nature’s beauty, from Rob Roy’s defiant spirit to the sol…
Level C1PoetryPoems in Two Volumes, Volume 1Explore the serene beauty of nature and the depths of human emotion through vivid sonnets and poems that celebrate simple joys, steadfast loyalty, and the quiet power of the natura…
Level C1PoetryPoems in ProseDive into a world where poetic prose captures the soul’s restless yearnings and vivid dreams, blending moonlit mysteries, haunting ideals, and an invitation to a distant, enchantin…
Level C2PoetryPoems in Many LandsJourney through diverse landscapes and emotions with lyrical poems that evoke nature’s beauty, history’s echoes, and intimate reflections, weaving a rich tapestry of voices from ma…
Level C1PoetryPoems from the Inner LifeDive into a spiritual journey where a soul seeks communion with invisible beings and discovers the profound truths hidden within the inner life.
Level C1PoetryPoems from the Divan of HafizAmidst the turbulence of 14th-century Persia, delicate love-songs rise over a backdrop of war and political upheaval, revealing the secret soul of Shiraz through the evocative poet…
Level C1PoetryPoems from Eastern Sources: The Steadfast Prince; and Other PoemsDiscover a collection of evocative poems inspired by Eastern myths and legends, featuring quests for eternal youth, wisdom, and the elusive fountain of life, all woven with unique…
Level C1PoetryPoems by William Cullen BryantExplore the timeless reflections on nature, virtue, and humanity’s journey through history, as vivid imagery and heartfelt wisdom illuminate the eternal dance of life, hope, and mo…
Level C2PoetryPoems by Walt WhitmanDive into a poetic journey that explores humanity, nature, and the spirit through vivid, unrestrained verse, challenging traditional forms and celebrating the democratic voice of A…
Level C2PoetryPoems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume II.Dive into stirring poems that weave youth’s bright hopes with the deep heart of womanhood, capturing nature, love, loss, and history’s tumult through vivid imagery and heartfelt re…
Level C1PoetryPoems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume I.Amid vivid landscapes and delicate moments, these poems explore love, loss, and the passage of time through rich imagery and tender reflections, inviting readers to wander alongsid…
Level C2PoetryPoems by Isaac RosenbergExperience the raw intensity of youth and the struggle for expression through vivid imagery and passionate verse, as a sensitive poet grapples with life, art, and the tumult of ear…
Level C1PoetryPoems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series, CompleteExplore the intimate and vivid world of a reclusive poet whose unconventional verses capture nature, life, and love with piercing insight and raw emotion.
Level C1PoetryPoems by Emily Dickinson, Third SeriesExplore profound reflections on life, hope, fate, and immortality through vivid, spontaneous verses that reveal a scintillating spirit’s intimate thoughts and insights, inviting re…
Level C1PoetryPoems by Emily Dickinson, Series TwoExplore the profound simplicity of life, love, and death through vivid, unconventional poems that reveal the intimate reflections of a solitary soul attuned to nature’s subtle rhyt…
Level C1PoetryPoems by Emily Dickinson, Series OneDive into a world of intimate and unconventional verse, where a reclusive poet captures profound insights on nature, life, and love with vivid imagery and daring originality.
Level C1PoetryPoems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton BellIn a haunting vision, Pilate's wife wrestles with foreboding dreams of injustice and the looming fate of an innocent man condemned by power and betrayal in ancient Jerusalem.
Level C2PoetryPoems by Adam Lindsay GordonExperience the rugged spirit of the Australian bush through stirring ballads and vivid verse that capture the courage, friendship, and fleeting glory of a life lived boldly on hors…
Level C1PoetryPoems and translationsExplore the raw and vivid pulse of ordinary life through poems that challenge exalted verse with brutal honesty, alongside evocative translations that bridge past and present emoti…
Level C2PoetryPoems and Songs of Robert BurnsExplore vivid Scottish life and heartfelt emotion through a rich collection of songs and poems, where rustic charm meets personal reflection in timeless verses that celebrate love,…
Level C1PoetryPoems and SongsDive into the passionate spirit of a nation's soul through stirring poems and songs that blend heroic tradition with modern ideals, capturing the struggles and hopes of life, faith…
Level C2PoetryPoems and Lyrics of the Joy of EarthImmerse yourself in vivid verses that celebrate the vibrant joys of life and nature, exploring themes of love, time, and sentiment through rich, lyrical poetry.
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.