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 C1PoetryLays of ancient Virginia, and other poemsExplore a poetic journey through Virginia’s rich history and nature, where myth and devotion intertwine in vivid scenes—from Jamestown’s legacy to enchanted woods and prophetic vis…
Level C1HistoricalLays of Ancient RomeDive into the legendary tales and myths surrounding the founding and early history of Rome, where gods mingle with mortals, heroes defend the city, and ancient battles shape the de…
PoetryLays of Ancient Babyland: to which are added Small Divers Histories not known to the AncientsStep into a world of enchanting tales and whimsical poetry, where beloved fables like Little Red Riding Hood and Jack the Giant-Killer come to life alongside curious histories and…
Level C2PoetryLays from the WestJourney through vivid memories and longing as a soul wanders from the wild prairies back to the cherished landscapes and heartfelt songs of the Green Isle, blending nature’s beauty…
Level C1PoetryLays and Legends of the English Lake Country: With Copious NotesDiscover the turbulent history and enduring legends of England’s Lake District, where ancient clans, border feuds, and rugged landscapes shape a land rich in stories and heritage,…
Level C1PoetryLays and Legends (Second Series)Discover a rich tapestry of poems weaving love, loss, faith, and life’s struggles, from haunting ballads to tender lullabies, all echoing voices from everyday souls and timeless le…
Level C1HistoricalLaura Secord, the heroine of 1812: A Drama; and Other PoemsAmid the turmoil of the War of 1812, a brave woman undertakes a perilous journey to warn of an impending attack, risking everything to protect her homeland and secure the future of…
Level C1PoetryLaughable LyricsWhimsical creatures and curious adventures abound in a world where a forlorn Dong wanders with a glowing nose, searching for his lost love, while two old bachelors embark on a hila…
Level B1PoetryLaugh and playSibling rivalry and childhood creativity collide as Dulcie struggles between her budding poetic ambitions and the simple joy of play, while her brother Harold invites her into a wo…
Level C1PoetryLauds and libelsA sharp and witty collection of poems offers reflections on society, culture, and wartime life, blending humor and critique in verses that capture the complexities of men, women, a…
Level C1PoetryLater PoemsExplore the enchanting beauty and profound mysteries of the world through evocative poems that celebrate nature’s wonders and the soul’s eternal journey, inviting readers into a ti…
Level C2PoetryLater PoemsExplore a world where thoughts roam like flocks under the watchful care of a poetic shepherdess, and reflections on faith, love, and life's changing seasons unfold in rich, lyrical…
Level C1PoetryLate Lyrics and Earlier, With Many Other VersesExplore a rich collection of reflective verses spanning years of thought, blending stark realities with lighter traditions.
Level B2PoetryLast VersesImmerse yourself in a vivid world of childhood wonder, where imagination turns woodland hideouts into enchanted realms filled with fairies, knights, and grand adventures.
Level C2RomanceLast Poems: Translations from the Book of Indian LoveDive into a world of exotic passion and mystique through poetic translations that reveal the intimate laments and celebrations of Indian love, from dancing-girls to sacred nights.
Level C2PoetryLast Poems by A. E. HousmanSoldiers confront the haunting shadows of war, love, and loss as they march through fading days and uncertain futures.
Level C1PoetryLast PoemsExplore a world where nature’s quiet beauty and haunting memories intertwine, as a solitary voice reflects on fleeting moments, lost love, and the mysterious whispers of the wild.
Level C1PoetryLandscape and SongImmerse yourself in a collection of evocative poems that celebrate nature's beauty, from blooming flowers and babbling brooks to changing seasons, weaving themes of love, loss, and…![Cover of Land of play: Verses, rhymes, stories by Sara Tawney [Compiler] Lefferts](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnh109638s73a328i0.webp)
Level B2PoetryLand of play: Verses, rhymes, storiesStep into a whimsical world of verses, rhymes, and stories where beloved characters and timeless tales come alive—from a quaint barge home to playful animals and enchanting poems,…
PoetryLancashire SongsImmerse yourself in the heartfelt voices and rustic rhythms of Lancashire’s folk, as local tales, songs, and traditions come alive through vivid dialect poetry that celebrates ever…
Level C2PoetryLamiaIn a world where gods and mythical creatures roam, a serpent cursed with a woman's soul seeks to regain her human form and love a mortal youth, setting the stage for a tale of ench…
Level C2PoetryLamentsA grieving father turns to poetry to mourn his beloved young daughter, blending profound sorrow with reflections on life, death, and hope.
Level C1RomanceLalla RookhJourney to an enchanting Eastern realm where love and destiny intertwine through a series of captivating poetic tales, weaving romance, royalty, and mystical charm into a richly im…
Level B2PoetryLady ClareA noblewoman discovers she was switched at birth with the earl’s true daughter and faces the choice between her identity and true love as her betrothed stands unwavering by her sid…
PoetryLabor and the AngelExplore a poetic journey where labor meets the divine, weaving themes of struggle and transcendence amid evocative imagery and lyrical reflections.
Level C1PoetryLa Légende des SièclesExplore humanity’s journey through history, philosophy, and myth as it struggles from barbarism toward a radiant golden age, depicted in a sweeping series of poetic scenes capturin…
Level C1RomanceLa Chanson de Roland : Translated from the Seventh Edition of Léon GautierIn a Pyrenean valley, Charlemagne’s rear-guard, led by Roland, faces a deadly ambush that sparks legend.
Level C2PoetryL'Allegro, Il Penseroso, Comus, and LycidasEscape into vivid pastoral scenes where mirth and melancholy dance in poetic harmony, inviting you to revel in nature's joys and ponder deeper shadows of the soul through enchantin…
Level C1HistoricalKonrad Wallenrod: An Historical PoemAmid the fierce conflicts between the Teutonic Order and the Lithuanian nation, a tale unfolds of shifting allegiances, cultural clashes, and a struggle for identity in a turbulent…
Level C1PoetryKipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book IIDiscover the vivid tales and stirring poems shaped by a boy raised amid the bustling, diverse life of 19th-century Bombay, whose early experiences across continents ignite a rich i…
Level B2PoetryKing WinterStep into the frosty realm where King Winter reigns from his icy throne, spreading snow and magic across the land while Jack Frost watches over the children’s behavior, bringing jo…
Level C1PoetryKing Hacon's Death, and Bran and the Black Dog: Two BalladsIn a stirring blend of history and myth, a noble king confronts loss and duty as his kingdom faces peril, while a mysterious stranger and his formidable black dog challenge the val…
Level C1PoetryKing Diderik and the fight between the Lion and Dragon, and Other BalladsA fearless king encounters a fierce battle between a lion and a dragon, leading him into a perilous quest filled with fiery swords, cunning serpents, and unlikely alliances.
Level C1PoetryKentucky PoemsImmerse yourself in the lush landscapes and serene beauty of Kentucky through meditative lyric poems that capture the spirit and colors of its native soil, weaving nature’s quiet m…
Level C1PoetryKeats: Poems Published in 1820Dive into the vivid world of a young poet whose brief life yielded a remarkable collection of evocative and evolving verse, shaped by personal loss, classical inspiration, and a pa…
Level C1PoetryKatydid's PoemsDelicate and heartfelt verses capture the natural beauty and tender emotions of life, weaving music and pure sentiment into each rhyme.
Level C2PoetryKathrina—A PoemA lyrical tribute to womanhood unfolds through vivid memories of childhood, love, and loss, tracing a soul’s journey from innocent hope to profound despair amid the beauty and tria…
PoetryJuvenile Sports; or, Youth's PastimesDive into lively verses celebrating the joys and adventures of childhood play, capturing the spirited pastimes that shape youth in rhythmic poetry.
Level B2AdventureJunior High School Literature, Book 1Explore a rich collection of stories, poems, and ballads that inspire courage, loyalty, and love of nature and country, weaving American ideals into adventures from chivalry to mod…
Level C1PoetryJoyce KilmerDive into the heartfelt memoir and poems of a poet whose rich Irish-American heritage and soldierly spirit shape an inspiring chronicle of early 20th-century life and letters.
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 7Explore the beauty and craft of poetry through vivid nature scenes and rhythmic patterns, from golden daffodils dancing in the breeze to the quiet resilience of a mouse displaced b…
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 6Amidst the siege of ancient Rome, brave Horatius stands defiant at the city gates, facing overwhelming odds to protect his homeland, its sacred temples, and the legacy of his ances…
Level A2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 5Explore a rich collection of poetry and stories that traverse history, myth, and adventure—from Jonathan Swift's mischievous youth to King Arthur's legendary quests and the daring…
Level C2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 4Explore timeless poems and stirring stories that celebrate simple joys, noble character, and heroic deeds, weaving history, nature, and human spirit into a rich tapestry of verse a…
Level A2AdventureJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 3Embark on a wondrous adventure through enchanted lands where pumpkins grow to surprising sizes, genies grant palaces, and curious creatures tell their tales.
Level C1HistoricalJohnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1Explore the intertwined lives of English poets, from the troubled Richard Savage to the pious Joseph Addison, as their stories reveal the trials, deceptions, and triumphs behind th…
PoetryJohnny Crow's PartyAnimals gather for lively tea parties, musical mishaps, and playful adventures in a whimsical garden where laughter and surprises bloom at every turn.
PoetryJohnny Crow's GardenStep into a whimsical garden where animals don hats, dance jigs, and share tales, all under the watchful eye of Johnny Crow.
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.