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 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 B2PoetryFunny Little Socks: Being the Fourth BookEight-year-old Kitty embraces her new role as "Little Mother," caring for her siblings and managing the household while her mother is away.
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.![Cover of Fun and Frolic by E. T. [Editor] Roe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6ib52pmtvc73csn0b0.webp)
Level B1PoetryFun and FrolicDelight in charming tales of childhood mishaps, playful pets, and tender family moments, where kindness and humor bring joy to everyday adventures and surprises.
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 C2PoetryFruit-GatheringA poetic journey through life's seasons, exploring themes of growth, loss, and spiritual yearning, as a soul gathers the fruits of experience and seeks freedom, wisdom, and union b…
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 C2PoetryFrom the Lips of the SeaImmerse yourself in evocative verses that summon the sea’s timeless mysteries, from ancient mariners’ legends to haunting mists and the eternal dance of wind and tide.
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 C2PoetryFrom a London gardenExplore vivid reflections on life, time, and the human spirit through a collection of evocative poems set against the backdrop of London’s streets and gardens.
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 C2PoetryFringilla: Some Tales In VerseJourney into ancient Egypt where the river’s rise signals a sacred festival entwined with beauty, mystery, and a bridal prize tied to the flood’s terrifying power.
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 C2PoetryForty-Two PoemsExplore a haunting journey through memory, loss, and longing in a collection of 42 poems that evoke timeless emotions—from the silent voices of the dead to tender moments in Camden…
Level C2PoetryForest Pictures in the AdirondacksImmerse yourself in vivid scenes and original poems capturing the serene beauty and wild spirit of the Adirondack wilderness, from rushing rapids to tranquil forests and towering m…
Level B2PoetryFor Your Sweet Sake: PoemsExplore heartfelt verses that celebrate love, life, and perseverance through a collection of sincere and inspiring poems, praised for their natural expression and touching simplici…
PoetryFootsteps on the Road to Learning; Or, The Alphabet in RhymeDiscover the alphabet brought to life through charming rhymes and playful repetition, creating an engaging and memorable way for children to learn their ABCs with moral and enterta…
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 B2PoetryFlower FablesBeneath a shimmering summer moon, fairies gather to share enchanting tales of love and courage, as they face the chilling threat of the Frost-King who threatens their floral world.
Level B2PoetryFlower Children: The Little Cousins of the Field and GardenDiscover a charming celebration of children and flowers, revealing their deep connection through tender poems and drawings that invite young hearts to see themselves as part of nat…
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…
PoetryFlashlightsExplore vivid snapshots of everyday life and intimate moments through a collection of poetry that illuminates human experience with delicate insight and emotional depth.
Level C2PoetryFlame and ShadowImmerse yourself in vivid, lyrical reflections on nature, love, and the fleeting beauty of life, where each poem ignites the soul with the fierce glow of flame and the gentle myste…
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 B2PoetryFishy-WinkleA mischievous trio of children escape to the seaside, where they meet Fishy-Winkle, a curious mer-baby longing to return to the sea.
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 C2PoetryFires of DriftwoodDelve into a sea of vivid imagery and poignant reflection as drifting remnants of past glories ignite a delicate fire of memory and longing.
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 A2PoetryFigures in Verse and Simple Rhymes, for Little Learners (Second Series; No. 2)Engage young minds with playful verses that teach numbers and simple rhymes, blending counting and rhythm to make early learning fun and memorable.
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…![Cover of Fifty Christmas poems for children by Florence B. [Compiler] Hyett](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnpso9638s73a33fbg.webp)
Level C2PoetryFifty Christmas poems for childrenCelebrate the magic of Christmas through fifty enchanting poems that capture the wonder, joy, and timeless traditions of the holiday season, perfect for children and families to ch…
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.
Level B2PoetryFeline PhilosophyA once pampered cat faces abandonment, hunger, and despair, navigating the harsh streets and unexpected rescues while reflecting on loyalty, survival, and dignity in a world that n…![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…
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.