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 C1PoetryElizabethan Sonnet Cycles: Idea, Fidesa and ChlorisFollow the devoted poet Michael Drayton as he immortalizes his unrequited love, Idea, through a passionate cycle of sonnets blending pastoral beauty, classical imagery, and heartfe…
Level C2PoetryElias: An Epic of the AgesJourney through ages of divine inspiration and human endeavor as a visionary spirit, Elias, guides the epic tale of progress, prophecy, and the eternal quest for truth and restorat…
Level A2PoetryElfin songs of sunlandStep into a sunlit world of playful elves, joyful songs, and whimsical adventures where children dance, kite soar, and soap bubbles float, celebrating the magic of nature and imagi…
Level C2PoetryElfin land: and other poemsStep into a realm where myth and memory entwine through evocative verse, exploring enchanted landscapes, timeless heroes, and profound reflections on love, loss, and destiny.
PoetryElfin LandStep into a whimsical world where fairies dance, mermaids charm, and flowers come alive in a collection of enchanting poems that celebrate nature’s magic and playful tales.
Level C2HistoricalElene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon PoemsDive into heroic tales of faith, battle, and vision where empresses seek the true cross, warriors clash in fierce historic fights, and a mystical cross reveals the story of redempt…
Level C1PoetryElegy in AutumnReflect on the poignant beauty of autumn’s fading light through evocative verses that capture memory, loss, and the quiet passage of time in a deeply personal elegy.
Level C1PoetryElegies and Other Small PoemsA British maid awaits her lover's victorious return from battle, her hopes and fears echoed in heartfelt vows beneath a fading western sky.
Level C2PoetryEire, and other poemsImmerse yourself in vivid verses that evoke Ireland’s mystique, blending ancient legends, heartfelt longing, and lyrical beauty through a rich tapestry of poems and sonnets.
Level C2PoetryEighteen Hundred and ElevenAmid the thunder of war and the storm of nations, Britain faces the harsh toll of conflict, from shattered freedoms to the fading bloom of youth and beauty.
Level B2PoetryEight brand new bits of Christmas cheerCelebrate the spirit of the season with heartfelt verses that weave wishes of joy, friendship, and love, capturing the warmth and magic of Christmas through tender poetry and festi…
Level C1PoetryEidolon; or, The Course of a Soul; and Other PoemsA poet isolated on a desert island wrestles with his disordered thoughts and misanthropy, seeking beauty, truth, and purpose through nature, love, and spiritual awakening on his jo…
Level B2PoetryEidolaExplore a collection of evocative poems that delve into love, memory, and the ethereal presence of those who haunt our hearts, inviting readers to reflect on the delicate interplay…
Level C1PoetryEgyptian Literature: Comprising Egyptian tales, hymns, litanies, invocations, the Book of the Dead, and cuneiform writingsExplore ancient Egypt’s vivid world through poetry, hymns, and rituals that reveal the life, wars, beliefs, and afterlife of a civilization along the Nile, from pharaohs’ battles t…
Level A2AdventureEdward Buttoneye and His AdventuresJoin Edward Buttoneye as he embarks on whimsical adventures filled with charming characters and delightful escapades, perfect for young readers eager to explore a world of imaginat…
Level C1PoetryEchoes from the Sabine FarmA playful and heartfelt journey into the paraphrased Odes of Horace, blending classical scholarship with lively wit and personal reflection.
Level C2PoetryEast and West: PoemsIn a fog-shrouded seaport, thirteen children drift away on a ghostly hulk, sparking eerie legends and haunting memories.
Level C2PoetryEarly English Alliterative Poems: in the West-Midland Dialect of the Fourteenth CenturyDive into the rich world of 14th-century English poetry with alliterative verses drawn from a unique manuscript, revealing medieval tales and dialects that illuminate the knightly…
Level C1PoetryDryden's Palamon and ArciteIn a turbulent 17th-century England, two knights, Palamon and Arcite, become rivals for the love of the same woman, setting the stage for a tale of passion, honor, and fate told th…
Level C1HistoricalDrum-TapsAmid the chaos and darkness of war, nature’s enduring beauty offers a hopeful contrast, while reflections on conflict, culture, and humanity challenge us to find faith and dignity…
Level C2PoetryDriftingA soul drifts peacefully over Vesuvian Bay, sailing among purple peaks and crystal inlets, embraced by the tranquil harmony of sea, sky, and distant mountains where dreams and natu…
Level C1PoetryDreams and Images: An Anthology of Catholic PoetsExplore a rich anthology of English Catholic poetry from the 19th century onward, capturing faith woven into love, war, and daily life.
Level C2PoetryDreams and DustEvoking dreams, faith, and the vivid pulse of life, these poems journey through hope, love, and the eternal search for meaning amid the fleeting beauty and struggles of existence.
Level C2PoetryDreams and Days: PoemsA stirring collection of poems captures the vibrant pulse of youth, nature, and the struggles of life, weaving hope and truth through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections.
Level C1PoetryDreamsLife waits by the sea, longing for an unknown joy until Love arrives, bringing a radiant happiness that evolves through trials into a deeper, enduring compassion.
Level C2PoetryDream tapestriesExplore vivid imagery and delicate emotions woven through a collection of poems that range from nature’s quiet beauty to intimate moments of memory and reflection.
Level C1PoetryDramatized Readings: Recitations in Poetry and Prose, Illustrated with Tableaux: Preston Library No. 1Transform poetry and prose into vivid visual stories with expert guidance on creating captivating tableaux, from detailed staging tips to costume and lighting advice, ensuring ever…
Level C1PoetryDramatic RomancesExplore the passionate and turbulent lives of Renaissance characters, where love, jealousy, and power collide amid historical intrigue.
Level C1PoetryDr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1: The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., in Nine VolumesExplore a rich collection of poetry and essays that delve into human nature, morality, and society, guided by a voice renowned for its depth of thought and insight into mind and mo…
PoetryDoraImmerse yourself in a richly illustrated poetic journey that unveils the delicate emotions and vivid scenes woven through a lyrical narrative.
Level C2PoetryDon JuanA biting poetic critique unfolds as a disillusioned narrator challenges the lofty claims of contemporary poets and political figures, setting the stage for a satirical journey thro…
MysteryDomesday BookIn a small town steeped in secrets, voices from the past reveal hidden truths and dark mysteries, challenging the veneer of propriety and exposing the raw realities beneath.
Level C1PoetryDivine SongsGentle hymns and simple verses invite children into lessons of faith and virtue, nurturing young hearts with praise, wisdom, and moral guidance.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through a mystical realm where souls cleanse their sins to ascend toward paradise, guided by celestial beings and illuminated by divine light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres where divine light and order shape the universe, as a soul guided by Beatrice seeks to comprehend the eternal harmony and profound mysteries o…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, HellLost in a dark forest and pursued by terrifying beasts, a man meets the ancient poet Virgil who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey into the underworld, revealing the t…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest and blocked by fearsome beasts, a troubled soul embarks on a harrowing journey guided by a revered poet through the eternal realms of the afterlife, where des…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through the second realm where souls purge their sins and prepare for Heaven’s ascent, guided by celestial beings and ancient wisdom.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres guided by Beatrice, as the soul ascends beyond mortal sight to witness divine order and eternal light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, HellLost in a dark, forbidding forest, a weary traveler encounters three terrifying beasts blocking his path and meets the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrow…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest, the narrator confronts terrifying beasts blocking his path and encounters the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey across…
Level C2PoetryDivine Adventures: A Book of VerseEmbark on a lyrical journey through love, nature, and myth, where poetic musings bring to life timeless tales and heartfelt reflections.
Level C1PoetryDiscoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some PoemsExplore a rich collection of sharp observations on human nature, fortune, and wisdom, woven with poetic insight and timeless counsel from one of England’s most astute minds, whose…
Level C1HistoricalDiscourses on Satire and on Epic PoetryDive into a rich dialogue on the art of satire and epic poetry, where critical debates, literary aspirations, and the poet's own reflections unfold against the backdrop of 17th-cen…
Level C1PoetryDickens in CampA heartfelt poetic tribute channels the spirit of Dickens through the rugged camp life of California, blending sincere admiration with vivid imagery of the wild outdoors.
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 34, August 23, 1914A young boy experiences the joy of his first store-bought suit and a mischievous kitten that mysteriously lights up the house, while a lonely girl faces the sting of exclusion at a…
Level B2PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 18, May 3, 1914On a rainy May afternoon, young Francis learns to find joy within himself, inspired by a singing robin and his mother's gentle wisdom.
Level B1PoetryDew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 17, April 26, 1914Twins Toby and Nancy discover a mysterious boat stranded among the rocks at low tide, only to find a frightened kitten hiding inside—sparking a heartfelt adventure of kindness and…
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.