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 C1FantasyThe Poor Little Rich GirlA young girl, desperate to prove she has grown up, confronts the bittersweet reality of her unchanged height on her seventh birthday while navigating the confines of her privileged…
Level C1ClassicsThe Poor GentlemanA weathered gentleman journeys toward Antwerp in a rickety calèche, his noble presence contrasting with his faded surroundings.
Level C1HorrorThe Poor ClareIn a remote Lancashire manor steeped in ancient faith and haunted history, a mysterious family saga unfolds amidst decaying halls and wild forests, where old loyalties and dark sec…
Level C1AdventureThe Pools of SilenceIn a chilly Paris lecture hall, Dr.
Level C1ClassicsThe Pool in the DesertStruggling with poverty and duty on a harsh Indian frontier, a devoted couple navigates the trials of parenthood and survival, sending their sick infant away while clinging to hope…
Level C1FantasyThe Poniard's Hilt; Or, Karadeucq and Ronan. A Tale of Bagauders and VagresIn a turbulent era between Clovis and Charlemagne, follow the lives of Karadeucq, Ronan, and their kin as they navigate feudal struggles, ancient legacies, and fierce resistance in…
Level C1ClassicsThe Pomp of the Lavilettes, CompleteIn 1837 French Canada, a secluded society braces for upheaval as an overseas aristocrat disrupts the delicate balance between French political ambitions and British colonial rule,…
Level C1HistoricalThe Pomp of YesterdayA mysterious man with no past arrives unexpectedly in Plymouth, haunted by memories and the ravages of war.
Level C1HistoricalThe Polity of the Athenians and the LacedaemoniansExplore the intricate balance of power in Athenian democracy, where the common people's voice shapes the state, while the elite guard military command—revealing how justice and fre…
Level C1ClassicsThe Politician Out-WittedIn post-Revolutionary New York, opposing fathers debate the Federal Constitution, revealing the era’s political tensions through sharp dialogue and early American drama.
Level C1HistoricalThe Political Songs of England: From the Reign of John to That of Edward IIDive into the turbulent political landscape of medieval England through stirring songs that capture the voices of oppressed people, bold satirists, and shifting powers from King Jo…
Level C1ClassicsThe Poison Tree: A Tale of Hindu Life in BengalIn a stormy season on the Ganges, Nagendra, a wealthy landowner, embarks on a crucial journey, urged by his devoted wife Surja Mukhi to heed the river's dangers.
Level C1MysteryThe Pointing Man: A Burmese MysteryIn the bustling heart of Mangadone, a cosmopolitan Burmese port, secrets stir beneath colorful bazaars and crowded streets.
Level C1RomanceThe Point of ViewIn the vibrant heart of Rome, young Stella Rawson escapes her stifling English life and an uninspiring engagement, discovering a world of excitement and possibility among the city'…
Level C1ClassicsThe Point of ViewA young woman writes from a sea voyage to New York, reflecting on her newfound freedom and her mother's complex feelings about returning to their native land.
Level C1Science FictionThe Point of ViewIn a future where genius and modesty collide, an eccentric physicist claims to have discovered a groundbreaking theory that challenges reality itself—inviting his skeptical friend…
Level C1HistoricalThe Point Of Honor: A Military TaleTwo cavalry lieutenants, Feraud and D'Hubert, engage in a relentless private duel throughout the turmoil of Napoleon’s wars, blending military honor with personal obsession in a ta…
Level C1PoetryThe Poets and Poetry of Cecil County, MarylandExplore the heartfelt verses of Cecil County’s native poets, gathered to honor a cherished school commissioner’s memory and reveal the rich literary talents inspired by the region’…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetry of WalesDiscover the rich heritage of Welsh poetry, where ancient bards sing of valor, love, and spirituality, weaving the spirit of a nation through heroic odes, romantic ballads, and sac…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 5 (of 8)Follow the Wanderer, Solitary, and Pastor as they navigate the depths of human experience, reflecting on education, faith, and the impacts of society during turbulent times.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 4 (of 8)Experience the serene reflections and vivid portraits of rural life through heartfelt poems inspired by friendship, nature, and the quiet labors of a devoted farmer.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 2Explore a vivid comparison of eighteenth and nineteenth-century poetry, revealing how shifts in style, sentiment, and subject reflect the evolving spirit of their times.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 1: With Memoir, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory Notes by George GilfillanExperience the heartfelt reflections and melancholy musings of a solitary poet whose sonnets, born from personal sorrow and inspired by nature's serene landscapes, reveal the raw e…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Collins; With a MemoirExplore the tender verses of a poet whose genius blossomed amid struggle and obscurity, tracing his journey from hopeful scholar to a literary adventurer in London, capturing the d…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Thomas Traherne, 1636?-1674, from the original manuscriptsDiscover the radiant spiritual reflections of a 17th-century poet whose passionate fervor and noble character shine through his heartfelt meditations and verse, revealing a deeply…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Thomas HoodExplore the heartfelt and witty poetry shaped by a life shadowed by illness and loss, revealing the quiet humor and deep family devotion of a poet who navigates personal hardship w…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Thomas CampbellJourney through the vivid landscapes of hope, love, and war as a young Scottish poet rises from humble beginnings to literary fame, inspired by nature’s beauty and turbulent times.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart. M.P.Dive into a rich collection of revised and newly unveiled poems exploring timeless themes and vivid imagery, accompanied by insightful historical and mythological footnotes that de…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 08: Bunker Hill and Other PoemsExperience the tense moments of the Battle of Bunker Hill through vivid, personal recollections as a grandmother recounts the clash of muskets and cannon fire, capturing the courag…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 07: Songs of Many SeasonsExperience a journey through the changing seasons and the human heart in a collection of heartfelt poems, from joyful gatherings to solemn farewells, capturing moments of history,…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 03: Medical PoemsStep quietly into the intimate world of the sickroom, where the art of healing blends science with kindness, and the true challenge lies in being the patient, not the doctor.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 02: Additional Poems (1837-1848)Journey through vivid visions of Pilgrim endurance and the relentless spirit of a nation forging its destiny, as stirring poems evoke icy frontiers, fierce battles, and the dawn of…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Mrs. LeprohonExplore heartfelt poems that capture the dawn of Canadian literature, celebrating patriotism, hope, and the beauty of a young nation's struggles through the compassionate eyes of a…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Mark AkensideExplore the journey of a young poet born in humble origins, whose early verses sparkle with political zeal and imagination, as he navigates the challenges of faith, ambition, and c…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of John Skelton, Volume 1 (of 2)Dive into the sharp wit and rich language of a 15th-century poet whose works, painstakingly collected and restored, reveal the vibrant voice of early English verse, blending praise…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of John Dryden, Volume 2: With Life, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory NotesExplore the complex legacy of a poet wielding immense influence in a turbulent age, as his works reflect both the spirit and the moral challenges of his time.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of John Dryden, Volume 1: With Life, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory NotesExplore the early life and education of a young poet navigating family ties, scholarship, and ambition in 17th-century England, setting the stage for a literary journey marked by w…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of James BeattieExplore the early life and poetic inspirations of a young Scottish scholar who finds solace in nature, music, and classical studies while navigating humble beginnings, academic cha…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Henry Kirk White : With a Memoir by Sir Harris NicolasA gifted boy from humble beginnings channels his early struggles, vivid imagination, and poetic passion into a life marked by heartfelt verses and letters, offering a deeply person…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume 1Dive into a world of heartfelt verse and personal reflection, where poetic aspirations intertwine with family bonds and classical influences, revealing the inner life and trials of…
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5Amid the ruins of a once-glorious city, a sorrowful woman mourns the fleeting nature of worldly splendor and the vanishing of noble spirits.
Level C1PoetryThe Poetical Works of David GrayImmerse yourself in a heartfelt collection of poetry that traces the life and dreams of a young poet whose ambition and melancholy shaped his pursuit of literary fame.
Level C1HistoricalThe PoetasterFollow the fierce rise of a determined poet and playwright navigating the turbulent world of Elizabethan England, where ambition, rivalry, and survival shape the path from poverty…
Level C1PoetryThe Poet at the Breakfast-TableEngage in lively Breakfast-Table conversations where poets, scientists, and philosophers explore the vastness of knowledge, human nature, and the mysteries of life with wit and pro…
Level C1PoetryThe Poems of Richard Corbet, late bishop of Oxford and of NorwichWitty and sharp, these poems emerge from the life of a 17th-century bishop who navigates religious strife, academic rivalry, and royal ceremonies with humor and boldness, revealing…
Level C1PoetryThe Poems of Philip Freneau, Poet of the American Revolution. Volume 1 (of 3)Dive into the revolutionary era through stirring poems that chronicle the fierce political debates, personal trials, and fiery spirit of a poet once scorned but now celebrated for…
Level C1PoetryThe Poems of Oliver GoldsmithExplore the vibrant life and sharp wit of a young Irish poet as he navigates harsh tutors, travels across Europe on a shoestring, and sharpens his humor through keen observations o…
Level C1PoetryThe Poems of Madison Cawein, Volume 5 (of 5): Poems of meditation and of forest and fieldImmerse yourself in meditative verses and vivid imagery of forests and fields, where nature and introspection intertwine in a lyrical celebration of beauty, mystery, and the passag…
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.