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 C1PoetryThe Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley — CompleteExplore the visionary poetry that transcends time, capturing lofty ideals and profound reflections through evocative rhythms and vivid imagery, presented here with rare unpublished…
Level C1PoetryThe Complete Poetical Works of Oliver GoldsmithExperience the wit and wisdom of a young scholar's tumultuous journey through education, hardship, and poetic creation, revealing the early life and spirit behind timeless verse.
Level C1PoetryThe Complete Poetical Works of James Russell LowellExplore a rich tapestry of poetic voices, from heartfelt sonnets and stirring odes to satirical ballads and poignant memorials, capturing themes of love, freedom, nature, and socia…
Level C2PoetryThe Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth LongfellowImmerse yourself in vivid landscapes and timeless reflections where nature’s whispers and ancient legends inspire dreams and profound truths about life, youth, and the soul’s endur…
Level C1FantasyThe Complete Poetical Works of Edgar Allan Poe: Including Essays on PoetryDive into the hauntingly beautiful world of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry, enriched with rare, unpublished verses and insightful biographical notes that reveal the tortured genius behin…
Level C1PoetryThe Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert BrowningExplore the vivid life and mind behind a vast collection of poems and dramatic works, tracing the poet’s journey from his London roots through a rich literary heritage.
Level C1PoetryThe Complete Poems of Sir Thomas Moore: Collected by Himself with Explanatory NotesFollow the early life and literary rise of a young Irish poet navigating political turmoil, social ambition, and artistic pursuits, as he transforms from a student into a celebrate…
Level C2PoetryThe Complete Poems of Sir John Davies. Volume 2 of 2.Dive into a rich collection of epigrams and poems, meticulously edited to preserve original texts and orthography, revealing the wit and literary craft of a bygone era through care…
Level C1PoetryThe Complete Poems of Sir John Davies. Volume 1 of 2.Dive into the eloquent and profound poetry of a distinguished Elizabethan statesman and thinker, whose works blend philosophical insight with lyrical grace.
Level C1PoetryThe Complete Poems of Paul Laurence DunbarExplore the rich emotions and vivid experiences of African American life through poetry that blends humor, sympathy, and truthfulness, capturing a unique cultural voice with lyrica…
Level C1ClassicsThe Complete Essays of John GalsworthyBeneath a blazing Italian sky, an unlikely innkeeper with a bowler hat and a gramophone disrupts the serene olive groves, embodying the clash between rustic tradition and modern ci…
Level C1ClassicsThe Complete Essays of Charles Dudley WarnerExplore a vivid meditation on changing tastes and social symbols, as the rose yields to the bold chrysanthemum in fashion and feeling, questioning how this shift reflects deeper ch…
Level C1ClassicsThe Complete Cynic: Being Bunches of Wisdom Culled from the Calendars of Oliver Herford, Ethel Watts Mumford, Addison MiznerSharp wit and biting wisdom collide in a collection of cynical proverbs and observations on human nature, society, and relationships, revealing the humor and harsh truths behind ev…
Level C1Children'sThe Complete Collection of Pictures and SongsDelight in a charming collection where whimsical illustrations bring classic children’s tales and songs to life, capturing the playful spirit of English countryside and old-world w…
Level B2ClassicsThe Competitive NephewIn a bustling cloak and suit business, two partners face betrayal as trusted employees break away to rival them, while a demanding customer with a mysterious influence stirs tensio…
Level C1AdventureThe Companions of JehuAmid the turbulent years of 1791 to 1793, a daring group navigates political upheaval, secret missions, and shifting loyalties in revolutionary France.
Level C1HistoricalThe Common ReaderDelve into the world of the common reader, who shapes literary judgment through instinct and personal insight rather than scholarly critique.
Level B2ClassicsThe Common LotIn the shadow of a powerful industrialist's funeral, complex emotions and hidden desires stir among mourners, revealing the tangled lives connected to the late Powers Jackson.
Level C1ClassicsThe Common LawA solitary artist’s quiet work is interrupted by a mysterious woman who simply walks into his studio, sparking a tense confrontation that hints at deeper secrets and unexpected con…
Level B2ClassicsThe Commission in LunacyIn 1828 Paris, the ambitious Baron de Rastignac navigates high society’s glittering facade and its hidden debts, while his friend, the insightful doctor Bianchon, reveals the harsh…
Level C1HistoricalThe Commentaries of CæsarFollow Julius Caesar through his firsthand accounts of the Gallic Wars and the pivotal civil war against Pompey, revealing the origins of modern European history and the rise of im…
Level B2ClassicsThe Comings of Cousin AnnIn the growing town of Ryeville, old veterans gather on the courthouse porch, swapping stories of past battles and daily life, while the arrival of Cousin Ann stirs new events in t…
Level B2AdventureThe Coming of the White Men: Stories of How Our Country Was DiscoveredTwo curious twins befriend Uncle Sam, a wise storyteller who brings to life the daring adventures and early struggles of those who discovered America, weaving tales of bravery, fre…
Level C1PoetryThe Coming of the Princess, and Other PoemsDiscover a collection of heartfelt poems that capture the spirit of a young nation through nature, hope, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments, all voiced with simplicity, grace…
Level C1AdventureThe Coming of the KingCaught between royal betrayal and Puritan rule, a young man strives to reclaim his family’s honor amid England’s turbulent civil war.
Level B2AdventureThe Coming Wave; Or, The Hidden Treasure of High RockCaught in a fierce tempest off Penobscot Bay, two honest working boys navigate dense fog and raging storms while uncovering secrets that tie the sea to hidden treasures on land.
Level C1Science FictionThe Coming RaceAn adventurous explorer descends into a mysterious mine, uncovering a hidden underground world illuminated by artificial lights and echoing with unknown voices—challenging the limi…
Level C1Science FictionThe Coming Conquest of EnglandAs tensions rise among global powers, three mighty nations—Germany, France, and Russia—conspire to challenge England’s centuries-old dominion.
Level C1Children'sThe Comical Creatures from WurtembergIn a lively woodland where cunning Weasels, playful Rabbits, and sly Foxes dwell, comical adventures unfold through vivid illustrations and charming tales, including the legendary…
Level C1ClassicsThe Comical Adventures of Twm Shon Catty (Thomas Jones, Esq.),: Commonly known as the Welsh Robin HoodA folk hero known as the Welsh Robin Hood, Twm Shon Catty charms rural Wales with his mischievous exploits and comic feats, captivating audiences from humble cottages to bustling L…
Level C1PoetryThe Comic Poems of Thomas HoodDiscover a collection of witty and sharply insightful poems born from a keen mind that finds humor even amid hardship.
PoetryThe Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard, and Her Dog: In which is shewn the wonderful powers that good old lady possessed in the education of her favourite animalFollow the whimsical journey of Old Mother Hubbard and her clever dog as they embark on amusing adventures filled with unexpected lessons and delightful surprises.
Level C1ClassicsThe Comforts of HomeAn old colonial house with a storied past challenges its new occupant as he navigates the quirks of antique furnishings, strict lease terms, and the chaotic arrival of movers deter…
Level C1PoetryThe Comet, and Other VersesExplore a poetic journey through nature, history, and human progress, where a comet’s fiery path witnesses the rise and fall of empires and inspires timeless truths of love and lea…
Level C2ClassicsThe Comedy of ErrorsTwin sets of identical twins spark chaos and confusion in a bustling ancient city where mistaken identities lead to comic mishaps, legal threats, and heartfelt reunions.![Cover of The Comedies of William Congreve: Volume 1 [of 2] by William Congreve](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da7fqbeqoens73dd6lfg.webp)
Level C1ClassicsThe Comedies of William Congreve: Volume 1 [of 2]Dive into sharp wit and biting satire as this collection exposes the follies of high society with clever dialogue and scandalous intrigue, challenging notions of morality and manne…
Level C1ClassicsThe Comedies of Terence: Literally Translated into English Prose, with NotesA young Athenian falls in love with a mysterious woman whose true identity sparks conflict and mistaken intentions amid arranged marriages and family secrets.
Level C1ClassicsThe Comedies of Carlo GoldoniStep into the vibrant world of 18th-century Venice, where a playwright transforms Italian theatre by blending keen observation with genial humor, capturing the fading light of a pr…
Level B2ClassicsThe ComedienneIn a serene Polish village, a provincial theater troupe’s vibrant life unfolds against rustic landscapes, where Janina, a comedienne, faces the blurred lines between tragedy and co…
Level C1MysteryThe Come BackAn adventurous young man known as Peter Boots sets out on a daring expedition to the wilds of Labrador, defying ominous family prophecies and the fears of loved ones.
Level C1ClassicsThe Combined MazeIn the shadow of a dreary London life, young Ranny defies his humble origins through relentless physical vigor and an unquenchable thirst for adventure.
Level C2HistoricalThe Columbiad: A PoemEmbark on a poetic journey through the recent, monumental events of history, where the epic unfolds between Columbus and Hesper in a confined yet profound space, blending patriotic…
Level C1ClassicsThe Colour of LifeExplore the subtle hues that embody life's true essence beyond the vivid red of violence, as a child’s vibrant presence restores nature’s delicate colors amidst the muted tones of…
Level C1ClassicsThe Colossus: A NovelHaunted by a troubled past and a fading career in journalism, Henry DeGolyer embarks on a mysterious assignment in Costa Rica, where ambition and intrigue intertwine in a quest tha…
Level C1AdventureThe Colonial Mortuary Bard; "'Reo," The Fisherman; and The Black Bream of Australia: 1901Explore vivid tales of seafaring life, colonial encounters, and colorful characters through poetic tributes, sailors' exploits, and gritty mining camp stories that capture the raw…
Level C1HistoricalThe Colonel's DreamA determined man returns to the South with hopes of revitalizing his hometown amid economic hardship and social challenges.
Level B2RomanceThe Colonel of the Red HuzzarsAn American officer longs for action beyond dull engineering duties and finds himself drawn into a high-stakes wager involving a mysterious princess and the volatile politics of th…
Level C1ClassicsThe Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I.Dive into lively dialogues that explore education, faith, and everyday life with sharp wit and candid insight, blending classical allusions with plainspoken English to challenge an…
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.