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.
![Cover of South African anecdotes by A. [Compiler] Ellman](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daffs9da8p2c739iu9j0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsSouth African anecdotesDiscover a lively collection of humorous and sharp-witted tales from South Africa’s past, where schoolmasters clash with tradition, clever diggers outsmart officials, and even pres…
Level C1ClassicsSorrow in SunlightIn a sun-drenched tropical village, Miss Miami Mouth dreams of escaping to the dazzling city of Cuna-Cuna, while her family debates leaving their humble home for a chance at societ…
Level C1AdventureSophy of Kravonia: A NovelA spirited young woman leaves her humble village for the vibrant streets of Paris, where she transforms and embarks on a daring adventure in the mysterious kingdom of Kravonia.
Level C2PhilosophySophistPhilosophical minds grapple with the elusive nature of Being and Not-being as an Eleatic stranger challenges Socratic thought, dissecting sophisms that blur truth and falsehood.
Level B2Children'sSophie Kennedy's experienceWhen Sophie Kennedy's father announces a new marriage, Sophie faces the challenge of accepting a stepmother amid school gossip and her own feelings of loss.
Level C1RomanceSophia: A RomanceIn 1742 London, young Sophia navigates family pressures and societal expectations as she confronts a scandalous suitor and the challenge of guarding her fortune and honor amid shar…
Level C1ClassicsSons of the SoilIn the shadow of grand estates, the relentless peasant reshapes the land and defies ownership, igniting a fierce clash between classes.
Level C1RomanceSons of fire, Vol. III.A restless young man returns to confront the woman he loves, only to find her torn between past promises and present desires, caught in a delicate dance of passion, loyalty, and he…
Level C1ClassicsSons of fire, Vol. II.At Discombe Manor, the restless Geoffrey returns, igniting tension between lovers Suzette and Allan as music and rivalry intertwine.
Level C1ClassicsSons of fire, Vol. I.A young man inherits a sprawling estate near the village of Matcham and embarks on a new life as a country gentleman, eager to leave behind the law and embrace the freedom and chal…
Level C1ClassicsSons and LoversIn a coal-mining village marked by harsh living conditions and tight-knit communities, a young family navigates daily struggles and dreams amid the backdrop of industrial change an…
Level C1MysterySons and FathersTwo men, embodying contrasting worlds and destinies, converge at a quiet Gulf station amid a tense quarantine.
Level C1ClassicsSons and DaughtersA young man returns from America to assume his role in his father’s prosperous business but shocks his father by refusing to join, challenging expectations and the legacy laid out…
Level B1Children'sSonny BoyA shy, freckled boy named Sonny Boy is unexpectedly chosen to spend six months with his beloved Aunt Kate, setting off on a journey that promises new friendships, surprising advent…
Level C2PoetrySonnets, and Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets (1590-1650): Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol V.Dive into a collection of sonnets that pay tribute to the towering figures and anonymous voices of English dramatic poetry from 1590 to 1650, revealing the passion and power behind…
Level C2PoetrySonnets on Sundry Notes of MusicPassion and heartache intertwine in these sonnets, where love’s triumphs and trials unfold through vivid pastoral scenes and heartfelt confessions.
PoetrySonnets of a Budding BardWhimsical sonnets capture playful thoughts on schooldays, family quirks, and everyday adventures, blending humor and heartfelt musings in charming verse.
Level C2PoetrySonnets of Shakespeare's GhostA poetic spirit defends the heartfelt truth behind his sonnets, exploring themes of love, beauty, and faith through intimate verses that challenge critics and celebrate profound af…
Level C2RomanceSonnets from the PortugueseA weary singer finds her solitary world transformed by a princely heart whose music and presence awaken deep love and longing, defying distance, fate, and even death itself.
Level C1PoetrySonnets from the PatagonianAmidst the turmoil of war and fading empires, a poet reflects on beauty, soul, and the true battleground beyond guns and armies.
Level C1PoetrySonnets from a prison campA soldier's soul clings to poetry as a lifeline amid the harsh realities of captivity during war.
Level C1PoetrySonnets by the Nawab Nizamat Jung BahadurExplore a collection of sonnets born from a life bridging Hyderabad and England, where deep emotions meet the disciplined art of poetry, reflecting timeless truths and the noble sp…
Level C1PoetrySonnets and madrigals of Michelangelo BuonarrotiDiscover the profound inner world of a master sculptor through his sonnets and madrigals, where each verse is crafted with the same intense passion and precision as his art, reveal…
Level C2PoetrySonnets and VerseExplore a rich tapestry of sonnets, lyrical poems, ballades, and epigrams that delve into themes from nature and history to society and personal reflection, all woven with wit, dep…
PoetrySonnets and SongsExplore a rich collection of sonnets and songs that weave themes of love, loss, nature, and aspiration into lyrical beauty.
Level C2PoetrySonnets and Other VerseExplore timeless themes of change, beauty, and human endeavor through a rich collection of sonnets and verses that reflect on life's fleeting nature, the pursuit of truth, and the…
Level C1PoetrySonnets and CanzonetsExplore heartfelt sonnets and canzonets that bridge youth and age, celebrating timeless truths, noble souls, and the enduring spirit of poetry through reflections on friendship, vi…
Level C1PoetrySongs, Sonnets & Miscellaneous PoemsExplore intimate reflections and vivid landscapes through heartfelt songs, sonnets, and verses crafted for private joy, revealing the quiet passions of an artist-poet who cherished…
Level C2PoetrySongs, Merry and SadExplore the tender moments of love, loss, and memory through evocative verses that celebrate marriage, nature, and the bittersweet passage of time.
Level C2PoetrySongs out of DoorsImmerse yourself in lyrical celebrations of nature’s melodies, where birdsong and the changing seasons evoke tender memories and quiet reflections on life’s fleeting beauty.
Level C1PoetrySongs of the unblind CupidExplore a collection of evocative poems that weave themes of love, youth, and nature through vivid imagery and heartfelt verse, capturing the tender complexities of the human heart…
PoetrySongs of the shining wayEmbark on a lyrical journey through enchanting landscapes and fleeting moments, where each poem invites you to explore the delicate beauty and wonder of nature and imagination alon…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the cattle trail and cow campExperience the rugged life of cowboys through authentic songs and poems collected from the cattle trails and cow camps, capturing the spirit, challenges, and camaraderie of the Ame…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Springtides and Birthday Ode: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne—Vol. IIIDive into evocative odes and ballads that echo with historical reverence and poetic defiance, capturing moments of grandeur and solemn reflection amid shifting tides of time and me…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Silent World, and Other PoemsExplore profound reflections on love, loss, and the unseen bonds that transcend death through evocative poems that give voice to the silent world beyond life’s reach.
Level C1PoetrySongs of the Sea and Lays of the LandDive into vivid ballads capturing the adventurous spirit of old sailing mariners and eccentric post-war American life, blending authentic sailors’ lore with tales of shipwrecks, di…
Level C1HistoricalSongs of the RidingsExplore the vivid lives and dialects of Yorkshire peasants and artisans through dramatic monologues that capture their unique outlooks, habits, and voices—bringing to light a vibra…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the Mexican SeasVenture into a mysterious, untamed land where the sea and forest hold secrets of ancient nature and fierce human struggles, unveiling a world untouched by law or civilization, shap…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Glens of AntrimImmerse yourself in the heartfelt songs and vivid landscapes of Ireland’s Glens of Antrim, where love, longing, and the rhythms of rural life unfold in the local dialect and tender…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Common Day, and, Ave!: An Ode for the Shelley CentenaryImmerse yourself in vivid sonnets celebrating the rhythms of common outdoor life, alongside a stirring ode honoring the spirit of Shelley’s birth centenary.
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Army of the NightA passionate collection of poems captures the harsh realities of labor, poverty, and social injustice across England, Australia, and beyond, giving voice to the dispossessed and th…
Level C1HistoricalSongs of love and empireExplore a collection of stirring poems that weave together themes of love, honor, and empire, capturing moments from Trafalgar to Waterloo and reflections on peace and loyalty to t…
Level B2PoetrySongs of a SavoyardWitty and sharp, these poems offer a satirical glimpse into human nature, society, and identity—from stubborn English pride to the quirks of disagreeable men—blending humor and ref…
Level C1PoetrySongs of WomanhoodExplore the delicate phases of life through evocative verses that celebrate childhood, girlhood, and womanhood, weaving tender moments and inner reflections into a lyrical journey…
Level C1PoetrySongs of Ukraina, with Ruthenian poemsImmerse yourself in the vivid landscapes and stirring history of Ukraina, where ancient gods, Cossack warriors, and timeless folk songs weave a tapestry of freedom, nature, and end…
Level C2PoetrySongs of Two NationsA powerful vision of freedom and nationhood unfolds as a mysterious, radiant figure embodies hope and truth, inspiring a stirring call to awaken from despair and embrace the enduri…
Level C2PoetrySongs of TwoA dreamer reflects on love, loss, and memory through heartfelt verses that explore the delicate balance between giving and receiving, joy and sorrow, life and death.
Level C1PoetrySongs of Travel, and Other VersesWander through stirring verses that celebrate the call of the open road, youthful passion, and the fleeting nature of love, capturing the restless spirit of a traveler seeking free…
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.