CEFR B2 · Upper-intermediate
Read Upper-intermediate Classics in English (B2)
1241 books graded at CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate) — learn English by reading the stories worth reading at exactly your level. Tap any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration, and save the vocabulary you meet. Start with a free sample.
What are the best B2 books to read in English?
The best B2 books to read in English are well-known classics whose own language sits at that level — start with £19,000, Zula and Zoraida: A Romance of the Harem and the Great Sahara. Each is the complete book, labelled CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate), with tap-to-translate, narration and saved vocabulary, so you read a real story while building the English you actually meet in it.
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Level B2ClassicsMan and WifeTwo childhood friends part ways with hopes and vows to reunite, each embarking on vastly different paths—one to India as a governess, the other to fame on the stage.
Level B2ClassicsMam' LindaIn a Southern town where loyalty and lawlessness collide, a young lawyer faces dangerous foes, political intrigue, and the challenge of standing for justice amid racial tensions an…
Level B2ClassicsMaking Over MarthaWhen Mrs.
Level B2ClassicsMajor VigoureuxIn a remote island garrison, a Commandant wrestles with dwindling supplies, quirky soldiers, and the enigmatic authority of the Lord Proprietor who blurs the line between ally and…
Level B2ClassicsMajor FrankA modest young man’s life is transformed overnight when an unexpected inheritance promises wealth—but hidden conditions and mysterious warnings threaten to turn fortune into a trap…
Level B2ClassicsMademoiselle Blanche: A NovelA Parisian businessman with a passion for daring circus acts finds himself drawn to the mesmerizing Mademoiselle Blanche, the most beautiful acrobat in Paris, whose breathtaking fe…
Level B2ClassicsMadame X: a story of mother-loveA devoted father battles exhaustion and heartbreak as he tends to his fevered son, haunted by the memory of the mother who abandoned them both.
Level B2ClassicsMadame BovaryA shy country boy struggles to fit into a strict, mocking school environment, revealing the harsh realities of provincial life and ambition.
Level B2ClassicsLyre and Lancet: A Story in ScenesAt Wyvern Court, the arrival of Rohesia, Sir Rupert’s strong-willed sister, and the enigmatic poet Clarion Blair stirs tension and intrigue among the guests, promising a clash of o…
Level B2ClassicsLucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1909 to 1922A man returns to his childhood home only to find it boarded up and the family living in the poorhouse, facing hardship and heartbreak.
Level B2ClassicsLucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1907 to 1908Torn between the charm of rural life and the allure of city wealth, a young woman faces the bittersweet choices of love, ambition, and family ties in a world where growing up means…
Level B2ClassicsLucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1905 to 1906In a humble farmhouse, young Sidney finds solace in writing letters amid relentless chores and a chaotic household.
Level B2ClassicsLucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1904When Nan sprains her ankle and misses the much-anticipated picnic, she reaches out to Florrie, a shy girl excluded by their social circle, sparking a heartwarming tale of unexpecte…
Level B2ClassicsLucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1902 to 1903Determined to defy their wealthy uncle's stubborn refusal, twin siblings hatch a bold plan to secure a college education and shape their own futures amid the challenges of family l…
Level B2ClassicsLoved and lostLady Gwendolyn’s poised demeanor masks a tangled web of love, jealousy, and secrets as she navigates high society’s intrigues and a mysterious adventure beneath the elm tree.
Level B2ClassicsLove of BrothersUnder a haunting moonlit sky, young Patsy braves eerie legends and ghostly terrors to find his runaway goat, navigating a world where superstition and reality entwine on the shadow…
Level B2ClassicsLove and Intrigue: A TragedyIn a tense household, a music teacher fears his daughter’s romance with a noble major will ruin her reputation and their family’s honor, igniting a clash between love, social class…
Level B2ClassicsLouisa May Alcott, the children's friendFollow the lively childhood and heartfelt inspirations of a spirited girl whose mischievous adventures and poetic gifts blossom into stories that have become cherished companions f…
Level B2ClassicsLords of Creation: Woman Suffrage Drama in Three ActsIn a world where men expect deference and women challenge their place, Jennie and Kate navigate love, independence, and societal expectations with fiery spirit and sharp wit.
Level B2ClassicsLocal ColorAn obscure author vanishes mysteriously, leaving behind unanswered questions and a trail that leads to a petty thief caught in a city trolley car.
Level B2ClassicsLively plays for live peopleA wealthy man obsessed with his family tradition of twins stirs up chaos and comedy when he places an unusual advertisement seeking twins to inherit his oyster business.
Level B2ClassicsLittle Women Letters from the House of AlcottExperience the heartfelt letters and journals behind the beloved story of four sisters growing up in a warm, intellectual home, revealing the real-life inspirations of "Little Wome…
Level B2ClassicsLittle Stories of Married LifeA wife longs for her husband to remember their wedding anniversary and rekindle the love that has quietly endured amidst daily life’s demands.
Level B2ClassicsLittle Masterpieces of American Wit and Humor, Volume IIJourney down the Mississippi in 1827 aboard the Caravan, a slow but steady steamboat, where a boastful captain navigates wood shortages, rival pilots, and a high-stakes game of bra…
Level B2ClassicsLittle Lost SisterIn an industrial town where factory life replaces farming, a young woman defies harsh conditions and low wages to fight for her family's survival and dignity amid the moral and soc…
Level B2ClassicsLiterary LapsesA nervous man’s attempt to open a bank account spirals into chaos, revealing his comic ineptitude in navigating the intimidating world of finance.
Level B2ClassicsLightnin': After the Play of the Same Name by Winchell Smith and Frank BaconIn a small town, Lightnin' Bill Jones is a charmingly lazy storyteller whose easy-going nature masks deeper struggles as his family faces financial hardship.
Level B2ClassicsLife on the Stage: My Personal Experiences and RecollectionsA vivid journey through the trials and triumphs of an aspiring actress, exploring the passion, struggles, and behind-the-scenes realities of life on the theatrical stage.
Level B2ClassicsLife of Oliver Wendell HolmesBorn in a historic Cambridge house once frequented by George Washington, Oliver Wendell Holmes grows up amidst tales of Revolutionary valor and a lineage rich with scholars, soldie…
Level B2ClassicsLife and Death of Harriett FreanA young girl navigates the bittersweet world of childhood, grappling with family love, loss, and the yearning for belonging.
Level B2ClassicsLewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home: The Story of His LifeDiscover the enchanting life behind the creator of Wonderland, tracing his journey from a curious boy in a quiet English village to the imaginative storyteller who transformed chil…
Level B2ClassicsLewis Arundel; Or, The Railroad Of LifeJourney alongside Lewis Arundel as he departs home in a whirlwind of temper and adventure, encountering war, romance, and unexpected discoveries on the railroad of life.
Level B2ClassicsLewie; Or, The Bended TwigA mother’s desperate prayers bring a beloved child back to life, but indulgence breeds a tempestuous temper and tragic consequences.
Level B2ClassicsLetters of the Motor GirlA spirited fourteen-year-old girl discovers the thrill of driving a Franklin motor car in 1905, navigating lessons, family antics, and her own fierce independence in a charming wor…
Level B2ClassicsLetters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son: Being the Letters written by John Graham, Head of the House of Graham & Company, Pork-Packers in Chicago, familiarly known on 'Change as "Old Gorgon Graham," to his Son, Pierrepont, facetiously known to his intimates as "Piggy."A tough Chicago pork-packer writes candid letters to his Harvard-educated son, mixing blunt business advice with fatherly wisdom to prepare him for the realities of work and life b…
Level B2ClassicsLessons in Life, for All Who Will Read ThemA newly purchased farm hides a hidden right of way, sparking a clash between neighbors over land and respect.
Level B2ClassicsLeilaLeila anxiously navigates mysterious illness and hidden tensions within a secluded villa, where distant trains echo and secrets linger in the shadows.
Level B2ClassicsLegends and tales of the Harz MountainsIn the shadowy Harz Mountains, a princess betrothed to a fearsome giant seeks escape on a mystical snowy steed, sparking a thrilling chase through enchanted valleys where ancient l…
Level B2ClassicsLaurel Vane; or, The Girls' ConspiracyAt midnight, a gifted man’s life ends, leaving his innocent daughter alone to face a harsh, unkind world.
Level B2ClassicsLast WordsTwo men confront their insecurities on a beach, leading to awkward humor and unexpected moments as they navigate the challenges of vanity, friendship, and self-acceptance in a worl…
Level B2ClassicsLady Huntworth's Experiment: An original comedy in three actsIn a quaint vicarage garden, a couple navigates the delicate dance between truth and social deception as they prepare for a secret wedding, revealing the humor and complexity of lo…
Level B2ClassicsLady BountifulIn the tolerant society of western Ireland, an aging baronet upends tradition by marrying his village cook, Bridie Malone, whose common sense and care transform their grand estate—…
Level B2ClassicsLadies-In-WaitingA young woman leaves behind her troubled past and a devoted circle of friends to pursue a singing career in London, facing the uncertainty of a new life and the promise of adventur…
Level B2ClassicsLa GrenadiereNestled on the scenic banks of the Loire, La Grenadiere is an ancient vineyard estate where the beauty of nature and the echoes of history intertwine among terraced cliffs and lush…
Level B2ClassicsKipps: The Story of a Simple SoulA young boy raised by his aunt and uncle in a small town navigates the mysteries of his past and the rigid manners of society as he grows up.
Level B2ClassicsKingsworth; or, The Aim of a LifeIn windswept Kingsworth House, two brothers grapple with family legacy and fractured loyalties as one prepares to marry an heiress and assume stewardship of their ancestral estate,…
Level B2ClassicsKeeping up with LizzieIn a small Connecticut village, ambition and social rivalry ignite as Lizzie's lavish education and lifestyle spark a costly competition among townsfolk determined to keep up with…
Level B2ClassicsKatherine's SheavesAt Hilton Seminary, Katherine Minturn arrives as a poised new junior, quickly capturing the attention and curiosity of her fellow students and teachers alike.