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 B2ClassicsFour Short PlaysIn a cozy drawing room, Rachel and Carteret explore the delicate differences between men and women through candid, witty conversation, revealing fears, love, and the quiet bonds th…
Level B2ClassicsFour Short PlaysIn a bright English countryside setting, a daring woman plunges into a pond to rescue a dog from a fierce fight, sparking gratitude, intrigue, and social tension among the local ge…
Level B2ClassicsForty Minutes Late: 1909Caught in a relentless snowstorm, a determined lecturer races against time to reach a remote settlement for an important lecture, only to find the promised welcome vanishing into a…
Level B2ClassicsForge and furnace: A novelIn the fiery heart of Sheffield's steelworks, a stern master and his reluctant son face the grueling realities of industry and family expectations, while a sharp-eyed young workman…
Level B2ClassicsFive Hundred Dollars; or, Jacob Marlowe's SecretAn elderly man returns to his hometown after twenty years, uncovering family tensions and hidden fortunes among the Marlowes.
Level B2ClassicsFive Hundred Dollars: First published in the "Century Magazine"In a coastal sail-loft, tales unfold about Delia, a young woman defying her family's legacy of decline by choosing her own path with David Prince, whose troubled past and uncertain…
Level B2ClassicsFishin' JimmyIn a tranquil New Hampshire village, a weathered angler known as Fishin' Jimmy teaches more than fishing—he imparts life lessons of patience, faith, and resilience drawn from the s…
Level B2ClassicsFirst and LastSet sail on the open sea where weighing anchor becomes a metaphor for life's beginnings, testing courage, skill, and truth against the unpredictable tides and winds.
Level B2ClassicsFirst Fam'lies of the SierrasIn a remote Sierra camp called The Forks, rugged men carve out a wild new Eden, electing a hapless judge to rule their lawless world.
Level B2ClassicsFires of St. John: A Drama in Four ActsIn a well-to-do Pomeranian household, a looming family wedding stirs old tensions as a mysterious woman from the past reappears, threatening to disrupt the carefully arranged happi…
Level B2ClassicsFern's HollowNestled in a hidden Welsh hollow, a rugged hut shelters a family marked by hardship and hope, living quietly on the edge of society where common land meets solitary hills.
Level B2ClassicsFather SergiusA promising officer destined for glory abruptly abandons his military career, fiancée, and wealth to seek solace in a monastery.
Level B2ClassicsFate Knocks at the Door: A NovelA young man’s decisive act aboard a swift clipper in the China Sea sets the stage for a journey through fate, passion, and the complexities of life.
Level B2ClassicsFanny Lambert: A NovelAn aspiring artist in Chelsea awaits the visit of Fanny Lambert, a spirited young woman whose innocence and unconventional ways promise to upend his orderly world.
Level B2ClassicsFamous Authors (Men)Discover the early struggles and literary rise of William Dean Howells, tracing his journey from a newspaper boy in Ohio to a celebrated author navigating the challenges of publish…
Level B2ClassicsFamily Pride; Or, Purified by SufferingIn a stately New England farmhouse, an old-fashioned deacon and his steadfast family confront the challenges of changing times and personal loss, revealing how pride and perseveran…
Level B2ClassicsFairfax and His Pride: A NovelA young Southern artist arrives in chilly New York City, brimming with hope and ambition despite his physical limp and limited means.
Level B2ClassicsFair HarborIn a quaint coastal town, the hardworking Macomber family navigates daily struggles, community ties, and small-town charm, anchored by their enduring roles at Eliphalet Bassett’s g…
Level B2ClassicsFables of Field and StaffStep into the relaxed world of a volunteer infantry regiment in peacetime, where quirky traditions and colorful characters bring military life to vivid, humorous life.
Level B2ClassicsFables in SlangWry and witty tales capture the quirks of everyday life with sharp humor and sly social commentary, from a phrenologist's dubious talents to a girl chasing elusive ideals.
Level B2ClassicsFables for the TimesWitty fables unfold as animals navigate vanity, deceit, and ambition in a forest where cleverness and folly collide, revealing timeless truths with humor and irony.
Level B2ClassicsFablesStep behind the scenes of a beloved sea tale as Captain Smollett and Long John Silver, characters aware of their fictional lives, debate morality, fate, and the whims of their Auth…
Level B2ClassicsExperienceA cheerful young woman embraces life with wit and simplicity, sharing her everyday joys and loves in a heartfelt story that celebrates happiness amidst life's quiet moments.
Level B2ClassicsExpelledThree spirited sisters eagerly await their brother's return for Christmas, navigating family dynamics and the challenges of growing up in a tale of youthful joy, conflict, and the…
Level B2ClassicsExits and EntrancesStep into a lively Victorian family’s memories, where nine sisters navigate childhood chores, strict fathers, and first loves in a bustling Brighton filled with vanished landmarks…
Level B2ClassicsEveryman's LandAmid the turmoil of war, a devoted nurse races to her wounded twin brother's side, grappling with guilt, loyalty, and a secret that could change everything.
Level B2ClassicsEverybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy StoryMary Alice, weary of her narrow, ordinary life and the dull predictability of small-town existence, longs for enchantment and a chance to become someone truly radiant.
Level B2ClassicsEveredIn a rugged northern land where wilderness meets small villages, hardy farmers balance solitude, friendship, and the lure of the woods.
Level B2ClassicsEuniceA group of schoolgirls from a seminary built by a pioneering woman await their journey home along the picturesque Connecticut River, where promises of spring mirror their hopes and…
Level B2ClassicsEthan FromeIn the bleak winter town of Starkfield, a mysterious man named Ethan Frome carries the weight of a tragic past and a haunting accident that changed his life forever, revealing the…
Level B2ClassicsEsther WatersA young kitchen-maid arrives at Woodview, a grand estate in a bleak coastal town, burdened with heavy hopes and a heavy bundle.
Level B2ClassicsEspecially dance hall womenIn a rowdy dance hall where debts and tempers flare, Long Jim Briggs steps into danger to rescue the fiery Rosie from a violent clash with the ruthless manager.
Level B2ClassicsErnest Linwood; or, The Inner Life of the AuthorA shy twelve-year-old girl bravely reveals her hidden poetic talent before a harsh schoolmaster, facing public ridicule and personal doubt.
Level B2ClassicsErisIn a struggling farmstead where twenty years of hope for a son end with the birth of a daughter, a sudden illness casts a shadow over the family’s future, forcing a weary farmer to…
Level B2ClassicsEnglish ways and by-waysTwo young Americans navigate English life before the Great War, sharing vivid, humorous letters that reveal cultural quirks and heartfelt moments amid personal trials and unexpecte…
Level B2ClassicsElsie Marley, HoneyA pale, expressionless young woman leaves her sheltered life behind to live in a bustling New York boarding-house with her eccentric cousin, facing the challenges of independence a…
Level B2ClassicsElsieIn a sunlit house known as “Noah’s Ark,” a quack doctor thrives by treating those the official physician has abandoned, aided by Elsie—a spirited girl saved from blindness whose my…
Level B2ClassicsElkan Lubliner, AmericanIn the bustling world of a Lower East Side garment shop, two partners grapple with loyalty, family ties, and the challenges of immigrant life as one debates sending money to bring…
Level B2ClassicsElizabeth Visits AmericaA young woman, seeking freedom from a troubled marriage, joins her eccentric relatives on a lively automobile journey through Europe filled with humor, family dynamics, and unexpec…
Level B2ClassicsElizaA man reflects on his modest life with Eliza, exploring the delicate balance of respectability, taste, and financial constraint in their marriage, revealing the humor and challenge…
Level B2ClassicsEgholm and his GodIn a rain-soaked town, young Sivert finds strange delight in a gloomy day while his father, Egholm, struggles with inner turmoil and the weight of secret beliefs, casting a shadow…
Level B2ClassicsEdna's Sacrifice and Other StoriesOn a bleak, rain-soaked night, Aunt Edna reveals the heart-wrenching story of Lilly, a fragile young woman shattered by tragic news, weaving a tale of love, loss, and sacrifice tha…
Level B2ClassicsEditorial Wild OatsA thirteen-year-old printer's apprentice takes the helm of a small-town newspaper, unleashing sharp satire and uproarious lampoons that ignite the community and stir up rival edito…
Level B2ClassicsEben Holden's Last Day A-FishingA peaceful summer visit to a quiet village unfolds with warm family moments, old legends, and the gentle charm of fading memories.
Level B2ClassicsEatin' Crow; and The Best Man in GarotteIn a rough mining camp buzzing with hope and suspicion, newcomer Charley Muirhead stirs the pot with his fierce temper and mysterious past, challenging a grumbling local and offeri…
Level B2ClassicsDynamite Stories, and Some Interesting Facts About ExplosivesExplore the explosive science behind dynamite and smokeless powder, revealing the chemistry, mechanics, and dramatic real-life stories tied to powerful blasts shaping industries an…
Level B2ClassicsDustA struggling family battles relentless dust and drought on the harsh Kansas prairie, clinging to the hope of a farm that promises a better future.
Level B2ClassicsDrusilla with a MillionAn unexpected visit from two mysterious men disrupts the quiet life of Drusilla Doane, a solitary woman with no known family, stirring curiosity and whispers among the residents of…