CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
645 books graded at CEFR C2 (proficient) — 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 C2 books to read in English?
The best C2 books to read in English are well-known classics whose own language sits at that level — start with Yorkshire Lyrics: Poems written in the Dialect as Spoken in the West Riding of Yorkshire. To which are added a Selection of Fugitive Verses not in the Dialect, XXXII Ballades in Blue China [1885] and Within a Budding Grove. Each is the complete book, labelled CEFR C2 (proficient), 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 C2HistoricalDepartmental ditties and Ballads and Barrack-room balladsExplore the ironies and intrigues of colonial life through sharp, satirical verse that reveals the timeless struggles of ambition, favoritism, and bureaucracy within the British Em…
Level C2PoetryDemocritus PlatonissansDive into a profound poetic exploration where faith and reason intertwine, as the soul's immortality and the divine nature of existence are passionately debated and celebrated thro…
Level C2PoetryDays and Dreams: PoemsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey of longing, conversation, and song, where voices intertwine in a poetic dance of dreams and reflections across time and mood.
Level C2PoetryDark of the MoonExplore a luminous collection of poems that capture the shifting moods of nature, seasons, and the human heart, from starlit nights to autumnal reflections and midsummer dreams.
Level C2PoetryCottage PoemsA humble poet’s rustic muse paints simple, heartfelt scenes of nature, faith, and human struggles, weaving meditations on life’s storms and heavenly hope.
Level C2PoetryCosmosJourney through the ages as humanity grapples with the mysteries of life, death, and the cosmos, challenging old creeds and seeking truth beyond superstition and science.
Level C2PoetryConnected PoemsExplore a series of interconnected poems that delve into idealized societies and celestial virtues, inspired by philosophical reflections on humanity, friendship, and divine love.
Level C2PoetryConfessio Amantis; Or, Tales of the Seven Deadly SinsExplore a medieval world where love battles the seven deadly sins amid shifting fortunes, justice, and discord.
Level C2PoetryColorExplore a profound collection of poems that delve into identity, love, struggle, and heritage, capturing the vibrant spectrum of human experience through powerful, evocative verse.
Level C2PoetryCollected Poems 1897 - 1907, by Henry NewboltVividly evoking naval valor and historic battles, these stirring poems celebrate England’s seafaring heroes—from Drake’s drum to Nelson’s daring—immersing readers in tales of coura…
Level C2HistoricalCodex Junius 11Angelic hosts once basking in celestial bliss face rebellion and exile, as divine justice casts down prideful spirits into eternal torment.
Level C2PoetryClear CrystalsDelve into a collection of finely crafted poems that reflect a rich tapestry of emotions and moments, each piece shimmering like a clear crystal in the light of human experience.
Level C2PoetryClaudian, volume 2 (of 2): With an English translation by Maurice PlatnauerAmidst a world shaped by Love and Good Faith, a noble warrior balances power and mercy, guiding an empire through loyalty, justice, and the sacred duties of leadership.
Level C2HistoricalClassical Enigmas, Adapted to Every Month in the Year: Composed from the English and Roman Histories, Heathen Mythology and Names of Famous Writers: Meant to Amuse Youths of All Ages, and at the Same Time Exert Their Memories, by Calling to Mind What They Have Read at Different TimesChallenge your memory and wit with enigmas drawn from English and Roman histories, mythology, and famous writers, each tailored to a different month of the year to entertain and ed…
Level C2PoetryChristmas EveOn a stormy Christmas Eve, a reluctant stranger braves a crowded chapel filled with society’s outcasts, confronting cold stares and warm humanity alike as he seeks meaning amid the…
Level C2HistoricalChoyce Drollery: Songs and Sonnets: Being a Collection of Divers Excellent Pieces of Poetry, of Several Eminent Authors.Amidst the turmoil of the English Commonwealth, a rare collection of songs and sonnets offers a secret glimpse into royalist hopes and pastoral dreams, treasured and hunted in equa…
Level C2PoetryChinese literatureJourney through ancient Chinese wisdom with the teachings of Confucius, the poetic odes of the Shi-King, and the epic travels of Fâ-hien, revealing a rich tapestry of philosophy, h…
Level C2PoetryChildren of the NightExplore the haunting reflections of those lost in darkness, wrestling with fate, faith, and the search for meaning amid sorrow and hope.
Level C2PoetryChilde Harold's PilgrimageA disillusioned young noble, wearied by riotous pleasures and hollow admiration, embarks on a soul-searching journey beyond his homeland, seeking meaning in distant lands and refle…
Level C2PoetryChild Maidelvold, and Other BalladsIn a world of royal secrets and forbidden love, Sidselil’s heart is ensnared by Child Maidelvold, sparking a desperate flight through dark forests and painful truths.
Level C2PoetryChaucerian and Other Pieces: Being a Supplement to the Complete Works of Geoffrey ChaucerExplore a fascinating supplement to Chaucer's works, featuring a curated selection of poems attributed to Chaucer and his contemporaries, complete with scholarly notes and historic…
Level C2PoetryChaucer's Works, Volume 6 — Introduction, Glossary, and IndexesDive into the rich world of Middle English with detailed introductions, extensive glossaries, and precise indexes that illuminate Geoffrey Chaucer’s authentic works, separating gen…
Level C2PoetryChaucer's Works, Volume 3 — The House of Fame; The Legend of Good Women; The Treatise on the Astrolabe; The Sources of the Canterbury TalesJourney through a visionary realm where an eagle guides the poet into the mysterious House of Fame, exploring themes of love, myth, and celestial knowledge.
Level C2PoetryChaucer's Works, Volume 1 — Romaunt of the Rose; Minor PoemsDive into medieval verse with tales of love, chivalry, and philosophy, meticulously restored from ancient manuscripts to reveal the rich language and spirit of Geoffrey Chaucer’s e…
Level C2PoetryChamber MusicDelicate strings and twilight melodies weave through these intimate poems, capturing love’s tender moments and gentle yearnings amid nature’s soft embrace.
Level C2PoetryCastaraExperience the refined courtship of a cultured English gentleman as he woos a noble beauty, weaving tender poems of love, friendship, and life's trials beneath the gentle shade of…
Level C2PoetryCaliforniaImmerse yourself in a lyrical celebration of California's majestic landscapes and rich spirit, where mountains, seas, and valleys sing in harmony.
Level C2PoetryCactus and pine: Songs of the SouthwestImmerse yourself in the rugged spirit of the American Southwest, where vast deserts, towering peaks, and untamed trails shape the souls of pioneers and dreamers.
Level C2PoetryBuds and flowers of childish lifeDelight in a charming collection of poems capturing the innocence and wonder of childhood, brought to life with vibrant illustrations that celebrate the simple joys and budding adv…
Level C2PoetryBriefless Ballads and Legal Lyrics: Second SeriesDive into a unique blend of legal history and verse, where ancient Roman litigants meet whimsical court cases and poetic reflections on justice, all unfolding through sharp, witty…
Level C2PoetryBramble BraeExplore a rich tapestry of reflections on life, loss, and nature through evocative poems that traverse personal memories, historical moments, and intimate prayers, inviting readers…
Level C2PoetryBonnie Joann, and other poemsImmerse yourself in the vivid landscapes and heartfelt voices of Angus, where rustic tales and tender dreams unfold through evocative dialect and rich emotion.
Level C2PoetryBog-land studiesExplore haunting landscapes and poignant moments woven through Irish life, where nature and human experience intertwine in vivid, reflective poetry that captures the subtle mysteri…
Level C2PoetryBlooms of the BerryDive into a world of vivid imagery and heartfelt reflection as poems explore nature’s cycles, mythic seas, and the passage of time, capturing the delicate interplay between light a…
Level C2PoetryBitter-Sweet: A PoemAmid a fierce winter storm, a devout Puritan patriarch welcomes his gathered family for Thanksgiving Eve, weaving together faith, nature’s harshness, and the warmth of home in a po…
Level C2PoetryBirds, Beasts and Flowers: Poems by D. H. LawrenceExplore vivid poems that celebrate the natural world, from fruits and flowers to birds, beasts, and mystical creatures, capturing their essence with striking imagery and deep insig…
Level C2PoetryBeowulfIn a realm of ancient Danish kings, a monstrous terror named Grendel haunts the grand hall of Heorot, wreaking havoc and despair.
Level C2PoetryBehind the Arras: A Book of the UnseenAn introspective wanderer explores an old house filled with unseen spirits and shifting shadows, where ghostly figures and mysterious tapestries hint at secret histories and the el…
Level C2HistoricalBeechenbrook: A Rhyme of the WarAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, this poignant poetic tribute honors the sacrifices and enduring grief of Southern women, weaving sonnets and lays that reflect on loss, valor, an…
Level C2PoetryBay: A Book of PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid scenes where soldiers parade, towns drift to sleep, and trains rush by, capturing moments of tension, beauty, and longing as life unfolds beneath shifting…
Level C2PoetryBaudelaire: His Prose and PoetryExplore the dark beauty and haunting visions of a soul restless in its quest for meaning, love, and peace amid sin and sorrow.
Level C2PoetryBase-ball BalladsStep into the lively world of baseball through spirited poems that capture the thrills, dreams, and quirks of the game—from heroic hits and fan antics to the bittersweet fate of Mu…
Level C2PoetryBan and Arriere Ban: A Rally of Fugitive RhymesImmerse yourself in a stirring collection of fugitive rhymes that rally voices from forgotten times—ballads, odes, and poetic portraits that evoke history, romance, and legend thro…
Level C2PoetryBallads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws: Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Fourth SeriesStep into the world beneath the Hawthorne tree, where tales of Robin Hood and legendary outlaws unfold—heroes who champion the poor, challenge authority, and embody the spirit of E…
Level C2PoetryBallads and Poems of Tragic LifeExplore haunting legends and poetic experiments that delve into faith, temptation, and heroic struggles, as ancient tales and metrical innovations bring tragic life vividly to vers…
Level C2PoetryBallades and Verses VainDive into a rich collection of ballades and verses weaving timeless themes—from ancient empires and literary fame to delicate portraits of nature and love—offering lyrical journeys…
Level C2PoetryBallades & Rhymes from Ballades in Blue China and Rhymes a la ModeExplore a rich collection of ballads and rhymes that revive an ancient French poetic form with playful wit and timeless themes, from haunting midnight forests to the whimsical char…
Level C2RomanceAxel Thordson and Fair Valborg: a balladIn a world of noble courts and secret loves, Sir Axel Thordson's heart is bound to Valborg, a maiden raised in cloister and courtly grace.