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 C2PoetryAtalanta in CalydonIn a land cursed by a vengeful goddess, a fierce hunt unfolds as heroes and a remarkable maiden unite to face a devastating wild boar ravaging Calydon.
Level C2PoetryAstrophel and Other Poems: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol. VIExplore a rich tapestry of emotion and imagery through a collection of evocative poems that traverse themes of love, nature, loss, and remembrance, inspired by timeless landscapes…
Level C2PoetryArtemis to Actaeon, and Other VersesDive into a world where gods and mortals intertwine, exploring the fragile boundary between divine immortality and human experience through evocative verses that awaken ancient myt…
Level C2PoetryArs Amatoria; or, The Art Of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious NotesMaster the art of love with guidance from a seasoned poet who reveals how to find, win, and keep the affection of Rome’s most captivating women, navigating desire with wit and wisd…
Level C2PoetryAround the Boree Log, and Other VersesStep into the warmth of an Australian bushfire’s glow, where memories, stories, and timeless hospitality gather around the boree log, rekindling the spirit of home, friendship, and…
Level C2PoetryArdours and Endurances; Also, A Faun's Holiday & Poems and PhantasiesExplore a profound journey through war's trials, nature's whimsy, and the depths of imagination, where poetry reveals the shared human spirit and the rhythms of thought that shape…
Level C2PoetryApril twilights, and other poemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that journey through seasons, landscapes, and timeless emotions, capturing moments from tender family memories to the quiet beauty of nature…
Level C2PoetryApollo and Marsyas, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that blend myth, personal reflection, and dramatic imagery, capturing moods and moments with sincere and powerful expression.
Level C2PoetryAntinous: A PoemEmperor Hadrian mourns the death of Antinous, his beloved youth whose beauty and love once filled his empire with passion.
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems and Songs of Labor and Reform, Complete: Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPassionate poems and stirring songs confront the brutal realities of slavery and celebrate the courage of those who fight for freedom and reform.
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 2.: Part 2 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmid rising tensions over Texas annexation and slavery, impassioned poems rally a call to freedom, urging unity and resistance against oppression.![Cover of Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Harold Whitmore [Editor] Jones](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeois8e1ofc73dh7fqg.webp)
Level C2PoetryAnti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John DrydenThree poetic replies challenge a famous verse allegory, offering sharp political and moral counterpoints through allegorical verse and satire.
Level C2PoetryAndromeda, and Other PoemsA coastal kingdom faces ruin as a monstrous sea creature demands a royal sacrifice to appease the gods, setting the stage for a tale of divine wrath, pride, and fate entwined with…
Level C2PoetryAn Introduction to the Prose and Poetical Works of John Milton: Comprising All the Autobiographic Passages in His Works, the More Explicit Presentations of His Ideas of True Liberty.Explore the passionate prose and poetry of a visionary who champions intellectual freedom and individual rights, weaving autobiographical insight with powerful arguments for true l…
Level C2PoetryAn Epic of Women, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in a rich tapestry of poems that explore the depths of love, history, and timeless beauty, from whispered graves to the legendary Cleopatra.
Level C2PoetryAn Elogy to the Memory of the late Wm. Palgrave, Esq., with Other PiecesIn a heartfelt tribute, a life marked by justice, kindness, and steadfast friendship is remembered amidst the fleeting fortunes and trials of mortal existence, inviting reflection…
Level C2PoetryAn Alphabet of HistoryExplore history’s most iconic figures from Alexander the Great to Zenobia through a vibrant alphabet of poetry and illustrations, blending timeless stories with playful verse that…
Level C2PoetryAmours De VoyageJourney through ancient Rome and beyond as a traveler wrestles with history’s ruins, cultural clashes, and spiritual disillusionment, capturing the restless search for meaning amid…
Level C2PoetryAmores: PoemsDive into a vivid exploration of passion, nature, and the human soul through evocative poems that unravel intimate desires, childhood struggles, and the wild rhythms of youth, all…
Level C2PoetryAll Round the YearExperience the cycle of nature and human emotion through vivid, lyrical poems that celebrate the resilience of life, the promise of spring, and the tender moments woven throughout…
Level C2PoetryAlcyoneJourney through cosmic wonder and earthly renewal in evocative poems that explore the timeless dance of stars, the fleeting beauty of spring, and the haunting echoes of ancient cit…
Level C2PoetryAgainst This AgeIn a surreal exploration of death and memory, a man discovers that his imagination reshapes reality itself, transforming familiar surroundings into a fluid world where desire and r…
Level C2PoetryAfterwhilesJourney through tender reflections and serene landscapes where memories and longing intertwine, guiding you from bustling city streets to tranquil country retreats and beyond, into…
Level C2PoetryAfternoonMaturity deepens love amid the fading garden’s summer glow, as two souls find joy and repose in the quiet intensity of shared moments.
Level C2PoetryAfterglowExplore a collection of reflective and evocative poems delving into themes of time, love, faith, and the soul’s journey, each piece offering a glimpse into moments of quiet contemp…
Level C2PoetryAcross the Sea and Other Poems.Journey across the sea through evocative poems that explore childhood’s lost innocence, the allure of distant shores, and the poignant beauty of memory and life's uncertain voyage.
Level C2PoetryAccolon of Gaul, with Other PoemsIn a mystical forest where ancient magic stirs, a knight wanders through dreams of legendary love and enchantment, drawn into the haunting allure of Morgane and the spellbound real…
Level C2PoetryAbraham Lincoln: An Horatian OdeWitness the profound mourning and tribute to a humble man who rose from rustic roots to lead a nation through its greatest trial, only to fall by a tragic act of betrayal that shak…
Level C2PoetryA-Naughty-Biography and other poemsA mischievous child recounts a lively and challenging infancy filled with family love, illness, and childhood antics on a small farm, navigating early hardships and the sudden loss…
Level C2PoetryA happy New Year, and other versesExplore a rich tapestry of emotions and landscapes through evocative verses that capture moments from springtime gardens to historic elections and distant battles, blending persona…
Level C2PoetryA chant of love for England, and other poemsPassionate poems evoke England’s spirit, from heroic soldiers and historic ballads to tender reflections and stirring sonnets, weaving a rich tapestry of love, loss, and national p…
Level C2PoetryA book of Christmas verseJourney through timeless Christmas carols and evocative poems that capture the spirit of the season, from ancient hymns to heartfelt modern verses celebrating joy, faith, and the n…
Level C2PoetryA Summer's PoemsImmerse yourself in a collection of reflective poems inspired by six weeks spent amid the majestic mountains of Upper Austria, exploring nature, life’s journey, and fleeting moment…
Level C2PoetryA Sheaf of Verses: PoemsExplore vivid emotions and reflections on nature, love, and life through a collection of lyrical poems that celebrate youth, beauty, and the poetic spirit in every moment.
Level C2PoetryA Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert HerrickDive into a rich tapestry of lyrical poems exploring themes of love, nature, and the passage of time, where pastoral beauty and heartfelt emotion intertwine in graceful verse.
Level C2HistoricalA Roman Lawyer in Jerusalem : First CenturyIn first-century Jerusalem, a Roman lawyer wrestles with the mysterious figure of Christus and the controversial betrayal by Judas Iscariot, seeking truth amid political turmoil an…
Level C2PoetryA Reading of Life, with Other PoemsYouth faces a vital choice between the fierce freedom of Artemis and the seductive allure of Aphrodite, as the poem explores the passionate, wild chase of life and love’s compellin…
Level C2PoetryA PreludeA weary soul finds solace hidden in a quiet wood, torn between the yearning for freedom and the peace of acceptance.
Level C2PoetryA Nonsense AnthologyDive into a whimsical collection of playful and absurd poems, featuring nonsense verses, quirky ballads, and fantastical tales that delight with their imaginative language and humo…
Level C2PoetryA Minor Poet, and Other VerseExplore a vivid tapestry of emotions and classical drama through poetry that delves into mythic characters like Medea alongside intimate reflections and sonnets, blending ancient t…
Level C2PoetryA Midsummer Holiday and Other PoemsDive into a collection where vivid emotions and classical influences intertwine, capturing moments of celebration, reflection, and poetic homage through rich, evocative verse.
Level C2PoetryA Lute of Jade : Selections from the Classical Poets of ChinaExplore the graceful world of ancient Chinese poetry, from heartfelt ballads to the luminous verses of Tang dynasty masters, revealing timeless emotions and serene reflections that…
Level C2PoetryA Lover's Diary, Volume 2.A journey through longing, love, and loss unfolds in vivid poetic scenes—from stormy seas and haunted dreams to sacred moments and shattered hopes—inviting readers to explore the d…
Level C2PoetryA Lover's ComplaintA heartbroken maiden tears apart love letters by a riverside, consumed by sorrow and betrayal.
Level C2PoetryA London Plane-Tree, and Other VerseExplore vivid scenes and heartfelt reflections on London life, love, and nature through a rich collection of poetry that captures moments from bustling streets to quiet gardens.
Level C2PoetryA Little Book of Old Time Verse: Old Fashioned FlowersExplore timeless verses that evoke the charm of old-fashioned flowers and the sweet memories of days gone by, gathered from poets spanning centuries.
Level C2PoetryA Jongleur Strayed: Verses on Love and Other Matters Sacred and ProfaneExplore a poetic journey through love’s many facets, from tender devotion to playful heartbreak, as a wandering jongleur crafts verse that captures the sacred and profane moments o…
Level C2HistoricalA Ioyfull medytacyon to all Englonde of the coronacyon of our moost naturall souerayne lorde kynge Henry the eyght: (A Joyful Meditation of the Coronation of King Henry the Eighth)Celebrate the coronation of King Henry VIII through a poetic meditation that honors his royal lineage, virtues, and the hopes of England united under his reign.