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 C2PoetryA Father of Women, and Other PoemsPoignant poems honor the strength and legacy of fathers, the sacrifice of soldiers, and the delicate beauty of nature, weaving reflections on war, love, and art into a tapestry of…
Level C2PoetryA Dome of Many-Coloured GlassExplore vivid emotions and delicate moments through a kaleidoscope of lyrical poems that paint life as a dome of many-colored glass, blending nature, dreams, and heartfelt reflecti…
Level C2PoetryA Defence of Poetry and Other EssaysExploring the profound nature of love and life, these essays delve into the human soul’s yearning for connection and the awe-inspiring miracle of existence, revealing the invisible…
Level C2PoetryA Dark Month: From Swinburne's Collected Poetical Works Vol. VDelve into a haunting sequence of poems that explore sorrow, solitude, and the passage of time through vivid imagery and rhythmic precision, capturing the depths of a dark month’s…
Level C2PoetryA Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne: Quickened With Metrical Illustrations, Both Morall and Divine, Etc.Explore a rich tapestry of ancient and modern emblems brought to life with metrical illustrations that blend moral and divine lessons, inviting readers to a thoughtful and pleasant…
Level C2PoetryA Child-WorldStep into a magical world of childhood wonder where a simple Indiana home and its blooming orchard reveal timeless joys, secret adventures, and the enchanting beauty of nature seen…
Level C2PoetryA Channel Passage and Other Poems: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne—Vol VIExplore a vivid collection of poems capturing moments from midsummer holidays to historic odes, blending nature, memory, and tribute in lyrical form.
Level C2PoetryA Century of RoundelsDive into a tapestry of delicate roundels where light laughter meets deep heartbeats, tracing fleeting joys, lingering regrets, and the relentless passage of time through evocative…
Level C2PoetryA Canadian Calendar: XII LyricsExperience the vivid rhythms of Canadian seasons through lyrical poems that celebrate nature’s cycles, the call of the sea, and haunting memories woven into the landscape’s timeles…
Level C2PoetryA Burlesque Translation of HomerDive into a riotous retelling of the Iliad where gods bicker like quarrelsome neighbors and heroes clash over a captive wench, blending classical epic with sharp wit and bawdy humo…
Level C2PoetryA Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old SoulA soul's journey unfolds through heartfelt prayers and reflections, seeking faith, hope, and divine connection amid life's doubts and struggles.
Level C2PoetryA Book of EpigramsDive into a collection of sharp, witty epigrams and reflective poems that explore themes of life, nature, love, and human folly with elegance and insight, each verse a vivid spark…![Cover of 88 Favourite Carols and Hymns for Christmas by Anonymous [Compiler]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daf8nbge1ofc73dhcgqg.webp)
Level C2Poetry88 Favourite Carols and Hymns for ChristmasCelebrate the joyous birth of Christ with a collection of 88 beloved carols and hymns, inviting readers to join angels and shepherds in timeless praise and reflection on the Savior…
Level C2Poetry35 SonnetsExplore the elusive nature of self and soul through profound reflections on identity, memory, and the struggle to express inner truth.
Level C2Poetry'Twixt Earth and Stars: PoemsExplore a rich tapestry of emotions and nature through a collection of poems that journey from gardens and distant hills to dreams and memories, capturing love, loss, and the soul’…
Level C2Historical'Hello, soldier!'Amidst the stirring calls of war, ordinary Australian men—bushies, miners, boys—march with pride and courage to defend their land and prove their worth on the battlefield.
Level C2Poetry'He Giveth His Beloved Sleep'Explore the serene grace of divine rest as the poem reflects on the sacred gift of sleep bestowed upon the beloved, offering solace beyond earthly struggles and sorrows in a world…
Level C2PoetryErotica RomanaThe classic romance novel by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Level C2ClassicsThe Complete Works of William ShakespeareThe classic poetry novel by William Shakespeare.
Level C2PoetryThe Lady of the LakeThe classic romance novel by Walter Scott.
Level C2PoetryThe Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verseThe classic fantasy novel by Valmiki.