CEFR C2 · Proficient
Read Proficient Classics in English (C2)
973 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 C2PoetryReligious Poems, SelectedExplore a collection of deeply spiritual poems that evoke biblical stories, sacred hymns, and reflections on faith, capturing moments from Bethlehem to ancient sacrifices with reve…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, Part 2.: Part 6 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore profound reflections on faith, doubt, and divine love through evocative verses that grapple with human weakness, the mystery of God's goodness, and the soul’s quest for spi…
Level C2PoetryReligious Poems, Part 1.: Part 5 From Volume II of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierJourney through vivid spiritual landscapes where faith, nature, and ancient rites intertwine—from the hopeful Star of Bethlehem blossoming in foreign soil to the haunting downfall…
Level C2PoetryReligious PoemsExplore profound faith and devotion through stirring verses that reflect on sacrifice, divine presence, and the soul’s journey beyond life, inspired by stories of saints, sacred mo…
Level C2PoetryReincarnationsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey through love, loss, and longing as vivid voices and haunting images evoke timeless human emotions and the enduring spirit of life’s many reinc…
Level C2ClassicsRecreations of Christopher North, Volume 2Wander through a vividly painted Scottish parish where nature’s beauty intertwines with poignant memories of youth and loss.
Level C2ClassicsRecollections of My Childhood and YouthA young boy navigates the wonders and confusions of childhood, from playful moments with adults to early lessons about the world’s complexities.
Level C2PoetryReadings from Latin Verse; With NotesExplore the rich world of classical Latin poetry through carefully selected verses, from Ennius' legendary laments to Lucretius' profound reflections on nature and superstition, ac…
Level C2PoetryRandom Rhymes and RamblesExplore heartfelt musings and rustic wisdom through rough-hewn verse and prose, as an untrained rhymer captures life's struggles, kindness, and resilience in candid Yorkshire diale…
Level C2ClassicsRalph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and seerExplore the intimate reflections and profound insights of a close friend who reveals the spirit and genius behind one of America's greatest thinkers.
Level C2PoetryQuartz from the UplandsA powerful call to awaken the creative spirit within a world dulled by convention and industry’s roar, urging a deep communion with nature’s cycles and a fierce critique of society…
Level C2ClassicsPélléas and Mélisande; Alladine and Palomides; HomeIn a haunting exploration of theater’s power and limitations, poetic dramas reveal the elusive beauty that fades when life replaces imagination, challenging how we experience timel…
Level C2PoetryPuck on PegasusStep aboard the Night Mail North as it races through mist and sleet, carrying passengers bound for hope, escape, and desperate reprieves.
Level C2PoetryProverbial Philosophy: The First and Second SeriesDelve into reflective poetry that weaves wisdom and truth through thoughtful musings on life, knowledge, and the human spirit.
Level C2MysteryPrince ZaleskiA troubled prince retreats to a shadowed palace filled with ancient relics and eerie mysteries, where a trusted friend visits to unravel a dark labyrinthine plot.
Level C2PoetryPrimitive & Mediaeval Japanese Texts: Transliterated into Roman with introductions, notes and glossariesExplore early Japanese culture through romanized texts of ancient poetry, medieval tales, and theatrical works, accompanied by detailed notes and glossaries to unlock the language…
Level C2PoetryPoint Lace and DiamondsExplore a richly woven collection of poems and dramatic pieces that delve into love, society, and timeless human emotions, from youthful dreams and marital journeys to parables and…
Level C2PoetryPoetryExplore the timeless harmony of the universe through poetry that intertwines celestial music, philosophical reflection, and the human mind’s quest to grasp cosmic order and meaning…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 6Step into ancient Athens and Rome, where mistaken identities and political intrigue unfold amid gardens, taverns, and conspiracies.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 4Set against the Spanish occupation of Sicily, a romantic drama unfolds in Palermo as Palicio, disguised and wounded, navigates political intrigue, betrayal, and shifting loyalties.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 2Explore a rich collection of shorter and new poems that traverse elegies, nature, love, and seasonal reflections, blending classical forms with fresh voices to evoke deep emotion a…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 1Ancient myths come alive as Prometheus defies Zeus to gift fire to humanity, sparking divine conflict and prophecy.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett: With Memoirs, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory NotesDive into the rich tapestry of 18th-century poetry and lives, featuring vivid odes, satirical verses, and intimate memoirs that illuminate the genius and struggles of Samuel Johnso…
Level C2PoetryPoems: Pastoral and PsalmExplore a collection of reflective poems blending pastoral beauty with spiritual psalms, inviting readers into themes of nature, faith, struggle, and hope through serene and contem…
Level C2PoetryPoems: Containing The Restropect, Odes, Elegies, Sonnets, &c.Explore a rich tapestry of poetic forms—from elegies and sonnets to odes and romances—each reflecting on themes of decay, reflection, and ancient legends, inviting readers to ponde…
Level C2PoetryPoems, with The Ballad of Reading GaolDive into a rich collection of evocative poems exploring passion, liberty, and empire, culminating in the haunting "Ballad of Reading Gaol," a profound reflection on justice and hu…
Level C2PoetryPoems, Scots and EnglishExplore a rich tapestry of verse blending the vernacular Scots of the Lowlands with English poetry, capturing voices from hill country tales to wartime reflections, all steeped in…
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1916-1918Immerse yourself in a collection of vivid poems exploring love, nature, and the human spirit amid the shadows of war.
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1914-1919Experience the raw emotions and reflections shaped by the Great War, as poems memorialize loss, courage, and the haunting beauty of life during 1914-1919.
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1799A haunting vision unfolds as a weary maiden drifts into a nightmarish realm of despair, encountering spectral figures and the chilling inevitability of death.
Level C2PoetryPoems — Volume 3Explore a vibrant collection of poems that journey from roving winds and joyful revelry to timeless odes, epic fragments, and intimate epitaphs, capturing nature, history, and huma…
Level C2PoetryPoems — Volume 2Explore a rich tapestry of emotions and ideas through evocative poems that journey from intimate reflections to grand themes of nature, wisdom, and human strife, inviting readers i…
Level C2PoetryPoems — Volume 1Dive into a vivid collection of poems that explore nature, love, myth, and the human spirit through rich imagery and timeless themes.![Cover of Poems on Travel by R. M. [Compiler] Leonard](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8bm3sv7nos73d6qaug.webp)
Level C2PoetryPoems on TravelEmbark on a poetic journey through Europe’s landscapes and landmarks, from the towering Matterhorn to the ancient cities of Italy and Greece.
Level C2PoetryPoems on SlaveryPowerful poems conceived at sea confront the brutal realities of slavery, capturing haunting dreams, midnight songs, and the enduring spirit of those longing for freedom.
Level C2PoetryPoems on Serious and Sacred Subjects: Printed only as Private Tokens of Regard, for the Particular Friends of the AuthorExplore profound reflections on mortality, faith, and the human spirit as heartfelt poems delve into the fear of death, the power of resignation, and the solace found in friendship…
Level C2PoetryPoems of the Past and the PresentExplore the poignant contrasts of war’s harsh realities and human emotions through vivid poems that journey from historic battlegrounds to intimate farewells, capturing the timeles…
Level C2PoetryPoems of reflectionStep into a world where art, passion, and the bittersweet journey of life intertwine—exploring dreams, losses, and the longing for beauty beyond the ordinary.
Level C2PoetryPoems of lifeExplore the vastness of life, the soul’s yearning for the infinite, and the secret to joy through vivid reflections on love, struggle, and transcendence.
Level C2PoetryPoems of evolutionJourney through the vast epochs of Earth's history, where life evolves from ancient seas to prehistoric caves, tracing humanity's origins and artistic awakenings amidst the shiftin…
Level C2PoetryPoems of Gerard Manley Hopkins: Now First PublishedDive into a collection where rhythm and language intertwine, exploring the tensions of faith, beauty, and sorrow through innovative poetic forms that challenge traditional English…
Level C2PoetryPoems of ColeridgeDive into a world of haunting ballads, mystical odes, and profound meditations where human love intertwines with nature, friendship, and the depths of the soul, revealing the passi…
Level C2PoetryPoems of Arthur Hugh CloughExplore the profound conflict between conscience and the world through stirring poems and the evocative dramatic poem "Dipsychus," tracing inner struggles amid Venice’s haunting ba…
Level C2HistoricalPoems in Wartime: Part 4 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierIn the tumult of civil war, heartfelt poems confront the agony and hope of a nation divided, exploring sacrifice, liberty, and the fight against slavery with solemn resolve and sti…
Level C2PoetryPoems in Many LandsJourney through diverse landscapes and emotions with lyrical poems that evoke nature’s beauty, history’s echoes, and intimate reflections, weaving a rich tapestry of voices from ma…
Level C2PoetryPoems by Walt WhitmanDive into a poetic journey that explores humanity, nature, and the spirit through vivid, unrestrained verse, challenging traditional forms and celebrating the democratic voice of A…
Level C2PoetryPoems by Jean Ingelow, In Two Volumes, Volume II.Dive into stirring poems that weave youth’s bright hopes with the deep heart of womanhood, capturing nature, love, loss, and history’s tumult through vivid imagery and heartfelt re…
Level C2PoetryPoems by Isaac RosenbergExperience the raw intensity of youth and the struggle for expression through vivid imagery and passionate verse, as a sensitive poet grapples with life, art, and the tumult of ear…