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 C2PoetryPoems by Adam Lindsay GordonExperience the rugged spirit of the Australian bush through stirring ballads and vivid verse that capture the courage, friendship, and fleeting glory of a life lived boldly on hors…
Level C2PoetryPoems and Songs of Robert BurnsExplore vivid Scottish life and heartfelt emotion through a rich collection of songs and poems, where rustic charm meets personal reflection in timeless verses that celebrate love,…
Level C2PoetryPoems and Lyrics of the Joy of EarthImmerse yourself in vivid verses that celebrate the vibrant joys of life and nature, exploring themes of love, time, and sentiment through rich, lyrical poetry.
Level C2PoetryPoems and Ballads (Third Series): Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne—Vol. IIIDive into a rich collection of evocative poems and ballads brimming with lyrical odes, historical reflections, and poignant memorials, each crafted with vivid imagery and emotional…
Level C2PoetryPoems (1828)A collection of heartfelt poems born from personal loss and deep reflection, exploring themes of love, grief, and intellectual pursuit with sincere emotion and vivid imagery.
Level C2PoetryPoems & Ballads (Second Series): Swinburne's Poems Volume IIIExplore a world where ancient gods fade and the spirit of humanity rises through song and time, as voices mourn lost faiths and seek new light beyond darkness and despair.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a rich tapestry of emotions and ideas through evocative poems spanning love, freedom, nature, and history, each capturing moments of beauty, struggle, and reflection in viv…
Level C2PoetryPoemsA weary pilgrim’s journey through life is softened by the wild, simple flowers of poetry, weaving sorrow and beauty into song.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a rich tapestry of emotions and nature through evocative poems that delve into love, loss, and the seasons, capturing moments both tender and timeless in lyrical verse.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a lush tapestry of memories, nature, and philosophy through evocative verses dedicated to Winchester’s ancient beauty and timeless spirit, capturing the quiet enchantment o…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDive into a rich tapestry of emotions and imagery through poems that explore love, nature, loss, and the human spirit with striking clarity and lyrical beauty.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a vast collection of poems that traverse themes from nature and youth to myth and mortality, blending lyrical beauty with profound reflection.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a rich collection of verses capturing moments of nature, emotion, and reflection, from tender sonnets to inspired narratives rooted in legend and personal insight.
Level C2PoetryPoemsDive into a collection of evocative poems exploring love, loss, and nature's fleeting beauty, framed by vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections that linger long after the final ver…
Level C2PoetryPoemsA reflective journey through tradition, philosophy, and the human experience unfolds in carefully crafted sonnets and odes, where verse becomes a disciplined exploration of nature,…
Level C2PoetryPoemsHaunted by loss and honor, these poignant poems explore the sacrifices of war, the enduring bonds of comradeship, and the quiet struggles of those left behind under the shadow of c…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDive into a world where myth and emotion intertwine through evocative poetry and lyrical drama, capturing the mystical spirit of nature, sacrifice, and the human soul’s yearning fo…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDelve into a world where moonlit nights, unspoken desires, and fleeting love intertwine with nature’s gentle rhythms, capturing moments of longing, fear, and tender connection in l…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDive into a collection that weaves dedication, war, love, and faith into evocative poetry, capturing the clash of old doubts and youthful hope amid a world on the brink of change.
Level C2PoetryPoemsImmerse yourself in a world of vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion as night skies, tranquil seas, and distant lands come alive through lyrical verses that explore beauty, memory, a…
Level C2PoetryPoemsImmerse yourself in evocative verses that capture the quiet beauty of nature, the passage of time, and the whispers of memory.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a collection of evocative sonnets and rondeaux that delve into themes of love, loss, faith, and the passage of time, each poem a glimpse into the complexities of the human…
Level C2PoetryPoemsDelve into a world where love and memory intertwine in delicate verse, capturing the haunting beauty of youth and the soulful longing of poets breaking silence.
Level C2PoetryPoemsExplore a rich collection of poems that delve into nature, love, destiny, and the human spirit, blending personal reflections with profound philosophical insights and timeless beau…
Level C2PoetryPoemsA restless poet seeks the elusive secret behind creative inspiration, wandering through seasons, memories, and haunting landscapes.
Level C2PoetryPoemsFairies embark on a magical voyage from the Emerald Isle to a pristine Caribbean island, where they gather precious gems and flowers for a dazzling moonlit revel.
Level C2PoetryPoemsAn old violinist’s silent rapture and a poet’s unspoken longing set the stage for a journey through heartfelt reflections, timeless nature, and profound musings on life, art, and t…
Level C2PoetryPoemata : Latin, Greek and Italian Poems by John MiltonDive into a rich collection of Latin, Greek, and Italian poems that explore elegies, philosophical musings, and heartfelt tributes, showcasing a mind shaped by classical learning a…
Level C2PhilosophyPlutarch's MoralsExplore timeless ethical reflections on education, virtue, friendship, and the challenges of human nature, offering practical guidance on living a moral and contented life within t…
Level C2ClassicsPlays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; AntigoneA plague ravages Thebes, and King Oedipus must uncover the truth behind the city's suffering.
Level C2PoetryPipes O'Pan at ZekesburyIn the quiet town of Zekesbury, everyday life is stirred by curious characters, quirky events, and a mysterious phrenology lecture that reveals more than just skull shapes.
Level C2PhilosophyPhilebusExplore a profound dialogue where Socrates and his companions debate pleasure, knowledge, and the highest good, unraveling complex ideas about the nature of happiness and the mixed…
Level C2HistoricalPharsalia; Dramatic Episodes of the Civil WarsAmidst the shattered streets and abandoned fields of Rome, rival armies of kin clash in a brutal civil war that threatens to tear an empire apart.
Level C2PhilosophyPetrarch's Secret; or, the Soul's Conflict with Passion: Three Dialogues Between Himself and S. AugustineA profound philosophical dialogue unfolds as a man confronts his inner passions through intimate conversations with Saint Augustine, revealing the soul's struggle between reason an…
Level C2PoetryPeter Bell the ThirdA tale unfolds around Peter Bell, a man marked by profound dullness and transformation, navigating a world where the boundaries between the earthly and the infernal blur.
Level C2PoetryPerpetual Light : a memorialHaunted by love and loss, a man reflects on a beloved companion whose spirit illuminates his darkest hours, weaving a poignant memorial through heartfelt verse and spiritual intros…
Level C2ClassicsPericles, Prince of TyreA daring prince confronts a deadly riddle posed by a king whose daughter’s beauty hides a sinister secret—solve it or face death.
Level C2MysteryPaul Clifford — Volume 02Imprisoned and injured, Paul Clifford clings to hope amid grim surroundings, relying on unlikely allies and his own ideals of justice.
Level C2ClassicsParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IIExplore a witty collection that mocks the grandiose and absurd in the works of Shakespeare, Milton, Tennyson, Poe, and more, revealing the playful side of literary giants through s…
Level C2HistoricalParadise RegainedA divine battle unfolds as the Son of God faces the Tempter's cunning in the wilderness, testing obedience and faith to reclaim paradise lost by one man's disobedience.
Level C2HistoricalParadise LostIn a cosmic battle between Heaven and Hell, fallen angels plot eternal war after their fiery exile, while mankind’s first disobedience sets the stage for a profound struggle over f…
Level C2PoetryPan and Æolus: PoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems that weave together elemental forces, mythic figures, and human experience, from the haunting hymn of tomb builders to the fierce voices of eart…
Level C2PoetryOxford Lectures on PoetryExplore the essence of poetry through a series of reflective lectures that delve into its form, experience, and purpose, offering profound insights on poetic art and its timeless i…
Level C2PoetryOutlook OdesSharp-witted odes capture the quirks of public life and politics with biting humor and vivid characters, from weary parliamentarians to jubilant crowds.
Level C2PhilosophyOur EternityConfront the ultimate mystery as fear and denial cloud our understanding of death, the one inevitable event that shapes our existence and defies our intellect.
Level C2ClassicsOthelloIn Venice, Iago seethes with jealousy as he plots to undermine Othello, the Moorish general who has unjustly promoted another over him; a tale of ambition, deceit, and the corrosiv…
Level C2MysteryOswald Langdon: or, Pierre and Paul Lanier. A Romance of 1894-1898Two brothers, Pierre and Paul Lanier, become entangled in a web of mystery spanning continents—from London to India—where secrets, conspiracies, and shifting alliances threaten the…
Level C2PoetryOs Lusiadas (The Lusiads), vol. 2 of 2A daring Portuguese fleet reaches the rich shores of Calecut, where alliances and conflicts with native rulers unfold amid calls for Christian unity and valor.