Do you want to learn how to get free books? Getting free books is easier than you might think. Whether you like fiction, nonfiction, or anything else, there are many ways to read without paying. You can use online libraries, sign up for free book programs, join community book swaps, and more. There are lots…
Do you want to learn how to get free books?
Getting free books is easier than you might think. Whether you like fiction, nonfiction, or anything else, there are many ways to read without paying. You can use online libraries, sign up for free book programs, join community book swaps, and more. There are lots of options to keep your reading list full.
Getting free stuff is great after all – it helps you to save money!
We read a lot of books in our household, so being able to get free books has saved us a ton of money.
Best Ways To Get Free Books
Below are my tips on how to get free books.
1. Get a library card
A library card is your ticket to free books and this is one of the best ways to get free books. You can get one at your local public library and it’s easy and usually free.
We usually try to go to the library once a week. Not only do they lend out books, many also have programs (such as story time or a craft night), and many even lend out state park passes, camping kits, and more.
My local library right now even has free books that they give away too. For example, for every 10 books I read right now (whether that be a quick children’s book or a longer chapter book, I can get one free book to keep for free (forever!). I met the goal within the first month and I was given 10 free children’s books!
To get a library card, you usually just need to present a valid ID and proof of address (such as a utility bill).
Many libraries now have digital library cards too. You can sign up online and all you need is your phone number and an email address. This lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks without leaving your home.
Using your library card, you can access apps like Libby. Libby lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your library. You just download the Libby app and link it to your library card.
2. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a wonderful program that gives free books to kids. Started in 1995, this program was created by Dolly Parton to help children in East Tennessee. This is a very popular program, with 1 in 7 children under the age of five in the USA receiving Imagination Library books. Plus, kids in other countries can sign up as well, such as in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia to get books from the Imagination Library.
I love, love, love this program and I highly recommend signing up if you have a child and you want to learn how to get free books sent to you.
Your child can get a new book every month, and these books are high quality and suitable for their age. The best part? They come directly to your home. This makes it super easy for you and your child to enjoy reading together.
This program is for kids from birth to age five. It aims to get them excited about reading right from the start. It doesn’t matter what your family’s income is. Every child can get books.
If you want to sign your child up, you can easily do it online. Just check if the program is available in your area. If it is, register your child and start receiving books.
3. Little Free Library
A great way to get free books is through Little Free Libraries. These are small book-sharing boxes set up in neighborhoods. People can take a book or leave a book for others to enjoy.
You can find Little Free Libraries in many places. They are often colorful and unique, making them easy to spot. Neighborhoods use them to share their love of reading.
To find a Little Free Library, you can use the Little Free Library website or mobile app. Or, sometimes you can use Google Maps and type in “little free library” to see if any pop up near you.
You can also start your own Little Free Library. It’s a fun project that doesn’t cost much. You can even design and build your own box. This adds a personal touch and helps spread the joy of reading in your community.
I love Little Free Libraries. I was recently traveling and went to a playground for my daughter. There was a Little Free Library right at the playground, and I was able to read her some books right there at the playground. This was nice because we didn’t bring many books with us on our trip, so I was able to read something new. And, I put them back afterwards for more people to enjoy.
4. Review books
One way to get free books is to review books. This is a popular way for readers to enjoy new books without spending money. In return, authors and publishers get honest feedback that helps other readers decide if they want the book.
Many websites give free books in exchange for reviews. Some of these are Online Book Club, Reedsy, and Kirkus Reviews. These platforms let you read books before they are published, and all you have to do is share your thoughts about them.
If you prefer physical books, Book Rebel is a good option. You get free copies of books sent to you in the mail, and you just need to leave an honest review.
You can learn more at 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books.
5. Start a book blog
Starting a book blog is a fun way to get free books.
With a book review blog, you can review books you like or that match your blog’s theme.
You can make money with a book blog by using affiliate links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online stores for the books you read. Some bloggers share their thoughts about books, host online discussions, or use books to help readers with different topics.
You also may receive free books to read from authors and publishers.
You can learn how to start a book blog with my free How To Start a Blog Course.
Here’s a quick outline of what you will learn:
- Day 1: Reasons you should start a blog
- Day 2: How to determine what to blog about
- Day 3: How to create your blog
- Day 4: How to make money blogging
- Day 5: My tips for making passive income from blogging (including affiliate income!)
- Day 6: How to grow your traffic and followers
- Day 7: Miscellaneous blogging tips that will help you be successful
I’ve reviewed books on my blog and made money from those articles, so I know it’s possible! I don’t even have a book blog (I have this personal finance blog that you are reading right now – Making Sense of Cents), and I have received a lot of free books over the years from publishers and authors. I also get several requests each month to review books.
6. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a great place to find free ebooks. It has over 70,000 books that you can download or read online. Most of these are older works, which means they are out of copyright.
You can choose books in different formats like EPUB or Kindle. Just go to the site, pick the format you want, and then download the book to your device.
There are many different genres to explore. You can find novels, nonfiction, and even classic literature.
You can also stay updated on new books. Project Gutenberg has an RSS feed. Subscribe to it to know when new titles are added to the collection.
7. Ask your friends and family
Your friends and family can be a great source of free books because many people have books they no longer need or want. These books can end up collecting dust on a shelf.
You can start by asking your close friends and family and letting them know you love reading and are looking for new books. They might be happy to share or lend you some of their books for free.
This could be as simple as creating a Facebook post that says “I’m wanting to read more books. Does anyone have any that they mind sending to me?”
Another idea is to organize a book swap. You can invite friends and family to bring books they are willing to trade. This way, everyone gets new reading material without spending any money.
I have been given many free books from friends and family, and I have also given people I know free books as well. It’s a great way to get more use out of a book.
8. Open Library
You can find many free books on Open Library. It’s like a digital library where you can read and borrow books online, and with millions of books available, there’s plenty to read.
Open Library also has books in multiple languages. You can search for books in your preferred language, and you just need to simply type the language in the search bar and look through the categories.
9. Buy Nothing groups
Buy Nothing groups are a great way to find free books. These groups are on social media, mostly Facebook. They’re local, so you’ll connect with people in your neighborhood or town.
In these groups, people offer items they no longer need, including books. You just have to check regularly to see what’s being given away.
Just the other day, I saw someone giving away a huge stack of books, so I know this is possible!
To join a Buy Nothing group, search for one in your area on Facebook. Ask to join the group and respond to questions the group admin might ask. Once you’re in, keep an eye out for posts about books.
When you see a book you want, just comment on the post. Tell the person you’re interested. If you’re chosen, arrange a pickup time and location. It’s easy and helps you save money.
Also, you can post a request for books. Sometimes people have books they’re willing to give but haven’t posted about yet. This is a good way to get the specific books you want.
10. BookBub Deals
BookBub is a good way to find free or cheap ebooks. You can save money on books for Kindle, NOOK, and more.
You can see what free books they have by signing up for free on the BookBub website. You’ll need to tell them what kinds of books you like.
Each day, you’ll get an email with handpicked deals. These can include free books and big discounts. Just click the link, and it takes you to where you can buy or download the ebook.
BookBub doesn’t sell books directly. Instead, it shows you deals from places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
11. OverDrive app
If you love reading, the OverDrive app is a great way to get free books. With this app, you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and even magazines from your local library.
You just need to install the OverDrive app on your device and sign in using your library card.
Once you’re signed in, search for books you want to read. The app has a large selection, so you’re sure to find something you like. You can borrow books just like you would at a physical library.
12. BookCrossing
BookCrossing is a great way to get free books. Bookcrossing is “the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.”
It’s like a global library where you can find, share, and track books.
This is a fun and community-driven way to share books and discover new ones without spending a penny.
13. Amazon Kindle Store
You can get many free books on the Amazon Kindle Store. Start by visiting the Amazon website or using the Amazon app. Search for “Free Kindle Books” to see a wide range of options.
Some books are free to everyone. You can download them instantly and enjoy. Others are free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. This service lists thousands of books you can read for no extra cost.
Also, programs like Amazon First Reads give free ebooks every month for Amazon Prime members.
Note: If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you used to be able to access the Kindle Owners Lending Library. But, this has been discontinued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to get free books.
What are some ways to get free books mailed to me?
There are a few ways to get free books mailed to you. These include joining programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to get children’s books mailed to your home. Another option is to review books and get books directly from the author or publisher.
What resources are available for getting free books from publishers?
Publishers sometimes give free books to people who review them. Starting a blog or joining a book review site can help you get these books. You can also contact publishers directly and join their mailing lists to stay informed about these opportunities.
What is the best way to get free books for kids?
Signing up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a great way to get free books for kids. Many libraries also have reading programs that give free books to children.
How to get free books for students?
Teachers can apply for grants or programs that provide free books to classrooms. Many educational websites also have free digital books.
Where can I find free legally available ebooks?
Websites like Open Library and OverDrive have a big collection of free ebooks. You can also find free books on sites like Project Gutenberg.
How to get free physical books from Amazon?
Amazon occasionally has promotions where you can get free books with no purchase necessary. Keeping an eye on special deals and joining Kindle Unlimited can also help you access free titles. Joining Amazon Vine might also get you free books to review.
What other stuff can I get for free?
There are many other things you can get for free! I recommend reading these articles to learn more:
How to Get Free Books – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get free books.
Getting free books is easier than you might think! You can sign up for free book programs, use your local library, review books, and more to get books for free.
You can get free audiobooks, classics, children’s books, short stories, paperbacks, and more. The list goes on and on and there are so many ways to save money and read more.
I have borrowed over 50 books in the last month from the library, and I have also received 4 free books to keep. So, it is definitely possible to get free books!
What’s your favorite way to get free books?
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