How to Get Free Books – 14 Easy Ways
Reading is an art, and like most art forms, once you decide to invest in it wholeheartedly, it can put a dent in your wallet, albeit a small one. A single book here or there doesn't pinch much, but for book addicts, it's never about one book, or two, or twenty. We suffer from what Millennials call FOMO, the fear of missing out, on a good purchase, a re-released classic with a vibrant cover, or the latest by a favorite author.
Thus, as much as we would all love to frequently buy paperbacks, helping writers and amazing independent bookstores in the process, saving money through a free ebook download here and there is equally essential. Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities for bibliophiles to get free books without making much of an effort.
Annual Library Clearance
The very first place to start your search for free books is at your local library. There is always the possibility of borrowing a book. However, most libraries spring-clean their shelves annually, during which time, they are more than happy to give away unwanted magazines and novels to their members permanently. Typically, these are books that no one has borrowed for a while, duplicate copies donated by readers, older editions of popular novels, or slightly damaged ones. Still, more often than not, you will find a few hidden gems amongst this lot.
Free Book Websites
Are you looking for a Kindle read or downloads in PDF format? The quickest way to get free books online is by visiting Project Gutenberg with its collection of over 45,000 books, all available without you having to even register. Open Library is another site where you can indulge in various genres including must-read thrillers, textbooks, plays, or light and breezy reads for the summer. In addition to the above two websites, Free eBooks, PDF Books World, and the International Children’s Digital Library are excellent sources to score some fantastic reads, without spending a dime on them.
Book Apps
There are several bookish apps available these days, but very few come close to Libby by Overdrive. It’s primarily a library app that allows you to borrow ebooks after entering your library card details. The app automatically returns the books after the due date, so there’s little a reader has to worry about. Moreover, Libby is proving to be genuinely beneficial right now, when people are unable to leave their houses. Another feature that makes it popular in comparison to Google Play, Amazon Kindle, and Comixology, all apps where you can possibly get free books, is that Libby has audiobooks on offer as well. Audible is another excellent paid app for audiobooks, but they do allow newcomers to try the service with one free audiobook in the beginning.
Seller Freebies
Occasionally, established publishers and online sellers allow free ebook downloads during trying times or moments of celebrations. As we struggle with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several publishers have opened up their online catalogs, allowing bibliophiles to read specially curated collections. Similarly, when airports in Europe shut down due to the Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption, Lonely Planet offered many of their guides and travel books for free. Online portals also provide bargain buys and complimentary books during regional festivals like Christmas, Easter, Diwali, or Amazon’s two-day extravaganza like “Cyber Monday,” adding a little bookish joy to all the celebrations.
YouTube
You might not get free paperbacks, but if you don’t mind listening to books, YouTube is an excellent source. These are typically short picture books, often read by celebrities or an influential book blogger. Amongst the most popular is Samuel Jackson reading the infamous Go The F%^* to Sleep, one of the must-read picture books for adults.
Borrow from Friends
Borrowing from friends is the simplest of ways to get books for free. Fellow bibliophiles are usually happy to share their books, and it is a wonderful way to expand your reading options while not having to spend too much on it. However, this is not limited to just your friends in real life, as many bookworms enjoy “swapping” books with enthusiasts around the world they have met on social media.
BookCrossing
A more contemporary and ingenious way of sharing books is through BookCrossing. A website and practice where individuals leave books in public places for others to take have caught the attention of adventurous book lovers around the world. Those leaving the books then put up the location on either the website or their social media handles. The chain continues as the readers, in return, do the same by leaving the book at another location once they have finished it.
Yard Sales and Charity Shops
Not entirely free, but yard sales and charity shops are ideal for book addicts to find good bargains. People often discard or give away books that they don't want at dirt-cheap prices. Sometimes, unbeknownst to them, these contain first editions or out-of-print copies. Moreover, if you are buying multiple items, ask the seller to throw in a few books for free, and in most cases, they will.
Social Media Competitions
Book promotions are a vital part of the publishing industry. While the budgets aren’t anything like that for movies, publishers and authors often go out of their way to get the word out about new releases. As a result, book competitions on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook tend to go viral. You might have to RT or share a post, maybe even tag a few friends, but that’s peanuts considering you can win book boxes, amazing bookish gifts, author-signed novels, or sometimes a collection of books based on themes, such as sports memoirs or books by Anthony Bourdain.
Blogging Platform
If you don't mind writing or sharing a little about books, then becoming a book blogger can prove to be quite beneficial. It can be through an Instagram account, a written blog, or YouTube. Sometimes, authors will even send you free ARCs as long as you regularly review books on Amazon or Goodreads. Publishers, on the other hand, are primarily searching for active book bloggers, and are happy to send them hardbacks or ebooks. The trick is to stay up-to-date with your reviews as that increases your chance of getting more complimentary books. Alternatively, you can follow other book bloggers and influencers who regularly host book giveaways for their followers.
Review Portals
If you are okay with reviewing, then the book world truly opens up for you. To help indie-authors, and to start promoting books early, websites like NetGalley and BookSirens team up with publishers and writers and send out free ARCs to reviewing readers. These Advance Reader Copies are, in most cases, available as free ebooks, but also as un-edited paperbacks occasionally. Although you have to be consistent with your reviews, joining these portals guarantee you an endless supply of free books throughout the year.
Author and Publisher Websites
Most authors and publishers have free content available on their official websites. This content can range from free books online or a collection of short stories to excerpts and chapters from upcoming novels. From time to time, they also have competitions, very much like book bloggers and influencers, where you can win free books or entire book collections.
Websites for Budding Writers
For bookworms who are not too picky about what they read, and are happy to give new, unestablished authors a chance, there are a few "amateur writing" websites that offer ample reading opportunities. Wattpad is amongst the most popular, with people of all ages uploading their unpublished works here. Similarly, Booksie, Critique Circle, and Fanfiction are excellent options where you can read, critique, and interact with other bibliophiles for free.
Community Libraries
We spoke about traditional libraries earlier, but a new trend amongst communities that want to encourage reading is the establishment of free-to-use mini-libraries. These are small collection points made from old letterboxes, luggage trunks, phone booths, or even refrigerators, where locals can pick up or leave a book of their choice. The beautiful part about mini-libraries is that they don’t take much space or organization, and you can quickly start one at your workplace or in your neighborhood.
