Why pay for books when you can get them all at zero cost? There are countless ways to find and download free books online. Let’s reveal exactly where to find them and how to download your next book, all legally and in just a few clicks.
Where Can I Read Books Online for Free?
There are plenty of legal resources available to read free books online. Whether you’re looking for classics, contemporary works, or even audiobooks, here are some of the most popular platforms:
Project Gutenberg: A Treasure Trove of Classics
Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest and best sources for free eBooks. It offers over 70,000 free books, mostly classic literature in the public domain. You’ll find works by authors like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and many others. It’s a great place to start if you’re looking for older literature no longer protected by copyright. It’s 100% free, with no need to sign up!
File Formats: ePub, Kindle, HTML, and plain text for free reading.
Open Library: Endless Access to Books
Open Library is an initiative from the Internet Archive that aims to create a web page for every book ever published. It offers over 2.5 million free eBooks, including classics, textbooks, and contemporary titles. You can borrow books for free for a limited time, just like you would with real library books.
File Formats: PDF, ePub, and sometimes Kindle format, with options for in-browser reading.
ManyBooks: A Wide Range of Genres
This site features over 50,000 free eBooks, including both classic literature and modern indie authors. You can easily browse by genre or author, and it often includes reviews and ratings. Its clean layout and customizable reading options make it simple to discover your next read.
File Formats: ePub, PDF, and Kindle formats are available for download.
LibriVox: Audiobooks from the Public Domain
LibriVox is a fantastic platform and an excellent resource for classic literature. It offers thousands of free audiobooks read by volunteers from around the world. The collection consists mainly of public domain works. It is categorized by genre and author.
File Formats: MP3 format for both streaming and downloading.
The Literature Network: Classic Works and Author Biographies
This site provides access to classic literature, including novels, poems, plays, and short stories. It also features author biographies and quizzes which is considered as a great educational resource.
File Formats: Accessible in HTML format for easy browser reading.
DailyLit: Books in Bite-Sized Portions
DailyLit is a unique service that sends you books in short segments via email. You can choose from a wide selection of fiction and nonfiction titles. It’s perfect for busy readers who want to fit reading into their daily schedule.
File Formats: Delivered directly by email; no specific file format required.
Google Books: Free Previews and Public Domain Works
Google Books offers a large selection of books and magazines that can be read for free. While many books are only partially available, some are entirely accessible. It’s easy to use with advanced search options, and you can often find the first few chapters of popular books.
File Formats: HTML and PDF formats for both previews and full books.
Authorama: Simple Access to Classic Books
Authorama offers free public domain books in an easy-to-read format. The site’s interface is straightforward. You can find works by famous authors like Hemingway and Hawthorne.
File Formats: HTML format, perfect for reading directly in your browser.
Feedbooks: Public Domain eBooks Made Easy
Feedbooks features a collection of over 4,000 public domain titles that you can read online or download in different formats. The site is well-organized, with options to browse by genre or author.
File Formats: ePub, Kindle, and PDF formats for flexible reading.
Internet Archive: A Non-Profit Digital Library
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library that provides free access to millions of books, movies, music, and more. It hosts an extensive collection of scanned books, including out-of-print books and historical publications.
File Formats: ePub, Kindle, PDF, and other formats.
Open Culture: A Hub of Educational Resources
This educational resource compiles a range of free books, audiobooks, and other media. It includes links to over 800 free eBooks, many of which are in the public domain. In addition to books, you can find free courses, audiobooks, and films.
File Formats: ePub, PDF, and MP3 formats for various media.
The Online Books Page: Searchable Free eBooks
Managed by the University of Pennsylvania, this site provides access to over 3 million free eBooks from various online sources. It is considered one of the largest collections of free literature available.
File Formats: ePub, PDF, HTML, and more depending on the source.
Classic Literature Library: Organizing Timeless Works
This site hosts public domain books organized into collections. These books are categorized by author and genre. It includes the complete works of notable writers such as Shakespeare and Mark Twain.
File Formats: HTML format for in-browser reading.
Lit2Go: Audiobooks and Stories for Education
An educational website offering free audiobooks and stories, along with citation information and word counts. It features classic literature suitable for students and teachers. It’s a great resource for classroom use.
File Formats: MP3 format for audiobooks, PDFs for texts.
Wolne Lektury: Polish Public Domain Books
A digital library featuring thousands of free public domain books, audiobooks, and poems. It’s an excellent resource for Polish literature.
File Formats: ePub, Mobi, and PDF formats for download.
Loyal Books: Free Audiobooks and eBooks Combined
Formerly known as Books Should Be Free, this site offers thousands of free audiobooks and eBooks, sourced from public domain titles. The site features both classic and contemporary titles.
File Formats: MP3 for audiobooks, ePub, and Kindle formats for eBooks.
Legamus: Free Audiobooks from Europe
A platform providing free audiobooks of texts in the public domain, especially focused on European literature. The site offers a user-friendly interface for browsing and downloading titles.
File Formats: MP3 format for streaming and download.
Planet Publish: Classic Literature in PDF
Planet Publish is a collection of classics. With timeless works from authors like Dickens, Austen, and Shakespeare, readers can enjoy these literary treasures anywhere, anytime.
File Formats: High-quality PDFs compatible with various devices.
Bartleby: Online Literature and Reference Works
This site offers a collection of classic literature and reference books available for free online reading. It includes works of poetry, prose, and non-fiction. It’s a valuable resource for students and researchers alike.
File Formats: HTML format for reading directly online.
Questia: Access to Classic Literature and Research
While primarily a research tool, Questia offers free access to a selection of classic literature and scholarly texts. It’s particularly useful for students looking for reliable sources.
File Formats: HTML format for online reading.
Great Books and Classics: A Repository of Influential Works
Great Books and Classics is an online repository offering free access to a diverse collection of influential literary and philosophical works. Readers can explore classic novels by authors like Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy, as well as significant philosophical texts from thinkers like Plato and Aristotle.
File Formats: HTML format for easy reading.
Smashwords: Independent Authors and Free eBooks
Smashwords is an eBook distribution platform that features a selection of free eBooks from independent authors and publishers. It offers a diverse collection of genres, including romance, sci-fi, and self-help.
File Formats: ePub, Kindle, PDF, and more.
Bookboon: Textbooks and Educational Materials
Bookboon focuses on providing free textbooks and educational materials for students and professionals. It has a wide variety of academic and business-related books.
File Formats: PDF downloads for textbooks.
Free eBooks: Simple Registration for a Variety of Genres
Free eBooks is a platform that offers thousands of free eBooks across multiple genres. The selection is really extensive and well-categorized.
File Formats: ePub and PDF formats.
Read Print: A Gateway to Free Classics and Study Resources
Read Print is an excellent resource for classic literature and academic texts. It provides thousands of free books, particularly those in the public domain. You can browse by author, genre, or popularity. It makes it easy to find works by Shakespeare, George Orwell, and many other well-known writers. It’s ideal for students and literature enthusiasts.
File Formats: HTML format for reading directly on the website.
BookBub: Daily Deals and Free eBooks
BookBub specializes in curating daily deals and discounts on eBooks, but it also offers a selection of free books. The platform works by partnering with authors and publishers to offer free and discounted titles in all genres, including romance, mystery, and science fiction. Though the free books rotate regularly, it’s a great way to discover new authors.
File Formats: Kindle, ePub, and PDF depending on the deal.
OverDrive and Libby: Borrow eBooks from Your Local Library
OverDrive and its user-friendly app Libby allow you to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and even magazines from your local library.
File Formats: ePub, Kindle, and MP3 formats for various media.
Hoopla: Free Access to eBooks, Audiobooks, Comics, and More
Hoopla partners with public libraries to provide free access to eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and comics. What sets Hoopla apart is the diversity of content, including a vast collection of graphic novels and comics. You can borrow and read books instantly without waiting for others to return them.
File Formats: ePub and PDF for reading and MP3 for audiobooks.
Spotify and YouTube: Free Audiobook Playlists
While Spotify and YouTube are better known for music and videos, both platforms also offer free audiobooks. Search for playlists or channels dedicated to audiobook recordings, and you might be surprised by what you find.
Also Read: How to Join the Right Book Club for You?
How to Get Free Books Online?
Now that you have a comprehensive list of places to read books online for free, here’s what you can do next: Choose a platform, create an account, search for a book, download, or read online.
Step 1: Choose a Platform
Are you looking for classics, modern fiction, audiobooks, or textbooks? Based on your interest, choose a platform that best suits your needs.
Step 2: Create an Account (If Necessary)
Some websites require you to create an account before downloading or borrowing books. For example, You need to sign up for a free account to borrow books from Open Library or Free eBooks require a simple registration to access downloads.
Step 3: Search for a Book
Use the search feature or browse through categories to find the book you want. You can often filter results by genre, author, or popularity.
Step 4: Download or Read Online
Once you find a book you want:
- Download: Most sites offer multiple formats (e.g., PDF, ePub, Kindle). Click on the desired format, and the download should begin. Depending on the platform, you can either borrow eBooks (OverDrive, Libby). Audiobook lovers can try LibriVox or Spotify.
- Read Online: If you prefer not to download, you can often read directly on the website. For instance, Project Gutenberg allows you to read online without downloading anything.
Additional Options for Accessing Free Books:
Use Your Library Card for eBooks
- Sign up for a library card if you don’t have one (this can often be done online).
- Download the Libby app (by OverDrive) or visit the Hoopla website.
- Sign in with your library card number, and browse the eBooks catalogs.
- Borrow the eBooks you want and start reading them on your device.
Browse Amazon for Free Kindle Books
- Go to Amazon’s Free eBooks section (search “free Kindle books”).
- Use filters to narrow down by genre, bestsellers, or customer ratings.
- Click on a free book and choose “Buy now with 1-Click” to add it to your Kindle library. Yes, it’s truly free!
- Read it on your Kindle device or through the Kindle app on any device.
Sign Up for Free Book Promotions
- Visit sites like BookBub or ManyBooks.
- Sign up for email notifications to receive daily alerts about free eBooks.
- When you get a notification, click the link to download the book while the promotion lasts.
How Can I Download Paid Books for Free?
Downloading paid books for free without the author’s or publisher’s permission is illegal. It also violates copyright laws in most countries, which are designed to protect the rights of authors and their work. If you try to find free downloads without the proper authorization, you could face legal trouble.
Any site or service that claims to offer paid books for free without appearing legitimate or authorized (such as unauthorized PDF sharing sites) is likely illegal and unsafe. Such sites may expose your device to malware and viruses. Therefore, it’s best to stay on the legal and ethical ways to enjoy books without breaking the law and support authors.
However, some authors and publishers provide free copies of their work through promotions or giveaways, and there are subscription services that offer free trials. So signing up for a newsletter can help you temporary access to their collections. For example, Audible has a 30-day free trial for audiobooks, Scribd provides unlimited access to eBooks and audiobooks for 30 days, and Kindle Unlimited offers a similar trial for a large library of books.
How to Get Gifted Books from Publishers?
Publishers are always on the lookout for avid readers and influencers to help promote their books. With the right strategy, you can start receiving gifted books from publishers in no time. Here’s how:
Before publishers will send you books, they need to see that you’re damn serious about sharing your thoughts with a wide audience. Start building your online presence. Establish yourself as a book reviewer, blogger, or content creator with a dedicated platform like a blog, YouTube channel, or Instagram account. Consistently post high-quality content about books. Over time, you’ll gain credibility.
Next, focus on growing your audience. Publishers want their books to reach as many readers as possible. Having a strong, dedicated community of readers who trust your recommendations will increase your chances of getting gifted books.
You can also take advantage of book reviewer programs that many publishers offer. Platforms like NetGalley, Edelweiss+, and Blogging for Books let you request digital ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) in exchange for honest reviews. Start here to build a relationship with publishers and demonstrate your value as a reviewer.
Once you have an established platform, don’t hesitate to contact publishers directly. Reach out to the marketing or publicity departments with a professional request.
How to Request Free Books from Publishers?
Interested in receiving free books for review? As said, Publishers are open to gifting ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) to book reviewers, bloggers, and influencers, but you need to know how to ask. Learn how to request free books from publishers:
1. Find the Right Publishers
First, make a list of the publishers that release books in the genres you’re most interested in. Publishers like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette Book Group all have established methods for offering free books, especially for reviewers. Don’t forget smaller independent publishers, which can also be great sources for review copies.
2. Check Publisher Websites for Review Policies
Most publishers have guidelines for how to request ARCs. Visit their websites and look for sections labeled “Review Copies,” “Press,” or “For Book Reviewers.” Some publishers even have dedicated blogger programs where you can sign up to receive books regularly.
3. Write a Professional Request
Write a professional and convincing email introducing yourself, specifying the book you want, and explaining why you’re a good fit for reviewing it. Mention your blog, social media, or Goodreads account if applicable, and highlight any previous reviews.
Once you have received the book, it’s good practice to follow up with a thank you note and share the link to your review once it’s posted. This helps build a professional relationship with the publisher, and they’re more likely to consider you for future review copies.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, by exploring these resources, you can save money and fill your virtual bookshelf with an endless supply. Whether you prefer eBooks, audiobooks, or physical copies, there’s something for everyone. To make the most out of these resources, don’t limit yourself to just one website or service. Use apps or folders to keep track of what you’ve downloaded.