Thanks, in part, to social media, reading has exploded, and sales of Kindles have skyrocketed. There are hundreds of books, videos, and apps dedicated to books, and people are leaning into printed books again as well. If you’re one of the many who want to have your library, you’ll need to find books, so here are legitimate ways you can find printed books and eBooks.
The Library
Now, obviously, you don’t get to keep these, but the library is a great source for finding books for free, and you can read them without having to break the bank. Because libraries want to help as many people as possible, they stay pretty current with their books to have the best selection available. For instance, if you like YA, they have books that have come out over the past two years, which is great. Children’s books always have a great section, and adult fiction usually takes up a decent part of the library, too. Libraries also offer DVDs of some of your favorite movies.
Little Libraries
Little Libraries are a great way to score some good books, too. The rule of thumb with a little library is to take a book, leave a book. So this is a great way to get rid of books you no longer want and get some new ones. In my experience with little libraries, I’ve found best sellers, older books from my childhood, and obscure books. It’s a hodgepodge of mystery, but that’s what makes it fun. You never know what you can find.
Project Gutenberg
This is an online community organization that lets you find eBooks. The books have no copyright or have been lost over the years, meaning they’re legally available for you to have. Most of the books they offer are classics, but they have over fifty thousand books. Chances are you’ll find some great books to add to your collection, and it’s promised to be one of the most trusted and safe sources for books.
Used Bookstore
At some used bookstores (it depends on where you live), you’ll find that they have a trade program. You bring in books you don’t want and can trade them for cash or credit. Now, I will say this: the cash option is usually lower than you expect, but the credit is pretty decent and will always be higher than the cash. You won’t get full value for the books (sometimes not even half, depending on the store), but it is a good way to get rid of old books, take the credit, and find new books to love.
Amazon
Not everyone is a fan of Amazon, but they do offer thousands of free books. If you type in free books in the Amazon search bar, you’ll start to see free books. A Google search will do the same if you don’t like the first option. Another tip for finding free books on Amazon is to consider books that no longer have copyright. These mostly include classics and informative pieces of work.
Stuff Your Kindle Day
For twenty-four hours, thousands of books become free with this event. It occurs about five or more times a year, and each day has a category. Romance books are the most common, but you’ll also find a YA option (young adult), mystery, and more. Joining book groups on social media is a great way to get information and dates on these events. The best advice I have on this one is to wake up early. Thousands of people take advantage of this, so if you want to get what you want, you need to be fast.
Promotion Sites
Promotional sites like Free Booksy are another way to get free books. With this, be careful. Some sites claim to be promotional, and people have gotten scammed. Do your research and find sites that are legitimate. Free Booksy is legitimate, and they have great free books for children, adults, and more. They have about half a dozen categories, and it’s great for downloading eBooks. Most of the books are available through Amazon and will go to your Kindle.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has just about everything. When you’re searching for books, you can go to the category that says Books, the category that says free, or simply type free books into their search bar. People are always getting rid of things, and you’ll often find times they don’t want to take the time to sell it and simply want it gone. Their unwanted books can become your treasure. I’ve found a great deal of wonderful books this way, and in some cases, entire boxes of books for free.
Book Swap
If you have friends who are readers, then you might be able to do a swap. If your friends have books they don’t want, ask if they’ll trade them for books that you don’t want. This is a great way to have fun with your friends, get new genres, and have fun seeing what your friends like to read. For instance, I read everything, but I have friends who read fantasy or mysteries.
Free Trials
Big sellers almost always have a trial that you can take advantage of. For instance, an Amazon Prime trial lasts for a month, and when you sign up, you get access to thousands of books, manga, and comics. If you’re a fan of audiobooks, sign up for an Audible trial. You’ll get a free eBook on sign-up, and it’s promised that if you don’t sign up after the free period is over, you can still keep the free book.
Let’s Get Reading
Reading can take you into an entirely different world and foster a love that stays with you forever. I’ve been reading practically since birth and love finding new genres and absorbing what authors pour their heart and soul into. When you’re looking for new books, you’ll be able to fall in love, too. Avoid torrents, though. They’re scams, and they work like Napster used to. You want to make sure you’re getting your books legally. Happy reading!
