Other than going to the library, which I highly suggest you do on a regular basis, where does one go to get books for free? (And preferably ones you don't have to return in the next three weeks). Keep in mind, these won't be collectibles, but for those insatiable readers out there, free books are a godsend.
Well, if you're an eBook reader there are PLENTY of opportunities to download free eBooks:
- Project Gutenberg is probably still the biggest source (with over 33,000 books) for free downloadable versions of the classics. They have a variety of file types you can download to your computer, iPad, Kindle, mobile device, etc. They focus on books in the public domain, so we're talking classics, not new releases.
- On that same note, Barnes and Noble has a number of free eBooks, and they also offer newer releases as promotions. Amazon does too, they're just a little harder suss out among their huge list of eBooks (try doing a search for "Free eBook" on Amazon's site).
- There are a number of other Web sites that will pop up if you do an Internet search for "Free eBooks" - some of them are fantastic, others are a bit suspect. For the most part though, Project Gutenberg will have whatever these other guys have.
- Check with a specific author's site or a publisher, sometimes they'll release promotional eBooks.
- And then, of course, there are FanFic sites - these folks write fan fiction, some of which is extremely good (some not). A lot of the time, they'll offer eBooks. If you haven't already, check out the James Potter series by G. Norman Lippert. Great stories for Harry Potter lovers and they're offered as free eBooks.
As for actual printed books, that gets a little trickier (and in some cases more fun):- The Paperback Swap Web site allows its members to list, request, and swap books at no charge (except for the cost of shipping the book off).
- Social Networking Communities have book swaps as well. Goodreads lets you identify any book you're willing to swap, it then goes into a pool of books, and if someone's interested, they'll contact you.
- As stated in a previous post, you can sign up at LibraryThing as one of their Early Reviewers or Book Movement to receive free Advance Reading Copies. LibraryThing also has a Member Giveaways section in which members offer (for free) copies of books they no longer want.
- Some libraries and community centers have paperback swaps - you bring in a paperback and pick another to take away. Heck, even the Mom and Pop mail service shop my mom uses to send all of her packages has a little book swap shelf (I mean seriously, how great is that?!?)
- One of the used bookstores I go to has a shelf in the very back of the store for FREE BOOKS - which, I assume, are all the books they chose not to buy, but people left with them anyway. So check with your used bookstores.
- Also, check out Book Crossing, a fun site that allows you to "set your books free." Sign up and acquire a Book Crossing ID label, print out and attach that label to any book you no longer want. Take that book to any public place and leave it for someone else to find. Hopefully, whomever picks up your book will read the label explaining the game and play along. They'll read the book and pass it on in the same manner. You can then track where your book goes. With their book tracker, you can also go hunting for Book Crossing books that people have left somewhere in your Country/State/City.
Happy Hunting!
Labels: Advanced Reading Copy, Book Crossing, Book Movement, eBooks, Free Books, Goodreads, LibraryThing, paperback swaps, Reading
As for actual printed books, that gets a little trickier (and in some cases more fun):