Get More Free Books
Today’s #AuthorToolboxBlogHop post doesn’t impart any words of wisdom about how to improve your writing. It doesn’t include a scintillating book review of THE book that will rocket you to the top of the NY Times bestseller list. Nope, this post addresses an activity closely intertwined with writing, something we don’t have enough time to do—reading. Specifically, how to get more free books.
Visit these websites to find lists and lists of free (and almost free) books:
Bookbub.com (the granddaddy of all)
Bargainbooksy.com
Freebooksy.com
Bookdoggy.com
I subscribe to these four. A quick Google search will give you more. And of course, if you belong to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited service, you can have unlimited downloads of free books for around $12.00 per month (only 10 at a time, but, hey, unlimited). I’ll admit I don’t use my subscription as economically as I should. Books tend to stay in my library for a long time before I force myself to return them. There’s too many choices!
An alternative to ebooks
Now, if you’re of the opinion that ebooks are meh, and nothing beats the feel and smell of a printed book, there’s always the library. Or, as we discovered on a recent trip to visit family, the little free library (www.littlefreelibrary.org). These are freestanding boxes of all shapes, sizes and colors that have a sole purpose of housing books for free. Here’s photos of our recent installation:
As you might be able to see, our library (a Goodwill find!) is painted like Noah’s Ark. We installed it twenty feet from our garage door on an alley that gets a lot of foot traffic. Word is spreading through the neighborhood, and I’m looking forward to reading books I’d normally not pick up.
If you’re interested in being a steward to a little free library, visit their website at www.littlefreelibary.org. If you’d like to find one in your area, they have a map you can access.
Nothing bad can come from a book!
“A library is a hospital for the mind.”—Anonymous
“You are never alone when lost in the magic of a book.”—Marie Lu
“An hour spent reading is one stolen from paradise.”—Thomas Wharton
Happy reading (and writing)! Blessings to you all!
Cheryl
This post is part of #AuthorToolboxBlogHop, a monthly event on the topic of resources and learning for authors. Feel free to hop around to the various blogs and see what you learn! Go here for the websites of all participants or use #AuthorToolboxBlogHop on Twitter.
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Oh, I love the free little libraries that people in my neighborhood have in their front yards! It’s so great for so many reasons. Just interacting with PEOPLE LIVE is also a thing because most days, you run into the owner of the house. And yes, the exchange of books is amazing, free and fun!
Great post — and yes, thank you! Great ideas for getting free books and reading!
You’re a librarian, too?! 😉 I totally want a little free library (once I have somewhere to put it, lol.) I’m bookmarking this page, because I really do need to sign up for some of these sites!
This is really handy. I don’t have a kindle. My e-reader takes ePUB. And I’ll be sure to check out those places.
I’m a huge library frequenter. It never goes out of style. I’m definitely going to check out some of those links, especially the Kindle Unlimited. That sounds very interesting. We also have those neighborhood free library boxes. There’s one just across the street from my house next to a few benches. I’m happy to brag that it was my idea to put one there. Hee hee. I love it, though I must make an effort to check it more often. I’m always so stocked with library books, I tend to forget about the free books just outside!
Thanks for sharing!
Maggie, I don’t have a Kindle anymore, but I do read my Amazon books on my phone and laptop. Do a search for the app!
Great options. My local library has all recently-released books available though there might be a hold line. It saves me tons of money. I do like your other choices, too.
Love ebooks and volunteer at my local library, so I guess I’m covered. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thanks for the resources! E-books are the way to go for me – I check them out through my library and download them and I have them for three weeks. Happy reading!
It’s awesome that you have a Little Free Library. I live where no one would see it, or I’d be putting one up after your post.
Stephen King says we must read or else we don’t have the tools to write. I agree with him (on this, if nothing else).