Want some free books?
There are lots of places to get free books, you just have to know where to look. This lens will focus on actual physical copies of free books, not ebooks.
Book Swapping Sites
Book swapping sites are a great place to get free books. Most are free to join. All you do is list your books, request the books you want and mail out the books that others have requested from you. Book Swapping Site Links
Note - italicized text is a description summary taken directly from each site. Pros & Cons are my opinions. I tried to be as unbiased as possible.
- Book Mooch
- BookMooch is a community for exchanging used books. BookMooch lets you give away books you no longer need in exchange for books you really want.
Every time you give someone a book, you earn a point and can get any book you want from anyone else at BookMooch. Once you've read a book, you can keep it forever or put it back into BookMooch for someone else, as you wish.
Pros:
- A very good thing about BookMooch is that you get a 10th of a point for each book you post to your inventory and each book you marked "received".
- You get a point added to your account as soon as the another person requests a book from you. You don't have to wait to get the point until they receive it in the mail.
- Bookmooch gives you the control of letting you decide who you would like to "mooch" each book from.
Cons:
- Books are mooched on a "first come first served" basis. That means that you could wait forever to get a book on your wishlist if aren't able to mooch the book quick enough. However, this could work out in your favor if you spend a lot of time in front of your computer and get to check the site frequently to see if anyone has posted one of your wishlist books. (That's how I get most of my WL books.)
- The site seems to be down more than any of the other sites and the forum is incredibly slow & cumbersome to navigate.
- BookMooch does not offer credits for purchase. - PaperBackSwap
- We are a group of readers who share books with each other (NOT just paperbacks) for nothing more than the cost of postage!
Pros:
- You will receive 2 free credits when you add your first 10 books to your inventory.
- You can purchase credits for $3.45 each if you need them.
- It has been my experience that PBS has the books I want more than any of the other sites.
- Book requests are taken in order that you add a book to your wishlist, so in most cases, you will eventually get a copy of the book you want.
- They offer you the option of purchasing postage directly from their site (for a fee). If you use their postage, you will get your credit as soon as you mark the book "shipped".
PBS also has a great community forum with discussions & games.
Cons:
- PBS doesn't give you control over who you get to request your book from, making it a little impersonal. Also, it makes it harder to have a book requested from you, especially if the book already has many copies in the system.
- You will not get credit for your book until it is marked "received" by the requester, unless you purchase postage from PBS. You have to use PBS money to pay for their postage. You are charged a fee when you purchase PBS money ($0.50) and also when you use that PBS money to purchase postage ($0.43). - FrugalReader
- Get the books you want, when you want them, for as long as you want them. Three simple steps:
1. List books that you own for other members to request.
2. Request books from other members.
3. Mail requested books to other members and they do the same for you.
Our members enjoy reading, sharing and relating with one another. Join us as we share these passions while saving time and money. Check out our huge selection of great books and then find out why it's more fun to trade with FrugalReaders!
Pros:
- You have the control of deciding who you will request the book from.
- When you post your book, you have the option of setting up for trade with restricted requesters or trade groups.
- You can decide how many credits you will trade the book for. Defaults are 1 credit for paperbacks & 2 credits for hardcovers.
- FR has an extensive forum with lots of games and giveaways.
Cons:
- At certain times, the site runs extremely slow.
- Of all the sites, FR seems to be the hardest to snag any of your wishlist books from.
- Some people tend to get carried away & ask for an excessive number of credits for their books. - SwapTree
- Swaptree.com is an innovative new website where you can instantly trade the books, CDs, DVDs and video games you are finished with for the ones you want, all for free.
Simply list the books, DVDs, CDs, and video games you are done with and swaptree's trade algorithms will instantly find everyone who wants those items and show you everything they are willing to trade. Best part is, you only pay for shipping, which using swaptree's label service means you never have to go to the post office.
I have only just joined SwapTree so I can not offer Pros & Cons at this time. However, this is the only swap site that I am a part of that does not offer credits. You are actually swapping item for item with someone.
Other Swap Sites
Here is a list of some other swap sites. I can't give you any info, because I'm not a member of any of them. BookIns, TitleTrader, & What's OnYour Bookshelf
Here is a list of some other swap sites. I can't give you any info, because I'm not a member of any of them. BookIns, TitleTrader, & What's OnYour Bookshelf
Where can I get ARCs?
- LibraryThing Early Reviewers
- LibraryThing Early Reviewers ("LTER") gives LibraryThing members the chance to receive and review advanced reader editions of upcoming books from select publishers.Y ou have to have a LibraryThing membership--which is free--to apply for LTER books. No purchase is necessary.
- Harper Collins First Look
- Join the HarperCollins First Look program to preview books in literary fiction, general fiction, suspense, biography, cookbooks, and other genres, for readers who make a difference - like you!
- Harper Teen First Look
- Each month, HarperCollins will offer Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of great books by fabulous authors that you will have the opportunity to review.
- Barnes & Noble First Look Book Club
- Click on the Fist Look Book Club Link. It is different for each book they do.
This is a unique opportunity to enroll in a private discussion with an author, about a book that won't be released for a few months. We'll send you an Advance Reading Copy -- for free! -- in time for the book club. In other words, you can be the first to get the scoop on the next great book, long before it ever hits the shelves!
Book Contests & Giveaways
Lots of sites have contests & giveaways every month. All you have to do is sign up!
- They call me Bookie McBookerson
- On my blog, I occasionally give away free books from my stash.
- Fresh Fiction Monthly Contests
- Every month Fresh Fiction has a whole bunch of different contests. Month simply require filling out a form .
- Writerspace
- Writerspace is another great place to check every month for new contests.
- ReadersRead
- Fill out the form to win a free book.
- Book Browse
- To enter this free book draw simply type your email address into the form.
- Reader Views
- Each month Reader Views, in partnership with publishers and authors, are having a book giveaway. Different books every month.
- Book Loons Contests
- Extensive list of contests for both adults & younger readers.
- Mystery Book Contests
- The Mystery Book Contests website is pleased to participate in a number of mystery book contests to promote authors and their new mysteries.
- BookBitch Contest
- Monthly book giveaways.
- Once Written
- At OnceWritten.com, we feature free book giveaways in order to provide our readers with an overview of great new and emerging authors. Updated monthly, these free book contests feature books written by new and emerging authors.
Author Websites
Make sure to check the official website of your favorite author often. Many of them have giveaways on a regular basis.
Your local library
You may be surprised at what you'll find at your local library. Give it a try. Plus, if you're going on vacation be sure to check out the library wherever you wind up.Search for a library near you:
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/librarysearch/
Check out my latest blog posts!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPopular Books on Amazon
Summer Reading is Killing Me! (Time Warp Trio) r/i
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/15/2009) 
Used Price: $0.01
Summer Reading: A Novel
Release Date: 05/20/2008
Amazon Price: $11.90 (as of 12/15/2009)
Used Price: $0.01
The Night Before Summer Vacation (Reading Railroad Books)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/15/2009)
Used Price: $0.01
Summer Bridge Reading Activities: Second to Third Grade
Amazon Price: (as of 12/15/2009)
Used Price: $2.26
Summer Bridge Reading Grades K-1
Amazon Price: $5.48 (as of 12/15/2009)
Used Price: $4.83
by hwdigi
I love to read and I do it whenever I have a spare minute.
Recently, I found out about book swapping sites, such as BookMooch, FrugalReader & PaperB... (more)
Recently, I found out about book swapping sites, such as BookMooch, FrugalReader & PaperB... (more)
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