Updated Nov. 28, 2012. By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
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Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own a kindle
Now that you have a new kindle
Ebooks average $10 each. This can add up to a hefty chunk of change if you are a fast reader or want a large ebook library. So, what are the ways that you can get your ebooks for free?
Here are eleven ways to get free ebooks:
- Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. You must be an eligible U.S. Amazon Prime member to borrow ebooks for free, including over 100 current and former New York Times best sellers plus all 7 Harry Potter books. There are no due dates to meet.
- Amazon has a huge selection of free Kindle downloads. In the Kindle department, search for “free kindle books”
- Gutenberg Project. This project was the first site to provide free ebooks and with the help of many volunteers, is working to make available all books that have expired copyrights.
- Bookyards is a library to the world. This site not only has free ebooks, but also has links to library collections, videos, and blogs.
- Feedbooks. This site allows you to publish your own books as well as download free public domain and self published books.
- One Hundred Free Books. Easily search for free books on Amazon! The site is free to use. You’ll want to check back often as Amazon’s selection changes all the time.
- Hundred Zeros is a frequently updated catalog of best-sellers that are free on Amazon.
- iTunes. Get more than just music. Download all the classic for free to your Kindle, iPad, iPhone or computer. Plus, other genres tend to pop up as free now and then. So check back often!
- Starbucks’ Pick of the Week. Starbucks patrons can score free music, eBooks, and games each week. Make sure to look for the business-sized cards near the cash register or ask a barista. Score brand new releases!
- The Library. Borrow ebooks from the library. All you need is a library card! The downside is the wait. It can take a couple weeks to get your hands on the book you want as their selection is limited.
- Hongkiat has a list of 20 more free ebook sites. Whew! Enjoy.
Check out our daily roundup of freebies and coupons or get my free 15-minute budget. It really only takes 15 minutes to set up!
Hope these links are helpful to you. If you are a Kindle or other electronic reader owner, please share your experiences. Do you love your new toy or do you miss the feel of a real book?
Still there? Check out our curated list of today’s hottest freebies!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
Um, you could also get any other kind of e-reader, which accept e-pub format. Then you can download ebooks from the library.
There’s also a program called Calibre that allows you to manage your ebook library, and convert them into different formats. I have a Nook so I’ve never tried to format them to whatever the Kindle takes, but you might be able to convert epub books with it.
You can get Kindle for PC on Amazon for free so you can take advantage of the free ebooks
I LOVE my Kindle! I can look up words I don’t understand right then and there, if I forget who a character is I can do a search and see where he/she was first mentioned, and I don’t have to ask my husband to build new bookshelves!
I have a Kindle app on my smart phone and love it. I always have my phone on me so I always have a book to read.
I bought myself a Kindle for Christmas, I wanted it mainly to stop having to print out e-books and PDFs since I don’t like reading books worth of reading on the computer screen. I had already found the free books on Amazon but didn’t know about most of these other places. I also use Kindle for PC especially if I’m hunting for a phrase or something I read in the book – I can do that on the Kindle, but love the Kindle for PC option, too. Thanks for these options!
I read Kindle books on my iTouch. It’s great because it slips into your purse and if you’re waiting in a long line, you can pass the time by reading a novel. Often times I’m at the front of the line before I want to stop reading. My husband has a kindle and he rarely reads physical books now although at first he thought he’d miss the book feel.
I also took my iTouch on vacation in Costa Rica and with wifi it was a great way to stay in touch with people back home.
@Davida Calibre is great although since I plan to eventually buy some kind of Reader I also have all the types of separate Readers as well. So far Calibre hasn’t given me any trouble, Adobe Digital Editions doesn’t always bookmark my book or it says I’m reading something else.
I love my Kindle too!! Many of the free books are great, tho many have a religious overtone.
As for missing “real books” — I was forever trying to turn them into Kindle books and didn’t even know it! I bought and lost more of those gadgets that hold your books open than I can count, wanting hands free to eat lunch and read too.
Thanks for the great ideas and sites.