Are you looking for something new to read?
Part of our new normal is finding creative ways to pass the time while we stay indoors. Some of that time can be spent binge-watching TV shows, working on your computer, or playing games on your phone… but you may be looking for alternative activities.
Local libraries and bookstores may be unavailable right now, but electronic books (known as eBooks) are easy to find.
Here are our top five places to find cheap, or even free, eBooks and audiobooks.
Your local library
Cost: Free
Your local library may not be open to visits yet; fortunately, you can borrow eBooks from the safety of your own home!
OverDrive is a service that allows you to borrow eBooks from your library or school. (Libby is a similar service that your library may use instead.)
All you need is the app linked above, and your library card.
Download the app, then search for your local library. You’ll need to enter your library card number to start borrowing and downloading.
Amazon Prime Reading
Cost: Monthly or annual membership, or a 1-month free trial
Amazon Prime is a great option if you already have a Prime membership or have been considering getting one.
Amazon Prime has a variety of Kindle eBooks and audiobooks that you can download—but you don’t need a Kindle. Just download them to your Kindle device, or use the Kindle app on your computer, tablet or phone.
The best part? There aren’t any due dates.
Membership is charged annually or monthly, but you can also get a free trial for one month and cancel it if you’re not blown away.
Kindle Unlimited
Cost: Monthly or annual membership, or a free trial to start
Though similar to Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited offers many other benefits—like approximately 1 million book titles to choose from (Prime only has about 1,000).
As with Prime, you can get a monthly subscription or begin with a free trial.
Project Gutenberg
Cost: Free
Perfect for lovers of the classics, this non-profit provides around 53,000 free titles that you can download to your Kindle device, tablet, or phone in .mobi format.
Google Play
Cost: Varies
Google Play has countless of books to choose from, for free and for purchase.
Simply click on the link above and scroll down the page to a variety of headings – eBooks under $10, eBooks under $5, and so forth. Further down the page, you’ll find the free sections. And on the left sidebar, you’ll find a link to audiobooks as well.
Happy reading!