eBooks: Find, Download, Borrow, Rent & Buy - Best Websites
Accessing eBooks on Portable Devices
If you own an eBook reader, smartphone, tablet, or similar portable device, you likely want to populate it with digital books for convenient reading on the go.
Numerous avenues exist for acquiring eBooks, ranging from free downloads to purchasing, borrowing, or even renting options.
Finding Free eBooks
Several online platforms facilitate the download of free eBooks directly. Alternatively, these sites can alert you when eBooks become available at no cost or with reduced pricing on prominent eBook retailers.
Should your desired eBooks not be found on these free resources, multiple websites offer the purchase of current bestsellers, either individually or through subscription-based monthly services.
Borrowing and Lending eBooks
Unique platforms specialize in the lending and borrowing of Kindle and Nook eBooks among readers throughout the United States.
This allows access to a wider range of titles without the need for individual purchases.
Locating PDF eBooks
Dedicated search engines are available for specifically locating PDF eBooks, along with other document types.
These resources can be particularly useful for finding academic papers or specialized content.
Exploring eBook Options
- Free Download Sites: Offer a selection of public domain and openly licensed eBooks.
- Discount Notification Services: Alert users to temporary price reductions on popular eBook platforms.
- eBook Retailers: Provide a vast catalog of current and bestselling titles for purchase.
- eBook Lending Platforms: Enable the sharing of eBooks between readers.
- PDF Search Engines: Focus on locating PDF documents, including eBooks.
Discovering Complimentary eBooks
Previously, we detailed methods for locating a vast number of free eBooks online, utilizing platforms like Project Gutenberg, ManyBooks.net, DailyLit, and FeedBooks. Free eBooks can also be found directly on Amazon. Here, we present a further compilation of resources for accessing eBooks at no cost.
The Internet Archive's eBook Collection
The Internet Archive Text Archive provides a comprehensive selection of free reading material. This includes a diverse range of fiction, popular literature, books for children, historical documents, and scholarly works.
Free-eBooks.net: A Digital Library
Free-eBooks.net grants unrestricted access to eBooks in HTML format. Additionally, users can access five eBooks monthly in PDF and/or TXT formats. The platform features works from emerging authors and independent writers across numerous fiction and non-fiction categories. Authors are also welcome to submit their eBooks for consideration.
VIP memberships unlock unlimited access to both PDF and TXT formats, alongside the existing HTML option. These memberships also provide immediate access to new releases, prioritized customer support, and dedicated storage for preferred books. Subscription options include $7.95 per month (auto-renewal), $39.97 annually, or a current offer of three years for the equivalent of paying for two, priced at $49.97.
eReaderIQ: Kindle Price Tracking
eReaderIQ is a complimentary service that monitors Amazon Kindle book prices and alerts you to reductions. It also tracks your preferred titles, notifying you when they become available for Kindle. A regularly updated list of all non-copyrighted free titles on Amazon.com is also provided, with the option to receive email notifications for new free releases.
Furthermore, eReaderIQ boasts a powerful search engine. This allows users to search the Kindle Store by genre and keyword, while also specifying price ranges, reader age, and language preferences.
Hundred Zeros: Daily Freebies
Hundred Zeros curates a collection of best-selling eBooks currently offered for free on Amazon. These books can be downloaded and enjoyed on computers, smartphones, tablets, Kindles, or directly within web browsers. The list is refreshed on an hourly basis.
BookBub: Curated Deals
BookBub is a service dedicated to informing you about exceptional book deals. It provides notifications regarding free or heavily discounted books, with discounts sometimes reaching up to 90% off the original price. Only high-quality titles are featured, including bestsellers, books from reputable publishers, and those with positive reviews from critics and readers. You can customize your notification preferences to receive alerts only for categories of interest.
Important Note: Deals offered through BookBub are typically time-sensitive, so prompt action is recommended.
Free Par-TAY: Scheduled Freebies
Free Par-TAY provides links to free, high-quality eBooks spanning various genres. The availability of these eBooks is scheduled, with specific dates posted on the site. Subscribing to their newsletter will notify you of upcoming free eBook releases. Newsletter sign-ups also enter you into drawings for $100 Amazon Gift Cards and a new Kindle.
Freebooksy: Daily eBook Promotions
Freebooksy publishes at least one free eBook daily. The selection covers a wide range of genres, ensuring something for every reader. These eBooks are free for at least the day they are posted, and often for several days thereafter. The dates of availability are clearly indicated.
Purchasing eBooks: Options Beyond Free Access
While obtaining free eBooks is appealing, instances arise where the desired title isn't available without cost. Numerous avenues exist for the purchase, or even temporary rental, of current and popular eBooks. Below, we detail several prominent platforms for acquiring eBooks, with some also providing monthly subscription options.
Amazon Kindle Store: A Vast Digital Library
Boasting a catalog exceeding one million titles, the Amazon Kindle Store includes both recent releases and New York Times bestsellers. A preview feature allows readers to sample the first chapter before committing to a purchase.
As previously noted, Amazon also offers a selection of free eBooks, encompassing many classic works. Although Kindle devices are available for purchase, a dedicated device isn’t required to enjoy Kindle books. Free Kindle applications are compatible with all major smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Once acquired, a Kindle book can be accessed across any device with the Kindle app installed. Amazon’s Whispersync technology automatically saves your reading progress, bookmarks, notes, and highlights, synchronizing them seamlessly across all your devices. This allows for a fluid reading experience, transitioning between devices without losing your place.
Furthermore, some public libraries provide a service enabling eBook checkouts, with wireless delivery directly to your Kindle app.
Barnes & Noble Nook Book Store: A Competitive Alternative
The Nook Book Store, operated by Barnes & Noble, presents a comparable experience to the Amazon Kindle Store. eBooks can be purchased for Nook devices, and free Nook software is available for various mobile systems and computers, including Android, iPhone, iPad, PC, and Mac.
Synchronization of reading progress across devices is also supported, mirroring the functionality found in Kindle books.
Fictionwise: A Hub for Genre Fiction
Fictionwise.com dedicates itself to offering a comprehensive collection of both fiction and nonfiction eBooks in numerous popular formats. They specialize in award-winning, high-quality eBooks from leading authors across all major genres.
Their ongoing development focuses on enhancing the technical aspects of the website, including sophisticated search and sorting capabilities.
eBooks.com: Broad Selection and Versatile Compatibility
eBooks.com provides a wide range of eBooks across all subject categories, available in multiple formats for Apple, Android, Nook, Kobo, PC, Mac, and other devices. The software needed to read books from eBooks.com is provided at no cost.
Users can search for eBooks by subject, title, or author, or utilize the full-text search function to locate content based on keywords.
Email alerts can be subscribed to, notifying you when new eBooks of interest become available.
eReader.com: Quality and Device Support
EReader.com focuses on delivering eBooks that are meticulously prepared to optimize the reading experience. They prioritize providing high-quality eBooks compatible with a diverse range of mobile devices.
Their eReader software is freely available for all supported platforms and devices.
Google Play Book Store: Cloud-Based Accessibility
The Google Play Book Store offers millions of books spanning every conceivable category, accessible on Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones, and iPads. Downloads are also available in ePub or PDF formats for use on other eReaders or computers.
Purchased books are stored in the digital cloud, enabling access from any compatible device, at any time. Reading can be seamlessly continued across multiple devices, provided an internet connection is available.
Powell's Books: DRM-Free Options
Powell's Books provides competitively priced Google eBooks, Adobe Digital Editions, and DRM-Free PDFs, compatible with iPhones, iPod Touches, iPads, Android phones and tablets, computers, and various eReader devices.
eBook Lending, Borrowing, and Renting
Numerous online platforms facilitate the lending and borrowing of Kindle and Nook eBooks. Kindle books with lending enabled can be loaned to a single recipient for a period of 14 days. Following the loan duration, the title is automatically returned to your Kindle library. During the loan period, access to the book is restricted for the owner.
While your desired title may not always be available, a substantial selection of books can be accessed through these services.
Kindle Owners' Lending Library
Subscribers to Amazon Prime who own a Kindle device are eligible for the Kindle Owners' Lending Library. This service grants access to over 145,000 titles for borrowing, with the ability to borrow one book per month. Borrowed books have no fixed due dates.
The catalog includes all seven books from the Harry Potter series, alongside over 100 previously and currently bestselling titles as recognized by the New York Times.
Important Note: This feature is exclusively available on Kindle devices and is not compatible with the free Kindle apps on other platforms.
Kindle Textbook Rental
Amazon provides a Kindle Textbook Rental service, offering potential savings of up to 80% compared to the cost of purchasing a physical textbook. Rental periods can be selected from 30 to 360 days, allowing you to pay only for the time the book is needed.
Options include extending the rental period or permanently purchasing the textbook. Textbooks can be accessed on PCs, Macs, Kindles, and mobile devices. Notes and highlights are preserved and accessible even after the rental expires through kindle.amazon.com.
Library To Go (and other libraries lending eBooks)
Many libraries now offer eBook lending services, allowing patrons to borrow books digitally without visiting a physical branch. Library To Go serves libraries in Northern California, but similar services are available elsewhere.
Library To Go utilizes Adobe Digital Editions for eBooks and OverDrive Media Console for audiobooks. eBooks are available in Kindle (for U.S. libraries), EPUB, and PDF formats. EPUB files offer reflowable text, adapting to various screen sizes, while PDF files maintain a fixed layout but allow for zooming.
Library To Go permits checking out up to three titles simultaneously, with a cart capacity of 15. Lending policies and limits vary by library; for instance, the Ventura County Library allows five checkouts and a cart capacity of seven.
Holds can be placed on up to four titles, with email notifications sent upon availability. Borrowers have five days to check out held titles. The Ventura County Library allows five holds with a four-day checkout window.
Note: The OverDrive service can help locate public libraries in your area offering eBook lending. Check both the OverDrive website and your local library’s site for availability and policies.
Open Library
Open Library is a collaborative, editable library catalog aiming to create a webpage for every published book. Registered users can borrow up to five eBooks for two weeks each from a growing collection of primarily 20th-century titles.
Each title is available for single-user borrowing and can be read in a web browser or through Adobe Digital Editions in PDF or ePub format.
eBookFling
eBookFling facilitates the sharing of Kindle and Nook eBooks among readers in the U.S. Users earn credits by lending their eBooks, which can then be used to borrow eBooks from others. eBooks are automatically returned after 14 days.
Borrowing an eBook is also possible through payment, if lending credits are not available.
Lendle
Lendle provides a platform for easy Kindle book lending and borrowing, free of charge. Books can be lent to known contacts via Amazon, or to any U.S. Amazon Kindle user through Lendle.
Lenders can earn Amazon gift cards for loaning their books. Lendle is compatible with free Kindle apps for PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. Credits are earned after the full 21-day loan period (7 days for acceptance, 14 days for the loan itself). A $10 Amazon gift card is issued upon reaching $10 in credits, paid out twice monthly.
BookLending.com
BookLending.com connects lenders and borrowers of Kindle eBooks. Users must register or connect via Facebook to participate. A user profile allows management of loan offers, requests, and borrowing activity.
eBook Search Engines
Presented below are web resources featuring search engines designed for locating free PDF eBooks, scholarly articles, documents, and a wide array of information formatted as PDFs.
PDFGeni
PDFGeni functions as a specialized search engine focused on discovering downloadable PDF eBooks, manuals, catalogs, datasheets, forms, and various documents. Previewing of located PDF files is also supported.
Users can initiate searches directly on the website or integrate PDFGeni into their Firefox search bar by installing the plugin available in the upper right corner of the search page.
Account registration is not required to utilize the PDFGeni search engine.
PDF Search Engine
PDF Search Engine offers a straightforward method for identifying PDF eBooks and other PDF-based files. Results may occasionally provide a direct link to the PDF.
Alternatively, some search outcomes may necessitate the use of a torrent client to download the file via a torrent.
Staying Informed: RSS and Twitter Feeds for Complimentary eBooks
Individuals who utilize RSS readers to remain current with favored websites can also leverage these tools to track the latest offerings of free eBooks. The following RSS and Twitter feeds provide updates on available titles.
Please note: Should you discover additional Twitter feeds dedicated to free eBooks and wish to integrate them into your RSS reader, refer to our guide on viewing Twitter feeds within an RSS environment.
Available Feeds
- Amazon.com: Top Free Titles in the Kindle Store.
- eReaderIQ: Offers the functionality to construct a personalized RSS feed.
- Freebooksy: A dedicated source for free eBook announcements.
- Hundred Zeros: Provides both an RSS feed and a Twitter feed for convenient access.
- Project Gutenberg: Delivers updates on recently added or revised eBooks.
These resources allow readers to efficiently monitor for new free eBook releases without needing to manually check websites. Utilizing these feeds ensures you won't miss out on valuable reading material.