5 best places to legally find free books to read online

Books are a great source of knowledge and entertainment—and they don’t always have to come with a price tag. Plenty of legal options are available for those looking to find free books to read online on web pages without needing a physical copy of the book.

This article will explore the five best sites to find free books to read online legally. From classic works of literature to modern self-published bestsellers, these websites provide access to a wide range of titles without any cost.

Top 5 places for legal free books

These sites are worth checking out if you’re looking for a new book to read without breaking the bank or needing a library card.

Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is an online library that provides free access to tens of thousands of books in the public domain. It works by digitizing and distributing public domain books, making them available to read online or download in various formats such as HTML, PDF format, ePub, and Kindle. The books range from classic literature to modern fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and more. All the works on Project Gutenberg are free to read on any device with an internet connection.

Internet Archive

Internet Archive is an online media and culture preservation public library of digital books, movies, music, and other media. It allows users to upload their content or download content that others have uploaded. The content, organized into collections based on the subject matter, is freely accessible to the public.

The Internet Archive allows readers to find books from various genres, including science fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. Additionally, the site also offers access to audio recordings and videos.

Open Library

Open Library is a free online digital library that provides access to millions of books, movies, music, and other media. It allows users to search for titles, authors, or subjects and then provides them with a list of books related to their query. The library also offers a wide range of services, such as book lending, book reviews, and discussion forums.

With Open Library, readers can find books from all genres, including fiction, non-fiction, young adult fiction, self-help books, and more. The library also provides access to rare and out-of-print books that may not be available elsewhere.

ManyBooks

ManyBooks is a great site for readers looking to find free ebooks. It offers an extensive library of over 50,000 titles, all available for free download in various formats such as EPUB, Kindle, MOBI, HTML, and plain text. The site is easy to use and provides a search function to help readers quickly find the books they want. Readers can find classic literature, short stories, biographies, and others on ManyBooks. Additionally, the site also provides access to audiobooks and magazines.

Kobo

Kobo is an online ebook store that allows book lovers to purchase and download books from a large selection of titles but also offers many free public domain options. It works by having users create an account and browse the available titles. They can then purchase the books they want and download them directly to their device, be it a desktop PC, Android, iOS, or Amazon Kindle. Kobo offers a wide range of books, including bestsellers and classics.

With Kobo, readers can find their next favorite book in no time. You can try it on their website or download a handy app from the App Store or Google Play.

Why are some books available for free?

Copyright law protects intellectual property rights. It grants the original creator or a copyright holder exclusive rights to use and distribute their work, usually for a limited time. Public domain works are not protected by copyright law, which makes them free for the public to use and transform as they like. These works may include old books, songs, movies, photographs, and other creative works that have expired their copyright or have been released into the public domain by their creators.

Some books are free because the copyright has expired. Copyright is a way for authors and artists to protect their original work. The duration of copyright varies from country to country but generally lasts for the author’s life plus an additional limited period.

Once the copyright expires, the work enters the public domain, and anyone can use it without seeking permission or paying a fee. This is why some books, especially many classic books, are free to download or access online.

Grab public domain classics audiobooks on Speechify

With Speechify, you can enjoy a wide range of classic literature and other works without paying for expensive audiobooks.

Speechify allows users to access free audiobooks from their library or online store. Once you’ve selected the book or books you want to listen to, you can stream them directly from your device or download them for offline listening. You can customize the playback speed and text size to suit your preferences.

If you love listening to podcasts, then you’re sure to love audiobooks as well.

Give Speechify a try and start reading an extensive selection of public domain titles with an easy-to-use interface.

FAQ

Where can I read books online for free without signing up?

Many websites offer free online books without requiring registration. These include Goodreads, Project Gutenberg, Open Library, ManyBooks, and Google Books. You can also read fanfiction titles for free on platforms like Wattpad and Fanfiction.net.

What are the best public domain books?

If you’re looking for some great books or audiobooks to pass the time, it’s always a good idea to check out the classics. Some of the best books in the public domain include:

• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
• Dracula by Bram Stoker

Can I read modern authors for free?

Yes, there are legal ways to read modern authors for free. You can borrow books from your local library, find e-books that authors offer for free, or even join a book club that offers free copies by modern authors.