In our fast paced world of email, and RSS feeds, sometimes it’s best to just slow down and read a good book…but if you’re unwilling to shell out big bucks for the latest bestseller - try out these great resources, and read to your hearts content!
1.Find Popular Public Domain Works With The Gutenberg Project Top 100 List
This site is the oldest producer of free ebooks on the Internet. Their collection, pieced together by thousands of volunteers, now amount to over 20,000 works which have fallen into public domain. With great numbers however, comes the headache of picking true literary gems from the fodder - That’s why this Top 100 page is so valuable.
2. Exchange Used Books With BookMooch
Want a real physical book for a change? BookMooch is a community for exchanging used books. Under a points system, it lets you give away books you no longer need in exchange for books you really want.
3.Get Technical Books With ebookspyder
This site specializes in technical books ranging anywhere from C# to AJAX. Many commercial works can be found here though. This makes the legality of this particular site questionable… but we of course assume you own these books before you download them :)
4. Read the Classics Online with Google Book Search
This service has been giving Google a fair bit of copyright headaches, but has moved forward quite well in spite of the circumstances. It comes with a book-like interface which many people like - I am unfortunately not one of them. Maybe it’s just me, but I like to download my books rather than read it of a website. If you’re going to use this service, select ‘full view books’ under the options page for best effect
5. Download Plain Text Novels With Dwalin
This is as basic as it gets, and consists of an open directory with plain text files for download. Don’t be fooled. Their library is comprehensive, and plain text would be the most portable file format around.
Get more resources in Part 2 of this series or look through the ultimate list of free books….
Know any other good book sites? Had any good/bad experiences with books online? Tell us in the comments!
[tags]ebooks, freebooks [/tags]
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:56 am
bookcrossing.com
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:57 am
public library system coupled with libraryelf.com
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:00 am
nice. http://www.scribd.com/
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:43 am
Here are a couple worth checking out.
World Public Library
FreeTechBooks
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:12 am
Wow - Those are some really awesome sites! Keep em coming :)
April 5th, 2007 at 3:54 am
http://www.bookins.com
April 5th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Not books, exactly, but for free short story podcasts (like audiobooks, but shorter), check out WellToldTales.com
April 5th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
dailylit.com
April 5th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Thanks guys - I think I’m going to do a reader submission special from all these great tips I’ve received!
April 5th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Http://www.wowio.com - some free domain and some copyrighted that you can legitimately have. Also, one of the only with a selection of Comic Books.
April 6th, 2007 at 5:18 am
If you are in to business books I run giveaways on every Friday. I will post a question relating to the book that is featured and have users answer in the comments section. I pick winners depending on how many copies are available. So far there has been great odds at winning. Check it out!
April 6th, 2007 at 7:43 am
my experience?
[1] work for book shop.
[2] take home preview copies because nobody else does.
[3] ring up publisher for ‘preview’ copies of books. they’re only happy to oblige.
has worked for me for the past 6 months…
April 7th, 2007 at 4:48 am
Borrow books (or dvds or cds) from your friends through http://www.moochmuch.com …
April 7th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
How niceï¼thanks a lotï¼ï¼
April 7th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
One of the best resource on technical / computer books is available at http://www.chmpdf.com.
They also provide general books besides technical books free of cost.
Have fun and satisfy your reading appetite.
April 7th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Realtime Publisher has been providing free IT eBooks by many of the world’s best authors since 2000 … they’ve got books on Exchange, Windows, security, etc etc.
http://www.realtimepublishers.com
April 8th, 2007 at 12:20 am
Thank you. You did a fine job. If you want to, check out under ‘Category Links’ all the education links at Katrineholm Review at http://katrineholmreview.blogspot.com where you will find lots of education links in English and in Swedish. Many of the education links provide free resources. Tack sÃ¥ mycket! (English translation from Swedish: Thanks so much!)
April 8th, 2007 at 12:39 am
A review of the Top 10 book swapping sites is at http://moochbooks.com/books/review .
Compares:
* PaperbackSwap
* BookMooch
* FrugalReader
* TitleTrader
* swapsimple
* bookins
* SF-books
* thebookcart
* ZunaFish
* SwapThing
* bookcrossing!
April 8th, 2007 at 2:13 am
How about this new service Wowio (www.wowio.com)? I heard about it on mymoneyblog.com. It’s really cool. Plus, if you sign up and refer ten friends, they ship you a free iPod shuffle. Jonathan from mymoneyblog.com already got his so the deal looks legit.
If you sign up, try referring me by providing my email address (adardia(at)alum{dot}rpi[dot]edu).
April 8th, 2007 at 3:57 am
http://www.archive.org/details/texts
April 8th, 2007 at 4:05 am
I use http://www.paperbackswap.com and love it!
April 8th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I use http://pinkmonkey.com
April 8th, 2007 at 10:45 am
http://5n7p3r.unlimited43.com/
April 8th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Can’t believe there could be a list of free book sites without mentioning the free library at http://www.baen.com
April 8th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
http://flazx.com/
April 8th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Another Great Book site is http://www.librarything.com. Librarything allows you to build a catalogue of all the books that you own essentially building your own personal library; in addition to this it has a social aspect allowing to view social information about books, create groups and talk to other users and view other users catalogues. Librarything also links into other book sites including Bookmooch so you can swap books with fellow librarythingers.
Take a look http://www.librarything.com
April 8th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Stuffopolis
April 8th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Hullo!!!
wake up guys…I mean there are some real sites, you know…with ebooks loaded. If you wanna kickass Wiley and Springer…then you have to come up with something better…and that exists.
April 8th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
The number one place to get free books remains your library - and you don’t even have to go to the library to get them. Many libraries have e-books and audiobooks (including new titles still in copyright and not otherwise free) available on their websites.
April 9th, 2007 at 12:36 am
7.5 ways to get fun FREE books for kids at http://greatfunbooks.com/free-books.shtml
April 9th, 2007 at 8:56 am
There’s a really new place, http://www.xxiis.com, and they are taking submissions from writers. all ebooks, you can even embed scribd documents directly into the archives and get paid for your stories.
Very cool place. Just really new and kinda dead at the moment.
April 9th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Just a little update on Project Gutenberg: there are now closer to 25,000 eBooks at gutenberg.org, and 100,000
are available if you go to gutenberg.cc, and the others.
Email me for more details at hart@pglaf.org. Michael Hart,
Founder, Project Gutenberg. . .NICE THING GOING HERE!
April 9th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
http://www.gutenberg.org/
April 9th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
http://www.whatsonmybookshelf.com
April 10th, 2007 at 5:23 am
why bother to access those websites, you can search your book at:
http://www.rapidexplorer.net
It is a good search engine for rapidshare and megaupload. As my experience, you can find 90% of the books you want.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
http://www.ebookworld.co.nr
http://www.ebookworld.co.nr
http://www.ebookworld.co.nr
April 11th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
You can get hundreds of free magazines at http://www.tradepub.com
April 15th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Check out http://ebooksearchr.googlepages.com/
eBook Searchr searches thru a list of manually selected, high quality ebook sites. Great for techbooks from o’reilly, wrox etc. also lots of the “for dummies” series
April 26th, 2007 at 8:03 am
I wouldn’t exactly consider eBooks books. I like something to hold and that I can take anywhere.
May 9th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Asiaing.com http://www.asiaing.com
A wonderful free ebook site.
May 15th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Try this one. Innovative and comfortable, not just ebooks~
May 15th, 2007 at 9:11 am
http://www.sharelp.com
May 16th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
How about a worldwide free public travelling library? The delight in books as aesthetic real physical objects isn’t going away. And some books you just can’t get your hands on . . . 1929 first edition of the poet Charlotte Mew’s collection ‘The Rambling Sailor’ anyone? The British Library have it. But unless you got some serious $$/££ or are lucky enough to happen across a copy, you ain’t gonna hit the dirt baby. This is where I come in. Need free membership of a travelling library of lost & forgotten poetry? I as the librarian will bring my library to you. Anywhere I can get to. We’re currently on our 10th country and 14th city. Come Join Us!
May 16th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
try this one:
http://www.audiobooksforfree.com/
you can download low bitrate books free, or higher bitrates can be ordered on cd or downloaded
May 16th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Thanks Asia Lu, DarkPilgrim Itinerant Poetry Librarian and ben, excellent tips - will be recording them in my ultimate list.. http://www.friedbeef.com/2007/04/09/best-places-to-get-free-books-the-ultimate-guide/
May 17th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Heres a great site freeebooksonline.blogspot.com
May 17th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
http://fictionmenu.com
May 19th, 2007 at 4:10 am
BEST free books website. I am in love with it and I have downloaded hundreds of books from here
May 26th, 2007 at 2:29 am
I want the complete text of satanic verses by salman rushdie,please .
May 28th, 2007 at 4:24 am
hi
i am mahnaz
country iran
uneversity iran
reques Magazines
modem
plase send to mail.
tank you
May 28th, 2007 at 4:28 am
salam
بابا من چقدر منت بکشم یکی به من مقاله modem بÙرسته
مقاله ای Ú©Ù‡ Øر٠نداشته باشه Ùˆ من بتونم دهن استادمو ببندم
May 28th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
salam lotfan chand ta ketabe romane engelisi mikham
May 28th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
یکی به من مقاله بده
May 28th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
i need to the harmony guide to crochet stitches. tank you
June 3rd, 2007 at 2:32 am
salam.khoobin?bacheha az koja mishe ye tahghigh ya naghale ya chizi mesle in peyda kard?ma daram fizik mioftam.be dadam beresid.
June 4th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
eBook Search Engine and Site Indexer,
http://www.ebooksbay.org
June 19th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
it is good side for on line library user and librarian. I m very happy to see this.
June 22nd, 2007 at 2:14 am
In the spirit of free books: http://www.buyafriendabook.com. (See also my http://www.twitterlit.com for the first lines of books.)
July 5th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
hi iam syed waqas ali shah from pakistan 17 m student if uwant chat with me then know about my contact on my site given below http://www.syedwaqas343.swebby.com thanks from syed waqas ali shah
July 7th, 2007 at 4:11 am
Great Information! I give away lots of free ebooks so don’t forget to add me in the next part! Sally :)
July 19th, 2007 at 1:52 am
And ebay isn’t on the list of best auction sites I guess too?
SWAPTREE Business 2.0 called it “the ebay of swap”
It’s new but it’s amazing.
(Ar least have your readers take a look at it)
July 19th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Among other things, I run a site that is a directory of freely available programming related e-books. There is currently over 300 books listed by category for many programming languages.
http://www.programmingebooks.tk
July 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I just recently bought an MP3/MP4 Player. I am now in search of some really great e-novels to listen to during our now extremely hectic winter.
Hope I get some feedback.
CAPE TOWN - SOUTH AFRICA
July 26th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Hi Vito,
Try that WellToldTales.com site for great audio stories.
Also, you might check out Podiobooks.com.
Good luck!
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:43 pm
http://itdiscover.com also has good collection of free tech books.
enjoy
josh
http://techjobs.co.in
August 9th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Can anyone help me find these books:
Global Business Today by C.W. Hill
Introduction to International Business by S. Wall
International Business by Mahoney
International Business: Strategy and Operations by Hibbert
International Market Entry and Development by S.Young
International Trade law: commentary and materials by M Pryles.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
http://e-books-for-everyone.blogspot.com/
August 18th, 2007 at 8:24 am
hi..i’m looking for a site that i could download from him an comics Novels..is there anyone here that know a site for this?
August 18th, 2007 at 9:29 am
@Yaniv: You can try a few of the larger torrent sites… I’ve seen them there.
Try this link :
http://www.friedbeef.com/2006/06/19/the-best-bit-torrent-search-engine-ever/
August 24th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
dear sir,
i am studing about diamonds and gems, i wants diamond free book, and other gems reg.
thanks.
reg.
shiva sm
98943-50860.
india.
August 24th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
HOW TO GET A BOOK FOR TEST OF TODAI
August 29th, 2007 at 11:23 pm
every site you people posted..you have to pay something.
Best free booksite http://www.Limewire.com
August 29th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
http://http-server.carleton.ca/~nholtz/ElectronicPublishing.html
http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~nromano/spring99/readings.htm
August 30th, 2007 at 12:10 am
http://freeonlinebooks.blogspot.com/2005/10/other-books.html
September 8th, 2007 at 10:35 am
http://www.phatsayar.blogspot.com
September 13th, 2007 at 1:50 am
http://WWW.Truly-free.ORG
September 21st, 2007 at 4:03 am
We Are Here To Share!
http://www.avaxhome.org
http://freebooksource.com
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:32 pm
i am studying MIB i have some free books managerial economics, international marketing management, global business environment , business research methods
October 7th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I am desperately in need of the book “Real Talk” which accompanies an audio CD. Anyone out there to oblige? Thanks
October 12th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
i like to avail the book “theology of the Body” by Poe John Paul II. It will be for my theological studies. Thank you!
November 11th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
do anyone have “solution manual for guide to energy mnagement”. please i really need this book.
November 21st, 2007 at 3:38 pm
http://www.mythofwile.com is a free novel called The Myth of Wile E.
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 pm
what a site
December 12th, 2007 at 3:31 am
I need a book about “hydroponic culture”.anyone have this book?
December 30th, 2007 at 4:17 am
i need to know a site that has the alex rider series in it. FOR FREE!
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I have found this web site where you can get free ebooks http://freebooksource.info
January 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
This is another small but good collection of Programming books
January 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
http://freebooksandarticles.com/
January 15th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Check out this site: http://cooltales.com — it’s like a Digg for free fiction (audiobooks, graphic novels, etc.) Not much there now, but a nice start and fast and easy to join (no e-mail confirmation.)
January 26th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
bookcrossing.com is amazing!!!!!!! and most fun!!
February 21st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I want to get the free books
March 14th, 2008 at 2:29 am
i need a free book becuse i don’t have book at home
March 29th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
thankyou
March 31st, 2008 at 12:15 am
I am having a horrible time with bookmooch.com
They were my favorite website but now my account doesn’t work and trying to find someone to help you is like pulling teeth.
I finally got a reply from an employee there and it was SO RUDE that I’m really thinking about just dumping the points I have in my account and using a different program.
Very disappointed.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Another great site to get free books is
http://www.paaspk.com
May 1st, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Download 1000 audio or print books free. No charge from freebooks.cc. Have fun learning the classics aloud.
Try http://www.speedlibrary.com for 1000 previews of subjects.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Try this
May 14th, 2008 at 2:38 am
http://www.ebookee.com
May 30th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
we are establishing a rural ribrary so we need asupport of books in malawi chikwawa district.
June 14th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Please Sent free book because i need them to may study.Thank all
July 1st, 2008 at 2:39 am
One easy way to download free books is to search any of the Rapidshare search engines (Rapidoogle.com, Rapidsharedata.com etc) for the book (works for music, movies & Softwares as well)
July 20th, 2008 at 1:41 am
http://www.freebookcentre.net contains thousands of freebooks
August 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
its also a good website for get free e books for any field.Registration is free to all…..
August 11th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
http://www.esnips.com
its also a good website for get free e books for any field.Registration is free to all…..
August 20th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Nice list. Missed out a vital one though!
Webooks is a good site for “how-to” style books.
http://www.webooks.co.uk/
September 30th, 2008 at 6:46 am
This is a good list, I have to say. There is a new, free publishing company, YouPublish, that was started by the Chicken Soup for the soul guy. It’s got some good stuff.
Check it out:
http://www.youpublish.com
October 11th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
books are boring
October 26th, 2008 at 6:09 am
http://www.free-ebooks-canada.com mostly free mrr okayfor quick download
October 27th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
:) no comment
October 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
http://www.giuciao.com for free ebook
November 5th, 2008 at 2:34 am
This is good news, I?m really looking forward to playing around with it once the beta opens up.,
November 5th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Really good. I have found some ebooks that never seen.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Take a look at http://www.freebookspot.com
November 27th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hello admin, nice site you have!,
November 28th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Good work, webmaster! Nice site!,
November 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Great job! thanks!
November 30th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Really good……..Hello admin, nice site you have..
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
These days it would also be WebLiterature.Net: http://www.webliterature.net