Hello and thank you for being a DL contributor. We are changing the login scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices. Please click here to update your account with a username and password.

Hello. Some features on this site require registration. Please click here to register for free.

Hello and thank you for registering. Please complete the process by verifying your email address. If you can't find the email you can resend it here.

Hello. Some features on this site require a subscription. Please click here to get full access and no ads for $1.99 or less per month.

Where can I read books online for free?

I’ve used Open Library before but they don’t have the book I want. Thanks

by Anonymousreply 37May 16, 2020 5:17 PM

Google has the classics scanned and available for reading.

by Anonymousreply 1May 1, 2020 4:02 AM

I read kindle books through my local library. They have practically everything I want to read.

by Anonymousreply 2May 1, 2020 4:03 AM

I like this.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 3May 1, 2020 4:04 AM

A library card will allow you to access and borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks online usually through such platforms as Overdrive, Access360 or other types. If you do not have a library card from your community library, most have had or developed a way to apply and get an eCard online that gives you access to online databases and digital media resources including the eBooks, streaming video, free downloadable music, language programs and other resources.

If you live in places like New York State you can apply for an eCard at New York Public Library, so you may have that ability to do similar from a big metro library, country library or most states have a state library that might give access to online materials. If what you are looking for is in the public domain websites like Project Gutenberg are another places you can get eBooks. Please stay away from places like The Internet Archive as they violate copyright laws.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 4May 1, 2020 4:38 AM

I would tell you how to get a free online card for the Houston Public Library but it's a red state and the OP said he wants all the people in the red states to get COVID19 and die.

So it wouldn't be much use after they all die.

by Anonymousreply 5May 1, 2020 4:44 AM

R4, most small local libraries have also made signing up for a temporary ecard available. Just go to your local library's website. I think a lot of libraries have also reactivated expired library cards from 2019 to present.

by Anonymousreply 6May 1, 2020 4:46 AM

The e-books available for download online via my library system (LA Public Library) is one of my favorite features that they have. One of my goals this year is to finish every book that has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction this millennium -- all are available online.

by Anonymousreply 7May 1, 2020 4:49 AM

R3, thanks for that link.

by Anonymousreply 8May 1, 2020 4:35 PM

You don't have to have any card to read off of Project Gutenberg, but it's only public domain works so things 75 years old or older.

by Anonymousreply 9May 1, 2020 6:50 PM

Are you looking to download to a device, ie a Kindle?

by Anonymousreply 10May 1, 2020 6:54 PM

[quote] Please stay away from places like The Internet Archive as they violate copyright laws.

Which probably means they have the best choice of books. Thanks for the tip!

by Anonymousreply 11May 1, 2020 6:58 PM

Library Genesis is the Pirate Bay of books. I wouldn't use it without adblockers and a VPN.

by Anonymousreply 12May 1, 2020 7:00 PM

r5 huh? You have the wrong poster, that wasn't me

by Anonymousreply 13May 3, 2020 11:33 PM

You can borrow and download ebooks and audiobooks from the New York Public Library using the LIBBY app.

by Anonymousreply 14May 3, 2020 11:40 PM

Overdrive, Cloud Library, Hoopla might be available through your public library.Their collections tend to be largely newer popular fiction, so If it's an older book or an academic one, you may have to pay.

by Anonymousreply 15May 3, 2020 11:41 PM

Is Project Gutenberg still available online?

by Anonymousreply 16May 3, 2020 11:47 PM

yes, OVERDRIVE is good.

by Anonymousreply 17May 3, 2020 11:48 PM

Can anyone link a text PDF of Lonesome Dove? I can't find one and the library is closed.

by Anonymousreply 18May 5, 2020 5:41 AM

Internet Archive is great. They have scarce historical books in various formats, I even found the files of a Civil War period Ohio newspaper that Chronicling American didn't even have.

by Anonymousreply 19May 5, 2020 6:01 AM

R18 If you have Amazon Prime you can get it as a free Audible eaudiobook trial for a month.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 20May 5, 2020 6:05 AM

I love the Internet Archive. I like to look at old movie magazines on there. They have just about every issue of Photoplay ever published, from the 1910s onward.

by Anonymousreply 21May 5, 2020 6:14 AM

R5 please tell me how to get a free online card to Houston library..I’m disabled very low income but not in Texas...smaller town. I always wanted to see the Houston art museum too!

by Anonymousreply 22May 5, 2020 7:20 AM

r4 very helpful. Thanks.

by Anonymousreply 23May 5, 2020 8:03 AM

Why is there a "waitlist" for books on Open Library? It took me 6 months to be able to read a particular book.

by Anonymousreply 24May 5, 2020 8:11 AM

My library offers digital books through a 3rd party app, but what doesn't make sense to me is that any of the books I'd be interested in reading are always checked out and not available. I don't understand how that can be the case with a DIGITAL book, but it makes it completely useless.

by Anonymousreply 25May 5, 2020 9:16 AM

[quote]Any of the books I'd be interested in reading are always checked out and not available. I don't understand how that can be the case with a DIGITAL book

Just as a library buys a certain number of physical books, they buy a certain number of kindle (or other e-) books. My library only buys one copy of a lot of books, and I have to wait. But by now, they have enough kindle books in total that I never run out of things to read.

by Anonymousreply 26May 5, 2020 9:28 AM

Publishers also create very complicated structures for libraries purchasing of ebooks, in some ways it’s the Wild West still as each one has different limitations or boundaries. They may only allow the library to buy one ebook copy of a new title for six weeks at its release. Some companies only allow them to circulate the title 52 times, now if they had the hard copy of it the book could potentially go out hundreds of times or until it literally fell apart. On top of this they are charging libraries considerably more for the same book the public is buying. So even though they may purchase it and you would think they own in forever, with no wear or tear or loss, that might not be the case.

The good thing is if a ebook is not available you have the option of putting it on hold and they will usually tell you your place in line. Unlike a hold for a physical book that the last person/s who has it needs to return it on time, many times they won’t or even damage or lose it taking it out of circulation. But the ebook will always revert back to the library once it is due, there is no renewal with ebooks. So, if you are number two in line for it, and the library checks it out for what’s usually the standard 21 days you know you will get it in 42 days. Or, it could be even earlier if the reader returns it manually before its due. And with a physical copy you don’t always know it will come back to reach you.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 27May 5, 2020 11:28 AM

r22, here's the link for the Houston Public Library. It says it's only for kids under 18. Your best best is to visit Library Genesis. You should also try Library Genesis.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 28May 5, 2020 11:32 AM

R24 Open Library or Internet Library is an organization in direct conflict with writers and publishers and contains substantial numbers of titles that are in direct violation of copyright law. They have been lent books which they scan and create their own versions of an eBook, which most likely is of middle to low quality compared to a real eBook, and lend it.

Again they can only lend the number of eBooks that they have scanned copies of at any time. Here’s an article from 2018 that explains the situation from the authors point of view and not much headway has been made in stopping them. So please do not frequent Open Library if you respect the work of authors as creators.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 29May 5, 2020 11:59 AM

R22 if you are disabled you are most likely eligible to tap into the BARD services from National Library Services and its network of member libraries in each state. Print disabled can be a very wide catch all from physical like blind or not being able to physically hold a book to learning disabilities or mental health issues where concentrating on reading can be a hindrance and a recorded version because easier to access. They are going to work towards helping you get what you want, not work towards excluding you.

Also, if you give your state and general location I will look to see what might be available in your area. Many libraries have what are called “home bound” services that may still be operating and disability and/or age are usually the criteria and they maybe still sending out physical books. Of course tapping into BARD will be basically doing the same thing.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 30May 5, 2020 12:13 PM

You can get a one month trial of Scribd for free.

by Anonymousreply 31May 5, 2020 12:14 PM

Australia has slightly less restrictive copyright laws and you can download books from Gutenberg Australia.

by Anonymousreply 32May 5, 2020 1:08 PM

If your library has Hoopla ebooks, they are always available to borrow immediately, BUT the selection is not as good as Overdrive or Cloud Library.

by Anonymousreply 33May 5, 2020 4:45 PM

Project Gutenberg

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 34May 7, 2020 8:04 PM

Another vote for Internet Archive. I’ve been able to re-read several books that I can’t get at the NYPL or anywhere else. It’s wonderful, and if ever I get rich, I’ll donate handsomely.

by Anonymousreply 35May 7, 2020 8:16 PM

Internet Archive/Open Library are the same thing. I have had good luck finding older books on there but usually they just scan the book so sometimes they are a bit harder to read. I read all but the last Sue Grafton alphabet books on there too.

by Anonymousreply 36May 16, 2020 8:16 AM

Google Books can also be used when citing sources in school papers without having to buy the book.

by Anonymousreply 37May 16, 2020 5:17 PM
Loading
Need more help? Click Here.

Yes indeed, we too use "cookies." Take a look at our privacy/terms or if you just want to see the damn site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, click ACCEPT. Otherwise, you'll just have to find some other site for your pointless bitchery needs.

×

Become a contributor - post when you want with no ads!