This post was originally posted in 2023 but updated with new information.

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Avid readers understand that there’s nothing more frustrating than not having something great to read when the mood strikes! Luckily, in today’s digital age, there are plenty of ways to build a digital library without spending much, if anything. With a smartphone, iPad or other reading device, you have access to a wide range of affordable options.

Note: I’ve updated this post to add new, better websites and remove those that offer a poor selection or overly obscure titles.

Whether you enjoy the Classics, nonfiction, or want to read new indie authors, these curated websites will help you find what you’re looking for.

Where to Find Free eBooks

The best place to start is OverDrive, an online public library with thousands of books accessible with your local library card. The Libby app from Overdrive allows you to read on your portable devices. Just like the library, you can browse books in all genres and reserve a book if it’s checked out. This service is free, simple to use, easy to browse, and provides an introductory tour.

Hoopla, available through select public libraries, offers thousands of eBooks to borrow—along with audiobooks, TV, movies and music. Simply log in with your library card to download titles to your phone or tablet. Availability based on your library’s catalog.

Read Any Book carries public domain classics, and those by popular authors such as James Patterson, Abby Jimenez, Colleen Hoover (at the time of this post) as well as series such as Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia and more. Only online reading is available.

And don’t forget Prime Reading if you are an Amazon Prime member. Accessible through your Kindle app, click on “Discover” at the bottom of your Kindle library screen to see current Prime reading choices to read for free. Another bonus as a Prime member is First Reads, an opportunity to see Editors Picks and choose a FREE Kindle eBook each month from a choice selection of soon to be published books.    

eBooks for Those Who Like to Browse Bookshelves

For a large collection of quality fiction and non-fiction books to download free without membership or limits is Obooko. They feature New York Times bestsellers, USA Today popular authors, and emerging indie writers. It’s a site for anyone who enjoys discovering new authors.

Manybooks is a great resource for book clubs, offering a mix of current indie authors, public domain classics, plus several author interviews. They even have their own app, for both iPhone and Android.

Open Library lets you explore digital shelves organized like a physical library. Most are older books, but you can find some great classics. The recipe section is a personal favorite for uncovering classic cookbooks. Simply create an account to check out and access reading logs and lists to organize your reading.

eBooks for Lovers of the Classics

More and more books are entering the public domain and are available to readers for free. The Public Domain Library has timeless literary treasures if you want to read what I call the “real” classics like Lewis Carroll, Louisa May Alcott, Arthur Conan Doyle and many more. The selection may not be huge, but if you’re looking for a high-quality download of a must-read classic, this is the place to go.

Open Culture boasts 800 Free eBooks available for download. They say their collection “includes great works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, including works by Asimov, Jane Austen, Philip K. Dick, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Neil Gaiman, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Shakespeare, Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf & James Joyce.“

The Gutenberg Project is the home to a library of over 75,000 free eBooks. Pick from free ePub and Kindle formats—download them or read online. You’ll discover some of the world’s greatest literature, that are no longer under U.S. copyright. Dedicated volunteers help digitize and proofread these books—and even lend their voices to record them as audiobooks.

eBooks for Readers to Explore Up and Coming Authors

Smashwords, a platform for self-published eBooks, offers over 900,000 titles from new and emerging authors, ranging from short novellas to 100K+ word length books.

Free eBooks is committed to helping users find the best free eBooks available online. If you are an adventurous reader, this site has a wide variety of books published to the site by indie authors.

eBooks for the Bargain Shoppers

Rakuten-Kobo is a site all its own for digital books. They offer eBooks for $5 and under (accessible from the main page) along with some freebies. There are also incentives when you sign up for membership, including their Super Points program.

Book Cave connects readers with bestselling authors with free or deeply discounted eBooks. Offers are only for a limited time, so sign up for their email if you don’t want to miss freebies or special deals. Books can be downloaded directly from their website or with another popular eReader platform.

My hands-down favorite is BookBub, probably the best site for building up your digital book library. Sign up for a free account, select your interests, and request a daily or weekly email with the latest deals. Book sale prices range from free to about $3.99.

Early Bird Books, like BookBub, this site lists free and bargain eBooks that match your interests. Sign up for free, get emails with bargains that can be easily purchased and read on any device.

For the best of free and discounted eBooks for Kindle, try Robin Reads, available to US, UK and Canada readers. Several indie authors also use this platform to promote their books. (As an Amazon affiliate, all purchases help support the site.)

If you are a Nook user, The eReader Cafe offers free and bargain eBooks for this platform as well as Kindle. (This is also an Amazon affiliate site.)

eReader News Today offers highly rated free and bargain eBooks, many from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Offers only available through their daily email subscription.

Bargain Booksy has discounted eBooks, all priced under $5.00 and available across multiple platforms. While some deals can be found directly on the website, signing up for their daily emails ensures access to the best offers in your favorite genres.

Free eBooks for Book Reviewers

If you write reviews and blog about books, NetGalley may be fun to try. The more social media influence and reach you have, the more opportunities to access new book previews to review. If you don’t qualify to read the book before its release, there is often the opportunity to download an advance reader’s copy to read and review after the book’s publication.  Read “NetGalley for Members” to know what’s required.

Reedsy is a community of 1 million authors globally, with indie books you can read before they become popular sellers. You can be a Reedsy reviewer to get free eBooks for an honest review.

eBook Deals Through Amazon

Digital Book Today, is a great site for Kindle users offering free and discounted eBooks. Its user-friendly front-page menu highlights the day’s best deals, top 100 free Kindle eBooks, and free eBooks by genre. Subscribers to their email newsletter receive exclusive free and 99-cent Kindle deals.

Prefer shopping directly on Amazon? Check out this page for Kindle Deals for popular books available at discounted prices for a limited time. Browse deals by genre and use the “low to high” filter to uncover any free books in that category. I recommend signing up for the newsletter (link at the top of the Kindle Deals page).

Unsure if a book is worth the purchase? A Kindle Unlimited membership might be the answer. Instead of buying a physical copy, you may be able to read it for free with this plan. New customers can enjoy a free one-month trial, followed by a $11.99 monthly subscription.

With so many great options, you’ll wish you had more time to read! Explore different sites to find your favorites, then fill your digital bookshelf so you’re always ready for your next great read—whether it’s a classic, a bestseller, or a hidden gem.  

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate, there may be links in this post, which if you click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission that helps support this blog. You are in no way obligated to use these links. Image by freepik