If you’re like us and love to read, then click here to score tons of free and discounted ebooks.
Being an avid reader can be expensive! But we’ve got you covered—both with our ebook deals and with these tips on getting free or cheap print books.
1. Goodreads Giveaways
Goodreads giveaways offer readers the exciting opportunity to win physical books from their favorite authors! While the platform also includes ebook giveaways, the chance to win a physical book is particularly enticing. You can easily sort these giveaways by genre, format, and popularity to find the ones that interest you the most. Although physical book giveaways are the most popular and have a limited number of copies, making them harder to win, the thrill of potentially getting your hands on a new book is worth it.
Typically, these giveaways feature newly released books or editions, but occasionally, you might come across a book that doesn’t seem to fit this criteria. Despite the competition, it’s definitely possible to win. In fact, I have personally won 69 books over the past two years through these giveaways.
An additional fun bonus is that while these books aren’t marketed as Advance Reader Copies (ARCs), many of the hardback books I’ve won have turned out to be ARCs. This adds an extra layer of excitement to the experience!
2. Book of the Month
Book of the Month is an excellent way to get your hands on affordable, newly released novels—and they always send hardcovers! It’s a monthly book box subscription featuring a variety of new bestsellers. Plus, you can get your first book for just $5!
Here’s how it works: After your first book, you’ll receive book credits each month for as low as $13.99 shipped, depending on your plan. These credits let you select any one book to be shipped directly to you. If there’s nothing that interests you in a given month, skipping is easy and unlimited.
Book of the Month also offers the option to add additional newly released books to your order. While these add-ons start at their regular price, after you’ve shipped three boxes, the prices drop and can be as low as $9.99 for a newly released, best-selling hardback book. I always recommend waiting to stock up on additional books to take advantage of these discounted prices.
After a year with Book of the Month, you’ll receive a tote bag, a free credit during your birthday month, and a free book from their Top Five Book of the Year selection. They also have a fantastic referral program where you can earn free books.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity—try it out today and get your first book for just $5!
3. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Another fantastic way to get free physical books is through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This incredible program, founded by Dolly Parton herself, provides free books to children from birth to age five, regardless of family income. Each month, enrolled children receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book delivered right to their doorstep at no cost to their families.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library aims to foster a love of reading from an early age and improve early childhood literacy. Since its inception in 1995, the program has expanded globally, distributing millions of books to children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
The only downside is that not every area is eligible for the program. Mine isn’t. To enroll your child in the Imagination Library, simply visit their website and check if the program is available in your area. If it is, you can sign up online and start receiving free books each month. It’s a wonderful way to build your child’s home library and nurture a lifelong passion for reading.
4. Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries offer a delightful way to discover new physical books while trading in books you no longer want. These small, community-driven book exchanges are found in neighborhoods across the globe, providing a convenient and engaging way to share and find books for free.
Here’s how it works: simply locate a Little Free Library near you—there’s often a charming, weatherproof box filled with books in various genres. You can take a book that catches your interest and, in return, leave a book that you no longer need. It’s a wonderful system based on trust and the love of reading, ensuring that books continue to circulate and reach new readers.
The concept is simple yet powerful: “Take a book, leave a book.” It’s a perfect solution for those looking to declutter their shelves and find new reading material without spending any money. Plus, it fosters a sense of community and encourages reading among neighbors. It’s not a super strict system either. Sometimes, when I don’t have a book to give right then I just take. Other times when I’m offloading a bunch of books I put in a bunch at a time. The only really bad thing is if you’re regularly taking multiple high-value books without leaving anything in return. That’s not in the spirit of the Little Free Libraries.
To find a Little Free Library near you, visit their official website and use the interactive map, or simply keep an eye out while walking around your neighborhood. It’s a fun and rewarding way to keep your reading experience fresh and diverse!
5. ThriftBooks Rewards Programs
ThriftBooks offers a fantastic way to get cheap or even free books through their extensive online selection and rewarding points system. As one of the largest online used book retailers, ThriftBooks provides a wide variety of books at significantly discounted prices, making it easy to find your next great read without breaking the bank.
Their rewards program, ThriftBooks Rewards, enhances your shopping experience by allowing you to earn points with every purchase. For every $1 you spend, you earn 1 point. Once you’ve accumulated 500 points, you receive a $5 reward that can be applied to future purchases. It’s a straightforward and effective way to save money on books you love.
In addition to earning points, ThriftBooks often runs promotions and special deals, further reducing the cost of their already affordable books. The site is user-friendly, with search filters that help you quickly find exactly what you’re looking for, from bestsellers to hidden gems.
To get the most out of ThriftBooks and its rewards system, sign up for a free account, start shopping, and watch your points add up. Before long, you’ll be able to use your rewards to get books for even less—or for free!
In addition, they have a great referral program. When you use someone’s referral link and purchase $30 dollars worth of books, you and the person who referred you both get a FREE book.
6. TLC Book Tours
TLC Book Tours is a wonderful platform that can help you acquire physical books, particularly if you’re an avid reader or book blogger interested in receiving Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) for review. TLC Book Tours partners with publishers and authors to organize virtual book tours, which often include sending out physical copies of books to reviewers.
Here’s how it works: When you sign up with TLC Book Tours, you’ll have the opportunity to apply to participate in virtual book tours. If selected, you’ll receive a physical copy of the book to read and review. This not only gives you the chance to read new and exciting titles before they’re released to the general public, but also allows you to share your thoughts and reviews with a wider audience, enhancing your presence in the book community.
TLC Book Tours features a wide range of genres, so there’s something for everyone. By participating in these tours, you can build your personal library with physical copies of books, often including ARCs, that you might not have access to otherwise.
Additionally, being part of TLC Book Tours connects you with a community of like-minded readers and reviewers, providing opportunities for networking and discovering even more great books. If you’re passionate about reading and reviewing, TLC Book Tours is an excellent resource for acquiring physical books and engaging with the literary world.
7. Public Libraries
I’m not just talking about borrowing library books and returning them, if you take advantage of everything your public library has to offer you’ll probably come home with a few free books too. Public libraries are invaluable resources for acquiring free or cheap physical books. Here are several ways they can help:
- Book Sales: Many public libraries hold regular book sales where they sell gently used books at extremely low prices. These sales often include a wide variety of genres and can be a treasure trove for book lovers looking to build their personal libraries inexpensively.
- Library Programs and Events: Libraries frequently host author talks, book signings, and other literary events where free copies of books are sometimes distributed. These events can also be a great opportunity to meet authors and fellow book enthusiasts.
- Community Programs: Public libraries often collaborate with community programs to provide free books to children and adults, especially in underserved areas. These initiatives are part of efforts to promote literacy and a love of reading.
- Reading Challenges and Programs: Libraries often host summer reading challenges where books are given away as part of the completion award. Books may also be given away as raffle prizes. Ask you library what kinds of reading programs and challenges they participate in.
Public libraries are an excellent resource for anyone looking to read more while spending less. By taking advantage of these services and programs, you can enjoy a steady supply of physical books without the cost.
8. Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is a fantastic way for young readers to acquire free physical books while fostering a love for reading. Aimed primarily at children in grades 1 through 6, this program encourages kids to read during the summer months and rewards them with a free book upon completion.
To participate, children must read eight books of their choice over the summer. Barnes & Noble provides a reading log where kids can record the titles and authors of the books they’ve read, as well as write a brief summary or favorite part of each book. Once the reading log is complete, children can bring it to a local Barnes & Noble store. They then get to choose a free book from a pre-selected list of titles appropriate for their age group. The selection of free books includes a variety of popular and engaging titles, ensuring that there’s something for every young reader. This provides an excellent opportunity for children to discover new authors and series.
9. Half Price Books and Their Summer Reading Programs
Half-Price Books is already a great place to go to get bargains on books if you’re lucky enough to have one near you. You can receive free books when you participate in Half Price Books’ summer reading programs. The program, known as “Feed Your Brain,” is designed to encourage children to read during the summer months. Here’s how it works:
- Reading Log: Children are encouraged to read for at least 15 minutes per day throughout June and July. To track their progress, they fill out a reading log provided by Half Price Books, recording the number of minutes they read each day.
- Reaching the Goal: Once a child reads a total of 300 minutes, they can submit their completed reading log to a local Half Price Books store.
- Earning Rewards: Upon submitting the reading log, participants can earn “Bookworm Bucks,” which are vouchers that can be used to purchase books at Half Price Books stores. Essentially, these Bookworm Bucks allow children to get free books as a reward for their reading efforts.
- Bonus Incentives: Sometimes, Half Price Books offers additional incentives and activities during the summer reading program, such as special events or extra rewards for exceeding reading goals.
The Half Price Books summer reading program is a great way to motivate children to read by rewarding them with free books. It promotes literacy and helps kids develop a love for reading, all while building their personal libraries at no cost.
10. BuyNothing Groups and Local Classifieds
People give away or sell books for cheap all the time, you just have to keep an eye out for them. Buy Nothing Groups, local classifieds, and Facebook Marketplace are all places where you might just find a great deal on some books! The main downside is you have to be pretty diligent to snag the best deals because the really in-demand books get snatched up quickly.
11. Thrift Stores and Second-Hand Book Shops
Another great option for cheap books is thrift stores and dedicated second-hand book shops. These places have a constant book turnover, so there’s always something new each time you visit. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can even get great deals on collector’s items and signed books. One thing I like about going to a dedicated second-hand book shop over a thrift store is that the attendant is almost always happy to help you find what you’re looking for, recommend new great reads, and talk about books in general.
Do you have any other tips or tricks for getting free or cheap physical books? Share with us in the comments below.
Happy reading!
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for our daily FREE and steeply discounted ebook deals to grow your digital library without ever having to pay a dime!
Some Habitat for Humanity re-stores have a used book section. Most times it’s a bookcase or rarely 2 which has a wide variety of everything. I found some real gems by going deep into the shelves.