Do you love reading printed books? Are you looking for activity books for your kids?
You’d probably get excited when we tell you that you can get free books by mail. (Yes, the printed ones you can smell.)
Aside from our personal experience of getting free book copies, we've also checked official and nonofficial sources, read forums, and scoured social media posts to get suggestions on where to get free books delivered by mail to your home.
You can score great books for yourself or your kids. The average price for books ranges from $13.95 to $17.95. However, if you know where to get free printed books, you can save almost $18 for every piece.
You can also avoid spending money on books that you would otherwise pay for anyway, so don’t skip reading!
You can have free books even from the most unexpected places. Check out this list to fuel your passion for reading at no cost.
1. Goodreads: For Giveaways
Goodreads includes a community of readers that gives recommendations, so people can discover books they love. It also helps writers promote their works through the Goodreads Giveaways.
You can get paperbacks and e-books through this giveaway. Goodreads allows you to request many books and not just one.
But you need to be 13 years old and above to be a member of Goodreads and be qualified for this program.
Here’s how you can sign up on Goodreads.
- Go to Goodreads’ website, then click “Sign up with email.”
- On the next page, type your name, email, and password, then tap “Create account.”
- Goodreads will send a one-time passcode that you need to enter on the next page.
- You'll be asked to rate the books you’ve read and select genres you like to explore.
So how can you join the Goodreads giveaway?
- Visit Goodreads’ website. Under the “Browse” tab, click “Giveaways.”
- Select “Filter” to choose your preferred genre.
- You can see from each result the raffle duration, number of entries, and available location.
- Once you’ve chosen the book you want, tap “Enter Giveaway.”
- Enter your street address, city, state, postal code, and country on the next page.
- Confirm your entry to the giveaway.
There's no need to pay for membership or shipping fees since the author is responsible for shipping the book. When the giveaway ends, check your email regularly to know if you’re the lucky winner.
2. Bibles for America: For Religious Books
It's a non-profit organization that gives away free copies of the Bible and Christian books throughout the US. Bibles for America gives religious books to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Since the volunteers only depend on donations, they only give one Bible per person. They also don’t allow ordering from another person. Hence, you can only order for yourself.
If you want to request a book for your kid, you may email [email protected]. But if you need to contact the organization immediately, you may call the volunteers at 888-551-0102.
You can check out the following steps to get a free Bible.
- Go to Bibles for America’s website
- Click “Order for Free.”
- On the next page, type your first name, last name, shipping address, email, and cellphone number.
- Tap “Order My Bible,” then wait for the confirmation code to be sent on your cell phone.
You can expect updates on your email upon confirmation.
You can get a Bible, provided that you have a US shipping address and a US cell phone number. But US military officers outside the country are eligible for this giveaway if they can provide an Army Post Office address.
There’s no need to pay any membership fee. Also, the volunteers ship out the Bibles for free, so you don’t need to pay for anything.
The organization also offers free e-books that you can read on a tablet or desktop. Simply go to the website, select “Books” from the menu, then choose from the results.
3. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: For Kids
No other than Dolly Parton initiated Imagination Library in 1995. She was inspired due to her father’s inability to read and write. To help develop children’s reading ability, Dolly started giving free books for kids to families residing in Tennessee.
Now, the program is available in five countries—US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Republic of Ireland.
Every month, newborn infants up to 5 years old receive high-quality children’s books from the library. But first, they must be registered to be eligible for this program.
Here’s how your kid can start receiving free learning materials.
- Visit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library’s website.
- Select the United States under the “Choose Country” tab.
- Scroll down until you see “Check Availability” located in the right corner.
- On the next page, type your zip code and state. You’ll also be asked to choose your city and country.
- If the Imagination Library is available, click “Continue” to register.
Check out these steps to register your child.
- Step 1: On the registration page, scroll down to see “Agree to Terms of Service.” You need to click this button to proceed to the next steps.
- Step 2: Enter your street address and verify other details.
- Step 3: Provide the kid’s birth date, full name, and gender.
- Step 4: Type your and your spouse’s full name, email address, and phone number, then tap “Continue.”
After successful registration, you can check your email to access your login credentials. This way, you can be updated on your child’s application status.
You’ll receive an email from the Imagination Library whether your kid’s application was approved or not. You can expect the free books within 90 days after approval.
You don’t need to pay the shipping fee since the organization will shoulder it.
4. Barnes and Noble: For Students
Barnes and Noble's Summer Reading Program gives free books to children in grades 1 to 6.
Each kid is only eligible for one book, and they’ll be allowed to choose from Barnes and Noble’s list.
Here’s a sample list of books that Grades 1 and 2 can choose from:
- Pete the Cat: Super Pete
- I Want to Be a Doctor
- Pizza and Taco: Who’s the Best?
- Dinosaurs (National Geographic Readers)
- Lily to the Rescue
- Bad Kitty: Camp Daze
- Good Dog: Home Is Where the Heart Is
- Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Newest Princess
- Jorge el curioso: De basura a tesoro (Bilingual Reader)
Last 2021, the company required children to submit their journals from July 1 to August 31. We recommend checking the website in the same season so you can be updated regarding giveaways.
What’s the process involved in the Summer Reading Program?
- Your kid must read eight books during the summer and record them in the Journal. They must write which part of the book is their favorite and why.
- Instruct children to write their name, school, and grade. You must also provide your name, email, and signature.
- Submit the completed journal to any Barnes and Noble store within the designated period.
- Choose one free book from the company’s list for that year.
You don’t need to pay for shipping or any fees since you’ll pick up the book from the store. However, the stub says you can only redeem while supplies last. Also, the company doesn’t require you to sign up for any mailing list or readers’ group.
5. American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
If you have loved ones who are blind or who have a low vision, you can enroll them in the Braille Books Program.
Since 1997, the American Action Fund has been providing blind children with a free Braille book every month. It has helped more than 20,000 children in the US. What’s more, the free books come from a popular children’s reading series.
Some books you can get from the 2022 Braille Books Program:
- The Potts-Abilities Series, Morris Flip Sound Machine, by Liz Cooper
- I Survived Series, by Lauren Tarshis
- History Smashers, by Kate Messner
Every year, the organization offers new titles and series to further develop kids’ vocabulary and reading skills.
Here’s how you can enroll in the program.
- Go to American Action Fund’s website, then click “Programs” on the menu.
- On the next page, select the Braille Books Program.
- Scroll down until you see the “How to Enroll” page, then click “Braille Books Program online application.”
- You need to provide the parent or guardian’s full name, address, state, zip code, phone number, and email. The website will also require you to type the child’s full name, birth date, and gender.
- Click “Submit” after inputting the necessary information.
You can also download the form under the same section. After printing the document, you can submit it to 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.
If you want a quicker way to send your application, email it to [email protected].
6. Read Conmigo: For Bilingual Children
Infinity Insurance created Read Conmigo to help parents and teachers develop Hispanic children’s love for reading. Since 2010, it has provided over 1 million children’s books in English and Spanish.
Aside from distributing free books, Read Conmigo is a bilingual literacy program that allows parents and educators to access apps that focus on bilingual resources.
Depending on availability, the program sends books three times a year to each registered member. Thanks to the activity books, preschoolers up to 5th-grade students can hone their reading comprehension and vocabulary.
So how can you get free books for kids from Read Conmigo?
Visit Read Conmigo, then fill out the registration form.
On the next page, fill out the registration form.
However, Read Conmigo is currently upgrading its website. You can contact the non-profit organization on its Facebook page or Twitter account. Should you prefer to send an email, you can also send a message to [email protected].
7. FreeCycle: For Used Books
FreeCycle includes a community that gives away free stuff. The website’s objective includes reusing and keeping usable items out of landfills.
There's no membership fee required to join the website. Plus, you can get as many books as you want.
Some books you can score from the website:
- Teen’s books
- Children’s books
- Antique books
- Recipe books
- Yoga books
- Fishing books
- Jewelry-making books
- Home decorating books
You can also score college textbooks:
- Physics and Math
- Psychology
- Language
- History
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Law
We found some hardcopy books, which you can rarely get for free. There are also free activity books focused on crossword puzzles and writing exercises.
Here’s how you can get books from FreeCycle.
- Visit Freecycle’s website, then click “Sign Up.”
- Type your username, email, and password.
- Look for the profile icon, then select “My Towns” to join a group near you.
- Type books or any related keywords such as free activity books on the search bar.
- Reply to your preferred post and arrange for the shipping method.
Since you’re dealing with an individual and not an organization, you need to pay the shipping fee.
You can also get the items by visiting the “Find a Town” page.
8. BookCrossing: For Book Swap
BookCrossing works like a social networking site, but for readers. You can offer your old book, and you can also get a used book from another member.
Currently, BookCrossing has more than 1,900,000 book lovers willing to share their old novels.
Here’s how you can join the community.
- Visit BookCrossing’s website, then tap “Sign Up.”
- On the next page, type your username, email, and password.
- Check your email for a verification link, so you can edit your profile.
Below are the details needed to update your account.
- Full name
- Country
- State
- City
- Postal code
After that, you can already register your books on the website.
- Under the “Home” tab, select “Register Book.”
- On the next page, enter the title or ISBN of your book.
- Enter the book’s details, including your rating and comments.
- Take note of the unique BookCrossing ID number (BCID) to track your book.
You can now connect with other members and start sharing stories and novels.
9. NetGalley: For Bloggers
NetGalley’s members can access books and audiobooks on the app in exchange for reviews. The website helps authors promote their works to avid readers.
NetGalley usually prefers:
- Reviewer
- Blogger
- Librarian
- Bookseller
- Educator
- Journalist
- Member of the media
You can get pre-released digital copies of books from known publishers and associations, such as the American Booksellers Association (ABA), Association of American University Presses (AAUP), American Library Association (ALA), and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).
So how can you be a member of this community?
- Go to NetGalley’s website and scroll down until you see “Become a Member” to register for free.
- Type your username and password to proceed with the registration.
- You also need to provide your full name, email, company, role, birthday, and country.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation link on your email account. You need to click on the link to start using NetGalley.
But before you can request books, publishers need to know how you recommend books and your preferred genres.
- Once you’re logged in, click the profile icon to select which kinds of books interest you.
- NetGalley would also ask you to choose between audiobooks and book clubs.
- Provide an informative and brief bio for publishers and authors to read.
- You can also connect your Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook accounts for publishers to review your past book recommendations.
10. Fresh Fiction: For Book Reviewers
Fresh Fiction is a website for readers to be updated on bestseller lists, book reviews, contests, and giveaways. It also helps upcoming authors to advertise their works to their target audience.
Some paperbacks you can score from the website:
- Lady Scot by Jade Lee
- Walking the Edge by Sue Ward Drake
- Warm Nights in Magnolia Bay by Babette de Jongh
Aside from winning the novel, you can also get a $20 Amazon gift certificate that you can use to buy more books.
Here’s how to get started.
- Go to Fresh Fiction’s website, then choose “Showers Contests” from the menu.
- Scroll down on the next page to see “Enter Giveaway.”
- You’ll be redirected to another page where Fresh Fiction will provide further instructions.
Another way to have free printed books is by signing up for their Review Team.
You can check out the steps below to become a reviewer for Fresh Fiction.
- Go to Fresh Fiction’s website, then scroll down to the bottom until you see “Contact Editors.”
- On the next page, type your email address and name. You also need to provide a recent book review so the editors can assess your writing skills.
After that, you can wait for Fresh Fiction to send an email regarding your application. Once you become accepted, there’s no limit to how many books you can review. There’s also no need to pay for shipping or membership fees.
11. Environmental Protection Agency: For Environmental Books
The National Environmental Protection Agency sends free books delivered by mail. Indeed, these learning materials promote environmental awareness among kids and adults. Some books are even in Spanish for bilingual readers.
Some books you can get from the Agency:
- Drinking Water Security Report
- National Children’s Study: Health Growth Environment
- Working Together for a Healthy Environment: A Guide for Multicultural Community Groups
Here’s how you can read free books about the environment.
- Visit EPA’s National Service Center for Environmental Publications website.
- Scroll down until you see the “Search Publications” section.
- Type keywords, like environment or any related to your interest.
- Check the “Hardcopy Publications” only, then tap the “Search” button.
- Choose your preferred book from the results page.
- Provide your full name, street address, city, state, country, zip code, phone number, and email address on the next page.
- You can also type your company and apartment number, but those are optional.
- Click “Submit Order” after filling out the required fields.
- Take note of the confirmation number to track your order.
You can also call EPA at 1-800-490-9198 to leave an order. However, you can only speak to an operator from Monday to Thursday.
You can get as many books as you want from the EPA. There’s no need to pay shipping or membership fees to be eligible for this offer.
Should you have any concerns about your order, you can email [email protected].
12. Harlequin Reader Service: For Women
Who doesn’t want to order free books?
If you sign up for their service, Harlequin Reader Service sends two free books. There’s no need to pay the shipping fee since the company will shoulder it.
Harlequin caters to thousands of women, and here are some of the books you can score from this company:
- At the Crossroads by B.J. Daniels
- Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter
- Murder on Prescott Mountain by Lena Diaz
Of course, you can still register even though you’re not a woman, as long as you’re interested in the novels offered by this company.
So how can you get free books from Harlequin?
- Go to Harlequin Reader Service’s website, then click “Start Your Trial” in the upper right corner.
- On the next page, tap “Start Free Trial.”
- Provide your full name, date of birth, and email address on the registration page.
- Type your password on the next page.
- Select the monthly subscription since it offers a 7-day free trial.
- Fill out your billing details, including street address, city, state, zip code, and phone number.
- On the next page, confirm the details you provided and type payment details.
After that, you can already expect your delivery.
But to make sure you won’t be charged for the two books, you need to cancel your subscription before the trial period ends.
You can contact Harlequin’s customer service representative by calling 1-800-873-8635. This way, you can terminate your account yet enjoy the free paperback.
13. Amazon and Swagbucks: For Book Gift Cards
You can score free books delivered by mail from Amazon. But, you need to use Swagbucks first or any get-paid-to sites.
Once you’ve collected 100 points, equivalent to $1, you can already exchange those for Amazon gift certificates. You’ll need approximately $1000 to earn $10.
This way, you don’t need to pay a shipping fee. Also, both Amazon and Swagbucks don’t require membership fees, so you can use them at no cost.
After signing up on Swagbucks, you can earn by:
- Answering surveys
- Playing online games
- Installing free apps
- Watching videos
- Playing live trivia
You can check out the following steps to redeem your gift card.
- Go to settings, then tap “Redeem SB.”
- Choose from the reward options available.
- Select gift cards as a way of receiving your points.
- Click “Claim a Gift Card” on the next page.
- Swagbucks will ask for confirmation of your home and email address. It will also send an email for further verification.
Here’s how you can use an Amazon gift card to buy books.
- Click “Account & Lists,” located in the upper right corner.
- Choose “Gift Cards” from the options listed on the next page.
- Amazon will ask you to sign in again, so you need to type your password.
- Tap “Redeem a Gift Card,” then type the claim code.
- After that, you’ll see the Gift Card Balance as payment for your purchases.
14. Audible: For E-Books
Although Audible doesn’t deliver books by mail, you can still enjoy free audiobooks from this app. Currently, Audible has more than 600 free books. However, you need to pay at least $14.95 per month to use the app.
But, there’s a way to use the app without spending a dollar: take advantage of the free trial.
- Go to the Audible website, then click the “Try for $0.00” button.
- On the next page, you’ll be asked to sign in using your Amazon account.
- You also need to select a payment method from Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, prepaid debit cards, Amazon Store Card, and Amazon Secured Private Label Credit Card (PLCC).
- Audible will not charge you yet since this is a free trial version.
Take note that you need a new Audible account to be eligible for this offer.
Before your 30-day trial period ends, make sure to cancel your subscription so you won’t be charged for the following months.
Here’s how you can cancel your membership.
- Look for the drop-down menu, then tap “Account Details.”
- Click “Cancel Membership,” then choose from the list of reasons why you want to terminate your account.
- Tap “Cancel Membership.”
Some free audiobooks you can listen to:
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- A Joyful, Chaotic, Unpredictable, Inspiring Day in the Life of Ada Calhoun by Courtney Reimer
- More Than a Vote by Wesley Lowery
Aside from audiobooks, you can also listen to free podcasts and interview sessions at Audible.
15. Project Gutenberg: For E-Books
Project Gutenberg has over 60,000 free e-books. Yes, it doesn’t deliver by mail. Instead, it provides free epub and Kindle books, which you can read on your tablet or desktop. As long as you have one of these gadgets, you can take advantage of the website’s offers.
Project Gutenberg allows you to download these books since their copyrights have expired.
You don’t need to pay any registration or membership fee. Also, the website doesn’t require signing up before you can download the books.
Here’s how you can get free e-books from Project Gutenberg.
- Visit Project Gutenberg’s website, then search the title of the book you want to read. If you’re still unsure what to read, you can type the genre you’re interested in.
- Click your preferred book from the search results.
- Choose where you want to send the file—Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
Some classics you can find on the website:
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
If you’re interested in non-fiction works, check out these most-downloaded files from the website:
- Little Novels of Italy by Maurice Henry Hewlett
- The Best Short Stories of 1917 and the Yearbook of the American Short Story by Edward Joseph Harrington O'Brien
- Alice’s Adventures Under Ground by Lewis Carroll
16. Local library
You can check your local library for free books that they can mail to you. Some librarians ask the specific book you want, while others simply send according to your favorite genres.
You can also call the library near you so you can save a trip to the library.
Read Books for Free
You can save money while reading excellent books by joining various giveaways, providing feedback, answering surveys, searching the web, and requesting from your local library.
Most of the websites listed in this article don’t require a membership fee. This way, you can explore the site without worrying about monthly subscriptions.
Also, the organizations or companies often shoulder the shipping fee, so you don’t need to pay for anything. You’ll just wait for the books to arrive at your doorstep.
From kids to adults, anyone can have a free book if they know the right places to find one.
Have fun reading your new and absolutely free books!
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
