7 Ways to Get Free Books for Your Summer Reading

School’s out and that means you can say goodbye to textbooks and hello to books that you actually want to read! With new hardcover prices soaring to over $25, it’s an expensive time to be a bookworm — but fear not! We’ve put together some fantastic tips for how you can access free books from your favorite authors and genres. 

Libraries

Libraries are a treasure trove of literary wonders, and they offer a wide range of books across different genres. Simply sign up for a library card, and you'll have access to a plethora of reading material to keep you entertained all summer long. 

While you're there, check out your library’s event calendar for any upcoming book sales. These sales help raise funds for the libraries and offer books at incredible prices (sometimes just a few dollars each). 

Pro tip: sign up for the Libby app and you’ll get access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks. You check out and borrow these editions similarly to the in-person library experience. 

Review Sites 

Sign up for an account on platforms like Amazon Vine, Edelweiss, or Netgalley, and you'll be able to request access to Advance Reader Copies (ARCs). Some will require the publishers to approve you, but if accepted you’ll be one of the first to read new titles coming out from the biggest book publishers.

Goodreads is the most popular social media platform made specifically for books. Sign up for an account and you’ll be able to track the books you’ve read, read and write reviews, and enter giveaways. 

Ebook promotions

Keep an eye out for free and low-priced eBook promotions on retailers like Kindle, Nook, and Apple Books. Many authors and publishers run limited-time promotions where they offer their books for free or at discounted prices. Make sure you’re subscribed to emails from your ereader retailer and sign up for newsletters like Bookbub that compile all the best deals of the day. 

Little Free Libraries 

You may have seen these cute, tiny boxes in front of homes and neighborhoods before, but you may not know that they’re a part of a whole network with thousands of little free libraries. Use their website to find little free libraries near you - they’re a great place to pick up free books or drop off a few of your own. 

Used Bookstores 

If you have a pile of books that you’ve already read and are ready to part with, many used bookstores will offer you trade-in value that you can then use towards other books in the store. On top of saving you money, shopping at used bookstores is an environmentally-friendly choice.

Project Gutenberg

This volunteer project began in 1971 as an effort to make ebooks widely available. You’ll be able to download and read any books for which the U.S. copyright has expired. Project Gutenberg offers a great way to read any of the Classics that you’ve always meant to get around to, like The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, or Dracula. 

Social Media

If you're on social media, follow your favorite authors, book publishers, and book reviewers on Instagram, Facebook, or Tiktok. They'll often host giveaways on these platforms to help drum up excitement for their upcoming books. 

Pro tip: If you’re not sure how to find accounts to follow, enter your favorite book as a hashtag and see which users posted about and liked that book, genre, or author. Usually the author and publisher will be tagged in any reviews shared by influencers and you can tell what types of books a reviewer likes by scrolling through their feed. 

Conclusion

With these tips, you'll have an abundant supply of free books to keep you company on sunny afternoons while on summer vacation. So go ahead, get lost in the pages, and let the adventure begin. Happy reading! 

No matter how you spend your summer break, if you need help covering any expenses now or when the semester starts, check out Kora - the money app for college. With KoraCash, you can borrow up to $3,000 and choose repayment terms that work for you, all while building your credit history. 

Kora has got your back!

KoraCash is an excellent option for a personal loan for students. KoraCash is a great solution for students who need a little extra help covering their expenses. Life comes at you fast, and Kora is here help you with transparent and flexible financing. Here's how it works:

• Download our app
• Apply (you must be over 18, a current/recent college student, live in an eligible state, and have an SSN)
• Get up to $3,000 
• Make flexible payments when you want 

One of the best parts of KoraCash is that it may help build credit history as you repay the loan. You contribute to growing good credit history without a credit card while getting access to needed funds. It's the best of both worlds! 

Learn more about Kora and get started on your money app journey with a company built for college students.