Free Books!
Many of you may be wondering why I started a book review blog. Well... the answer is free books! I've compiled a list of sites I use for freebies and explained how you can get them too.
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Format: ebook/Kindle, audiobook
User types: librarians, booksellers, educators, media, reviewers
App for Phone: Yes
Send to Kindle: Yes
Request Format: user requests a book, publisher grants or denies the request (some titles are instant downloads)
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Netgalley has a wide range of both user groups and titles. Anyone with a blog could sign up as a reviewer and request titles. Some titles, usually self-published, are instant downloads. Big-name authors or publishers usually need to be requested. As a librarian, I have auto-approval status for several publishers which makes requesting books easier.
Format: ebook/Kindle, audiobook
User types: librarians, booksellers, publishers and book professionals, reviewers, readers
App for Phone: No
Send to Kindle: Yes
Request Format: user requests a book, publisher grants or denies the request
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Edelweiss sometimes has titles Netgalley does not. I have heard their approval process is more stringent than Netgalley, so if a title is available on both services it's ususally easier to get from Netgalley.
Format: audiobook
User types: librarians, educators, reviewers/press, influencers
App for Phone: Yes
Request Format: A monthly list of titles is emailed to you and you have until the end of the month to add them to your cart and "purchase" them. A coupon code is automatically applied so that all the books are free. You can listen to them at any time.
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Format: audiobook
User types: librarians, educators
App for Phone: Yes
Request format: Titles are periodically added to the "Books for Review" section. Any of these titles can be downloaded for free. You own them as long as the app is on your phone.
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Note: After downloading the app and creating an account, you must fill out the form here to receive the free book section.
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Because this app only covers Penguin Random House titles, selection is more limited. Many of these titles are not available on Netgalley, so it's still a great app to use.
Format: Kindle
User types: Prime subscribers
App for Phone: Yes
Send to Kindle: Yes
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Amazon First Reads gives Prime members a list of a few titles every month to choose from. One book from the list can be purchased for free.
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Prime Reading is a list of over 1,000 titles that can be checked out indefinitely for free. Any Prime member can check out these items and they remain on your Kindle until the title is removed from Prime Reading.
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If you don't need products in a hurry, you can sometimes select the slowest shipping speed for a digital credit. These credits can be used to purchase Kindle books, so I typically snag a sale title or two for free.
Format: print, Kindle
User types: any
App for Phone: Yes
Send to Kindle: Yes
Request format: Giveaways. Statistically, you are not very likely to win.
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Winning these titles is a long shot, so if you're looking for more books use another option.