Hit the Books

Online Troves Await Digital Bookworms

There are few better ways to escape the heat and humidity than with a classic summer read. Finding your next great adventure has never been easier with the vast digital libraries available on the internet. Whether you’re looking to relax with your favorite e-reader or find an audiobook for a long road trip, you can start reading and listening today.

Project Gutenberg

Since 1971, a veritable army of volunteer book nerds has been expanding and maintaining this digital archive of classic reads as they enter the public domain. Today, the Project Gutenberg library includes over 75,000 free e-books that you can download and read in a web browser or on most mobile devices. While you won’t find the latest bestsellers on Project Gutenberg, it is an excellent place to return to classics like “Pride and Prejudice” or “Moby Dick” without paying a cent.

Libby & Hoopla

Your library card is already a passport to free reads, but did you know it may also hold the key to a treasure trove of digital books and audiobooks? Apps like Libby and Hoopla let you borrow books and audiobooks from participating libraries around the world simply by linking your card to an account. Check out popular reads on your phone, tablet, or browser, but don’t take too long. Just like with your local library, you can only borrow them for a limited time.

Librivox

If you prefer to sit back and let someone read to you, or if you just don’t have the time to sit down with a book, LibriVox is your friend. You can find audiobooks in various languages, recorded by volunteers worldwide. Much like Project Gutenberg, all LibriVox audiobooks are in the public domain. Audio quality and reading styles can vary widely from one title to the next, but if you’re looking for a free repository of classic audiobooks read by real people, LibriVox has you covered.

Whether you want to dig into a timeless classic, settle in with the latest thriller, or listen to a new favorite while tidying up, there have never been more ways to find free books online. Happy reading!