Unlock the Secret: How to Read Free English Books

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How to Read Free Books Online: The Mighty Clever Way to Read Anything

The days of going into the bookstore are slowly dying. That’s sad, but true. However, people like you and I still enjoy reading. There are many places to read online. I will not go in-depth on that in this post, but I will make a separate post on different sites you can use to read online. I will tell you two that I like below.

You’re studying English, but are the books you are read interesting? Sometimes things become stale. Often times teachers and schools suggest books for you to read, but they’re not for adults. Of course you can read them, but you want to read a book that was written for adults. I can relate.

I have studied many languages. One thing I always find difficult is finding books in French, Spanish, or Turkish that are in my level and that I find interesting. You’re lucky that you have a fantastic teacher like me to find all of this information for you. Here’s how you can get get access to books in the U.S.

Join a library!

Not the answer you were expecting, right?

Libraries have novels for free. They have audiobooks for free. Libraries in the U.S. are free to use for their patrons. They offer more than just free books, too. All libraries now allow you access to thousands of books, ebooks, audiobooks, e-audiobooks, e-magazines (e-zine), music, film/movies, magazines, and newspapers (New York Times, LA Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal).

You can also check-out kindles, laptops, use the computers, and print, etc. if you are physically present at the library. When you join the library and get your library card, you can then download the most magical apps. I’ll tell you how below.

I suggested one of these reading apps to a friend who is originally from China a few years ago. She was practically in tears when she learned about them. They’re that good! You don’t have to read downloaded books, or secondhand copies of PDFs: you can read the entire book online for free with these apps.

They’re the best reading apps. Why? First, because they are free. Two, because they have audiobooks, graphic novels, and novels. Three, because you can read literally any book that your library offers! This is a win-win! Frankly, there aren’t other reading apps better than these.

Also, I think it’s important to note that libraries now offer free learning! I do not mean the free or low-cost classes and they offer at their physical sites, but classes on Lynda.com, Rosetta Stone, Mango Languages, LinkedIn Learning, to name just a few.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?

It’s actually very easy to join a library. Normally you must live within the U.S., the state, and county where the library operates, but not all libraries do this.

You don’t have to live in the U.S. to use a library in the U.S.

Coach Ashley Rhone

Yes! You read that correctly. You can get a library card to read any and all of the ebooks, audiobooks, children’s books, young adult fiction, non-fiction, music, movies, magazines, etc. that you want! Read books online for free with the best reading apps!

You know the best part of this? You can read thousands of books, watch tons of interesting films, and listen to any kind of music! Super cool, right?

How Much Does It Cost?

Great question. Actually, some are free! Not all are free, however. You must do read the website to discover how much it will cost. These fees are typically annual (meaning once a year). Others may charge you every quarter, every three months, or every 6 months. Please do your research! If you do not, you only have yourself to blame.

Why Do I Have to Pay?

Don’t be cheap. Nothing is truly free, my friend. Public libraries in the U.S. are non-governmental or non-profits and they are supported by donations and American tax-payer dollars. That means that you are supporting the library for the community like others who live in that community. In other words, you support children being able to read books for free, teachers being able to provide books for free for the students, and actually a many other things not related to books or reading. Relax. The money is for a good cause and you get something more spectacular. I promise.

Where Can I Get My Books and Cards

Do your research on which library from this small list you would like to get a card from. Not all libraries are the same. Why? Because their patrons (the people that use the library) are not the same as other patrons in different cities or states. This means that the library collections are different: some small, some huge. Choose wisely.

How to choose wisely:

• review the cost of the membership. Some are free, others aren’t
• look at the length of the membership. One month? Annual (1-year)? 3-months or 6-months?
• no physical presence to get card. This means that you never have to enter the physical location of the library to obtain the library card. This is important! You need the virtual card option to get instance access
• the card is available to people who live outside of the U.S. I’ll make a list for those that live in the U.S. or are visiting, but want a card.
• do you own property in a city in the U.S.? Then you’re eligible for a library card in that county!
• what are your needs? Do you just want to read books, listen to audio, or want a specific collection of books?

Like I mentioned earlier, you can download apps that are linked with the library. The libraries typically use Overdrive®. The two apps you will use to read your books, magazines, newspapers, and listen to your audiobooks are Libby and Hoopla—both free. You can use Libby on your computer now, though.

Here’s a list of libraries in the U.S. as of September 28, 2023.

Options if you are in the U.S.:

1. Charlotte, North Carolina—Mecklenburg County
   Cost: $35-$45
   Type: e-card
   Renewal: Yearly
   Eligibility: You must live in U.S., U.S. Territories, or own property in this county.
   
2. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
   Cost: $65
   Type: e-card
   Renewal: Yearly
   Eligibility: You must live in U.S., U.S. Territories, or own property in this county.
   
3. *New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA)
   Cost: $50
   Type: e-card
   Renewal: Yearly
   Eligibility: You must live in U.S., U.S. Territories, or own property in this county.
   Check the eligibility. You must email them for access.
   
4. Fairfax County Virginia (Washington D.C.)
   Cost: $27
   Type: e-card
   Renew: Yearly
   Eligibility: You must live in U.S., U.S. Territories, or own property in this county.
   
5. *Broward Country (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
   Cost: $50
   Type: e-card
   Renew: Yearly
   Eligibility: born in the Broward County, live, work, study, own property, or be a visitor.

Live outside of the U.S.?

1. Orange Country, FL (Orlando)
   Cost: $75 (6 months) or $125 (12 months)
   Type: e-card
   Renewal: Yearly
   Eligibility: available to anyone anywhere in the world
   
2. Queens, NYC, NY (*This is not part of the famous NYCPL system)
   Cost: $50
   Type: e-card
   Renew: Yearly
   Eligibility: available to anyone anywhere in the world
   
3. Monroe County (Rochester, NY)
   Cost: $25
   Type: e-card
   Renew: Yearly
   Eligibility: available to anyone anywhere in the world

Et voilà! There you have it. Which of the 8 libraries are you signing up for?

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Summary

Join a library and get a library card to gain access to thousands of books. If you live and work in the U.S., are visiting, own property in the U.S., were born in the U.S. (Broward County, FL., or are a student in the U.S., you can gain access to a massive amount of books. Besides books, you can also listen to audiobooks in English (and some other languages), read magazines and newspapers, take free classes in English, listen to free much in English, and more! To check-out the books, you will need to download the Libby and/ or Hoopla apps on your mobile devices. I’m considering starting a book club? Will you be there?

There are so many options to read. Unsure what to read? Click below on your preferred Proficiency level in English. If you don’t now your level, take my English test to start, then choose books below based on your English level.