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The Best Places To Get Free Books UK

If you’ve found this article you’re probably wondering where you can get free books, let’s face it books aren’t cheap and reading books also comes with the addiction of buying books. I don’t know any book worms that don’t have a to be read pile bigger than the amount of books they’ve already read through.

If you’re thinking, can you get free books? Yes you can and there’s several ways in which you can do this. They aren’t all easy or straight forward though so you might have to put in a little effort along the way but in some cases that can be a lot of fun and can help you get even more free books in the long run.

How To Get Free Books

There are various ways you can get free books and I’m going to try and cover them all. I’ll start with the easiest options and then work my way towards some of the more harder ways in which you can get free books. So if you’re looking for how to get free books, you’ve come to the right place!

How To Get Free Books From NetGalley

NetGalley is one of the best places to get free books online. They have books from all genres which are made up of audio books and kindle books. NetGalley do not send out physical copies of the books however, all free books from NetGalley are available in the NetGalley app and some can be downloaded to your kindle device.

If you’re getting a free book from NetGalley I would suggest trying to save as many as possible to your Kindle device as they do expire on the NetGalley app. If you need to know more about NetGalley take a look at the helpful post below.

How To Get Free Books From Publishers

There are various ways in which you can get free books from publishers, however, you’ll need some sort of internet presence. If you’re looking to try and get free books from publishers a good place to start would be to make your own Booktok or Bookstagram account so that you have a following and can show publishers that you have a voice and can influence people to buy books.

Take a look at these ways you can get free books from publishers;

  • Sign up for book review programs: Many publishers offer book review programs where they offer free copies of their books in exchange for reviews. You can search for such programs on the publisher’s website or check out websites like NetGalley and Edelweiss+ that connects readers with publishers.
  • Participate in book giveaways: Publishers often run book giveaways on social media or their websites. You can keep an eye out for these giveaways and enter to win free books.
  • Attend book fairs and conferences: Publishers often give away free copies of their books at book fairs and conferences. You can find out about upcoming book fairs and conferences in your area and attend them to get free books.
  • Contact publishers directly: You can also contact publishers directly and ask if they offer any free books or ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies). Many publishers are happy to send out free books to readers who are interested in their books.

You can also join up to several websites that can help you get free books from publishers or discounted books from publishers, take a look and sign up to some. One thing I will say about online platforms that offer free books, they don’t have a huge LGBTQ+ collection at the moment but it is improving.

Here are some websites where you can find free books from UK publishers:

  • NetGalley: NetGalley is a website where publishers can share digital copies of their books with readers in exchange for reviews. You can sign up for free and start requesting books to read.
  • Edelweiss+: Edelweiss+ is another website where publishers can share digital copies of their books with readers in exchange for reviews. You can sign up for free and start requesting books to read.
  • BookBub: BookBub is a website that sends out daily emails with free and discounted book deals. You can sign up for free and start receiving emails with book deals.
  • Freebooksy: Freebooksy is another website that sends out daily emails with free and discounted book deals. You can sign up for free and start receiving emails with book deals.
  • OpenLibrary: OpenLibrary is a website that offers free access to over 1 million books. You can browse the website by genre, author, or title to find free books to read.

Where Can I Get Free Books By Mail

There are various websites where you can get free books by the mail in the UK. These websites are niche though so it all depends on what you’re looking for. For example, if you have a child at home who loves to read then you’ll have a few places to get them free books. However, if you’re looking for something a little more niche like LGBTQ+ books, you might be out of luck.

Take a look at the websites below where you can get free books by the mail;

  • BookTrust: BookTrust is a charity that promotes reading for children and young people. They offer a free Bookstart pack to every child in England and Wales before they are 12 months old. The pack includes two books, a bookmark, and a story CD. You can request a Bookstart pack online or by calling 0800 389 0330.
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that sends free books to children from birth to age five. The books are age-appropriate and are chosen by a librarian. You can register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library online.
  • Freecycle: Freecycle is a website where people can give away unwanted items for free. You can search for free books on the website and request them to be sent to you by mail. You can find the Freecycle UK website here: https://www.freecycle.org.uk/
  • Goodreads: Goodreads is a social networking website for book lovers. You can join groups on Goodreads that are dedicated to free books. These groups often have giveaways and contests where you can win free books. You can find the Goodreads UK website here: https://www.goodreads.com/
  • LibraryThing: LibraryThing is a website where you can catalog your books. You can also join groups on LibraryThing that are dedicated to free books. These groups often have giveaways and contests where you can win free books. You can find the LibraryThing UK website here: https://www.librarything.com/

In addition to these websites, you can also check with your local library to see if they offer any free book programs. Many libraries have a lending program where you can borrow books for free. You can also ask your librarian if they know of any other resources where you can get free books.

How To Get Free Books UK

There are various ways in which you can get free books in the UK. A lot of them are online but there are some personal favourites of mine that many won’t have heard of. I love free libraries where you can get books, you can leave a donation if you can afford it, you can even take a book to leave behind and pick up a new one which helps someone else get a book to read. I love donating LGBTQ+ books at free libraries because you never know who’s life it might change.

Take a look at how to get free books UK below;

  • Check your local library: Libraries often have a collection of free books that you can borrow. You can also request that the library purchase a book for you if they don’t already have it in their collection.
  • Sign up for book review programs: Many publishers offer book review programs where they offer free copies of their books in exchange for reviews. You can search for such programs on the publisher’s website or check out websites like NetGalley and Edelweiss+ that connect readers with publishers.
  • Participate in book giveaways: Publishers often run book giveaways on social media or their websites. You can keep an eye out for these giveaways and enter to win free books.
  • Attend book fairs and conferences: Publishers often give away free copies of their books at book fairs and conferences. You can find out about upcoming book fairs and conferences in your area and attend them to get free books.
  • Contact publishers directly: You can also contact publishers directly and ask if they offer any free books or ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies). Many publishers are happy to send out free books to readers who are interested in their books.
  • Check online resources: There are a number of websites that offer free books, either as digital downloads or physical copies. Some of these websites include:
    • Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg is a non-profit organization that offers a free digital library of over 60,000 books.
    • OpenLibrary: OpenLibrary is a website that offers free access to over 1 million books.
    • Internet Archive: The Internet Archive is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.
  • Freecycle: Freecycle is a website where people can give away unwanted items for free. You can search for free books on the website and request them to be picked up from the donor.
  • Freegle: Freegle is another website similar to Freecycle where you can find free books.
  • Bookmooch: Bookmooch is a website where you can borrow and lend books for free.
  • Bookcrossing: Bookcrossing is a social community where people leave books in public places for other people to find and read.
  • Amazon Free Books: Amazon also occasionally offers free books to its customers. You can check their website or app to see if they are currently offering any free books.

If there are any ways in which you can get free books in the UK that I’ve left out, let me know and I’ll have to check it out and see how well it works.

How To Get Free Books From Social Media

If you’re looking to get free books from social media then you’ll need a large following. Publishers, authors and book stores are happy to send out books to accounts that they think can drive traffic to their store or encourage people to buy their books. Building an online profile can be hard work but very rewarding.

I would suggest starting with a bookstagram account, they’re easier to set up and make content for. You can start with a booktok account although it can take a look of work to make videos all the time, although you can gain followers faster on TikTok so it all depends on which platform you like the most.

Take a look at these LGBTQ+ bookstagram accounts for inspiration and make your own account today, do your own thing and have fun along the way!

Don’t forget, if you’re looking to get free books from Bookstagram then you’ll need to make sure you have your messages open so people can message you and put your email in your bio so that authors or publishers can email you directly with more information. Pro tip; never take more books than you can handle. I’m a slow reader so I pace myself and find myself turning down books that I’ve been offered.

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