20 Places to Read Books Online for Free
Library of Congress
Good for: Classics
If you’re looking for timeless books, the Library of Congress has you covered. With more than 60 classic books available on an easy-to-use interface, this is the perfect website if you have a specific title in mind. This archive includes some of the best children’s books ever written, such as Anne of Green Gables and Peter Rabbit.
Pros:
- Well-organized and a decent collection of digital books
- Books are digitized, so you get to see the actual book and cover, along with any markings on the pages from before they were scanned
Cons:
- Some readers find that the digitized format isn’t as user-friendly as a text scroll or tap-to-turn feature
- Limited selection
Wattpad
Good for: Discovering new writers
Wattpad is an e-reading website that connects a community of 80 million readers and writers. Original books are uploaded directly to the platform for users to read. You have to create an account to read the books, but once you find a free book you want to read, click on the cover, then click the “Read” button to get started.
Pros:
- Readers get to vote on stories and see how many others have read them
- Stories on Wattpad may later get publishing or film deals—and if you read them on Wattpad, you “discovered” them first
- It’s a great source of fantasy romance books, including books about werewolves and vampires
Cons:
- Some books are not available for free but require payment
- Not all books will be complete at the time you start them
- The quality of the stories varies
International Children’s Digital Library
Good for: Children’s books in various languages
The International Children’s Digital Library hopes to “support the world’s children in becoming effective members of the global community—who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas.” The team does this by working to make the best in children’s literature available online for free. With a variety of books in languages other than English, the site is a global resource.
Pros:
- Whether you like to read aloud to children or give them reading to do for themselves, this is a great tool
- There are children’s books available in more than 70 different languages
Cons:
- The website is not very user-friendly
- Searching for a specific book is difficult
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