For most bibliophiles, there is no greater joy than opening a new book and turned the pages after emerging from a bookstore. However, a voracious reading habit can break the bank as your wallet struggles to keep up with the quantity of books you purchase. I am in high school, so I can't afford to purchase a book a day to read and review!  Luckily, I know a few ways to get books for free. All of the ways mentioned in this post are legal (authors deserve the credit and compensation for their work). Let me know in the comments if there are any ways I missed or if you like to use any of the methods I describe below!

I am not gonna lie.  It is a LOT easier to get free digital copies of books to read than it is to get physical copies.  However, it is possible, so here are a few methods I use to get a precious hardcover or paperback free of charge.
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I can almost guarantee you know what a library is, but I am listing it here anyways because people often forget how AMAZING libraries are!   Libraries often have the latest books in stock along with oldies-but-goldies.  You may not be able to keep the book, but having free access to read the newest releases?  I think that's a win.
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There is no guarantee of a free book, but Goodreads giveaways are always worth a try!   Winning may seem like a long shot, but I promise, it happens.   Just a few weeks ago, I won a copy of Spinning by Tillie Walden from a Goodreads Giveaway!   They are incredibly easy to enter, and there are a plethora of ARCs in the giveaway selection.  Of course, if you receive an ARC, it is always appreciated if you write a thoughtful review after winning.
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While Freecycle does not focus entirely on books, it is easy to come across someone who is giving away free books!  Freecycle is a website where people who wish to give away stuff "freecycle" it by giving it to people who want their stuff for free!
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4. Twitter
Twitter has an insane number of authors and book bloggers hosting giveaways for FREE BOOKS!  Sometimes you can even get signed copy or awesome swag along with the book if you win!  Most giveaways are rather simple.  Entering may only require a like, retweet, and follow!
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​5. Paperback Swap
Paperback Swap is an awesome website where users list their books and swap them with other users.  The rule is: if someone wants your book, you pay to ship it to them.  If you want a book from someone else, they ship it to you free of charge.
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6. Craigslist
This one is pretty straightforward.  If you go to the Craigslist website, there are books listed for free in the free section!
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7. Book Crossing
Book Crossing is an awesome program where users leave books at coffee shops, gyms, or other public locations.  Then, the location of the book is posted on the website, and users can track the book down. If they find the book, it's their's!
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8. Host a Book Swap
It may require a little bit of work on your part to host a book swap, but it is a super fun way to share your favorite books with friends!  When you host a book swap, have all guests bring a book they have read and loved.  Then, have guests trade books with each other to share the love of a book with someone else!
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Luckily for readers with electronic devices, it is super easy to get free access to hundreds of thousands of e-books.  After extensive research, I have compiled the best and easiest methods of obtaining free e-books.
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1. The Kindle Bookstore
The Kindle Bookstore has thousands of books from all genres available for free!  If you do not own a Kindle, you can still access the store's collection by downloading the free Kindle app onto your device.
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2. The Nook Bookstore
The Nook Bookstore has a similar premise to our previous suggestion.  The Barnes and Noble Nook Store has a plethora of free e-books for individuals with a Barnes and Noble account.  
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3. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a volunteer-run website which provides over 54,000 free e-books, especially books where the copyright has expired.   You can find a variety of classic novels on the site from Peter Pan to Pride and Prejudice.
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4. Feedbooks
Similar to Project Gutenberg, Feedbooks is a website where users can access free public domain books on their phones, tablets, and computers.  Feedbooks is convenient because books can be downloaded onto the device directly from the website.
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5. Smashwords
Smashwords is an online collection of e-books written and posted by indie authors.  The website currently offers over 70,000 free books in a variety of genres.
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6. Overdrive Media
Overdrive is an incredible application where users can check out e-books from their own public library!   It is a great way to read the newest books for free without having to leave your home!  A large percentage of libraries use Overdrive, so it is a great way to read for free!
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7.  iBooks
iBooks is the Apple bookstore and can be accessed on most Apple devices.  The store offers a massive selection of free and discounted books.  
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8. Open Library
Open Library is a website with a vast selection of e-books which are free to read.   Titles are organize by genre.  There are over 40,000 books about religion alone!

9. Many Books
Many Books is a well-designed, seamless website which provides a large library of free e-books.  In addition to their webpage, they have an active presence on Facebook where they inform followers of the latest books in their selection.

10. Wattpad
Wattpad is perfect for discovering stories you cannot find anywhere else. Anyone can publish on Wattpad, and while it may take time to find the perfect book, there are many hidden gems on this wonderful app!

I hope this list of sources for free books helps you with finding your next read!  If I discover any new websites or sources, I will update this post.  I did not go into detail about obtaining Advanced Reader Copies because I have another post about the subject coming soon.  Thanks for stopping by and let me know in the comments if you give any of these methods of a try and find a book!

Annabel Greene appears to live a perfect life.  Admired by many girls due to her model status, she shows confidence and promise on the outside.  However, there is more to her life than meets the eye.  She struggles with a shattered friendship with her friend Sophie, her sister, Whitney, battles an eating disorder, and Annabel is not entirely sure if she even wants to continue modeling.  Her world is chaos until she meets Owen, a completely honest, music obsessed boy who opens her eyes to how sharing the truth can have positive impacts on a person.  She begins to share more of her secrets; however, there is one she cannot bear to share.  What happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen is a well-written YA novel which tackles many issues experienced by teens such as eating disorders, dating, and drama among friends.  The story was entertaining, but I am not sure it is one I would reread in the future.  I recommend Just Listen to teens looking for a summer read with sprinkles of romance and lots of drama.  

Rating: 4/5

I am so grateful that Eram @LiteraryTeaWithER nominated me for the Blogger Recognition Award!  His blog is gorgeous and I definitely recommend checking it out!

     Two months ago, I was completely unaware of the book blogging community.  It was the middle of my summer vacation, and I wanted to do something productive that I could also enjoy.  Then, I had a crazy (or not so crazy it seems) idea!  Why don't I start a website?  Initially, I created Scripturient to act as a platform for my writing as I go on my personal journey toward becoming a published author.  However, it became so much more.  When I started following authors on Twitter, I stumbled upon a few book bloggers.  Intrigued, I clicked on their links and read a few posts.  That's when I knew book blogging was a challenge I was more than willing to take head on.  Ever since, I have worked tirelessly to establish a blog which provides quality YA book reviews as well as a place for teen readers, writers, and bloggers to share their thoughts without fear of judgement.  

     Starting a blog can be tricky as you try to figure out the perfect platform, target audience, and posting schedule.  My first piece of advice: don't try for perfect.  Perfection is an unattainable idea we all push ourselves toward.  It is okay to have flaws.  Do not worry about impressing others with a flawless blog.  Provide quality writing and images and the readers will come.  I promise.
     My second tip for all newbie bloggers: make a posting schedule.  Scheduling blog posts makes your life so much easier because it helps prevent burn out.  I typically have at least three drafts of posts saved so I have something to use if I experience temporary burnout or my personal schedule becomes overwhelming.  Even if you live a busy lifestyle, blogging is still doable.  You just have to plan carefully and stay organized.  

1. Gem @QueensofGeekdom
2. I Should Read That
3. Jade @PursuitofWonderland
4. Jenn @BoundtoWriting
5. Ignacio @IgnacioGalloCampos
6. Nina @JustAddaWord
7. Alice @AliceReadsClassics
8. Vrinda @ABookishHuman
9. Kyla @SeeliePages
10. Rachel @Rachels-Readings
11. Olivia @ThatFictionLife
12. Kelly @WildandWonderfulReads
13. Sarah @WrittenWordWorlds
14. Danielle @TheIntrovertedBookNerd
15.  Courtney @PaperBackBeaches

Make sure to check out their amazing blogs!  I really enjoyed reading their posts, and I know you will too!  If I nominated you and you have already been nominated, take it as a token of my appreciation for your blog.  Thanks for stopping by and let me know about your blogging journey in the comments!

I always look forward to linking up with Kimberly @TheCaffeinatedBookReviewer for The Sunday Post! This week has been a wonderful yet hectic time in my life, and I am excited to give you all a sneak peek into an amazing seven days!

Blogger Recognition Award
Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
​Finding Books for Free

I wish I could say I read more this week, but I was swamped with volunteering, work, academics, and writing new posts! Hopefully I can kick it up next week!

Despite a busy week, I was able to fit in a quick trip to the library! While there, I picked up the following books:

I can't believe I start school in two days! Returning is bittersweet because I have had an amazing summer, but it will also be nice to see my friends every day. I enjoy learning, so I am looking forward to pushing myself to new academic limits (I sound so nerdy but it's okay)!

I had been wanting to read The Cellar by Natasha Preston for a long time, so when I saw it at my local book exchange I couldn't pass it up. I finished the book in less than 24 hours and I have a LOT of thoughts about it!

Her name was Summer until he took her. They call him Clover and they are his flowers. Suddenly, Summer becomes Lily, a perfect flower in his perfect family. Trapped in a cellar with three other girls known as Rose, Violet, and Poppy, Summer must learn to survive in a place where perfection is the key to survival and wilting means punishment or death.

I know it looks like a lot under the dislikes header, but I generally did not mind reading this book. While certain aspects were a tad stereotypical for a kidnapping story, I became attached to some of the characters and did not experience boredom while reading. The Cellar may not be my favorite book in the world, but it definitely is not bad if you are looking for a thriller which is a quick and fast-paced read.

​Rating: 3.5/5