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

I cannot believe that I go back to school in less than a week! I have been blessed to have had so many amazing opportunities this summer (such as starting this blog), and I am excited to see what the future holds. Currently, my posting schedule for the school year will include posts on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays along with the Sunday Post every week. Thanks to everyone who has subscribed. I love getting to know you through the comments!

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling (reread)
Rating: 5/5

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling (reread)
Rating: 5/5

3. Rethinking Normal by Katie Rain Hill
​Rating: 5/5

4. Psychology for Dummies
Rating: 4/5

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
​Rating: 5/5

2. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Rating: 4/5

3. Liberty: The Spy Who (Kind of) Liked Me by Andrea Portes
Rating: 4/5
Check out my full review here.

4. Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell
​Rating: 4/5
Check out my full review here.

5. Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
​Rating: 5/5
Check out my full review here.

1. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Rating: 4/5
Read my comparison of the Netflix TV series and the book here.

2. House Arrest by K. A. Holt
Rating: 4/5

3. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
​Rating: 4/5
Check out my review of The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy here.

4. Seeing Red by Frank Beddor
​Rating: 3/5

5. Archenemy by Frank Beddor
​Rating: 3/5

6. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
​Rating: 5/5
​Check out my full review here.

7. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
​Rating: 3/5

8: The Cellar by Natasha Preston
Rating: 3/5

9. Unbecoming by Jenny Downham
​Rating: 4/5

10. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
​Rating: 5/5
​Check out my full review here.

11. Spinning by Tillie Walden
Rating: 4.5/5
​Check out my full review here.

I have no idea how I read some much more in August! Hopefully I can keep up the trend during September! Here are my top 5 favorite books I read this summer.

1. ​Caraval by Stephanie Garber
   
2. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
3. Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
4. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
5. Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell​

Have you read any of the books I read this summer? What was your favorite read of summer 2017? Let me know in the comments!

I am super excited to share this book with the community! I came across this gem at my library, and I needed to check it out! The cover art really popped, and the description on the jacket sounded incredible. It is always pleasant to find raw and real novels which tugs at your heartstrings with every turn of the page.

Three generations. One story.

Katie is a teenage girl trying to uncover both her family's secrets and her own identity.

Caroline is a mother of two who struggles to protect the people she loves most.

Mary battles Alzheimer's and becomes a shock in the lives of her daughter, Caroline and grandchild, Katie when her partner dies and she can no longer live on her own.

As Katie cares for her grandmother, she listens to Mary's tales of grandiosity as a girl. The wise words of her grandmother begin to spark something new within Katie. Suddenly, she is no longer content with going through the motions. She wants to know the truth. She wants to live. And she wants to love.

There were many aspects of this novel I enjoyed including:

• ​The Format: I admire how Jenny Downham alternates between the perspectives of Katie and her grandmother, Mary. While the novel is in third person, the various perspectives are spot on. The parallels between the two women are executed well without feeling forced. The perspective of Katie's mother is never directly provided, but it was interested to watch her evolve through the stories of Katie and Mary.
• Covers serious issues in a realistic manner: One aspect of Unbecoming which moved me was the presence of topics such as the impacts of depression, suicide, and dementia on a family. As Katie and her mother care for Mary, I was exposed to both the moments of love and the moments of difficulty experienced by the family members of dementia patients. For the sake of a spoiler-free review. I will not reveal the character who commits suicide, but Jenny Downham is spot on with her portrayal of the effects suicide can have on the family members left behind after tragedy.
• The "Firey Spirit": Throughout the book, Mary references the idea of a "fiery spirit", someone who isn't afraid to bend the rules and explore the world for the sake of living. She frequently promotes the idea to her granddaughter in the hope of igniting the flame within Katie.

There are very few things I disliked about this novel.

• ​At first, I was confused by the alternating perspectives of Katie and Mary.
• There is a certain like mother, like daughter incident toward the last quarter of the book which feels a tad forced (will not go into detail to avoid spoilers).
• Very little information is provided on Katie's father.

Unbecoming by Jenny Downham was a pleasant surprise from the YA section of my library. I would reccomend it to readers who enjoy emotional stories full of drama, family, and love.

Rating: 4/5

Want to see more YA book reviews and insights into the life of a teenage bookworm and writer? Hit the subscribe button so you can be in the loop about the latest posts here at Scripturient.

Super excited to link up with The Sunday Post, a weekly post hosted by Kimberly @TheCaffeinatedBookReviewer! This is my second time participating in this weekly meme, and I cannot wait to share my latest reads with you guys!

Review: Unbecoming by Jenny Downham
What I Read this Summer
Review: To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

This week I managed to pick up the pace on my reading! Here are the books I read this week.

I can't believe I start school in a little over a week! I have the next month of posts scheduled, so I promise to be consistent even as the school year starts. Thanks for reading and let me know what you are currently reading in the comments!

I would like to give a huge thank you to Courtney at paperbackbeaches.com for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award!  I am still fairly new in the blogging community, so I really appreciate being nominated!

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to bloggers who are creative, positive, and inspiring.  Once nominated, the blogger is required to write a post in which they:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated them and link back to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated them.
3. Nominate 11 other blogs and give them 11 new questions to answer.
4. Notify your nominees and display the Sunshine Blogger Award in your post.

​1. What's the best book recommendation you've ever received from someone?
A few months ago, my grandmother recommended A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith to me. I fell in love with the book, and it was amazing to share such an incredible story with my grandmother.

2. What are some goals you have for your blog and yourself as a blogger?
One of my biggest goals for this blog is to reach out to teenagers who are active in the YA community. As a teenage YA blogger, I would love to spark interactions between other teen book bloggers. My personal goals as a blogger are to expose myself to new and exciting books through the blogging community.

3. What's your proudest moment as a blogger?
Well, I haven't been a blogger for very long, but my proudest moment was getting my first follower on Bloglovin'. It felt so good to see someone who not only read and enjoyed my blog but wanted to continue reading it in the future.

4. Who is your favorite fictional character and why?
This may sound a tad cliche (whoops), but Hermoine Granger. I have read the Harry Potter books countless times, and I always find myself aspiring to be as smart and caring as she is.

5. What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
When the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was a thing, I tried to do it with really cold water and my aunt's nice glass bowl. I flipped the bowl over my head and was so shocked by the cold that I accidentally chucked the bowl across her driveway and it shattered everywhere!

6. Name three shows you've been wanting to watch but haven't gotten around to watching them yet.
How I Met Your Mother, Reign, Jane the Virgin

7. If you could travel anywhere in the world today, where would you go?
I would go to Italy! For the last four years, I have taken Latin, and I would love to see the birthplace of the language I have devoted quite a long time to!

8. What was the name of the last book you picked up, but couldn't finish?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

9. How were you inspired to become a blogger?
I have always been passionate about reading and writing, so I jumped at the chance to join the book blogging community!

10. Which bloggers inspired you to be a better blogger?
All of the blogs I nominated below! They all have high quality posts and gorgeous blog layouts.
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11. What's the name of your favorite book store?
​I have to name two. The Little Book Shop and BBGB!
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I nominate the following bloggers for the Sunshine Blogger Award:

1. Diana of The Bookish Sisters
2. Alex of Young at Heart Books
3. Ryann of Ryann the Reader
4. Kayla of K Drew the Bookworm
5. Erika of Living for the Books
6. Alice of Alice Reads Classics
7. Katie of Katie Judges Books
8. Jade of Jade Browne
9. Karoline of Karoline's Book Reviews
10. Becky of Rebecca Reads
11. Nicole of Nicole Henderson Reads

1. How long have you been blogging?
2. Who is your favorite villain?
3. What is the first book you remember reading?
4. How do you manage blogging and other aspects of your life?
5. Where do you see your blog in five years?
6. What is you favorite part of blogging?
7. List your top three favorite movies.
8. What are your interests outside of blogging?
9. Do you have any pets? What kind(s)?
10. Paperback or Hardcover?
11. What is your favorite book you've read this year?

If you have been tagged before, just know that I love your blog! By the way, this tag is for all bloggers, so you do not necessarily have to tag all book bloggers (but you can)! Thanks for stopping by and make sure to subscribe if you would like to see more!