If you’re a reader or even if you are just trying to develop the habit of reading to and with your child, you know that books can get very expensive. E-books tend to be cheaper than hard cover, but even they can cost $15 and up, so creating a library of books for you and your children can get very pricey.
There is a unique way to get free books, in e-book format. Yes, going to the library is one option and joining Amazon Prime is another, but if you are looking for books that you can keep forever and that don’t require a yearly membership fee, consider becoming a reviewer. Publishers send professional reviewers who write for magazines and newspapers free books all the time. But there is a way for regular people to get the same perks. If you’re willing to a little work, you could wind up creating a sizable book collection for nothing!
How It Works
Authors who sell their books online are always looking for reviews, either to improve their writing or just to help other customers find their book. They contract with book blogs and marketing agencies that help them get reviews by giving away their books for free. For the author, it’s a win-win proposition: they get a review and they may even find a new fan of their work.
What Do I Have To Do?
You sign up as a reader/reviewer and agree to post a short (usually 50 to 100 words) review on a site where the book is sold when you are done reading it. These are not fake reviews – you post them directly to the site without anyone editing them, and giving a book a negative review does not change your status – you can be totally honest and they will continue sending you free books!
Sites Where You Can Get Free Books as a Reviewer
Author Key lets you choose your genre, and has several options for children’s books, as well as non-fiction, self-help, romance, fantasy, etc. You can choose multiple genres, and switch genres any time. There is no membership required.
Visit the Author Key Free Books Program
Book Rooster does not have an option of choosing children’s books, but they have a huge database of authors and books. You can choose as many genres as you want and you can get as many, or as few books as you want.
Visit Bookrooster