34 Genius Ways to Score Free Books By Mail

Getting free books is simpler than you might think. Instead of paying for subscriptions like Kindle or Audible, there are many ways to enjoy books for free and build your collection without spending a penny!

Many people don’t take advantage of the free options available for getting books, opting instead to buy more from Amazon, which ends up stacking up on shelves, rarely being read again.

But what if you could skip the purchases and still enjoy reading? Plenty of free alternatives, such as libraries, book swaps, or companies that send free books by mail.

With so many free options available, let’s explore some great places to get free books by mail and build your home library without the cost.

Can You Really Score Free Books by Mail?

Believe it or not, you can get free books by mail! Many companies, authors, and libraries offer free printed books or online access. There are options for kids and adults to receive books for free and enjoy them.

Some sites may ask for personal information or require a review or reading club membership in exchange. Choose the best options for you, and enjoy having free books delivered right to your door!

Where Can I Get Free Books By Mail?

Check out our list of places where children and adults can get free books by mail and enjoy your ‘happy mail’ along with some good old-fashioned reading time.

1. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is famous for sending free books to kids in the mail. Since starting in 1995, the program has delivered over 200 million books to children every month, from birth until they start school.

Currently, more than 2.8 million kids get these free books without any catch! Dolly Parton may not be a librarian, but her program has made a lasting impact, especially in her home state of Tennessee, where it all began.

The program has won the Library of Congress Literacy Award for Best Practices and even earned the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Parents in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland can sign up on the library’s website.

2. GoodReads

Goodreads is a great site for book lovers. If you don’t have an account yet, sign up; it’s free! You can join discussions, read reviews, and explore millions of books. Plus, you can compare prices across different sites to ensure you’re always getting the best deal.

How to get started:

Create a free account, add some friends, and start talking about books. You’ll receive plenty of recommendations, and if you’re into free books, keep an eye out for authors offering their books in exchange for reviews. Goodreads also runs book giveaways where you can win books before they’re even released.

3. Bibles of America

Bibles of America offers an easy way to receive free Christian eBooks and a free Bible. Some eBooks they provide include The All-Inclusive Christ, Basic Elements of the Christian Life, and The Economy of God. It’s a great option if you want to explore Christian teachings without spending any money.

How to get started:

Simply visit the link and sign up with your information, and they’ll send you a free study Bible. There’s no need to enter credit card details, and they only ask that you order the Bible for yourself, not on behalf of someone else.

Related Article: Get Paid to Read Books!

4. LibraryThing

LibraryThing is a great place if you like free books and don’t mind writing reviews. Authors give away books in exchange for reviews, just like on Goodreads. You can see how many reviews they need and how many people have requested a copy, so you’ll know your chances.

How to get started:

Sign up for a free account, then start requesting books. You can also check out giveaways for free ebooks. There are tons of genres to explore, from fiction to non-fiction and more.

There are a lot of requests, so you might not get every book you want, but the more you request, the better your chances.

5. FreeCycle

FreeCycle‘s name says it all – it’s all about recycling! It works like a classifieds site, similar to Craigslist, but everything on the site is free. The free books available might not always be the most popular, but they’re free, and sometimes you can find some real hidden gems.

How to get started:

Sign up for a free account and start browsing for books. It only takes a few seconds to sign up, and you might find something new every day! The best free stuff goes fast, so make sure to check the site often. You never know what you might find!

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6. Natural Inquirer

The Natural Inquirer is an organization that provides free educational reading materials for kids from preschool to grade 12. They even have a free coloring book available featuring a bee that’s also a scientist.

According to their website, “The coloring pages show the Natural Inquirer bee doing different types of science. For example, one page has the bee looking through binoculars at birds with the text, ‘Scientists study birds.'”

How to get started:

You don’t need to sign up for the Natural Inquirer! Just click the links for the educational books you want and print or download them. If you want a physical copy, they go fast, so act quickly! The books are available in hard copy and download, and you can get them in different languages. You can find more info about the book here.

Additional Learning Activities for Kids: Check out the Homer Learning App!

7. Barnes and Noble

Barnes & Noble has a great summer reading activity for your kids. In exchange for reading, kids get a free book in July or August! It’s a fun way to keep up your kids’ reading skills during the summer break.

How to get started:

To sign up, kids can visit the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading website and print out a journal. To qualify, they need to read the required number of books, write down what they’ve read in their journal, and bring the journal to any Barnes & Noble store by the end of August.

In return, your child can pick out a free book from the list in their journal. They also offer a selection of free ebooks for download.

8. Storyberries

Storyberries doesn’t send books by mail, but it offers a lot of free audiobooks and online books for kids ranging from Pre-K to 8th grade. You’ll find fairytales, poems, and plenty of other fun stories.

How to get started:

You can read without signing up, but if you create a free account with your name and email, you’ll get access to even more free stories. It only takes a few seconds, and you can start picking out books to read!

9. ValueMags

Magazines aren’t technically books, but hey, reading is still reading!

If you’re into free magazine subscriptions, ValueMags is a great option. They offer heavily discounted subscriptions to magazines like Sports Illustrated, and they also have free magazines available.

Magazines like Popular Science and Entertainment Weekly have been offered through the site.

How to get started:

Just sign up for an account and provide your shipping info, and you’ll get free magazines in the mail! Please note that their services are primarily available to U.S. addresses.

10. Craigslist

Good old Craigslist is still around and can be a solid place to find free books. The quality and number of books can vary a lot depending on where you live and when you check, and it can feel a little sketchy dealing with strangers through classifieds.

Craigslist was the go-to for online classifieds before Facebook Marketplace took over. You can still find some great books and other items on Craigslist, but it’s always a good idea to be cautious.

How to get started:

No sign-up is needed to get free books! Visit the site often, search for free books in your area, and check new listings. Just set up a safe place to pick up the books. Most local police stations have an area for Craigslist transfers to ensure everyone’s safety.

Related Article: 50+ Student Discounts and Freebies You Need To Know

11. NetGalley

NetGalley is a platform where many publishers and authors offer free pre-release books in exchange for a review. Reviews are necessary to receive printed books, and you can receive most titles either as ebooks or physical free copies.

One of the best things about NetGalley is that it’s available in several languages, not just English. You can access the site in French, German, and Japanese as well.

How to get started:

To sign up, click here to start your account. You’ll provide your name and email address. All books provided for review are audiobooks or ebooks, so you don’t have to share your physical address.

12. Facebook Marketplace

Like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace is another great place to find free books near you. Many people list the books they have to give away on FB Marketplace because they’d rather see them go to a good home versus tossing them.

How to get started:

If you don’t have a Facebook account, sign up for free. Then, head to Facebook Marketplace and see what books are available in your area. Be sure to check back regularly since the listings change all the time.

13. Enchanted Book Reviews

Enchanted Book Reviews gives away free books in exchange for reviews. Since they only offer a limited number at a time, it’s a good idea to check in often to see what’s available.

How to get started:

To request books, you’ll need either a blog or an Amazon account to post your review. Unlike Goodreads, they don’t let you review directly on their site.

Just fill out your details for each book you’re interested in, and they’ll get back to you. Remember, you must submit a review within 30 days of receiving the book. If you don’t miss the deadline three times, you’ll be removed from the program.

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14. Free Braille Books

The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, established in 1997, is dedicated to making books accessible to visually impaired and low-vision individuals by translating them into braille. They focus on selecting books from recent years that both boys and girls will enjoy.

How to get started:

To get your free braille books, all you have to do is sign up for a free account. Once books are available, they’ll be sent to you at no cost.

15. Little Free Library

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that sets up small book exchanges in neighborhoods. You can take and return books from these little libraries completely free.

It’s a fun activity that helps support literacy and promotes community. Whether picking out a new read or donating books you no longer need, you’re helping keep the sharing cycle going!

How to get started:

Find a Little Free Library near you using their website or app. Once you locate one, you can take a book, return one, or donate books to share with others.

16. Free LEGO magazine

Another magazine that can be sent through the mail is the LEGO Life Magazine. It’s sent four times per year to children aged 5-9. This is the perfect magazine at no cost for your creative child’s mind. They can even have their LEGO creations featured in the magazine! With it being completely free, this is a no-brainer.

How to get started:

It’s easy to receive your free LEGO magazine. Just sign up on the LEGO site and start your free subscription! Watch your child’s eyes light up five times a year when the magazine arrives – free fun!

17. Sun-Maid Recipe Booklet

Sun-Maid, known for its raisins, yogurt, and other healthy products, offers a nice bonus for home cooks. If you sign up on their website, they’ll send you a free recipe book featuring ways to use their products in tasty, healthy treats!

How to get started:

No login is required to download the cookbook as a PDF. Additionally, you can access the 100th Anniversary Book for free, either as a full book or by individual chapters, ready for download or print.

Sun-Maid says, “Raisins are a high-energy food packed with natural sugars, potassium, fiber, and tartaric acid to help keep your digestive system healthy.” So why not get healthy and grab this free cookbook?

18. Lola’s Blog Tours

This website is similar to Enchanted Book Reviews but has a larger collection of books for teens, young adults, and all ages. Lola’s Blog Tours has books for everyone, from children to adult fiction books.

How to get started:

All you have to do is click the book you want to read, look at the author’s requests, and then review it afterward. It’s the way most of these sites work, but it’s an effective one.

Related Article: Frugal Living: Simple Ways To Help You Live Intentionally

19. Fresh Fiction

Fresh Fiction offers 250 books to review in exchange for free copies. While there are many more options than previously stated websites, there is a stronger hold on who can review them.

How to get started:

To become a reviewer, you must send in a sample of a review of a book you’ve read recently. They’ll contact you with the next steps if they like what they read, making you a reviewer who can receive free books.

20. ReaderService.com

The Harlequin Reader Service is a book club that sends top-rated books, including ones ranked by the New York Times and USA Today, to its members a few times a year. You get two free books just for signing up.

If you stick with the club, you’ll get books at a discount and extra perks. The focus is on women’s fiction, with romance, suspense, and inspirational books being the most common. It’s worth doing some research if you’re considering staying long-term.

How to get started:

To sign up for your free reader service account, choose your favorite genre and series. You can even read a free excerpt to help you decide which books you’d like. After receiving your free books, you can continue the service, enjoy discounted books, or cancel without penalty!

Related Article: Get Paid to Read Emails!

21. Free Kids Activity Books via the EPA

Sometimes, the best free books for kids are the ones that teach them about the world around them. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers free books for parents to read to their children. These books are available in multiple languages and are sent through the Post Office.

Free books currently available are about wood smoke. Who knows, maybe reading these books to your children will spark a future career in environmentalism.

How to get started:

Visit the EPA and see what options they have. The books go fast, but you can often get access to other free printable materials.

22. Free Kindle Books

You don’t usually consider Kindle free, but they offer free ebooks daily! If you have a Kindle or even a smartphone with the Kindle app, you can access thousands of book titles spanning all genres and books for all age groups.

How to get started:

Download the free Kindle app, browse the free Kindle books available, and enjoy your free books! The titles change often, and offers are usually limited, so snag the books that catch your eye immediately.

23. BookMooch

BookMooch is an online book exchange service for people who like to read books. You can exchange like-new books you’ve read and no longer want and request books you want to read.

There’s no cost to exchange books, but you must pay the shipping costs when you mail books to other readers. 

How to get started:

Sign up for a free account to start listing and trading books.

BookMooch operates on a points system. You earn 1/10 of a point for each book you list and another point when you mail it to another reader. You’ll earn three points if you send the book outside your country.

Requiring books costs one point, or three points if the book is in another country. You can also set up a wishlist to automatically receive the books when they become available when you have the points to spend.

24. FreeKidsBooks.org

FreeKidsBooks.org offers free ebooks for kids to read online or print in PDF format. The books are available for kids of all ages, all through to young adults, so there is plenty to choose from when looking for free book programs.

How to get started:

There’s no need to sign up; check out FreeKidsBooks.org whenever you want a free book for yourself or free kids’ books, and check out the selection.

25. Penguin Random House’s Reader Rewards 

Penguin Random House offers a great way for book lovers to earn free books through their rewards program. When you purchase books, you collect points that can be redeemed for a free book once you hit 120 points.

For every book you buy, you earn 10 points, and after 12 purchases, you can claim a free book valued up to $30. You can buy books from any local or online retailer, and all you need to do is upload your receipt and the book’s ISBN to get the points.

How to get started:

Create your free account and receive free book suggestions. Each time you purchase a book from any retailer, upload your receipt and redeem your points for a free book when you reach 120 points.

26. DigiLibraries

DigiLibraries is a fantastic option for anyone looking for free ebooks. While they don’t offer physical books through the mail, their online library gives you access to various free books across many genres, from cooking and gardening to fiction and religion. There’s something for everyone!

How to get started:

You don’t need to sign up for an account. Head to DigiLibraries whenever you want to download free books and check out the great selection.

27. Bookloons

Bookloons is a fantastic site for book lovers looking to discover new reads. While you can buy books directly from their site, the real fun lies in their frequent contests to win free books. Some contests even give away up to 40 books, so it’s definitely worth checking out.

The best part? Most contests only require you to write a quick review, and you’re in the running for some great prizes.

How to get started:

No need to sign up! Head over to the Bookloons website and browse the latest reviews, new books, and contests for your chance to win free books.

28. Read It Forward

Read It Forward is a newsletter from Penguin Random House where you can enter contests and win free books. With over 385,000 members, it’s a great place to get book recommendations, listen to podcasts, and find your next read.

Like other services, you can earn points by buying and using them to get free books once you’ve collected enough.

Don’t ignore the weekly newsletters, though, as that’s where you might have a chance to get free books and other merch.

How to get started:

Sign up for a free account to earn points, get book recommendations, and enter contests.

29. PaperBack Swap

As the name suggests, PaperBack Swap is a book exchange service. You can receive books for free, but you’ll need to cover the shipping costs when sending books to others.

Despite its name, you can swap hardcover books, textbooks, and other media sources, too.

How to get started:

Sign up for the Club Member Registration, and you’ll be all set to start swapping books and other reading materials!

30. First Book

First Book is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free and affordable books to families in need. Their goal is to make sure every child has access to books, whether for learning or just for fun. They offer a great selection of free children’s books for both formal and informal educators.

How to get started:

Sign up for a free account to unlock access to the First Book Marketplace, where you can shop for deeply discounted materials and enjoy exclusive benefits designed to support your students.

First Book also offers initiatives and grants that provide free books to eligible members, ensuring that children in need can access quality resources.

31. That Daily Deal

Adult coloring is a great way to reduce stress and enjoy free time. That Daily Deal sends one free adult coloring book per household with no strings attached.

They require your credit card for validation but don’t charge anything. The free coloring books by mail are chosen randomly, and if you want, you can donate, which they say moves your order to the front of the line. Typically, orders take 6 to 8 weeks, but they sell out often.

How to get started:

Visit the website regularly for the latest free coloring book offers. Since they go fast, it’s a good idea to check back often to snag one while you can.

32. The Jiffy Mix Recipe Book

If you enjoy cooking with Jiffy, just like mom used to, you can get a free Jiffy Mix Recipe Book. The newest edition is packed with fresh recipes for you and your family. Requesting the book is free, and you can even choose the online version for instant access.

How to get started:

Fill out the sign-up form for the Jiffy Mix Recipe Book, and within 2-3 weeks, your free cookbook will arrive in the mail.

33. Hillsdale College- US Constitution and Declaration of Independence

Hillsdale College offers them for free if you’ve always wanted a copy of the U.S. Constitution or the Declaration of Independence.

How to get started:

Simply fill out the form for the U.S. Constitution or Declaration of Independence, and you’ll receive a pocket-sized copy to enjoy!

34. Check Your Local Library & Summer Reading Programs

Not all libraries offer monthly book delivery, but some do, especially in bigger cities. It’s worth checking with your local library to see if they have any free reading programs. They might not always advertise them. A librarian can help you find out what’s available.

Many libraries also have summer reading programs for young readers, so get your child a free library card. With a card, they can borrow books, audiobooks, and more. Just be sure to return the books on time to avoid fees (or renew them online if needed).

Besides books, libraries offer audiobooks, DVDs, ebooks, CDs, internet access, and more. If a book you want is checked out, you can often request it through interlibrary loans.

The public library is a great resource for almost anything, not just library books! So don’t miss out on going there, even just to get work done or help with homework, because library services are abundant.

Time to Get to Reading!

By now, you’ve seen just how many ways you can get free books by mail, along with magazine subscriptions and even free digital ebooks. It’s a great way to build your library without spending a dime.

If you’re looking to take your reading to the next level, consider focusing on free books by mail that can help you understand personal finances. Check out our financial independence retire early books list and see which books should be on your list to create financial independence.