17 Ways to Get Free Books

You can never have too many books, so we are delighted to share with you some ways to get them for free. From children’s books to technical books, there are numerous resources that offer literature for free. Some of the following sites offer actual printed books, while others feature electronic books (aka “ebooks”). Please bear in mind that the list is alphabetized, not ordered by importance.

1. Bibliomania - Bibliomania is a simple and fast-loading site that offers over 2000 classic books, short stories, plays and poems online. From Mark Twain to William Shakespeare, some of the world’s greatest writers are included on the site. All you have to do is browse the site’s genre sections or search for a specific text, then you are presented with it directly on the site’s page. Users can seamlessly stroll through each page with this site, as it isn’t bogged down with flashy graphics.

Bibliomania is an invaluable tool for book lovers, as well as students and teachers. Teachers for the classroom could print off excerpts from classic texts. Also, study guides are available on the site, should you need to cram for a big test. Should you wish to purchase a physical copy of a featured text, you can be directed to a store where you will can order the text online with a credit card.

2. BookCrossing - Touted as “the world’s biggest free book club,” BookCrossing is a free book resource, as well as a human experiment. Through this site, people are encouraged to start a free account and begin “releasing books into the wild.” You can release books by registering them on the site and then leaving them in a public place where they can be picked up for free by others and enjoyed. Also, you can send books to other site members.

Members of BookCrossing can also “catch” books by requesting registered books as gifts or by finding registered books “in the wild.” The purpose of BookCrossing is to track books across the world and to share great literature with strangers. It is a fun project to be a part of and the site, in just a short time, has grown tremendously in popularity.

3. Bookins - Every “green” book lover should be keen on reducing, reusing and recycling their literature. Bookins offers a very simple system through which to swap your books and their mailing system is the best. You will only have to pay for shipping on the books you receive, never on the books to donate. For donated books, Bookins offers free postage kits. The site is free to join and is growing each day.
4. BookMooch - BookMooch is a free community for exchanging books. By donating books to BookMooch, you will earn points that can be exchanged for other people’s books. This community is free to join and the only price you will pay is shipping when you mail your books.

There is more to BookMooch, however. The points you earn and the books you donate can also be given away to charity, such as African literacy programs or children’s hospitals.This site is one of the largest book-swapping communities online and the interface is very simple. If you would like a specific book that isn’t listed yet on BookMooch, a “wish list” can be made, which will put you first in line to receive your wanted books once they are available.

5. Childrens Books Online - Children’s Books Online is an impressive collection of illustrated children’s books from around the globe. All of these books, scanned and digitized for the site, are free to the public. From classic, well-known children’s books to rare, foreign books, you can find a large assortment. A group of volunteers help to translate and upload new books onto the site and it has grown tremendously since its creation in 1996. Both parents and teachers should find this family-friendly site to be very useful.
6. Google Book Search - Google is continuing its campaign for world domination with this awesome project. By scanning each page of entire texts, Google has digitized at least one million books for users to read online. Still in a beta stage, the site has raised some questions about intellectual property and copyright laws. However, many of the books you will find on Google Book Search are public domain. You can easily get lost in this site and, hopefully, it will only continue to grow for years to come.
7. Memoware - Memoware offers free ebooks and documents that are specifically designed for handheld devices. Memoware downloads are compatible with Palm OS, Pocket PC, Windows CE, EPOC and Symbian software. Available documents include maps and technical references that can be useful on the road or at work. Almost all of the ebooks and documents found on Memoware are “freeware,” though a few are “shareware” products and should be registered if used.
8. PaperBackSwap - PaperBackSwap is one of the largest book trading clubs online. The simple system allows you to donate books for credits and use those credits to get free books. As with all swapping clubs, you will have to pay for shipping. However, shipping multiple books at once will be cost-efficient and, if you are an avid reader, you will save a lot of money by swapping for free books.PaperBackSwap is a very popular site that currently has over 1 million books available. Registration with the site is free and the program has recently branched out to include CDs and DVDs.
9. Project Gutenberg - Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest and largest sources of free ebooks. The site is a wiki, meaning any user can edit it. In fact, Project Gutenberg has grown to greatness due to the hard work of many volunteers. To date, the site has a database of over 20,000 books.

Many of the books on the site are public domain, which means you can print and redistribute them.Public domain ebooks are especially helpful to teachers who wish to print off excerpts for the classroom. Also, those who wish to adapt books or short stories to a stage play will be able to use public domain books without paying a fee. Project Gutenberg has so many texts, you may be wish to start browsing their Top 100 list first.

10. SF-Books - SF-Books is the first and only online paperback swap to specialize in science fiction and fantasy books. If you devour books from these genres, then you will save a lot of money by swapping your books for other used paperbacks. With the books you receive, you can choose to keep them forever or swap them for something new.

SF-Books is free to join and very simple to use. Created in 2001, it is one of the oldest book-swapping clubs online. Currently, there are over 8000 books available to interested readers. With nearly 5000 successful trades under the site’s belt, this is also one of the most trusted swapping clubs.

11. socialbib - If you are a poor college student (is there any other kind?), then you should jump at the chance to get your textbooks for free. socialbib is a wonderful site that is free to join if you are a currently enrolled student. The purpose of the site is to recycle textbooks amongst students. At the end of each semester, you will turn in your books to socialbib and, in turn, can search for free textbooks for your next courses. Why sell $800 worth of books for $30 on campus? It is an insult.

socialbib will allow you to accomplish several things. You can save your much-needed cash and get some free textbooks, you can connect with other students in a positive way and you can stick it to “the man.” Really, why should a math book cost you $100 anyway? Use your student credit cards on something a little more fun.

12. SwapThing - A free account with this site will allow you to swap anything of yours for an item that belongs to another user. Of course, you and this other user must agree on the swap. It is a revolutionary concept and can apply to more than just books.

If books are all you are after, however, there are plenty to be found. Don’t assume that you have to offer books to get them. For all you know, an old garden rake may be an agreeable swap for some classic literature from another user.For exchanges that may not be an “equal” swap, users can barter an extra amount of cash to make the trade equal. Users can also just offer money and not an object for trade, though people who are looking to do that should probably just check out eBay. Remember, when using any kind of swap site, you will still have to cough up a little dough for shipping.

13. Title Trader - Title Trader is another media swapping site, allowing members to trade paperback books, CDs, DVDs and more. Free to join, Title Trader is one of the larger sites to offer such a service. The site works through a point system, as you will earn points for donating items. These points can then be redeemed for merchandise that has been donated by other users. So far, the site has facilitate over 145,000 successful trades.
14. Wikibooks - Wikibooks is an interesting project that started in 2003. Created by the makers of Wikipedia, Wikibooks offers over 27,000 open-content textbooks. A team of volunteers writes these online textbooks, just like Wikipedia. Don’t be too concerned about the validity of the information found here, however, as the site is diligently edited and moderated by a team of experts. From cookbooks to natural sciences, you can find texts on just about any subject.
15. World Public Library - The World Public Library is the largest online source of ebooks. Currently offering over 500,000 PDF books and documents, you can find anything from textbooks to classic literature on this site. Best of all, membership is free. It truly is an online public library and, assuming you are comfortable with the ebook format, this site could very well replace your regular visits to the local library.

Both students and teachers will find the World Public Library very useful, as encyclopedias, dictionaries and other research materials are readily available through the site. The World Public Library has been in operation since 1996 and it has been a global effort to build it out to such magnitude. The site is only going to grow from here, as the world really is going digital.

16. WOWIO - WOWIO is a very hip source of public domain ebooks and contemporary titles, including graphic novels. You must register with the site before downloading the material, but this is also free of charge. Created in 2006, WOWIO is quickly gaining attention as one of the few legal sources of high-quality, copyrighted online books.

Great care is taken with the scanning and digitizing of the material found on WOWIO and the site’s interface is very simple. Students will find much-needed textbooks here and frugal comic book lovers will see some of their favorite titles. By simply browsing the material and adding each book to a queue, users can create their “must read” list. A fairly new site, WOWIO is growing exponentially and adding new titles every day.

17. Zunafish - Everyone has been talking about Zunafish this year, including TIME magazine and Oprah Winfrey. It is a paperback swapping site, yet so much more. Not only will you be able to trade for free books, you can also find video games, audiobooks, CDs, video games, DVDs and more.Zunafish is free to join and there is no limit to how many trades you can make. However, the site only allows “like item trading.” In other words, you can only trade a book for a book and a CD for a CD. Still, this is an exciting concept that may eventually lure eBay addicts over to Zunefish.

Whether you are interested in ebooks or printed books, the above sites are only the tip of the iceberg. Paperback swapping and digitized literature are increasing in popularity each day, spawning even more sources of free books. From comic books to encyclopedias, both frugal book lovers and academic researchers should take advantage of the sites above, as well as any other resources that offer free books.

10 Home Improvement Projects That Actually Pay Off

Some home improvement projects are pure indulgences and have little to do with getting a return on an investment. Many homeowners would prefer to live out a personal dream or a desire to have a home “our way.” Despite this urge, many of those same homeowners know that they would never shell out extra for those marble dolphin sculptures in the bathroom - so, why should anyone else?

There are, however, some improvements you can make to your home that you may enjoy and that may also increase the value of your home when you’re ready to sell. Here are a few home improvement investments that can actually pay off in the long run.

1. Update Kitchens and Bathrooms: Updating a kitchen or bathroom can be one of the most valuable investments you can make in your home. Kitchen and bathroom styles change over time, so if you own an older home chances are you’re due for an update (if you own avocado appliances, that’s one clue that your kitchen is outdated…). Of course the reason these updates come with a hefty payoff is because they often involve a substantial up-front investment. Total overhauls can easily run into thousands of dollars. If you can’t afford to do it all at once, even small changes can make a big difference. New cabinet fronts, drawer pulls, paint, floor coverings, and fixtures are all inexpensive ways to update your kitchen or bathroom. Potential buyers will be attracted to the fresh look and you’ll get to enjoy more attractive and updated surroundings at the same time.
2. Remove Clutter: While your overflowing disaster zone of a closet may not cause you much of a second thought, potential buyers will be turned off by this scenario. When you take time to clean and organize your home storage, you’ll make these spaces seem newer and more spacious. If you can measure, cut, and use a screwdriver, you can install wire shelving systems. Other organizational supplies are available at local hardware or home stores, where you can purchase neat looking baskets and containers that won’t break that budget and that will add dollars to your home’s value. If you have too much clutter, rent a storage space to store that overflow until you’ve moved into a new home.
3. Painting: A new coat of paint can give your home a whole new look and feel. Painting the interior or exterior [audio included] is one of the more inexpensive updates you can make to your home, and it can create a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal. While neutral colors represent a classic selling choice, don’t be afraid to highlight your home’s nicest features with some well placed splashes of color. You might also consider brightening up a dark room by painting it white or another light color. Light colors will make a room appear larger and brighter, but darker colors can hide imperfections. Finally, if you don’t want to paint or replace that siding, clean it so that it appears fresh.
4. Expand on that Curb Appeal: You only have one chance to make a great first impression, so make sure your home puts its best face forward. While extremely labor intensive and expensive landscaping projects probably won’t garner a huge return on your investment (they’re more for your personal enjoyment), small changes can create a classier environment. Plant some inexpensive flowers around your mailbox or entranceway, and keep bushes and yard well manicured. Take care of those glaring bare spots in your lawn and remove dead plants.
5. Repair Damages: It’s a fact of life - material items wear out and break. You may delay these projects because they are expensive or annoying to repair. If you’re trying to sell your home or if you want to improve your lifestyle, repairs should become a priority. Fill in cracks in your foundation, or make sure that they’re not something that makes your home structurally unsound. Replace discolored wood flooring or carpet, and fix any loose railings or fixtures around the house. Repairs to small details can seal a deal when selling, and you may discover other problems that represent health or safety problems in the process. While larger problems usually cost more to repair, the payoff to your well-being is as important as the value it will add to your home.
6. Upgrade Flooring: Your floors receive more wear and tear than any other part of your home. You have several options to choose from when you replace or update your floors. Perhaps you have a gorgeous wood floor hidden under that ratty carpet. Remove the carpet and enjoy the wood. Many potential buyers also fall for good-looking hardwood floors. You can also replace carpeting that is threadbare or irreparably stained by a pet, and replace bathroom or kitchen tiles with a more updated look. One of the parts of your home that gets the most wear and tear is the floor, and you can often improve the look of your home drastically by updating or replacing your flooring. If you have carpet that is looking threadbare or is irreparably stained by a pet, look into replacing it with new carpet or a hardwood floor. New flooring can be a considerable investment, but it can make your home look much better, eliminate some allergens, and make your home look more attractive.
7. Build a Deck or Patio: Adding an outdoor living space to your home can add value and enjoyment. Decks and patios get a great return on your initial investment, plus you get to enjoy them while you’re living in the home. You can have your deck or patio professionally installed or you can learn to do it yourself with classes at a local hardware store. A private place to relax is a great pull for potential buyers who don’t want to do the work.
8. New Windows: While windows don’t always add dramatically to the value of your home, they can save you and future homeowners a bundle on utility bills. This alone is a great selling point. As long as you keep it simple (custom windows are very expensive) new windows for your home can be a great investment, not to mention making your home more comfortable in the more extreme months of summer and winter.
9. Finish Your Basement or Attic: There are few instances when adding more living space to your home is actually a bad investment. If you can turn your basement or attic [audio included] into some additional living or work space you’ll increase the value of your home. Adding an addition to your home can be a good investment as well, but is usually more costly than working within already constructed living space. You can add some extra bedrooms, a playroom, or an office in these spaces so that buyers can picture the potential. Dormers and skylights can help with an attic room to help it feel more spacious and well lit. Basements make ideal places for home theaters or a hide-away for the man of the house or even for the kids. However you choose to go, you would be hard pressed to lose out on improving those empty spaces in your home.
10. Add a Bathroom: Providing that your home isn’t already chock-full of bathrooms, another full bathroom is usually an added investment. Those extra bathrooms serve both large families and guests, so the heads of household don’t need to share. Hire professionals to take care of this job, as botched plumbing or tiling is something that will cost you more in the long run.

Not every improvement you’ll want to make to your home is going to earn you a huge return, but with a little planning you can make the most of the money you put into your house. Not only will these improvements add buyer appeal, you’ll enjoy the changes as well. While some improvements can be costly, others take little time and energy to accomplish. Tackle one project at a time, and before you know it you’ll have a dream home that you may not want to sell.

Finally, use a credit card that offers cash back for home improvements, like the Chase Home Improvement Rewards Card or the Discover More Card. If you can manage to pay the balance each month, these cards will help you save even more!