Have you run out of things to read? Think it's impossible to find free books online? Think again. There are tons of online libraries that provide fiction, nonfiction and reference books at no charge. Here’s a list of online databases to stave off your boredom during self-quarantine.
#QuarantineReads: Five Places Online Where You Can Read Books For Free
Bibliomania
Bibliomania has thousands of e-books, poems, articles, short stories and plays all of which are absolutely free. Read the world's greatest fiction by authors such as Dickens and Joyce, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, all Shakespeare's plays, or just dip into some short stories by writers such as Mark Twain, Anton Chekov and Edgar Allan Poe. They add many books every month along with new articles and interviews curated by their team of dedicated literary sleuths. You can even have a discussion on your favourite reads by joining messageboards where you can ask your fellow readers questions or just post your opinions.
Public Bookshelf
Public Bookshelf will likely have something or the other to suit your interests. This online library has classic books as well as new authors from different genres such as fantasy, history, mystery, romance, teen fiction and horror. Public Bookshelf also has a good enough collection of nonfiction reads. Love writing as much as you love reading? You can publish and promote your writings on this website too.
DailyLit
Work from home plus household chores might not leave you with enough time to read. DailyLit lets you read literary classics and great new fiction in short installments that you can pick up and put down anytime. Once you’ve found a book, just select when you want your installments to arrive in your inbox and you're set. Before you know it, you’ll be knee-deep in Ulysses and actually looking forward to that little window of ‘reading time’ you get in between your daily routine. Can't wait a whole day for the next chapter of Moby Dick? Just tap ‘Next installment’ and it'll be on its way. DailyLit publishes exciting new titles every month.
Page By Page Books
Always wanted to read Animal Farm by George Orwell or Oliver Twist By Dickens but never got a chance? Well, now you do. Page By Page has hundreds of classic books you can read, and all absolutely free! It is an ideal way to expand your horizons, catch up on your reading list, or read books that everyone else has been raving about. Fix yourself a snack, get comfortable, select a virtual book and start reading!
Chest Of Books
If fiction isn't your thing, Chest of Books is a good place to get fascinating non-fiction reads. This free online library features nonfiction books on a wide range of topics, including business, art, computers, finance, health, history, gardening, home improvement, science, real estate, sports and travel (phew!). If you are trying your hand at new skills, be it cooking or crafts, while in self-quarantine, you might want to check out books in those categories.