Project Gutenberg: Free Classic Ebooks, No Library Card Required
Project Gutenberg is a free online library of older books whose US copyright has expired. You can read in your browser or download to a phone, tablet, or Kindle, with no sign-up and no fees.
“Your required reading list just got a lot cheaper, class. Jane Austen does not charge admission, and Mr. Darcy has never once asked for a late fee.”
What is Project Gutenberg?
Project Gutenberg is the oldest digital library around, a volunteer effort that has been turning printed books into free ebooks since 1971. Its focus is older works whose copyright has run out in the United States, which means the classics: Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, Twain, the Brontë sisters, Sherlock Holmes, fairy tales, poetry, history, and plenty of forgotten gems.
When I checked the home page, it listed more than 79,000 free ebooks. You do not need an account, a library card, or a credit card. You just find a book and start reading.
Why I assign it to my students
- Truly free. No trial period, no subscription, no “free for 30 days, then $14.99.”
- No sign-up. You never have to hand over your email address to read a book.
- You keep the file. Downloads are not loans. Nothing expires, and nobody comes to take it back.
- Works on almost anything. A web browser, a phone, a tablet, a Kindle, a Kobo, or a plain old computer.
How to use it, step by step
- Search or browse. Type a title or author in the search box, or browse the popular lists and categories.
- Open the book’s page. You will see a table of download options.
- Read online, or pick a format. “Read online” opens the book right in your browser. For devices, EPUB3 suits most tablets, phones, and ereaders.
- For Kindle: Project Gutenberg says most current Kindles can use the EPUB3 file. You can copy it over with a USB cable, or email it to your device using Amazon’s Send to Kindle service. There is also a Kindle-specific format, plus an older one for older Kindles.
- Save it to the cloud if you like. Book pages offer options to send the file straight to Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
Professor Ima’s quick tips
- Look for the “with images” versions of illustrated books. Old illustrations are half the fun.
- Older books can be long and slow. Adjust the font size on your device and give yourself permission to skim.
- Pair a Gutenberg ebook with a free LibriVox audiobook of the same title and read along. Extra credit for doing the voices.
- If a download will not open on your phone, try saving it to a computer first, then transferring it.
Who it’s great for
- College and high school students: Many classics on English class syllabi are here, free. That money can go toward the textbook that is not free. Do check whether your instructor wants a specific edition with page numbers.
- Young families: Fairy tales, Peter Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland, and The Wind in the Willows make lovely bedtime reading.
- Working adults: Keep a short story or two on your phone for lunch breaks and waiting rooms.
- Retirees: Revisit the books you were assigned in school and actually enjoy them this time. Bigger text on a tablet is easy on the eyes.
Things to watch for
- Old books, old attitudes. Some titles contain language and ideas that were common long ago and are offensive today.
- No new bestsellers. Because these are older works, you will not find this year’s book club pick.
- Outside the US? Project Gutenberg says it only knows the copyright status of its books in the US. Readers in other countries should check their own copyright laws before downloading.
- Edition differences. Gutenberg’s text may not match a printed school edition page for page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Project Gutenberg really free?
Yes. There are no fees and no registration. It runs on volunteers and accepts optional donations.
Is it legal?
Yes. The books are in the public domain in the US, which is why they can be shared freely.
Can I read Project Gutenberg books on a Kindle?
Yes. Download the EPUB3 or Kindle file and transfer it by USB or Send to Kindle.
Do I need an app?
No. You can read in any web browser. Apps are optional if you prefer reading offline.
Professor Ima B. Cheap
Catalog size, formats, and site features change over time. Cheap101 is not affiliated with Project Gutenberg. Public domain status varies by country. More handouts: Cheap101 Class Handouts · Free samples, freebies and rebates