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7 Best Websites to Find Free College Textbooks in 2024
Javiera vega.
- Best Apps And Tools , Financial Tips and Scholarships
Study Consultant at Gradehacker
- Updated on May, 2024
Best Websites to Find Free Textbooks
If you want to save hundreds of dollars to get your educational resources, here are the best websites to download free college textbooks, novels, and PDFs.
- Library Genesis: Overall best website to get free college textbooks
- Project Gutenberg: Best for English textbooks and novels
- Mobilism: Best for literature, biology, and make requests
- VK.com: Best for Medicine and Nursing textbooks
- Archive.org: Best for old and uncommon textbooks
- Bookboon: Best for STEM textbooks
- OpenStax: Best for finding academic sources
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Free college textbooks can sound like a dream come true, especially when you’re enrolled in a new class and don’t have classmates or friends to borrow the book from.
It’s a fact that you will get a long list of required textbooks you’ll need to get through your courses, and most likely, they’ll be pretty expensive.
Here at Gradehacker , the non-traditional student #1 resource, we have years of experience helping online students with their essays and degree programs .
We know how important it is to save as much money as you can, so here you have our list of websites to download college textbooks for free:
You can also find our list of best websites to find free college textbooks as a video:
Is it Possible to Get Free College Textbooks?
Absolutely yes! And there is a clear reason on why you should be able to access college textbooks for free.
According to EducationData.org , 83.8% of people attending college receive some type of financial aid to help with the mounting cost of education. While most of the times scholarships can cover a student’s tuition, it does not explicitly cover the expenses of educational resources.
In other words, not all financial aid options cover textbooks , which can be worth up to $300.
Imagine how tragic it would be if you failed a class because you could not afford a book! If you can’t access the class material, you won’t know what the professor is even speaking about.
That’s why you have to change your strategy and seriously consider digital books as a wise choice to save both your pocket and your grade.
And where can you find the online textbooks that will help you get through your academic journey? Here you have a few options:
Library Genesis
Overall best site to get free college textbooks.
This is one of Gradehacker’s favorite sites for college textbooks in a wide variety of subjects.
Library Genesis is a file-sharing website for educational materials and scholarly articles , academic books, peer-reviewed journals, novels, comics, and magazines.
The catalog is enormous. It’s organized in a format similar to a standard digital library with searches according to the author, ISBN, year, etc.
The download options are easy, and you can either look for a specific title or look at what’s new.
If you want a step-by-step guide on how you can use Library Genesis to download free college textbooks, check out our YouTube video!
Library Genesis Pros and Cons
- More academically oriented
- Perfect for undergrad and graduate textbooks
- Specific search engine
- Search filters similar to the ones you find in online libraries
- Layout is not user-friendly
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Project Gutenberg
Best for english textbooks and novels.
This website is a volunteer effort to create and distribute ebooks for free . If you need a text in the public domain , you will find it here for sure, formatted and ready to download at your convenience.
Project Gutenberg primarily offers fiction works from Western culture, but it also has an extensive collection of fiction books.
You can see how easy it is to use Project Gutenberg and what other tricks you can use in our video.
Project Gutenberg Pros and Cons
- Easy to download and search
- Great for Humanities students
- Tons of novels and research books
- Limited catalog in STEM topics
Best for literature, biology, and make requests
Mobilism is a forum where users can share the media they already own with others. There are many categories, but this website truly shines in the ebook section . You can find novels, academic textbooks, comics; you name it.
Whether you’re studying literature, social sciences, or biology , Mobilism’s ebook section has got you covered with its wide range of free college textbooks. From introductory college courses to advanced studies, you can find the resources you need to excel in any of your academic pursuits.
However, what we like the most, is that if you can’t find the textbook you are looking for, you can make your request and wait for someone to share it!
- Enormous catalog of books
- You can post specific requests
- Download links are periodically updated
- You need to create an account
You can also watch our quick tutorial on how to use Mobilism:
Best for Medicine and Nursing textbooks
VK.com is a Russian social media platform similar to Facebook; however, there is something different about it. While Facebook focuses on social interaction, VK has a vast community of people sharing different media types .
Ebooks are one of VK users’ main attractions, so make an account and start joining various book clubs. We recommend the Free Medical Books page and the Magazine and E-Books community.
VK.com Pros and Cons
- Account isn't needed to download textbooks
- Great for common and uncommon books
- Top choice for medicine and nursing students
- Has a mobile app
- Doesn't have a centralized search engine
- You find books by searching into each communitie's catalog
Our pro tip, is that you search on Google for the title of the textbook you want and add “VK” at the end.
Archive.org
Best for old and uncommon textbooks.
As its name suggests, Archive.org is an archive for all internet things. You can find deleted YouTube videos, lost documents, and any other media you cannot find anywhere else.
However, many students use this platform to back up their digital textbooks . One thing that makes this website unique is that it offers many different formats for the documents you want to download; that way, you won’t have to convert them yourself.
Archive.org Pros and Cons
- You can download textbooks in different formats
- Has old and uncommon textbooks
- Uncertainty on how extensive the catalog is
Best for STEM textbooks
Bookboon is an online publishing company that also offers free PDF Drive textbooks for college students. It focuses primarily on all engineering subjects , so it might not be for everyone. If you’re getting a degree in this field, this website will be perfect for you.
You can find references for the most specific topics like Economics and Business, Computer, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Natural Sciences, and many others.
Bookboon Pros and Cons
- Decent free catalog
- Wide variety of school textbooks related to engineering
- Search experience is clearn and straighforward
- To access more books, you have to pay a monthly subscription of $5.99
Best for finding academic sources
OpenStax is a non-profit organization that provides free college textbooks written by experts and peer-reviewed by educators.
The material available covers the most common topics in college education, such as biology, physics, chemistry, economics, psychology, sociology, and more.
The online books are completely free to download in PDF format, and you can also purchase a printed version if you prefer.
The only thing you should consider is that you’ll only find their books on their page. Meaning, they offer books made by them that might not be the book you’re looking for . That’s why we recommend them for you to use as an academic source for an essay or any other assignment.
OpenStax Pros and Cons
- Cover multiple subjects
- Reliable, widely known organization
- Great to find scholarly sources for assignments
- You can only download their own textbooks
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Before You Download Free PDF Textbooks
No matter the age, college students like you will always try to spend their money efficiently . Here at Gradehacker, we have previously discussed other tips to improve your finances .
Still, textbooks for classes are often overlooked as an aspect of additional college costs. Before spending one more dollar on them, remember this:
College books are necessary for completing your coursework. That is a fact. However, you can look for alternative textbook resources to spend little to no money on by joining online sharing communities or archives.
Library Genesis is a powerful ebook catalog . It works like a digital college library in a way, but you don’t need to have an institutional email.
Websites like Project Gutenberg , Bookboon , and VK.com have communities that are perfect for looking for a range of college textbooks specializing in humanities, engineering, or medical topics.
Archive.org and Mobilism grow thanks to the cooperation between students who want to share their textbooks that will be useful for you. You can also post what you have to give back to the community.
Hopefully, you can now find new ways to access your reading for free without needing to dip into your budget. Search, download, and, when you can, share so others can also have a hand when they are in the same position.
And well, if this is not enough for you, remember that Gradehacker has extensive internal resources with thousands of books we have used to help other students like you.
If you still don’t feel like writing, find out how we can help you with that essay that is driving you crazy. And if you want longer-term help, check out how we can assist you with your classes and accelerate your degree experience.
College is difficult, but together we can make it easier!
If you are looking for more tips to save money and improve your college experience, visit our related blog posts:
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Best Sites For Scholarly Sources | Websites To Find The Best Academic Sources
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Javiera Vega is a Study Consultant and Content Creator for Gradehacker. She has a degree in Education and Literature and is currently working on getting a master’s degree in Linguistics. Even though words, languages, and books are her thing, science and psychology were her hidden passion for many years. Luckily, Gradehacker has allowed her to use all that knowledge by helping many clients with everything they need. Javiera considers herself a proud nerd who likes to learn and read about everything she can find. From movies and comics to microbiology and genetics, every topic is interesting for her. Her curiosity has no limits. Find her on LinkedIn
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Buy and sell your books at the best price
10 websites to find free textbooks online.
In our earlier articles, we’ve already covered a range of resources where you can find used textbooks to buy and rent online. However, you can only stretch your budget to a certain extent, right?
With that in mind, we suggest that you should resort to free textbooks online options and get your hands on everything you can find. Sounds good?
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of reputable online resources that offer free textbooks — 10 thoroughly selected and checked websites where you can find textbooks and study materials at no cost. Out of numerous websites, we’ve weeded out the ones that are either outdated, or irrelevant, or seemingly helpful, or are simply lacking in some important way, and now, we are ready to share the ones you can completely rely on in your studies.
These websites want to make access to education easier and more affordable by offering their materials under an open license completely free. They also provide them in a variety of formats from PDFs to eBooks, which makes the learning process more convenient, especially now, when studying from home has become our new reality. So let’s get started.
1. Saylor Academy
2008 | |
over 100 free courses transferrable to over 30 partner schools + online marketing, social media, and public speaking courses | |
Saylor Academy is technically not just an online textbook resource. The website provides free online courses. There are two options for students: they can take a Saylor Direct College Credit or get free Certificates of Completion if they don’t need credits. The list of the universities that accept credit transfers can be found on this website page: Saylor Direct credit courses .
The courses are self-paced; there is no need to finish the assignments by a certain time. Also, the materials are available online, mostly in the Resources section. The Academy also offers the Bookshelf page with numerous learning materials, which are now available as HTML versions (each book is based on its own repository at Saylor Academy’s GitHub account ) and is also accessible as a PDF file (see in the archived section).
There are courses and materials for students of absolutely different majors. The website does help students lighten their financial burden and benefit from transferring their credits.
2. Bookboon
2005 | |
over 1,000 college and university textbooks | |
STEM and Business courses | |
: |
Bookboon is a great place to browse for free textbooks online if you are a business major student or are taking several STEM subjects. Originally founded in Denmark in 1988 and transformed into a full-scale eBook publishing company in 2005, Bookboon has become the largest source of textbooks online over the years. Students do love it—you can literally download the books for free. All books are short and concise; the content is written by professors and experts.
Where is the catch, you’d ask? Since the books are free, you can only choose the resources the website provides; you won’t be able to get just any book you need by title or author. Besides, to be able to keep this business running and provide this free option to everyone who doesn’t want a subscription, the company adds ads to the books:
This is an example from Concise Hydrology by Prof. Dawei Han. The ads appear on every third centerfold or so, but they are more or less relevant to the book’s topic and, therefore, are not that irritating. A bit of advertising is definitely something that one can tolerate to get a good book for free, right?
3. OpenStax
2011 | |
over 1,000 college and univer 2 books for college and high-school courses | |
Math, Science, Social Sciences, Business, Humanities, etc. | |
: |
OpenStax offers textbooks online for students of colleges and high schools. Deeply loved by many students, this non-profit digital learning platform and publisher of free textbooks was founded in 2011 by Rice University. It offers a range of peer-reviewed texts from the top universities in the U.S.
Subjects covered include Math (e.g., Algebra, Calculus, Statistics), Science (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, American Government), Humanities (e.g., History), Business and so much more. The initiative is planning to add textbooks on data sciences, nursing, and liberal arts in the nearest future as well.
OpenStax digital textbooks are offered in PDF and ePub format; they can also be read online. You have two sign-up options: as a student and as an instructor. In the latter case, you can access additional materials (all books have references to other resources) that you can use in class. For instance, verified instructors can access answer guides and PowerPoint slides with images from the book. The platform also offers OpenStax Tutor —a homework helper for students who need extra help. It also provides an option to order print copies of their books.
OpenStax is an educational initiative; its mission is to “ improve educational access and learning for everyone ,” and they seem to be accomplishing it quite successfully so far. Thanks to the activity of OpenStax and similar initiatives that bring positive disruption to the textbook industry, the so-called “textbook bubble” seems to be deflating little by little.
4. Project Gutenberg
1971 | |
over 60,000 free eBooks | |
Arts and Humanities | |
: |
Project Gutenberg is an online library of free eBooks and the first resource ever that started providing free eBooks in 1971. Exactly. At that time, no one even had heard of the Internet. Unbelievable! Founded by Michael Hart, the library thrives and helps millions of art and humanities students to succeed in their studies.
Books in the library are mostly popular classics that are offered in a variety of formats—HTML, ePub (with or without images), Kindle (with or without images), plain Text UTF-8, and others. Some books are available in foreign languages.
To find what you need on Project Gutenberg, search the library by author, title, subject, language, or book type. Apart from the classical library, you can also browse through the Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing Press, where contemporary authors share their works with readers.
If you are studying art and humanities, this platform is what you need in terms of free textbooks online. We doubt there is another place where you can find pretty much every classic English-language book out of copyright and in the public domain. Its design may seem a bit outdated, but as they say, “Don’t judge the book by its cover!”
5. Open Textbook Library
2012 | |
969 open books for post-secondary education | |
Business, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Journalism, Media Studies & Communications, Law, Math, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Student Success | |
: |
Open Textbook Library (OTL) was founded by David Ernst in 2012. The project was initially born as a part of the University of Minnesota to help all faculty members find free textbooks easily. OTL is technically a reference source that helps locate open books offered by various authors and publishers online. Nowadays, not all books in the library are published by the University of Minnesota; you can find books written and published by faculty members of different educational institutions. Users have permission to use these open textbooks under an open license.
The library’s materials are designated for post-secondary education specifically; therefore, you won’t find any popular classics or high-school textbooks here. If you need to have a book printed, it can also be arranged for a fee. A rating system that you can see on every book’s page is helpful if you need to understand which textbook is best for you.
6. Library Genesis
2008 | |
an infinite number | |
Various | |
: |
Library Genesis has several names and appearances, but the meaning is the same: it’s a place where you can get books, articles, magazines, and whatnot for your studies online for free. Also known as LibGen and Genesis Library, this online database of books is loved by the Reddit community as the place where you can get practically everything. It may seem somewhat complicated to use, but once you read this explanation , everything gets pretty clear.
You don’t need to create an account to use the resource. Just type in the title, the author, or the book’s ISBN in the search fields. If you know the information about the publisher or year, you can add it as well to refine your search. We recommend searching by ISBN, as it will increase your chances of finding the exact edition you need.
7. FreeBookSpot
2007 | |
an infinite number | |
Various | |
: |
FreeBookSpot is another online database with an infinite number of books. It features a bit outdated design and can make you slightly mad with all the ads popping up here and there, but it is a free textbook download website that you will definitely find exceedingly useful. If you have classes where a syllabus is mostly based on published books instead of textbooks, this source is what you need.
Books and textbooks can be searched here by title, author, ISBN, and language. Once you type in the request, you will be redirected to the table of results, where the book cover is featured, a book description is given, and a link/a few links are provided for download. If the first link doesn’t work, try another one. The download links are a bit tricky and may lure you into buying a premium subscription, but this is just a marketing trick. Just wait for a free download to start (you’ll see the countdown at some point) and get your book!
8. IntechOpen
2010 | |
5,500 peer-reviewed Open Access books | |
Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities | |
: |
IntechOpen dates back to 2010, and according to the site, it used to be “ a multidisciplinary Open Access publisher of books and journals covering the fields of Science, Technology, and Medicine. ” Nowadays, they describe themselves as a place “ where academia and industry create content with global impact ” and are the world’s leading publisher of open access books. IntechOpen boasts of having 3.3 million visitors per month and 136,000 IntechOpen authors and academic editors. We can recommend it as a place to enrich your scientific knowledge.
9. Online Mathematics Textbooks
2014 | |
77 resources | |
Math, STEM subjects | |
: |
This list is compiled by professor George Cain of the School of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology, and if you’re studying math or any STEM subject, you may find it very helpful. There are 77 math-related books on the list. All book titles are accompanied by the names of the professors who either wrote the books or contributed to their creation. There are also some popular math textbooks with free access. All materials are available in HTML format and are supposed to be read online.
10. ScholarWorks
2008 | |
works in 612 disciplines; 20,421 papers | |
Math, STEM subjects | |
: |
ScholarWorks is an open-access repository managed by the Grand Valley State University Library. It’s a place where works by GVSU scholars are maintained and showcased. The mission of the archive is to collect and preserve these works. This resource will be very useful if you’re a student of GVSU; however, any college student may access and use materials on ScholarWorks—it’s free. No account or student ID is required; you can download the materials directly from the website.
The archive offers textbooks, projects materials, master theses, dissertations, and articles. You can browse the collection by clicking on the Discipline Wheel and exploring the materials in 612 disciplines. Alternatively, you can search for a specific textbook or topic in the search field. The website even features an interactive map on the homepage where you can see how popular the resource is by the number of downloads.
We hope that this list of free textbook online resources will help you in your studies. We can’t promise that you’ll be able to cover all your textbook needs by using these websites; that’d be wishful thinking. Yet, we are positive that you’ll definitely be able to find plenty of materials for your studies. And buy the remaining materials and used textbooks cheap with BookScouter.com . Good luck!
Natalie Meyers
Natalie Meyers is a freelance writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. As an English major and a psychology graduate, she worked as a teacher and a counselor. As a writer, she's covered a diverse range of topics from technology to publishing. She is an avid reader who believes that books help us become more authentic versions of ourselves. At BookScouter, she's a smart writer and an expert in all things books.
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30 Free College Textbook Websites
As a college student, you usually have to shoulder the cost of pricey textbooks. The good news is that some websites offer free access to textbooks. You can use these free textbook websites to your advantage to help you reduce costs.
Of course, you can buy used textbooks from local bookstores and online retailers, which is another way of saving costs.
Later, after you finish the book, you can sell textbooks online on BookDeal and get a decent portion of your money back!
However, to save money on books (and who isn’t?), check out these free college textbook websites!
Best Free College Textbook Websites to Check Out
Below, you’ll find the best free textbook websites. Go through them and find the one that best suits your needs:
1. The Open Textbook Library
The Open Textbook Library is a project by the University of Minnesota, and it’s one of the best free textbook websites to check out. It offers no-cost college textbooks in HTML and PDF formats.
Their use of Creative Commons licenses, which provide free download, printing, and sharing of their textbooks, sets them apart from competitors.
The Open Textbook Library stands out with over 1000 textbooks covering more than 20 topic areas. Each book is subjected to thorough peer assessment by professionals and academics, with over 60% of reviews from UNM professors.
This collection provides a wider range of advanced course materials compared to OpenStax. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for information other than basic textbooks.
2. OpenStax
College textbooks are free through OpenStax in PDF and HTML versions. They are peer-reviewed by specialists in the field and span a wide range of subjects, including math, the humanities, and social sciences.
However, there are some drawbacks you need to consider. First, some lecturers may require specific textbooks not on OpenStax. Also, it’s unlikely to find advanced course materials because it primarily sells beginner textbooks.
Regardless, you may find the textbooks you’re searching for. So, it doesn’t hurt to search the website.
Also Read: Top 7 Places to Sell Books in Seattle: Get Maximum Cash!
3. Academic Torrent
Academic Torrent stands out as a top resource for free textbook websites for college students. Also, you can access the full library for free.
Thanks to its excellent features, navigating this website is simple. You can easily find the right textbook by searching for the right course, the book’s title, or the author’s name.
Academic Torrent uses BitTorrent technology to share research data and boasts an astonishing library of over 100 billion books. The website offers numerous file formats for downloading legal ebooks .
Also Read: Top 5 Places to Sell Books in Columbus: Get Maximum Price!
4. BookBoon
Bookboon is a top source for free college textbooks in various subjects, including IT and Economics and Natural Sciences, Marketing, Strategy, Law, Management, and Engineering.
Students majoring in business can benefit significantly from Bookboon, which provides tools for classroom success and future employment.
This website improves student and employee performance while providing them with the necessary skills. It’s one of the best free textbook websites to consider.
5. Smashwords
Smashwords provides a massive collection of readily available free PDF books. It’s well-known worldwide as the top provider of independent eBooks, with over 40,000 eBooks in various categories carefully selected and designed.
You can easily find the book you want. After registering, Smashwords offers simple options for searching, book discovery and managing personal libraries.
Smashwords also meets their demands by providing authors and publishers with the resources they need for publishing and global distribution.
If you’re searching for the best free textbook websites, consider Smashwords.
Also Read: Big 5 Biggest Publishing Houses in The US [2023]
6. Bookshare
Finding a free college textbook website with information for less popular disciplines of study can take time and effort. Fortunately, Bookshare is your one-stop shop for anything unconventional.
You can choose a book to suit your needs, whether interested in food, literature, or graphic arts. Additionally, Bookshare can help if you get free college textbooks to study for standardized tests like the SAT, LSAT, MCAT, or GRE.
7. Freeditorial
One of the top free textbook websites is Freeditorial. It acts as a platform for online book publishing and provides free textbooks for college students. Thanks to its tools for academic articles and periodicals, you can publish your books on the platform.
One of its most unique features is that the Freeditorial website offers free textbooks without requesting registration. Textbooks are readily available and cost-free to download in PDF format.
Also Read: 7 Best Calculus Textbooks: Beginner to Advanced!
8. Libre Texts
Libre Texts is a non-profit website promoting educational change. It features an easy-to-use interface for producing and customizing Open Education Resources (OER), and it’s meant for college students.
Libre Texts helps an astounding 223 million students by providing 398 free textbooks for open access. Its expansion depends on the coordinated efforts of volunteers and committed partners. Interactive visualizations also improve the educational experience.
9. Free Book Spot
Free Book Spot is one of the best free college textbooks. Students already in school or preparing for college will find it especially helpful.
You can access sizable collections of college textbooks that cover a wide range of subjects and are available in several languages.
In addition to astronomy and cosmology, Free Book Spot has sections on architecture, education, the arts, engineering, and other topics. Its user-friendly search function also makes it one of the best free textbook websites.
Also Read: 10 Cozy Places to Read Books in NYC [2023]
10. Project Gutenberg
The goal of Project Gutenberg, which offers a free online library of textbooks, is to conserve cultural works digitally and encourage the production and distribution of literary content.
Michael Hart established Project Gutenberg in 1971, which turned the company’s development from an idea into a fully-fledged enterprise. Project Gutenberg produced thousands of e-books per day by the 2000s, which has increased over time.
Also Read: Get Paid to Read Books: 5 Legit Ways
11. E-Books Directory
E-Books Directory stands out compared to the other free textbook websites. Rather than housing the books, it’s a portal to more than 100,000 free eBooks online. You may find other websites listed here due to your searches.
With the help of the convenient search feature provided by this directory, you can look through eBooks by author, title, or subject. Additionally, you can search books based on their categories, which include everything from business to literature to computer science.
E-Books Directory is a great option if you’re looking for a specific book you can’t find on other websites.
12. Digital Book Index
The Digital Book Index is one of the best free textbook websites. This website has excellent tools that make it easier to find textbooks.
Free textbook access is available through the Digital Book Index for various areas, including physics, medicine, health sciences, history, and more.
You can quickly find items using filters like title, year, related themes, ISBN, and page count.
Also Read: Three Best Ways to Sell Nursing Books
13. Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is one of the best websites for free college textbooks, boasting over 30 million publications. It kindly provides unlimited access to its whole book collection.
It’s easy to find the textbooks you want on this website, and here’s an unusual fact: the Internet Archive works with well-known libraries.
The Internet Archive is a priceless resource for college students, offering thousands of free textbooks in various areas.
Also, this platform provides free access to numerous materials, such as books, journals, software, websites, music, and much more.
14. ManyBooks.net
Manybooks.net was established in 2004 to provide free online textbooks through a sizable library of PDF books. Many of the free PDF books on this website are drawn from the Project Gutenberg website and include a wide range of classic literature.
It offers a wide variety of reading alternatives with more than 29,000 e-books compatible with Kindle, iPad, and other e-readers.
Manybooks.net provides unlimited access to all users and is entirely free to use. Simply click the download button next to the PDF book in the catalog to download the resources, and they will be saved to your device.
Also Read: Sell Books Online: 10 Best Websites [2023]
15. Library Genesis
As one of the best websites for finding free college textbooks, Library Genesis is an excellent source for aspiring and present college students.
This website offers a wide selection of college textbooks ideal for students with various academic backgrounds and boasts a collection that exceeds four million books.
Whatever your field of study, Library Genesis offers free access to their textbooks, which cover various subjects like business, computer science, etc. It’s one of the best free textbook websites to check out.
16. Open Culture
Open Culture, a website launched in 2006, offers a massive selection of resources, including books covering a broad range of subjects. Although it includes all types of knowledge, it excels in providing resources for cultural and educational media content.
In addition to offering a massive selection of free college textbooks, Open Culture also offers audiobooks to help you learn more effectively.
The website is straightforward and provides quick access to excellent content offered without charge. It’s one of the best free textbook websites to check out.
17. Saylor Foundation
The Saylor Foundation is dedicated to enhancing education’s accessibility and affordability.
One of their tactics is to offer free college textbooks, which may be downloaded, printed, and distributed without charge, thanks to a Creative Commons license.
The Saylor Foundation has a sizable collection of more than 200 textbooks that span a wide range of areas, including sociology, history, and accounting.
They also provide free course materials, lectures, tests, and free textbooks, improving the educational process.
Compared to the other free textbook websites, OpenEd is unique. It functions as a search engine for open educational information rather than acting as a library of free textbooks.
With this unique method, you can use OpenEd to find resources that resemble textbooks for various subjects. You can download, print, and distribute these materials without charge because they are all available under a Creative Commons license.
Various instructional resources are available on OpenEd, including films, games, tests, and assessments. These resources supplement your current textbooks or help you design a course specifically for your requirements.
19. IntechOpen
IntechOpen, which has been around since 2004, is one of the biggest providers of open textbooks. With a library of over 2,000 published textbooks, it lives up to its name by providing various textbooks and articles on computer science, robotics, and other STEM fields.
They also offer readers different peer-reviewed journals to explore. According to the website’s data, IntechOpen has handled more than 60 million downloads for people worldwide.
That makes it one of the top free textbook websites that most people use today.
Also Read: Sell History Books: Best Platforms and Books to Sell
20. Lyryx
Lyryx’s goal is to provide accessible educational resources, such as open textbooks and supplements, in line with UNESCO’s framework for global education and social responsibility growth.
The platform’s main business, economics, mathematics, and statistics are their main study areas.
Lyryx also provides educational software, including summative tests, formative online homework, and open textbooks.
These tools offer beneficial chances to improve your abilities and practice, which helps you understand each subject more fully.
21. Online Mathematics Textbooks
Online Mathematics Textbooks can be a helpful tool for those studying mathematics or any STEM subject, such as engineering, chemistry, or computer science.
The website is effective despite its straightforward HTML layout. It provides 77 books, ranging from basic pre-calculus materials to complex and sophisticated works.
Online Mathematics Textbooks will satisfy your demands, whether your homework involves numbers or simple, formative ideas.
22. Wikibooks.
Like its rival Wikipedia, Wikibooks is a beneficial tool that compiles knowledge and insights worldwide into a single, easily accessible library.
However, like Wikipedia, because anybody can change its information, its open-source nature also reduces its academic authority.
However, Wikibooks are a great place to begin understanding various concepts or topics, especially in the social sciences and STEM professions. It also provides excellent tools for learning languages.
In conclusion, it’s a helpful tool for improving your comprehension of academic subjects, yet you should check out your school library for citation needs. It’s one of the best free textbook websites to check out.
23. The Assayer
The Assayer contains a sizable library of free books made available by their writers. This database may contain a few recent topics, but you can access many relevant books.
Also, you can sign up as a member of this website, enabling you to publish your evaluations of the content already there and participate in conversations with other platform users.
It’s one of the best free textbook websites you should check out.
Also Read: 10 Most Searched Medical Textbooks
24. ScholarWorks
ScholarWorks, which the Grand Valley State University Libraries manage, gives you access to a massive collection of scholarly works collected and selected by numerous university departments and centers.
ScholarWorks is a priceless tool for college students, with courses spanning more than 600 academic fields like behavioral sciences, history, legal studies, psychology, criminology, and administration.
Additionally, it is a valuable tool for academics and researchers who want to increase the accessibility of their work on a global scale.
25. PDF Grab
Students looking for free college textbooks PDF or free university textbooks online will find PDF Grab the best resource for free textbooks and ebooks.
These free textbooks cover numerous subjects, including business, computer science, engineering , humanities, law, and social sciences.
The website also features a handy search box that lets visitors look up textbooks by title or ISBN . It’s one of the top free textbook websites to check out.
Also Read: Top 5 Ways Of Making Money With Ebooks In 2021
26. Textbooksfree
Online textbooks can be downloaded for free in PDF format from Textbooksfree. Discover various free textbook resources in several areas, including education, history, business and economics, the arts and social sciences, and other online collections.
For high school and college students, Textbooksfree offers free textbooks with unrestricted access. It’s one of the free textbook websites for high school students looking for free textbooks due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive collection of PDF textbooks.
Also Read: Value Your Old Books: Expert Guide & Tips [2023 Edition]
27. PDF Books World
Free PDF books in various genres and categories are available from PDF Books World, an online library. You can get free PDF academic textbooks and preferred e-books, novels, and fiction and non-fiction works.
This website’s goal is to provide you with the most well-known writings of illustrious authors in a contemporary digitized format.
Free PDF books know that there is a great demand for free textbooks and e-books for each type of electronic device. That’s why they’ve produced specific book editions.
Also Read: Buy Used Books in Bulk: 7 Affordable Sources [2023]
An excellent resource for finding free and open textbooks for higher education is MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching).
MERLOT offers an extensive collection of resources with over 40,000 learning items, including textbooks, animations, videos, and more. These resources, chosen by editors, are available online or as PDF downloads. You can benefit from advanced search tools and browse content by discipline.
Furthermore, MERLOT has features that let you make your collections, rank content, and conduct peer evaluations. The platform is one of the best free textbook websites.
Also Read: The Most Expensive College Textbooks
29. OER Commons
OER Commons is a focal point for open educational resources that a network of institutions and educators has carefully selected. Its vast collection, which includes complete textbooks, chapters, and course modules, exceeds 50,000 textbook resources.
These resources can be customized to meet particular needs by downloading them in editable forms. With possibilities for keyword searches and browsing filters like subject, education level, and material kind, the website makes it simple to find resources.
Content is spread throughout various academic fields, including business, humanities, mathematics, science, and technology. Check out OER Commons if you want the best free textbook website for free textbooks.
30. BioRxiv
Consider BioRxiv if you’re looking for a free college textbook website specializing in science. Many books on this specialized science platform cover dermatology, ecology, pharmacology, and more.
Also, BioRxiv informs its users by sending alerts when new papers and articles are published. Additionally, you can stay informed by regularly checking their Twitter page.
Conclusion
Having the right advice and knowing where to find free textbook websites can enhance online learning and foster intellectual development.
Even though there are numerous reading and learning resources that e-learning platforms provide, many people still don’t know them. However, these services are legitimate, have simple user interfaces, and carefully arrange free textbooks to improve your search experience.
These platforms offer content for people of various ages and interests, from intellectual essays to early childhood novels.
Go through the free textbook websites and find the best one for you.
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Meet the dedicated and passionate team behind the informative and engaging content on BookDeal's blog. First, we have our author Ernest Atta Adjei who brings his expertise and unique perspective to the table. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to the world of textbooks, education, and everything in between. He works tirelessly to create content that is not only informative but also engaging and enjoyable to read. Our editor Aziz is the glue that holds everything together. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for quality, he ensures that all content published on the blog is of the highest standard. He works closely with the authors and editors to refine their work, ensuring that it is well-researched, well-written, and valuable to readers. Together, our team of authors and editor strives to provide students and individuals with the most up-to-date and useful information on textbooks, education, and related topics. They are committed to helping readers make informed decisions when it comes to buying and selling textbooks, making a creative use of their old books, finding side hustles, and much more.
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Student Life
15 fantastic websites that offer free college textbooks.
Siôn Phillpott
As any student will tell you, one of the most frustrating aspects of university life is turning up on your first day of the course only to receive a lengthy — and very expensive — list of ‘required’ textbooks that you need to purchase. Yet many students are unaware that, actually, you don't necessarily have to go for the most expensive option; in fact, not only are there many ways to get your hands on alternative textbooks, but they are totally free, too.
To point you in their direction, we've compiled a list of organizations who offer good-quality higher education textbooks at no cost, saving you hundreds — and potentially even thousands — of dollars in the process.
So, if you’re ready to save some money on your education and start studying smarter , then here are some top websites that offer free college textbooks .
1. Bookboon
Bookboon provides a wide selection of free textbooks for college students, with many different subjects on offer. In particular, it is a great source for college students pursuing STEM fields, as well as business. What really sets this organization apart from its counterparts, though, is that it also offers a wide range of textbooks related to career development , including interview skills, internship advice , writing skills and even how to manage stress at work . They also provide entrepreneurial resources tailored to achieving business success .
2. OpenStax
If you've heard of OpenStax before, it may be because it is the platform through which Bill Gates has donated textbooks; it is also the go-to place for college students who are just starting on their educational journey. The organization was founded by Rice University in 2011 and receives support through partnerships with numerous philanthropic organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In terms of relevance, OpenStax's textbooks are peer-reviewed by actual educators, ensuring alignment with most general course curriculums.
3. Open Textbook Library
The Open Textbook Library is keenly aware of the financial impact buying textbooks can have, even going so far as to suggest that it can contribute to students flunking courses and deciding to drop out . Luckily, its vast and ever-growing catalogue of free, open-sourced, peer-reviewed textbooks might be able to help.
Based in Minnesota, US, the Open Textbook Library caters to all major subjects and even has a section of self-help and study success texts designed specifically for students. Each of the books also has a handy rating system, as provided by other users, allowing you to narrow down which textbook is best for you.
4. Saylor Academy
5. intechopen.
Not to be confused with the doomed Initech corporation of Office Space fame , IntechOpen is actually one of the world’s largest publishers of free textbooks, and has been operating since 2004. As the name suggests, there is a wealth of textbook options and journals for computer science, robotics and other STEM subjects, with a collection of over 2,000 published textbooks. They even have an assortment of peer-reviewed journals to choose from.
Aligning itself with UNSECO’s global educational development and social responsibility framework, Lyryx offers accessible educational material, such as open textbooks and supplements. Primarily, they focus on subjects such as business, economics, mathematics and statistics.
Along with their open textbooks, Lyryx has also created an educational software which offers formative online homework and summative examinations that will allow you to practice your skills and sharpen your knowledge on each subject.
7. Online Mathematics Textbooks
8. project gutenberg.
To the potential dismay of Police Academy fans, Project Gutenberg isn’t, as the name may suggest, a shrine to Hollywood actor Steve Gutenberg, but rather a wide-ranging and comprehensive library of free, readily downloadable educational texts.
9. Wikibooks
That said, Wikibooks is a great starting point for getting your head around certain concepts or topics, particularly within the STEM fields and social sciences, while the language learning resources are extremely useful. All in all, this is a great tool for developing your own understanding of certain academic fields, although you might want to head to your school library if you’re planning on citing anything.
10. The Assayer
11. internet archive open library.
As part of The Internet Archive site, Open Library has millions of selected digitalized books and texts on offer which you can borrow for your studies. Essentially, how this works is that a book can be checked out one patron at a time from anywhere in the world. You may check out 10 books at a time, which they will be available either for one hour of browsing or 14 days if the books are fully borrowable. You can also choose between three different formats to access your book: BookReader, PDF and ePub. However, audio form may also be available.
12. Freeditorial
Freeditorial also makes it possible for writers to upload and self-publish their own work, which other members of the community can access for free.
13. ManyBooks.net
14. scholarworks.
Administered by BC Campus, OpenEd is an open textbook project that aims to make higher education more accessible for students by offering a catalog of openly licensed textbooks. Since then, OpenEd has curated material for the top 40 highest-enrolled subject areas in British Columbia, including accounting, biology, business, sociology, visual arts and media. The platform has also accumulated resources in the area of trades, technology and skills training. To browse the open textbook collection, you can search the site through specific keywords or select your subject of interest.
What free college textbook providers would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below!
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LibreTexts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to freeing the textbook from the limitations and costs of traditional textbooks. Our open and freely accessible LibreTexts provide a more engaging learning experience for students without the financial burden.
LibreTexts is supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project and the California Education Learning Lab .
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Textbooks are not only good sources of information for scholars, but could also be useful to anyone seeking to learn something new. But sometimes, because of the years of research contributed to produce textbooks, they can cost a fortune.
The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to acquire knowledge. Here, we'll look at five legitimate websites you can use to legally download free PDF textbooks.
1. OpenStax
OpenStax is a non-profit educational initiative run by Rice University. This website offers high school and college-based material. You can find textbooks ranging from subjects like Mathematics to Humanities and many other subjects.
What makes OpenStax stand out is that it aims to improve access to quality education. This organization has saved college students millions of dollars through the use of funding to produce high-quality, peer-reviewed textbooks.
2. ScholarWorks
ScholarWorks operates as a shared institutional archive managed by the Grand Valley State University Library. If you're a college student looking for free textbooks, ScholarWorks is the right place.
The website offers content that covers many topics. You can find published textbooks, dissertations, master theses, projects, and articles.
You can search for material by typing a specific topic in the search box and a wide range of results will appear. The material available on this website is accessible to anyone, and you don't need a student ID to download books from the website.
3. Bookboon
Living up to its name, Bookboon provides free textbooks written by professors from top universities and industry-leading authors. The platform aims to make it easy for you to develop yourself through high-quality content.
Bookboon offers a free student plan where you can access a variety of academic material, to access this plan, you are required to sign up for a free subscription.
Related: The 8 Best Open Access Journal Sites For Students
You can also opt for an advanced professional plan where you can sign up for a 30-day trial to access material on the website, thereafter, you will be charged $5.99 a month.
4. Open Textbook Library
Open Textbook Library offers a variety of textbooks that are licensed by authors and publishers to be used freely.
You can browse through the various subject categories on the website. These categories offer a broad range of subjects from Mathematics to Business and many others.
5. Free Kids Textbooks
If you're a parent, Free Kids Textbooks is the perfect website to provide beginner-level education for your young one.
Books on the website are separated into categories for toddlers, children, and young adults, allowing you to easily find what you are looking for. This website also offers books in other languages such as French, German, Hindi, Spanish, and Farsi.
Related: How to Make Online Learning Fun for Young Children
You will also find an entire section dedicated to free K-12 PDF textbooks. This section is aimed at providing students, parents, and teachers with as many open education resources as possible.
You Can Also Use Other Online Platforms for Textbooks
All five websites are undoubtedly useful in helping you find free textbooks online. There are additional tools to help you find information online for free. There are a host of credible scholars who regularly publish free articles online.
Almost any topic you can think of has gone through a process of thorough research by multiple teams of experts. You might not know which direction to take in finding all this research. Tools like Google Scholar helps you find free articles online.
14 Best Websites To Find Free Textbooks Online
Going to college can be an expensive ordeal. Affording tuition is challenging enough, but other costs, such as textbook purchases, are usually on top of tuition, room, and board. The College Board survey estimated the cost of college textbooks and supplies at $1,240 for 2021-2022.
As a parent and college professor and a parent, I am interested in keeping school textbook costs down without impacting their education. Thankfully, there are legitimate ways to get free textbooks online or at lower prices to help your budget . Having your textbooks online is also easy on your back. Some students forego buying textbooks altogether, which breaks my heart. Hopefully, there is a way to get a decent textbook so you can do your homework and study.
How We Chose Our Sources
We researched these websites, avoiding those we felt may not be properly obtaining books or articles from authors with permission or may be prone to viruses. College students should always check their university bookstore websites as they may have beneficial arrangements for you. You should consider getting used textbooks, digital textbooks, or renting textbooks.
We found open library formats or open education resources (OER) that may receive funding from philanthropic and public entities. These resources make open textbooks available online through various digital files that can be freely used because of obtaining permission for copyright or the copyright has expired.
If you prefer buying printed textbooks or tend to buy your books, consider selling your textbooks as soon as the semester is over.
Library Genesis and Z-Library
Two sites, Library Genesis and Z-Library , are popular among college students for finding free e-textbooks. Z-Library is similar to Library Genesis, a shadow library for file-sharing access to academic texts and scholarly journal articles.
Some libraries, like Liberty Genesis, have been accused of pirating books or articles. Pirating a book means it was made available without the publisher or author’s permission while it was still under copyright protection. However, we couldn’t get comfortable that these libraries were entirely legitimate as they (Liberty Genesis) had lost a legal battle on copyright infringement. Still, they claim their sites have helped people download millions of free ebooks. You may want to check them out for yourselves.
It is essential to remind you that whenever you download something like an ebook, music, or video, it is for your personal use and not to copy it for others. Rather than risk doing something wrong unintentionally, it is better to tell your friend or colleague where you found the material so they can get it for themselves.
14 Ways To Get Free Textbooks Online
1. project gutenberg.
The respected Project Gutenberg is the oldest digital library with over 60,000 eBooks . Founded by Michael Hart in 1971, Project Gutenberg is an online library of free eBooks that thousands of volunteers digitize and proofread books. Its mission encourages the creation and distribution of eBooks. They focus on older works that are in the public domain.
While they may not have your textbook, they have an extensive collection of classic fiction works and many reference books. This site is an excellent place to find books you can enjoy reading.
2. OpenStax.org
OpenStax is a non-profit initiative of Rice University and has an impressive list of founding funders, notably the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . They publish high-quality, peer-reviewed, openly licensed college textbooks free online and low-cost in print. Its mission is to reduce inequality in education by providing cost-effective books that cover the curriculum of most subjects.
OpenStax partners with OER (i.e., open educational resources) Commons to provide community hubs. Instructors can freely share and modify syllabi, study guides, and other open copyright materials. According to OpenStax , over 2.2 million students at 48% of the colleges saved an estimated $177 million using free textbooks.
3. Open Textbook Library
Open Textbook Library has textbooks on extensive college subjects with free licenses with Creative Commons, making it accessible for anyone to use and change. Besides the available licenses, Open Textbook Library wants original textbooks used at multiple educational institutions or affiliated with a higher education institution. They will accept books published by OpenStax, Lyryx, or other colleges.
4. Freeditorial
Freeditorial is an online publishing house and library. All books are free and easy to download. Their collection is not academically oriented but predominantly classics, including memoirs, fiction, and short stories. Additionally, as a publisher, they offer free books by current writers after acquiring their publication rights.
5. LibreTexts.org
UC Davis leads LibreTexts in a higher education institutional cooperative effort to provide an easy-to-use online platform for open educational resources (OER) to help students save money on textbooks in key academic subjects.
6. Bookboon
“Boon” means beneficial for finding free eBooks on Bookboon . Professors from the world’s top universities write content covering topics from engineering, IT, economics, business, and personal development.
Bookboon has an easy-to-use library with hundreds of practical ebooks, including higher-income skills like soft skills. They provide two options: free ebooks showing a small percentage of ads or a monthly premium ad-free option.
7. Bookshare.org
Bookshare offers free ebooks to qualified students and non-students (for a $50 fee). Free ebooks are available to individuals with a qualifying reading or perceptual disability or visual or physical disability.
Bookshare’s library has over one million titles in 34 languages and is the most extensive collection of accessible ebooks globally. It includes books for school, career, and reading pleasure supported by a caring volunteer community and over 1,000 US and international publishers. Bookshare has a copyright exemption under the Chafee Amendment passed in 1996.
8. Archive.org
Begun in 1996, the Internet Archive is a digital library of Internet sites in various digital versions of other published works, including books and texts, audio recordings, videos, images, and software programs.
They provide free universal access to researchers, scholars, and the general public. Accessible through the Wayback Machine and working with over 950 library partners, they have more than 25 years of web history.
Founded in 2000, Lyryx publishes open textbooks and supplements with Creative Commons open licenses, available with free access to everyone, and enables a variety of permissions to adapt the material. Lyryx emphasizes content in business, economics, math, and statistics. Their open textbooks are available worldwide at no cost, and they provide supportive services, including editorial and in-house integration of course materials through its educational software.
10. PDF Search Engine
PDF Search Engine is not a library or a catalog but a search engine like Google or Yahoo for searching for pdfs. They have over 500 million PDFs to download and claim they have material like Word documents unavailable elsewhere.
11. Google Scholar
We know Google as the largest search engine, and Google Scholar is among the best ways to search for scholarly literature rather than textbooks broadly. You can quickly search various databases, disciplines, peer-reviewed articles, and theses for in-depth research. I don’t want to sound elitist, but you can find some of my articles on this site, and my parents would have been proud.
12. TextBookGo
TextBookGo is building the largest online resource for free e-textbooks for college. They say that all of the online textbooks they provide are 100% free for you to use. They claim, “All of the textbooks we provide are open source and have been approved by the publishers’ license and terms for free use.” I would note that with any book you get, paid or free, remember that the book is for your use and not for commercial use to copy for others.
13. The Assayer
The Assayer is the web’s most extensive catalog of books whose authors have made them free. The site has been around since 2000 and is a perfect place to find free ebooks about math, science, and computers.
14. ScholarWorks
ScholarWorks is a shared institutional repository that collects, preserves, and provides access to scholarship by research communities at California State University (CSU). Collections include CSU faculty publications, student dissertations and theses, datasets, and teaching materials. They have over 60,000 items to view.
Other Ways To Find Cheaper Textbooks
Besides finding free ebooks online, there are ways to find a cheaper version than the brand-new physical textbook, which can be expensive. You can check the used booksellers and textbook publisher websites. Students are significant sources of cheap textbooks as they wrap up the semester. Here are just a few ways to save money to help your tight budget , but I am sure there are many alternatives:
- Buy the loose-leaf package or digital format from the publisher, which will provide discounts, making them more affordable.
- Consider a slightly older textbook version, but make sure your professor sanctions that strategy. I have several textbook versions for each class I teach. I typically will let students know if it is alright to use an older edition after making sure the material is not stale.
- Purchase a used book from students who completed the class with the same faculty. See if you can negotiate the price with the student.
- Check if your bookstore offers discounts on the new book or sells used copies.
- Visit your library to see how many copies of the textbook they have. If you do your reading at night, there may be greater availability.
- There are more places to rent digital or physical books, with more daily choices, including Amazon, Chegg, Bookscouter, CampusBookRentals, and the higher education publishers Cengage and McGraw-Hill.
- Find a student textbook exchange like Textbook Exchange Network, which can help make your books more affordable.
- Check with your college library or your advisor for courses that use OER material.
- Check your bookstore or the publisher’s website for discounts and coupons on your textbooks.
- Visit your professors to see if they have extra textbooks that may be older or in distressed shape that you may borrow for the term.
Final Thoughts
It is expensive to go to college when you factor in tuition, rent, food, and other costs, so if you can snag a break on textbooks, you’re ahead of the game, and you can go out on the town with one less meal of ramen noodles! If I missed any websites or ways to get cheaper books, let me know, and I’ll add it to the best to benefit others.
Thank you for reading! Please visit us at The Cents of Money for more articles of interest.
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Z-Library Project - Search & Download Free Books | ZLibrary
Z-library is a free online library containing over 100 million books. Anyone can download e-books from our website without registration and in many formats.
Welcome to ZLibrary, a comprehensive digital library platform designed to provide free access to a vast collection of e-books and articles spanning various genres and topics. In this ultimate guide, we'll explore the benefits of using ZLibrary over traditional libraries and other online sources, helping you discover, download, and maximize your digital reading experience.
What is Z Library?
Z Library is a digital library that allows users to download books for free. The website has many books covering various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, and research papers. Users can search for books by author, title, or ISBN, and the website also provides recommendations based on the user's search history.
Exploring ZLibrary's Collection
Variety of content.
No registration or fees are required, and the books are available in ePub, Kindle, HTML, and plain text formats. Browse our 10 million+ titles or use a powerful search to find exactly what you're looking for.
User-friendly Search Options
Navigating ZLibrary's vast collection is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly search options. You can conduct a simple keyword search or use advanced search filters to refine your query by language, publication year, or file format.
Content Sources
ZLibrary's impressive selection comes from collaborations with libraries and publishers, and user uploads, ensuring a continually growing and diverse collection of materials for you to explore.
Benefits of Using Z-Library
One of the significant advantages of using Z-Library is the cost-saving aspect. Books can be expensive, and even borrowing from the library can incur fees. With Z-Library, users can access a vast selection of books for free. The website also provides the convenience of accessing books online, making it easy to read on the go or from the comfort of your home.
In addition to cost-saving and convenience, Z-Library also provides a vast selection of books. With over 6 million books available, there is something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a classic novel, a textbook for school, or a research paper for work, Z-Library has you covered.
How to Use ZLibrary.to?
To use ZLibrary, users need to create an account. Creating an account is easy and free, allowing users to save their search history and bookmark books for future reference. Once users have created an account, they can search for books by author, title, or ISBN. The website will then provide a list of books that match the search criteria. Users can then download the book in the format of their choice, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI.
ZLibrary also provides some helpful tools and features for users. For example, users can filter their search results by language, year of publication, and category. The website also has a rating system, allowing users to see the top-rated books in each category.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 . Is it legal to download books from Z Library?
ZLibrary operates under the concept of fair use, which allows users to access copyrighted material for educational purposes. However, we recommend checking your local laws before downloading any material.
2 . What formats are available for book downloads?
Z-Library offers books in various formats, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI.
3 . Is it safe to download books from Z-Library?
ZLibrary takes user safety seriously and ensures that all books are virus-free.
4 . Can I upload content to ZLibrary?
Yes, users can contribute to ZLibrary's collection by uploading content. However, it's crucial to respect copyright and intellectual property rights.
5 . How can I support ZLibrary?
You can support ZLibrary through donations, sharing the platform with others, or providing feedback to help improve the user experience. You should place the backlink to our website when sharing the content from Zlibrary.to.
6 . What are the download limits, and can they be increased?
ZLibrary imposes download limits to maintain resources for all users. Creating an account and logging in can grant you access to
7 . How often is Z Library updated with new books?
Z-Library is updated regularly with new books. However, the frequency of updates may vary depending on various factors, such as the availability of new books and the website's policies.
8 . Can I access Z Library from my mobile device?
Yes, ZLib is mobile-friendly and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
9 . What if I can't find the book I'm looking for on ZLibrary?
If you can't find the book you're looking for on ZLibrary, you can request the book from ZLibrary:hope , and the contributors may add it to their collection if it's available.
Z Library is a fantastic resource for book lovers looking to expand their reading collection without breaking the bank. With a vast selection of books, cost-saving benefits, and convenient online access, it's no wonder why ZLibrary.to is so popular. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a free account and start downloading books today!
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15+ Best Websites To Download Free PDF Textbooks [2024 Edition]
Gone are the days when you had to pay full price for books. Now you can find college textbooks online for free. One not-so-great thing about college education is expensive books. The amount of money it takes out of your pocket to pay for textbooks is huge. No matter how financially prepared you think you are for college, the cost of textbooks will frustrate you at some point. So, there are several best websites to download free PDF textbooks.
Today, there are many resources on the Internet where you can find a lot of books available for downloading in electronic form. From PDFs and eBooks to renting or using university libraries, there are plenty of ways to get free (or very cheap) university materials . This way, you’ll have certain savings to invest in other beneficial ways. Read this article to learn about the 15+ best websites to download free PDF textbooks in 2024 .
Table of Content
Comparison Of Best Websites For Free Textbooks Online
15+ best websites to download free pdf textbooks, centslessbooks, project gutenberg, open library, digilibraries, amazon kindle, google books, digital book index, internet archive, scholarworks, directory of open access books (doab), open textbook library, national academies press (nap), oer commons, mit opencourseware, tips for downloading free pdf textbooks, bonus website to download pdf books.
Lists e-books freely available on Amazon Kindle store; redirects to Kindle Store for download options. | Provides access to free e-books available on Amazon Kindle; option to purchase print editions. | Legally free books; easy navigation to Kindle Store. | Limited to books available on Amazon Kindle; requires Kindle app for reading | |
Explore and read over a million eBooks for free; requires an active student ID or public library card. Wide selection, includes free audiobooks. | Access to a large collection of free eBooks with a requirement of an active student ID or library card; offers a variety of audiobooks. | Extensive collection; includes audiobooks. | Requires library card or student ID; limited load periods | |
One of the biggest and oldest free eBook sources with over 70,000 e-books; no registration required. | Vast collection of over 70,000 free e-books available in various formats without the need for registration. | No registration needed; wide range of public domain books. | Mostly older books; limited contemporary titles | |
Access and download books in various formats; a search engine for Internet Archive’s ebook library with over 1.5 million books covering various categories. | Extensive collection with over 1.5 million books available in multiple formats; easy navigation. | Large collection; multiple formats. | Some books are limited to borrowing; registration required for some features | |
Download more than 75 million books in PDF format; written by professors from top universities; site targeted at students. | Large collection of over 75 million books in PDF format; authored by professors from leading universities; user-friendly navigation. | High-quality academic content; free access for students. | Requires registration; limited to academic and educational books | |
Offers a digital source of e-books across different categories; supports downloading in EPUB, PDF, and MOBI formats. | Broad range of e-books available with the ability to browse by title, author, or topic; supports EPUB, PDF, and MOBI formats. | Variety of formats; broad range of categories. | May include self-published works for varying quality; ads on the site | |
Leading platform for e-books; some books available for free with Kindle Unlimited subscription. Can be accessed through Kindle app on various devices. | Amazon’s main source for e-books; availability of free books with Kindle Unlimited subscription; accessible on Kindle app across devices. | Large collection; high-quality content. | Many books require purchase; Kindle Unlimited subscription needed for some books. | |
Google Play Store section for books; includes a large number of free books in various genres. Cannot be downloaded but can be read through the Google Play Books app. | Separate section in Google Play Store for books with a substantial collection of free books in different genres; reading through Google Play Books app. | Easy access; diverse genres. | Cannot download books; requires Google Play Books apps for reading | |
Website offering free university textbooks in PDF format; covers various subject areas. | Provides free university textbooks in PDF format, searchable by author/title, subject, and publisher; covers a range of subjects. | Free access to textbooks; searchable by various criteria. | Limited to educational materials; interface can be outdated | |
Offers 100% free online college textbooks in PDF format; an educational initiative of Rice University. Covers subjects like math, science, social studies, humanities, and business. | Non-profit initiative providing free online college textbooks in PDF format; covers a variety of subjects; written by professional authors. | High-quality textbooks; freely accessible. | Limited to specific subjects; primarily for academic use. | |
Easy-to-use website for downloading free university textbooks and online college textbooks; nonprofit library with millions of free books and other media. | Simple interface for downloading free university textbooks; nonprofit library with millions of free books, movies, software, music, etc. | Vast collection; includes multimedia resources. | Interface can be cluttered; some books require borrowing | |
Repository for academic works including textbooks. | Offers a range of free college textbooks in PDF format. | High-quality academic content; freely accessible. | Limited to works contributed by institutions and scholars | |
Aggregates open access books from academic publishers worldwide. | Over 20,000 academic books across various subjects. | High-quality, peer-reviewed content; free access. | Primarily academic and research-focused materials | |
A comprehensive library of openly licensed textbooks. | Over 800 textbooks covering various subjects. | Peer-reviewed; high-quality; freely accessible. | Limited to textbooks listed to library | |
Provides free access to books published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. | Thousands of books available for free PDF download. | High-quality, authoritative content. | Focused on sciences, engineering and medicine | |
A digital library and network for open educational resources. | Wide range of textbooks and educational materials. | Free and open access; broad subject coverage. | Quality varies by resource; requires searching for textbook | |
Provides free lecture notes, exams, and textbooks from MIT courses. | Free access to course materials for many MIT courses. | High-quality educational resources; free access. | Limited to MIT Course materials; primarily STEM-focused |
Finding free PDF textbooks can be a game-changer for students looking to save money on educational resources. In this article, we’ll explore the 17 best websites to download free PDF textbooks. These websites offer a wide range of textbooks across various subjects, ensuring you have access to essential study materials without any cost. From comprehensive academic databases to specialized subject sites, these platforms provide reliable and legal options for downloading textbooks. Let’s dive into the top sources for free educational content in 2024.
What makes CentslessBooks different from other websites? It provides a comprehensive list of all e-books that are available for free in the Amazon Kindle Store. If you select any e-book, it will direct you to the Kindle Store . Kindle offers the purchase of a hard copy for those who want it, and a free version is also available. CentslessBooks is a dedicated platform designed to help readers discover free e-books available on the Amazon Kindle Store. The website serves as a comprehensive directory that categorizes and lists Kindle e-books that are currently offered for free by Amazon. By providing direct links to the Kindle Store, CentslessBooks makes it easy for users to access and download a wide variety of free e-books across multiple genres.
Website: https://centslessbooks.com/
On OverDrive, you can explore and read over a million eBooks for free. However, the only thing is that you must have an active student ID or public library card to access the books for free. Another plus of Overdrive is that it also has a wide selection of free audiobooks .
Website: https://www.overdrive.com/
Well, if you’re looking for the biggest and oldest free eBook sources, your search should end here. You won’t believe it, but there are over 70,000 e-books on the site, and considered as one of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks .
Another advantage is that Project Gutenberg does not require you to register with the site to access the books. All books were available in Kindle , HTML , ePub , and plain text formats.
Website: https://www.gutenberg.org/
From the Open Library, you can access and download books in various formats, such as MOBI , EPUB , PDF , etc. It is essentially a search engine that allows you to search the Internet Archive’s e-book library.
There are over 1.5 million books available on the site, and they cover all categories like romance , history , children , etc.
Website: https://openlibrary.org/
Well, Bookboon is one of the great sites to download free books in PDF format. You can download more than 75 million books in PDF format from this site. Bookboon is basically a website aimed at students.
All free textbooks are written by professors from the best universities in the world. The site is very easy to navigate and is definitely the best eBook site you can visit today. Also, as per user reviews only, it is considered as one of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks.
Website: https://bookboon.com/
The site claims to offer a digital source of e-books for every taste. Depending on your taste, you can browse through different categories of e-books.
The good thing is that the site allows you to browse books by title, author, or topic. DigiLibraries supports downloading files in EPUB, PDF, and MOBI formats.
Website: https://digilibraries.com/
Well, Amazon Kindle is one of the best places to read e-books and one of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks . The Kindle is now the main source for downloading e-books. While not all books available on Kindle are free to download, if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can read many books for free.
You can download the Kindle app on Android or iOS . The desktop version is also available to read books stored in your Kindle library.
Website: Amazon Kindle
The Google Play Store has a separate section for books. Go to the Google Play Store and select the books section. In this section, you will find many popular books.
Google Play has a section for free books of various genres. The free section lists new books almost every day. You can’t download books. However, you can read them through the Google Play Books app.
Website: https://books.google.com/
The Digital Book Index is another website where students can find free university textbooks in PDF format.
Textbooks in the Digital Book Index are available in history, social studies, medicine and health, math and science, philosophy and religion, law, and other subject areas. You can also search for textbooks by author, title, subject, and publisher.
Website: http://www.digitalbookindex.org/
OpenStax is another website where college students can access 100% free online college textbooks in pdf format, available in English and Spanish . Its mission is to improve access to education and learning for all. It publishes openly licensed books.
OpenStax publishes high-quality books that are reviewed by experts. These openly licensed college textbooks are completely free online. You can also print them in a very affordable manner. The textbooks provided by OpenStax are written by professional authors. They follow standard length and sequence requirements. This allows them to be tailored to your existing course. OpenStax also has textbooks for high school courses.
Website: https://openstax.org/
The Internet Archive is an easy-to-use website. Students can download free university textbooks online. Free PDF college textbooks are available for almost every subject area.
Books published before 1926 are also available for download . Hundreds and thousands of modern books can also be rented online. The Internet Archive is a non-profit library containing millions of free books, movies, websites, and more.
Website: https://archive.org/
ScholarWorks is an institutional repository that collects, preserves, and disseminates scholarly work across multiple universities in the United States. Each ScholarWorks site is associated with a particular university, serving as a platform to house and share the academic and creative outputs of faculty, staff, and students. These outputs can include dissertations, theses, faculty publications, research datasets, and more.
For example, at California State University, ScholarWorks is used to share collections from various academic communities, including datasets and teaching materials . Similarly, Indiana University Indianapolis offers a ScholarWorks platform that houses thousands of articles, presentations, and other scholarly materials, promoting widespread access and engagement with these resources.
Website: ScholarWorks
The Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) is a central online hub aimed at increasing the visibility and accessibility of open access peer-reviewed books. It serves as a community-driven discovery service that indexes high-quality open access books, facilitating easier access and promoting their use both by the academic community and the public.
DOAB allows academic publishers to submit metadata about their open access books, which enhances discoverability and utilization. It’s open to all publishers who produce academic and peer-reviewed books under an open access license, ensuring a broad spectrum of disciplines and topics are covered.
Website: Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
The Open Textbook Library, hosted by the Center for Open Education at the University of Minnesota, is a valuable resource for freely accessible educational materials. It offers a broad selection of over 1,490 textbooks that are openly licensed, allowing users to freely use, edit, and distribute the content without any cost.
The library covers a wide range of subjects including Business, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. Each subject category includes specific fields; for example, under Business, you can find textbooks on Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Management, and Marketing.
Website: Open Textbook Library
The National Academies Press (NAP) is the publishing arm of the National Academies of Sciences , Engineering , and Medicine . It is renowned for producing over 200 authoritative publications each year on a broad array of topics in science , engineering , and medicine .
These publications serve as independent, thoroughly researched sources of information on significant issues in science and health policy. The NAP’s commitment is to make these resources available for free, promoting knowledge and understanding among the public and professionals alike.
Website: National Academies Press (NAP)
OER Commons, developed by the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME), is a platform dedicated to enhancing educational equity through open educational resources (OER). It provides a digital library where users can find over 50,000 educational resources , allowing educators and students to freely use, modify, and share these materials.
The platform is well-supported by various educational partnerships and receives backing from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation , emphasizing its commitment to the open education movement. Teachers and other users engage actively with the platform, enhancing the materials through reviews and adaptations , thereby contributing to an evolving repository of freely accessible educational content.
Website: OER Commons
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a free and open educational resource that offers an extensive array of course materials from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Established in 2001 , OCW aims to provide open access to the educational materials used in the wide range of MIT’s undergraduate and graduate-level courses covering all academic disciplines .
These materials typically include syllabi , course notes , assignments , and exams . Additionally, many courses offer complete video lectures, free online textbooks, and insights from faculty about teaching strategies and course design
Website: MIT OpenCourseWare
- Visit the official websites of universities and educational organizations. It is a safe way to download free PDF versions of textbooks.
- Use open-access resources such as OpenStax . It will allow you to access free electronic versions of textbooks in various subjects.
- Check online libraries such as Google Books . Here you can find free passages and sometimes entire textbooks.
- Use platforms that provide free books, such as Project Gutenberg . Classic textbooks are also available.
- Check out educational research sites that often offer free PDF versions of academic books and articles.
ScholarWorks offers a range of free online college textbooks. Get free college textbooks in PDF format here. This makes it easy to find the textbooks that are suitable for your college course.
Besides various other reading materials, textbooks rank as one of the largest college bills. By following this guide closely, you’ll never need the costly text books anymore. This is a modern-day method of obtaining college textbooks. It is now possible to get free pdf copies of books on the Internet without having to spend your hard-earned money . Easily access some of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks and get the required material.
Best Websites To Download Free PDF Textbooks [2024] – FAQs
Where can i download textbooks pdf for free.
You can download free textbook PDFs from sites like OpenStax , Project Gutenberg , and MIT OpenCourseWare, which offer a range of academic and classic literature texts legally.
Where can I download any book PDF for free?
Websites like Project Gutenberg , Internet Archive, and Google Books often provide free PDF downloads of a wide variety of books, especially public domain works.
Is PDFdrive safe?
PDFdrive is generally considered safe to use, but like any free download site, it’s advisable to have updated antivirus software as the site hosts files uploaded by various users, and there could be risks of malware.
How do I download an online textbook as a PDF?
Many educational platforms and university websites allow you to download textbooks directly as PDFs. Always ensure you have legitimate access through library services or open access sites.
How to download textbook PDF from Google?
Use Google Books to search for the textbook. If available for free, Google Books might offer an option to download it as a PDF. Always ensure the download is legal and respects copyright laws.
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Whether you're studying at a major university, taking online college courses, or just learning on your own, there are tons of ways to find free textbooks online. Some books can be viewed in your browser while other are available for download in PDF format.
Most of these websites specialize in free textbooks. There are also other websites that offer free audiobooks and free e-books .
First Stop for Free Books: Google
Search multiple websites at once.
Very effective at finding any free textbook.
Limited range of file types are supported.
Google should be the first place you go to find free textbooks online. Using a search engine like Google will scour the whole web for textbook PDFs.
However, instead of a general search, you'll want to take advantage of Google's filetype command. Enter filetype:pdf followed by the name of the book you're looking for, making sure to use quotes around the whole title. For example:
If you don't have luck with the book's title, try the author (surrounded in quotes) with or without the title. You might also mix up the file extension and use PPT or DOC ; you never know what format the textbook might be in.
Google Scholar is another search engine from Google that you should try along with a Google search. It's a great place to find all sorts of academic-oriented content.
Biggest Selection of Textbooks: Bookboon
Over 1,000 free textbooks.
Website is extremely easy to use.
Several categories to browse through.
Access to more textbooks requires a paid membership.
There are a few advertisements.
Bookboon should definitely be your second method of finding free textbooks online. There are hundreds upon hundreds of books available for download as PDFs, or you can read them directly in your browser.
When you're viewing a textbook's download page, you'll see a star rating from other users and similar textbooks you might like.
Some of the categories of free textbooks here include economics and finance, marketing and law, IT and programming, accounting, statistics and mathematics, and engineering.
And several business e-books and the option to block ads are available with a business account. There's a 30-day trial if you want to see what that's like.
Best Mobile App for Free Textbooks: OpenStax
View online or download the textbook PDF.
Read free textbooks from the OpenStax mobile app.
No search function.
OpenStax, a service offered by Rice University, provides access to high-quality textbooks in categories that include humanities, business, essentials, and math. This project was initially kicked off for college students by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
You don't need a user account to access these textbooks, so just pick a subject, find the textbook you want to use for free, and then choose how you want to get it (online, through the app, or as a PDF).
Links to Free Textbooks: Open Culture
Hundreds of free textbook download links.
Most links go to PDF; no extra searching required.
Textbooks are categorized by subject.
Reliability not a given; textbooks are on external sites.
Finding the exact book you need can be challenging.
Open Culture, a fascinating repository of some of the best content on the web, has assembled an ongoing database of free texts ranging in subject from biology and management to computer science and physics.
All links are to external sites, so while the list itself is sometimes updated with new books, the download pages might be broken and the textbooks missing.
Search Engine for Textbooks: MERLOT
Find free textbooks on multiple sites at once.
Tons of filtering and sorting options to narrow results.
Sign up for alerts when new textbooks are added.
Textbooks stored on other sites.
Links may end up as redirects or dead links.
You can search for free textbooks on MERLOT by title, ISBN, or author. There are thousands of books to pick from, and they're all completely free.
However, what makes MERLOT different from most of these other free textbook websites is that it's more like a textbook search engine: It indexes books from other sites and provides links to them.
To find only the free textbooks here instead of other things like tests, animations, or tutorials, be sure to select Open (Access) Textbook from the filtering menu.
Some of the subjects you can filter by include social sciences, workforce deployment, education, business, arts, and science and technology. Within any category of free textbooks, you can copy the RSS feed link and use it in your RSS reader to get alerts when new books are added to MERLOT's site.
Free Books for Free Classes: MIT OpenCourseWare
Includes a page with only online textbooks.
Supports advanced search commands.
Convenient "PDF only" filter.
Includes PDF textbooks only for specific classes at MIT.
MIT has offered OpenCourseWare (OCW) for several years now, and along with these free classes come free college textbooks. Feel free to search for the textbook you're after, or you can browse the online textbooks by department or education level.
Free Textbook Finder: Open Textbook Library
Hundreds of free textbooks.
Textbooks cover common subjects.
User account not required.
Very basic search tool.
All books are hosted on external sites.
Hundreds of peer-reviewed and free textbooks are available at Open Textbook Library. This site is more of a search engine for textbooks since all the links point to other sites, but it's still very useful for finding free textbook PDFs.
Some of the subjects include law, medicine, management, linguistics, biology, psychology, applied mathematics, and history.
When you land on the textbook's download page, you're given a table of contents and other details about the book. There's a PDF button you must click to reach the actual download page. There's also sometimes an option for reading the textbook online.
The Wikipedia of Textbooks: Wikibooks
Huge range of subjects.
Run by the same company as Wikipedia.
Some textbooks are PDFs.
Anyone can add annotations or edits.
Books can change because they're open for editing.
Most textbooks must be read online.
Wikibooks offers a wide variety of over 3,300 free textbooks in subjects from computing and languages to social sciences, engineering, and miscellaneous books.
This free textbook website is run by its visitors, much like Wikipedia . This open-to-all philosophy means that some books are only partially finished. On each subject's page, you'll see which books are completed and which ones still require some work.
Free Books for Every Grade Level: OER Commons
Super detailed descriptions of the textbooks.
You can view all the books online.
Lots of helpful filtering options.
Might run into non-textbook materials like audio or video.
Open Educational Resources (OER) is a digital public library that offers a variety of free textbooks to anyone and everyone. There are over 10 subject areas you can look through, and each subject is divided into three grade levels (primary, secondary, post-secondary).
Choose Textbook from the side of the page to filter out all the other kinds of content you can find here, which includes lectures, guides, games, full courses, and case studies. Each download page provides a link to view the textbook online in your browser.
Free Books About Freedom: Online Library of Liberty
No user account is required to get free books.
Download textbooks in a few different file formats.
Several ways to browse the textbooks.
Some textbooks are scanned and aren't as easy to read.
The Online Library of Liberty has over 1,700 free textbooks pertaining to the subjects of individual liberty and free markets.
You can browse for the books by title, author, time period, and idea. This website lets you download PDF textbooks, or you can choose the HTML option to read the textbooks online.
Free K-12 Textbooks: Curriki
Range of textbooks meant for K-12 students.
Extensive filtering option.
Must create a free account to download textbooks.
Some download links don't work.
Curriki offers a fantastic array of free textbooks in categories like health, language arts, world languages, technology, and math. There are books for all grade levels including K-12 and college.
This resources also has textbooks for special education and professional development. There's also a lot of other helpful educational content, so be sure to select the Textbook filter option to see only the free books.
Free Public Domain Books: Project Gutenberg
Multiple download options.
You can read the textbook online if you want.
Limited selection of school textbooks.
Most of the books are very old.
Project Gutenberg offers a wide selection of over 70,000 texts. Many are e-books in the public domain, but there are also free textbooks.
There isn't a page dedicated to just online textbooks, so the best way to find free textbooks on this site is through the search tool. If you're taking a classical literature class, there's a good chance you can find all of the required reading at Project Gutenberg.
Free Books Message Boards: Reddit User Submissions
Updates frequently with new submissions.
Help from other students seeking free books.
Many older links no longer work.
Some links might violate copyrights.
Reddit is a great platform for sharing content, and you can use it to find free textbooks online. It's common for users to share links to free textbooks and websites where free books can be downloaded.
Not all of the links are valid because some older ones have been taken down. If this is the case, you can reply to the thread and ask for an updated link, or start a new topic requesting help finding a book.
More Ways to Get Free and Cheap Textbooks
Here are some more websites where you can find textbooks for free or cheap:
- Book exchange sites
- BookFinder.com
- Affordabook.com
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200 Free Textbooks: A Meta Collection
Free textbooks (aka open textbooks) written by knowledgable scholars are a relatively new phenomenon. Below, find a meta list of 200 Free Textbooks, and check back often for new additions. Also see our online collection , 1,700 Free Online Courses from Top Universities .
Art History
- A Textbook of the History of Painting by John Charles Van Dyke, Rutgers
- Anatomy and Physiology — Edited by various profs at OpenStax
- Biology — Edited by various profs at OpenStax
- Biochemistry Free For All 1.3 — Kevin, Indira and Taralyn
- Biochemistry Free and Easy — Kevin Ahern and Dr. Indira Rajagopal, Oregon State
- Botany Online: The Internet Hypertextbook by multiple scholars.
- Cells: Molecules and Mechanisms . Published by the Axolotl Academic Publishing Co.
- CK-12 Biology I (Grades 9–12) edited by Douglas Wilkin, Chair, Dept of Science, Los Angeles Unified School District
- CK-12 Life Science (Grades 9–12) edited by Douglas Wilkin, Chair, Dept of Science, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Concepts of Biology — Edited by various profs at OpenStax
- Fundamentals of Cell Biology — Lauren Dalton and Robin Young
- Guide to Getting into Med School — Kevin Ahern and Dr. Indira Rajagopal, Oregon State
- Life on Earth (iBook) — E.O. Wilson, Harvard
Business and Management
- Business Ethics by Jose A. Cruz-Cruz, William Frey, University of Puerto Rico — Mayaguez
- Business Fundamentals by the Global Text Project
- Core Concepts of Marketing by John Burnett
- Corporate Finance by Ivo Welch, UCLA
- CREATE OR PERISH: The Case for Inventions and Patents by Robert Rines, MIT
- Electronic Commerce by Multiple authors, University of Georgia, Bentley College, and Simon Fraser University
- Guidelines for Improving the Effectiveness of Boards of Directors of Nonprofit Organizations by Vic Murray and Yvonne Harrison, SUNY, Albany
- Chemistry Virtual Textbooks by Stephen Lower, Simon Fraser University
- CK-12 Chemistry (Grades 9–12) by multiple authors. Covers high school chemistry curriculum in California.
- Concept Development Studies in Chemistry by John S. Hutchinson, Rice University
- Concepts in Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins, Oxford
- Organic Chemistry (with a Biological Emphasis) by Tim Soderberg, University of Minnesota, Morris
- Virtual Textbook of Organic Chemistry . Presented by Michigan State
- Cicero, On Pompey’s Command (De Imperio), 27–49. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, Commentary, and Translation , by Ingo Gildenhard, Louise Hodgson, et al, Cambridge University.
- Tacitus, Annals, 15.20-23, 33-45. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, and Commentary , by Mathew Owen and Ingo Gildenhard, Cambridge University
- Virgil, Aeneid, 4.1–299. Latin Text, Study Questions, Commentary and Interpretative Essays by Ingo Gildenhard, by Cambridge University
- Cicero, Against Verres, 2.1.53–86. Latin Text with Introduction, Study Questions, Commentary and English Translation , by Ingo Gildenhard, Cambridge University
Computer Science & Information Systems
- A Byte of Python , by Swaroop C H
- A First Course in Electrical and Computer Engineering by Louis Scharf, Colorado State
- Artificial Intelligence: Foundations of Computational Agents by David Poole and Alan Mackworth, University of British Columbia
- Bits, Signals, and Packets: An Introduction to Digital Communications and Networks by Hari Balakrishnan, Christopher Terman, and George Verghese, MIT
- Code Like a Pythonista: Idiomatic Python , by David Goodger
- Computational Geometry by Nicholas M. Patrikalakis, Takashi Maekawa, MIT
- Dive into Python 3 , by Mark Pilgrim
- Foundations of Computer Science by Al Aho (Columbia) and Jeff Ullman (Stanford)
- How to Design Programs: An Introduction to Computing and Programming, Multiple Authors
- High Performance Computing by Charles Severance, University of Michigan
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: C ++ ( PDF) by Allen B. Downey, Olin College
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Java by Allen B. Downey, Olin College
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Python by Allen B. Downey, Olin College
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python 3 by Peter Wentworth, Jeffrey Elkner, Allen B. Downey, and Chris Meyers.
- Implementing a One Address CPU in Logisim by Charles W. Kann III, Gettysburg College
- Information Technology and the Networked Economy by Patrick McKeown, University of Georgia
- Information Theory, Inference, and Learning Algorithms by David MacKay, Cambridge
- Introduction To MIPS Assembly Language Programming by Charles W. Kann III, Gettysburg College
- Learn Python the Hard Way , by Zed A. Shaw
- Neural Networks and Deep Learning , by Michael Nielsen, Research Fellow at the Recurse Center
- Patterns for Beginning Programmers (with Examples in Java) , by David Bernstein, James Madison University
- Philosophy of Computer Science by William J. Rapaport, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
- Principles of Computer System Design: An Introduction (Part 1 and Part II) by Jerome Saltzer and M. Frans Kaashoek.
- Principles of Programming Languages by Grad Students, Johns Hopkins
- Programming Languages: Application and Interpretation by Dr. Shriram Krishnamurthi, Brown University .
- Prolog and Natural-Language Analysis by Fernando C. N. Pereira and Stuart M. Shieber, U Penn & Harvard
- Python for Informatics: Exploring Information by Charles Severance, University of Michigan
- Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Jerry Sussman & Julie Sussman
- Teach Yourself WordPerfect Mac by John Rethorst
- The Princeton Bitcoin Textbook by Arvind Narayanan (Princeton) and colleagues
Earth Science
- CK-12 Earth Science for Middle School by multiple authors.
- Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Dr. Robert Stewart, Texas A&M University
Economics & Finance
- Principles of Macroeconomics by Libby Rittenberg and Timothy Tregarthen, Colorado College
Education
- Educational Psychology by Kevin Seifert and Rosemary Sutton, University of Manitoba and Cleveland State
Electrical Engineering
- Digital Circuit Projects: An Overview of Digital Circuits Through Implementing Integrated Circuits by Charles W. Kann , Gettysburg College
- Electromagnetics and Applications by David Staelin, MIT
- Electromechanical Dynamics by Herbert H. Woodson and James R. Melcher, MIT
- Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I by Don Johnson, Rice University
- Introduction to Nanoelectronics by Marc Baldo, MIT
- Introduction to Physical Electronics by William Wilson, Rice University
- Introduction to Statics and Dynamics by Andy Ruina and Rudra Pratap, Cornell University
- Lessons In Electric Circuits by Tony R. Kuphaldt, Bellingham Technical College
- Operational Amplifiers: Theory and Practice by James K. Roberge, MIT
- Signals, Systems and Inference by MIT
- Signals and Systems , by Alan Oppenheim and Alan Willsky, MIT
- System Design for Uncertainty , by Michael S. Triantafyllou, MIT
- The Art of Insight in Science and Engineering: Mastering Complexity , by Prof. Sanjoy Mahajan
Engineering
- Analysis of Structural Member Systems by Jerome Connor, MIT
- Engineering: An Introduction for High School (9–12) by multiple authors
- Maneuvering and Control of Surface and Underwater Vehicles , by Michael S. Triantafyllou, MIT
- Mechanics of Materials by MIT
- US History Learner English (ESL) by The Learner English Series
- U.S. History since 1877 by James Ross-Nazzal, Houston Community College
- Deutsch im Blick by the University of Texas
- German for Reading Knowledge by Howard Martin, revised and expanded as an open online textbook by Alan Ng, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Hindi: An Active Introduction by DN Sharma & James Stone, Foreign Service Institute
- Learning Chinese: A Foundation Course in Mandarin by Julian Wheatley, MIT
- My Korean 1 and 2 by Young‑A Cho, In-Jung Cho, Monash University (Australia)
- Español I (free for iPad) by David Nance, ADE Distance Learning Center
- French: Familiarization and Short-Term Training by Foreign Service Institute
- Spanish: Familiarization and Short Term Training by Foreign Service Institute
- Open Intellectual Property Casebook by James Boyle and Jennifer Jenkins, Duke
Linguistics
- How Language Works: The Cognitive Science of Linguistics by Mike Gasser, Indiana University
Mathematics
- Abstract Algebra: The Basic Graduate Year by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications by Thomas W. Judson, Stephen F. Austin State University
- Advanced Algebra II by Kenny Felder, Raleigh Charter High School
- Advanced Calculus by Sternberg Shlomo and Lynn Loomis, Harvard University
- Algebra 1 (Grades 9 & 10) by Andrew and Anne Gloag, High Tech High in San Diego, California
- Algebra and Analysis for Computer Science by Jean Gallier, University of Pennsylvania.
- Applied Probability by Paul Pfeiffer, Rice University
- Basic Analysis by Jiří Lebl, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Basic Concepts of Mathematics by Elias Zakon, The University of Windsor
- Basic Probability Theory by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- Basic Probability and Statistics by Brenda Meery, high school mathematics teacher in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
- Book of Proof by Dr. Richard Hammack, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Calculus for Beginners and Artists by MIT
- Calculus Online Textbook , by Gilbert Strang, MIT
- Calculus (PDF) by David Guichard, Whitman College.
- Calculus (PDF) by Gilbert Strang, MIT
- Calculus 1 by Paul Dawkins, Lamar University
- Calculus 2 by Paul Dawkins, Lamar University
- Calculus 3 by Paul Dawkins, Lamar University
- Calculus with Applications , by Daniel Kleitman, MIT
- CK-12 Geometry (Grades 10–12) by multiple authors. Covers California curriculum.
- CK-12 Single Variable Calculus (Grades 11–12) by Multiple authors. Covers California curriculum.
- CK-12 Trigonometry — Second Edition (Grades 10–12) by multiple authors. Covers California curriculum.
- Collaborative Statistics by Barbara Illowsky, Ph.D and Susan Dean, De Anza College
- College Algebra by Paul Dawkins, Lamar University
- Complex Analysis by George Cain, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Complex Variables by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- A Computational Introduction to Number Theory and Algebra by Victor Shoup, NYU
- A Course In Algebraic Number Theory by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- A Course In Commutative Algebra by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- Design of Comparative Experiments by R. A. Bailey, University of London
- Difference Equations to Differential Equations: An Introduction to Calculus by Dan Sloughter, Furman University
- Differential Equations by Paul Dawkins, Lamar University
- Discrete Mathematics: An Open Introduction by Oscar Levin, University of Northern Colorado
- Dynamical Systems by S. Sternberg, Harvard University
- Electronic Statistics Textbook by T. Hill & P. Lewicki.
- Elementary Abstract Algebra by W. Edwin Clark, University of Southern Florida
- Elementary Calculus: An Infinitesimal Approach by H. Jerome Keisler, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Elementary Differential Equations (PDF) by William F. Trench, Trinity University
- Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems (PDF) by William F. Trench, Trinity University
- Student Solutions Manual for Elementary Differential Equations and Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems (PDF) by William F. Trench, Trinity University
- Elementary Linear Algebra by Keith Matthews, University of Queensland
- Elementary Number Theory by W. Edwin Clark, University of Southern Florida
- Elements of Abstract and Linear Algebra by Edwin H. Connell, University of Miami
- First Course in Complex Analysis by Matthias Beck, Gerald Marchesi, and Dennis Pixton, SUNY — Binghamton
- First Course in Linear Algebra by Dr. Robert Beezer, University of Puget Sound
- Functions Defined by Improper Integrals (PDF) by William F. Trench, Trinity University
- GeneratingFunctionology by Herbert Wilf, University of Pennsylvania
- Introduction to Matrix Algebra by Autar K Kaw, University of South Florida
- Introduction to Probability (PDF) by Charles Grinstead & J. Laurie Snell, Swarthmore & Dartmouth Colleges
- Introduction to Probability, Statistics, and Random Processes by Hossein Pishro-Nik, UMass Amherst
- Introduction to Real Analysis (PDF) by William F. Trench, Trinity University
- Introduction to Social Network Methods by Robert A. Hanneman and Mark Riddle, UC Riverside
- Introduction to Statistical Thought by Michael Lavine, UMASS
- Introductory Statistics: Concepts, Models, and Applications by David W. Stockburger, Missouri State
- Introduction to the Theory of Numbers by Leo Moser, McGill
- Lectures on Probability, Statistics and Econometrics by Marco Taboga, Economist, Bank of Italy
- Lectures on Statistics by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- Linear Algebra (PDF) by Jim Hefferon, Saint Michael’s College
- Linear Algebra by Paul Dawkins, Lamar University
- Math Alive by Ingrid Daubechies, Princeton University
- Math in Society by David Lipmann, Pierce College
- Math, Numerics, and Programming (for Mechanical Engineers) by Masayuki Yano, MIT
- Mathematical Methods of Engineering Analysis (PDF) by Erhan Çinlar and Robert J. Vanderbei, Princeton University
- Multivariable Calculus by George Cain & James Herod, Georgia Tech
- Proofs and Concepts: The Fundamentals of Abstract Mathematics by Dave Witte Morris and Joy Morris, University of Lethbridge
- Real Variables with Basic Metric Space Topology by Robert B. Ash, University of Illinois
- Statistics by Philip B. Stark, University of California — UC Berkeley
- A Summary of Calculus by Karl Heinz Dovermann, University of Hawaii
- The Book “A=B” by Marko Petkovsek, Herbert Wilf and Doron Zeilberger, Univ. of Pennsylvania and Rutgers
- The Method of Lagrange Multipliers (PDF) by William Trench, Trinity University
- The Calculus of Functions of Several Variables by Dan Sloughter, Furman University
- Yet Another Calculus Text by Dan Sloughter, Furman University
- Beyond Slonimsky: Melodic Patterns for Guitar — by Rich Cochrane (Find alternate version here )
- Music Fundamentals 1: Pitch and Major Scales and Keys — by Terry B. Ewell, Towson University
- Music Fundamentals 3: Minor Scales and Keys — by Terry B. Ewell, Towson University
- Music Fundamentals 5: Triads, Chords, Introduction to Roman Numerals by Terry B. Ewell, Towson University
- Scale and Arpeggio Resources: A Guitar Encyclopedia by Rich Cochrane (Find alternate version here )
- Sound Reasoning (Introductory Music course) by Anthony Brandt, Rice University
- Understanding Basic Music Theory , Edited by Catherine Schmidt-Jones
Philosophy
- Animals and Ethics 101: Thinking Critically About Animal Rights by Nathan Nobis, Morehouse College
- A Modern Formal Logic Primer by Paul Teller, UC Davis
- Arguments: Deductive Logic Exercises , by H. Pospesel and D. Marans, UC Davis
- forall x: An Introduction to Formal Logic by PD Magnus, University at Albany, State University of New York
- forallx: Cambridge by P.D. Magnus ; modified for Cambridge by Tim Button
- Metatheory for truth-functional logic by Tim Button, Cambridge University
- Age of Einstein , by Frank W. K. Firk, Yale University.
- Calculus-Based Physics by Jeffrey W. Schnick, Saint Anselm College
- College Physics (introductory, algebra-based, two-semester college physics book) by OpenStax
- Conceptual Physics by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- Conservation Laws by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- Essential Physics 1 , Frank W.K. Firk, Yale University
- Fields by Warren Siegel, SUNY
- General Relativity by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- Introduction to Groups, Invariants & Particles , by Frank W. K. Firk, Yale University
- Introduction to String Field Theory by Warren Siegel, SUNY
- Mountain Motion by Dr. Christoph Schiller PhD, trained at Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Optics by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- Programming Languages: Application and Interpretation by Dr. Shriram Krishnamurthi, Brown University
- Simple Nature: An Introduction to Physics for Engineering and Physical Science Students by Ben Crowell, Fullerton College
- Superspace: One Thousand and One Lessons in Supersymmetry by Warren Siegel. Jim Gates, Marc Grisaru, and Martin Rocek, SUNY, McGill, University of Maryland
- The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard Feynman, Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands
- The Light and Matter Series (Six texts) by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- Vibrations and Waves by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- The Modern Revolution in Physics by Benjamin Crowell, Fullerton College
- The People’s Physics Book by James H. Dann, UC Santa Cruz
- 21st Century Physics Flexbook: A Compilation of Contemporary and Emerging Technologies , by the Secretaries of Education and Technology and the Department of Education in the state of Virginia
Psychology
Sociology
- American Society: How It Actually Works by By Erik Olin Wright & Joel Rogers, University of Wisconsin
- Introduction to Sociology by multiple professors
System Theory
- Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems by Hiroki Sayama, Binghamton University, State University of New York.
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460 Free Textbooks – Math, Science, and More [Online PDF for College and High School]
While you're in school, you will go through a number of textbooks and the cost can add up pretty quickly. Luckily, there are websites that offer free textbooks for high school and college students.
Here is a list of 460 free textbooks, arranged by topic. Once you find a topic that interests you, click that link and it will jump you down to a list of related textbooks.
High School Textbook Categories
Natural sciences, classical novels, college textbook categories, computer science, engineering, social sciences, journalism and communication, high school textbooks (90).
- Advanced High School Statistics - 2nd Edition
- Advanced High School Mathematics
- AP Physics Collection
- Biology for AP courses
- Principles of Macroeconomics for AP courses 2e
- Principles of Microeconomics for AP courses 2e
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The
- Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The
- Aesop’s Fables
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales
- Anna Karenina
- Anne of Green Gables
- Around the World in 80 Days
- Beyond Good and Evil
- Bleak House
- Brothers Karamazov, The
- Christmas Carol, A
- Crime and Punishment
- David Copperfield
- Down and Out in Paris and London
- For the Term of His Natural Life
- Frankenstein
- Great Expectations
- Great Gatsby, The
- Grimms Fairy Tales
- Gulliver’s Travels
- Heart of Darkness
- Hound of the Baskervilles, The
- Island of Doctor Moreau, The
- Jungle Book, The
- Lady Chatterly’s Lover
- Last of the Mohicans, The
- Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The
- Les Miserables
- Little Women
- Madame Bovary
- Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, The
- Metamorphosis, The
- Middlemarch
- Northanger Abbey
- Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard
- Notes from the Underground
- Odyssey, The
- Of Human Bondage
- Oliver Twist
- Paradise Lost
- Picture of Dorian Gray, The
- Portrait of a Lady, The
- Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, A
- Pride and Prejudice
- Prince, The
- Robinson Crusoe
- Scarlet Pimpernel, The
- Sense and Sensibility
- Sons and Lovers
- Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The
- Tale of Two Cities, A
- Tales of Mother Goose, The
- Tarzan of the Apes
- Tender is the Night
- Tess of the d’Urbervilles
- Thirty Nine Steps, The
- Three Musketeers, The
- Time Machine, The
- Treasure Island
- Vanity Fair
- War and Peace
- Within A Budding Grove
- Women In Love
- Wuthering Heights
College TextBooks (370)
- Python for Everybody: Exploring Data Using Python 3
- Web Accessibility for Developers
- The Missing Link: An Introduction to Web Development and Programming
- Foundations of Computation
- Algorithms and Data Structures With Applications to Graphics and Geometry
- Think Data Structures: Algorithms and Information Retrieval in Java
- Open Data Structures: An Introduction
- Java with BlueJ
- Introduction to Programming Using Java - Eighth Edition
- A Byte of Python
- Eloquent JavaScript: A Modern Introduction to Programming
- High Performance Computing
- Database Design - 2nd Edition
- Relational Databases and Microsoft Access
- A First Course in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: C Version
- How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: C++ Version
- Programming Fundamentals - A Modular Structured Approach using C++
- Think Java: How To Think Like a Computer Scientist - 2e
- Java, Java, Java: Object-Oriented Problem Solving
- Think Stats: Probability and Statistics for Programmers - 2e
- Think Bayes: Bayesian Statistics Made Simple
- Think Complexity: Exploring Complexity Science with Python - 2e
- Digital Circuit Projects: An Overview of Digital Circuits Through Implementing Integrated Circuits
- Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems
- Physical Modeling in MATLAB
- Spatial Thinking in Planning Practice: An Introduction to GIS
- Introduction to Computer Graphics
- Computer Networks: A Systems Approach
- An Introduction to Computer Networks - Second Edition
- Computer Networking : Principles, Protocols and Practice
- Signal Computing: Digital Signals in the Software Domain
- x86-64 Assembly Language Programming with Ubuntu
- Professional Web Accessibility Auditing Made Easy
- First Semester in Numerical Analysis with Python
- The Crystal Ball Instruction Manual - version 1.1 Volume One: Introduction to Data Science
- An Introduction to Matlab and Mathcad
- Yet Another Introductory Number Theory Textbook (Cryptology Emphasis Version)
- Delftse Foundations of Computation
- The Unicode cookbook for linguists: Managing writing systems using orthography profiles
- Implementing a One Address CPU in Logisim
- Embedded Controllers Using C and Arduino - 2e
- Introduction to MIPS Assembly Language Programming
- Think DSP: Digital Signal Processing in Python
- Information Systems for Business and Beyond
- Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology
- The Little Book of Semaphores
- Essentials of Geographic Information Systems
- Programming Languages: Application and Interpretation - Version Second Edition
- A Brief Introduction to Engineering Computation with MATLAB
- Introduction to Industrial Engineering
- Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I
- Sustainability: A Comprehensive Foundation
- Notes on Diffy Qs: Differential Equations for Engineers
- Elementary Differential Equations with Boundary Value Problems
- Developing New Products and Services
- Introduction to Aerospace Structures and Materials
- Building Maintenance & Construction: Tools and Maintenance Tasks
- Direct Energy
- Operational Amplifiers & Linear Integrated Circuits: Theory and Application - 3e
- Manufacturing Processes 4-5
- Electromagnetics Vol 1
- DC Electrical Circuit Analysis: A Practical Approach
- AC Electrical Circuit Analysis: A Practical Approach
- Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual
- Fundamentals of Microwave and RF Design
- Introduction to Probability
- Introduction to Linear, Time-Invariant, Dynamic Systems for Students of Engineering
- Hybrid-Flexible Course Design
- Creating Online Learning Experiences
- Education for a Digital World: Advice, Guidelines and Effective Practice from Around Globe
- Educational Psychology
- Learning to Learn Online
- Sharing Our Knowledge: Best Practices for Supporting English Language Learners in Schools
- Introduction to Curriculum for Early Childhood Education
- Bad Ideas About Writing
- Write Here, Right Now: An Interactive Introduction to Academic Writing and Research
- Elementary Earth and Space Science Methods
- Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
- Trauma Informed Behaviour Support: A Practical Guide to Developing Resilient Learners
- Trauma-Informed School Practices: Building Expertise To Transform Schools
- Wellbeing in Educational Contexts
- Parenting and Family Diversity Issues
- Safety, Health, and Nutrition in Early Childhood Education
- The ELC: An Early Childhood Learning Community at Work
- Building Democracy for All: Interactive Explorations of Government and Civic Life
- Foundations of Learning and Instructional Design Technology
- Ethical Use of Technology in Digital Learning Environments: Graduate Student Perspectives
- Writing Instruction Tips For Automated Essay Graders: How To Design an Essay for a Non-human Reader
- Conventions 101: A Functional Approach to Teaching (And Assessing!) Grammar and Punctuation
- Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research
- WAC and Second-Language Writers: Research Towards Linguistically and Culturally Inclusive Programs and Practices
- WAC Partnerships Between Secondary and Postsecondary Institutions
- Working With Academic Literacies: Case Studies Towards Transformative Practice
- Antiracist Writing Assessment Ecologies: Teaching and Assessing Writing for a Socially Just Future
- Critical Expressivism: Theory and Practice in the Composition Classroom
- Copy(write): Intellectual Property in the Writing Classroom
- Teaching Autoethnography: Personal Writing in the Classroom
- Algebra and Trigonometry
- Calculus Volume 1
- Calculus Volume 2
- Calculus Volume 3
- Multivariable Calculus
- College Algebra
- Open Resources for Community College Algebra
- Elementary Algebra 2e
- Intermediate Algebra 2e
- Fundamentals of Matrix Algebra
- Introduction to GNU Octave: A brief tutorial for linear algebra and calculus students
- A Cool Brisk Walk Through Discrete Mathematics
- Mathematical Analysis I
- Introductory Statistics with Randomization and Simulation - First Edition
- Introductory Business Statistics
- Introductory Statistics
- Statistical Thinking for the 21st Century
- Lies, Damned Lies, or Statistics: How to Tell the Truth with Statistics
- Prealgebra 2e
- Precalculus
- Geometry with an Introduction to Cosmic Topology
- Technical Mathematics
- Introduction to Game Theory: a Discovery Approach
- Quantitative Problem Solving in Natural Resources
- Euclidean plane and its relatives
- Proofs and Concepts: The Fundamentals of Abstract Mathematics
- Applied Finite Mathematics
- Linear Regression Using R: An Introduction to Data Modeling
- Applied Combinatorics
- Math in Society - Edition 2.5
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Human Anatomy Lab Manual
- A Mixed Course-Based Research Approach to Human Physiology
- Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology - Australian Edition
- Biochemistry: Free For All
- Concepts of Biology
- Principles of Biology: Biology 211, 212, and 213
- Microbiology
- General Microbiology - 1st Edition
- A Primer for Computational Biology
- From Growing to Biology: Plants 1e
- A Student's Guide to Tropical Marine Biology
- Chemistry 2e
- Chemistry: Atoms first 2e
- College Physics
- Foundations of Neuroscience
- Foundations of Epidemiology
- Radiation Safety
- Environmental Toxicology
- Geological Structures: a Practical Introduction
- Physical Geology - First University of Saskatchewan Edition
- Climate Toolkit: A Resource Manual for Science and Action
- Introduction to Climate Science - 1st Edition
- Bending the Curve: Climate Change Solutions
- Chemical Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Using Genetic Code Expansion Manual
- Biotechnology Foundations - 2nd Edition
- An EKG Interpretation Primer
- Introduction to Oceanography
- Nutrition: Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1
- Human Nutrition - 2020 Edition
- Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
- Histology and Embryology for Dental Hygiene
- Nursing Pharmacology
- Nursing Care at the End of Life: What Every Clinician Should Know
- Transitions to Professional Nursing Practice - 2nd Edition
- The Complete Subjective Health Assessment
- Evidence-Based Massage Therapy
- A Laboratory Guide to Clinical Hematology
- Undergraduate Diagnostic Imaging Fundamentals
- Public Health Ethics: Global Cases, Practice, and Context
- Literature Reviews for Education and Nursing Graduate Students
- Health Case Studies
- Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities & Mental Illness
- Field Trials of Health Interventions: A Toolbox
- Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care
- Creative Clinical Teaching In The Health Professions
- Veterinary Epidemiology: Principles and Methods
- American Government 2e
- American Government 3e
- Introduction to Sociology 2e
- Introduction to Sociology 3e
- Principles of Economics 2e
- Principles of Macroeconomics 2e
- Principles of Microeconomics 2e
- Psychology 2e
- Psychology: The Science of Human Potential
- Abnormal Psychology - 2nd Edition
- Introduction to Community Psychology
- An Introduction to Psychological Statistics
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
- Language and Culture in Context - A Primer on Intercultural Communication
- Intercultural Communication
- Contemporary Families: An Equity Lens
- Child Growth and Development
- Child, Family, and Community
- Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships
- Attenuated Democracy: A Critical Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics
- Foundations of Social Work Research
- Introduction to Human Geography - 2nd Edition
- Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life
- Classical Sociological Theory and Foundations of American Sociology
- Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy
- A Quick Guide to Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences
- The Balance of Personality
- The Art of Being Human: A Textbook for Cultural Anthropology
- Stand up, Speak out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking
- U.S. History
- World History: Cultures, States, and Societies to 1500
- Modern World History
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Today, more than ever, technology is central to education at all levels. Having textbooks available online makes them easy to use in any situation. Access to free options also enables school districts, teachers, parents, and students to save money or otherwise conserve resources. Here are some reliable resources for finding free online textbooks covering a variety of subjects and levels.
Core Knowledge
An established nonprofit organization, Core Knowledge believes that expertise builds upon itself and emphasizes learning a core set of knowledge at early stages of education to help individuals live and thrive in society. It also accepts that every child should have access to this information, no matter their background.
The company publishes its own teacher reference materials, textbooks, and other educational books. The majority of these are available at no cost through its website. The company also provides a full free curriculum for language arts, history and geography, science, math, visual arts, and music for grades pre-K-8. This curriculum is free to use for anyone and follows the ideals of knowledge-based schooling upon which the organization is based.
OER Commons
With little more than the creation of a free account, educators can access a wealth of open educational resources from OER Commons . A custom search engine finds materials in the library based on school subject, grade level, or instructional standard. In addition to textbooks, the site contains case studies, lesson plans, lectures, homework, and full courses.
OER Commons doesn’t stop at offering free educational materials, though. A thriving community of educators cultivates hubs, which are collections of resources centered around a certain topic or project. Member groups further allow like-minded educators to collaborate with one another. Any member can create a group with options ranging from educators in a specific state or even a certain hallway to those teaching a given subject or skill.
More than just a source for digital textbooks, OpenStax calls itself the “future of education.” It focuses on high school and college-level texts, and all material is peer-reviewed by fellow educators. As an instructor, you can create a verified account and access additional materials for the textbook, including online course templates for Blackboard and other systems, presentations, premade Google forms, and quizzes. Because the textbooks available at OpenStax aren’t overly confined by copyright restrictions , instructors can modify or adapt the content as needed to fit their purposes.
The MERLOT system, which stands for Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching , features a curated list of over 100,000 items of learning material for all grade levels. Managed by California State University Long Beach, the site offers free textbooks along with online courses, syllabi, tutorials, and presentations.
One unique feature of MERLOT is that materials go through a peer review process in which editorial boards made up of over 20 academic disciplines evaluate the quality of submitted materials. In addition to these reviews, MERLOT maintains its own set of awards for the very best materials and authors on its platform.
Focusing on electronic college textbooks, TextBookGo maintains an extensive library for immediate download. Users can locate books by subject, title, author, or relevant keywords. The site focuses only on open source materials approved as free to use by publishers. It also accepts submissions of additional free e-textbooks, though each is reviewed and verified as legally accessible for no charge before its addition to the library.
Open Textbook Library
With over 1,000 open textbooks currently available, the Open Textbook Library began as a way for professors at the University of Minnesota to find free and editable textbooks for use in their classes. The library was then opened up to the wider educational world, providing that same access to higher education instructors everywhere. This site is focused solely on college-level textbooks, with many disciplines represented, as well as resources for student success.
In addition to being an extensive library of open textbooks for all levels of education, LibreTexts also offers a platform for open textbook creation. Many libraries are available, including a pre-K-12 library and several focused on higher-education topics such as humanities, statistics, and medicine. The library bookshelves can be accessed in just a few clicks, while the LibreText website format provides links for resources, readability, and other tools.
For educators who decide to use these texts or want to adapt them to their own classes, it’s simple to create a remix of a textbook. This allows the text to be customized specifically for a given course or instructor. The LibreText platform has many special features that include 3D modeling, code boxes, LMS integration , and printing on demand.
Provided for free to students throughout the United States, Bookshare has digital textbooks, literature, and other offerings. Its platform was originally intended as an assistive learning technology for individuals with dyslexia, blindness, or other conditions that may interfere with easy reading. The texts on Bookshare can be customized by changing color schemes and font size, highlighting text, and providing audio recordings. The platform is available on most devices for reading on the go or in the classroom.
CK-12 is another organization that provides not only free textbooks and curriculum but also its own format for presenting this information. Its main focus is on K-12 education, with curricular offerings that align with Common Core and other state standards — although it’s beginning to expand into college materials as well.
Its free textbook solution is called a FlexBook . This is described as an answer to the question of how to bring technology to a textbook instead of just bringing a textbook to technology. Each FlexBook can be customized by the teacher and features interactive content across multiple modalities. CK-12’s mission is to reach every learner at their level and for everyone to have access to high-quality educational materials.
Open Culture
The entire Open Culture site is dedicated to providing access to cultural and educational media at no cost. It’s unique from other resources in this list as it operates more like a blog, with frequently posted information on a variety of subjects. It gathers together material from around the web and offers it in one central location for ease of use. Beyond the extensive list of free online textbooks , Open Culture also gives links to free courses , other e-books , and even other educational resources for K-12 .
There are many reasons to use free textbooks online in today’s educational system. Simply saving money is a large motivating factor, but there’s so much more. Many of these providers, whether they are authors, educators, or the platforms offering the information, believe in every person’s right to a high-quality education. By making textbooks and other curriculum tools available at no cost and, in many cases, with permission to edit and revamp the content, these resources let educators from around the world and from every grade level collaborate and give their students exactly what they need.
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Top 9 Websites to Read Online Books for Free without Downloading
This SwifDoo PDF article lists excellent sites for accessing books from your comfort zone. Check out the nine best websites where you can read books for free online.
1. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is an online digital library that offers ebooks in varied genres. Users may rely on these free book reading websites to find more than 60,000 books in literature and classics. The famous website hosts some of the finest books from the 70s for students. Users may read online books for free without downloading them. The platform negates account registration or payment. Project Gutenberg also lets you download ebooks in ePub and PDF format.
- Enables an easy interface to read any book for free
- It offers an audiobook feature as well
- Offers enhanced category filter for easy access
- Focus on providing classic books with a limited genre.
2. Open Library
Open Library is a dedicated project run by the Internet Archive to offer access to over 3,00,00 public domain ebooks and out-of-print books. The project hosts millions of books that have ever been published in a well-defined catalog. Open Library is one web page for every book that has ever been published. The website hosts a user-friendly interface to read free books online without downloading. The website is a fantastic platform where best to read books online for free. The websites host public domain books and offer a way to borrow books.
- Let you read entire books online for free without downloading and download the PDF versions of the books in PDF, ePub, and plain text
- Offers an enhanced search bar
- Let you keep track of your favorite ebooks
- Limited access to new releases and best sellers
3. Manybooks
Manybooks is a well-updated and well-organized platform to access more than 50,000 free books to read online in genres such as romance, vampire horror, and more without downloading them. The website includes easy navigation to scroll down to trending books quickly. The website also has a section for book deals and the editor's choice. How to read books online for free on Manybooks? Get to the website and search for the book by title or author to access free online books to read for adults and children without downloading. However, users may also download ebooks from the website.
- Offers a vast collection of books in more than 45 languages
- Let you enjoy a customized reading experience with varied font sizes
- It provides a feature to jump through the pages
- Hosts several pop-up ads
4. ReadAnyBook
ReadAnyBook is a free ebook reading website that lets you access books with ratings and reviews. The website enables you to explore some of the finest works in more than 19 genres, including classic literature and contemporary work. The website hosts thousands of books for its readers. The platform allows new books to be added in just a few steps. However, the website also goes with frequent updates to remove ebooks. ReadAnyBook lets you read free books online without downloading them for adults. The site is also one of the best PDF book downloaders , where you can also download ebooks in PDF, and some other formats.
- Websites host thousands of books you can read online for free without downloading
- It lets you enjoy an enhanced reading experience with a full-screen view
- Offers enhanced flip page feature to fit well on varied screens
- Downloading ebooks is challenging
5. allnovel.net
Are you looking for finely sorted online book reading websites? Enjoy a wide range of novels and stories on allnovel.net. The website offers exciting romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Allnovel.net is a dedicated novel website that provides a great way to read free online books without downloading them. The website also offers frequent updates on new-release novels. Wondering how to read your favorite books online for free without downloading from allnovel.net? Users must search for their favorite novel on the website and click the book title to read a novel. However, users may also save a book with the available download option in PDF.
- Let you easily navigate within chapters of novels
- Enables accessible features to change text size and background color
- Offers features for user reviews, recommendations, and ratings
- Pop-up ads are irritating
6. Classicly
Calssicly is a famous name among ebook readers. The website hosts thousands of books in various genres and is renowned for its free books from the public domain. The website provides the method to read a book online for free without downloading. The website offers a user-friendly HTML 5 reading environment for easy reading. Calssicly is the best websites to read books online for free without downloading. However, it also provides an easy way to access books in PDF, Kindle, and several other formats to read on various devices, including PCs, laptops, and tablets.
- Offers five different font size choices
- It lets you flip, scroll, or swipe through pages
- Support TOC navigation and allow you to go to any page feature.
- Limits collection to classic literature
7. FlipHTML5
Are you looking for a fantastic flipbook collection? Check out some of the amazing flipbooks and interactive publications on FlipHTML5. It is a free book reading site offering over 5 million digital publications. The website hosts interactive magazines, ebooks, brochures, catalogs, storybooks, comics, and other free publications. The website lets users upload and create their flipbooks. FlipHTML5 is a digital publication platform that allows you to read books online for free with no need to download them.
Users may also get the collection in PDF, Zip, Epub, HTML, and image formats when needed. However, the download is restricted to only public domain collections.
- Offers templates and background for customization
- Let you publish flipbooks with cloud and SEO tools integration
- Offers mobile compatibility to view content at ease
- Users may only download publicly accessible FlipHTML5 collection.
6 Best Free PDF Magazine Download Sites in 2024
Explore the best six free PDF magazine download sites in 2024. You can download magazine PDFs for free and enjoy a wide range of publications.
8. OpenStax
OpenStax is a free online platform that lets you read free books online without downloading for students. The website offers access to licensed textbooks and educational content, and it hosts more than 30 peer-reviewed textbooks on various subjects such as mathematics, science, economics, and the humanities. It is a user-friendly platform where you can read books online for free without signing up. The open license website allows scholars to easily modify, adapt, and share content. These books are available in PDF, ePub, and HTML format.
- The website offers the best material for both teachers and students
- Let you easily print academic content for note-taking
- Offers enhanced screen reading capabilities to adjust text size
- Includes pop-up ads for free online reading
Top 12 Free Textbook Websites to Explore PDF Books World
The top 12 textbook websites provide free access to millions of PDF books for students and academic scholars for a harmonious reading experience.
Bookbot is a digital app that offers an interactive reading experience for kids. The platform is designed to provide fantastic learning with its reading assistance. The website includes the most extensive library of free to read online books without downloading. The website also offers a book management tool that helps monitor kids' reading progress. The website includes varied details about every book, including recommendations, summaries, reviews, etc. Bookbot is a website where to read books online for free without downloading for kids.
- Let you set goals and monitor your kid's reading progress
- Offers reading lists tool to track and manage books to read
- Provides an easy integrated aloud feature
- Lacks advanced features to scroll through pages
Best Free Book Reader to Enhance Your Reading and Annotating Experience
The professional websites mentioned in this article let you read books without downloading them online for free with a stable internet connection. Users may also use these websites to download favorite books in multiple formats and access them on different devices. However, reading is fun only with good annotation and editing tools. Use a reliable PDF reader and annotator to edit downloaded PDFs. Swifdoo PDF is an advanced PDF manager and editor that lets you enjoy an improved reading experience.
Read books online for free from the above top websites or download them to view books with SwifDoo PDF annotation capabilities.
- Users may highlight, mark, add links, add text notes, and comment on books downloaded from book reader apps like SwifDoo PDF. The Swifdoo PDF offers numerous valuable tools for reading and editing PDF books.
- Moreover, it also helps you enjoy a fantastic reading experience with different reading modes. The tool lets you move between books, change the layout, format text, and add images to the PDF.
- SwifDoo PDF is a valuable tool for almost everyone. Teachers can use it to formulate study notes, and students can use it to annotate books to finish paperwork and assignments efficiently. The PDF software also converts PDFs to EPUB ebook formats.
- Users may easily use SwifDoo PDF to read, view, manage, annotate, convert, merge, split, and compress PDF files.
SwifDoo PDF has separate apps for Android and iOS users.
The article includes a well-curate list of top-rated websites that provide thousands of online books to read for free in English or any language without downloading. Users may also rely on these platforms to easily download books as PDFs and read them anywhere and everywhere. Downloading and editing books from the best free eBook site should be easy with efficient SwifDoo PDF software. The advanced software supports varied tools to annotate and edit downloaded ebooks to ensure easy and efficient reading experiences.
Q:Can I legally read a book online for free?
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Top 15 Free Textbook Resources According to Reddit
Textbook prices can be extremely high and make access difficult for some people. This article lists the top free textbook resources according to Reddit.
Jun 23, 2021
1. Library Genesis
Library Genesis, also known as LibGen and Genesis Library, is the classic Reddit recommendation to find textbooks, articles, journals, books, images, magazines, comics, general-interest books, you name it, online. It’s one of the larger online library websites and usually will have what you’re looking for. It has easy download options and tends to be a top choice for most people seeking online books from Reddit.
2. Z-Library
Z-Library, or zlib, is a great source for books and scholarly articles. This site was originally created on the basis of being a shadow library for peer-reviewed journals, but it’s content eventually expanded to several other areas. Now, a lot of newer, popular reads are usually on this site.
3. Project Gutenberg
This site is a really well known source for books that have been released under United States copyright law and fallen under public domain. Everything on this site is distributed with permission. Not every book is on this site, but it’s a great resource for older texts and easy download. Lots of professors and librarians tend to recommend Project Gutenberg since it is the oldest digital library.
4. Sci-Hub
Moving towards more precise content, Sci-Hub is a great resource for science focused articles, peer reviewed journals, and anything science related you may be searching for. This is a more specific resource but really has a lot of content that may not be found elsewhere. It includes mostly books and research papers.
5. The Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine, also known as internet archive, is a service that preserves archived content from the internet, including pdfs, ebooks, and sites that are no longer live. Internet Archive has millions of ebooks that are used from public libraries digital inventories. It has books, movies, software, music, websites, and pretty much any media that could be uploaded on the internet.
6. The Assayer
The Assayer is a large database of content that authors have released for free use. The library likely doesn’t have the most current materials, but is great for content that doesn’t change year to year. Users can also leave reviews and engage in book discussions with other people on the platform.
7. PDF Drive
PDF drive is a great resource for popular reading choices. They have most of the newer books and even recommend different titles each week. Sometimes there may be a wait to download certain titles based on how requested they are. There is a premium option available to avoid this issue, but most users do not.
8. Open Library
This site operates most like an actual library and is connected to The Wayback Machine/Internet Archive. You are able to borrow a book and then give back access. It has a large art section and has almost all of the classic books. The site is translatable to several languages.
9. PDF Magazine
This site is catered towards magazines and has over 565,000 available for PDF download. Every kind of print magazine is in digital format on this platform. You can also browse by language and they currently offer issues in 40 different languages.
10. Every Poet
Similar to PDF Magazine and Sci-Hub, Every Poet focuses specifically on poetry. This site would be very helpful for anyone taking an English class. Beyond classics like Robert Frost and Sylvia Platt, you can also submit your own poetry and read submissions from other users.
11. Ocean of PDF
This site has a very extensive category list so you should be able to find what you’re looking for in specific subjects. The site also has the option to request they add a book if it is not already available, which could be helpful for tricky titles.
12. bioRxiv
This site is another source focused on science. It offers a great breakdown of different subjects like epidemiology, ecology, cancer research, etc. You can also subscribe to the site using RSS feed so you have a constant refresh of new articles and information. They also tweet when papers in certain subjects are published to the site.
13. Cite Seer X
This site works well for content published before 2000 and created by Penn State University. You can search by author and title, but you should know what you’re looking for since there isn’t a browsing tab. They also have premade citations for the content you use.
14. Mobilism
Mobilism offers apps, games, and reviews on top of books. This site acts as a community of resources with lots of guidance and different areas. Individual users upload content to this site so there’s more variance.
15. Bookshare
This site has a lot of lesser-known titles and different genres to choose from including topics like cooking, graphic novels, and literary criticism. The site also has SAT, LSAT, MCAT, and GRE prep books that tend to be updated with recent versions.
Other Ways to Find Cheap Textbooks
- Sometimes professors have textbooks donated by previous students, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask.
- Renting is a great way to save some money, especially if you don’t intend to continue studying a subject after a class. Amazon and student stores usually have this option for most textbooks.
- Buy used! Used textbooks are another fantastic option because they have the same content you need but can sometimes be hundreds of dollars cheaper.
Finding ways to save money in college is necessary for a lot of people. Saving on textbooks is a great way to start but not a foolproof solution. Financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans are a nice start to cover all of your expenses in college.
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This humble bundle primes players for starfinder’s future.
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Print copies of Starfinder Second Edition were released at Gen Con 2024.
Starfinder is one of the deepest science fantasy role playings games being published. It began in 2017 as a complimentary line to Paizo’s Pathfinder set hundreds of years in the future. The game offered players a chance to team up spellslingers, technomancers, elves and androids for stories that were more Star Wars and Mass Effect than Lord of the Rings or Dungeons & Dragons.
With Pathfinder Second Edition Remastered coming out this year, the company took the opportunity to announce Starfinder Second Edition to bring the game in line with its older sibling and allow cross compatibility between the two games. Game Masters will soon be able to pull dragons and magic items into the galaxy of Starfinder as well as throw back laser rifles and aliens into the fantasy realm of Pathfinder.
The full game is currently slated for a 2025 release. Gaming groups that can’t wait that long can jump into the playtest right now and download a playtest PDF for free . Starfinders who want to gaze into the future of the game while benefitting the here and now with a charitable donation can check out this Humble Bundle that includes playtest documents and material from the current edition of the game.
Starfinder Second Edition Playtest
The playtest brings Starfinder in line with the changes made in Pathfinder Second Edition Remastered. Gaming groups will need a copy of the Player Core and GM Core to best utilize the playtest materials. Classes, species, combat and more have all been rebuilt from the ground up.
Each element of the playtest includes discussion about the designer’s intent and what playtesters should look for during play. Players can submit their feedback through Paizo’s website or through places such as Demiplane’s Starfinder Nexus . In addition to the main playtest PDF, the bundle also includes adventures built for use with the rules in development.
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000: Boost Your Games For Less
Starfinder drift crisis.
Both Starfinder and Pathfinder feature ongoing storylines in their settings. Edition shifts are a good time for big moments that affect everything and everyone. For Starfinder , this is played out in the recent Drift Crisis storyline.
The Drift is the alternate dimension that spaceships use to travel at faster than light speeds between planets. It suddenly stops working and throws all the star empires and would-be galactic conquerors in the lurch. Players can play out this storyline directly with books included in the bundle.
Drift Crisis details the massive shift in the galaxy and how it affects the power players of the setting. The Drift Crashers Adventure Path throws the players right into the deep end of the conflict by seeking out the god of the Drift realm Triune. Drift Hackers Adventure Path puts the players in charge of setting things right before the galaxy falls to war and chaos.
Starfinder First Edition Books
The Humble Bundle also includes several first edition Starfinder titles that detail the setting. There are also shorter adventures, the First Edition Core Book, Starter Box and more. For fans who prefer to play online, there are Hero Lab Online versions of many of the books and PDF copies of several battlemaps included.
Starfinder Second Edition Playtest Primer Humble Bundle is currently slated to run through August 22nd, 2024. The bundle benefits Girls Who Code , a non-profit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology.
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Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge Review
Is ai really the future.
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is one of the first laptops certified as “Copilot+ Ready” to hit the market. Essentially, this just means the laptop is ready for on-device AI workloads, and is strapped with a fancy new Snapdragon X Elite processor to help it get there. And while there are AI PCs on the way with AMD ‘Strix Point’ and later Intel ‘Lunar Lake’ processors , the Snapdragon X Elite chips were the first to be ready for the new Copilot+ program . But, as with any Windows PC running on ARM, there are some serious growing pains.
Beyond the chip that powers the thing, the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is a beautiful laptop. It’s razor thin, has an absolutely stunning AMOLED display, and a full-sized keyboard. This really could have gone down as one of the best laptops on the market, but the urge to be one of the first Copilot+ PCs holds it back from greatness.
Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge – Photos
Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge – Design and Features
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is an extremely thin laptop. Measuring just 0.48 inches thick, this is easily the thinnest 16-inch laptop I’ve ever used. However, even as thin as it is, it still has a wealth of ports, including a USB-A, microSD and a headphone jack. The Galaxy Book 4 Edge is also very light, weighing just 3.4lb, making it easy to carry on any commute.
The aluminum chassis is also robust for how thin it is. I didn’t experience any flex on the screen, and even when pressing down extra hard on the keyboard, it doesn’t crack, creak or give at all. It’s honestly incredible how durable this laptop feels with how thin it is.
However, a 16-inch laptop being so thin and so light is going to have some compromises. For the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, it has to be the speakers. The tinny and quiet speakers are mounted on the bottom of the laptop – always a bad sign – and produce sound with absolutely no low-end. That means if you want to listen to music or watch a movie on the admittedly gorgeous display, you’re going to get sound that’s reminiscent of a cheap smartphone from 2015.
Luckily, the AMOLED display makes up for this a bit. The model Samsung sent over for review has a 16-inch 120Hz AMOLED display at 2,880 x 1600. The display is rated at 500 nits of brightness, and can hit 120% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, making for a bright and vibrant picture. It really is a shame that the speakers are so bad, because this display is awesome for watching movies or playing games – you’ll just want to wear headphones if you do it.
The keyboard is also incredible. Samsung uses the extra real estate of a 16-inch display to include a full-sized keyboard, complete with a numpad. That’s hard to find these days, especially since so many laptop manufacturers favor a slimmer aesthetic over these niche keys. But if you’re doing a lot of spreadsheet work, they’re a godsend, and make working a lot easier.
On the top right corner of the keyboard, you’ll find the power button and fingerprint reader. Logging into Windows with my fingerprint is extremely quick and accurate, and I haven’t really had to rely on entering my PIN in the two weeks I’ve spent with the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge. I would have liked the fingerprint reader to be a bit bigger, but that would likely have cut into the numpad a bit.
Replacing the right Ctrl button is the new Copilot+ key, which is a thing now on AI PCs. Pushing this button brings up the Copilot chat window. Love it or hate it, this is now a mainstay. However, with how close it is to the period key, I constantly found myself hitting it by accident, bringing up the robot when I was just trying to do some work. Having a key that brings up a whole application that you can accidentally hit when typing is such a pain, but that’s on Microsoft, not Samsung.
The touchpad is generally as good as Windows touchpads can get, but it is extremely large. That’s ordinarily a good thing, but the palm rejection isn’t the greatest. More than a few times when writing on the Galaxy Book Edge, I’ve accidentally clicked out of a window, or highlighted a word, due to my palm accidentally grazing the pad. When I’m not actively writing, though, it’s smooth and accurate, and gestures work like a charm. I just wish it would leave me alone when I’m just trying to get some work done.
Because the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is using what is essentially a mobile chip, the laptop has a fanless cooler design. But despite this, the Book 4 Edge doesn’t get too hot when I’m working on it, making it a comfortable little work laptop. Plus, it’s quiet, and you don’t have to put up with fan noise when you’re trying to concentrate.
Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge – Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100, one of the new NPU-equipped CPUs at the center of the new Copilot+ “AI PC” craze. This processor is pretty fast for an ultra-portable chip, but it’s built on ARM (Advanced RISC Machine), which introduces some problems in Windows 11.
Most Windows 11 apps have been built with x86 and x64 processors in mind. In the past, that meant most Windows apps just wouldn’t run on an ARM chip. Compatibility is a lot better now, thanks to Windows Prism, a translation layer that essentially emulates an x86 processor when you’re using an ARM chip. It works surprisingly well, but performance takes a sizable hit, especially when you’re trying to do things like play PC games.
The issues with emulation are reflected in the benchmarks. The Snapdragon X Elite has a pretty capable GPU for its class, but it still only manages 2,126 points in 3DMark Time Spy. The Asus ROG Ally X scores 3,346 points. Given the Ally X is also using integrated graphics, and a much older chipset, that’s an extreme margin.
That’s not to mention that games like Forza Horizon 5 won’t even run on the Samsung Galaxy 4 Edge, despite coming with the Xbox app preinstalled. Even the games that will run don’t provide a great experience, with the laptop getting an average of only 34 fps in HItman 3.
To be fair, though, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge isn’t really a gaming laptop anyways, and is primarily built for office work and light AI. It does manage a respectable score of 6,799 points in the new Procyon Office benchmark, which is quite high for a laptop of this class. I’ve been using this laptop as my main work device for a couple of weeks, and I can say that it holds up when doing office work. Even when I have 50 tabs open, the Galaxy Book 4 Edge keeps up with me, thanks to the 16GB of RAM on the device.
I also noticed no difference in performance when working on battery power. Most Windows laptops will get a sizable performance boost when they’re plugged in, but the Galaxy Book 4 Edge is an office workhorse regardless of where your charger is.
Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge – Battery Life
Despite its issues, the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge has phenomenal battery life, and can last multiple days without charging if you’re not pushing it super hard. In my time with this laptop, the only time I had a situation where I went to turn it on and was faced with a “charge me now” screen was when I turned it on after running a battery test on it.
To be clear, the benchmark we usually use to test battery life – the PCMark10 battery life test – would not run on this ARM-based laptop. However, I ran the Procyon Office battery test, and the laptop clocked an impressive 14 hours and 13 minutes of battery life. That is almost two full work days back-to-back before dying out.
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is absolutely a laptop you can take with you to the office and not worry too much if you forget to pack a charger. Hell, it’ll even survive a transcontinental flight before the battery saver warning pops up. Combined with the gorgeous screen and luxurious chassis, this is an incredible laptop to travel with.
Is an AI PC Worth It?
For all the fanfare these new-fangled AI PCs have received, it’s still not super clear why they’re necessary. The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is by all means a good laptop, but the AI features the laptop is sold on are little more than a gimmick. And not a very good one.
As mentioned earlier, you can hit the little Copilot key and bring up the Copilot AI, but you can do that on any Windows computer by just hitting Win+C. You’d think that the laptop specially designed for this would make this a smoother affair, but it’s just as fluid anywhere else – it’s not even run locally on the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge.
There’s a heaping of other little AI features, too. For instance, in paint, you can generate images from a text prompt, or even turn a little doodle into a more complete (I guess?) image. That’s neat and all, and good for a few minutes of entertainment, but it’s not something I’m going to use a week, month, or year from now.
Laptops sporting NPUs aren’t exactly new, either. Apple’s Macbooks have featured an NPU since 2020’s M1 chip, which helped with AI workloads to be sure, but the bigger win has been battery life and productivity performance. And that’s true for the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge, too. No matter how many little AI toys Samsung packs in the box, none of them compare to the battery life the laptop offers when doing the same boring work you do on your existing laptop.
There’s little reason, then, to upgrade to an AI PC just for the virtue of having an AI PC. The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is just another Ultrabook. And because of the app compatibility woes that the ARM chip brings, it’s not even great at being an Ultrabook – and we’ve had those for years now.
The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is a nice little 16-inch laptop, packed with a bright screen and a full-sized keyboard that’s comfortable to work on. However, because it’s packed with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, built on ARM, there are more than a few apps that either won’t work as well as a standard Windows laptop, or won’t work at all. This chip does bring some AI goodies along with it, but they feel gimmicky at best. However, if you want a lightweight work laptop with long battery life – and the apps you use aren’t hampered by the ARM emulation – you can get a lot of mileage out of the Galaxy Book 4 Edge.
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Paul Krugman
Tim Walz and the Weird Politics of Free School Lunches
By Paul Krugman
Opinion Columnist
You could say that Tim Walz became the Democratic vice-presidential nominee with one weird trick — that is, by using that word to describe Donald Trump and JD Vance, a categorization that went viral. In his maiden campaign speech he upgraded it a bit further to “ creepy and weird as hell .” (If you think that’s over the top, have you seen Trump’s bizarre rant speculating about whether Joe Biden is going to seize back his party’s presidential nomination?)
But Walz is more than a meme-maker. He has also been an activist governor of Minnesota with a strong progressive agenda. And I’d like to focus on one key element of that agenda: requiring that public and charter schools provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students.
Perhaps not incidentally, child care has long been a signature issue for Kamala Harris, and Walz’s policies may have played a role in his selection as her running mate.
In any case, free school meals are a big deal in pure policy terms. They have also met fierce Republican opposition. And the partisan divide over feeding students tells you a lot about the difference between the parties, and why you really, really shouldn’t describe the MAGA movement as “populist.”
Now, even many conservatives generally support, or at least claim to support, the idea of cheap or free lunches for poor schoolchildren. The National School Lunch Program goes all the way back to 1946, when it passed with bipartisan support and President Harry Truman signed it into law.
Why should the government help feed kids? Part of the answer is social justice: Children don’t choose to be born into families that can’t or won’t feed them adequately, and it seems unfair that they should suffer. Part of the answer is pragmatic: Children who don’t receive adequate nutrition will grow up to be less healthy and less productive adults than those who do, hurting society as a whole. So spending on child nutrition is arguably as much an investment in the future as building roads and bridges.
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Democrats continue to joke about false JD Vance rumor after years of criticizing Trump for spreading misinformation
After years of condemning former President Donald Trump for spreading m isinformation and conspiracy theories, Democrats are now poking fun at his running mate using a false, vulgar rumor.
The rumor, first posted on X last month, involves a fake passage about a sex act and a couch supposedly in Sen. JD Vance's 2016 book, "Hillbilly Elegy."
The lie spread like wildfire, spawning jokes and memes even as the original joke's author clarified that it wasn't real and later made his account private. Several news outlets published fact-checks of the claim.
The fervor reached a peak in Philadelphia, the day Vice President Kamala Harris named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz told an arena filled with thousands of excited supporters : “I got to tell you, I can’t wait to debate the guy [Vance]. That is, if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up.”
As the crowd roared and Harris smirked behind him, Walz, who just weeks earlier started a trend of calling Republicans “weird,” quipped, “You see what I did there?”
The Harris campaign's TikTok account, named Kamala HQ, posted a video of the moment that has been viewed over 5.3 million times.
As the quips have gone mainstream, Republicans have blasted Democrats for helping spread the joke — even as Trump and his allies continue to share falsehoods about Harris and Walz.
Jonathan Turley, a conservative legal scholar, attacked “the couch story” on X as having been “ debunked repeatedly .”
“We are not even in the post-convention period and our leading candidates are already 'in the mud rolling around' with trolls,” he wrote .
Democrats are defending their jokes as harmless fun, pointing to harmful past conspiracies spread by Trump and other Republicans about Democrats’ running secret sex trafficking rings , being pedophiles or changing their identities for political purposes as far worse than a meme about a couch.
“For 2 years we had to hear that Joe Biden was an international super criminal mastermind from Despicable Me 3. You will listen to couch story,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., tweeted last week in response to Turley’s complaints.
The content and rapid spread of the false rumor seems made for the social media age, when information that is real, false and sometimes a blend of both is presented and disseminated in similar ways — and when fact-checks often never have the same reach as the bad information.
The incident has also caused rival political camps to argue over which pieces of false information are worse than others and the fuzzy line between what is harmful or just mockery.
Walz wasn't the first to joke about the viral falsehood. On July 27, nearly two weeks after the original false tweet was posted and a week after it was hidden by the author, the Harris campaign account posted a screenshot on X of a 2021 tweet from Vance deriding "cat ladies."
The post was captioned "JD Vance does not couch his hatred for women."
On July 26, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent around a news release blasting Vance. The opening sentence read, "House Republicans are couching their public praise of Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee with private criticism."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who at the time was considered to be on the short list to be Harris' running mate, leaned into the joke twice in the following days.
On the July 28 episode of ABC News' "This Week," Pritzker condemned Trump, saying, "He talks about all kinds of crazy stuff," before adding, "You know, his running mate, as you probably have heard, is, you know, getting known for his obsession with couches."
On the July 29 "White Dudes for Harris" Zoom fundraiser, Pritzker told attendees: "I’ll keep my remarks short. I know that we have a lot of speakers. And afterward, of course, there’s another Zoom that I invite you all to called 'Couches Against Trump.'"
After Walz's speech, some Democrats continued to embrace the joke.
Moskowitz quoted a tweet from Vance criticizing Harris for not taking questions from the media, with Moskowitz telling him: "I’ve been on Air Force 2 JD, there is a great couch on it."
And at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada, who spoke before Walz and Harris, addressed Vance with the line, "You better hide behind that sofa, because we’re coming for you."
Asked for a statement on Titus' comments, a spokesperson said, "I think we’ll just go with what’s on the tape."
Representatives for the Trump and Harris campaigns, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Pritzker and Moskowitz did not return requests for comment.
Alexandra Marquez is a politics reporter for NBC News.
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