Get Paid to Read Books: 21 Sites to Make Money Reading & Reviewing

So, whether it’s Gothic romance, crime or non-fiction, you could actually, in essence, get paid to review the books you read.

To make things easy, we’ve rounded up a list of companies that will pay you to write book reviews.

1. The US Review of Books

The US Review of Books pays writers for books reviews in a variety of genres.

Succinct reviews of between 250 to 300 words are requested. The review must provide a summary of the book, as well as any insights or opinions you drew from it.

Reviews can also include quotes from the book and observations about the author. But, they must limit clichés and avoid a casual tone. Criticism is okay – as long as it is constructive and factual.

Reviews must be completed within two to three weeks.

The website, which was set up to give people easy access to book reviews, periodically posts book titles.

Then, potential reviewers select the titles that they’re interested in reviewing. The website then selects writers to create reviews based on how well they fit the project and the titles they chose earlier.

Reviewers are paid monthly, on the 5th, for each review that they completed during the previous month.

2. Online Book Club

If you love to read books and enjoy discovering new authors, becoming a reviewer for the Online Book Club will be right up your alley.

This website gives readers free books and payments in exchange for book reviews.

The website is designed to help authors to promote their books, through honest reviews.

The website pays between $5 and $60, depending on the experience of the reviewer and the book under review.

As a new member of the Online Book Club, you probably won’t get paid for your first few reviews. Instead, you’ll receive books for free. After the site checks some of your previous work, you’ll get paid review opportunities.

3. OnceWritten

Read new books and get paid for it with OnceWritten.

This website requires well-written, unique reviews that are more than 350 words.

Reviews are published on the site’s Book Reviews Page and in its Off the Press Newsletter.

Unlike the sites previously mentioned, OnceWritten only accepts book recommendations – meaning that no negative reviews are allowed. So, if you didn’t like a book, you won’t be able to review it.

The site pays $5 per review.

4. Kirkus

If you’d like to get paid for reviewing books and get your writing featured in a magazine, then check out Kirkus.

Kirkus Media needs experienced review writers to create reviews of both English and Spanish language titles.

These reviews are published in Kirkus Indie, which is the section of the book review magazine that focuses on self-published authors.

Reviews must be around 350 words and must be submitted within two weeks of assignment.

To become a reviewer, you need to submit a resume, along with writing samples and some information about what types of books you like to review to the Kirkus Indie Editor.

5. Any Subject Books

If you love reading and think you can offer some analytic book reviews, then consider writing for Any Subject Books.

The site pays you to create honest, objective reviews

The website will contact you with the book title that they want you to review – along with a short synopsis of the book. The titles they give you will be in a genre that you’re familiar with.

If you choose to do the review, then you’ll need to read the book and provide an honest review of it, in accordance with the site’s form.

The amount you’ll earn varies on a book by book basis. Shorter books will pay less and longer books will pay more.

Get Free Books in Exchange for Reviews

While not all websites will pay you for reviews, many will give you free books. So, if you’re the type of person that reads dozens of books each year, this can save you some cash!

Below, we’ve gathered some of the sites where you can get free books in exchange for a review.

6. NewPages

Earn free books and lit mags by writing reviews for NewPages.

The website wants lively, opinionated, honest reviews that are accessible to a wide audience.

You can include short quotes in the review too. All you need to do is send the site a sample book review and they’ll check it out.

Then, if the site enjoys your writing sample, they’ll send you books. The better your reviews, the more free books you’ll get.

The website accepts reviews on all book genres and topics – but prefers indie titles.

7. Springer

If you operate or write for a specialty journal, a blog, a newspaper or a magazine, then you could get free books simply for writing reviews.

Springer gives you instant access to online review copies of books. If you write a review of one of these books and publish it online or offline, they’ll send you a free print copy.

8. Chicago Book Review

Do you have some unique and insightful observations or opinions on the books you read?

If so, you could become a reviewer for Chicago Book Review. But, best of all, you’ll receive free books in the process.

To become a reviewer, all you need to do is send your resume, along with a few writing samples, and any reviews that you’ve had published previously. In return, the site will give you free books and a byline.

You’ll also be featured on the site’s “Meet the Reviewers” page.

9. Book Browse

If you’re a resident of the USA and would like to get your hands on some free books, then check out Book Browse.

Books are offered through the site once per month – usually mid-month. These titles stay on offer for about five days. The site sends you an email notification to let you know the list is open.

All you do is request books that you want to review, and if you’re chosen to write a review, you’ll be sent a free copy.

You must write a review within four weeks of receipt of the book and post it on BookBrowse.

10. MoodyPress

If you’re a blogger or if you have an active Amazon.com account – which most people do nowadays – then you could get free books from MoodyPress.

The site looks for honest reviews.

Simply fill out the registration form on the website, select a title you want to review, and then read the book and write your review. You’ll receive a free copy of the book within seven to ten days.

Once you get it, you must write the review within 60 days.

11. Story Cartel

Story Cartel is a website where authors share their books with potential readers for free. So, you can get your hands on dozens of free books.

While it’s not mandatory, the website asks that you return the favor by reviewing the books you receive. Book reviews can be positive or negative, as long as they are constructive.

12. Civitas Press

Civitas Press is a website that helps authors to create and publish their work. One of the ways that the site does this is by generating reviews. And you could become one of its reviewers.

Simply join the Civitas Book Review program, and you’ll receive books for free.

All you need to do is write and publish an honest, insightful review of it on your blog or on an online retail site, like Amazon.

13. Net Galley

A “galley”, in the writing industry, simply refers to a book that hasn’t been yet published.

The site helps readers to discover new books while helping out authors through reviews.

So, if you’re a blogger, a bookseller, a librarian, a reviewer, or you’re in the media, then join NetGalley.

You’ll get free digital books, in exchange for reviews.

14. Tywebbin

Tywebbin is a website that assists authors with creating an online presence and with marketing their work.

One of the ways the site does this is through reviews. So, if you’re a blogger, an online influencer or someone that loves reviewing books, you should join the site.

It’s a great way to get books, without parting with your cash.

15. BookLookBloggers

Do you run an active blog?

If so, you could get books in exchange for reviews.

To be eligible to become a reviewer on the site, you must have an actively maintained public blog.

This means you need to post at least once per month and have a minimum of thirty followers or subscribers.

Once you’re accepted as a reviewer, select the title you’re interested in reviewing.

The site will send you a copy of the book for free. All you need to do is create a review, which must be a minimum of 200 words, and publish it on your blog, as well as on a consumer website.

16. Blogging for Books

Whether it’s the genre of business or entertainment, you can find a plethora of books to review on Blogging for Books.

With the blogging for books program, you can get free books just for writing a review.

You don’t have to be U.S. citizen to be a reviewer, meaning that people worldwide can participate.

The site does require you to have an active blog or be a retailer, librarian or professional media outlet in order to be a reviewer.

17. Tyndale Blog Network

Get free books in exchange for reviews by joining the Tyndale Blog Network.

The program is open to international reviewers. But, only residents of the US are eligible to receive hard-copies. Reviewers outside of the US receive digital copies.

You can choose the titles you want to review. After you’ve written your review, you’ll need to post it on your own blog, as well as on a consumer website like Amazon.

18. Bethany House

If you’ve got a blog or a website, you could get free books from Bethany House. The website sends out two newsletters each month, containing titles that they need reviews for.

All you need to do is create a review that is, at a minimum 75 words, not including the plot synopsis.

You then need to publish that review on your blog or website, as well as on a retailer website. Per month, you can only request one title for review.

Print copies are only available to residents of the USA, but digital copies are available for international reviewers.

19. LibraryThing

I’ll let them explain how it works:

“LibraryThing is teaming with select publishers* to provide advance copies of books to you, in exchange for reviews. The publishers are supplying the books, you get to read and review them, and we play matchmaker! :)”

20. Women’s Review of Books

As the name suggests, this is a site for female authors and readers.

Now, they don’t just accept any woman.

To be considered for reviewing assignments, you’ll have to send in your “resume, samples of published reviews, and a cover letter about your areas of interest and expertise.”

21. Astronomy.com

Fan of astronomy books?

This is the place for you to get free astronomy books to review.

Other Ways to Make Money with Books

While the websites above give you some great opportunities to earn cash from reading, here are some other ways to make money with books.

20. Join Affiliate Programs

What if you could write a review, publish it and then get a steady, albeit, small income, for months or even years to come?

Well, with affiliate programs you can!

Affiliate programs give you a percentage of the products you sell through your affiliate links.

For example, you can join Amazon’s Associate program. Then select a book (or more) you’d like to make money from. Then, create a glowing review of it, post it on your blog, and put an affiliate link in the article. You’ll get paid commission each time someone buys that book through your link.

21. Become a Book Editor

Are you a stickler for good grammar?

Do you have an eye for typos?

If so, you could make a brilliant book editor. Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to find work as a book editor.

Publishing companies are always searching for editors.

But, an easy way to get your foot in the door is to become a freelance book editor. Online, you can find a plethora of websites that post jobs for book editors. Craigslist, Problogger, WAHM, UpWork, eLance, and FreelanceWritingGigs.com are all great places to get started.

22. Narrate or Create Audio Books

Have you ever been told you’ve got a voice for radio?

If you have, then you could make an excellent book narrator. There are many websites that pay people to narrate audiobooks – like Fiverr, for example.

You could also create your own audiobooks, and sell them on websites like Amazon, CD Baby, Feiyr and ClickBank

23. Write for Magazines

There are many specialty and trade magazines that will pay writers to create reviews and features on books.

Many of these magazines pay well too and, as an added bonus, you’ll get a byline.

Send them a strong pitch, and they might decide to run your review. And, if you impress them enough, they might ask you write for them again in the future.

Look at local magazines or search online databases of magazines.

Overall…

As a reviewer, there are so many ways that you can make money with book reviewer jobs and get free books.

And, the more reviews you write, the more experience you’ll gain, the better your writing will become, and the more cash you’ll make!