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If you have a Kindle you want to load it with great books and apps, but your budget may be a bit tight with holiday credit card bills coming due. Good news, there are plenty of ways to load your Kindle with content without spending a fortune. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can take advantage of many of these great deals on apps and ebooks.
Free App of the Day
Each day Amazon offers a free Android app from its Appstore. These apps work not only on the Kindle Fire but also on other Android phones and tablets. Make sure you check Amazon daily so you don’t miss any great free apps. I grabbed one of my favorite Android apps, SwiftKey X, as a Free App of the Day from Amazon back in July.
If you have any interest at all in an app, grab it. The apps are stored at Amazon, you don’t need to download them to your device until you’re ready to use them.
Free Kindle Books
Amazon offers thousands of Kindle books for free. Go to the Kindle books section of Amazon and look in the right column for best selling Kindle books. There is a tab for Free Books that lists the 100 most popular free Kindle books. Scroll down to see another list, the 100 most popular free Kindle books in Literary Fiction.
Check out the Free Collections for Kindle. These are classic books whose copyright has expired, such as books by Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austin, Robert Louis Stevenson and others.
Limited Time Offers
Some Kindle books are free for a limited time, often to promote an author or series of books. If you see one of these free books that interests you, grab it when you can get it for free because that price could expire quickly. These books are stored at Amazon so you won’t be taking up valuable space on your device if you decide later that you weren’t interested in reading the book. You can find Amazon’s Limited Time Offers here.
Kindle Daily Deal
Each day Amazon offers a Kindle book at a deep discount. Get on Amazon’s email list to be sent a daily notice of which book is the Daily Deal. If you see one you like, grab it for your Kindle library. You don’t need to own a Kindle to take advantage of this offer. You can download it to your Kindle app on your computer, iPhone, iPad, Android phone or other smartphone. Subscribe to Kindle Daily Deal emails here.
Kindle Monthly Deals
Each month Amazon offers 100 Kindle books for $3.99 or less. You can check out these discounted ebooks here.
Kindle Owners’ Lending Library
Late last year, Amazon gave its Prime members a big bonus: the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. Prime members who own a Kindle can borrow a free book from Amazon each month. Check out my full review of this program, Kindle Owners Lending Library – Free Kindle Books!
Amazon recently increased the offerings under this program from 5,000 to over 50,000 books. If that sounds like way too many books to search through, you’re right. To find the most popular ones, such as Hunger Games, Water for Elephants, Fast Food Nation, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and others, click here: Most Popular Kindle Owners’ Lending Library Books.
Zoolert
Don’t miss out on a sale on your favorite Kindle book. Check out zooLert, a site that notifies you about sale prices. ZooLert works for other items sold on the Internet, but there is a special section for Kindle books.
Enter the name of the Kindle book you want to buy, set a target price and zooLert will alert you when the price of the Kindle book drops to your target price or lower.
Kindle Library Lending
Don’t forget your local library as a source for free Kindle books. Check out my full article for details: Kindle Library Lending Has Arrived! Although there is a time limit for borrowed books, the program is free and you don’t need to own a Kindle or be a Prime member to borrow these books.
Delivereads
For free quality curated Kindle content, sign up for Dave Pell’s Delivereads. Dave sends his favorite articles to your Kindle from top publications such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, National Geographic, Vanity Fair and others. Check out my full review of the service: Delivereads: Awesome, Free Kindle Content!
Bottom Line
You don’t need to spend a lot to load your Kindle with content. Plenty of free and low-cost Kindle books and apps are available for you, if you know where to look. In many instances you don’t even need to own a Kindle to get these free and discounted apps and Kindle books. You may enjoy a book just a little bit more, knowing you got a great deal on it.
Also see, BookBub – The Scoop on the Best eBooks at the Best Prices!
Have you ever gotten a Kindle book for free? Have you taken advantage of sales on Kindle books? Have you used the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library or borrowed Kindle books from your library? Do you check Amazon’s Free App of the Day? Let us know in the Comments section below!
* Kindle Image by Sean Kelly
Hi Carolyn,
I haven’t been using my Kindle for almost a week. So, this post reminds me that I should start reading again 🙂 I have been too focused on work, having a large expo at the University and a presentation for social media marketing yesterday.
I still have a few books left on my Kindle before I’ll start loading it with free stuff 🙂
Hi Jens, I hope your expo and presentation go very well. I can certainly understand how you would be so busy with those challenges, but I know you will be happy when you get back to your Kindle.
If you decide to grab some of the free Kindle books, you can keep them at Amazon, no need to download them to your Kindle until you’re ready to read them. I agree, I don’t like to have too many books on my Kindle. I find it easier to navigate if I only have a few books on it. 🙂
Wow Carolyn!
I am always wowing your posts for the wonderful information shared! I know I need to get a kindle- more so for my kids, but after having read about how to find the free kindle books on Amazon- it really gets all the more tempting!
I hardly get the peaceful time to sit and read any kind of book, but I need to take out some time for doing that, even if its a few minutes a day.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful goodies and the great links with all of us- and am bookmarking this page for using it for my future! Have a wonderful day 🙂
Hi Harleena, You may not need a Kindle. You can get the Kindle reader on your computer and read Kindle books without a Kindle or a smartphone. I have never been able to do that though. I always get distracted by other enticements. I have read books on an iPhone but never on my computer.
I hope when and if you do get a Kindle that you find time to relax and read it, Harleena. You may also want to check out audiobooks. I love being able to multi-task with an audiobook and find I read a lot more that way. 🙂
I am finally back and glad to come in on this topic.
I had no clue about half of those so my wallet thanks you kindly.
Also, I just had to add my regards to the library lending. At least in the Phoenix area we use Overdrive which is amazing. I tend to find all the popular books I want to read just fine there. I can add them as a hold while I finish reading another book and have never had a problem of running out of things to read.
The other great thing about it is the audio book versions. Those are free as well and have turned my commute from a bore into one of my most looked forward to parts of my day.
Thanks,
Bryce
Definitely going to stumble this.
Hi Bryce, Welcome back! Amazon uses Overdrive for its library lending program. That’s great you’re making good use of it. Nothing like free books to fill your Kindle without emptying your wallet.
I’m a huge fan of audiobooks myself, though I haven’t borrowed any through Overdrive. I will have to try that.
Are you listening to audiobooks through your Kindle or through a different device?
Right now I’m using my old Zune. I think if there is an MP3 version it might be able to run on a Kindle, but so far all the WMA one’s won’t let you use your Kindle.
Interesting. I’ve never listened to an audiobook on my Kindle, even though I could listen to my audiobooks that way. Since audiobooks don’t have Whispersync, like Kindle books do, I just listen to them on my iPhone.
Audiobooks sure do make a car ride more pleasant! 🙂
I still don’t have a Kindle 🙁 but I am bookmarking this site because I WILL be a Kindle owner before 2012 is out. Right now I’m reading Steve Jobs’ biography, and it is so heavy and cumbersome I actually have cramps in my hands from holding it upright!
Lol, Ruth, I understand, that’s a long book! Until you get a Kindle, you could download Kindle books to your computer and your iPhone with the Kindle app. Laugh you might, but I have read books on my iPhone. It’s not nearly as bad as you think!
You should enjoy your Kindle when you get it, Ruth. It’s much lighter than many of the books you read. And no hand cramps! 🙂
Already sounds like all these Kindle lovers are thanking you Carolyn because once again, you’ve definitely delivered. I have the app on my computer so I have taken advantage of downloading a few freebies. My problem is that I sit on this computer too much as it is so hanging around to read even more isn’t that fun for me.
There is an end in site though. I found a business here in my hometown that sells refurbished laptops and it’s on my list. Have had a few friends purchase some and they even come with a year’s warranty so as much as I will use it, I think it’s worth the money. Oh, did I mention they’re only $100. Well it’s about time right! Will probably do that early next month. Watch out, I just might be getting me a laptop finally.
Hi Adrienne, Thanks, I am glad to be able to help Kindle owners and others with the Kindle app. Some of these sources for free and discounted ebooks and apps are new, others I reported on before but it’s handy to have these resources in one place.
Very exciting you may be getting a laptop, Adrienne. I really like being able to take my laptop from room to room. I was also glad to have it with me when I moved from England to the US. My husband’s desktop had to be shipped and he was without it for six weeks. I can’t imagine being without my computer for six weeks.
I still don’t read books on my laptop even though I can take it with me where I go. The thing is, I can read a book more easily on my iPhone than I can on a computer. Go figure.
I suggest you download the Kindle app to your iPod Touch, Adrienne. You might find it surprisingly easy to read a Kindle book on your iPod Touch. With Whispersync, you can pick up reading on your computer where you left off on your iPod. Very cool! 🙂
Hi Carolyn. Thanks for the informative details on Kindles. I always learn something new with your blog posts. I have borrowed from the Lending Library, as well downloaded many free app of the day deals and free ebooks. I also frequently purchase books from both the Daily and Monthly book deals. I haven’t yet borrowed or loaned a book but I am sure I will soon! But what I didn’t know about are the Zoolert and Deliveread sites. See, I learned something new again here! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Carol, Thanks, I always learn from your amazing blog as well!
Delivereads is such a treat. I always get excited to read his collection of articles. ZooLert is great too if you have a target price in mind. It can take the sting away if you realize you missed a sale on a book (or other things on the Internet). But I don’t think you ever miss a sale, you’re such a pro at Internet shopping! 😀
Not pro … just lucky! Believe me, there are plenty of sales I miss! But the ones I do snag make up for the ones I miss!
No one can hit all the sales, but you seem to find the best ones! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Great post. You covered so many free options there that nobody will need to spend any money till June at the earliest!
I’m a big fan of the Kindle and I have certainly taken advantage of numerous free ebooks. There are many classics available – probably a few that you’ve been “meaning to read” for a long time, but just never got round to. No more excuses when you can get them for free!
In the unlikely event that you exhaust Amazon’s supply of freebies (over 1.8 million I think), there are plenty of self published Kindle books by independent authors which are often available for just a dollar or two.
Hi Hamish, Yes, you’re right, there are plenty of free books out there, no need to pay money for a Kindle book unless you want to.
I have really enjoyed reading some of the books and short stories from independent authors. I love that Amazon is giving authors and readers an outlet for short stories. 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
I don’t own a kindle, but my sister has one and she is absolutely in love with it. Will forward this to her! She might get crazier!
Have a nice week!
Hi Hajra, Yes, if your sister owns a Kindle, she will appreciate learning about the ways she can get free and inexpensive content. I love getting great deals and reading Kindle books so I try to find as many ways possible to combine the two loves.
I hope she enjoys her books! 🙂
This is why your blog is always worth checking out. though i dun have a kindle but now my friends with the kindles can benefit from this info.
Hi Faran, thank you so much! I’m so glad you find the information here valuable.
As I recall you have an Android phone? You can get the Kindle app for free and then take advantage of some of these offers even though you don’t have a Kindle. Just an idea. 🙂
Thanks carolyn,
yes you are right, I do have an android phone. thanks for telling me that. will download the kindle app on my phone now.. 🙂
That’s great, Faran! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I didn’t know either there was an android kindle app. Thanks 🙂
Hi Linda, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, the Android Kindle app is free and you can get a lot of Kindle books on the app for free. Enjoy! 🙂
Thanks, Carolyn. All of these tips might overload the Kindle I got over the holidays!
Hi Doug, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Well, that would be a good problem to have, but I don’t think you’ll have that problem. Your Kindle can hold over a thousand books and you don’t have to keep the books on your Kindle. Even if you delete them they will stay in your Amazon account.
So enjoy grabbing the books you want and don’t worry about a Kindle overload! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I think the Kindle is still over priced in the UK but I think I’ll buy one eventually. I read mainly for research now and so would like to read articles and blogs on a Kindle.
I’m trying to do everything early today because I have a hospital appointment and I might even have my eyes tested at last on the way! I’ve started taking photos again and got my first shots of 2012. I put a few on Facebook last night; I was quite pleased with them considering the light was bad and it was a dull day. My blogs are written and scheduled to today and tomorrow and I have a subject for Saturday. I find the idea is the hard part, it’s easy when I know what to write about. The hospital will probably inspire a blog for Sunday! 🙂
Hi Mike, Yes, electronics are much more expensive, in general, in the UK than the US. But the price of Kindles keeps dropping so maybe someday it will be low priced, or even free, in the UK.
Wow, you write on so many topics, I’m surprised you run out of things to write about. Here’s one: how to use shadows effectively in photography. I’m never sure if shadows are a good thing or not when I take pictures. Yes, I need photography 101.
I hope your appointment goes well today, Mike! 🙂
I want a Kindle Fire! I’ve been at the library so much lately and I was talking to the librarian who showed me all of the available books and audio books available to download! Love it. Makes sense for someone like me who doesn’t have the car on the day I want a new book to read!
Hi Betsy, My daughter has the Kindle Fire and is a huge fan. She has it with her all the time and loves to read on it.
But you can get the Kindle app on your computer and read Kindle books without getting a Kindle if you want to, before you get an actual Kindle. The next time you’re stuck inside and craving a new book you should download the Kindle reader to your computer. 🙂
Thanks again, tech lady! Free/cheap is good, and instantaneous free/cheap is even better. I (heart) my Kindle.
Hi Gramps, Yes, it’s easy to love your Kindle and everyone loves their Kindle a bit more knowing all of the free and inexpensive content available to download within seconds!
Happy reading! 🙂
Carolyn,
I am surprised you didn’t mention Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/scores/top) which is chock full of Kindle ready classics.
Hi Lee, Excellent catch! You’re right, I didn’t mention Project Gutenberg, which is a great source for free Kindle books. But there is a method to my madness. I am planning on writing a separate Project Gutenberg post in the near future. As Project Gutenberg books are available on many devices, I want to write a unique article on that valuable resource.
Stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech! 🙂
Carolyn – I do not own a Kindle, but for my iPhone & Android phone, I have subscribed to this awesome site – freeappalert.com. They have a daily update on which app became free for the day.
Getting Kindle books for free or cheap is always good 🙂
Hi Praveen, you should also check out Apps Gone Free for your iPhone. You might find some great apps with that app.
Have you downloaded the Kindle app to your phone? That’s a great free app! 🙂
I really enjoy reading free out of copyright books on my Kindle and I blog a couple of times a week on free classics. http://www.ClassicKindle.com Thanks for all the tips here.
Hi Marilyn, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Thanks for posting a link to your blog. It’s helpful to discover great free and almost free Kindle books!
I hope you come back and visit The Wonder of Tech soon!
WOW! WOW! WOW! Though I don’t have a Kindle, I do have Kindle PC loaded on my computers. My netbook is the one I use the most for Kindle reading. Though I have taken advantage of the Free book collections, I did not know about Zoolerts and Delivereads. What great resources. Thanks so much.
Actually, Carolyn, I am thinking seriously of buying a Kindle just so I can take advantage of the Prime. It seems like it makes so much sense. Since I am a voracious reader, I spend a significant amount on books every year. In all likelihood, the cost of the Kindle and the Prime Account would be pay for itself in a matter of months.
Look forward to starting to use these two resources. Again, thanks so much.
best wishes for a Spectacular Sunday. Until later, aloha. Janet
There is also http://www.BookLending.com which allows people to lend books and borrow them. BookLending (which is free) makes the connections. People list books they can loan and books they want to borrow. They are notified when there is a match and instructed how to do complete the process through Amazon. No one I knew wanted the one time loan on my books and my friends did not have books I wanted to borrow. So I uploaded my offers to loan books and downloaded The Hunger Games trilogy! You do not have to upload to borrow, but you want to because that is what makes this work.
Hi Janet, I really think Kindle and Prime go hand-in-hand. If you have Prime, you should really get a Kindle because a year’s worth of free books through the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library means the Kindle is paid for. If you own a Kindle, get Prime because with the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, Prime is paid for. Either way you win! 🙂
Keep us posted!
Great post, Carolyn! I’ve been radically opposed to Kindles and e-readers since their initial release, but I’m finally starting to see the value in them for my personal reading efforts. The main thing that’s keeping me from purchasing one is the cost…even if I ran out and bought one today, would I actually be able to afford the books I want? So, needless to say, this article couldn’t have come at a better time. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Jill, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad this article was helpful to you. You’re exactly right, Jill, after people buy a Kindle, they might not have a whole lot left over to buy Kindle books. Everyone likes a deal and there are plenty of great deals to be had on Kindle books.
I agree, the feel and smell of a book are strong sensory pleasures. Most people weigh that against the convenience of having ebooks. As time passes, more people are choosing convenience over the sensory pleasures of books.
Please keep us posted if you do decide to get a Kindle! 🙂
I certainly will, Carolyn! Thanks again! 🙂
WOW! This is the overview that I needed, Carolyn! Thank you SOO much! =) I haven’t done anything with my new Kindle Fire other than put a few free books on and I had no idea about all these options and tricks! =)
I’ll be religiously checking Amazon’s daily free app and I can’t wait to dig into the free classics! =)
Hi Samantha, How exciting you got a Kindle Fire! My daughter got one and absolutely loves it. We check the app of the day every day and have picked up some good ones.
I am so happy this article was helpful to you. There are so many great ways to get free or inexpensive content for your Kindle that I wanted to have all of these resources in one place. I think you’ll enjoy loading up your Fire with apps and great Kindle books, Samantha! 🙂
Great! I´m going to try it. This way it is much easyer to use it during traveling.
Hi Birgit, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, having a Kindle makes reading much more convenient when traveling! Enjoy your trip. 🙂