Right, accessing a wealth of knowledge and entertainment through books has never been easier with AI and specialized websites. The mantra “sharing is caring” also greatly helps.
However, navigating the vast array of options is overwhelming, plus it’s important to understand the limitations regarding copyright when downloading and using these resources.
I’m gonna cut the chase for you and reveal how you quickly find free books in PDF format, download them, and read them legally and ethically.
Table of Contents
Why Books in PDF?
They are portable, can be read on almost any device, and often include the complete text of a book with the original formatting preserved.
Using AI to Find Free PDF Books
By taking advantage of AI shortcuts, you can quickly locate books across multiple databases without having to do the dirty manual work.
One of the best options for this purpose is the GPT “Free Books in PDF“, which can help you identify and download the book of your choice efficiently. Or just to ask it to suggest books to read based on your preferences.
Example:
Imagine you’re looking for classic literature like “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. By using AI, you can input your search query, and this GPT will scan various online libraries and databases to find the best available PDF version where to find a link to download it or to read it on the go.
Free Books in PDF – The GPT
Top Websites to Download Free PDF Books
There are several reputable websites already working with AI where you can also legally download free books in PDF format. Here are four of the best:
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Project Gutenberg: a vast collection of over 60,000 free eBooks, including many classics, all available for free download in various formats, including PDF.
Editor's note: I downloaded Frankenstain in txt
and used it to create a podcast with NotebookLM! -
Google Books: while primarily a book preview service, Google Books offers a range of public domain books available for free download in PDF format.
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ManyBooks: offers more than 50,000 free eBooks, many of which are available in PDF format. The site is easy to navigate and provides a wide selection of genres.
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Open Library: a project by the Internet Archive, Open Library aims to have a web page for every book ever published. It provides free access to millions of books, with many available for download as PDFs.
How to Download Free PDF Books
Downloading books for free from these websites is usually straightforward. Here’s a general step-by-step guide:
- Visit the Website: go to one of the recommended websites.
- Search for the Book: use the search bar to find your desired title.
- Choose the PDF Format: once you’ve located the book, select the PDF format if multiple formats are available.
- Download: click the download button, and the file will save to your device.
Reading PDF Books on Different Devices
Once downloaded, you can read your PDF books on various devices:
- Desktop/Laptop: use PDF readers like Adobe Acrobat or browser-based readers.
- Tablets/Smartphones: install apps like Google Play Books, Apple Books, or any dedicated PDF reader app.
- eReaders: some eReaders support PDF files directly, while others may require conversion to a compatible format.
Understanding Copyright and Legal Limitations
While accessing free books in PDF format is appealing, it’s crucial to be aware of copyright laws. Not all books available for free download are in the public domain, and downloading copyrighted material without permission is illegal.
- Public Domain: books published certain amount of years ago or/and since the author died, are generally in the public domain in the U.S. and other countries and can be freely downloaded and distributed.
- Creative Commons Licenses: some modern books are released under Creative Commons licenses, allowing free distribution under certain conditions.
- Educational Use: downloading a copyrighted book for personal study might fall under “fair use,” but this is a grey area and varies by jurisdiction.
*Public Domain Day: each 1st of January, more books and materials become free of copyright. But it will also depend on copyright protection in different countries. I recommend you to check Wikipedia and other sources to remain up to date.
