16 Legit Sites To Get Paid To Read Books (Cash & Free Books)

Can you really get paid to read books? The answer is yes.

Do you love to read books? If the answer is yes, then here are some of the best sites to get paid to read books.

There are lots of book review websites available that will allow you to make extra money by reviewing books. Some companies will pay you in cash for your book review. On the other hand, there are a few websites available that will pay you through free books.

Therefore, check out this listing of the best sites to get paid to read books. It is one of the best ways to monetize your hobby.

Why Companies Pay People to Read Books

Think about it—how often do you actually buy a book without reading a few reviews first? Probably rarely. And it’s not just you—most readers do the same. Today, reviews aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re the driving force behind book sales, guiding what readers choose and even shaping how books rank on sites like Amazon and Goodreads.

Authors and publishers get it—they know the value of honest feedback. That’s why they’re happy to pay people to read their books and share their thoughts. A great review does more than just summarize the story; it gives future readers a clear idea of what to expect, points out the book’s highs and lows, and helps them decide if it’s worth picking up.

For writers, feedback is like holding up a mirror to your own work. It shows you what’s shining and what might need some polish—maybe those plot twists are a bit too obvious, or the story slows down halfway through. Without someone else’s perspective, these hiccups can easily slip under the radar. That’s why beta readers and reviewers are such a vital part of bringing a book to life.

There’s a marketing side to this as well. Positive reviews don’t just build trust—they also help your book get noticed. Titles with higher ratings are more likely to pop up in search results and recommendation feeds. In fact, research shows that products with around 50 or more reviews can see conversion rates jump by as much as 270%! That’s a pretty strong reason for authors to consider investing in paid reviews.

Here’s the thing—authenticity is everything. Readers can tell a fake or cookie-cutter review instantly. That’s why brands are willing to pay real people who can share honest, detailed opinions. Your personal perspective? That’s what makes your review truly valuable.

It’s not all about glowing compliments. Honest, constructive feedback matters just as much. Reviews that highlight both the good and the areas for improvement usually feel more trustworthy—and end up being far more useful—than ones that are nothing but praise.

Skills You Need to Get Paid to Read

Reading is fun on its own, but turning it into a paycheck takes a few extra skills. Let’s dive into the key things you need to know.

1. Writing and Analytical Skills

Being a great reader isn’t enough—you also need to express your thoughts clearly. Strong writing skills are key, whether you’re summarizing a story, offering constructive critiques, or giving actionable feedback that authors and publishers can actually use.

Analytical thinking comes into play too, helping you look beyond personal preference to evaluate things like character development, plot consistency, and the deeper themes within the story.

2. Attention to Detail

Whether you’re proofreading, editing, or beta reading, it’s the little things that count. A stray comma or a tiny plot hiccup might seem minor, but authors count on sharp-eyed readers to catch these before their work goes public. Paying close attention to detail not only makes your work stand out—it can also open the door to long-term opportunities.

How To Get Paid To Read Books: In Cash

Here is the list of the best companies that will pay cash for book reviews. All you have to do is choose the best companies that are convenient for you.

1. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is one of the best sites that will pay you money for book reviews. It has been around for over 10 years. You can earn between $5 to $60 for book reviews (Depending on the length of the book).

As the company looking for honest reviews on books, you’ll get the chance to become a book reviewer. When you become a member of this company, they’ll send you books at no charge. Moreover, it’s free to become a member.

When you become a book reviewer, you have to do your first review for free. That’ll help the company to determine whether you’re a good reviewer or not.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that as a book reviewer you can’t rate a book 4 out of 4 if it has 10 errors or more. Therefore, you should provide honest reviews. You’ll get paid through PayPal.

2. Kirkus

Kirkus is another platform that will help you to get paid to read books. As it is a company that specializes in book reviews, you’ll get the chance to work as a book reviewer who can read books and write short reviews.

To become a book reviewer at Kirkus, you have to do a few things, such as:

You have to submit your resume
Writing samples
A list of reviewing specialties

In addition to book reviews, there are a few other jobs available as well, such as copy editors and editors. Therefore, it is one of the best platforms for book lovers to get paid to read books.

3. Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books has been the premier feminist book review and remains proudly a print publication. It has been around since 1983. It reviews scholarship as well as fiction, graphic novels, poetry by women.

To become a book reviewer at WRB, you have to send your resume, samples of published reviews, and a cover letter. To know more about this platform, you need to visit their website.

4. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine that is focused on the international book publishing business. They have got a job opening page where they feature various publishing jobs.

It seems the company looks to publish reviews for all types of fiction and non-fiction books. Also, they want reviews for both traditionally published and self-published books. To apply for the book reviewer position, you have to send a resume and sample review of a recently published book.

5. The U.S. Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books works like an aggregator between authors and book reviewers. It connects authors with professional book reviewers and places their book reviews in front of their subscribers.

As they connect authors with professional book reviewers, they’re hiring book reviewers as well. When they post available books for review on their site, you’ll get the opportunity to request a reviewer status. You’ll get paid to read books monthly.

6. Upwork

Upwork is not a publishing company nor a book review company. It’s one of the best freelancing sites that connect freelancers with clients that need your help. You may find some book review writing opportunities on this platform.

As it is one of the best freelancing sites, competition is higher. To beat other competitors, you have to apply for the job with perfection.

7. Booklist

Booklist is a part of the American Library Association and their reviews serve a specific purpose: guiding school and public library workers in purchasing and suggesting books. For that reason, they often hire freelance book reviewers. As a book reviewer, you’ll be allowed to write 150-175 words reviews.

To become a book reviewer at Booklist, you have to be familiar with books and libraries as their audience is school and public library workers. You don’t need to have a library degree. As a book reviewer, you’ll be able to get paid between $12.5 to $15 per review. To know more about book review jobs, visit their website.

8. Instaread

Do you love to write summaries of books that you read? Yes? Then here is the best site that will allow you to make money by writing summaries of books. After reading a book, all you have to do is write the key insights of new and classic non-fiction.

As a book summary writer, you have to write between 1000-1500 words summary. For your hard work, Instaread will pay you $100 per summary. To become a book summary writer at Instaread, you have to maintain their style guide.

9. Writerful Books

Writerful Books can be a great option for book reviewers to make extra money. They’re looking for book reviewers that can write interesting and engaging book reviews for their readers.

According to their website, the type of books you review is up to you but they prefer contemporary novels from American, Australian, Canadian, British, Irish, New Zealand authors. Moreover, the top reviewer who has published quality reviews on Writerful Books will e rewarded with a $100 Amazon gift voucher. As a book reviewer, they’ll pay you between $10 to $50 depending on how in-depth the review is.

Here are a few requirements for book reviews:

Reviews must be honest and fair
Reviews must not be libellous
Reviews must add value to readers
Reviews must not plagiarised or published elsewhere
Reviews must not infringe on the rights of others
Reviews must not be abusive or offensive in any form
Reviews must be no shorter than 350 words
Reviews must not be a synopsis of the book

How To Get Paid To Read Books: With Free Books

There are a few websites available that will give you free books for your book reviews instead of real cash. If you like to get free books for book reviews, then you can use these websites.

10. Bethany House

Bethany House is a publisher that publishes books that represent historic Christianity. To become a reviewer at Bethany House, you have to own a blog where you’ll publish Bethany House reviews.

Here are a few things that you need to do as a book reviewer:

You must write at least 75 words reviews.
You have to publish the reviews both on your blog and on a retailer website like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Each month they send out both fiction and non-fiction list of books for review. As a reviewer, you have to respond first to get a book copy for reviewing purposes.

11. Moody Press

Moody Press is another platform that will pay you with free books for book reviews. It works similar to Bethany House. To become a book reviewer at Moody Press, you need to own a blog where you have to publish book reviews as well as retailer sites like Amazon.

To become a book reviewer, you have to apply. Once approved you’ll be able to review available books. You’ll get the chance to review one book at a time.

After the selection of a book for review, Moody Press will send the book to you within 7 to 10 days via U.S. Postal Service. Next, you have to return your review.

12. My Reader Rewards Club

It is a reward program from Tyndale Publishers and NavPress. By using this rewards club, you’ll be able to earn points that can be used for getting free books.

Here are a few ways to earn points:

Shopping on the Tyndale Publishers and NavPress websites
Referring friends
Taking paid online surveys

In addition to free books, you’ll be able to get free products as well.

Here are a few other platforms to get paid to read books (with free books):

13. Chicago Book Review

14. Book Browse

15. Net Galley

16. New Pages

How Much Money Can You Make Reading Books

Let’s be honest—how much can you really make? It all comes down to the path you take, your skills, and how much effort you’re willing to put in.

If you’re just getting started—whether with beta reading or casual book reviews—you can typically earn between $5 and $20 per book. It won’t make you rich overnight, but it’s a fun way to start turning your love of reading into a little extra cash.

If you’re an intermediate reader willing to dive into detailed reviews, proofreading, or even listening to audiobooks, you could make anywhere from $50 to $100 per project. Doing this consistently can turn into a nice little side income boost.

Professional readers, editors, and narrators can make a solid income—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars per book—especially when collaborating with publishers or tackling complex manuscripts. Full-time pros often share that their yearly earnings can range anywhere from $25,000 to $70,000, depending on their workload and area of expertise.

The secret to boosting your income is scaling your efforts. By juggling multiple projects, going after higher-paying gigs, and constantly sharpening your skills, you can see your earnings grow steadily over time.

Tips to Maximize Your Earnings

To truly turn reading into a sustainable income, consider these strategies:

Diversify Your Opportunities: Don’t rely on a single platform; combine beta reading, review writing, and audiobook listening.

Specialize in a Niche: Focusing on a genre like romance, fantasy, or business can make you a sought-after expert.

Network and Build Reputation: Repeat clients and referrals are gold. Be professional, meet deadlines, and provide quality feedback.

Upskill: Learn proofreading, editing, or narration to unlock higher-paying opportunities.

Track Your Earnings and Time: Optimize efficiency by understanding which tasks pay best per hour of effort.

Pros and Cons of Getting Paid to Read Books

Like any career path, getting paid to read books comes with advantages and challenges.

Pros:

Work from home and set your own schedule.
Access to free books and exclusive content.
Opportunities to influence the publishing process.
Flexibility to choose genres you enjoy.

Cons:

Pay can be inconsistent, especially for beginners.
Deadlines may add pressure, turning a hobby into work.
High competition for reputable gigs.
Requires strong writing and analytical skills.

It’s important to get a clear picture of the trade-offs before jumping in. When your expectations are grounded in reality, your journey becomes not just more successful but also a lot more enjoyable.

FAQs

Can you really get paid to read books?

Yes, you really can get paid to read books—and it’s more common than you might think. Many publishers, companies, and online platforms are constantly looking for readers to help with tasks like writing reviews, narrating audiobooks, proofreading manuscripts, or creating summaries. While it’s not a get-rich-quick opportunity, it can definitely grow into a reliable and enjoyable side income over time.

How do beginners get paid to read books?

If you’re just getting started, a great first step is to sign up on platforms that pay for book reviews, freelance proofreading, or even audiobook narration. These beginner-friendly options can help you gain experience while earning on the side.

You can also build your own space online—like a blog or social media page—where you share your love for books. Over time, you can turn it into a steady income stream by adding ads and promoting affiliate links that match your content.

Do I need experience to get paid for reading books?

Not necessarily. Many beginner-friendly options—like reviewing or beta reading—don’t require any prior experience to get started. That said, having strong reading comprehension and solid writing skills can make a big difference and help you earn more over time.

Is getting paid to read books legit or a scam?

When you start exploring these opportunities, you’ll quickly notice there are plenty of genuine options out there—but not everything is as trustworthy as it seems.

Be cautious of platforms that ask you to pay upfront or make bold promises of huge earnings with little effort. A good rule of thumb? Take a few minutes to do your research before signing up—it can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration later.

What is a beta reader, and how do they get paid?

A beta reader is someone who gets early access to a book before it’s published and shares honest feedback with the author to help improve it. While some authors pay beta readers for their time, others reward them with free copies of the book or special perks instead.

WrapUp

If you’re a book lover, then don’t miss this opportunity to make extra money. As you can see, there are a few legitimate websites available that will allow you to make money by reading books. All you have to do is pick the right platform that is convenient for you.

Hopefully, this article helped you to know about the best sites to get paid to read books. If you love it, then share it with your friends.

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