Did you ever love hanging out in your public library because you enjoy reading books? If you are a book lover or a fully pledged bookworm, then I have good news for you! Did you know that you can get paid and earn money while reading books and/or reviewing them?
Yes, just in the comfort of your own home and without needing to buy any physical book, especially with the rise of digital media. You can get paid through different ways including being a proofreader, write reviews, editing, translating books, and more! I mean, if someone would pay me to read their book, then I will definitely grab that opportunity!
With that in mind, here are websites that you can visit if you want to get paid to read books!
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Websites to use to get paid to read books
If you’re looking for an easy way to get paid, then this post is for you. Whether it be for a side hustle or a full-time job, you can get paid by doing what you love – reading books! Here are some platforms and companies that will pay you to read books:
1. Online Book Club
OnlineBookClub.org is a free website for readers and book lovers that has been around for over a decade. The platform has a bunch of amazing features for book lovers and a massive community from all around the world with over 5 million members.
OnlineBookClub.org will let you choose what you would like to read from their list of books (from self-published books to well-known books) and once you apply, you will receive the books for free. Your role is to write a review. The range of pay ranges between $5 to $60.
Check OnlineBookClub.org here.
2. ACX
This one is a little bit different but perfect for audiobook lovers! ACX is an Amazon-owned platform that features self-published authors, publishers, narrators, and producers to create audiobooks.
And if you love listening to audiobooks or you have a great voice and you want to try your chance at narrating, then ACX offers narrators to earn money to read books out loud or narrate published authors’ books.
You will get paid for reading books aloud once the audiobook is published. The payment will depend on the publisher or author or you may get paid a percentage of the royalties on the sale of the audiobook.
Check ACX here.
3. Women’s Review of Books
Women’s Review of Books has been one of the first feminist book review platforms and remains proudly a print publication. The Women’s Review of Books is a publication dedicated to reviewing books written by and about women. It offers critical analysis and discussions of literature, covering a wide range of genres and topics.
It is also one of the sites that pay quite a generous amount to their reviewers. Most of the platform’s writers and book reviewers are paid around $100 per book review once you have met the website’s qualifications to become a book reviewer.
You can check Women’s Review of Books here.
4. Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is one of the more well-established and respected American book review magazines. The company covers a wide range of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children’s books, and more.
Kirkus Reviews is known for its critical and unbiased reviews which provide valuable feedback to authors and publishers alike. The platform is actively looking for Book Reviewers on a freelance or project basis from all around the world.
Reviews are about 350 words due two weeks after the book is assigned. Kirkus currently reviews nearly all genres for books of all lengths, in digital, hardcover, and paperback formats.
You can check Kirkus Reviews here.
5. Reedsy Discovery
Reedsy Discovery is a platform designed to provide a space for book reviews and recommendations. As a reviewer, you get access to our submissions pool and can read and review these books before they launch
If you are looking for some extra cash on the side, Reedsy Discovery doesn’t offer fixed or hourly payment for reviews. Instead, the platform allows its readers to give tips of $1, $3, or $5 to reviewers as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
Apply at Reedsy Discovery here.
6. New Pages
NewPages is news, information, and guides to literary magazines, independent publishers, creative writing programs, alternative periodicals, indie bookstores, writing contests, and more.
If you are someone who loves reading books but does not like writing lengthy reviews, then good news for you because New Pages does not require any long reviews. The platform is generally looking for short book reviews – generally between 100 and 200 words!
You can apply to New Pages here.
7. InstaRead
InstaRead is a platform that gives its readers access to bestselling book summaries and premium content, all available in 15-minute audio or text segments.
Instaread summaries provide informative, insightful, and delightful reports on hundreds of books. The website has created a community in which readers can save each other time by summarizing the key insights of new and classic nonfiction.
Of course, all summaries are edited for accuracy and converted to audio and the website’s reviewers are compensated through monetary payment. Reviewers also receive free app access.
Check out InstaRead here.
8. U.S. Review of Books
The US Review of Books is a publication that provides professional and unbiased reviews of books in various genres and categories. The review publication covers both fiction and non-fiction books and offers a wide range of critiques to guide their readers when choosing their next book to read.
Book titles are periodically posted for potential reviewers. Reviewers are asked to read the list and return their preferences. Titles are assigned in order of reviewer request and on a best-fit basis.
Standard reviews run 250 to 300 words and should summarize the book as well as reveal insights drawn from the reading. Reviewers are paid monthly for every review completed during the previous month.
You can apply to the U.S. Review of Books here.
9. Writerful Books
Writerful Books is a publishing company and literary press that specializes in publishing fiction and non-fiction, primarily focusing on emerging and established authors. Writerful Books helps new voices and supporting writers get discovered and promote their works out in the literary world.
The platform’s reviews are submitted by people with diverse perspectives and reading backgrounds ranging from romance, horror, debut novels, crime, and more!
Write reviews for Writerful Books here.
10. Verblio
Verblio is an online blog and content writing services platform that pays people to read books and write reviews about them. As a Verblio reviewer and reader, you can earn up to $100 per hour to read a book and write book reviews!
Verblio has a wide range of book genres to choose from including fiction, non-fiction, romance, mystery, and more!
You can apply at Verblio here.
11. Booklist
Booklist is a publication that gives reviews, recommendations, and information about a wide range of books across various genres. Booklist is part of the American Library Association which is a well-known review journal for librarians so you already know how impactful Booklist is when it comes to their reviews.
Booklist seeks reviewers who are familiar with both books and libraries. A library degree is not required. Booklist pays $15 per review. You’re paid for a review once that review is published in the magazine or online.
You can apply at Booklist here.
12. Tyndale Blog Network
The Tyndale Blog Network is a platform associated with Tyndale House Publishers which is a Christian publishing company. It serves as a platform for readers, and authors interested in Christian literature and explore various aspects of faith-based writing and storytelling.
They have a program called My Reader Rewards Club which is basically a rewards system wherein you will get points for doing specific tasks on the site. Through their rewards program, you are able to write a review for a Tyndale book or NavPress Book which will let you earn 10 points per review.
You can check Tyndale Blog Network here.
13. Upwork
If you are not familiar with Upwork, it is a place for freelancers to offer their services and for companies and businesses to post job listings. And since Upwork covers a wide range of job offers and freelancers, it is no surprise that you will see a job listing or two about a reading or literature side gig.
This could range from editing a book or article, to asking you to write a book review, and more! You can also provide your sample work so that employers know how you write reviews.
Expect to make at least $10 per gig you do but that can also depend on the hourly rate you set on your Upwork profile and the budget of the employer.
You can join Upwork here.
14. BookBrowse
BookBrowse is an online resource and platform for book lovers. They provide in-depth book reviews, author interviews, reading guides, and recommendations from different genres and categories. The website is also very open to book discussions and reading groups.
When applying to become one of their book reviewers, BookBrowse requires good quality sample reviews or previous book review samples that are at least 300 words. It is also good to note that BookBrowse reviews both adult fiction and nonfiction, and some books for young adults.
According to them, their reviewers tend to write about one review a month and they receive a modest payment.
You can apply to BookBrowse here.
15. EbookFairs
EbookFairs is an online book fair platform dedicated to authors to work with other authors to promote their books through a more organized system. The platform has what they call a Paid Reader Program where you can earn money by reading and then writing insightful editorial reviews for the books listed on their platform.
EbookFairs do require that the book reviews be short reviews that must be at least 200 words long.
You can apply at EbookFairs here.
Final Thoughts – Review Books As a Way to Get Paid
One of the best ways to get paid while doing what you love and what better way to make money than reading books, right? Sure, you won’t get rich quickly but at least you’ll get paid while you enjoy your work. So, if you do have extra time on your hands and you want some free books to occupy you while you get paid, then I do recommend trying out some book review opportunities and websites I have listed in this post 🙂
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.