If someone were to ask me if I like to read free books, my answer would be a resounding yes. I love going to the local public library, piling up a giant tote bag full of hardcover books by my favorite authors, and binge reading them over my vacations. Love, love, love.
However, if someone asks me if have read all the free ebooks that I’ve downloaded over the years, I would have to say I’m still working on them, as I peek behind my mountain of to-be-read free ebook pile. What about you?
Do you really read the ebooks that you downloaded for free? How many of those free ebooks have you read? More than half? Less than half?
Some people have said that many readers download free ebooks that they don’t read at all for one reason or another. On the other hand, some say that if readers bought the books, they are more likely to read what they have paid for. To be honest with you, I don’t even know whether either hearsay statement is true at all.
As for me, I download a free ebook because I want to read it at some point between now and the distant future…when I have time. One reason I don’t read the free ebook right away is that family calls, duty calls, my own writing deadlines call, I need a reading vacation, and… I have to finish reading those library books due first or else there could be library fines for late books.
Speaking of libraries, do you like to check out ebooks from the library? Over here, it’s about 2-3 weeks before the ebook disappears from the ereader on my phone or tablet.
Have you borrowed free ebooks from your local library? How much time do they let you have the ebook before you need to return it?
As you know, this InspyRomance blog site is closing down in April after a successful decade. I’ll write about my personal thoughts next month and cry then. For now, I want to say I’m confident that all of us authors are still actively writing and publishing books.
Therefore, I would encourage you to sign up for each author’s mailing list so that you can continue to keep in touch with these Christian authors.
How many of the InspyRomance authors’ mailing lists are you subscribed to?
A number of us give away free ebooks (here’s my free ebook for you) that you can download. In the process, you will be asked if you’d like to sign up for our mailing lists to keep up with our future publications.
For example, I send newsletters several times a month, and I post sales, freebies, behind-the-scene tidbits, giveaways, and snapshots of my personal life, which always include at least one Bible verse and lessons I’ve learned.
So, even though InspyRomance is retiring from the scene, all these twenty-some authors are still pressing on. To stay in touch with me, for example, you can sign up for my mailing list in two ways:
- Download Time for Me (A Vacation Sweethearts Prequel) for free and sign up for my newsletters that way, or
- Subscribe to my newsletters directly if you have already read this contemporary Christian romance ebook.
USA Today bestselling novelist Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with elements of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with an air of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Join Jan's mailing list for her latest book news: JanThompson.com/newsletter
I look forward to your post next week. I am actually hoping there will be a few posts reminiscing over the past years the author has been blogging here, insights, things they learnt, things they loved. (I personally look forward reading posts talking about what Inspy meant to each author)
On signing up. I have or am signed up to quite a few a few of the authors I cant find the link to the newsletter. (Many of the links in the about the authors are broken and haven’t been updated which doesn’t help) I know I get yours.
As for free books from signing up I often don’t download them as I know I probably won’t read them. Not that I don’t want to by my TBR pile of books could keep me going to I am about 152! ok maybe not quite that long. I do download some I think I may like and occasionally I will read them but not always. I am trying to be careful now cos I know I average 20 – 30 books a year now unlike when I use to read 150 a year. I don’t go to the library as I have so many on my kindle.
woops meant next month.
I do read the free ones, but most of the time not immediately. Even when I buy ebooks or physical books I don’t read all of them instantly because I have to be in a specific mood, I just felt like I had to have them on hand for when that mood actually strikes :’)
But I appreciate the free ebooks so much, because I’m from a non English speaking country, and back when I got my first hand-me-down kindle from a cousin who lives in the UK, I would download soooo many free ebooks and found some amazing gems among them that I’m still thinking about 10+ years later.
And I usually plan my monthly reads around ARCs so if I can squeeze in some free ebooks as well I do :)
Libraries in my country don’t have ebooks or audiobooks (and barely anything in English either), but I luckily have a library card from a different country that does. It’s 2-3 weeks for an ebook or audio, which is plenty of time I think, except when you borrow too much at once haha.
I’m only subbed to a few newsletters, but I’ll make sure to sign up for as many as I can 👀
Happy weekend Jan! As a high school English teacher, I did a lot of reading for my job. When I retired in 2012, I downloaded lots of free books to explore different authors and genre. A free book by Valerie Comer led to this site. As a retiree, I read or attempt to read about 60% or more of the free books. I explore free books in my e-library when I want a different genre book – mystery, rom-com or some non-fiction. I attend a monthly book club at a local library. My book budget is $25 a month and if a book costs more than $6, I will see if my local library has it. In my SW Michigan community I am fortunate my library card works at 2 libraries. Both libraries offer e-books and audio books.
I subscribe to a dozen newsletters, plus receive book suggestions from Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub and some publishers. I am sure I receive your monthly newsletter. Best wishes.
I do read my free books when I have free time. I’ve found many new authors to follow from the free books that I have enjoyed reading. I have 2 library cards and I like to get the more expensive ebooks from the library. They let you borrow the books for 3 weeks so sometimes there is a really long wait to get the ebook.
I do read the ebooks I get for free! It takes me awhile, but eventually I’ll get to all of them! I read ARC’s for quite a few authors, plus the books I read for my editing/proofreading business, so “sometimes” there’s not a lot of time to read another book! I do check out some paperbacks from my church library some, though! Just last Sunday, as a matter of fact, since I left my Kindle at home. I work in the library, last week was my week, and I needed something to read while I was there! lol!! I’ve already finished that book, so I’ll return it tomorrow!
I love free books too! I haven’t read all the free books I’ve downloaded, but I’ve made some good progress.
When I check out books from the library, I only get physical copies.
I do read the free ebooks I download – I only download a book if I’m sure I want to read it. In most cases that free book has lead me to buying more books by that author. I read ebooks from the library too.
Yes, I do read free books, whether in ebook form or paperbacks that I have won in a giveaway. How many of the free books have I read? I have no idea. I have so many!!! I have lost track. I do subscribe to probably all of the Inspy authors plus some. I spend hours going through all of the emails from authors. I have to say that I really like your newsletters. Those I will read to the very end. Depending on the day, I am sorry to say, sometimes I scroll though them rather quickly. Getting all of these newsletters is one reason I don’t get as many free books read! (Haha).
I haven’t physically borrowed books from our local library since my kids were little, but I do get ebooks from the digitally library. They are good for 21 days.
Love your books, love your newsletters. Have a great weekend. ❤
I think I’ve read well over half of the free books I’ve gotten. That’s how I’ve gotten introduced to a lot of new authors! Sometimes it’s awhile before I read a freebie, and then I wonder why I took so long because it’s so good! A few have been duds, but not many.
Right now I subscribe to newsletters of 6 of the current InspyRomance authors, but I get a lot from former InspyRomance authors too.
I read quite a few new books through my library on Hoopla – especially the ones that start at over $10 for a Kindle copy (I wait until those are on sale to get my own copy). I can get 5 a month for 3 weeks each.
I’ve read a lot of the free ebooks I’ve gotten over the years…sometimes immediately & sometimes not for a while. But I have found several of my now favorite authors through free ebooks. Shanna Hatfield is one for sure I know I found through a random free Kindle book, and I found Meghann Whistler, Valerie Bodden, Tamie Dearen, Laura Ashwood, and probably many others through newsletter freebies other authors shared. I love the chance to see if I like an author’s style before committing to them 😆
Hi Jan, thanks for this post today. Yes I read a LOT of free books. I am in a similar boat as you are. I have been retired for a number of years and my husband is now semi retired. He is looking at the end of July being fully retired. So because of all this (plus life on top of all this) our funds for buying books are slim. And now that my husband has more time for reading, he has found the ebooks at the library. I personally dont do the library ebooks. I am one of those that prefer firstly paper books. LOL but ebooks are ok also LOL
I love free books – both from the library and free ebooks. My library is a 3 week loan for an ebook or audio book but it’s easy to renew. I do have a fair amount of books in my real and virtual TBR piles, but I get around to them eventually! As someone else has commented, it depends on mood and what I feel like reading, so I don’t think I’m any more or less likely to read a free book, a library loan or a book I’ve bought.
I am trying to make sure I’m signed up for the newsletters of bloggers here, I know I get yours. I really like the personal element of a lot of the newsletters and getting to know more about the authors whose books I enjoy.
Good morning, I don t read ebooks at all as I am not tech savvy at all. I only read books in Paperback or hardcover. I have not gone to the Library for a while. I am signed up to a few of the authors newsletters. I have really enjoyed INSPY , so sad to see you all go, but I will stay in touch with you all in newsletters and on FB. Have a great weekend. God Bless you all.
I download free ebooks. But lately been busy as my grandfather passed away the day after Christmas after he fell and broke his hip we are sad but also happy that he is no longer in pain and is reunited with his wife who died in 2020 he was 96. He lived in an apartment at our house for the last 9 months of his life so feel little lonely with out him Here as we would bring him his meals out to his apartment . Also the ladt 2 weeks was babysitting my 2 nephews age 2 and 1 one week and this last week babysat nieces age 3 2 and almost 1 her birthday is Monday. So haven’t had as much time to read.
Thank you for your comment! I’ve passed on the suggestions for last posts next month. Good ideas!
Glad you signed up for my mailing list. See you there long after InspyRomance retires.
I hear you. I also have a giant TBR pile of books. SIGH.
I used to read more too. Looks like I’m not the only one. I do average fewer books read per year now than before. I’m definitely slowing down.
Have a great weekend in the Lord!
Thank you for your comment!
Yes, I also don’t read immediately. I’m so glad that you can read these free English books. Which country are you in? Also glad you can get English books from various places. Amazon online worldwide might be a good bookstore for books in many languages.
That’s nice that you can get ebooks and audiobooks from another country. Over here most of the books are in English and these books are also disbursed worldwide. I hope you can get more books of mine also. Later on, when I can afford it, I’ll have them translated into other languages.
Are you signed up for my newsletters? I offer free books also. This year, I’m in three multi-author round robin promotions in which we give away free ebooks. There are 38 free ebooks in all that I’m promoting.
Have a great weekend in the Lord!
Thank you for your comment, and happy weekend to you too!
Looks like you love your local library and I do too! It’s always fun to go there and get free books to read. I love the hardcover books and I also love to gawk at the artistic covers on books. Maybe I should be producing hardcover editions of my own books. Will see when I have more time.
Glad that you’re subscribed to the author newsletters. After InspyRomance retires, we all still continue to communicate with our readers, and one of the best ways is via our newsletters.
Thanks again for your comment. One more blog post next month and we’re signing off.
Have a great weekend in the Lord!
Thank you for your comment.
Glad you’re reading the free books. I have also been introduced to new authors via their free offers. Fun for readers!
Yes, I agree on the long wait. So many times I’ve reserved books from the library only to forget about them bc it took forever for my turn to come around.
Have a great weekend in the Lord!
the reason I read less is I tire easy due to head pain. Its more under control but there are days when if I don’t get a nap for a few days or have a busy day I get so exhausted and reading is the last think I can handle. I am also a slower reader. Thankfully the pain is more under control and I can read.
I love free books, especially free ebooks! I try to read the free books that I get but there are still a lot that I have to catch up on
Oh wow. I’m glad the the pain is controllable. Glad you can read more books.
I think the best type of reading is to take your time. I do have some voracious readers who devour books, but many of my readers read at a leisurely pace. Reading is therapeutic, after all.
Yes, I read them even if I delay, I love having books on hand that I want to read at some point 💕.
I have a TBR shelf full of hardcovers/paperbacks and I also have a TBR shelf of ebooks on my Kindle! Whether free or paid I’m only going to acquire the book because I’m excited about it and intend to read it. Unfortunately I have enough books to last me for the next several years! Even if I don’t add anymore!
So when I finish a book and decide what to read next there’s lots of factors to consider: my mood, the genre or type of story I want next, a deadline of some sort. I believe I’ll get to them all … eventually!
sometimes
I try to but it does take me quite a while because I have migraines and reading online is worse. I do read a lot on paperback but I try to slowly chip away at them when I can.
Thank you for your comment, Trudy! I’m going to miss your comment on my IR blog posts after March, but feel free to reply to my newsletters.
Oh yes I forgot about the ARC books when I wrote the blog post HAHA. It’s true that if you’re editing books, that will take a lot of time!
Our current church doesn’t have a library but there are libraries in the area, so no shortage of books. I do love libraries!
Have a blessed weekend in the Lord!
Thank you for your comment!
Yes, I love the physical format of library books too. At home, I often sit by a window and read books with snacks and tea nearby. The sunlight doesn’t put glare on printed paper (unlike tablets or phones), so that’s best for my eyes.
Glad you’re making progress with the free ebooks you’ve downloaded. You’re probably farther along than I am. Happy reading!
Have a blessed weekend in the Lord!
Yes I try to read all the ebooks, but I have quite a TBR pile now (both electronically and paper).
I’m pretty sure I’ve read less than half of all the free books I have. I’ve also bought some, but I haven’t gotten to those either. These days, my reading is 90-95% ARC reading, and 5-10% are dedicated to free books or audiobooks. So, yeah, I’m not making much of a dent in that pile, lol.
I have not been good about reading the free books that I have downloaded unless it is an ARC that I am reading for an author. I am a reader of ARC’s for many authors. I have issues reading on my computer since I was in a hit and run accident. I am also in two book clubs. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I love free books! The library and BookBub are helpful with this.
I have not always been great about reading all the free ebooks I have downloaded. However, I am also the same way with the ones I have purchased. I am always so busy and tend to focus first on my print copies since that is my preferred way of reading. I also have gotten into ebooks lately so that has been taking time away from reading more ebooks. Oh well, perhaps I will be able to make more a dent in reading my ebooks when I retire. Unfortunately, that won’t be for awhile.
I probably haven’t read all that I’ve gotten free, but I’m working on it, one book at a time! Lol
I’m from Serbia :) we’ve been getting more and more physical English books here too recently, so maybe someday the ebooks will arrive too. There’s a local ebook reader app that only has a few translated & local authors’ books from one publisher, so the foundation is there, fingers crossed.
I mostly get my ebooks from Amazon, sometimes directly from authors if I can :) I wish their international shipping wasn’t that crazy though, because I love reading indie books and a lot of them can only be bought there in paperback :( even from the geographically closest Amazon, the shipping is around 25usd for one book :(
Here we mostly have books in Serbian (or Serbo-Croatian for the older editions), then English and Russian. Russian because a lot of Russians and Ukrainians settled here because of the war. You can also find books in even more languages, but generally publishers here prefer to translate over importing everything. I hope you’ll get to translate yours in all the world languages <3
Yess, I subbed yesterday and snagged Time for Me 👀 When I read that I can read the rest through KU yay!!! By the way, KU is not supposed to work in the Balkans because a lot of my friends can't access it, but for some reason it works for me (probably the UK kindle or divine intervention or both).
All the promos sound amazing!!!! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for them :D thank you for giving away so many free books!!
I hope you have a blessed week as well <3
Our public library is down the street from my neighborhood. My husband and I go at least twice a month. We both love to read…for free.
I also download as many free e-books as I can, especially in English. I read some, some will be read later. It is a combo of storage problem (a hard disk is roomier than a book case), money problem and, for books in English, finding them in Romania.
And I also give away freely my books in pdf after the publishing contract expired. (But these are in Romanian, not in English).
I don’t differentiate between the free or paid books, I don’t get to read either of them immediately. Somehow there is always something demanding my attention – often the author newsletters and avoiding spam, other times life in general or health issues.
Used to love going to the library, though that’s no longer a possibility for me and I hear you about the fines, lol!
I can’t imagine getting through my tbr pile in my lifetime and yes it will still be growing. For me there is always the possibility of a brilliant story so yes I will download the free book. The paid books, well some of the vendors only permit payment by methods not available to me, so I like it when authors have their own bookshops so I can paypal. The most recent barrier was eye surgery which alas was a failure, so post InspyR that will be a new adventure for me!
Newsletters are great, though I often find that authors like to send out daily or weekly and it is just too much for me and the emails build up unread and though I mark as read before I delete I am choosing to follow those authors who have monthly or less often newsletters and follow the others on BookBub. An author friend says they have to send frequent emails so they are not forgotten by readers, though she is sending them less often now and is absolutely not forgotten.
Thank you for grabbing Time for Me. I hope you enjoy reading the prequel to Vacation Sweethearts.
Glad you can shop on Amazon and get English books when you want to.
Did you see the InspyRomance birthday bash? So many books will be given away also.
Happy reading!
Thank you for your comment!
That’s what a lot of us authors appreciate, i.e. if you enjoy a free ebook that you might also be interested in the rest of our books, especially if they’re in the same series.
Happy reading!
Yess I did see the Birthday Bash, it’s very exciting :D
I must confess that I have a bunch of free ebooks that I have downloaded but haven’t read because I realized I just don’t love reading ebooks. I have stopped downloading more since I haven’t been reading the ones that I already have.
I do read them bcz I don’t have an income due to health reasons, so I can’t afford to buy books very often.
I read them but not as many as I’d love too.
Thank you for your comment, Bonnie. Glad to hear that you love my books and newsletters. Made my day!
I know, right! I have so many books to read also LOL. It’s almost like I need a book vacation to just read all these books on my Kindle and from the library.
Nice to know that you’re reading ebooks from the library. It’s growing in popularity, for sure.
Have a great week in the Lord!
Thank you for your comment, Margaret! Glad you’ve read a lot of books and are continuing to enjoy books.
That’s pretty good that you can borrow 5 books a month from your library. That averages to more than one book a week, which is about all I can read when I’m busy, so it’s a good number.
Have a great week in the Lord!
Thank you for your comment!
I’m so glad you found new authors through the free ebooks. Some of my readers have told me the same thing.
Good idea to check out their author style via their free ebooks before you invest in the rest of their books.
Have a wonderful week in the Lord!
I too am guilty of downloading free e-books and than not reading them. I’ve been trying to be better about that though, and have discovered a few new authors to buy based on those free books as a sample. So it’s not a lost cause, but it probably doesn’t pay off right away either.
I give away hundreds a year.