Where can you read for free?
It seems obvious that in 2024 reading for free should be easy, but there's a surprising learning curve when it comes to accessing new reading material quickly and easily. It seems much easier to just lean towards the media that are pushed at us via Google Discover, Windows Discover, your browser's homepage, LinkedIn and so on.
I often find myself reading another click-baity article, then I think "How can I improve this feed of reading?" Where can I be going to get better reading material than this?
While some of this article may be obvious, everything here is something I needed to learn before improving my reading life.
What tech do you need to have a great free reading feed?
TLDR: laptop with an internet connection.
• Other good options: Kindle, Tablet, Kobo, Phone
• I am notoriously gadget free. I don't like getting too obsessed with buying everything that exists. The fact of the matter is that your laptop can do everything it needs to do for you to get the most brilliant education that ever existed.
What file formats does free reading come in?
The most common file formats are:
EPUB, PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF, HTM, HTML, PNG, GIF, JPG, JPEG, and BMP
What is the best way to read the files on a laptop?
- The Libby app - this is how you will consume Library books (non university libraries). The Libby app has a built in reader, and you can use it in your browser. You can download the app to a kindle/ipad/phone etc. and access all your content there too.
- Your browser - many of the documents you will want to read will come in PDF format. You can read them in your browser.
- Adobe Acrobat - get a PDF reader that'll remember what page you're on! Adobe Acrobat - just the reader - is free.
- Your database's reader - You will probably find yourself reading from huge databases such as JSTOR and EBSCO host. Many databases will have a reader built in. You can read the document right in your database's reader.
Where can I get files to read?
- Your local library website: Sign in through Libbyapp.com. You can also rent the physical book.
- University library: Many items at University libraries are available as an ebook for free, without sign in, anywhere in the world. You can attend your university in person and read anything and everything that has been written by human kind. I live close to UBC and Simon Fraser University, and I use both of their libraries to read. Typically the ebooks that are only available for sign in (to students or on premises) can be downloaded to a thumb drive and read at home for free. Go to the library and load up. My UBC library allows community members pay $60 per year to take physical books home - it's not free but that's pretty cheap.
- Online databases for articles - There are hundreds of online databases for articles. Many of them have a pay wall. A university will give you access through the pay wall on premises. As well, many of them are offering free content as well. Here are some of the biggest free articles databases: https://www.scribendi.com/academy/articles/free_online_journal_and_research_databases.en.html. I also LOVE JSTOR for art reading: https://www.jstor.org/
- Online databases for books - There are hundreds of databases of free books: https://www.rd.com/list/read-books-for-free-online/
- Courses: Harvard edX, Udemy, and Coursera are all great ways to find new ideas.
Actually reading things
With all of this wealth at our finger tips, it's remarkable how easy it is to read nothing. How can a busy human make sure that they are engaging with this material in consistent and useful way?
- Make a list of what you want to read.
- Download the files in advance and have them in a file on your favorite device.
- Order the files so you know what you want to read first.
- Put files you've read in a "read folder".
- Use a project management app like Notion or a spreadsheet to keep track of what you're reading, and where you're reading it, whether that's from Libby or your Google Drive.
- Make sure you don't deal with friction, like losing your page or messenger apps constantly pinging you. Get Adobe reader and Libby.
- Join an accountability group.
Thanks for reading! Tell me about your personal education journey!
