Where to start
Most adults who want to read more already know which books they would like to get to. What they lack is time, a routine, and someone to talk to about what they read. The guides here deal with those three things, in roughly that order.
Make reading a habit
Small daily targets, a fixed time and place, and a book that is easy to pick up again tomorrow.
Start a book club
How many people to invite, how often to meet, how to choose books, and what to do at the first meeting.
Find a classic to read
Public-domain classics grouped by theme, from long winter novels to short books you can finish in a weekend.
Borrow for free
Library cards, holds, interlibrary loan and borrowing ebooks and audiobooks through your library's apps.
A simple reading routine
- Pick one book you actually want to read, and keep it where you will see it every day.
- Choose a regular slot, such as the first twenty minutes after dinner or the train ride to work.
- Set a small floor you can always meet, like ten pages, and let yourself read more when you feel like it.
- Write one or two lines about what you read in a notebook or a note on your phone.
- Tell someone about the book, or bring it to a book club. Talking about a book helps you remember it.
The reading habit guide goes through each step in more detail, and the reading slump page covers what to do when the routine stops working.
Classics you can read for free
Every book on our themed reading lists is old enough to be in the public domain in the United States, which means free copies are easy to find through your library or public-domain ebook projects. We list the title, the author and a one-line premise, with no plot spoilers and no star ratings. The lists are unranked, so start with whichever theme catches your eye.
Public domain status depends on the country. In the United States, books first published in 1930 or earlier are in the public domain as of January 2026. Modern translations of older books are usually still under copyright, even when the original is free.
Common questions
How many books should I aim to read in a year?
There is no right number. A yearly count can motivate some readers and push others toward short, easy books they don't care about. A daily or weekly habit is easier to keep and tends to add up anyway.
Do audiobooks count as reading?
For a personal habit or a book club, yes. You still follow the story and the ideas, and many people find audio the only way to fit books into a commute or chores. Use whatever format gets you through the book.
Do you rate or rank books?
No. We describe what a book is about and who might enjoy it, and leave the verdict to you and your book club. See the about page for how the lists are chosen.