Get Paid to Read Books From the Comfort of Your Home (19 Ways)

Do you love reading books? Do you read books so often that you wish you could find a way to get paid to read books?

Good news, book lovers! It is possible to make extra money to read books.

This article provides 19 ways to get paid to read books that book reviewers can do without experience.

How to Make Money Reading Books

We put this article together to help people who want to make money to read books because there are few well-known opportunities for the money-making method.

Here are a few quick options (that we will go into further detail throughout the article):

Reviewing books
Audiobooks (e.g., narrating)
Reading books out loud

Is Reading Books for Money Worth It?

Only you can decide if reading books for money is worth it. If you already read books a lot, it could be nice to get paid for it.

Now, will it make you a lot of money? Unfortunately, most opportunities to get paid to read books won’t pay enough to replace your day job.

How much you get paid will depend on how much you read and review. But it can be a nice income stream to include as a side gig in your free time.

How to Get Paid to Read Books

Let’s explore various opportunities to earn money by reading books, with a primary focus on sharing your insights through book reviews.

Let’s look at some different ways that you can get paid to read books, mainly doing book reviews.

Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books is proudly published in print (their words!) as a feminist magazine.

Part of their appeal is doing book reviews for women by women. You can get compensated to do book reviews.

Their book reviewing rate is $100 per review, and they require a pitch for an upcoming book review. Send your book proposal, review angle, and the book’s publication date to their editor.

Online Book Club

Doing book reviews for the Online Book Club is one of the easiest ways to make money by reading books. Once you sign up for Online Book Club, you will have access to a selection of books you can read for free.

Your first review will be unpaid, as you’ll only get a free book for the review. But after you post your first review, you can get paid for reviews.

You can make between $5 and $60 per review.

Upwork

Most freelancers and businesses turn to Upwork for their needs.

If you search Upwork, you can often find book reviewer jobs listed. The review type will depend on the client, who lists all necessary info on the job boards. Clients will also vary in how much they pay per book review.

Give Upwork a try!

Fiverr

Fiverr is another awesome site for freelance work. There are different ways you can get paid to read books.

You can find jobs seeking book reviewers or create a listing as a freelance book reviewer who is open to doing reviews. Explore these entry-level opportunities on Fiverr!

Learn more about Fiverr

Start Your Own Book Blog

You can expand your money-making opportunities as a book reviewer by creating a book review blog. Having your own site gives you control over what content you publish and books you review.

Book reviewers can also create an affiliate income by writing sponsored posts from companies to make you a more rounded business with other services you offer.

Learn more about starting your own blog here!

Other ways to make money:

How Much Money Do You Get Paid To Read Books?

How much you will get paid to read books will depend on what tasks you have to do. Some companies will pay you to read books and give your feedback, while others may require you to write summaries or reviews.

The amount of money you can make also varies based on the length of the book, the complexity of the content, and the company’s payment structure.

Get Paid To Review Books

Let’s check out some other sites where you can get paid to read books and write reviews.

Booklist

Booklist is a librarian review journal that accepts book reviews through their publications, Booklist magazine, The Booklist Reader blog, and Book Links.

Potential book reviewers must complete the application process after familiarizing themselves with their writing style and publications in literary magazines. You can also sign up for their webinar to get more information about reviewing books for them.

You can earn $15 for an honest review, paid after about one review gets published.

BookBrowse

BookBrowse is a website for true book lovers who review books in their free time. You won’t make money to review books. But you will get free copies of books to read and submit reviews.

Bethany House

Bethany House targets Christian audiences with adult fiction and nonfiction books. They require reviewers to have an online presence with a Youtube channel or your own blog.

Kirkus Reviews

If you’ve read book reviews, you’ve likely encountered Kirkus Reviews.

The application process is simple: You must submit your resume and previous book review samples. If you have experience writing short reviews of 350 words within two weeks, check out Kirkus Indie.

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a publishing industry that pays for book reviews. You can get paid between $200 and $1,000 per book review.

Moody Press

Moody Press publishes Christian literature and pays reviewers to write book reviews with more books. You won’t make money, but you can score some serious book loot.

U.S. Review Of Books

U.S Review of Books reviewers write book reviews, with standard short reviews between 250 and 300 words.

Freelance writers must contact the editor with your resume, writing samples, and two professional references. You should also provide links to your freelance book reviews and your website.

Get Paid to Read Books Aloud

Another way to get paid to read is to become an audiobook narrator. You can earn money by reading books aloud and recording them. There are a few places that need people to do audiobook narration.

VoiceBunny (now BunnyStudio)

Start making money with audiobook narration by applying for a Voice Artist. Then, wait to see if you get accepted.

BunnyStudio lets you set your own rates and hours to earn money by reading books out loud.

Backstage

Backstage has job opportunities like published authors and self-published authors get their work read out loud. You must pay to sign up and find books to record reading aloud.

Voice Jungle

Voice Jungle requires you to submit a demo audio when signing up. They prefer book readers with a home studio and only use demos that meet their high-quality standards.

Any Subject Books

Any Subject Books is a self-publishing service that uses book reviewers to read books aloud. You must choose your preferred genres of self-published books to ensure you review the right topics.

Get Paid to Read AudioBooks

Another great way to get paid for reading books is to read audiobooks. Here are our favorite sites to list your services.

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is an excellent freelance website for finding audiobook narration and proofreading jobs.

The starting pay for beginners on PeoplePerHour for this type of service is $100 per finished hour.

Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com also has a beginner rate of $100 per finished hour. You can receive a modest payment for the easy work of reading books aloud or proofreading audio.

Podcasts

Did you know you can make money reading books out loud on podcasts? There are many different podcast genres to participate in, and many garner larger audiences.

How Much Do Audiobook Narrators Make?

The average pay rate for audiobook narrators is between $800 and $1200 a book. Most companies pay $200 to $400 upfront; you get the rest after completing your work.

You can make extra money if the book becomes a TV series or movie.

How to Get Paid to Read Books for Amazon

Amazon has a program that pays to turn books into audiobooks. Sign up for Amazon Audiobook Creative Exchange (ACX).

This program will connect narrators like you with books that need narrating. It’s a win-win!

How to Become a Book Reviewer for Amazon

You can become a book reviewer for Amazon if you’ve purchased at least $50 of products within the last 12 months.

However, Amazon does not pay book reviewers or allow books to be reviewed in exchange for rewards.

How Much Do You Get Paid To Read Books For Amazon?

If you post book reviews using the Amazon platform, you will not be paid for them. It’s against their terms.

But there are other ways to get paid for books read on Amazon, like adding reviews to your own blog and making money with ads.

Is Reading Books for Money for You? – Final Thoughts

We’ve provided several opportunities with the highest pay rates for those who want to get paid for reading books.

Becoming an Amazon book reviewer or a blogger who gets paid to promote products on your website will take time and dedication.

So, is it worth it? Absolutely! You can turn a hobby of reading books into a successful business.

Get Paid To Read Books for Money Q&A

Check out these questions some of you still have.

What job should I have if I love books?

There are many jobs you can do if you love reading books, like:

Narrator
Literature teacher
Literary translator
Proofreader/copy editor
Librarian
Book review writing

How much do book readers get paid?

How much you can get paid to read depends on what you do besides reading and your experience level.

Rates start at $10 per book review, but superb writing can earn more, while narration work and similar roles can pay hundreds of dollars per hour. Most of the money is earned by being able to read in multiple languages.

Is it legal to read books on Youtube?

It depends. If you plan to read an entire book out loud word for word, the answer is no.

Most books fall under copyright, meaning that writing can’t be used by anyone else in any form. However, some writers allow writing samples to be read aloud for a review. Always check with the author or publisher before recording anything you read aloud.

How can I get free books sent to me?

You have many ways to get free books sent to you, not including the ways we’ve discussed, like proofreading or narration.

You can also get free books by:

Visiting your local library
Downloading free audiobooks from Libby
Better World Books

Also, check out our article on scoring free books by mail!

Can you really read books for money?

Yes! It’s possible to read books for money. You can find different jobs that pay you to read books.

Can you make reading and reviewing books a full-time job?

Yes, you can make a living from reading and reviewing books. But it depends on your terms of a “full-time career.” It can take some time to become a successful Amazon book reviewer or a blogger who makes money with a book review blog that promotes products.

Also, join us on Pinterest for more money-saving tips and tricks!

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