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7 Publishers That Will Actually Pay You to Write Book Reviews

by Kaitlyn Blount

Staff Writer

Avid readers usually have strong opinions and critiques about the literature they consume. Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction or another genre, it helps when interested readers can get a glimpse of what the book is like before they jump in.

With that comes the chance to leave book reviews for others to read. If this sounds like you, then keep reading.

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Want to Get Paid to Review Books? Try These 7 Publishers

If you’re a book lover, we might have a new side hustle for you: online book reviews.

We’ve rounded up some websites and publishers that will pay you for your literary analysis skills. That’s right, you can take part in a favorite pastime — reading — and actually get paid for it.

1. The U.S. Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books regularly hires freelance book reviewers. To apply, just send your resume, samples of your previous reviews and two professional references to the email address listed here .

Once your application is accepted, you can start writing paid reviews! You can indicate which books you’d like to review. Titles are then assigned based on the order of requests and how well the project fits the reviewer’s skill set.

Completing reviews should take no longer than two to three weeks and the final product should be between 250 to 300 words. The deadline is critical, so if you get this gig, try not to wait until the last minute to make your review. They also note that “negative criticism is part of the business” so feel free to be honest, as long as you are factual, unemotional and discussing the book.

Pay: The pay isn’t listed, but the site does say reviewers are paid on the fifth of each month. Plus, you’re getting the books for free.

2. Online Book Club

The Online Book Club website greets you with this sentence: “First of all, this is not some crazy online get-rich-quick scheme. You won’t get rich and you won’t be able to leave your day job.”

You gotta appreciate the honesty, right?

Full disclosure: You won’t be paid for your first review — you’re only getting the free book in exchange for an honest review. But after that, you become eligible for paid reviews in addition to the free book.

If you simply read books to enjoy them and love finding new authors, this could work out great for you.

I signed up for Online Book Club to check out the process, and it was pretty simple. To make an account you create a username, choose what book formats you like and supply your PayPal email (so you can get paid!). After that, you can browse the site’s list of books waiting to be reviewed.

Pay: The website pays between $5 and $60 per review.

3. Kirkus Media

As a book reviewer for Kirkus Media , not only will you be paid for your hard work but your reviews will also be featured in its magazine, “Kirkus Indie”.

The company looks for experienced applicants to review both English and Spanish titles, specifically from self-published authors, across various genres.

Reviews should be around 350 words and are due two weeks after being assigned.

To apply, submit a resume, writing samples and a list of your reviewing specialties to the email address listed here .

Pay: The pay rate isn’t specified, but the book is free, so that’s a plus.

4. Booklist Online

Booklist is a book review magazine published by the American Library Association (ALA). It’s mainly used to help librarians with book selections and with advising readers.

Booklist publishes around 8,000 book reviews a year. To help produce such a large amount, the publication assigns work to freelancers.

Booklist refers to itself as “the haiku of book reviewing” — all of its reviews max out at 175 words.

If you want to become a freelance book reviewer for Booklist, read its guidelines carefully and then fill out the application . As of early June 2023, they are not accepting any new applications for reviewers. However, the application should reopen again in the future.

Pay: The pay rate is $15 per review and there is a $5 fee for a rejected review. Your pay will only be dispersed after it is published in print or online, so it could take a while to get paid.

5. Women’s Review of Books

As Shania would say, let’s go girls.

As you can probably guess, Women’s Review of Books publishes reviews on books primarily written by and about women. The publication was created by the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College.

Women’s Review of Books looks for contributors who are experienced reviewers, academics or journalists. The pay rate for published reviews has been previously noted to be $100, but it remains unclear if it has changed, likely due to their editorial transition.

To become a reviewer, the website directs you to contact the Women’s Review of Books directly . However, as of early June 2023, they note that the “next issue of Women’s Review of Books is delayed due to editorial transition. Please direct questions to [email protected] .” So if you’re interested in applying right now, go for it, but it may take some time on their end.

Pay: The pay rate for published reviews was previously $100, it is unclear if this has or will be changed by factors such as the editorial transition.

6. Publisher’s Weekly

Publisher’s Weekly is a news magazine devoted to the book publishing business, featuring articles from bestseller lists to industry statistics to book reviews.

And who writes those book reviews? Freelancers! You could be one too.

The magazine sometimes hires book reviewers in a wide variety of genres : Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror, Romance/Erotica, Comics, Poetry, Inspirational Fiction, Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Religion, Children’s and Self-Published.

Reviews are typically around 200 words.To apply, you’re going to need a resume, some clips of past work and a newly written sample review. Publisher’s Weekly isn’t currently hiring book reviewers, but they will post job openings on their site , so check back with them.

Pay:   The pay isn’t specified but the site says writers are paid “an honorarium per review.”

7. BookBrowse

BookBrowse has been around for two decades, providing curated reviews about the best fiction and nonfiction of modern times. Their reviews focus on books that engage, entertain and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world.

Since BookBrowse really tries to focus on the best books, that should mean you get to read and review the best books, making this an excellent opportunity to read more, enjoy it and make some extra cash.

To sign up to be a book reviewer, BookBrowse directs you to submit an application on their site . They note that they receive many applications, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with their reviews before submitting an application. They want to see good, quality sample reviews of at least 300 words.

It’s also open to overseas applicants, but it can be difficult to ship a book directly to overseas applicants. This is because BookBrowse, most of their reviewers and their publishers are basically all American and will be unable to send print copies of books outside the USA. But reviewing an ebook is an option if you’re hired.

Pay:  BookBrowse has its reviewers write a review about once a month and “receive a byline and modest payment.” So their payment is a little unclear.

Kaitlyn Blount is a former staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Freelancers Dennis Lynch and Adam Palasciano contributed to this report.

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Get Paid to Review Books: 5 Book Review Jobs Sites That Pay Reviewers

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Writing book reviews is one of the best ways to get paid to read books online.

As a book reviewer, you’re tasked with reading and reviewing books, which in return can earn you a paycheck.

This blog post will show you five of the top-paying book review sites where you can submit your pitches and get hired for book review jobs.

To review books effectively, having a good education is important. EduBirdie can help you improve your skills and knowledge, making you better at reviewing books.

Book review jobs sites that pay reviewers

So, if you want to get paid to review books online , here is a list of five websites that you can explore to find book review jobs:

1) The US Review of Books

The US Review of Books has fair terms for reviewers, and the pay is usually between $25 and $75. To be accepted you’ll need to submit your resume, samples, and references. You’ll also be asked to do a sample review.

The site doesn’t have tough guidelines, the reviews can be half summary, half commentary. Most of the reviews requested will be around 300 words and you can expect to earn $25 for each. For longer reviews that are around $600 the pay can be as high as $75

The first review you will do will be treated as an application and you are compensated nonetheless, whether you’re hired eventually or not.

The pay might not seem much especially when you factor in the hours it will take you to read a book. However, if you are a faster reader, you can easily lock in $250-$750 doing 10 reviews a month.

Another added benefit of writing reviews for The US Review of Books is that you will be listed in its directory of reviewers that you can use as social proof and also get a backlink to your site.

The site pays via PayPal. US Review of Books encourages readers and authors alike to visit their website.

2) Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews isn’t transparent with their rates but some people claim that it’s usually $50 per review.

The media company has been in existence since 1933, so it is a legitimate company. That said, the reviews from Glassdoor seem to suggest that the editors will ask you to change your review if it’s negative, thus interfering with your work ethics as a book reviewer.

The reviews are around 350 words long with 2 weeks turnaround time. If you still want to apply, simply head over to this page and contact an editor.

3) OnlineBookClub

Though a popular book review website, many people do not recommend OnlineBookClub because of its tough and demanding guidelines with extremely low pay.

While they claim to pay up to $60 per review, most reviewers earn their lowest rates, which is actually $5 per review.

Reviews are easily rejected and can affect your review score. When you join, your score will be below 35, meaning that you will be bagging home $0 per review as they only begin to pay beyond the 35-point mark.

There are no clear guidelines on improving your score apart from the fact that you will have to engage in a forum and give shoutouts on social media. The editors aren’t as responsive either.

4) Booklist Publications

Booklist Publications is a book review website whose pay is not as appealing. Booklist pays $15 per review and only upon publication. This means that even if your review is accepted, you might have to wait a while

For published reviews, you will get one line credit and you can also be listed as a reviewer on their directory page.

To get started, you will need to fill in an application form answering basic questions and if you are fit the team will get back to you.

5) Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books is a publication of Wellesley Centers for Women, a part of Wellesley College, and reportedly pays $100 per review.

The publication specifically reviews books about women or written by women.

They expect their reviewers to have journalistic, academic, or strong book review backgrounds.

So if you believe that you can develop thought-provoking reviews you can start pitching your idea to them.

They pay on a review basis. To get started, send in a review pitch proposal about the book you want to review, its publication date, and your angle to the editors. You can find contact details on this page.

You will be paid upon review publication and you also get 12 months of subscription to their monthly issues.

You can also find more writing guidelines in this document . Make sure you adhere to them when writing the reviews.

Ready to begin your book reviewer job?

Book reviewing is a lucrative yet demanding career.

However, if it’s something you love doing and have a passion for writing, then book reviewing can be another source of income for you.

If this isn’t the case, I would advise you to look for other ways to earn money online such as freelance services, info products, or affiliate marketing.

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Last update on 2024-08-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Guestposting on The PennyMatters has since been discontinued. Do not contact us on the same.

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• July 14, 2024

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17 Ways to Get Paid to Read Books (Up to $225/hr)

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Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Daniella

Did you know that you can actually get paid to read books? Yes, you absolutely can. It doesn’t matter the genre or book length – there is a book out there that you can make money with.

Wordsrated found that the average American reads 12.6 books a year. If you read within that average, or even more than that, you could be making some serious cash. But don’t get it wrong, you won’t get rich off of reading books but it is a great way to make some extra cash or start a career in the book world.

There are plenty of ways to get paid to read books, including:

• Writing book reviews
• Editing books 
• Narrating audio books
• Getting into publishing
• Creating illustrations for books
• Creating your own content about the books you love

Book-related jobs can also be your gateway to building high income skills and earning more money. If you’re on the lookout for the perfect side gig, many of these gigs can also be done on the side of a full-time job and as remote side hustles .

Table of Contents

17 Fun & Legit Ways To Get Paid To Read Books

From book reviews to book-related jobs, there are tons of ways that you can make money reading books. Below are 17 different ways.

Use These Websites to Get Paid to Review Books Online

Getting paid to review books doesn’t mean that you only have to write positive reviews. These sites want genuine, honest book reviews from people that actually read the book.

You don’t have to commit to writing thousands of words for a book review either. These aren’t book reports – they’re reviews. Some sites only want 200 words while others may want 300-500 words or more.

Keep in mind that the rates and how each site pays out their reviewers may differ from site-to-site.

1. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is a free online community for book lovers that has been around for over 10 years. They also pay cash for book reviews.

I spoke to Erin Shanendoah who regularly reviews books for Online Book Club and this is what she has to say about her experience:

At the start, you may only get $5 or so per book. As you build up your reputation with them and meet certain metrics, you get access to higher-paying books. I currently get between $15-$30 per book I review . I am not at the highest tier. I believe those who have been with the site longer may get paid more. Most of the books are Kindle or some electronic format, though occasionally you by the physical book and submit a receipt for reimbursement. All genres are available. I tend to read fantasy, poetry, memoir, etc. I don’t read romance, historical fiction, crime dramas (for the most part), but all of those are available. I link to all the books I’ve reviewed for them on my blog. One of the big rules is that the reviews must be original and cannot be republished elsewhere, only linked to. – Erin Shanendoah, erinshanendoah.com

Average Pay: $5 – $30 per book review

Related post: 15 Side Hustle Apps to Make Extra Money

2. Women’s Review of Books

The Women’s Review of Books reviews books written by and about women. To be considered for reviewing assignments, you have to first apply by sending in your resume, cover letter and any samples of published reviews you’ve done in the past.

If you don’t have any past published reviews to include, I suggest including write-ups of any reviews of books you’ve recently read. You can also include any writing samples you might have online.

They are looking for reviewers who:

• Write lively and thought-provoking pieces
• Your writing should appeal to a broad range of audiences
• Can meet a deadline

Average Pay: $0.14 per word

3. Writerful Books

Writerful Books is always on the lookout for book reviewers.

They are an author services company that provides services like beta reading and book reviewing. The best thing about this gig though is you can review any book you want for them.

To apply, you’ll have to be able to provide previous book review samples. If you don’t have these I encourage you to draft any of the recent books you’ve read both for practice and submission.

Refer to this job listing for more information.

Average pay: $10 to $50 per review

4. The U.S. Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books hires freelance writers to write book reviews for them.

In order to apply you must:

• Contact the editor with a resume
• Include sample work
• Include 2 professional references
• Email them using this link

They also accept guest bloggers for their online publication (these are the types of articles they normally publish ). If you are interested in this as well, email their editor your article of 300 – 500 words using the same email link above.

Average Pay: Not published on their site

5. getAbstract

getAbstract summarizes nonfiction books into 10-minute bites so if you’re a nonfiction book lover, this is the perfect site to start with.

Currently, they are hiring science and technology writers to summarize magazine articles and books.

In order to write reviews for them you must:

• Go to their careers page to apply
• If selected, you are paid on a freelance basis

Average Price: Freelance basis

6. Booklist Online

Booklist is “the American Library Association’s prepublication review journal for public and school librarians”. They publish approximately a whopping 8,000 book reviews per year to help librarians with selection, collection, development, categorization, and reader’s advisory.

They follow a “recommend only” policy which means everything that they review is to be recommended for purchase by libraries.

Guidelines of a Booklist review include:

• No longer than 175 words
• Identify the audience
• Suggest plot without giving too much away
• Read more guidelines here

Freelance opportunities are limited as most feature articles are assigned by editors.

Average Pay: Up to $15 per review

Related post: Teach English Online: 10 Companies That Will Pay You to Teach and Work From Anywhere

7. Reedsy Discovery

On Reedsy Discovery, you don’t get paid by the site or a freelance basis but via tips from the readers reading your reviews.

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up as a reviewer on Reedsy to get exclusive access to read self-published books before anyone else
• Build up a brand as a reviewer on Reedsy to liaise with authors who contact you directly for a review
• Go through the application process
• Once accepted you can start reading and reviewing 
• Readers will usually send $1, $3, or $5 as a token of appreciation

Average pay: Tips

8. BookBrowse

BookBrowse accepts applications for book reviewers that only have sample reviews to submit with their application. However, they do not specify if these samples have to be published or not.

BookBrowse reviews both fiction and non-fiction books, they pay monthly and are U.S. Based.

A good review for them includes:

• Good quality

Read more about BookBrowse here.

9. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media Reviews is currently hiring for book reviewers on a freelance/project basis. You can work from anywhere and must be an experienced book reviewer of English and/or Spanish-language titles.

Some further requirements include:

• Reviews are 350 words
• Reviews are due 2 weeks after the book is assigned

To apply, submit your resume, writing samples, and a list of genres you specialize in, to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp at [email protected] .

10. eBookFairs

eBookFairs is a website that helps authors grow their platform and one way they do this is by hiring paid book reviewers to read their books. 

• Reviews must be 200 words long.
• Reviews must be completed in under 45 days.
• You must post about the book on social media, GoodReads, or a book review site.

Apply to be a paid book reviewer with eBookFairs here.

Average Pay: $10 or more per review

How to Get Paid to Read Books With These Online Jobs and Side Hustles

There are several book-related jobs and many which are entirely online that you can do from home or anywhere in the world. From freelancing on the side to finding full-time work from home jobs, these book related gigs will give you some great ideas to start with.

11. Audiobook Narration

I love listening to audiobooks when I am cleaning, working, or running. Who knew that you could get paid to be an audiobook narrator? Especially with the rise of Audible, the demand for audiobook narrators is climbing.

To get started narrating, you will need some equipment like a mic, pop screen , headphones, recording and editing software, a quiet space and a computer. You can find work on sites like ACX and Voices that offer opportunities to narrators and audiobook producers to work with published authors. 

Depending on the rates you charge , you could expect to make anywhere between $100 per hour to as much as $300 per hour. You can also join groups and unions for benefits and the protection of your pay. Those who belong to the entertainment union SAG-AFTRA make a minimum of $225 per hour.

Average Pay: $100 – $225 per hour 

How to get started: Search for “audiobook narration” courses on Coursera .

12. Freelance Read Manuscripts/Beta Reader

Just like a freelance writer, you can also be a freelance reader and get paid to read anything from online articles to books and unpublished manuscripts.

Many literary management agencies receive such a large amount of manuscripts that they could never possibly get to all of them. So they hire a lot of the reading from the “slush pile” out to freelance readers .

Literary agents pay anywhere from $25 to $100 an hour to their freelance readers.

But what are the duties of this oddly cool job? These are actually pretty straightforward and similar to giving a book report. You read through the manuscript and compile a 2-3 page report about your opinion of it. Then you are to give a recommendation on whether the agency should represent it or pass on it.

You also will give a basic description of all the main characters, plot points and analysis of any hidden messages and symbolism.

Average Pay: $25 – $100 per hour

How to get started: Read this free guide .

Related post: How to Get Started Freelance Writing

13. Editor/Proofreader

I think “Book Editor” and I think of some high-status job at a well-known publisher. But nope, there are all type of “Editors”. Many editors could also be considered virtual assistants (or VAs) and work on a freelance basis. 

Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation was once an ebook freelance editor for ebooks mostly on Kindle and Amazon. He actually got his first few clients through Fiverr .

I started my freelance editing business as a little side project experiment, and actually got my first customers through Fiverr.  My original gig was $5 for 500 words, but since most books are much longer, it added up to some pretty healthy orders. My biggest was over $1000.  It probably worked out to $25-35 an hour.  I niched down from the very beginning, saying I only edited non-fiction, and within that category preferred business and self-help — categories I felt I could add the most value . Eventually I got clients from word of mouth in a few self publishing Facebook groups and even as a preferred vendor with a popular self publishing course.  – Nick Loper, Side Hustle Nation

Sites that list remote gigs for editors:

• BestWriting
• WritersAccess

Alternatively, proofreading is different from editing in the sense that it is the last step in the editing process. You can become a proofreader for books, ebooks, manuscripts, blog articles, and any sort of written work there is.

Average Pay: $30 per hour (from ZipRecruiter )

How to get started:  Check out free courses on Coursera for editing and this free course for proofreading.

14. Copyediting

At first glance, copyediting may not seem that different than editing. Actually, they are very different .

Editors are usually subject matter experts and strive to improve the flow, structure, and logic of a piece. Copyeditors focus more on a sentence-by-sentence basis of the content (or copy of the book) rather than the content as a whole.

Some editing can involve also copyediting. It just depends on who your editor is and what their services entail. Copyediting mainly involves grammar, spelling and punctuation correction, ensuring proper sentence structure, removing wordiness and redundancy, and formatting.

Proofreaders are often copyeditors as well and can work entirely remote as part-time and full time. I recommend this 76-minute FREE online workshop that introduces how to create a profitable proofreading/copyediting online business.

Average Pay: $25 – $35 per hour with top earners making $79,000 year according to ZipRecruiter

How to get started:  Check out free courses on Coursera for copyediting.

Related post: 11 Legit Online Jobs For College Students ($15/Hour or More)

15. Publisher

If you’ve done most of the above for the majority of your working life, you already know books inside and out. You know how to make them beautiful and most importantly, how to sell the crap out of them. Then the next logical step is publishing, am I right?

The sky is the limit on this one. You could either self publish your own work or start putting together some contacts and a small business plan to start your own publishing business.

The potential success of publishing companies depends on a variety of factors.

According to BizFluent, publishers make around $130,000 a year but not every publisher makes the same amount of money. It all depends on your specific business model, how many books you are publishing and the success of those books and authors.

I personally love this guide for starting your own publishing business by Kindlepreneur.

Average Pay: $130,000 per year

How to get started:  Search for “publisher” or “publishing” courses on Coursera .

16. Book Illustrator

When you’re a bibliophile who can’t stop drawing, why aren’t you a book illustrator yet? You can potentially find book illustration gigs on freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork to apply to.

Other sites to find illustration work:

To increase your chances of getting gigs, create a portfolio to show off your best work. Use personal projects until you’re able to supply more examples from experience. What do I mean by that? Duh! Get out your favorite books that have no illustrations and sit down to draw some imagery for your favorite scenes.

Average Pay: $20 – $45 per hour (from ZipRecruiter )

How to get started:  Search for “illustration” courses on Coursera .

17. Book Translator

If you’re multi-lingual and love reading books, you could make money translating books. You could also combine this with proofreading and editing books in other languages. When books are being translated there could be many spelling and grammar errors due to the fact that there aren’t a lot of direc

Sites to find book translation work:

Average Pay: $28 per hour (from ZipRecruiter )

How to get started:  Search for “translation” courses on Coursera .

Where to Find Remote Jobs for Bookworms

There are a variety of remote job boards that list available work from home and remote jobs. You have your normal ones like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Linkedin.

Then there are ones that are specifically perfect for book lovers :

• FlexJobs – FlexJobs specialty is remote-jobs, hence the “Flex” part of the name. And with remote jobs , a lot of them can include editing, proofreading, narration, etc.
• BookJobs – A centralized place for job seekers to find and research available positions throughout the publishing industry.
• Publishers Weekly – Their job zone includes a range of jobs from copyediting, design, editorial, marketing, publicity, operations and more.
• BestWriting – An all-in-one writing marketplace with a job board that posts writing and editing opportunities.
• Fiverr – A platform for freelancers to market their skills for freelance reading, editing, copyediting, and more.
• Upwork – Similar to Fiverr where you can create a freelancer profile and market your skills to those looking to hire.

Related:  How to Get a Remote Job: The Ultimate Guide

More Ways to Get Paid to Read:

If you are so much of a book worm, maybe consider creating a blog where you publish all of your favorite book reviews in one place. Or better yet, you could write fan fiction or your own books and publish them online somewhere like Substack , where subscribers pay you to read your writing. With a content platform like this, you can also earn money from affiliate links , advertising, sponsorships and more .

It’s worth a thought, for sure. I love blogging. Even though it can take a lot of time and work to be constantly creating content and maintaining a site, it has become a passion of mine.

Much like reading, writing can be that way. It hooks us in so much and expands our minds beyond ways we never unlocked before.

Quick Cash Opportunities for reading and Reviews:

• BookScouter is where you can buy and sell textbooks for the best possible price online.
• InboxDollars will pay you to read emails and you’ll get a $5 signup bonus . Sign up for the Android app here and the IOS app here .
• Nielsen will pay you for using your internet as you normally would every day (including what you read using the internet).
• Pinecone will pay you to review products (by taking surveys) before they hit the shelves in stores. They pay $3 per survey.
• Toluna is another great website that pays you for your opinion.
• Swagbucks will pay you for sharing your opinion via online surveys and other tasks (like playing games ) that can be done from your phone (and make money from home).

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i make money reading books.

You can make money by getting a job that entails a lot of reading, sign up to be a book reviewer, or start a blog about books where you write articles about the books you’ve read, including reviews and other blog content.

Are there jobs that pay you to read books?

Yes there are several jobs that pay you to read books like:

• Book editor or copyeditor
• Audiobook narrator
• Book illustrator

How much do book readers get paid?

Book readers can get paid anywhere from $10 per book review to as much as over $200 an hour for a book related job like an audiobook narrator.

How can I write a good book review?

• Describe the plot, your readers want to know what the book is about.
• Find your voice and voice your opinion.
• Your review must be well written and entertaining (meaning someone would actually enjoy reading it).
• Pick out the most important aspects of the book.
• Keep it short. The absolute maximum number of words out of all the sites listed is 500 words (Women’s Review and U.S. Review) so they should be straight to the point.
• You must meet the deadlines.
• Keep it professional – you are getting paid for your work after all.

Can I get paid to read books out loud?

You can absolutely get paid to read books out loud. Some jobs that pay for this service are:

• Podcast host
• Reading to students online

Related:  20 Side Hustles For College Students (Make $16 an Hour or More)

Wrapping It Up & Actionable Tips

If you want to start getting paid for your reading, first identify what sort of jobs you want to do. Is it reading with feedback, narrating, editing, copyediting, etc that interest you? Or do you want to be involved on a larger scale like with publishing?

Or do you want to take a less formal approach and only review the books that you love reading? Maybe want to try your hand at freelancing?

After you identify how you want to monetize your reading hobby , start researching as much as possible about how you can start getting gigs and getting paid. Then it’s all about taking action from there.

Without any action, you will be just another bibliophile like the rest of us.

Which isn’t a bad thing.

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Daniella is the creator and author of iliketodabble.com. When their wife Alexandra and them aren’t globetrotting or playing with their 7+ animals, they are dabbling and working towards a future of financial freedom.

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I had no idea some of these options were out there. Time to spruce up my resume! 😀

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So many interesting ways to monetize your reading habit that I’ve never considered! Thanks for posting!

Hope you were able to find some good ideas!

Awesome post! Thanks for all of the resources you provided. I love reading books and will have to check these out! Much appreciated.

I am glad you enjoyed it!

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12 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Read Books

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While reading is often a one-person activity, odds are there are thousands of people that would benefit from your newly found knowledge. Here's how to cash in on your perusal of parchment.

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Some of the best side hustle ideas are the ones that combine making money with a favorite hobby or passion. For avid readers, a side gig that pays you to read books could sound like a dream come true.

But can you actually get paid to read books? Surprisingly, you can and there are multiple ways to earn a side income from your love of books. Professional reader jobs do exist, and they can offer a way to make money from your favorite reading spot.

If you’d like to get paid to read books online, here are some of the best ways for book lovers to make money.

Sites That Pay You to Write Book Reviews

One way to get paid to read books is by writing book reviews. Book review sites ask readers to share their opinions in a detailed review and offer payment in the form of cash or free books.

Here are some of the most popular review sites to make money reading books.

1. The US Review of Books

Pay rate: Varies per review

The US Review of Books hires experienced reviewers who want to earn money reading books online. With this company, book review opportunities are posted and assigned based on your experience, skillset, and reading interests.

If you want to write for the US Review of Books, you’ll need to apply first. The site asks for a resume and samples of your writing. You’ll also need at least two professional references if you want to be considered. They prefer reviews that are short, succinct, and professionally written, so make sure the samples you’re sending meet those criteria.

The US Review of Books pays for completed book reviews monthly, with checks sent out on the 5th day of each month.

Related: How to Get Paid to Write Reviews

2. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media is one of the most established and well-known book review companies around. This company looks for book reviewers who are fluent in English and/or Spanish to review indie book titles.

Reviews are typically around 350 words each and have a two-week turnaround time. If you’d like to apply, you’ll need to email their review editor with a resume, some writing samples, and a rundown of what you specialize in as a book reviewer.

Before you can get paid to read books online with Kirkus Media, it helps if you have some experience as they do require a resume and some writing samples. If you also have editing experience, that may be worth mentioning as Kirkus occasionally hires editors.

3. Online Book Club

Pay rate: $5 to $60 per review

Online Book Club pays less than $100 per review, but it’s a good side hustle idea to consider if you want to earn a little extra money for your time spent reading.

You can apply to become a book reviewer through the Online Book Club website . It’s quick and easy to create an account and start reviewing books.

One thing to note, however, is that your first review isn’t paid; instead, you get a free copy of the book you’re reviewing. After that first one is completed, you can start getting paid to read and review books. And review copies of any subsequent books are also free.

4. Women’s Review of Books

Pay rate: Not specified

If you want to get paid to read books written by women or that center on women’s themes or issues, Women’s Review of Books is worth checking out. You can pitch ideas for book reviews directly to the editor.

The Women’s Review of Books generally prefers experienced reviewers, journalists, or readers with an academic background. But if you’re a good writer, consider applying anyway. You might be accepted as an online book reviewer based on the quality of your review writing samples.

5. Publisher’s Weekly

Publisher’s Weekly is a news magazine dedicated to the book publishing industry. In addition to the latest updates and trends, they also publish book reviews written by freelance writers and book reviewers.

The pay isn’t specified, but this could be a great option if you want to make money reading books and you prefer a variety in the genres you read. Publisher’s Weekly publishes book reviews on everything from sci-fi to romance, nonfiction, and horror.

You can check their online listings to see if any professional reader jobs are available. When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need a resume and a couple of well-written book review samples.

6. WordsRated

Pay Rate: $200 per completed book 

Not quite a book review per se, WordsRated is a non-commercial research company that studies book and reading trends, and shares that data with the public. 

Similarly, however, you’ll be asked to read popular books — usually New York Time best-sellers — and record notes about the characters, their demographics, how frequently they make appearances, and the like. 

It’s actually rather mundane, easy work, but the pay is amongst the best of any review company: $200 per completed book. 

Other Ways to Make Money Reading Books

Book review companies aren’t the only way to get paid to read books. Depending on how much time and creativity you have, you could make money reading with any of these options.

7. Become an audiobook narrator.

Audiobooks have grown in popularity thanks to companies like Audible. If you have a good speaking voice and a talent for acting, you could get paid to read books out loud as a narrator.

This is a side hustle you can do at home, which is good if you need a flexible way to make money. It requires minimal equipment; all you’ll need is a microphone and a way to record your voice. You might even go into a studio to record the book if that’s available.

If you’re interested in finding audiobook narrator jobs, you can try sites like ACX or Voices.com. Upwork is another place to look for paid audiobook narration jobs.

8. Start a book review blog, YouTube channel, or podcast.

If you want to get paid to read books and write reviews but you don’t want to work with a book review company, you could monetize your reading skills with a blog, YouTube channel, or podcast.

There are a variety of ways to make money with a book review blog, including:

• Earning money from book referral affiliate sales
• Selling digital printables such as a reading tracker or book journal
• Partnering with authors or publishing companies to write sponsored posts
• Hosting ads on your site

Starting a blog is something just about anyone can do, even if you don’t have stellar technical skills. If you’re interested in this but aren’t sure what to do to set up a blog, check out our step-by-step guide .

If writing isn’t your strength or you want to try a different medium, you can set up a YouTube channel or podcast to review books. Those can be monetized through affiliate partnerships with sites like Bookshop.org, sponsorships, and ads. You might even offer a premium paid subscription to your podcast.

9. Become a freelance book review writer.

If you have decent writing skills, you can turn that into a side hustle as a freelance book review writer.

Freelance book review writers work with different companies and brands. For example, you might write reviews or content for sites like BuzzFeed Books, Book Riot, or BookBub in addition to your own blog. And as a freelancer, you’re not an employee making this different from working as a professional reader.

Writing book reviews on a freelance basis can be a good way to make money reading books if you want something flexible that fits around your schedule.

Related: How to Become a Freelance Writer

10. Become a book proofreader or editor.

Before books are published, they go through multiple rounds of edits and proofreading. Editors review the content of a book and make revisions to help improve the flow, clarity, and organization of ideas. Proofreaders review what’s written to check for spelling errors, grammar errors, punctuation mistakes, and capitalization errors.

If you don’t have any professional editing or proofreading experience, those are skills you can learn. Taking an online course, for example, can help you learn the basics of how to make money proofreading . You can also try testing out your services on sites like Fiverr before trying to turn proofreading or editing into a side hustle or full-time job.

11. Become a freelance beta reader.

Beta readers get paid to read books when they’re in the finished manuscript stage and awaiting final publication. A beta reader’s job is to read the manuscript and offer a critique from a reader’s point of view. That critique can then be used to polish the final manuscript so the book can eventually be published.

Becoming a freelance beta reader requires an eye for detail and fluency in the language of the books you’re asked to read.

If you’re interested in finding freelance beta reader jobs, you can try a site like Upwork or Fiverr or search an online job board like Indeed.

12. Learn a new skill and implement it.

If you want to get paid to read books online, you could always come up with your own creative way to do it. For example, translating books is one option if you’re fluent in another language.

You could offer your services as an eBook formatter if you’re willing to learn the different online publishing platforms. You might even offer cover design, book marketing services, or author coaching services.

There’s an endless amount of possibilities you can offer if you want to get paid to read books.

Do What You Love and Monetize Your Reading Hobby

Having a hobby is great but having a hobby that makes you money is even better. If you love to read, finding ways to get paid to do it is a great side hustle idea. And you can always try different ideas to see which one works best.

Starting a book review blog, for example, could be lucrative over the long-term if you’re able to monetize it. But in the meantime, you could earn some quick cash writing book reviews or picking up freelance proofreading jobs online.

The more open you are to experimenting, the more possibilities there are for getting paid to read.

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How to Get Paid to Read Books – 15 Real Ways

Some products in this article are from our partners. Read our  Advertiser Discloser.

Do you like to read? Do you want to earn money? If so, you might be able to find some side hustle gigs that pay you to do what you love: read books.

Check out this list of companies that will pay you to read books, and think about whether a partnership with one of these book reviewer companies is a good way for you to make some extra cash while doing something you love to do.

How to Get Paid in Cash to Read Books

This is a list of companies that pay cash for reading books and writing a review. As you’ll read later, not all companies pay reviewers in this manner.

1. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media is a company that specializes primarily in book reviews. That means they are often hiring reviewers to read books and write reviews of roughly 350 words.

You need to submit your resume, writing samples, and a list of reviewing specialties to Kirkus if you want to be considered for the job. Adding talents or experience to the email address on their website will help too.

The company also occasionally hires copy editors and editors as well, meaning you have three opportunities with Kirkus to get paid for reading books.

2. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is a company that pays between $5 and $60 for book reviews, depending on the length of the book, etc.

The company is looking for honest reviews of the books they send to members, and it is free to become a member. Online Book Club sends out books to you at no charge.

You have to do your first review you do with Online Book Club for free. This is the company’s way of being able to determine that you’re right for a job as a book reviewer with their company.

You will get paid for any subsequent reviews done for Online Book Club.

3. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine that focuses on the book publishing business. Their website does have a career page that often features job opening information for editors, copyeditors, and book reviewers.

However, they also occasionally look for book reviewers. All reviewers that get hired by Publishers Weekly are paid an honorarium, although the site doesn’t specify what that amount is.

The company looks to publish reviews for all types of fiction (including graphic novels) and non-fiction books.

Publishers Weekly wants reviews for both traditionally published and self-published books. You need to send the company a resume’ as well as a 200-word sample review of a recently published book if you want to apply as a potential reviewer.

4. The U.S. Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books is a company that publishes book reviews of thousands of books in a variety of different genres. The company regularly seeks reviewers to write 250-300 word reviews of books for publication on its company site.

You request reviewer status for this company when they post available books for review on their site. You’ll earn pay for reviews you complete on a monthly basis.

5. Women’s Review of Books

The Women’s Review of Books is a publication that, well, reviews books written by and about women. The site is based out of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College, in collaboration with Old City Publishing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

You must send in your resume, samples of published reviews and a cover letter to be considered for assignments.

That’s not to say that they won’t accept someone who hasn’t reviewed for pay, but it’s important that your review samples are “lively, thought-provoking and accessible to a broad audience of interested readers”.

Timeliness and professionalism are important as well to the powers-that-be; they want reviewers who can meet a deadline. Most reviewers get fourteen cents per paid word, and the company welcomes suggestions for books to review as well.

Upwork , a freelancing network that connects freelancers with those in need of help, may offer some positions for writing reviews on books for websites or blogs. Of course, job availability varies.

Upwork offers thousands of jobs in a variety of genres, often including jobs for book reviewers that are paid as independent contractors.

Related Post : How to Make Money Writing a Book

7. Reedsy.com

Reedsy.com is a fantastic resource for people who want to get paid to read books. The platform connects authors with a wide range of professionals in the publishing industry, including editors, proofreaders, and book reviewers.

This means that there are always opportunities available for people who are interested in reading and reviewing books for a fee.

One of the great things about Reedsy is that it allows you to set your own rates and choose the types of books that you want to review. This means that you can tailor your work to your interests and expertise, and only take on projects that you feel qualified to review.

In addition to connecting reviewers with authors, Reedsy also offers a range of resources and tools for writers, including a library of writing prompts and a marketplace for freelance editors.

These resources make Reedsy a valuable resource for anyone looking to break into the publishing industry or improve their writing skills.

8. My Reader Rewards Club

My Reader Rewards Club is a great resource for people who want to get paid to read books. The platform offers a range of rewards and incentives for readers, including gift cards, merchandise, and cash prizes.

It is an attractive option for anyone who loves reading and is looking for a way to earn some extra money.

One of the standout features of My Reader Rewards Club is its extensive selection of books. The platform offers a wide range of genres and formats, including ebooks, audiobooks, and physical copies. This means that there is something for everyone, regardless of your reading preferences.

In addition to its rewards program, My Reader Rewards Club also offers a range of resources for readers, including book recommendations, reading guides, and author interviews. These resources make it a valuable resource for anyone who loves reading and is looking to discover new books and authors.

The platform offers a wide range of rewards and incentives, as well as a wealth of resources for readers.

9. Writerful Books

Writerful Books is an excellent resource for people who want to get paid to read books. The platform offers a range of opportunities for reviewers, including the chance to review advance copies of books, as well as newly-released titles.

This means that there is always something new and exciting to read, and reviewers have the opportunity to discover new authors and genres.

One of the standout features of Writerful Books is the range of resources that it offers for reviewers. The platform provides guidelines for writing reviews, as well as tips on how to get the most out of your review experience. This is particularly useful for new reviewers, who may not be familiar with the process of reviewing books.

In addition to its review opportunities, Writerful Books also offers a range of resources for writers, including writing prompts, writing tips, and a marketplace for freelance editors. This makes it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills or break into the publishing industry.

The platform offers a wide range of opportunities for reviewers, as well as a wealth of resources for writers.

How To Get “Paid” with Free Books

Some sites that look for book reviews won’t pay you in actual cash, but they will give you a free hard copy of the book you review for keeps.

Here is a list of some of the sites that will send free books for you to review and keep:

10. Bethany House

Bethany House is a publisher that focuses on publishing books that represent historic Christianity. The company requires that those who review for them on their own blog to be willing to post Bethany House reviews on that blog site.

As a reviewer for Bethany House, you must write reviews at least 75 words in length (not including the plot synopsis) and publish the review both on your personal blog and on a retail website such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

The company chooses reviewers on a first-come, first-served basis. Bethany House sends out both a fiction and a non-fiction list of books available for review each month. Approved reviewers who respond first get a book copy for reviewing purposes.

Note that they do have a limited number of each copy of the books they need reviews for. For that reason, it’s important to act fast if you want to be accepted as a reviewer of a book after the lists are published.

11. Book Browse

Book Browse is an “online magazine for book lovers” that publishes reviews and other information. They are looking for reviewers who want free books in exchange for a review.

Members get books on a varying schedule depending on how many publishers are sending books to Book Browse. Review opportunities range from every three months to more often, and occasionally less often, based on opportunities.

12. Chicago Book Review

The Chicago Book Review is a popular literary site with the goal of highlighting “Chicago’s publishing world and the great books it produces”. The site shares reviews of many of the books birthed from Chicago’s 125+ book publishing companies.

The company is looking for reviewers who are “dedicated to providing quality, considered, well-written reviews that go beyond ‘I love this book!’ and ‘What a great book!’”.

If you love writing thoughtful and detailed book reviews and getting free books to do so, consider sending The Chicago Book Review your resume and writing samples.

13. Net Galley

Net Galley is looking for librarians, booksellers, educators, reviewers, and bloggers to read the books promoted on the Net Galley site and write reviews for those books.

One of the standout features of Net Galley is the range of genres and formats available. The platform offers a wide range of ebooks, audiobooks, and physical copies, which means that there is something for everyone, regardless of your reading preferences.

Additionally, Net Galley is a great resource for finding books that are not yet released, so you can be one of the first to read and review them.

In addition to its review opportunities, Net Galley also offers a range of resources for reviewers, including guidelines for writing reviews and tips on how to get the most out of your review experience. This is particularly useful for new reviewers, who may not be familiar with the process of reviewing books.

14. New Pages

New Pages is a site for “Engaged Readers and Creative Writers”. If you like to read books, you can sign up to send them suggestions of books you’d like to read or write a review on and they’ll send you a copy of the book.

The company is looking to hire reviewers that can write a lively, engaging review in easy-to-read yet intelligent language.

Honest reviews are important, but they prefer reviews that are about books you love and not about books that weren’t so great.

15. eBookFairs.com

eBookFairs.com has an incredible paid reader program. You have the chance to make a small amount of money by reading and providing insightful editorial reviews for the books available on their platform.

To do so, eBookFairs requires you follow a few simple guidelines. It has to be clear that you read the book and write a minimum of 200 word review. Reviews need to be grammatically clear, free of grammar and spelling errors.

eBookFairs.com provides their full guidelines to becoming a reviewer. Make sure to check the list so you don’t miss out on a great opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to getting paid to read books, there are a few common questions we have encountered.

What are some common ways to get paid to read books?

There are several ways to get paid to read books, including: – Reviewing books for websites or publishers – Participating in paid book clubs or reading programs – Being an advanced reader for authors or publishers – Teaching or tutoring students in literature or language arts

How much can I expect to earn by reading books?

The amount you can earn by reading books will depend on the specific opportunity you are pursuing. Reviewing books for websites or publishers may pay a small fee per review, while participating in paid book clubs or reading programs may offer a fixed payment for reading and reviewing a certain number of books.

What qualifications or skills do I need to get paid to read books?

The qualifications or skills required to get paid to read books will depend on the specific opportunity you are pursuing. Reviewing books for websites or publishers may require excellent writing and analytical skills, as well as a love of reading. Participating in paid book clubs or reading programs may not have strict qualifications, but you may be required to write reviews or participate in discussions.

Are there any risks or drawbacks to getting paid to read books?

There are some potential risks or drawbacks to getting paid to read books, depending on the specific opportunity you are pursuing. Reviewing books for websites or publishers may require you to read books that you are not interested in, and you may not have control over the books you are assigned. Participating in paid book clubs or reading programs may require you to commit to reading and reviewing a certain number of books within a set timeframe, which may be challenging if you have other commitments. Being an advance reader for authors or publishers may require you to keep the book confidential until its release, which may limit your ability to discuss it with others. Teaching or tutoring students in literature or language arts may require a significant time commitment, and may involve some challenges or difficulties in working with students.

There are several companies out there that actually pay people to read books. Imagine indulging in one of your favorite pastimes – reading – and getting paid to do so.

The platforms listed above offer a wide range of rewards and incentives, as well as a wealth of resources for readers.

Laurie Blank is a personal finance writer and licensed Realtor.

She has been writing about personal finance topics for over eight years.

Laurie has been featured in publications such as The Philadelphia Inquirer , The Seattle Times and Bankrate .

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67 Comments

Great content. Thank you for providing these resources. I’m always looking for opportunities to make money online. I became interested in affiliate marketing about 2 years ago. Even started a fitness website with several blog posts. But, I was so inexperienced, unskilled, completely anti-social media, and I developed “Shiney-Ball Syndrome” (SBS). So, I just stopped after about 5 months.

Since then I have been using the internet to learn all I can about the different MMO opportunities. It’s iver-whelming. Truly…

They say that the average person trying to make money online…MAKES NOTHING. I don’t want to waste time reading a whole book, and not get paid. There are just too many spammers, scanners, and bull-crap artists out there.

I already signed up with a book review website, read a book that was really boring, and wrote an honest review. I never got paid, nor did they even acknowledge my review.

I would love to join the reading team. Reading is what I love doing, to improve my vocabulary.

Hi , I can quote myself as Good English reader and speaker!

I need assistance to get well employed in this regard!

For this type of gig. What all do a person have to do in order to get paid for their reviews? Some of the sites are not completely clear and I would live to do this since im disabled and confined almost to home.

Hey, Some of these sites use Paypal as a way of payment, so is PayPal safe?

Yes! Many companies use PayPal and it has a good reputation.

I am from Malaysia. Is there any chance of hiring a Malaysian?

I don’t see why not! All you have to do to find out is give it a shot. Good luck!

I would love to join your team of paid readers. Words and reading and reviewing my reads are my passion. How so I start?

This is not really a team of readers. You just need to follow the links and use the information in this post to see if you can get paid to read books. Good luck!

Hello. i am a Copywriter and proofreader with over a decade of experience. I am a graduate of Sociology with an MBA in Marketing. I’m a seasoned advertising practitioner with good analytical ability as well as remarkable writing skills. I have a knack and penchant for book reviews. I await your feedback. Thank you.

Use the information and links in the post to see if you can get paid to use your skills.

Blogging for Books is no longer in service.

This is a very interesting post. thanks for the insight. Are these opportunities only limited to the US? I’m from South Africa doing my undergrad in Communication Science. I want to practice my writing skills and sort of embark on the journey of becoming a writer. Which site would you recommend for an inexperienced person like myself?

Honestly, you just need to check them out for yourself to see which ones interest you. Then, check out their information about submissions before sending them anything to give yourself a greater chance of success. 🙂

How much does reading books pay?

Thanks! Leslie Davis

Each of the sites has their own payment scale as well as policies, terms and conditions, etc. You would just have to check with the ones you are interested in. 🙂

Proofreading may be a skilled profession but I still see lots of errors in the books I read across all genres. Most are grammar issues, but many are issues of the wrong character being referred to, and spelling errors. Spell check won’t catch everything, because some words can be spelled right but be in the wrong context. It drives me nuts.

Yes that’s true. Sometimes what is needed is a fresh set of eyes to proofread, catch, and make those corrections. Thanks for your comments.

I read 184 books last year. I read every chance that I get – fiction books usually are my favorites. I’m reading a lovely book at the moment, “The Newcomer ,” by Fern Britton. It is a really good read and the easy flow of writing make you sail through the book. I like taking a break from thrillers and the physiological twist of reading. It’s the greatest time to give yourself.

Wow! That’s a lot of books in one year! Nice job! Yes, it is nice to swap genre’s every so often to keep from getting bored with your reading.

How do we get started and can you show me?

Use the information in this site to help you get started. Good luck!

Reading this article has helped greatly. I never knew there were so many sites that reward readers. I will ensure I check those websites to see if I could get some benefits from my reading hobby.

I’m glad you like to read and hope that you find some of the websites useful. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Thank you for this resource. Do you have any suggestions to read for children’s books?

That’s a good question! Other than looking into places that will pay you to narrate children’s books, I don’t know for sure. You might start by checking each of the sites listed in this post. Also, you could conduct an internet search to see if you can get a narrating job. I wish you luck if that is what you are interested in doing.

You seem like an expert on reviewers and proof readers. I thought I would be a great candidate because I love to read. Now you have me scared to even try. I’m currently not working and can read all day long. I’ve got the time and devotion, I just nee a chance. Do you have any good advice?

Well, it can’t hurt to try. You could end up with a hobby that makes you money! Good luck! 🙂

These comments don’t exactly entice one to go running for the PC to offer up services.

It seems in some cases you even have to pay them for the privilege of working for them.

Pay seems to be slow or delayed. Replies to inquiries also come slowly or not at all.

Are there really any publishers who are seeking good people for a decent return? I don’t mean books.

Would you consider this site a blog? If so, you now have my review on this advertising. They must be paying you to post.

Yes, they are legit and actually pay money. Of course, you have to have very good language skills. Even one small error could get your application eliminated. Also, some of the companies have pretty strict and intense screening processes due to the high volume of inquires and applications they receive.

For a lot of these I cannot find how to apply on these sites. In the first 10, I only found one that I could apply for. I typed in job, apply, editor job, freelance, and others in the search bar. Can you tell me what keywords to use in the search bar? Thanks in advance!

Well, I could not pull up the site for Any Subject Books. If you read the blog post, for Kirkus, it tells you how to submit your resume’. If you pull up Online Book Club and scroll all the way down almost to the bottom of the page you will see a link. It says: “Get your books for free by becoming one of our official reviewers.” Click it and I suspect you will get the info you need. For Publishers Weekly, scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on “Job Zone”. That will take you to a page that lists their available jobs. Moments ago one listing was for book reviewers for them. That’s just the first four listed in the blog. My guess is the others are similar – you just have to dig a little deeper to find the info you’re looking for.

I have been with onlinebookclub for over a month and have written 4 reviews. I have not gotten paid for any yet, as you have to accrue points and move up the levels to receive any pay. The system of earning points includes posting in their forums and using social media.

Part of your point base is the score you get on your review, which is weighted very heavily on grammar and formatting. Misuse a few commas and/or forget to add in a line space, and your score sinks like a rock. This is particularly ironic as many of the self published books you are reading, are rife with grammatical and formatting errors, so you are held to a higher standard than the authors are.

I have seen many reviewers who seem happy with the system and I assume they are earning money.

I have been offered two ‘bonus’ reviews (bonus because I’m not yet at the earning level) and have yet to be paid for the one I did. Complaining is frowned upon, so if you place a question in one of the forums and you seem too disgruntled, it is shut down. Getting a comment back from the admins takes days.

I’m not saying you can’t get paid here, but don’t expect to get paid after one review, especially if you don’t have excellent grammar skills.

Thanks for adding that information. I agree that many people see these types of posts as ways to make fast money. Of course, some of the links do pay faster, but as you pointed out, others can take time, too.

For me, after the first five reviews I was eligible for paid opportunities. They have cut back on the comma use but will go after other ‘errors’. The majority of my reviews are between 50 and 59% with one being 90%.

I don’t use social media for the club but have filled in my bookshelf and participated in the forums. It takes a while for sure but it’s worth having on the side in addition to other opportunities.

Hi, Laurie! You gave me some very good tips on how to make money from my book reading hobby. Probably, I will try out Kirkus Media and will see how it works. Thanks for the valuable info!

I hope that works out for you!

Ultius has book reviews available as well. While their orders aren’t always book reviews, I’ve completed quite a few. I think they are always hiring writers, although there aren’t may orders over the summer months.

I’m excited to check out some of these other sites. I love writing book reviews!

Thanks for that tip!

You’re pretty much paying Book Browse, not the other way around. Only members have access to the books to review, but you have to pay $3/month to become a member.

I love reading, and I try to set aside as much time for it as possible. It’s great to know that I can make some extra money doing something that I enjoy! This is a great post!

Reading is one of my hobbies too!

Any Subject Books isn’t taking submissions right now. Upwork is a rip-off, Online Book Club doesn’t pay for reviews, and Contena charges the freelancer to use their site when it used to be free.

We’ll have to take a look into those and see. Thanks for pointing it out.

Online Book Club does pay, but you have to jump through a lot of no-pay hoops that are hardly worth it unless you really are a book worm.

I agree with at least some of what you said. It’s true that you’ll probably need knowledge, skills, and training at the very least to become a book reviewer. This is not a “get rich quick” scheme anyone can do.

As for the rest of what you said, it might have been a bit harsh even if at least partly true. Not everything belongs in a comment. However, you also do not know how someone else was feeling or what they were going through at the time they commented.

I am sorry to hear you did not have a good experience with Online Book Club, though. Hopefully you will with any others you might decide to try in the future.

To Val: We should all have sympathy for what you are going through. Hang in there and don’t give up!

Thank you so much your review. Really helped, much needed.

This is very helpful information. Thank you so much for sharing this important information with the world. ????????????

When I think of getting “paid”, as the article states, I don’t think of “books”. That’s like getting paid in beans for people who don’t have a job and are looking for ways to make money.

I’m not sure you understand the article. They don’t pay you in books, they pay you to read books. 🙂

No, Deacon,. Several listings specifically state that the reviewer will be trading a review for a free copy of the book in question, not actual money. I hope you aren’t a copy editor.

Some may provide a free copy for you to review and keep. However, I believe some of them do pay for you to actually review the books. I think you have a good point, though. Those who wish to sign up and make money should be cautious and read the fine print. That way they’ll know what they are receiving in return for their time to review books.

Hello. I’ve had thirty two years working in resorts, from crew to management. Placing hospitality management on a resume gets me jobs as a traveling nurse or a truck driver. I’m neither. I’m a caregiver of elderly ladies lied to about elder abuse by my half-sister so mom could be forced from our home. She was made to pay for all her 5 husbands that divorced her. I was struck by a 93 year old retired attorney on August 11th, at 4 p.m. on my bike. I’m on disability without an MRI from Waukon Memorial Veterans Hospital. I can not test out of higher math. I loath poverty. I get $671 a month disability. I’m losing my home above a roller rink (with no shower and the sink has not drained since February). I have been writing since 1985. Around the first of August my cat and I will be living in a red pickup and hoping I have a place for my treasures.

I’m sorry you are having such difficulties. You might try to see if any of these opportunities would help you.

So I will start with Val…honey, have you ever heard of the term TMI? Trying to get work on the internet is a lot like the offline world. You sound desperate. Don’t. It isn’t going to help and a blog post isn’t going to make your career dreams come true. Do you want to write? Jon Morrow – Googling him not only can help with writing but he can help you cancel your pity party.

Next – There is a huge list of companies that pay for reading books. Some pay cash ($40-$50 or more) for a review, others in books. Linda Formicelli has a free list on her website.

Last- Although some places will hire a newbie proofreader…newbie meaning you at least have some kind of training. “Proofread Anywhere” can help with the training part but I must warn you that most of the companies want at least a few years experience and/or a B.A. in English or Journalism. I’m not trying to be a downer here. You can say I have been around the block a few times. I’ve been burned too. I like keeping things real. I guess some don’t. I started out with the same questions y’all did. It could have saved a lot of time if people were just honest (I’m not saying that you aren’t Deacon, but there are those out there). You should see my website. What a disappointment.

Anyway these ideas are not impossible. They just take a little longer than some would like to admit. Take care…

This is an awesome resource! Thanks for sharing! I’m looking forward to trying one out.

I’m glad to hear it.

Thanks for this resource. I am always reading both a fiction and nonfiction book at the same time. Getting free books, or getting paid to read and review them, sounds awesome.

I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dave! Yes, many are taking advantage of these income avenues.

Copy editing and proofreading are skilled positions that require specific education and training. You need to have an in-depth knowledge of the appropriate style guide, at a minimum. You need to be up to date on current trends in publishing and conventions for each specific genre you work in. These aren’t the kinds of jobs you just pick up to make some money; that’s like saying people who are struggling should just see if anyone is hiring heart surgeons on the side.

Book reviewing isn’t as strict about your education and background, but it is a very competitive field and can be hard to break into.

That’s why we recommend Proofread Anywhere as a good training course to help people get started! 🙂

I want to reenter the workforce, and this is perfect!

It’s a start!

We do not all have the same skill. What you speak about as a hard is suitable, and funny, for others. Don’t close the door for youth who want to work hard and learn about the culture.

Another site I have used to get free books is called Blogging For Books. You have to have a blog and you have to agree to post your review there, but there are no traffic qualifications or anything like that. I’ve gotten at least a half dozen free books from them over the last year or two.

Thanks, Budget Kitty! We just added it to the list. I appreciate the suggestion!

Get Paid to Read Books: 42 Legit Sites

Do you love reading books? Now you can get paid to read books. Companies are always looking for ways to help market their authors and reviews are one way that anyone can help. Whether you get paid money or in books, you receive compensation in exchange for your review.

Are you ready to turn your passion for reading into money making side gigs ? Check out our long list of how to get paid to read books below.

Table of Contents

How to Make Money Reading Books

Many companies, like those below, compensate book readers for reading and/or reviewing books. Spoiler, there are multiple ways to make money from your passion for books than just to write book review materials or summaries. Check out the requirements and how you get paid below.

1. Kirkus Media

Kirkus is mostly a paid book reviewer company. If you want to get paid to read books there, you must prove your abilities with your resume and writing samples. Each review is approximately 350 words.

2. Reedsy Discovery

Get early access to the newest books before they are published or recently published books and get paid to review them. You can choose books yourself from the pool of available books or read books from authors who ask for you specifically after you establish yourself. Your review becomes a part of the book’s launch and can help both you and the author. Simply complete the application to get started and you’ll earn $1, $3, or $5 per review, as each author determines the pay.

3. Online Book Club

Online Book Club pays $5 to $60 per review and you get the book for free. Provide your email address here , if you’re interested. After your first review, they’ll pay you according to the payment offered for each review.

4. U.S. Review of Books

U.S. Review of Books takes their book reviews seriously. To apply, you must provide your resume, sample work, and two professional references. If accepted, they assign reviews on a first-come-first-serve basis among the qualified reviewers for the particular book. U.S Review pays reviewers monthly.

5. Women’s Review of Books

As the name suggests,Women’s Review of Books is a publication that reviews books written by and about women. They pay well, at $100 per review, but only accept journalists, professionals, and experienced reviewers for the task.

6. Booklist Publications

Booklist Publications is a list of reviews meant for librarians to fill their school libraries with quality books. Booklist accepts freelance book reviews – assigned reviews only and most of them do reviews in-house. The reviews they do outsource have specific requirements . They pay between $12.50 – $15 for reviews, but reviews published in the magazine may be worth more money.

7. Instaread

If you’d rather give a recap of a book than a review, check out Instaread . Summaries should be between 1,000 – 1,500 words, but they pay $100 per review. You must follow their style guide , or check out their app to get a better idea of what they expect.

8. Booklist Online

Booklist is the American Library Association’s book reviews. It supplies reviews of books from all genres as well as magazines. Booklist pays reviewers $15 per review and $5 per rejected review. You must provide examples of your writing and follow Booklist’s other guidelines to be accepted.

9. BookBrowse

BookBrowse is an online magazine of reviews. They hire experienced book reviewers for both fiction and non-fiction books. Reviews include a standard review as well as an in-depth summary of the book. You can see the application process here , which includes submitting two articles of at least 300 words to review for approval.

More Ways to Get Paid to Read Books

Sometimes going through a marketplace matches you with authors, publishers, and agents that need help marketing a book. You may get paid in dollars or books, depending on the marketplace and the demand to write book reviews. Continue on to learn how to get paid for reading books using a marketplace below.

Upwork , as you probably know, is a freelancer’s website. Each job is different and is based on the client’s needs. You work with the client on the pricing and they tell you the specifications before you even accept the job. Some reviews are one-offs and others turn into long-term gigs for reviewers.

11. Freelance Writer’s Den

Freelance Writer’s Den is a members’ only job board writers can join to get all types of jobs including writing reviews of books. The cost is $25 a month, but you can quickly earn that back by publishing reviews.

12. Tyndale Blog Network

Tyndale doesn’t pay reviewers in dollars but in points. If you want free books you can exchange your points for that. You get 10 points for every review you publish on Amazon or Barnes and Noble’s site. You may earn up to 50 points in 30 days. Other ways you may earn points include taking surveys, shopping at Tyndale, and referring friends.

13. getAbstract

If you love non-fiction books, you may catch a gig to write reviews for the genres you enjoy. Whether you love to summarize science magazines or speak another language but are native in English too, you’ll find great paying gigs at getAbstract .

14. Writerful Books

If you are among the list of book lovers and have experience in book reviewing, Writerful Books wants you. They accept assessments on any type of books but prefer contemporary and award-winning novels. Writerful provides many resources for you to get your hands on free books to review or advanced copies. The top reviewer receives a $100 Amazon gift card.

Book Reviewer Jobs

Money isn’t the only way reviewers get paid to read books. Receiving books or even clout as a reviewer is sometimes all reviewers need to get their career off the ground.

Check out the list of companies that help you get your book reviewing business going.

15. Book Browse

Book Browse doesn’t pay you for your review, but you keep the book for free. Prior to each book launch Book Browse has 25 Advanced Readers’ Copies, so it’s a first-come-first serve system, but there are 4 to 6 books to choose from each month.

16. Moody Press

You won’t get paid for the books you review here, but you do get to keep the books. All Moody Press books are Christian or biblical, so if this is a niche you enjoy, you may like the free books. Moody requires a review within 60 days of you accepting the book.

17. New Pages

New Pages collects reviews on small press books or literary magazines. They don’t provide you with the books but will accept reviews on any material you’ve read recently that fits the bill. New Pages doesn’t pay you monetarily, but they give you props on their social media page, which if they tag you can help you build your book reviewer brand.

18. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a magazine that publishes book review information on both self-published and traditionally published books worldwide. They aren’t currently looking for new reviewers, but they put out a request periodically. If you’re interested, keep checking back on the website .

19. NetGalley

NetGalley is the marketplace for readers and publishers. Users can peruse the catalog of available books to read and review. It’s like the social media for book reviews. The larger the following that you have, the more publishers and authors will choose you to review their books. You don’t get paid, but you do get to read the books for free, which for a book lover is just as good.

20. Bethany House

Bethany House always looks for reviewers to write about Christian fiction and non-fiction books. They look for more than a write-up though, they prefer reviewers that will hype up the books on their social media pages and other platforms. You must complete their application to be considered.

21. Chicago Book Review

If you love writing in-depth reviews about books, Chicago Book Review opportunities include providing you with free books in exchange for your review. The books you review originate in Chicago and come from one of the 125 publishing houses located in the Windy City.

22. Book Jobs

Review books on Amazon (you need a verified account) and you get unlimited free online books via Book Jobs. As long as you review one book every 3 months, your account remains active and you can read as many books as you want.

23. AgentQuery

AgentQuery started as a place for writers to get with agents, but reviewers often have luck connecting with agents too. Sometimes there are direct opportunities listed on the site, but other times, you must do the requesting yourself with individual agents.

24. Publishers Marketplace

Publishers Marketplace brings writers and publishers together. It requires a paid membership, but you can get matched with numerous review opportunities weekly, helping you make your money back quickly . You can cancel your membership at any time.

25. Springer

Springer provides viewers with a free online copy of a desired book. You have six months to read and review the book. If you publish your review online, in a specialty journal, or an international magazine, they’ll send you a physical copy of the book for free.

26. BookBub

Anyone can review books on BookBub. While you don’t get paid, you help others that may be interested in the book or wouldn’t know about the book without your reviews. The reviews also help authors rank higher in the search algorithms so they sell more books.

27. LibraryThing

You can get Advanced Reader Copies of books that haven’t come out yet as well as free copies of books that have come out at LibraryThing . All they ask for in return for the free book is your honest review. Copies are limited, so act fast if there’s a book you want to read.

28. Readers’ Favorite

Readers’ Favorite has books from all walks of life including books from top-name publishers and indie books. They look for more professional content so be prepared to show your abilities to get accepted.

29. Any Subject Books

It is a full-suite self-publishing service. Any Subject Books  hires book reviewers on a book-by-book basis to help them review new books. They look for honest and in-depth reviews and give out books to readers according to their preferred genre.

30. Bethany House

Bethany House is a publisher that focuses on publishing books that represent historic Christianity. The company requires that those who review for them own their own blog and be willing to post Bethany House reviews on that blog site. As a reviewer for Bethany House, you must write reviews at least 75 words in length (not including the plot synopsis) and publish the review both on your personal blog and on a retailer website such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

31. Lola’s Blog Tours

Lola’s Blog Tours is a book touring company that lets reviewers write about books of all genres from kids to adults in exchange for the free book. You can see the available books on their website, request one, read it, and post the review on your blog or social media.

Creative Ways to Make Money Reading Books

Reading isn’t the only way to make money with books. If you’ve read all the books and want to take it a step further, consider any of the following careers:

30. Proofreader/Editor

Start a freelance business offering your proofreading and editing services to self-published authors or check with local publishing agents to see if they’re hiring proofreaders/editors.

31. Translator

Help authors get their books published in other countries/languages by translating the books in your native language.

32. Publisher

If you know all there is to know about writing, editing, and designing books, work as a publisher. Start a business helping budding writers just like yourself make a name for themselves.

33. Narrator

If you can get into the voices of the characters in a book and read with inflection and feeling, consider narrating audiobooks . This is the ultimate pay to read books job. You read and get paid at the same time.

34. Marketing

Do you love promoting books? If you love making money writing book reviews and want your work to have even more impact, consider marketing the latest book promotions. Self-published authors have the greatest need for individual marketing specialists.

35. Blog or YouTube

If you have a large following, consider marketing for your authors. Alternatively give yourself a chance to make money writing your own book, or start a book publishing business in the form of a blog. Give your real opinion on the book and let your audience know why they too should read the book.

Get Paid to Read Books Out Loud!

Even if you do not love writing book reviews for the books you read, there is something else you can do. Having a good voice, and being able to narrate a story well, can allow you to make some money by reading the books aloud. Below you’ll find some of the best platforms for voiceover work:

36. Brilliance Audio

A large percentage of the audiobooks narrated by Brilliant Audio are audiobooks. The company has good hourly rates within the industry; however, they only accept voice actors who have exceptional skills and abilities. You are welcome to audition if you think you are up for the job, and if successful, you will be hired.

37. The Voices

Interested in becoming a voiceover artist? Check out The Voices. In order to upload your demo you will need to create a basic or premium account on their website.

Your skills will then be matched with the requirements of the clients by the Voice Match engine. After matching, you can directly contact the client through the site. You’ll find great hourly rates on the website in addition to payment security thanks to SurePay.

38. Voice Bunny

When you use Voice Bunny, you will have to register on their website, then complete a voice quality test. Once you’ve been selected, you can browse the numerous opportunities for jobs that match your preferences. The majority of those jobs require high-quality voice acting, as well as quick delivery. On this platform, you have the option to set your own hourly rate too.

You can find many opportunities as a book narrator on Amazon’s Audiobook Creative Exchange or ACX. It is simple to audition as a narrator for a book you have selected.

As soon as you have been selected, you will be paid according to the hourly rate you set. Your audiobooks can also generate royalties from sales!

Get Paid to Read Book Apps

You can earn money through book apps on your phone that will allow you to pay some of your bills while reading books. What could be better than a hobby that pays? You can earn money by reading and using many apps for both Android and iOS users. See for yourself!

40. BookYap

There are few online reviews as honest as those on BookYap. This website also provides useful reviews of both practical and non-fiction books.

The company frequently has job openings for in-house reviewers. If you are an avid reader of these types of books, then you should keep an eye on this website for upcoming opportunities. You will be required to submit a detailed resume, sample book reviews, and writing samples to ensure a greater chance of being selected.

Scribd is a digital library offering proofreading and book reviewing positions frequently. Users can find some of the most truthful reviews of any book on Scribd. After you’ve been chosen, you will be assigned a book to read and rate, and you’ll be expected to give an honest and subjective review of it.

42. Goodreads

There’s a Goodreads mobile app that you can download for free on your smartphone. In-house reviewers and proofreaders can submit reviews of your favorite books. They are often hiring and pay well. In the same way that Bookyap requires your resume, you must also submit writing samples or a sample review of a recently published book.

Can You Get Paid to Read and Review Books?

Never do a free job for someone, especially since you’re trying to make money online and get paid monthly with your side hustle. Be sure that you’re getting paid for the previous month worth of work, or that you can collect every two weeks from your efforts reading and reviewing books!

You won’t get rich with paid book reviews, but when you’re doing something you’re passionate about, it can feel like you’re getting paid in spades. Whether you want to get paid to read books in money or you just enjoy getting the free books and publicity, there are many ways for you to earn a little something doing a hobby you love.

Related: Check out our list of the best FIRE books !

Samantha Hawrylack is a personal finance expert and full-time entrepreneur with a passion for writing and SEO . She holds a Bachelor’s in Finance and Master’s in Business Administration and previously worked for Vanguard, where she held Series 7 and 63 licenses. Her work has been featured in publications like Grow, MSN, CNBC, Ladders, Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans, Clever Girl Finance, Credit Donkey, Crediful, Investing Answers, Well Kept Wallet, AllCards, Mama and Money, and Concreit, among others. She writes in personal finance, real estate, credit, entrepreneurship, credit card, student loan, mortgage, personal loan, insurance, debt management, business, productivity, and career niches.

Tuesday 1st of September 2020

Thank you so much. I can't wait to try this!

Are you a passionate book reviewer?

Streamline your workflow, access hundreds of books for free before they are published, and earn money while doing what you love.

Apply to become a reviewer

Read new books for free before anyone else!

Hundreds of authors have submitted their books to be discovered. As a reviewer you get access to our submissions pool and can read and review these books before they launch.

Manage submissions directly from authors

Improve your workflow and manage all of your submissions from one place. Access the reviewer dashboard where you can hunt for new stories, and manage submissions from authors who contact you directly.

Help authors launch their books on Discovery

On the author’s launch day your review will go live on Discovery and be exposed to thousands of readers. Each week the most upvoted books will have a chance to be featured on our homepage and in our weekly newsletter.

Complete your profile and build your brand

Your profile is where readers can find your published reviews, learn more about your reading tastes, and turn into followers. Discovery can complement your existing blog and allow you to reach a whole new community of bookish fans.

Get rewarded for your work

When readers enjoy your work, they can send $1, $3, or $5 (or an amount of their choice) your way. These small thank yous can help you monetize your reading addiction.

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How To Become A Book Reviewer: 29+ Websites That Pay You To Read!

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Although paid book reviews aren’t plentiful, they do exist.

But, you do have to have the knack for forming strong opinions on books you read and conveying them well to those reading your reviews.

If this sounds like something you’d love to do to earn some money, check out the paying book review markets below.

Plus, learn ways to get books for free in exchange for reviews, and other ways to make money with books!

Helpful Tips for Creating Winning Book Reviews

First things first:

If you’re planning to get paid to write book reviews, then you’re going to need to know what it takes to make an awesome review, right?

Most book review companies have strict guidelines for their reviewers.

If you don’t adhere to their guidelines or you can’t explain your thoughts in a way that’s constructive to others reading the review (or the author himself), you’re probably not going to make it far in this field.

Many review companies will even refuse to pay you for a review if you didn’t meet their standards.

Here are a few tips that can help you become an excellent book reviewer:

Consider Everything About the Book as You Read

Every book has so many moving parts: Plot, climax, characters, setting, just to name a few.

All those pieces work together to create a story, even in non-fiction books and autobiographies.

As you read, you need to think about how well each piece interacted with other pieces.

Did the characters come alive within the setting and plot?

Were the characters relatable?

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Did the author set up the climax in a successful way, with plenty of events leading up to it?

Was the setting described well? Could you understand where and when the story took place?

These are just some of the things you’ll want to ask yourself as you read.

Keep them in the back of your mind and take notes, if necessary, to keep your thoughts fresh when you prepare to write your review.

You should also remember to jot down any quotes or pages you’ll want to refer to when you review.

Review Only What You Read

It’s tempting to want to lay out everything you wish the author had done differently when you write your review, but that’s not what a review is for.

Yes, you can have some constructive criticism in your review (in fact, that’s encouraged!).

But don’t make the whole review about things you’d wished were different.

The point of a review is to talk about what you actually read.

Your review should explain how you felt about the themes, characters, plot, and other important parts of the story, exactly how you read them.

Reviews should be unbiased (I know – easier said than done!).

They shouldn’t necessarily pull readers one way or another; instead, they should offer the facts in a clear and concise way.

Use the end of your review to offer your opinions, but only in a constructive way. You should never say things like, “This book was horrible” or “I loved everything about this book” without offering a few specific ways the book could have been better or reasons it made you smile.

Think About Your Audience

Not every review audience is going to be the same.

Sometimes, you’ll be writing reviews about a children’s book, so your target audience will likely be parents or elementary school teachers or librarians.

However, if you’re writing a review of a book about rocket science, your audience might be science professors or experts in the industry.

You should have a good grasp as to who your target audience is going to be after you finish the book based on its genre, story, and target audience.

Always consider this audience when you’re writing a review.

Parents and teachers, for example, might enjoy a review that’s easy to understand, engaging, colorful, conversational, and to-the-point.

A college professor or industry expert, on the other hand, might prefer more technical terminology and a more in-depth review.

Each book review company tends to have a relatively specific audience, too, so be sure to read guidelines thoroughly to understand what type of audience you’ll be writing for.

Don’t Spoil Anything

It can be a challenge to write a review that doesn’t give away important parts of the book.

But it’s a necessary part of a good book review to avoid spoilers!

Readers of your review are interested in possibly reading that book in its entirety, so they don’t want the fun spoiled for them.

They’re simply reading your review to learn more about the book’s story and whether you considered it well-written and worthy of their time.

Re-read your review a few times after writing it just to make sure you didn’t hint at anything important that might ruin the fun for other readers.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

I can’t stress enough the importance of checking over your book reviews before sending them along.

Understanding the basics of proofreading and editing your work is a crucial part of your success as a reviewer.

If you keep sending in reviews that haven’t been proofread for mistakes or grammar issues, it’s not likely that a review company will continue to keep writing for them.

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You always want to send in your best work to leave a lasting impression.

If you don’t think you have the chops for proofreading and editing, you might want to hire someone else to do it for you.

Usually, all it takes is a couple readings out loud to catch easy-to-fix mistakes in your reviews.

How to Become a Book Reviewer with Online Jobs & Companies

You’ve likely heard of sponsored blog posts. If not, they’re posts that bloggers get paid to write, usually by a company that wants some exposure for its brand or products.

Paid book reviews work similarly, but you don’t always need a blog for them. You’ll get paid for your honest reviews on books the company sends to you, in an effort to gain more exposure, and positive reviews, for the book.

The following list of companies all pay you to write book reviews with their book review jobs!

Any Subject Books

Any Subject Books looks for honest book reviewers who are skilled in critical thinking. If you’re chosen as a reviewer, you’ll get periodic suggestions for reviews from the website, and can choose whether or not to accept.

If you do accept the title, you’ll have a specified amount of time to complete the review, which will be outlined before you accept. You’ll use a form given by Any Subject Books to complete your review.

No specific pay rate is mentioned on the website, but it seems that each review is different, depending on your word count, depth, etc.

Astronomy is an online magazine that accepts paid book reviews from people who want to review books of interest to its readers. However, it does state that you should first check with the book editor before pitching your desired books to the magazine.

The editor for Astronomy will look over your inquiry, which needs to include specific information about the book, like ISBN number, publication date, price, and more.

You’ll get notified if the magazine wants you to write the review, which must include a brief summary, short quotes, and a deep analysis of the book.

No specific pay rate is mentioned on the website, but you can ask the editor for more information on the payment process.

Booklist is a website dedicated to online book reviews in a range of genres.

It also has a magazine that publishes book reviews.

Freelancers can write reviews for submission to the website or in the magazine, with each review paying $15.

Even if your review gets rejected, you’ll get $5.

Reviewers can also write blog posts for the website for $12.50 each.

To get started as a reviewer, you’ll need to contact the editor of the genre for which you’re interested in reading and reviewing.

Instaread is a company that provides in-depth summaries of non-fiction books in both text and audio formats.

Although the company doesn’t list its job openings on its website, you can sometimes find them around the web.

There’s one on BookJobs.com , for example, that seeks freelance writers to write the summaries that users can read or listen to.

Each summary fits the company’s 4000-word template and guidelines and pays $700.

Writers who are considered good fits for the position have generally been published in well-known magazines or have a solid journalism portfolio.

You must also be available to do one report weekly.

Kirkus looks for freelance book reviewers to review its English and Spanish book titles for its book review section.

Reviews must be around 350 words long, and you have 2 weeks after receiving the book to complete the review. You may get your books in paperback, hardcover, or digital format.

You should have some writing experience for this one, since you’ll need to submit your resume and writing samples to the editor for consideration.

Na’amat USA

Na’amat USA is an organization dedicated to Israeli-American women and children. Its magazine focuses on the same content, and pays book reviewers to review books with Jewish content.

No specific pay rate is listed on the site, but you can contact the organization via e-mail for more details.

Online Book Club

Online Book Club pays $5 to $60 per review, depending on length, depth, and reviewer expertise. This website focuses much on new authors who need more exposure for themselves and their books, so you’ll likely be reading a lot from new authors.

You’ll have to complete your first review for free before getting your first pay, but as long as your review meets requirements, you’ll be eligible for paid reviews.

Online Book Club will periodically send you book selections to choose from.

Publisher’s Weekly

Publisher’s Weekly is a print and digital magazine dedicated to authors, publishers, and other writers. On its career page, the magazine will sometimes list openings for reviewers to review books for future issues.

Read Dream Relax

Read Dream Relax is a blog dedicated to book reviews of all genres, and it allows book reviewers to join its dedicated team.

You’ll have to send an e-mail to the owner, Laura, with some current review samples. The website states that you’ll usually hear back within a week if you’re a good fit.

You may also want to inquire about a pay rate, which isn’t specified on the website.

The US Review of Books

A definite pay amount isn’t mentioned on the website, but it does specifically say that it pays its reviewers monthly for reviews completed the previous month.

On this site, you’ll be a guest blogger posting book reviews between 250 and 300 words long. You’ll receive occasional offers for books for review, and you can choose your preferences. Ultimately, editors will choose the best-matched reviewers for each book.

Your review must include a brief summary of the story, as well as your honest opinions. Negative criticism is okay, but you must present facts to back up your critique.

The online magazine, The Writer , pays for accepted pitched stories, including book reviews. You can pitch your review to the editor, and you’ll hear back in about 2 weeks if your review is going to be published.

Upwork is an online marketplace where freelancers can find work in almost any freelancing industry.

Book reviews are some of the potential gigs you can find.

On Upwork, you’ll apply to interesting gigs using Connects, which are like bids.

Submit your credentials along with a cover letter, answer any questions the client provides, and send along your application for review.

If you seem like you’re a good fit for a review gig, the client will send you an offer or ask to chat with you through the messaging system to learn a little more before offering you the job.

You can save time browsing through gigs on Upwork by using keywords to search, like “book reviews.”

Women’s Review of Books

Wellesley College’s Women’s Review of Books focuses on books written by, and about, women. In addition to other writings, the website accepts book reviews of women’s books.

You can mail your resume to the Editor in Chief for consideration for becoming a book reviewer for the website. You must have experience with professional, and creative, writing.

Pays 14 cents per word, and welcomes your ideas for books to review.

Writerful Books

Writerful Books is a manuscript editing service that also seeks book reviewers to share their honest opinions about the manuscripts sent into the company.

Writerful Books pays reviewers between $10 to $50, depending on how insightful and thoughtful their reviews are.

There’s also an incentive program that gives writers a chance to win $100 in Amazon credits.

The reviewer with the most reviews on the website will win the prize, although it doesn’t state how often the $100 is given away.

Reviews need to be at least 350 words long and can’t be published elsewhere, even on your personal blog.

BookTrib is a website that offers a platform for book lovers and authors. 

It provides an opportunity for book enthusiasts to engage with authors, discover new books, and participate in discussions. 

BookTrib features a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, mystery, romance, and more. 

As a writer, you can contribute book reviews and author interviews to BookTrib. 

Visit their website for more information on submission guidelines and to explore their vibrant book-loving community.

Bookish.com

Bookish.com is an online platform dedicated to book recommendations, author interviews, and literary news. 

It aims to connect readers with their next great read by providing curated book lists, personalized recommendations, and engaging content. 

Bookish.com accepts book reviews from contributors who are passionate about literature and love to share their thoughts on books. 

If you enjoy discussing books and want to contribute your reviews, Bookish.com is a great platform to consider.

Book Browse

Book Browse is an online magazine that features in-depth book reviews, author interviews, and reading recommendations. 

It covers a wide range of genres and caters to readers of various interests. 

Book Browse accepts book reviews from its community members and provides an opportunity to share your thoughts on the latest releases. 

If you have a passion for reading and enjoy analyzing books, Book Browse welcomes your contributions

Reader’s Digest

Reader’s Digest is a renowned publication that has been captivating readers for decades with its diverse range of content. 

Known for its engaging articles, heartwarming stories, and insightful features, Reader’s Digest has become a beloved source of inspiration, entertainment, and knowledge.

In addition to its captivating articles and stories, Reader’s Digest also provides a platform for book enthusiasts. 

It offers book recommendations, reviews, and author spotlights. 

This allows readers to stay informed about the latest literary releases and discover new books across various genres.

Read More: Top 22 Legitimate Sites That Pay Cash For Writing Reviews Online

Love to Read? These Sites Will Give You Free Books in Exchange for Honest Reviews!

These places won’t pay you for reviews, but you’ll get books for free in exchange for your reviews.

I felt that they were worth mentioning, since getting books for free is a good way to save money, while fostering your love for reading!

Bethany House

You must have a blog to get free books to review from Bethany House.

Reviews must be at least 75 words, not including the plot synopsis, and you’ll have to post it to a retailer website, like Barnes & Noble, in addition to your blog.

You can request one title for review each month, but the limited copies get handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, no guarantees that you’ll get a book each month.

Blogging For Books

Bloggers, retailers, librarians, and media outlets can get free books from Blogging for Books in exchange for honest reviews. Books are available in print and digital form.

Book Browse offers a First Impressions program, giving its reviewers a chance to get a first look at books before they’re published. These books are usually available once per month, and you’ll get about 4 weeks to read and review them.

Reviews need to be anywhere from 5o to 300 words and should contain your opinions, rather than a plot summary.

BookLook Bloggers

Bloggers can receive free books from BookLook Bloggers, but you need to have an active blog. The website defines ‘active’ as posting at least once per month and having at least 30 visible subscribers to your blog.

You also have to be active on BookLook, which the website states as remaining active every 90 days, and posting your reviews within 90 days of initial book requests.

For your review to be accepted, you’ll also need to post it on another retailer’s website, like Amazon.com.

Chicago Book Review

Chicago Book Review has a dedicated team of reviewers for its nonfiction and fiction selections, and you can be one of them!

If you’re chosen as a reviewer, you’ll even get your bio featured on the ‘Meet the Reviewers’ page, which is great for establishing an online presence and portfolio! Plus your reviewed books are free.

You’ll need to send along your writing samples and resume to be considered as a reviewer.

Civitas Press

Civitas Press is a book publisher of uplifting and inspiring stories, with openings for book reviewers. You must have a blog to post your reviews on, and you’ll also need to post a review on Amazon.

LibraryThing

LibraryThing is an online catalog where you can store all your digital books from places like Amazon and the Library of Congress.

The Early Reviewers program is available for people who’d like to get advance copies of books for free in exchange for their honest reviews.

There’s a lot of competition to get books here, unfortunately.

Most books only have 25 or 30 review copies available with hundreds of members requesting a copy, so you may not always get a book.

There are also giveaways available where more members get the chance to win a free book.

MoodyPress is a publishing company that seeks exposure for its published books through honest, online book reviews. If you have a blog and an account with an online book retailer, you can review for the company.

You’ll be able to view a selection of books to choose from, and they’ll usually be shipped to you in 7 to 10 days. You’ll have 60 days to review the book on your blog and the retail site.

Teachers, librarians, media, and regular book reviewers can sign up for Net Galley for free books in exchange for reviews. These books are delivered digitally, only.

You’ll become part of Net Galley’s community, too, where you can discuss books with others, vote on cover photos, and network with other reviewers and authors.

NewPages is an online resource for authors, writers, publishers, and more. If you enjoy reviewing books, you could get your reviews published on NewPages.

To get accepted, you’ll need to send a recent review you’ve done for consideration. If your review style fits the requirements, you’ll be sent new book selections to review.

Reviews must be at least 800 words and you’ll have about a month to write your review after receiving the book.

Springer hosts scientific, medical, and technical journals, so your skills should be honed in on reviewing these subjects.

Once accepted as a reviewer, you’ll have 6 months of online access to up to 10 selections at a time to review. Once your review is accepted, you’ll receive a print copy of the book as a thank you.

Story Cartel

Story Cartel hosts books mainly by new authors, as a way for authors and readers to connect. The books hosted on the site are all free for registered users, but you’ll be leaving honest feedback for the author about his or her book.

Feedback should be constructive, as the point of the website is for authors to gain real feedback to improve his or her writing and books.

Tomoson is an influencer platform that has several kinds of products available for bloggers, vloggers, and social media influencers.

There are sometimes books here for review that only require a quick social media review or a short blog post. Some Amazon sellers also offer free books in exchange for Amazon reviews.

Tyndale Blog Network

Tyndale Blog Network focuses on connecting authors to book bloggers that can provide honest reviews on their websites. You’ll also need to review on an online book retailer, like Amazon.

You can review two books at a time, and reviews must be at least 2 paragraphs long, including a summary and your opinion.

Currently, only US reviewers can get print copies of books, but international reviewers may receive digital copies.

Another Option for Free or Discounted Books (Plus Possible Payment)

Amazon review sites are very popular among people active on Amazon.

Over the past couple of years, these review sites have changed a bit because Amazon no longer allows people to get free products in exchange for reviews on the platform.

However, some review sites still exist; they’ve just updated their guidelines to match those of Amazon by not requiring reviews, but simply requesting them.

These sites often have several books available, with sellers hoping that you’ll leave a review with your honest opinion on Amazon as your way of saying thank you.

You can check out our huge list of Amazon review sites to get started!

How Else Can I Make Money with Books?

If none of the above websites or companies work for you, there are still some other ways you can make money with books!

Affiliate Programs

If you own a blog – or even if you just use social media – you can make money using affiliate links to recommend books.

You place the link on your website, and whenever a reader clicks on the link to purchase the book, you’ll get a commission! Amazon Associates is an excellent place to start, since it has almost any book you can imagine available.

And, who doesn’t love Amazon?

If you have a good speaking voice, you could get paid to narrate audiobooks, or even create your own! People on Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance marketplaces sometimes look for this type of skill.

If you want to create your own, you can sell them on Amazon!

Book Translations

Do you know more than one language?

If so, you’re in luck because you could qualify to translate books into other languages.

This is a service many publishers would happily pay someone to do who’s knowledgeable in common languages, like Spanish, French, or German.

Translators can get paid well, too, since their skills aren’t necessarily a dime a dozen.

You might consider opening your own book translation business and contacting publishers or authors to offer your services.

Creating eBooks

If you love books enough, you might consider writing one of your own. Regardless of genre, eBooks are a good way to publish your own book with little costs involved.

Again, Amazon comes into play as the perfect place to host your eBooks for sale! You can get your feet wet with a short book, and move onto longer stories as you gain more comfort.

Many bloggers also sell helpful eBooks related to their niche. A food blogger may create a cookbook of their favorite recipes, for example. Then, sell away on your blog for extra income!

Design Book Layouts and Covers

Most authors will eventually need help from a designer who knows how to format their books to be visually appealing to readers.

Formatting is an incredibly important part of the process of making a book readable and engaging.

Every good book also needs a good cover that catches the eye!

If you have a knack for visuals, then this career could be right up your alley.

Of course, to create a good cover for the book, you should probably ready it first, so you can fulfill your love for reading too.

Freelance editing jobs for authors wanting their new books proofread are abundant on freelance marketplaces. If you’re good with spelling, grammar, and punctuation, this is the perfect way to read new books all the time, and get paid for correcting them!

Upwork usually lists a lot of editing jobs, or you can use a writing job board, like ProBlogger , to find more jobs.

Freelance Reading

Yes, freelance reading is actually a thing!

As a freelance reader, you’ll be responsible for helping literary agents read through submitted manuscripts.

Agents usually get tons of submissions – way more than they can handle on their own – so it helps them to have an extra set of hands (or eyes) to read through some submissions.

You’ll read the manuscript and let the agent know whether you think it’s worth a second look by him or her or if it’s something they should pass on.

Freelance readers literally get paid just to read – and they can get paid as much as $100 per manuscript.

Talk about a dream job for book lovers!

Freelance Writer of Book Summaries

Freelance writers can obviously get paid to ghostwrite books or write reviews for book review blogs.

But they may actually make more money if they go the route of writing book summaries.

As a summary writer, you’ll be responsible for writing things like the abstracts that go inside the book’s cover or on the back of the book, or summaries to go with the book on websites where it’ll be sold.

You might find gigs for summary writers on freelance marketplaces or you can contact publishers to see if they might need your services.

Pitching Magazines

Tons of digital and print magazines feature book reviews in their publications, and you may be one of the lucky ones who gets to review books for a future issue.

But, this process can take time, since it involves pitching magazines your book review ideas with samples, and waiting to hear back.

The best part is, most magazines will turn to you for future review needs if you do a really good job. And, many of them will at least pay you something for your time!

This article is helpful for teaching you to create the perfect pitch letter .

Start a Book Review Vlog

If blogging isn’t your thing, maybe vlogging will be.

There are plenty of book reviewers on YouTube who talk about books instead of writing about them.

This can be a really fun way to share the books you read with others and potentially make money from a monetized channel with a lot of subscribers and video views.

Start a Book Review Website Hub

You can always start your own book reviewing website if others aren’t suiting you!

Form a community by creating a website.

To start, you might commission other book fans to write short reviews for free in exchange for a social media link or two.

Grow your site and monetize it through affiliate links, ads, and sponsorships, and you can eventually start paying for reviews, which can help your review database grow even more.

If you’re a member of the rewards site, Swagbucks, you may be passing right by an opportunity to get paid for your love of books.

Swagbucks has tons of offers for Books & Magazine companies that will give you cash back plus Swagbucks for your purchases. So, you’ll need to pay money up front, but if it’s for something you’ll pay money for anyway (books!), you can earn some awesome cash back.

BookOutlet, for example, is one book retailer where you can earn 5% cash back on your purchase, plus 5 SB per $1 you spend!

If you know of any other ways to get paid for your love of books, let us know in a comment!

Join Swagbucks now or  read our full review .

Using BookJobs.com to Search for Book Review Jobs

BookJobs.com is a site I discovered recently that might be a gold mine for someone like you who wants to get paid for writing reviews.

The site hosts all types of jobs for book lovers around the world.

You’ll find everything from book editors to publishers to book ghostwriters on the site.

Occasionally, you might even see a listing from a company that’s looking for book reviewers. These are usually posted by publishing companies but might also come from book review websites.

I suggest keeping the site bookmarked and checking out the newest listings a couple of times a week to see what jobs are open in the book world.

Have you tried any of the sites or ideas above?

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Click here to post a comment..., post comment, mahesh kumar, march 27, 2017 at 9:08 am.

I’m also curious about searching for fresh and genuine online resources for work at home opportunities and sharing it with my audience through different mediums. I find these resources very useful for people who like reading books. It’s a great compilation of websites to make money for such people. I am going to pass it along with my social media channels.

Diane Carroll

October 8, 2017 at 4:34 pm.

Hi, I’ve done book and travel review writing online for a number of years, but never got paid for it. I’ve reviewed for TripAdvisor, Amazon and other books. TripAdvisor has praised me as being in the top 20% of reviewers that have helped people make choices on upcoming travel. The first book I reviewed, I received a thank you note from the author. I would love to do this cause it comes very easily to me. How and where can I start and can I pick the genre of books to read and review?

December 11, 2017 at 10:34 pm

Diane, you should treat your efforts thus far as writing apprenticeship. You aren’t going to be paid well for writing book reviews online There are many reviewers out there who are willing to write without being paid. It’s enough they share their views on books and be rewarded with a byline. So, why would any company pay for reviews when they can get them for free?

The only way I know of to get paid for writing book reviews is to run your own book review site. Review your favorite books. Then add purchase links – Amazon etc. When someone buys a book you get paid an affiliate commission.

It takes time though to build up a following. But think of it as a long-term income opportunity.

Why do it for others and not get paid when you can do it for yourself and build your brand? Short term – satisfaction (having a book review site you can call your own). Long term – income opportunity plus requests for book reviews from authors.

If I were you, I would go out and set up my own book review site without much ado and start the adventure.

Erin Cochran

December 27, 2017 at 11:56 pm.

A number of these seemed to only give you books, I don’t really consider that “pay”.

August 8, 2018 at 11:58 pm

If you’re a passionate closet writer who wants to be published but can’t find a way to do so, make each keystroke your way to wealth by penning your own blog. Starting a blog doesn’t require extensive technical skills but it’s important that you have expertise in the field you are writing on. This will attract visitors to your site. Building a large following will enable you to earn profit by luring advertisers, writing paid reviews or getting commissions for promoting other people’s products.

September 20, 2018 at 8:59 am

I have worked for Kindle Book Review for a couple years and I get about $5 a book review posted on Amazon and Goodreads (They send you money to buy the books so it is a verified purchase.) I do not know if they are hiring at this time, but this is where I learned how to write book reviews. Recently I began work at Readers’ Favorite. I can chose which books I read and can get paid up to $10 for a digital book sent to me. This company works close with its reviewers and authors, so don’t expect to send in a junkie review and get paid.

February 7, 2020 at 8:46 am

Inbox Dollars is a scam to get free labor! I read for them for months and they wouldn’t pay me because they said they had wanted me to buy something from the ads I was reading! Total ripoff! Don’t waste yout time!

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6 of the Best Ways to Get Paid to Read Books

Need some extra cash? Get paid to read books by writing books reviews for magazines and publications. Here’s how it’s done.

Arvyn Cerezo

Arvyn Cerezo is an arts and culture writer/reporter with bylines in Book Riot , Publishers Weekly , South China Morning Post , PhilSTAR Life , the Asian Review of Books , and other publications. You can find them on arvyncerezo.com and @ArvynCerezo on Twitter.

View All posts by Arvyn Cerezo

It’s true that reading books is beneficial in so many ways, including improving our mental health . But there’s an unpopular benefit that reading books can also provide: money. Indeed, reading can become an income stream, turning passion into profit. Ever wondered how to get paid to read books?

While there are several, broad avenues to do that — such as getting a job in the publishing industry , becoming a book editor or proofreader , narrating an audiobook , developing ebooks for a living, or becoming an audiobook proof listener — I’d narrow in on the easiest route, something that could be done right away: book reviewing.

I’m a writer and journalist regularly reviewing books for Publishers Weekly , and I’ve been doing this for four years now. Although the pay isn’t that great, it helps me hone my writing and reviewing skills. It also helps me build connections within the publishing industry. But a gig such as this might as well be a full-time job itself; reading a book for review purposes is a different thing from reviewing a book for leisure. There’s a lot of things to consider, and it might not seem that enjoyable at it appears.

But if you’re interested to become a book reviewer and get paid to read books along the way, I have a list of six ways for you to try below. The list includes writing for traditional magazines and publications that are proven to pay freelancers after a published review. Maybe after trying these gigs out, you might get interested in working in publishing. So, to test the waters, a book reviewing side hustle might be ideal.

Here’s how to get paid to read books through reviewing gigs:

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Writing Book Reviews for Publishers Weekly

PW , the industry magazine, pays $25 per review that runs about 180–200 words. You can choose how many books you can review in a month. In my case, I recently switched to one book per three weeks because of my schedule. But before, I used to do two books a month. In addition to that, you can decline a book if you don’t feel like it, but I’m not sure if it’s the case with every editor.

There are also opportunities for other kinds of writing, such as a Q&A and an author profile, which you can pitch to your editor.

Publishers Weekly accepts reviewer applications occasionally. All you have to do is send a CV and a sample review à la PW . They don’t assign a byline, however.

Writing Book Reviews for Kirkus Reviews

This magazine also accepts applications for freelance reviewers . However, it won’t be for traditionally published books, unlike with PW . Instead, reviewers would be working on self-published books for the indie section of the magazine called Kirkus Indie.

The review runs about 350 words and is due two weeks after the book is assigned. They pay $50, but it could go upwards to $75 if they see some great writing. For picture books, they pay $40 for a review of 250 words. As with PW , they don’t give a byline.

“Reviewing for Kirkus Indie was fun. I got sent a steady stream of books to recommend, usually 1–2 per month,” shares Sarah S. Davis, former Kirkus Indie reviewer and a Book Riot contributor. “I did have an opportunity when I first started to list what genres were my preferred genres to recommend. You don’t get to choose which book you get, but they will often give you a sub-genre or category that you connect well with. For example, for me that was books about health, psychology, and spirituality. My friend who reviewed for Kirkus, however, ‘specialized’ in geotechnical thrillers.”

To be considered, submit a sample review in the style of Kirkus.

Reviewing for Booklist

Booklist is a magazine catered toward librarians. They also occasionally publish reviews in their print and online versions. Just like the magazines aforementioned, Booklist is also constantly looking for reviewers.

For a word count of 150–175, the pay is a meager $15. If you reject a book, you get $5. Nonetheless, the best thing here is that the reviews are signed. That means you get to have a byline attached to the review, whether in print or online. In some instances, however, the payment could be delayed because the review is scheduled for a later issue. But once it gets published, you get to be paid.

Here’s how to apply as a Booklist reviewer . Once accepted, you’d become an apprentice reviewer.

Writing Audiobook Reviews for AudioFile Magazine

AudioFile is a magazine that regularly reviews audiobooks. If you’re an avid audiobook listener and feel like recommending best new titles, then this is for you.

AudioFile assigns a couple audiobooks in a month, and you have to write a review of about a hundred words. They pay $10 apiece, which is disbursed twice a year. Because of this payment scheme, it would take a long while to receive the payment. Still, you have the freedom to choose the genre of audiobook you want to review, such as young adult, fantasy, classics, literary fiction, etc. In the review that appears in print and online versions, you get to have initials as your byline, but you don’t get to have your name printed in full.

Reviewing an audiobook, however, is an altogether different realm. Make sure to read the magazine to get familiarized with the style.

Writing Book Reviews for Online Book Club

This is a forum that publishes book reviews, and they always accept reviewers. Since it’s a forum — not a magazine or a publication — you get to choose what appears as your byline. Pay varies per book, but it usually ranges from $5–60 per review according to their website.

“Reviewing books for the Online Book Club was a good experience because I got to read books and give my opinion about them, which I enjoyed,” says Yolimari Garcia, a former reviewer. “You can choose which books you want to review from a list. However, you can only pick the books with higher payments if you have a high reviewer score. I reached the highest level, which was six. A level-six reviewer is allowed to be an editor, which I was too.”

According to Garcia, the reviewers receive feedback from the editors, who also assign ratings based on the Review Team Guidelines. The objective is for the high-quality reviews to receive a high score and those with low quality to receive a low score. Some reviews cannot be published because it is clear that the writer did not read the book or adhere to the rules, according to Garcia.

“You can review as many books from the list as you can in a month as long as you follow the Review Team Guidelines and meet the deadlines…The payment is lower if you are a low-level reviewer and higher if you are a high-level reviewer,” she adds. As with other publications that publish book reviews, Garcia says that “don’t expect to make a salary” and “see it as a hobby, a side gig, or a medium for gaining experience writing professional book reviews .”

Here’s how to apply as a reviewer for Online Book Club .

Pitching Directly to Magazines and Publications

This is the recommended option if you’ve already gained an experience writing professional book reviews or if you have a stellar writing portfolio. Many publications allow unsolicited pitches to editors; The New York Times , The Guardian , and other major outlets may accept such pitches.

The rate is significantly higher, reaching as high as $800 for a 1,000-word review . However, since this is the high-paying path, it’s also the most difficult one. It takes a lot of effort to craft the perfect pitch to an editor, and sending the pitch doesn’t even guarantee an assignment. It might depend on the quality of the pitch, the publication’s editorial calendar, the strength of the writing portfolio, relevance of the book, etc. To get paid to read books in this manner, one must already be an established literary critic. Think of it as the be-all and end-all of reviewing.

For more tips on how to pitch an article to a major publication, here’s a guide .

There are several ways to get paid to read books, but book reviewing seems to be the easiest path. Because of the nature of this gig, though, you might want to supplement it with other book-related jobs. Here are audiobook narrator jobs for beginners and other jobs for book lovers !

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Side Hustles

Get Paid to Read Books – 17 Legitimate Websites for Book Reviewer Jobs

Sireesha Narumanchi | Published: April 10, 2023 | Updated: August 4, 2024

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS – IF YOU CLICK A LINK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, I MAY RECEIVE A COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE .

Among all the ways to earn money from home , there are some enjoyable and easy ways to do it like watching videos , listening to music, and reading books.

Yes, you can earn money reading books.

This is a perfect hustle for you if you are a bookworm, and the best part is you can do this job from home.

I am exploring more about the companies that pay you to read books and write reviews about them. Keep in mind that while some companies pay you to read books, others will give you free books in return.

Proofreading – The most flexible work-from-home job that pays up to $50 per hour .

Bookkeeping – Become a bookkeeper from home and earn up to $300 per client per month with no experience or expertise.

Transcription – Become a transcriptionist from home and earn $15–$20 per hour . 

Blogger – The most flexible and high-paying job from home for anyone. 

Get Paid to Read Books With These Companies:

Kirkus is a book reviewing company that regularly hires book reviewers on a freelance basis. You can apply here with your résumé, writing samples, and the genres you specialize in.

The job involves writing in-depth reviews of around 350 words about the books, which are mostly from self-published authors. The review has to be submitted within two weeks of being assigned the book. The pay is not mentioned on the website, but it can depend on your experience.

#2. Online Book Club

Getting paid to read books with Online Book Club is easy. You sign up online with your details and you are given a set of books to choose from. The books are free in return for your review.

If your first review is approved, you will get paid for subsequent reviews. It is very particular about receiving honest reviews about the books you read, so writing a detailed and clear review helps.

As per the website, you can get paid anywhere between $5–$60 per review.

#3. The US Review of Books

The US Review of Books hires freelance book reviewers to write reviews about books for publication. You can send your résumé and sample work to be considered for this job . You can choose the books to review once they are posted for reviews. The review should be around 250–300 words and should be submitted within 2–3 weeks.

The payments are made via monthly checks.

• BookScouter Review – Make Extra Cash Selling Old Books with This Awesome App
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#4. Reedsy Discovery

With Reedsy , you can earn extra money reading books. On Reedsy Discovery, you can simply sign up on the website and choose the books to be reviewed before they are launched.

There is no pay as such, but the readers can pay you $1, $2, or $5 if they enjoyed your review.

#5. Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books is a very popular publication that particularly caters to female audiences. If you want to become a book reviewer with this magazine, then you have to send in your résumé along with a writing sample.

This magazine is particularly looking for experienced book reviewers, so if you are one, then there is a good chance you will be accepted.

The pay is $100 per review.

#6. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is an online magazine that publishes reviews in many genres. It is known to regularly hire freelance book reviewers in areas like music, romance, economics, sports, young adult, fiction, ancient history, etc.

It prefers people who have education and experience in specific areas, but you can apply even as a beginner.

You can send in your résumé with a sample review to apply for this role.

The pay, as per the website, is a modest honorarium per review.

#7. Booklist Publications

Booklist Publications is a review journal for general public and librarians. It has around 8,000 reviews yearly, and you can choose to become a freelance book reviewer for this website.

The reviews should be no longer than 175 words, and before applying, you need first to understand the writing style. The pay for the reviews is $15 per book review.

It is always looking for people with diverse backgrounds for this position.

#8. Writerful Books

With Writerful Books , you will be getting paid to read contemporary novels from American, Australian, British, Irish, and New Zealand authors. The reviews should be up to 350 words, and you can fill out the online application and send in your recent reviews to be considered for this role.

If you give top quality reviews, you will be rewarded with a $100 Amazon gift voucher initially. It pays around $10 to $50 per book to their experienced and trusted book reviewers, depending on the length of the review.

#9. getAbstract

getAbstract is another legit book review sites that pays you to write helpful reviews for its readers. getAbstract hires freelance writers on and off in different genres. If you are interested in this job, send in your résumé and some writing samples to apply for this role.

The pay is not mentioned on the website but is on a freelance basis.

#10. Instaread

If you are happy to write more detailed reviews on hundreds of books, then Instaread is the best choice. Every review has to be around 1,000 to 1,500 words, so if you are someone who loves describing the books you have read in detail, this could be a great choice.

The pay is around $100 per review. You should follow their style guide and guidelines strictly. You can download the app to get more information about the reviews.

#11. Any Subject Books

Any Subject Books hires people to read books and give detailed and honest reviews. It values in-depth reviews more than short and redundant ones. You can choose the genres you want to read from, and the pay is on a book-by-book basis.

More Ways to Get Paid to Read Books (Get Free Books)

Below are some of the websites that give you free books for your reviews. This is another way to grab free books in return for doing something that you love doing.

#12. NetGalley

You can sign up for free to read books on NetGalley and give honest reviews. You can request or be invited to read new digital galleys as a member.

#13. LibraryThing

As a LibraryThing Early Reviewer , you can sign up for free on the website and request books you are interested in to review. If you are chosen, you can get the book for free and post your review on the website.

#14. NewPages

You can write short reviews of around 100–200 words on new magazines, books, or individual pieces of writing with NewPages . In return, your review will be published on the NewPages blog.

#15. Tyndale Blog Network

With My Reader Rewards Club from Tyndale Blog Network , you can earn reward points for writing reviews or referring friends to the network. You can redeem for books on its website.

#16. BookBrowse

BookBrowse members get a chance to get free copies of books in return for their reviews through First Impressions. Usually, they are advanced reading copies and are available once a month for members.

The review should be submitted within 4 weeks and should not be more than 300 words.

#17. Moody Publishers

With Moody Publishers, you get advanced reading copies for giving your detailed review within 60 days of receiving the copy.

Bonus Ways to Get Paid to Read Books

#1. proofreading.

Proofreading is another great way to get paid to read books. If you have a keen eye for detail, you can get paid to read unpublished books by authors. Though you don’t need any experience or expertise to get started, having the ability to find mistakes in documents and excellent grammar skills are a must for getting this job.

If you are interested in learning how to start a proofreading business, here is a free workshop to learn more.

Recommended reading:

#2. voice acting.

Voice actors are the voices behind cartoons, live events, announcements, video games, movies, advertisements, and audiobook narrations. As an audiobook narrator, you will be paid to read books. This is a really fun job if you love book reading. The basic requirement to get this job is having a dedicated studio with the right equipment. 

Want to know more? Here is a detailed post about how to become a voice actor .

• 13 Legit Voice Over Jobs for Beginners from Home in 2024

Can you get paid to read books aloud?

Yes, you can. Whether it is voice acting for brands or reading books for ACX, where you work as an audiobook narrator, you can make a career reading books aloud.

Can you make a living reading books?

Yes. You can make a living reading books. It depends on which path you choose. If you are just reviewing books, you might make less, but if you are going for careers like proofreading or audiobook narration, you can earn a good income.

How much do book reviewers get paid?

It depends on the length of the book and the hours you invest in reviewing it. Book reviewers can earn around $5 to $50 per book review, but most of the time, companies compensate book readers with free books rather than money for the reviews.

It’s more profitable to opt for proofreading or audiobook narration, as they can give you more than a full-time income.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to earn money, and for all the book nerds, book reviewing is the easiest way of all of them. Depending on the sites you choose, you can get paid in cash or get free books.

Check out the above websites to start your book reviewer gig and get paid to do what you love—reading books!

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Best Paid Book Review Sites for Authors

Reviews are the lifeblood of your book’s success. Getting them is vital throughout your author journey, starting from before until long after you launch your piece of writing. Paid services are, of course, well aware of this fact. There are so many to choose from, so if you’re wondering what the best paid book review sites are, keep reading!

Dozens and dozens of companies are happy to take your money in exchange for the promise of landing you some good reviews.

With the many book review sites out there, you might be wondering which one should you choose.

Not All Paid Book Review Sites Are The Same

You can easily find plenty of companies out there that promises reviews in exchange for dollars. But, as much as you’d want them to be, not all of them will turn out effective. In fact, you may come across some that aren’t even legit.

Rather than take you through all the options available, I’ll share the tried-and-tested ones we use to help get your search narrowed down.

Here at Book Launchers, we use:

• BookSirens, and
• Booksprout for our authors.

Now, you might be thinking, “ A review is a review. So why so many different sites for the same thing?”

Well, if you haven’t noticed, paid book review sites aren’t all the same. Your book category, overall strategy, goals, and who you’re targeting are essential aspects to consider before going with a review company.

Still, every review site has the same ultimate goal: increase your exposure, find new readers for your book, and bump up those review counts.

Not all sites can make sense for every author. The best course of action would be to pick those that best suit your unique needs.

Here are the four best paid book review sites you can rely on for non-fiction authors, each with its distinctive features.

#1 goodreads.

Goodreads is the most popular review site in the publishing industry today. It remains the top on-line community for book lovers and authors alike.

Amazon runs it, so it boasts some perks for authors with books in the Amazon database.

Right through the site, you can claim your profile and earn a badge that verifies your identity. You’ll also be able to access a wealth of statistical information on your books listed on KDP.

So, how do you know if Goodreads is the way to go? Well, if you want your book to go viral and gain as much exposure as possible, Goodreads could be your ticket.

Here, the strategy is to get people to add your book to their virtual bookshelves, and of course, leave some reviews on it.

This way, your book gets raised visibility. Other users can now see it in their friends’ feeds, giving it a much better chance to be added to their reading list.

Think of it as like playing a giant book-fueled game of telephone with 80 million people.

Speaking of games, did you know that we have an entire YouTube channel dedicated to guiding authors like you to create an excellent self-publishing game plan. Check it out, and if you like what you see, let’s see how fast you can smash that subscribe button.

Back to our topic, you can also run a giveaway on Goodreads, a surefire way to get book reviews. It’s something we do regularly for our clients.

All active giveaways are listed on the giveaway section of the website. Your fans can link to it and encourage their friends to enter the giveaway.

Here’s a video dedicated entirely to helping you get all the goods you can get on Goodreads.

#2 NetGalley

Next up on the paid book review site list is NetGalley. NetGalley is a service that delivers digital Advanced Reader Copies, better known as ARCs.

This service provides ARCs of your book to professional readers. We’re talking about reviewers, media, journalists, bloggers, librarians, booksellers, podcast hosts, and many others.

These professional readers use NetGalley to access digital copies of your book, making it an effective marketing tool not just for your book but for your entire brand as an author.

It allows your work to be made available to people who want to read it in their professional capacity.

A NetGalley promotion offers your ARC three months to be highlighted in their database’s recently added and read now sections. The promo also lets you showcase your book to the sections specific to your title’s categories.

By opting for this promo, all users will see your book listed on the NetGalley website.

There’s a lot more to NetGalley when it comes to figuring out if it’s the right one for you.

To help you out, we have a video that goes into all the details of this review site. We also dive deep into costs because it can be pretty expensive and may not be worth it for all books. Stick to the end of this video to make sure if this review site is for you.

The following two on this list are similar to NetGalley. These two book review sites also deliver your ARC copy to both readers and reviewers. But, they focus more on getting your ARC securely to reviewers, bloggers, and your book army.

#3 BookSirens

BookSirens boasts over 10,000 readers across various genres with an average review rate of 75%, making it an attractive site to get book reviews.

The high average review rate is because their users are vetted and accepted as serious book reviewers. Before users can get approval to join BookSirens, they must have posted at least 20 starred ratings on Goodreads.

How this works is that you first need to send your book to the BookSirens team for evaluation. They will then confirm if it is a quality book – something that they want to offer to their users. Once approved, they will add your book to its appropriate category where users can discover it, download the ARC, and start reading.

A remarkable feature of BookSirens, which leads to their 75% success rate, is that readers can only download one ARC at a time. They can’t download a new ARC until they finish reading and reviewing their active one.

This feature is pretty cool for authors because your advanced reader is much less likely to ghost you without leaving a review. And they’re entirely focused on one book at a time.

BookSirens will also give you a direct link that you can send to your book army. So, those folks can hop on over there and securely download their ARC for free.

You also have the option of choosing whether your reviews are posted on Goodreads, Amazon, or both. Now if you’re wondering about getting book reviews from your book army (And how to keep them from being removed) – check out this article .

#4 Booksprout

Booksprout is another option to consider if your main priority is a prelaunch review push.

Similar to BookSirens, Booksprout is a review site that automates the delivery of your ARC to over 40,000 users.

Their average review rate is around 79%. Even your book army will find it challenging to beat that.

Before you get all excited, we’ve been testing this one for some time, and we’re getting mixed results.

Self-Publish and Succeed , well after launch, got four reviews from a single Booksprout listing. Yet, the other books we tested did not bring any results.

Right now, we’re playing with it to figure out whether it’s a timing issue, a topic, or something else.

We’ve experienced the same thing with BookSirens. My book wasn’t even accepted by them for their reviewers. So, I only used BookSirens for ARCs, but some authors from our client base have gotten good reviews.

BookSirens Vs. Booksprout

So what’s the difference between the two paid review sites? Which one is better for you? Let’s discuss the main differences between BookSirens and Booksprout:

• Booksprout focuses on getting reviews by a specific date, while BookSirens focuses on getting a particular number of reviews.
• On BookSirens, you can post your book and have the reviews roll in for as long as your little heart desires. But on Booksprout, your reviewers have a time limit to read and write their review.
• Booksprout also limits the number of reviewer downloads depending on your subscription level. The more money you spend on their service, the more downloads you can do.
• BookSirens is a fee-per-book service, letting you choose the number of downloads from as little as 5 to as many as 250.

On the plus side, you can request Booksprout reviews posted on up to eight different sites rather than just Goodreads or Amazon. They include options like Kobo, Apple Books, Google Books, and even BookBub.

Whether you go with BookSirens, Booksprout, or both, these two book review sites are easy to use. They’re effective if you need a little help building up your audience.

If this is your first book or your book army looks a little sparse on the prelaunch battlefield, one of these two review sites, or maybe both, could be your answer.

Now that you know some of the best sites that can help you get book reviews in bulk, maybe it’s time to get in touch with us. See what we can do to help you take off even further, even months post-launch.

Here at Book Launchers we help authors like you in every stage of the self-publishing process. Whether you write the book yourself or with our help, we’re with you every step of the way.

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Earn Online by Reviewing Books: 10 Websites

• by Michelle
• April 18, 2023

Love reading books and books and more books? So if you love reading so much, why not turn your hobby into a good-paying side hustle? There are many ways to earn online as a book reader who loves all things books. One of these ways is reviewing books.

Since you already read so much, there is no extra work here. All you would be doing is writing an honest review once you’ve read your book and viola! You get paid. Yep, it’s as easy as that.

List of Websites to Review Books

Bookbrowse is a website that pays book readers to review books. They hire freelancers to review books that become available. To become a book reviewer for BrowseBooks, you first have to submit sample reviews that are 300 words long. The reviewers also have to write a ‘beyond the book’ article for each book they review.  

Payment Details

The website hasn’t disclosed how much they pay its reviewers for each review, however, they do claim to pay its reviewers a modest payment. The reviews also get to keep the book they review.

Signup for BookBrowse here

Booklist is another great website for book reviews. The platform is also part of the American Library Association, which means that their reviews help guide school and public library workers in suggesting and purchasing books.

The website requests its reviews to write 150-175 word reviews that include the plot synopsis, suggest the ideal audience for this book, and offer similar books. When you apply, you’ll have to indicate your area of interest to start reviewing books you like.

The platform pays its reviewers $15 for each review. The reviews are paid once their review published online. It’s also important to know that if you choose to reject a title for review, Booklist would charge you a reject fee of $5.

Signup for Booklist here

Writerful Books

Writerful Books is a company that provides professional manuscript assessment services for authors. These services include book editing, manuscript assessment, and evaluations and reviews.

They are currently not accepting any book reviewer applications, but keep their company in your sights for future applications.

The company hasn’t mentioned any payment details as of now.

Signup for Writerful Books here

Online Book Club

Online Book Club is an awesome website that calls itself a free community for book lovers. It offers readers a community for discussions, book trackers for what they’ve read, and more. 

The platform hires book reviewers for its online book community. The process is simple, once you are hired as a reviewer you get a selection of books to choose from to review. You will be given a free book in exchange for a review. Once your review is approved, you get paid.

Online Book Club pays its reviewers between $5-$60 along with a free book to review. Yes – you get to keep it!

Signup for Online Book Club here

Womens Review of Books

Womens Review of Books is part of Wellesley Centers for Women that is a research and action institute that focuses on women. The platform hires women freelancer reviewers for its platform.

The platform reviews book of all kinds, from novels, fiction, poetry, and more.

Womens Review of Books pays their reviewers $100 for each review published.

Signup for Womens Review of Books here

Instaread is another interesting platform that provides key insights and book summaries from thousands of books online. These insights are available in audio and text. The platform has a broad range of categories to choose from, from non-fiction like self-help, business, fitness, and more, to fiction novels.

Instaread hires people to write book summaries instead of typical book reviews. The reviewers have to write summaries worth 1000-1500 words.

Instaread pays its book summary writers $100 per summary.

Signup for Instaread here

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is an international news website for book publishing and book selling, that is mainly targeted toward librarians, publishers, literary agents, and more. 

To apply as a book reviewer, you must send an application along with a resume and a sample review that is 200 words long. Once you get accepted you can start working on reviews as you will.

Publishers Weekly pays its book reviewers $25 for each published review.

Signup for Publishers Weekly here

Send your resumes at [email protected]

Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy Discovery is a platform that helps authors find and work with publishers and all the other processes to publish a book, including cover design, editing, publicists, etc.

Start by creating an account for a Reedsy reviewer. Submit your application where you introduce yourself and answer a few questions related to book reviewing. Once your application is accepted, you are free to review any amount of books you like.

Reedsy doesn’t pay its reviewer directly. They compensate you for your review in form of free copies of books. You can also make some money by getting tipped for your reviews from other users.

Signup for Reedsy Discovery here

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine. The platform is one of the most authentic sources of book reviews out there.

To become a reviewer for Kirkus Reviews you have to apply to their email address along with your resume and writing samples. Currently, they are looking for English and Spanish language book reviewers for their books.

Kirkus Reviews pays its reviewers $50-$75 for each review published. However, they expect a reviewer to write a good 350-word review within 2 weeks’ time. 

Signup for Kirkus Reviews here

Send your resumes to [email protected]

Tyndale Blog Network

Tyndale Blog Network has a program called the “My Readers Reward Club” that helps users earn reader reward points for completing a list of activities listed.

As a reviewer, you can earn 10-50 points for writing reviews for Tyndale or Barnes & Noble.

Complete the activities listed on the My Readers Rewards Club and earn points. Users can redeem those points to get books from Tyndale.

Signup for My Readers Rewards Club

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• Extra Income Ideas

Get Paid to Read Books: 15 Top Companies for Book Reviewers

September 30, 2020 by Jane 15 Comments

Sharing is caring!

Do you enjoy reading books as a hobby? If so, you might be delighted to know you can get paid to read books!

If you can bury yourself in a book, reading it chapter after chapter, and can write an on-point book review, then this side hustle may be perfect for you.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases at NO extra cost to you.

How to become a book reviewer

Table of Contents

Right now, you’re probably asking: How do you become a book reviewer? Do you need to hold a specific degree or earn a particular certification? Do you even need training for it?

Fortunately, there’s not much that you need to become a book reviewer. First, you need to be a voracious reader. You must really love reading books. If you spend a good time in the library reading books or always made a point to visit the bookstore to check out books from your favorite author, then you’ll most likely qualify to become a book reviewer.

However, you also need to be a good writer. After reading the book, you will have to write a book review. You should be able to follow the guidelines of the editorial staff. Most editors are busy, so they’ll appreciate book reviewers who can create concise, onpoint, and objective perspectives about the book. Make sure not to give out spoilers or discuss the plot twists. Book Trust has a fantastic guide in writing book reviews  here .

Additionally, having a sample book review, resume or CV, and website or blog link ready would be very useful when you’re hunting for book review gigs. Some companies require one or all of these, so it’s best to have them digitally stored when you apply. If you want to specialize in this niche, it’s a good  to place all your book reviews in one place so that publishers and authors can easily see if you’re a good fit for them.

How much do book reviewers make?

Reading a book can take some time and writing a review will also require some effort and brain energy, so you’re probably wondering how much you can make as a book reviewer.

There is no standard rate for book reviewers. According to  Career Trend , you may earn zero dollars plus a free book, or $300 per review from top publishers. Those who are employed full-time by a publisher can make a more predictable income.

So as you can see, being a book reviewer isn’t always lucrative, and it won’t promise steady income. It’s a good side hustle for people who enjoy reading books as a hobby, but it probably won’t pay your mortgage.

Most people who love reading books also love writing. If you also want to make money writing, I highly recommend starting your own blog! I make a full-time income from this blog and I can help you do the same!   Check out this detailed, step-by-step guide on how to start a blog and make money from your blog as a beginner. 

Top Publishers That Pay You For Book Reviews

Now let’s get down to the list of publishers that hire book reviewers, how much they pay, what they require, and what it’s like to work with them.

Related:  15 Inspiring Hobbies that Make Money

• Online Book Club

One of the most popular book review sites is Online Book Club . Joining the Club is quite easy: just sign up and pick a book you’d want to read and review. The first review you write that’s accepted by the editorial staff isn’t paid, but all the subsequent book reviews will earn you somewhere between $5 to $60, plus a free copy of the book. Additionally, Online Book Club awards a $25 Amazon gift card for every 30 book reviews you write. .

• Reedsy Discovery

If you want to get your hands on the best new books even before they hit the market, joining Reedsy Discovery will help you get paid to read books online. Reedsy has a massive library of books by self-published authors, so you’ll most likely to find books that you enjoy reading. You won’t get paid much, except for tips from authors ($1, $3 or $5). But as you build your reputation as a book reviewer, you can connect with authors directly for book review gigs.

• Kirkus Media

Do you want to know how to become a book reviewer for Amazon? Join Kirkus Media! It is the prime source for book reviews for books   that are sold on Amazon. 

 Kirkus Media is often hiring book reviewers, so it’s great to try your luck here before anywhere else. In your application, mention any relevant experience you have as that may increase your chance of being noticed.

Once you get in, you’ll have thousands of books from across genres that you can read and write a 350-word book review for. Details about the rates, however, are not specified on the site but you will get paid by check 60 days after your review is submitted and approved.

• Book Browse

Book Browse is another legit company that hires people to read and review books. This company aims to help readers pick out the best books for them by publishing book reviews. If you’re wondering how you become a book reviewer for Book Browse, you’ll need to fill out  a short online form and send them two sample book reviews. According to its website, Book Browse gives book reviewers a modest payment and a byline. However, most reviewers only get to review one book each month.

• Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine with a core focus on the publishing industry. The company has a long list of book genres that are open for book review  including children’s books, mystery/thrillers, religion, lifestyle, and tnonfiction, from self-published as well as traditionally-published authors. To work with PW, you need to send your resume and a sample 200-word review. Book reviewers are paid an honorarium, but the amount is not disclosed publicly.

• Any Subject Books  

Any Subject Books is a book review website that aims to supply honest and objective book reviews to readers. To do this, the site provides a standard form that book reviewers need to fill in, evaluating the book’s style, characters, plot, etc. Any Subject Books is also generous in sending reviewers books in their desired genres. The deadlines for book reviews are mutually decided by the book reviewer and Any Subject Books, and payment varies accordingly.

UPDATE 2024: Anysubject.com is no longer available

• Women’s Review of Books

If you love to read books written by women authors for women audiences, then it’s a great idea to work for Women’s Review of Books. Women’s Review of books has been around for the last three decades, reviewing a wide range of literary works, including poetry, fiction and memoirs, among others.

If you wish to apply, attach one of your best book reviews as a sample as well as your resume. You will be compensated with a PDF issue where your book review appears, one year subscription to their magazine and $100 for every successfully approved book review.

• The U.S. Review of Books

Another reputable book review website is the U.S Review of Books . The company hires freelance book reviewers who can write professional objective reviews of their books. The U.S Review of Books has an extensive selection of books spanning different genres, and they’re looking for reviewers who can provide an honest yet objective critique aboutthe book, and not the author. Book reviews should be around 250-300 words and are formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style. Payment is not disclosed, but according to most sources, the company pays via check once a month.

• Booklist Online

Booklist is owned by the American Review Association, striving to help readers pick the best books that are worth their time. There are over 8,000 books published on Booklist, so the magazine constantly hires book reviewers. Books are of a wide variety, including fiction, nonfiction and young adult. You can write a book a review of 175 words to 225 words, and receive $15 for every approved book review. Make sure to follow the editorial team’s guidelines for writing book reviews to make sure you don’t get rejected.

10. Writerful Books

Writerful Books works with authors and publishers seeking honest reviews of their work. As an author services company, they are constantly searching for book reviewers with unique and engaging voices to help with their growing list of titles.

Whether you’re into mystery, romance, fantasy, or non-fiction, you can choose the books that interest you the most and write reviews on them.

Writerful Books pays anywhere from $10 to $50 . If you consistently publish high-quality reviews for them, they may even reach out to you with more opportunities.

If you are interested in becoming a book reviewer for Writerful Books, it would be ideal to check out their website for more information on their guidelines.

11. Foreword Reviews

Foreword Reviews is a company that provides summaries and reviews written by independent authors and publishers. They boast of a team of professional reviewers who come from diverse backgrounds, including published authors, librarians, and teachers.

When you write for Foreword Reviews, you get to keep the books they send you. And here’s the best part—you have the freedom to choose the books you want to read and review. Foreword Reviews also offers a fair compensation of $55 per review. In addition to the pay rate, you have a whole month to complete each assignment.

You can apply by sending your application to their managing editor.

12. Book Tasters

Whether you are a seasoned reviewer or just starting out, BookTasters welcomes all book enthusiasts to join their community.

BookTasters already have over 5,000 readers on board, but they are in need of more to help authors improve their work.

To join BookTasters, you must have an Amazon Verified account and a Goodreads account. This is to ensure that you are a legitimate reader and have a platform to share your reviews. Once you have these accounts, you can go to the BookTasters website and sign up to become a reviewer . Browse through the available books and request to review the ones that interest you. If your request is approved, you will receive a digital copy of the book to read. 

When you become a part of the BookTasters community, you’ll have the chance to participate in competitions and even win prizes.

13. eBookFairs

Another option on the list is eBookFairs. They have a program called Paid Book Reader where you can make money by writing reviews of the books featured on their website.

eBookFairs has a straightforward set of guidelines for book reviews. Book reviews need to be at least 200 words long and provide valuable feedback to authors.  You can learn more about their guidelines here .

They also have specific rules in place for paying their reviewers. You can check out their site to see how much you can earn for each review and what steps you need to take to get paid.

14. Reader’s Favorite

Reader’s Favorite is a well-known book review and contest website that connects authors with book reviewers. They already have a team of over 1,000 reviewers, but they are always on the lookout for more professional and talented reviewers. If you have good writing skills and want to help readers and authors alike, then Reader’s Favorite is the perfect place for you. 

Reader’s Favorite only accepts digital books for review. If you want to be a part of their team, you need to be willing to read and review books in digital format. However, the good thing is that you can earn money and even win cash prizes by simply reading and reviewing these books.

13. Tyndale Blog Network

Ever heard of My Reader Rewards Club ? It is a program run by the Tyndale Blog Network. This program is centered around a special rewards system where you can earn points by participating in different activities on the site. These include inviting a friend to join the program and sharing a link on Facebook.

At My Reader Rewards Club, you can also earn points by writing a review for a Tyndale or NavPress book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can earn up to 50 points in a month and these points can then be redeemed to snag more books from Tyndale’s collection. 

If you’re interested in participating, you can find more information in the FAQ section on their website .

14. Blue Ink Review

Blue Ink Review is a reputable book review service that offers paid reviews to self-published authors and publishers. They are always looking for reviewers who have a strong command of the English language and can write honest and insightful book reviews.

The company also takes great care in matching the right book with the right reviewers, so choose a specific genre that you are knowledgeable of and passionate about. For instance, if you have a particular interest in science fiction, highlight this in your application. If accepted, you will be assigned books to review, typically in the genres you are interested in.

The compensation details are not mentioned, but if you wish to become a reviewer, make sure to read and understand their guidelines .

Upwork is a popular online platform where people can find jobs in many different industries. While Upwork is often associated with traditional freelance jobs like graphic design and virtual assistance, it may come as a surprise to learn that authors and publishers also post book review jobs on the platform. Here’s an example :

To get started, sign up as a freelancer on Upwork. In your profile, mention any relevant experience you have as a book reviewer. This could include writing book reviews for blogs, literary magazines, or other platforms. It’s also a good idea to show a portfolio of your work. This could include samples of your writing, such as book reviews or literary analyses. Once your account is set up, you can start bidding on book review projects that interest you. 

The amount of money you can make by reviewing books on Upwork varies depending on the project and the client. Some clients pay reviewers on an hourly basis, while others pay per project completed. Successful reviewers may receive offers for long-term partnerships with authors or publishing companies.

Get Paid To Read Books: Is It Worth Becoming A Book Reviewer?

If you want to get paid to read books, you should first look at these nine places and see where you can possibly land a book review gig. Some of them pay more than the others, but of course, you also have to consider the selection of books they offer. You probably won’t enjoy reading memoirs if you love romance novels, right? To make your work as a book reviewer more pleasurable, try to find book reviewer jobs where you can get access to your favorite kinds of books.

All in all, working as a book reviewer is a great way to get paid to read books. You are not just enjoying your hobby, but getting paid for doing what you love. It isn’t very lucrative though, so it’s probably best to keep this as a side hustle and not your main source of income.

Have you tried working as a book reviewer? If so, how was your experience?

More Extra Income

for more money and frugal living tips!

Reader Interactions

Muhammad Ayyaz

August 06, 2021 at 11:52 am

I am a mechanical engineer I worked in a university as a mechanical engineer from 1981 to2019 so my interest is in mechanical technology. I am also a master in education from the University of Punjab Lahore Pakistan.

August 08, 2021 at 12:26 am

I’m interested in doing this. I love to read. I’m just not sure about my writing skills.

Donna Rice-Saffold

September 18, 2023 at 7:51 am

I like to read and am interested in a we ork from home advrnture. I sometime serve as a substitute teacher im my local school area and have grans who love to hear & read good stories.

November 25, 2023 at 4:03 pm

I am a CPA who loves to read. I was in a number of on line reading/book club groups when I was approached to write reviews after reading books sent to me. As these were advanced copies, I could not sell them, but was allowed to keep any and I generally chose which books I wished to read and review as well as which genres I was interested in There were deadlines for the reviews and the only payment I received was the free book. I did nothing to arrange this gig and loved doing it, allow eventually the deadlines interfered with tax season hours and I let the reviews end. Worthwhile? Yes. Better now though with payments for the reviews, but I would still do them, even just for the free books!

Ms. Amber Naz

March 15, 2024 at 9:16 pm

How to join this opportunity???

August 21, 2023 at 10:34 am

I’m interested in this

Tammy L Thompson

September 04, 2023 at 3:39 pm

Is this legitimate I mean the date says Jane 3rd?

March 14, 2024 at 12:16 pm

I love reading books and so interested to start writing reviews also ….

October 14, 2023 at 2:38 am

I am really interested in reading.

October 22, 2023 at 10:16 pm

Hi I am interested in reading a book.

Thobelani Nkomo

December 21, 2023 at 8:15 am

I’m up if you looking for someone

January 02, 2024 at 3:40 pm

Books have always been apart of me. I love that I can get lost in the story, escape yor troubles. I can’t wait to start.

Anusiya Kirubaharan

March 18, 2024 at 2:34 pm

I am available to read a book. A book review can be done. I am in Canada.

January 07, 2024 at 1:54 am

I am interested

March 20, 2024 at 6:24 am

Funny how people who say they want a gig reading do not read the article that tells them how to get a gig reading.

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Side Hustles

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Home Side Hustle Basics Get Paid to Read Books

Get Paid to Read Books: Side Hustles for Bibliophiles

May 6, 2024

Written by:

Jessica Norris

Jessica is a writer for SideHustles.com. Her side hustles include freelance academic writing and editing, which she's done for...

Startup Time

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If you’re the type of person who often reads for pleasure, why not turn your passion into profit? There are many different kinds of side hustles that will pay you to read books, meaning you get to enjoy your favorite pastime while earning extra money—and probably get free books to boot.

We’ve found 6 gigs that will pay you to read books and 10 companies that will pay you to review books or do other reading-related work.

01. The 6 best ways to make money from reading

You can get paid to narrate, edit, or review books

Check out these 6 ways to make money from reading:

1. Narrate audiobooks

An audiobook narrator is someone who reads books aloud for audio recordings.

What requirements are there?

All you really need for audiobook narration is the right kind of voice, plus great diction and pronunciation. Your voice should be strong, clear, and expressive, and you should be able to maintain it over time.

This gig has a lot in common with starting a voice acting side hustle . If you want to work from home (as opposed to renting a studio), you’ll need certain equipment, like a microphone (ideally with a pop filter), a computer, and a quiet room for recording. If you can soundproof a spare room or your home office, that’s perfect.

How much can you make?

The pay for audiobook narration is extremely variable. On platforms like Upwork, rates for narrators range from $28 all the way up to $480 . As a newcomer to the field, you’ll probably have to start on the low end and work your way up.

Where can you find jobs?

Try general freelancing job boards like Upwork or Fiverr , as well as dedicated audiobook platforms like ACX and Findaway Voices .

Anything else I should know?

As an audiobook narrator, you probably won’t actually be paid by the hour. You may receive a one-off payment, a fee per “finished hour” (where you’re paid for the total number of hours the audiobook lasts, as opposed to the time you spend recording), or a share of the audiobook royalties.

2. Proofread manuscripts

A proofreader is someone who carefully reviews written content for accuracy and consistency in terms of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Some proofreaders specialize in book manuscripts.

There are many proofreading certifications you can get that will give you a boost, although you don’t absolutely need any of them to land jobs. You do need a knack for spelling and grammar and a computer with an internet connection.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites an average hourly rate of $21.12 for proofreaders and copy markers (who have very similar roles).

Again, general freelancer sites like Upwork and Fiverr are a good place to start if you have no little or no relevant experience. To find more gigs proofreading book manuscripts, you can also offer your services to self-published authors or publishing companies (look for job listings on sites like Indeed ).

To find clients in the publishing industry, you can also join professional copyediting and proofreading associations (e.g., the American Society of Journalists and Authors , the Editorial Freelancers Association , or ACES ). These often have job boards or directories with freelance proofreading opportunities. They’re also helpful for networking in general.

3. Translate books

A translator is someone who converts written content from one language (the source language) into another (the target language).

You don’t need a certification or license to be a translator, but you obviously need to speak at least one other language fluently. You’ll also need great spelling and grammar in your target language (i.e., in English, if this is the language you’ll be translating into) and must have a computer with an internet connection.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites an average hourly rate of $29.68 for translators and interpreters.

Babelcube , TranslatorsCafe , and Translate.com are all platforms where translators can connect with authors and publishers who need their services. As usual, you can also try freelancer sites like Upwork or Fiverr (which are ideal if you have no little or no relevant experience) or general job sites like Indeed, Monster , and ZipRecruiter .

4. Become a book influencer

Book influencers are people who read and review books, then try to inspire others to read them. They use social media platforms to share their reviews, opinions, and recommendations.

Theoretically, anyone who can read can become a book influencer. That said, if you want to make real money from it, you need to build a large following and master the art of creating irresistible content. To do this, you’ll need to be likable, charismatic, and have a knack for writing or for recording videos.

The amount you can make as a book influencer depends entirely on the size of your audience. In the beginning, you won’t make much money at all, but if your content really takes off, you can make thousands of dollars per month.

You probably won’t be able to find traditional jobs or gigs as a book influencer. Instead, you’ll have to create and monetize your own content on a blog, Spotify (with a podcast), YouTube , TikTok , or other social media channels.

To monetize your book-related content, you can use tools like Google AdSense , Media.net , and the Amazon Associates program for affiliate marketing (which is where you place unique referral links or codes in your content; these will earn you commissions when people use them to buy books).

5. Write book reviews

A book reviewer is someone who reads books and shares their thoughts and opinions on what they’ve read. Most book reviews are written (e.g., as personal blog posts, social media posts, or reviews on book-related websites), but reviewers can also use other mediums, such as audio or video.

You don’t need any specific qualifications to write book reviews, just a computer with an internet connection.

Many websites that accept book reviews pay around $60 for them. There are much higher-paying gigs writing for national newspapers and other high-profile publications, but these are usually only accessible if you’re an established literary critic.

The sites and publications that will pay you to write book reviews include Online Book Club, Reedsy Discovery , Kirkus Media, and the US Review of Books. We’ll write about these sites in more detail in the section below.

You may also be able to find gigs on the general job boards we’ve already mentioned (e.g., Indeed, Monster, and Upwork).

You may need to send a pitch or a sample review to your chosen publication before you can start writing book reviews for them. To attract more opportunities, work on building a portfolio of your writing work. You should also network within the book-reviewing community (e.g., by joining relevant social media groups).

6. Beta reader or sensitivity reader

A beta reader is someone who reads a book manuscript before it’s published. When it comes to fiction, this means providing feedback on the plot, characters, pacing, and the overall reader experience. Beta readers help authors refine their work.

A sensitivity reader is similar, but they specialize in offering feedback on sensitive topics within a manuscript, such as anything related to diversity, culture, or mental health. The idea is to help authors address sensitive topics appropriately, avoid harmful stereotypes, and write more inclusively.

It’s easier to find people willing to pay for beta or sensitivity reads if you’re already established in an online writing community (e.g., on Twitter or Instagram). For sensitivity reading, you should focus on something you have personal experience with.

Some online sources suggest you can expect an hourly rate of $18 as a beta reader and much the same rate as a sensitivity reader. Upwork cites a higher hourly rate of $40 for professional beta reading services.

To find beta reading opportunities, check out websites like Goodreads and Wattpad , which provide platforms for connecting with authors in need of beta readers. You can also try networking via online writing communities or social media groups.

02. 10 companies that will pay you to read books

Many companies will pay you to proofread, review, or summarize books

If any of the side hustle ideas listed above sound good to you, then the next step is to look for your first paid gig. Check out these 10 opportunities to get paid for reading books:

1. The U.S. Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books is a reputable contemporary publication that features independent book reviews. It’s run by professional reviewers and editors, and it provides a platform for writers to share their thoughts and opinions on books.

The U.S. Review of Books accepts 250–300-word reviews from freelance book reviewers. The review has to include a summary of the book, plus your own thoughts on it.

To submit a review for publication, you have to send the editor a resume, a sample of your work, and at least two professional references. You can email all of this to [email protected] .

Rates : The U.S. Review of Books website doesn’t clearly indicate the rates it pays, but some sources suggest it pays $25–$75 per book review .

2. Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews is a popular magazine that features unbiased book reviews. It’s considered a good source of information for readers, authors, libraries, and anyone in the publishing industry. It reviews books of all lengths in nearly all genres.

Kirkus Indie is the section of the magazine that’s dedicated to self-published authors. It often accepts submissions from freelance writers and reviewers.

You can pitch a book review to Kirkus Indie by submitting your resume, writing samples (although they don’t specify how many of these you should send in), and a list of reviewing specialties (e.g.,  literary fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, or other genres). You can do this by emailing them to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp at [email protected] .

If your pitch is accepted, you’ll have to write a review of about 350 words. It will be due two weeks after you’re assigned the book.

Rates : The Kirkus website doesn’t mention how much they pay per review; reports suggest that the rate is around $50–$75 per article.

3. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is an international news website for those who work in the book trade (e.g., publishers, booksellers, librarians, and literary agents). It publishes book reviews along with other articles and features on various topics, such as book releases, author interviews, industry events, and market trends.

Publishers Weekly’s reviews cover many categories and genres of books, including fiction, children’s books, comics, poetry, and more.

Their jobs page sometimes has opportunities for freelancers to write book reviews for them. Check regularly for openings if you’re interested in writing for them.

The usual process for application is to send a resume and a 200-word sample review of a recently published book to [email protected] .

Rates : Online reports suggest that $25 per review is Publishers Weekly’s normal rate.

4. Booklist Online

Booklist Online is a book review magazine that’s published by the American Library Association (an organization that represents librarians and library professionals in the US). The magazine is aimed at school and public libraries, library users, and book lovers.

As well as book reviews, Booklist features recommendations for adult and children readers, author interviews, thematic lists, and in-depth articles about the world of books and literature.

Booklist sometimes has opportunities for freelance book reviewers (although they say you need to be familiar with both books and libraries to write for them). To apply, see the instructions on how to write reviews for Booklist , which provides more information on their requirements and links to the application form for new reviewers.

Your review should be 150 to 175 words in length, and Booklist specifies that it should “place each work in context, provide a synopsis of plot and other appeal, suggest the ideal audience, and offer readalikes.”

Rates : Booklist pays $15 per review.

5. BookBrowse

BookBrowse is a digital magazine for book lovers. It features book reviews of adult fiction and nonfiction, and some books for young adults. It also has articles, author interviews, recommendations, exclusive previews of notable books, and resources for book clubs.

To apply, use the reviewer application form (which also has instructions on how to write reviews for BookBrowse). Note that you will have to submit two sample reviews of at least 300 words.

Rates : The BookBrowse website says that reviewers receive a “modest payment,” but they don’t specify how much.

6. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is an online community for book lovers. The site publishes book reviews, author interviews, and literary discussions. There are also forums for readers and opportunities for members to participate in book giveaways and sweepstakes, try out various reading challenges, and take part in other activities.

To become a book reviewer for Online Book Club, sign up on their website . They don’t specify how many words you’ll need to produce if you’re selected to write a review for them, but most of the reviews on their site are several hundred words long.

Rates : According to the Online Book Club website, most payouts are $5–$60 per review.

7. Women’s Review of Books

Unlike the other entries in this list, the Women’s Review of Books is a print publication—a feminist literary journal that publishes feature essays and book reviews with a focus on women. Its reviews are primarily of women’s and gender studies scholarship, as well as fiction, poetry, and memoirs by women.

They don’t specify how many words you’ll have to write for their reviews, but it probably won’t be more than 1,000 words (as most book reviews are shorter than this).

If you’d like to pitch a review idea to them, they recommend emailing it to [email protected] .

Rates : According to online reports, they pay $100 per review.

8. BookWritten

BookWritten is a book-focused online publication featuring reviews along with book recommendations, book-related articles and listicles, author interviews, and other content about the literary world.

If you’re interested in writing for them, they suggest emailing [email protected] to introduce yourself and tell them about your love for reading and writing. They also say that you should name a few of your favorite books, and if possible, share some of your own online content.

Rates : BookWritten says they pay their freelance writers, but they don’t specify how much.

9. Instaread

Instaread is somewhat different from the other sites and publications we’ve discussed so far. It’s an app that breaks books down into small, bite-sized summaries accompanied by analyses of key concepts and themes. People can use Instaread to get a quick overview of a book’s main ideas and decide if they want to read it.

As such, this isn’t actually a review-writing gig. Instead, you have to read a book, write a summary, and analyze key details. The total word count should be 1,375–1,500 words.

To apply, check the list of titles that Instaread wants covered . Note that the list of titles may vary, and there were no titles on it at the time of writing, but it’s still worth checking back for updates.

Rates : User comments on online communities suggest that Instaread pays $100 per summary.

10. Writerful Books

Writerful Books is an Australian company that offers affordable book editing and other similar services, such as beta and sensitivity reading. It hires freelancers from many other countries, including the US.

Their website says that they’re looking for book reviewers and beta readers. If you’re interested in either of these gigs, Writerful Books suggests contacting them through their website and telling them about yourself.

Rates : Writerful Books reportedly pays $10–$50 per review.

03. What are the advantages of a reading-related side hustle?

Your reading habit could be the perfect inspiration for your new side hustle

If you’re the bookish type, the perks of a side hustle that involves reading are obvious. With all of the side hustles listed above:

• You can pick your own working schedule
• You can work from almost anywhere (as long as you can get a good internet connection and have access to books)
• Startup costs and overhead are both minimal
• You can get paid to do something you love
• You have the chance to express yourself and develop intellectually
• You (usually) won’t have to interact much with people, making these great side hustles for introverts

That said, getting paid to read isn’t a perfect gig; if it was, everyone who liked books would do it. As you’ve probably gathered, it isn’t the highest-paid work out there.

Reading a book and writing a solid review of it takes time and effort, and the kinds of payouts you can realistically expect ($60 or so) aren’t particularly high. It’s possible to turn your love of reading into a more lucrative side hustle, but it will take time, a lot of dedication, and a bit of luck.

Other side hustle ideas for book lovers

If you love reading but the jobs listed above sound like too much work for too little reward, here are a few more side hustles you can investigate:

• Part-time librarian : This is someone who works in a library helping out with tasks such as finding books for people, carrying out research, providing guidance on using library databases and catalog systems, offering recommendations for reading materials, and more.
• Part-time bookstore clerk : With this job, you’ll work in a bookstore and assist customers with finding books, offer recommendations, organize shelves, handle transactions, and help maintain the inventory.
• Book marketing assistant : In this role, you’ll help authors and publishers promote and sell books. You might be involved in tasks like running social media campaigns, organizing book events, or coordinating book tours, for example.
• Literary agent assistant : This is someone who helps literary agents with their work of representing authors and selling book rights. Literary agent assistants may help with reading and submitting manuscripts, writing letters, negotiating contracts, and other administrative tasks.

Some of these positions will have rigid hours, which makes them less suitable for side hustles, but you may also be able to scale them down by looking for a remote version of the role.

In particular, you can become a virtual assistant for someone who works in publishing (or even an author or another book reviewer) to dip your toes in the literary world without making too big of a commitment.

04. Other side hustles for book-lovers to try

We’ve gone over the best ways to get paid to read, but there are dozens of worthwhile side hustles that didn’t make it onto this list, many of which are also perfect for readers, writers, and other bookish people. Explore more ways to fund your reading habit below.

Article Sources

• Amazon. "Customer Reviews" Retrieved July 14, 2023.

Robert Jellison

Managing Editor

Robert is a writer and editor for SideHustles.com. He has 7+ years of experience in freelance writing and previously worked as the in-house editor for Compose.ly, a platform for remote and part-time writers.

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10 Best Ways to Get Paid to Read Books

R.J. Weiss, CFP®

• Updated July 06, 2024

There are many legit ways to get paid to read books. Some are traditional jobs, while others involve freelance work or starting a side hustle. This article highlights the best options, focusing exclusively on opportunities that pay actual money (not just free books or swag).

Table of Contents

#1. Write Book Reviews

Quick summary : Thanks to all the self-published books flooding the market these days, book review companies and websites can’t afford to hire enough full-time staff to keep up. That means they hire freelancers to give honest reviews of new books. With hundreds of thousands of books being published each year, a book reviewer’s job is to help readers choose where their book reading time and money are best spent.

Skills and requirements : A good reviewer can quickly sum up the plot of a book without spoilers. They can also make a compelling argument as to why people should read the book (or why they should pass on it), without falling back too much on their own preferences. Being familiar with literary criticism is helpful but not necessary, although you should spend some time reading an outlet like the New York Times Book Review to get a feel for the format.

Earning potential : While there are legitimate companies that will pay you to review books, the rate is usually low on a per-hour basis. If it takes three hours to write a review that you sell for $25, you’ve barely made minimum wage. However, the benefit for you is the chance to gain some experience and get a byline, which can boost your profile as a book reviewer and open up better paying opportunities (like writing for newspapers and magazines). These bylines can also be useful for establishing credibility if you decide to start your own book review blog (see #5, below).

Getting started : Here’s a list of outlets that pay cash for book reviews and are open to writers with little or no experience.

• Book Browse : This is an online magazine that publishes reviews and news about the publishing industry. There are not a lot of opportunities however, and the site provides only a byline and “modest” payment.
• Booklist : This is a review journal for librarians. The work ranges from writing blog posts to full book reviews. The site pays between $12.50 and $15 per book review, which is low. That said, it’s a legit outlet and a good place to have a byline.
• Kirkus Reviews : Kirkus Media encompasses a few different businesses, including Kirkus Reviews and Kirkus Indie. Kirkus Reviews is a magazine and website that publishes reviews across a variety of genres, on books both self-published and traditionally-published. Reviews are typically around 350 words each.
• Online Book Club : This review site gives you a free copy of the book you’re reviewing and pays for honest reviews. Reviewers earn between $5 and $60 per review.
• Publishers Weekly : This is a mainstream magazine and website focused on the book publishing industry. It lists jobs for other companies on its job board, and sometimes review opportunities for itself.
• Reedsy Discovery : Reedsy is dedicated to reviewing self-published books. Authors can contact a book reviewer directly, and readers are paid via tips by readers who appreciated the review.
• US Review of Books : This is a free monthly newsletter of book reviews covering both fiction and non-fiction. Submit a resume, writing sample, and two or more references. If you’re accepted, you can choose from a list of books to review that’s posted on the site. Books are assigned on a “first come, first served” and “best-fit basis.” Reviewers are paid each month for completed reviews from the previous month.

#2. Proofread Books

Quick summary : A proofreader checks text for spelling, grammar and typographical errors. Proofreaders are vital because it’s difficult for writers to spot their own mistakes. When you read over your own work, it’s easy to overlook small mistakes because you’re laser-focused on improving the content. Plus, you’ve read the work so many times that your eyes start to gloss over the details. That’s why almost every book or article is reviewed by a proofreader prior to publication.

Skills and requirements : There are several software programs (like Grammarly ) that can help catch mistakes, but they all use algorithms. As such, they only go so far and they’re no substitute for a human proofreader. Those with an English or literature degree will excel at this job, but anyone with a good eye for small errors that a regular reader wouldn’t notice — as well as a good grasp of spelling, grammar and punctuation — can thrive in this field.

Earning potential : Thousands of authors self-publish books and sell them online (primarily via Amazon), and they often turn to freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork to hire a proofreader. This means there’s a lot of work available for aspiring proofreaders, and you can expect to make between $25 and $50 per hour — although you might have to start out with lower rates to gain experience and build a reputation

Getting started : Read our guide to starting a freelance proofreading career , and check out Proofread Anywhere, which offers a free 76-minute workshop .

Learn How to Become a Proofreader

Proofread Anywhere is the go-to resource for people looking to break into the work-from-home proofreading industry. The free 76-minute workshop explains how to know whether proofreading is a good fit for you, and how to get started if you decide that it is.

Further reading : Here’s a step-by-step guide for getting your first job on Upwork , and a complete guide to making money on Fiverr .

#3. Edit Books

Quick summary : Editing is different from proofreading, although some clients expect their proofreaders to edit and vice versa. Traditionally, proofreaders check for errors but don’t alter the structure of the text, whereas editors (sometimes called copyeditors) make revisions that improve the accuracy and readability of the content, focusing on things like sentence structure, tone and word choice — and sometimes even rewriting entire sections.

Skills and requirements : A good editor has a masterful command of the English language, including a large vocabulary and the ability to recognize where and what changes will make the text more accurate, more engaging, and easier to read. This includes identifying plot holes in fictional works (and either flagging or fixing them) and catching incorrect information in nonfiction writing.

Earning potential : Because editing is quite a bit more involved and skill-intensive than proofreading, there’s significantly more upside. If you have no experience, you’ll still start out at around $25 per hour. But as you build up your reputation, that can jump to as much as $100 an hour. Most top-tier editors work on fixed-price contracts, charging along the lines of $3,000 to edit a 50,000-word manuscript.

Getting started : Just like proofreading, freelancing sites Fiverr and Upwork have a lot of job postings for editors (all the way from beginners to experts). If you don’t have past editing experience, bid low on your first couple of proposals in order to gain experience and positive reviews from clients — both of which are prerequisites for landing better-paying jobs in the future.

Note : Sites like FlexJobs sometimes have listings from traditional publishing houses looking to hire remote editors for full-time positions, but the competition for those jobs is fierce and usually requires at least a few years of professional experience. Your best bet — especially as a freelancer — is to look for jobs on Upwork and Fiverr working with self-published authors and very small publishing companies.

#4. Narrate Audio Books

Quick summary : Not all authors narrate their own books. Some don’t want to, and some don’t have suitable voices. That’s where paid narrators come in — they get paid to read books aloud for audiobooks.

Skills and requirements : A good narrator needs more than a pleasant voice; they must be able to engage the listener, have a good sense of timing, and be able to use different voices or inflections for different characters.

Earning potential : Narrators can earn $100 per finished hour of narration for reading audiobooks. Of course, there will be additional time for every usable hour, so it doesn’t work out to $100 per 60 minutes of total reading.

Getting started : Here’s a list of the top platforms for finding work reading audiobooks.

• ACX : Owned by Amazon (which also owns Audible), ACX is a platform that connects writers with narrators. You can create a profile and upload samples for those seeking voice actors. Payment is between you and the client, and you can choose to be paid per finished hour or to share royalties.
• Findaway Voices : This site is much like Fiverr, only it’s exclusively for voice actors. You post a narrator profile as well as details about your skills and setup, like which accents you can perform, your preferred genres, and what kind of a studio you have to record in. As a voiceover actor, you can set up an account for free and you pay the site a 20% commission.
• Fiverr : The classic go-to site for gig work, Fiverr has an active community of narrators and voiceover actors in a variety of languages. You can post your profile picture as well as the narration services you offer. Along with recording audiobooks, Fiverr freelancers commonly offer narration for YouTube videos, voicemail recordings, instructional videos, tutorials and more
• The Voice Realm : If you have a little experience under your belt, you can register with The Voice Realm to give clients access to your dry demo (a studio recording of your voice without any background music or noise). This site is geared to those with access to studio-quality equipment, and some big-name brands like PayPal and AT&T use voice actors from the site.
• Voices : Upload your recordings to your free account, and if a client likes your work, they will invite you to apply for a job. Voices’ premium service automatically invites you to jobs that match your skills, but it comes with a hefty $499 per year price tag.
• Voice 123 : This site offers a tiered membership plan. You can be invited to up to seven projects with a free subscription, but the more you pay, the more you’ll appear in clients’ search results for voice acting gigs. (You’ll also compete with fewer voice actors.)
• VOPlanet : This site only accepts professional voice actors with pro-grade demos and studio-quality work and equipment. It costs $199 per year to use, but you’re paid by the client directly; VOPlanet doesn’t take a cut of your earnings.

#5. Blog About Books

Quick summary : One of the best ways to make money as a book reviewer is by starting your own blog. This gives you total control over what genre and which books you cover, and allows you to build a following by establishing expertise within a particular niche. Authors and publishers are hungry for publicity, and you’ll find they’re eager to work with a reviewer who is well regarded among their target audience.

Skills and requirements : As with reviewing books for the sites listed above, it’s helpful if you have a general understanding of literary criticism. That doesn’t mean you need to know how to evaluate a novel through the prism of academic literary deconstruction, but you should have a solid grasp on what makes book reviews compelling and effective. Namely, you should be able to distill the essence of a book down into a few succinct paragraphs that make an argument about whether or not it’s worth reading.

The good news is that you don’t need much in the way of technical skills to create a blog, as sites like Bluehost make it easy for even the most tech-challenged bloggers to get and keep a site up-and-running.

Earning potential : Bloggers can make anywhere from nothing to a little extra cash to as much as six figures. Your earning potential depends on your skill, motivation and work ethic. You’ll earn money by showing display ads on your website, as well as by adding an Amazon affiliate link when you mention books. (Every time someone clicks this affiliate link and buys a book, you’ll earn a commission.)

Getting started : It may seem obvious, but the key is to simply publish your first review. People worry too much about perfecting every detail of their blog before they launch, but the truth is that you don’t need a fancy design or a bunch of bells and whistles. Just focus on writing one great review that people will love and click “publish.” And then, prepare yourself for the fact that not too many people are going to read it, as it usually takes around nine months for a new blog to start seeing any meaningful amount of traffic.

Next steps : Learn how to set up a blog fast and cheap with Bluehost , and then read our detailed guide to making money as a blogger .

#6. Create a Book-Focused YouTube Channel

Quick summary : Many people prefer to watch (or listen to) book reviews, as opposed to reading them. The primary source they turn to is YouTube, which allows you to earn money from the ads that run alongside your videos.

Skills and requirements : Reviewers need to be able to engage their audience with not only words but also their personality, so it helps to have some charisma. And while you can do nothing more than talk into your phone’s camera and upload it, producing high-quality videos — which tend to perform better, as you might expect — requires more equipment, knowledge and time.

Earning potential : There are several ways to monetize a channel, including ads, affiliate marketing, paid reviews, Patreon, and “super chats” during live streams. How much you can earn varies too widely to predict here, but as with blogging it runs the gamut from pennies to millions.

Getting started : It really is as easy as talking into your phone and uploading it, but check out a few of the big reviewers — like PeruseProject , Hailey in Bookland and PolandBananasBooks — to see what successful channels look like.

See also : How much YouTubers make .

#7. Write Book Summaries

Quick summary : Book summaries are like Cliff Notes — very brief encapsulations of the most important takeaways. They aren’t really intended for those who read for pleasure. Rather, they’re for those who need to read on a specific topic to learn something for their personal lives or careers and want quick summaries that will help them choose the best book for their purposes.

Skills and requirements : It’s hard to give the gist of an entire book in just a few words (compared to the length of the book) so you have to be able to understand the essence and main points of the book when reading it, and then distill those down into digestible nuggets for quick consumption. It’s a little bit like writing book reviews, except that you’re providing a straightforward account of what’s contained in the book, rather than making a critical argument in favor of (or against) its merits.

Earning potential : Most of this work is on a freelance basis, so it varies widely.

Getting started : getAbstract has freelance opportunities; you can create a blog or YouTube channel doing summaries; or you can create and sell a course on Udemy (like the Top 10 Personal Finance Books of 2023 ) where you essentially “teach” the content of the books via video.

#8. Offer Freelance Reading Services

Quick summary : You’ve heard of freelance writers , but maybe not freelance readers! Literary agents are overwhelmed with manuscripts from writers hoping to hire representation (which is usually the first step in selling a book to a traditional publisher). As a result, they sometimes hire freelance readers to go through the submissions and weed out the obvious rejections.

Skills and requirements : Readers must have an eye for talent and quickly be able to summarize in a memo the content of the manuscripts they read (and why the agent should or should not give the book their own time and attention).

Earning potential : Between $25 and $100 per book.

Getting started : Pitch to literary agents directly, or look on freelance sites like Upwork for opportunities. Jennifer Wright, who has experience working for literary agencies, wrote a great column on how to get into the field .

#9. Conduct Research

Quick summary : Research doesn’t usually involve reading books per se, but it does involve a lot of reading! You’ll research a variety of topics for different kinds of clients, including authors who need research conducted in order to write their own books. If you establish a good relationship with them, you may be able to parlay this gig into a proofreading or editing role.

Skills and requirements : Anyone can use Google, so you’ll need to be able to track down other, perhaps more obscure sources of information — and know how to fact check everything you find for accuracy.

Earning potential : It varies according to the complexity of the research and the turnaround time.

Getting started : Wonder is a company that hires researchers to dig into topics and answer questions for their clients. Apply online and, if you’re approved, you can browse opportunities in the dashboard, accept assignments and submit your work. You can also find research work on freelancer sites like Upwork.

#10. Work in the Publishing Industry

Every word that makes it into a book has to be read first, so working in the publishing industry is a great way to get paid to read books. Publishing entails everything from cookbooks to fantasy novels, so keep that in mind when you’re looking for publishing houses to work for. This field has a few different job titles, such as agent and editor, that involve reading submissions and getting them ready for print.

The jobs in publishing with the heaviest reading duties are editor, copywriter and literary agent. Copywriters correct punctuation and read the text for flow and grammar, whereas editors check for appropriate voice, pace, and plot holes. Literary agents are the liaison between authors and publishing companies.

Skills and requirements : To make it in publishing, you’ll need to be a fast, accurate reader. You’ll need a keen eye for detail to catch grammatical errors, factual discrepancies and plot inconsistencies. You’ll also need a degree in English, writing, communications or a similar field.

Earning potential : As a full-time literary agent, you’ll make an average of around $50,000 per year . Book editors can expect to make about $63,000 annually , and copywriters make closer to $56,000 .

Getting started : Many people get their start in the publishing industry with an internship. Look at individual publishers’ websites (like HarperCollins and Penguin Random House ) to find opportunities.

FAQs About Making Money by Reading Books

If you have the interest and skill, reading books aloud (audiobook narration) is the most lucrative way to make money reading books. It’s possible to make $100 per hour with minimal experience, and more as you build a reputation.

While proofreading requires a high level of concentration and attention to detail, it’s not particularly difficult work. Additionally, it has the lowest barrier to entry of any option on this list. Of course, the pay reflects that. If you choose to start out as a proofreader, we recommend thinking about how to transition from proofreader to editor, which pays significantly better.

WordRated is a legitimate research and analytics company that pays people to read (and analyze) novels. In 2022, they did pay $200 per completed novel, although this opportunity is no longer available. 

Book translation requires a high level of skill because you have to translate not only the literal meaning of the words on the page, but also things like the style and tone of the work. As such, it’s a role that’s usually performed by experienced editors. However, there are some book translation jobs available on Upwork.

If you decide to review books, you’ll often be sent a digital copy that you can read on your Amazon Kindle rather than a physical copy, though this is not always the case.

The Best Ways to Get Paid for Reading Books

Books are expensive — especially if you can’t bear to wait for the cheaper paperback version to come out, or if you refuse to embrace e-books (which are often the cheapest way to buy new titles). But if you can earn money by reading books (and sometimes get free books as part of the deal) your hobby will pay for itself .

If you’re looking at this more from a side hustle or career perspective, keep in mind that there are a limited number of full-time art criticism jobs (and the number has been declining for decades). Those jobs are super competitive and you’ll need real talent and experience to land them. Writing reviews as a freelancer can be a decent way to make extra money and get free books, but it will be difficult to earn enough to make it a full-time job.

But there’s still a strong demand among book lovers for high-quality content, and that makes blogging and YouTube our choices for the best options over the long term. While you’ll only make a little extra cash when you’re getting started, these can be lucrative ways to make money online if you’re willing to put in the required work.

Proofreading and editing can also be good ways to make money reading, but building your own blog or YouTube channel allows you to focus on the projects you really care about. Plus, these options have the most upside, as your earning potential is only limited by your skill and motivation.

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10 Best Websites to Get Paid To Read Books ($200 Per Review)

I know the feeling – your shelves are overflowing, your Kindle is packed, but you just can’t get enough of diving into a new story.

As much as you’d love to spend all day reading, you probably don’t have the time or money to buy every book you want.

But what if I told you there are websites willing to pay you to do what you already enjoy?

It’s true – you can actually get paid to read books! Fascinated?

In this post, we’ll share 10 sites that will actually pay you to read.

And we’re not just talking chump change here either.

If you play your cards right, you could earn up to $200 per book review!

Not too shabby for doing something you already enjoy, right?

Then cozy up in your favorite reading spot and keep on scrolling to learn about these fantastic sites that pay you to read!

Table of Contents

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How To Make Money From Reading Books?

Here are some of the most popular ways to make money from reading books:

• Start a Blog : You can start your own blog and then publish your book reviews on them. There will be no restrictions, you can write whatever you want and whenever you want. However, earning through a blog takes a lot of time and energy. But once your blog grows, you can easily earn money through affiliate marketing.
• Start a Book Club: You can start a book club and have weekly online or offline discussions about your recent reads and recommendations. As an organizer, you can charge a small amount of fees to the members. Starting a book club will not only help you earn extra but will also make you happy after talking to like-minded people.
• Become a Proofreader: The job of a proofreader is to make sure the content is free of any spelling, grammatical, and punctuation mistakes . To become a proofreader, you must have a good hold of the English language and an eye for details.
• Become a Podcaster: You can start a podcast and talk about your favorite books, give recommendations, and much more. Earning initially through Podcast is difficult but when your podcast reaches a certain level, you will be able to earn money through advertising and sponsorships.
• Become an Audio Narrator: If you have good narration and English speaking skills then you can also earn money as an audio narrator. You just have to read the script out loud.
• Become a Book Reviewer: The basic job of a book reviewer is to write book reviews after reading the assigned novel. There are many websites that hire book reviewers to review content on their website for a substantial amount of pay.

How Much Can You Make By Reading Books

Here is an updated table summarizing the ways to earn money by reading books mentioned in the previous message, including estimated earnings:

The amount of money that can be earned by reading books varies depending on the position.

For example, book reviewers may get paid around $5 to $200 per review, while audiobook could make anywhere from $10 to $500 per finished hour, depending on their level of experience

Book proofreaders can earn an estimated $15 to $25 per hour , while book bloggers can earn up to $10,000 per month through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and advertising. 

10 Best Websites to Get Paid To Read Books

Below are the 10 websites that you can use to get paid to read books:

Website: Kirkus

Profile: Book Reviewer

Pay Scale: $50-$40 Pre Review

Kirkus magazine is one of the most famous websites for trusted book reviews. This website reviews self-published books even before their publication, dealing in almost every genre.

Kirkus magazine is currently looking for freelancers to review English and Spanish-language books. If you want to get paid to review books at Kirkus. Then you have to send your application with writing samples here .

After you are selected, you will be asked to share your genre preferences. According to your preferences, you will receive 1-2 books per month to review.

Then you will be given 2 weeks time to submit the review of your assigned book. Kirkus magazine pays $50 for 350 words review, and $40 for 250 words (picture books).

2. Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)

Website: ACX

Profile: Audiobook Narrator

Pay Scale: Project Basis

If you have good narration or mic anchoring skills, then you can also earn money by reading audiobooks in ACX.

Audiobook creation exchange is a platform for authors to connect with narrators. Then these audiobooks are sold to various sites such as Audible and Amazon.

To be a narrator at ACX, you have to create a profile and then audition for narrating a manuscript via ACX.

If you get selected, you will r eceive offers from various authors to narrate their books. You can then decide on payment terms and submission dates with the authors.

You can decide to get payments on an hourly basis or once the audiobook is successfully completed. You can also have a discussion over the share of royalties.

Website: Fiverr

Profile: Proofreader

Proofreading is a process of removing all grammatical, punctuational, and spelling errors from a text. Every author or publisher hires a proofreader to bulletproof their content. Without proofreading no book can be published.

A proofreading job does not demand any specific skill or qualification. Anybody who has a good command of English, a laptop, and a steady internet connection can apply for this job.

Most of the proofreading jobs are posted on Fiverr . Fiverr is one of the best freelancing websites, it connects freelancers with clients.

On Fiverr, you can make your own profile and start providing freelance services like proofreading, ebook writing, book reviews, etc.

Clients will contact you if they are interested in your services and then once they order form you, you will get paid.

4. Booklist

Website: Booklist

Pay Scale: $15 Per Review

Booklist is yet another magazine that hires freelancers to review books. Its main aim is to give suggestions and recommendations to schools and public library workers.

Visit here to submit your application as a book reviewer on Booklet. While submitting the application the reviewers are expected to submit writing samples and a list of their preferred genres.

Each reviewer is expected to submit a detailed review around 150-175 words per book. Once the review is published on the website, you will be paid $15 per review.

If a review is put on hold for whatever reason, you will have to wait for the review to get published and then only you will receive the payment. If you reject a book, you will get fined for $5 . All accepted reviewers will also get a free subscription to Booklet magazine.

5. Instaread

Website: Instraread

Profile: Summarizer

Pay Scale: $100 for a 1000-1500 words summary

If you are not interested in writing small book reviews and want to earn big then you can also be a summarizer at Instaread. Instaread is a platform that provides summaries and insights of books in text and audible formats.

Instaread is famous for in-depth summaries (more than 25mins). Whereas all other platforms only provide small summaries (around 10-15 mins).

Submit your Instaread application here . All the summarizers receive $100 for a 1000-1500 words summary. All the summaries are then further edited and covered in audio. Accepted summarizers also get free access to the Instaread app.

6. Women’s Review of Books

Website: Women’s Review of Books

Pay Scale: $100 Per 700-1200 Words In-Depth Review

If you are tired of just reviewing books and want to expand your horizons. Then join the Women’s Review of Books platform to review not just books but also poetry, memoirs, graphic novels, etc.

Women’s Review of Books is a print publication for feminist book reviews. This magazine mostly reviews books written by women. If you are interested in being a reviewer at Women’s Review of Books, send them an email with your proposal here.

The company provides no specific information on how many words are compulsory for the review. However, it is generally between 700-1200 words for $100 per review.

7. Writerful Books

Website: Writerful Books

Pay Scale: $10- $50

Writerful Books is a platform that helps new and emerging authors to get their books published. They offer services such as book editing, beta reading, etc.

All book reviews in Writerful Books are written by honest reviewers. They do not use any AI software such as Chatgpt to generate reviews.

Wonderful Books is always looking for reviewers with different backgrounds and perspectives. The best thing about this platform is that it allows you to review the book of your liking.

To be a book reviewer at Writerful Books, you have to fill out the application form here . After filling out the form, an editor will contact you if your book becomes the book of the month. Depending on the quality of the revie w, you can receive payment between $10 to $50 per review.

8. eBookFairs

Website: eBookFairs

Pay Scale: $10 For Every 200 Words Review

eBookFairs is an online platform that helps authors all over the world to organize virtual fairs. They create a community of authors who come together to increase the awareness of each other’s books.

Apart from this, eBookFairs also has a ‘ Paid Reader Program’ . Where they recruit book reviewers to review the books listed on their platform.

If you review books that are l ess than 100 pages, then you won’t get paid . To earn money through eBookFairs, you have to review books that have more than 100 pages and then they will pay you $10 for every 200-word review.

They have a limited number of positions open for book reviewers, so instantly submit your application here and make sure to read all the terms and conditions beforehand.

If you get accepted then you will have to write the first 2 reviews for free and you will be expected to submit at least 1 review per month . Otherwise, you will get hired.

9. U.S. Review of Books

Website: U.S. Review of Books

Pay Scale: $25-$75 (Depending Upon The Word Count)

U.S. Review of Books is a platform that provides book reviews via its popular monthly newsletter. They not only allow you to choose the book for review but also pay a handsome amount.

To be a book reviewer at the U.S. Review of Books, you have to submit an application along with your writing samples and two professional references via email. You can find the email here .

U.S. Review of Books works on a freelance basis. This means that the title of the books will be posted on their website and if you want to review it then you have to request the author.

The author will then assign the book according to your profile. Once the book is assigned to you, you will be given around 2-3 weeks to submit an honest review of the book as well as a recommendation rating.

The payment for the reviews will be purely based on the quality as well as quantity of the book. U.S. Review of Books pays around $25 for 300 words and $75 for 600 words.

10. Reedsy Discovery

Website: Reedsy Discovery

Pay Scale: Tip Basis ($1, $3, or $5)

Reedsy Discovery is an online platform that hires book reviewers to review books before their publication. It helps authors to launch and market their books via posting book reviews on their discovery feed.

To be a book reviewer at Reedsy Discovery, you have to send your application with a writing sample of a minimum of 300 words here.

Once you get selected as a book reviewer, you can browse through the available titles and select the book of your liking for reviewing. But if you have a stunning profile at Reedsy Discovery, your authors will also contact you to write reviews of their books.

You do not get paid by the authors for writing a review of their book, like other platforms. In Reedsy Discovery, if r eaders like your book review then they will send you tips ($1, $3, or $5) . The deadline for submitting an article is set by the author or publisher.

FAQ on How To Make Money Online Reading Books

Here are some frequently asked questions on how to get paid to read books.

Can I earn money by reading books?

Yes, you can earn money by reading books. You can become a book reviewer, a book influencer, or a book blogger and earn a full-time living.

If you want some quick cash you can provide services like audio narration, ebook writing and proofreader on freelance marketplaces.

Can I earn from Goodreads?

Goodreads doesn’t directly pay users, but offers indirect earnings through affiliate links, selling ad packages to authors/publishers, and revenue from book sales.

Those wanting to earn from books can try freelance reviewing or use Goodreads to connect with the book community, even without direct payouts.

Does Amazon pay you to read?

Amazon does not directly compensate for reading, but offers other ways to the authors to make money.

Kindle Direct Publishing enables earning royalties per page read when books are enrolled in KDP Select and available on Kindle Unlimited. Authors can earn up to 70% in royalties on sales in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, India, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia.

Additionally, Amazon’s affiliate program allows users to advertise Amazon products on their sites and earn up to 15% referral fees on sales of books, music, DVDs, toys, electronics, kitchenware, apparel, jewelry and more .

So while Amazon does not pay for reading itself, authors and affiliates can benefit financially in other ways through the platform.

Final Words

And there you have it – 10 awesome websites that will actually pay you to read more books!

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to sign up and start earning while I’m flying through my reading list!

Before you dive in though, make sure to read the fine print on how payment works for each website. Some only pay out after you hit minimum thresholds. You’ll want to pick the sites that best fit your reading speed and lifestyle.

Let me know in the comments if you end up trying any of these sites!

I’d love to hear about your experiences getting paid to do what you love.

If you found this article helpful, share it with your fellow bookworm friends and family so they can also explore the opportunities!

Happy reading and earning!

14 Legitimate Sites to Get Paid to Read Books

• By Caleb Reed
• Updated: December 3, 2021

Disclaimer : This post may contain affiliate links . If you click on a link, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Are you interested in getting paid to read books? Believe it or not, there are several websites that will pay you to write honest reviews of the latest titles.

If you have a wonderful voice, you may even be able make money reading books aloud as an audiobook narrator.

According to Forbes , there are between 600,000 and 1,000,000 new books published each year in the United States alone. Considering this, the demand for book reviewers and narrators is higher than ever.

So, if you’re a bookworm, why not turn your favorite pastime into a side hustle? Whether you’re an avid reader of fiction or nonfiction books, there’s a website that will pay you to write reviews for them!

In this post, we’ll discuss the 14 best websites to get paid to read books, other ways to make money that involve reading, and much more.

How to Get Paid to Read Books

After doing some research, we have determined that the 14 companies listed below offer some of the best opportunities to monetize reading. Some of them pay you to write book reviews, while others will pay you to do things like read books aloud.

While the majority of them will pay you cash via PayPal, a few towards the end of our list will pay you in the form of free books.

1. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is a very popular book review website that was established more than 15 years ago.

With their platform, you can expect to earn $5 to $60 for each book review, depending on the book’s length, etc.

However, your first review will be unpaid but you will receive the book for free. This is their way of determining if you’re a good fit for their company.

To get started, all you have to do is create an account, pick the genre of books you’re interested in, and provide your PayPal information. Once you’re registered, you will be provided a list of books you can review.

If you don’t like a book you read, it’s important that you’re super honest. Online Book Club is looking for genuine and honest reviews and not just positive ones.

2. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media is a reputable and well-known American magazine that reviews over 10,000 books every year. In fact, if you have browsed Amazon for popular books, you most likely have seen Kirkus Review snippets in the descriptions.

To apply, you will need to submit your resume, a portfolio of your writing samples, and a list of book genres that you specialize in.

They are currently looking for experienced book reviewers to publish reviews of English and/or Spanish-language titles covering a wide-range of books in many different genres.

They also sometimes hire editors and copy editors as well, so you will have multiple opportunities to make money reviewing books.

As a book reviewer for Kirkus Media, you will be expected to submit a 350-word review within two weeks of being assigned a book.

3. Writerful Books

Writerful Books is an author services platform that provides freelance opportunities for book reviewers in all stages of their career, such as beta reading and book reviewing.

Contemporary titles by award-wining American, Canadian, British, Australian, Irish, and New Zealand authors are among the most reviewed. However, you can review any books you’re interested in

With Writerful, you will be paid $10 to $50 per book review depending on how in-depth they are. You will also receive a $100 Amazon gift card if you’re the reviewer who writes the highest quality reviews.

However, you won’t get paid when you’re just starting out so expect to put in a lot of time on their platform. Once you become an experienced and trusted reviewer with Writerful Books, they will begin paying you for your book reviews.

4. The U.S. Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books is a very well-known newsletter that publishes thousands of reviews of books in all kinds of genres. As a result, they are always hiring freelance writers to write book reviews for their website.

To apply, all you have to do is email them your resume, sample work, and two professional references.

If you’re accepted, the process to start reviewing books is rather simple. When a new book is listed, you can request to read and review it.

Whether or not you’re assigned the book depends if you’re a good fit based on your background, interests, and experience.

Reviews are due within 2 to 3 weeks of being assigned a book. The reviews are expected to be right around 300 words and edited in Chicago style.

Reviewers get paid on the fifth day of each month via check for all reviews written and published the previous month.

5. Women’s Review of Books

Published by The Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College, the Women’s Review of Books is a prestigious and long-lasting publication that reviews books by and about women.

The type of books this publication reviews are memoirs by women, scholarly works, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

To be considered as a book reviewer, you will need to email them your resume, cover letter, and a sample of your published reviews.

It’s also beneficial if you’re academic, journalist or an experienced reviewer with several years of experience, as these are a majority of their contributors.

As a book reviewer for WRB, you can expect to earn up to $100 for each written and published review.

WRB will expect your reviews to be lively, thought-provoking, and appealing to a broad range of potential readers.

6. BookBrowse

BookBrowse is an online magazine for bookworms that publishes reviews and other information on fiction and nonfiction titles.

If you’re interested in being a reviewer for BookBrowse, you will need to fill out their joining form by providing basic information about yourself and 2 sample book reviews with a minimum of 300 words each.

Once you’re accepted, you can browse through a selection of titles to see which ones you’re interested in reading and reviewing.

Whichever book you’re assigned, you will be required to write an honest review of around 300 words. You will also be required to write a “beyond the book” article, in which you will talk about one aspect of the book you found very interesting.

As a book reviewer for BookBrowse, you can expect to be assigned a book to review once a month and sometimes every few weeks. You will be paid once a month and can earn up to $50 for each review.

7. Any Subject Books

Any Subject Books is a full-suite, self-publishing website that will pay you cash to review individual books.

As a reviewer, you will work on a book-by-book basis to provide in-depth reviews of new titles. Considering this, you won’t have to make any long-term commitments.

They also make sure you’re reviewing books in genres that you actually enjoy reading. To do so, they will give you an outline of what the book is about before you commit to reading and reviewing it.

Once you have written an honest and objective review, it will be given to the author and they may post it on their website. If they do, it can’t be doctored in any way.

They pay you will receive for each book review will depend on multiple factors, such as the book volume and the difficulty of the book.

Any Subject Books doesn’t always accept new applications from book reviewers. If that’s the case while you’re reading this, simply check again later.

8. Booklist Online

Published by The American Liberty Association, Booklist is a highly prestigious review journal for librarians, booksellers, and educators. They currently publish more than 7,500 reviews per year of books in all kinds of genres.

To keep up with this level of publishing, they are almost always hiring freelance book reviewers to write reviews on a book-by-book basis.

Booklist pays $15 for each review written and published. They even pay $5 for any review that is rejected.

Reviews are typically expected to be short (right around 175 words each) and written professionally. However, depending on the book and approval from the editor, they can be up to 225 words long.

These short reviews are why Booklist describes itself as “the haiku of book reviewing.”

If you’re going to apply to become a reviewer for Booklist, research their guidelines, have some of your previous book reviews on hand, and then contact a Booklist editor to submit an application.

9. Publishers Weekly

A weekly news magazine, Publishers Weekly focuses on international industry news, interviews, book reviews, and more across a wide variety of genres.

Their target audiences are authors, librarians, media, publishers, booksellers, and literary agents.

With that said, they are almost always looking for book and article reviewers. They also have a career page where they post job opportunities for copyeditors, proofreaders, designers, marketers, and more.

To write book reviews for Publishers Weekly, you will need to submit your resume, a work portfolio, and 200-word sample reviews of recently published titles.

If you’re hired, they will assign you one book at a time to read and review. As a reviewer, you will be paid an honorarium. However, Publishers Weekly doesn’t specify what amount this is on their website.

10. Audiobook Creative Exchange

Audiobook Creative Exchange of Amazon (ACX) is an online marketplace that connects authors and publishers with audiobook narrators. With that said, their platform is a great way to get paid to read books if you’re interested in reading them aloud.

The books you can narrate are from all different types of genres, which are sold on platforms like Audible, iTunes, Amazon, and more.

To get started, just sign up, create an account, upload a portfolio of a few samples, and start giving auditions for books you’re interested in reading.

As an audio narrator for ACX, you can set your own pre-determined hourly rate. However, you can expect to earn $150 to $250 per hour if you’re a very experienced narrator.

You will also have the opportunity to earn royalties when people buy the audiobooks you narrated through Amazon and other platforms.

11. NetGalley

NetGalley is quite different than the other book review websites on our list. This publishing company focuses on connecting book reviewers with authors and publishers to write reviews of books before they’re even published.

Whether you’re a blogger, librarian, bookseller, or even media professional, you’re welcomed to sign up and start earning money by writing book reviews.

The process is super simple. Authors and publishers put digital review copies of their books on Netgalley for reviewers to see.

Once you find a book you’re interested in, you can request to read, review, and even recommend it.

This is a win-win situation for both the reviewer and author. You get to read books free of charge and the authors are able to receive constructive criticism to make changes as needed before publishing their books.

The sign up process is super easy and 100% free. All you have to do is fill out a basic form and then start picking books to review.

12. Findaway Voices

Very similar to Audiobook Creative Exchange of Amazon, Findaway Voices is also an online platform that connects authors with audiobook narrators.

With their platform, you can register for free as an audiobook narrator and create a portfolio to showcase your work. After doing so, you will be automatically recommended auditions for authors across the globe.

During your audition, you will record a section of their book, which should only take a few minutes. Depending on your performance, the author may or may not choose you to narrate their entire book.

So, before you start an audition, make sure you’re fully prepared to demonstrate your skills to their fullest extent.

As a narrator for Findaway Voices, you can expect to earn anywhere between $150 and $300 per hour spent narrating. However, Findaway Voices will take 20% of all profits.

13. Bethany House

Bethany House has been one of the top publishers that specializes in Christian books for more than 50 years.

Considering this, they are always looking for fans of Christian fiction and nonfiction titles to write reviews to help promote Christian authors and their books.

Aside from the plot synopsis, reviews are required to be a minimum of 75 words long. They will also expect you to publish your review on your blog and sites like Barnes & Noble.

To become a reviewer for Bethany House, you will need an understanding of the Bible, familiarity of The Chicago Manual of Style, and several years of experience as a book reviewer.

To apply, simply email them your resume and a cover letter. Be sure to include “Nonfiction Editor” in the subject line of your email to receive the quickest response.

14. Moody Press

Moody Press is a nonprofit publishing house that also specializes in fiction and non-fiction Christian titles and bible study resources.

Similar to Bethany House, while you won’t make money if you participate in their program, you will receive free copies of the books you review.

To apply, simply fill out and submit their online application. If you’re approved, you will be allowed to select one title at a time to review.

Once you’ve chosen, Moddy Press will send you the title within 7 to 10 days through the U.S. Postal Service Media.

You will be required to submit your review within 60 days of reading the book. Moody Press will also expect you to share your review on your blog and retailer sites like Amazon.

Other Ways to Make Money That Involve Reading

If you’re not interested in writing book reviews for these websites, there are several other ways you can make money that involve reading. Unlike book review websites, these jobs and side hustles will also offer the opportunity to earn a full-time income.

Proofreading or Copyediting

A job as a proofreader or copyeditor are both wonderful opportunities for anyone that loves to read.

Publishing houses, self published authors, magazines, websites, corporations, and anyone else who writes any kind of content for public consumption all need proofreaders and/or copyeditors.

Proofreading involves reviewing written content for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Considering this, to work as a proofreader, it’s important that you have an unbelievable attention to detail.

On the other hand, copyediting requires a bit more specialization than proofreading. While copyediting also involves fixing typos and other errors, copyeditors make very substantial edits.

As a copyeditor, you will address consistency, accuracy, structure, style, clarity, and logic of the written material.

Whether you work as a proofreader or copyeditor, you should consider getting certified. You should also consider completing proofreading and/or copyediting courses, which many universities offer.

With the rise of platforms like Audible, books and other written content are being increasingly consumed through audio. As a result, the audiobook narration industry has exploded and the demand for narrators is higher than ever.

With that said, if you have a wonderful voice, can speak very clearly and can perform in different voices, you can make good money as an audiobook narrator.

There’s also not many startup costs or ongoing expenses and you may even have the opportunity to work from home .

As an audiobook narrator, you will get paid to read books and other written material aloud from start to finish.

To work as a narrator, all you will need is a computer, microphone, pop filter, headphones, audio recording software, a quiet place to narrate, and an audio sample of your voice.

While you don’t need a background in voice acting, a professional home studio or even vocal training to work as an audiobook narrator, they can definitely help advance your career.

Translating

Are you fluent in more than one language? Job seekers and freelancers who possess the ability to communicate in multiply languages are sought-after for this highly in-demand skill.

Considering this, if you’re bilingual and love reading, a job as a translator may be a wonderful opportunity.

Authors and other writers are always trying to enter new markets to reach a larger audience. As a result, books in all genres and other written material are constantly being translated into a variety of languages.

To work as a translator, you will need a well-rounded understanding and be very fluent in the languages you’re translating.

Depending on what material you’re working with, you may also need to have understanding of slang, idioms, terminology, and more to provide the best translating services possible.

You may even want to consider a degree in whichever language you’re fluent in. You can also consider getting certified with the American Translators Association .

Blogging About Books

If you’re interested in starting your own blog and are an avid reader, you should consider creating a blog about books.

Not only will you have the freedom to review any book you want, you will have the potential to make far more than you will reviewing books for any of the websites mentioned above.

As a book blogger, you can make money through affiliate marketing , display advertisements, partnerships, and even selling your own digital product like an ebook or a digital course.

However, blogging is a long-term money-making strategy. It will take several months of hard work to see a profit. But if you’re committed, consistent, and patient, you can make a lot of money in the long run.

Here are a few awesome book review blogs for motivation:

• John Pistelli
• Literary Hub
• A Life in Books

Get Paid to Read Books FAQs

Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about getting paid to read books:

How Much Do Book Readers Get Paid?

With the book review websites mentioned above, you can expect to earn anywhere between $5 to $60 for each book you review.

However, if you get a job that involves reading such as narrating audiobooks, you can easily make a full-time living.

Can You Make a Living Reading Books?

While these book review websites are all a great way to monetize reading in your spare time if you’re an avid bookworm, you shouldn’t expect to make a full-time living writing reviews for them.

Although, as mentioned above, you can definitely make a living with a job that involves reading. A list of good jobs that involve reading are provided below.

What Job Can I Get if I Like Reading?

If you’re an avid reader, there are several jobs you can get that include reading.

Here is a list of some of the best:

• Proofreader
• Book publisher
• Book scouter
• Content writer

How do I Get a Career Out of Reading?

To get a career out of reading, first spend some time researching jobs available that involve reading. Once you have a good idea of what’s out there, consider your interests and what you would enjoy doing most.

For example, if you also enjoy writing, you should consider a job as an editor, copywriter, technical writer or even blogger.

If you enjoy listening to books on Audible, you should consider a job as a narrator. If you enjoy teaching, you should consider a job as an academic.

Whatever you enjoy doing, there’s a wonderful job out there that involves reading!

Lastly, you should also consider getting a degree in English or a related field. Having a degree will definitely help you advance your career.

Final Thoughts on Getting Paid to Read Books

There you have it, the 14 best websites you can use to get paid to read books. Most of them allow you to read and write your reviews in your spare time, making them a great side hustle for anyone that likes to read in their pastime.

While you won’t get rich, they’re all a wonderful way to monetize reading if you’re an avid bookworm.

However, if you’re interested in a full-time job that includes reading, you can consider a career as a typist , proofreader, editor, narrator, translator, researcher, freelance content writer, and much more.

You can also consider becoming a publisher, opening your own book store, or even starting your own blog about book reviews.

Once you figure out how you want to make money that involves reading, do some research to determine the next steps you need to take. With a bit of action, you’re sure to succeed!

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Get Paid to Read Books and Share Your Thoughts: Websites That Reward Book Reviews

In a world that thrives on digital content, the love for books remains unwavering. But what if you could turn your passion for reading into a source of income? Yes, you read that right! There are platforms that pay avid readers like you to indulge in your favorite pastime and write reviews. In this blog post, we’ll explore a fascinating way to earn money by reading books and sharing your insights.

The Joy of Reading and Earning:

Imagine curling up with a captivating book and knowing that your thoughts could earn you some extra cash. Websites that pay for book reviews provide a win-win situation: you get to enjoy your reading while receiving compensation for your opinions.

How Does It Work?

These platforms connect readers with authors and publishers who are seeking honest reviews for their books. Once you sign up on these websites, you’ll have access to a library of books spanning various genres. You can choose titles that pique your interest, read them at your own pace, and then craft thoughtful reviews based on your experience.

Websites That Pay for Book Reviews

Online book club :.

Online Book Club offers a unique way to earn money by reading and reviewing books. You’ll receive free books in exchange for honest reviews. Depending on the book’s length and complexity, payments range from $5 to $60 per review.

Kirkus Indie Reviews :

Kirkus Indie Reviews caters to self-published authors who are looking for professional reviews. If you have a knack for critically analyzing books, this platform offers compensation for your expertise.

Reedsy Discovery :

Reedsy Discovery allows you to discover new books and get paid for writing honest reviews. You can earn up to $1 per review, and the best reviews can win the coveted “Reviewer of the Month” award with additional rewards.

NetGalley offers digital advance reader copies (ARCs) of books to reviewers, bloggers, librarians, and media professionals. Your reviews on this platform can help shape the book’s pre-publication buzz, and it’s a great opportunity to read books before they hit the shelves.

Any Subject Books :

Any Subject Books pays reviewers for insightful critiques on both fiction and non-fiction titles. The compensation varies, and you’ll get to choose from a diverse selection of books.

BookBrowse :

BookBrowse is a platform that pays for well-written, thoughtful book reviews. As a reviewer, you’ll have access to a selection of books, and payments can range from $50 to $60 for published reviews.

Tips for Crafting Compelling Reviews

• Be Honest: Honesty is key when writing book reviews. Share both the positives and negatives of the book, as long as your criticism is constructive.
• Focus on Quality: A well-written review is more likely to be valued by authors and readers alike. Pay attention to grammar, coherence, and clarity.
• Discuss Themes: Dive into the book’s themes, characters, plot development, and writing style. Readers appreciate a comprehensive review that helps them decide whether the book aligns with their interests.
• Avoid Spoilers: Respect fellow readers by avoiding major spoilers in your reviews. You can discuss plot points without giving away key moments.
• Offer Suggestions: If you have suggestions for improvement, share them constructively. Authors often appreciate feedback that helps them grow.

Earning money while doing what you love is a dream come true, and with websites that pay for book reviews, it’s a reality you can embrace. Reading books and sharing your thoughts not only enriches your literary journey but also supports authors and publishers in promoting their works. So, whether you’re a voracious reader, a budding writer, or simply someone who enjoys sharing opinions, dive into the world of paid book reviews and let your words earn you some extra cash. Happy reading and reviewing!

Written by Aurora

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15 Creative Ways to Get Paid to Read Books: Up to $2k a Month

Can you really get paid to read books?

If you’re an avid reader, I’m happy to report there are quite a few legit ways to get paid to read. 

In this post, I’ll break down some of my favorite — and most creative — methods to turn your reading hobby into an extra income stream.

Ready? Let’s do it!

1. Freelance Proofreading and Editing

2. amazon influencer program, 3. kirkus review, 4. us review of books, 5. online book club, 6. freelance book reviewer, 7. book-related remote jobs, 8. audiobook narration, 9. reedsy discovery, 10. booklist, 11. create book summaries, 12. start an online book club, 13. become a translator, 14. public domain publishing, 15. apply book’s knowledge to your own business, the best way to get paid to read, serious about making extra money.

If you have an eye for detail, there’s money to be made as a proofreader or editor.

Like I mentioned above, self-publishing is exploding, and all those authors (at least the serious ones) need help editing their work.

For this side hustle, I found my first clients on Fiverr , but ultimately established positive word of mouth referrals in some Facebook Groups and among students of a popular self-publishing course.

I started out charging $100 for every 10,000 words, but slowly inched up rates as I improved.

(And as a bonus, I got to read some pretty interesting books!)

The Amazon Influencer Program is probably the fastest, easiest, and most accessible way to get paid for Amazon reviews .

You create short product review videos for the books you read, which Amazon then features on the book’s page.

Here’s an example from The Wager : 

When a potential customer watches your video and makes a purchase, you receive a small commission from Amazon, usually 2-4% of the sales price.

Amazon Influencers like Tyler Christensen reported making $2,000+ per month testing and reviewing Amazon products , and I even made over $1,000 myself in my first year in the program.

To apply , you’ll need to list one or more of your social media accounts, including:

There aren’t any official requirements about how big a following you need to get accepted. But if you apply and get rejected, you can re-apply at a later date.

Kirkus pays $50-75 for 350-word book reviews. Authors and publishers hire the service to get honest, quality feedback on their books (and pay $400+ for the service !).

To apply, you’ll need to send in:

• your resume
• writing samples
• your favorite book genres or “reviewing specialties”

Kirkus gives you two weeks to read the book and submit your review.

You can earn $25-75 writing book reviews for The US Review of Books . 

To join, you’ll need to send in:

• samples of your work
• at least two professional references

The US Review of Books gives you 2-3 weeks to read the assigned book and return your 250-300 word review.

As with Kirkus, authors and publishers hire US Review to get honest — and hopefully positive — feedback on their books they can use for marketing purposes.

Online Book Club is a long-running service that pays $5-60 for each book review.

How it works is you:

• sign up and get a selection of books to choose from
• pick your top choice and get a free copy
• submit your honest, written review

Once your first review is approved, you’ll be eligible for future paid reviews.

While you can certainly apply for any of the freelance book reviewer jobs listed, you can also set up your own freelance book review profile on sites like Upwork .

When I searched, I was surprised to find multiple reviewers with 200+ jobs completed and rates from $35-60 an hour:

One creative way to get paid to read books is to look for work in the publishing industry. 

For example, both “book coach” and “book editor” showed up as legit job listings on FlexJobs :

In total, over 16,000 remote job listings included the keyword “book”, so it might be worth exploring if any of those would be a good fit.

The best place to find legit work from home jobs. Established in 2007, FlexJobs has 1000s of listings including part-time, full-time, and freelance options in tons of industries.

If you love the idea of  getting paid to talk and read books at the same time, narrating audiobooks could be a fun side hustle.

Professional audiobook narrators and producers can earn $200-1000+ per title. Acting experience helps, and you’ll need to know your way around audio engineering equipment and software. 

After you create your profile, you can start auditioning for work.

Becoming a reviewer on Reedsy Discover may be another way to monetize your reading hobby .

This program has a couple interesting advantages. The first is shared with other review services, in that you’ll get free access to new books and be among the first to read them.

The second is somewhat unique, in that you can earn $1, $3, or $5 tips from readers who enjoy your work. The amount isn’t huge, but you can potentially earn tips from an unlimited number of Reedsy readers, rather than just a one-off freelance book review payment.

To apply, you’ll need to share:

• your favorite genres
• how many books you read per year
• where you publish your reviews online
• whether you prefer to create written or video reviews
• your social media accounts (if applicable)

Serving an audience of school and public library workers, Booklist reviews guide purchasing decisions for libraries across the country.

Booklist is part of the American Library Association . New reviewers don’t need a library degree, but having library advisory or selection experience will give you a leg up.

But even then, don’t expect Booklist reviews to replace your day job. According to the site, Booklist pays just $15 for every 150-175 word review they publish, with the average reviewer writing 2-3 reviews per month.

Book summaries can be a really valuable way to get the main ideas of a book across in a short period of time.

In fact, this is the strategy used by big companies like Blinkist , which is undoubtedly paying people to read the books and create useful summaries.

Still, you can do the same thing after you finish a book, distilling the most important points into a quick summary on either a website, newsletter, or YouTube channel.

For example, Four Minute Books has over 50k subscribers on YouTube. 

This type of content can be monetized with advertising or affiliate partnerships.

Maybe you could even use an AI tool like Pictory to help create the videos. (Use promo code NSHN20 for 20% off!)

Another unique way to get paid to read is to start an online book club for kids.

For example, Teacher Helen has had over 3,000 students join her weekly Dog Man reading club on Outschool :

Outschool is a unique group education platform for kids in grades K-12. When her classes are at capacity, she can earn $98 an hour (after fees) handing out with kids and reading simple books.

And I get that you probably don’t want to read kids’ graphic novels, but it shows there may be demand for higher grade level books as well. 

If you’re bilingual, you can get paid to translate books .

You’ll need good grammar skills, cultural knowledge, conversational competence, and the ability to articulate complex concepts.

Fast, accurate typing skills and a quiet environment will make your job go faster, which increases your earning potential.

Check out these remote translation job sites:

• Gengo  – Rates vary based on language.
• Multilingual Connections   – Freelance, remote translation projects. 
• Translation Services  – This company offers translation services in more than 100 languages. At press time, part-time and full-time remote positions were available with competitive pay and flexible hours.
• Stepes  – An online database of on-demand translation jobs for freelance translators. You can work from your smartphone with their mobile messaging based translation model. 
• Unbabel  – Work on the go and get paid weekly.

Since 2013, Aaron Kerr has pocketed over $110k in royalties publishing public domain books .

In the US, that generally means anything published more than 95 years ago.

Aaron’s first collection was the  Anne of Green Gables series , a children’s classic originally published in 1908. To find this work, Aaron told me that all he had to do was go to a couple of different websites, download the copy, then format it for Kindle publishing.

You can see all his public domain projects over at TimelessReads.com .

Perhaps the most overlooked way to get paid to read is to simply put an author’s wisdom to work in your own business.

After all, most books condense a lifetime of experience and expertise into 200 pages. While nobody directly paid me to read titles like The 4-Hour Workweek , Building a StoryBrand , The ONE Thing , and dozens of others, they’ve definitely paid dividends to my bottom line over the years.

In this post, we’ve explored a ton of different ways to get paid to read books, including:

• freelance editing and proofreading
• writing book reviews
• creating book summaries
• narrating audiobook

But the truth is just reading doesn’t have any value for anyone else. Where the money comes from is what you do with what you read and how it serves others.

Which method is best for you depends on your interests, goals, and expertise.

My suggestion is to start with one or two ways that sound the most interesting, and give those a try to see if you enjoy the work!

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About the Author

Nick Loper is a side hustle expert who loves helping people earn more money and start businesses they care about. He hosts the award-winning Side Hustle Show, where he's interviewed over 500 successful entrepreneurs, and is the bestselling author of Buy Buttons , The Side Hustle , and $1,000 100 Ways .

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Updated: September 4, 2023

Get Paid To Read Books

11 legit ways to make money from your reading habit.

This is the definitive guide on how to get paid to read books 📚

I’ve been working online for several years and spent 15 hours researching what you can do to earn cash remotely if you love to read.

If you want to:

• Learn the best ways to earn money reading books
• Understand the pros and cons of reading jobs
• Know where to get started finding jobs as a book reviewer, narrator, editor, translator and lots of other reading-related jobs

Then this is the guide for you.

📚 How To Make Money Reading Books: 11 Best Ways

There are several ways to make money reading books. Here are the 11 best. They start off fairly easy and tend to get harder as you go down the list.

• Reading Books Via Apps Using a smartphone, tablet or any other digital reader to read for cash.
• Writing Book Reviews Reading books then writing a review telling people what you thought.
• Writing Book Summaries Breaking down the main themes, concepts or plot of a book into a small text.
• Proofreading Reading books and checking for errors, continuity issues or whether books meet a specific criteria.
• Editing Reading books and correcting errors. Or improving books for readability.
• Reading Books Aloud Narrating books and converting them to audiobooks.
• Translating Books Reading books in one language and translating them to another.
• Blogging About Books Starting a blog talking about the books you read.
• Podcasting About Books Recording your thoughts about books for others to listen.
• Starting a YouTube Channel About Books Becoming a “booktuber” and making videos about the books you read.
• Publishing Books Reading books, forming a partnership with authors and marketing them to the public.

Let’s take a deeper dive into each.

Get Paid To Read Books Via Apps

Getting paid to read books via apps is easy to get started with.

You get paid for the amount of words you read. 

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Reading Books via Apps?

Earnings are relatively low compared to other ways to make money online . 

$0.25 to $1 is the typical range for about 20,000 words ( source ). 20,000 words would take the average reader at least 2 hours to finish, according to Words to Time .

Most apps also pay via a point system. 

😎 Legit Places to Make Money Reading Books via Apps

• Booksta Read and earn coins that you can later redeem for gift cards. Popular vendors include Amazon, eBay and Delta Air Lines.
• Bookshout Another similar app but you can’t earn cash. You can only redeem points for ebooks in their store.

🤓 What Skills Do I Need to Make Money Reading Books via Apps?

Skills that could help you include:

• Fast reading ability (but natural enough that speed trackers don’t suspect foul play)
• Concentration and focus

📱 What Equipment Do I Need to Read Books via Apps?

You can get started with most apps with only a smartphone. 

A tablet or eReader, thanks to larger screens, could help improve reading speed.

The Pros and Cons of Getting Paid to Read Books Via Apps

• Very easy to get started
• Read the books you want
• Extremely low pay 
• Most apps don’t allow direct cashouts
• Limited choice of books

Get Paid To Write Book Reviews

An experienced book reviewer writing for high-profile websites can make good money from reading books.

Most people get started leaving honest reviews on websites like Amazon and Goodreads first, then graduate to paid work later.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn As a Book Reviewer?

Earnings are variable. For many clients, you’ll be expected to pitch a rate. Typical earnings range between $10 to $100 per review .

😎 Legit Places to Get Paid Writing Book Reviews

Here are 4 legit sites that pay writers per review .

• Online Book Club : Pays anything between $5 to $60 per book review .

Other sites that pay freelancers for book reviews but aren’t that clear on rates include:

• Dog Eared Reviews Book marketing company that pays for positive (4 stars and above) reviews only.
• Kirkus Media Looks for 350-word reviews of books of all genres.
• NetGalley Connects publishers with readers via a membership platform.
• Publishers Weekly Sometimes offers freelance positions for reviewers and editors.
• Tyndale Blog Network Rewards users with points for social media shares and quizzes more than reviews.
• U.S. Review of Books Asks for 300-500 word book reviews. Pays monthly.

Gain more experience reviewing books and the potential to earn (or turn it into a full-time gig) could be a reality.

Here are some high profile places you could land freelance opportunities . You’ll have to pitch the editorial team for each.

• Chicago Review of Books
• NewYorker.com

Most big news and culture sites pay book reviewers well.

A few book review sites that give advanced book copies in exchange for reviews include (but don’t pay for reviews):

• Book Browse
• Moody Press
• Lola’s Blog Tours
• Bethany House

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need to Be Successful Reviewing Books

To be successful in book reviewing you’ll need to be able to write well, give honest reviews and work to tight deadlines.

Freelance writing courses could help. Earn More Writing scores well according to our review .

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need to Review Books

You’ll only need a computer and basic word processing software to get started.

The Pros and Cons of Writing Book Reviews

• Creative (it’s fun to share your opinion on the books you read)
• Chance to develop a strong writing portfolio
• Can potentially earn up to $100 per review
• Don’t always get to choose the books to review
• Many authors/publishers will pressure you to give good reviews
• Many review sites don’t pay (they give advanced copies)

Get Paid To Write Book Summaries

Summaries are becoming more popular with people too busy to read books.

Getting paid to write them is another legit way to earn.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Writing Book Summaries?

The best gigs, with well-known companies like Blinkist and GetAbstract , are usually full-time.

This article estimates similar content writing positions paying around $75,000 per year . Don’t take this as the norm though, you’ll need extensive experience to land anything near this.

😎 Legit Places to Get Started Writing Book Summaries

Here are 2 legit places to earn cash writing book summaries :

• Booklist Publications Pays $12.50 for 175-word book summaries. Also pays out $5 for rejections.
• New Pages Looks for 100 to 200-word summaries on books or literary magazines. Doesn’t specify pay.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need to Write Book Summaries

To do well writing book summaries you’ll need the ability to read fast and distil things down to a few major points.

Skills are similar to those needed by book reviewers.

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need Writing Book Summaries

A computer and basic word processing software.

The Pros and Cons of Writing Book Summaries

• Upward trending industry with increasing opportunities
• Book summary websites and apps are on the rise
• Summaries can be harder to write than reviews
• Might not be able to choose the books you summarize

Get Paid To Proofread Books

Proofreading is an important part of the publishing process. Authors or publishing companies will sometimes pay you to read texts first before they go out to the public.

This is a role that’s slowly becoming more automated, especially with tools like Grammarly.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Proofreading?

Basic book proofreading jobs don’t pay that well. But when combined with other writing-based roles, especially editing and writing, you can expect to make anything between $35,000 – $120,000 for a full time remote position.

It’s possible to work with publishing houses directly as a proofreader. Doing so can often lead to higher paying opportunities. It involves reaching out and making contacts though. 

😎 Legit Places to Get Started Proofreading

The best places to get started proofreading are the same as those we recommend for finding editing jobs : Flexjobs, Upwork and PeoplePerHour.

Similar opportunities to find work proofreading include getting paid to read manuscripts. AgentQuery is a good site to check out if that’s something you’re interested in. Sometimes they post book review opportunities too.

• More info about proofreading jobs

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need to Be Successful Proofreading

Entry level proofreading jobs require only basic skills.

You’ll need to have a close eye for detail and be able to communicate any errors quickly.

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need For Proofreading

Basic computer equipment only.

The Pros and Cons of Proofreading

• Minimal skills needed for basic proofreading
• Though it’s not easy to find ‘proofreading only’ jobs for books (most look for writing and editing skills)

Get Paid To Read and Edit Books

Experienced editors have lots of opportunities when it comes to earning cash via reading.

Their role is important in helping to make texts easier to read. Most editors combine their work with other skills like proofreading and copywriting to increase their hourly rates.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Editing Books?

The median salary for book editors is around $59,000 per year .

Many top level editors can make more than this, especially if they have direct connections with big publishers. 

Entry-level editing work usually pays in the region of $10 – 20 per hour.

😎 3 Legit Places to Get Started Editing Books

• FlexJobs There are lots of remote editing opportunities here. Most are US-based full-time positions but there are lots of freelance and part-time positions listed too.
• Upwork Upwork is the place to go for freelance or hourly-based editing positions. A few of their recent listings include positions editing short stories in paranormal romance, non fiction business books and childrens books.
• PeoplePerHour Many editors get started advertising their services here and taking on short-term gigs to build their experience. You’ll notice lots of proofreading and editing opportunities here.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need Editing Books

Most top level editors have a range of skills. These include:

• Proofreading Editors skim texts and identify problems
• Grammatical changes Editors have a high command of the language and know how to use grammar precisely
• Writing Changing wording to improve readability 

A lot of these skills can be developed and improved through courses. Check out our articles:

• Best Copy Editing Courses on Udemy
• Best Writing Courses on Udemy
• Earn More Writing Course Review

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need Editing Books

You don’t need any specialist equipment to make a good living in editing. A basic computer set-up should be enough.

The Pros and Cons of Editing Books

• You get to read and help shape the books you read
• Experienced and well-regarded editors can make good livings working from home
• Many people competing for the same types of jobs
• More info about editing jobs

Get Paid To Read Books Aloud

Getting paid to read books aloud sounds like a dream gig for a keen reader.

You get to read and others get to listen to the audio recording of the book. It’s not as easy as it sounds however.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Reading Books Aloud?

There’s no such thing as typical earnings when it comes to narrating or reading books aloud. Pay depends on the length and type of book. The more experienced you are the more you’re likely to earn.

Business books tend to pay more than short children’s books. Especially those written by established authors. Most books in this genre pay around $50 – 100 per finished hour on sites like ACX.

Jobs are almost always on a freelance basis , meaning earnings are less dependable than some of the other full-time options on this list.

😎 The Best Place To Get Started Reading Books Aloud

Amazon’s ACX is like a freelance marketplace for publishers looking to convert texts into audiobooks.

Connecting narrators and sound engineers to authors or publishing groups, you have to audition for gigs. Each new listing shows reading time and earning rate (usually per finished hour).

Voices and Bunny Studio are two other places to explore but most opportunities are for things like adverts or podcasts rather than audiobooks.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need To Read Books Aloud

Most narrators scoring gigs at ACX are trained actors with a background in theatre or film.

You’ll need a good reading voice and understanding of pacing to do well.

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need To Read Books Aloud

Reading books aloud needs some specialist equipment. Basic things include:

• Voice editing software
• Access to a soundproof studio

The Pros and Cons of Reading Books Aloud

• Can choose which books to read
• Highly competitive
• Pay can be misleading (you get paid for an hour of finished audiobook, not an hour of work)

Get Paid to Read and Translate Books

Getting paid to read a book and translate it into another language is a highly technical skill.

To make it work you’ll need an audience in the language you’re translating a book to or from. 

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Reading and Translating Books?

The pay in translation work varies a lot. Generally it depends on three factors:

• Language competency

The better you are in each the higher hourly rate you’ll be able to command. But you’ll also need to work in languages that are in high demand. 

Less widely spoken languages seem to have less competition when it comes to jobs though.

😎 Legit Places To Get Started Translating Books

The best places to find translation jobs are the same as those for editing and proofreading work. These all require working in English to some extent.

• FlexJobs Recent opportunities here include German, French, Italian and Japanese book translation work. Earning ranges from $25 – $30 per hour.
• Upwork Book translations aren’t as common as stand-alone article translation work but they still appear regularly. Earnings range from $6 – $25 per hour.

More options and info about translation jobs .

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need To Read and Translate Books

Basic computer equipment is all you’ll need.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need To Read and Translate Books

Aside from having mastery in another language, you’ll also need these skills:

• Writing ability
• Communication
• Organization

The Pros and Cons of Reading and Translating Books

• Regular opportunities (especially for widely spoken languages)
• Don’t get to choose what to read
• Competition for work (intense for commonly spoken languages)

Freelance 👉 Authority

Most of the options listed so far can be considered freelance work. Freelancing is one of the easiest ways to get started earning money online .

The next few options are more about building an authority business . These kinds of businesses can be more rewarding creatively and financially, but it usually takes more time and effort to see results.

Get Paid To Blog About Books

Starting a blog about books gives you a lot of creative control over what you can read.

It also opens up the possibility of more monetization options. But you’ll need a broad skill-set – successful bloggers don’t just read and write!

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Blogging About Books?

Blog earnings are variable. Work hard and it’s possible to make a full-time living (and more).

Here are the ways most bloggers make money:

• Amazon Affiliates Make a commission from recommending books and reading-related products on Amazon (eg. tablets and Kindle devices). The higher the cost of the item, the more money you’ll make, but Amazon’s commission rates are notoriously low, usually less than 5% of the purchase price.
• Display advertising Placing ads on your blog is another way to increase your earnings. The more traffic you can drive to your site, the more impressions the ads will get. You’ll make more as a result. Popular ad platforms include Ezoic, AdThrive and Mediavine.
• Sponsored posts Sometimes publishers of product marketers will pay you to promote things on your blog. Usually they’ll do this by providing a guest post talking about their product or service.

😎 Legit Blogs About Books That Earn Money

There are many legit blogs centered on reading books. Here are two interesting ones:

• Brainpickings Brainpickings started as an email series set up by Maria Popova talking about the lessons she was learning from books, creativity and art. Originally intended to be shared among her colleagues in advertising, Brainpickings has since grown into a blog that’s read by over 7 million people monthly. It’s monetized mainly by donations.
• Nat Eliason Nat Eliason has grown his personal blog into a monetization machine that promotes his courses and marketing business. The site gets a lot of traction thanks to Nat’s book notes (a category he calls “The Brain”). There are over 250 books covered here, mainly non-fiction. Nat earns from packaging these notes as well as affiliate commissions through Amazon.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need to Read and Blog About Books

To do well in blogging you’ll need a broad skill-set. You’ll need to have some technical experience setting up a site and using a content management system like WordPress.

You’ll also need to be persistent, disciplined and resilient. It can take a long time to get results.

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need to Read and Blog About Books

You only need a basic computer set-up to get started blogging. 

The Pros and Cons of Reading and Blogging About Books

• High earning potential (if you succeed)
• You get to choose what to read and write about
• Need a big audience to earn well
• Return on investment is slow (you could be blogging for years before you’re able to earn money)

Get Paid To Podcast About Books

Just like blogging, you can earn by podcasting about books. A lot of the pros and cons are similar.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Podcasting About Books?

Podcasts mainly earn by paid sponsorship. The amount you can earn depends on the number of downloads from listeners.

Industry standards are around $20 – 25 per 1000 listens for a 60-second mid-roll promotion ( source ).

Patreon is another popular way to earn money from podcasting. Subscribers pay a monthly recurring fee for early access.

😎 Legit Podcasts About Books That Earn Money

• Book Riot A weekly podcast connected to another successful book blog. Has over 400 episodes available for public download.
• So Many Damn Books Popular podcast run by two New York-based book-enthusiasts that earns from both Patreon donations and advertising sponsorship.
• Book Fight Another two-person podcast that earns from Patreon and commissions from book sales made through Book Fight’s website. 

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need to Podcast About Books

To make a good podcast you’ll need sound recording, editing and software skills.

You’ll also need strong research and organization skills to plan podcasts, book guests and publicize your show. 

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need to Podcast About Books

As well as basic computing equipment you’ll want a good microphone.

Access to a soundproofed studio could also help improve production quality.

The Pros and Cons of Podcasting About Books

• You get to choose what to read and talk about
• Slow return on investment (you could be podcasting for years before you’re able to earn money)

Get Paid to Talk About Books on YouTube

YouTube is a creative and potentially lucrative platform to share your love of books and reading.

Becoming a successful “booktuber” isn’t easy however. There’s a lot of skills you’ll have to master.

🤑 How Much Can You Earn As a Booktuber?

Creators on YouTube monetize their videos via a mix of YouTube advertising, affiliate commissions and sponsorships. The more views you get, the more money you’ll make.

• See examples of YouTubers from different niches and how much money they make

😎 Legit Booktubers Earning Money Reading and Talking About Books

• PolandBananasBOOKS With over 400K subscribers, Christine Riccio makes weekly vlogs about books, comedy and everything in between. Some of her more popular videos discuss the Harry Potter and Twilight fiction series.
• Jessethereader Jesse is another big booktuber who does predictions, round-ups, unboxing and other fun book-related activities. His most watched videos are list-type comedy videos but he also has interviews, challenges and product reviews.
• Katytastic Kat talks about both reading and writing on her YouTube channel. Her updates are less frequent than the above examples but she’s still grown a sizable platform of 250K subscribers.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need To Read and Talk About Books On YouTube

You’ll need to have some diverse skills to make it on YouTube. 

Video editing and recording skills are a must starting out. You’ll need to get comfortable talking in front of a camera and be creative when it comes to video topics.

Building a personal brand is crucial to making YouTube work.

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need To Read and Talk About Books On YouTube

You can get started making videos with basic video recording equipment on a decent smartphone or laptop. 

Develop a following and you could reinvest into more high-tech hardware and software later.

The Pros and Cons of Becoming A Booktuber

• Good earning potential (if you succeed)
• You get to choose what to read and make videos about
• You’ll probably need to sell your personality more than your love of reading
• Building an audience can take a while

Get Paid To Read Books As A Publisher

Starting a book publishing business could bring a lot of opportunities to read and discover new books and authors. Although it isn’t necessary, it’s definitely one perk of the job that will appeal to book lovers. 

🤑 How Much Can You Earn Publishing Books?

Running a publishing business isn’t easy. You won’t earn per hour or project. You’ll have to buy or negotiate the publishing rights to books and hope they sell well to earn a percentage.

How much you earn depends entirely on your business skills.

😎 The Best Sites To Get Started In Publishing

To do well in publishing you’ll need to tap into self-published authors and market their books effectively. Sites like Amazon and Goodreads can be great for this. Especially the new author or self-published categories of either site. 

Approaching bloggers or YouTubers that have good audiences is another idea. You could strike up book deals with these creators and negotiate a percentage of the sales on your behalf.

🤓 What Skills You’ll Need To Be Successful In Publishing

Doing well in publishing means doing well in business. To do that, you’ll need the following skills:

• An eye for talent
• Ability to negotiate (especially when it comes to royalties, commissions or percentages)
• Organization and management

💻 What Equipment You’ll Need To Get Started In Publishing

Starting out, it makes most sense to stick to digital books rather than paper.

A basic computer set-up is enough.

The Pros and Cons of Publishing

• High potential earnings (especially if you find and market a best-seller)
• Good business model for people with an existing platform (blog, YouTube channel, etc.)
• Very difficult to get started with
• Need strong business skills

💬 Know other ways you can get paid to read books?

If so, let us know in the comments below .

Other ways to make money online

There are many other ways to make money online, to work from home or anywhere in the world.

• Full list of ways to make money online
• More profiles of online money makers

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How to Get Paid to Read Books

After all, time is money. It’s hard to take the afternoon off to read a book when you’re hustling and trying to improve your cash situation.

Unless, of course, you can figure out a way to get paid to read books.

As it turns out, there are tons of ways to do just that. So keep reading to learn how to bring in cash while being a bookworm.

21 Ways to Get Paid to Read Books

Here are the best ways to make money reading books:

• Find Proofreading Gigs
• Kirkus Media
• Reedsy Discovery
• Online Book Club
• Women’s Review of Books
• The US Review of Books
• Be an Audiobook Narrator
• Work for a Publishing House
• Publish Books on Amazon Kindle Direct
• Become a getAbstract Freelance Writer
• Teach English Literature
• Edit eBooks for Businesses
• Become a Book Blogger
• Review Books on YouTube
• Read to Kids
• Become a Caregiver and Read to Patients
• Work for a Library
• Work in a Bookstore
• Booklist Publications
• Writerful Books

BONUS: Best Books to Read to Help Your Financial Future

1. Find Proofreading or Copy-Editing Gigs

Behind every great author is a solid proofreader. If you’re detail-driven, you can earn income by proofreading other people’s work and revising it with a critical eye. Find the right author, and you just may edit a future bestseller.

Authors often prefer working with freelancers and proofreaders who are fast, flexible, and easy to work with. Think you have what it takes to proofread for money? You can find gigs on the following sites.

Fiverr is another top freelance marketplace. This site’s a better source for short-term gigs. So while you might not be getting paid to read a full-length book, you’ll have the opportunity to work on smaller jobs.

Just like Upwork, Fiverr isn’t a free service. The company takes 20 percent of what you make.

Fiverr is one of the top platforms for finding freelance gigs for around the world. Sign up now for free!

FlexJobs is a search engine for finding remote gigs. You’ll have to pay to use this site, but it’s a solid source for proofreading jobs. The service offers four different price tiers:

• $9.95 (weekly)
• $24.95 (monthly)
• $39.95 (quarterly)
• $59.95 (annually)

In my opinion, the one-month package is probably the way to go. You’ll pay a bit more for it, but it may take some time to find gigs at first, and one week may not be enough time. Try the $24.95 package and see what you can find. If it turns out the be a goldmine of work for you, upgrade to the yearlong subscription to get the most bang for your buck.

Price: $9.95 w/ 30-day Money-Back Guarantee

FlexJobs is the largest site for finding remote, work-from-home jobs, both full-time and part-time for your skillset. The trained researchers at FlexJobs hand-screen job listings to eliminate ads and scams found on other sites. Find everything from entry-level to executive positions at FlexJobs.

2. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media publishes Kirkus Reviews , a top book review magazine.  The company is seeking experienced book reviewers to read works in Spanish and English for the indie section of its magazine, which is dedicated to self-published authors. If you have shopped for books on Amazon, you have likely read some Kirkus Reviews as they publish many of the reviews for Amazon.

3. Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy Discovery helps readers discover self-published authors.  You can produce written or video interviews for Reedsy. The only downside is that there’s no base pay — you’ll make money from tips only.  I recommend using this site to build up a portfolio of writing samples. If the company accepts your work, you can use the reviews to land other gigs with different companies.

4. BookBrowse

BookBrowse pays freelance writers to review books and help readers find great titles. The company hires people to produce quality paid book reviews that are at least 300 words. Freelance book reviewers typically write one article per month.

5. Online Book Club

Online Book Club is a free online community for book lovers.  The company provides a wide selection of books to choose from. You can start making money after your first review, with pay ranging from $5 to $60 per review. Plus, you’ll get a free book out of the deal.

6. Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books is a premier feminist book review hub. It launched back in 1983, and it’s still going strong — fueled by its mission to empower feminist scholars and creative writers. I hear that the site pays $100 per book review, but you might have to have some professional or academic experience to qualify.

7. The US Review of Books

The US Review of Books is a well-known book review publication that comes out once a month.  To find work through this publication, keep your eye out for book titles that the site posts. Then, when you see one that you like, request to review it. Reviews should be between 250 and 300 words.

8. Be an Audiobook Narrator

ACX is Audible’s publishing platform. If you have a voice like James Earl Jones and a knack for narrating, you should consider signing up and creating a profile. There are many self-published authors looking for audiobook narrators.

Upload samples of your work with different accents and styles. By putting a lot of samples on your profile, authors can have an easier time discovering you.

If you’re interested in pursuing this, you can get paid to read books for either a per-hour rate or 50 percent of royalties. That’s a pretty solid commission, considering you don’t have to do any writing.

While authors can find your profile on the site, you can also audition for audiobook narrator gigs that you find appealing.

9. Work for a Publishing House

You may want to go all in and consider a career in publishing. The career path typically starts with earning a bachelor’s degree in a related field like English, journalism, or communications.

Once you earn a degree, you’ll have to get a foot in the door with the publishing industry. Focus on gaining hands-on training through internships, editing opportunities, and training courses.

Check out the American Copy Editors Society, which offers comprehensive editorial training and certification . These paid courses can help get you up to speed with professional editing standards.

As is the case with most industries, you’ll have to work your way up to becoming a book editor or book coach. But this can be an incredibly rewarding profession, enabling you to work with talented writers while you get paid to read books.

Book editors make an average salary of $62,760 per year.

10. Publish books on Amazon Kindle Direct

If you love to read, maybe it’s time to try your hand at writing.

Until recently, becoming an author required the acceptance of a publishing company. However, this is no longer the case.

Amazon Kindle Direct is a self-publishing platform that anyone can access. Simply write a book, edit it, and put it on Kindle Direct. You can set your own pricing and receive a royalty anytime someone downloads it.

Before you dive in, understand that writing your own book takes a ton of work. You may also have to hire a proofreader.

Spend some time brainstorming, and think about whether your ideas would translate well into written form. Then, if you have an idea for a book, start writing and see where it goes.

Who knows? If you’re willing to put in the countless hours as I did, maybe you too can write an international bestseller.

11. Become a getAbstract Freelance Writer

getAbstract condenses books and articles into summaries. It’s primarily for busy people who don’t have the time to read but want to access the bulk of a book’s message.

You can get paid to read books and write summaries on a freelance basis. Right now, the company is looking for writers who have a background in science and technology.

Sound interesting? The application process involves providing a writing sample and filling out a brief application.

12. Teach English literature

If you happen to have an advanced degree in English, consider teaching at a local college or university. By far, this is one of the best ways for bookworms to make a full-time income.

Teach at a regular college or university, and you’ll most likely receive medical benefits and weekends, holidays, and possibly summers off. In addition, you can teach night classes at a local community college for more flexibility.

The median salary for an English professor in the U.S. is $93,989. While the job obviously entails more than simply reading books, this could be a great career option for you.

You can also look into teaching English online .

13. Edit eBooks for Businesses

Businesses often use eBooks to sell products and services.

An eBook is much shorter than a traditional book, running anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 words. It typically requires heavy editorial production and thorough copy editing. And many eBook writers can benefit from book coaching.

You can find eBook editing opportunities on freelance sites like Fiverr and Upwork .

14. Become a Book Blogger

Being a blog book reviewer is a great way to share your ideas and get paid to read books.

You can sign up for a free site using WordPress or Medium.com and have the freedom to say virtually anything you want in your honest review.

It’s possible to earn income through advertisements and affiliate links as a book reviewer. One way to do this is through the Amazon Affiliates program. By linking to someone’s product page with an affiliate link, you can potentially get a cut of the profit when someone buys something because of your content.

For example, you might give a book a stellar review and link to its Amazon listing on your blog. After that, you could receive payment any time someone clicks on the link and buys a copy.

15. Review Books on YouTube

If you aren’t camera-shy, you should consider creating a YouTube channel and talking about books.

As a “booktuber,” you can talk about virtually anything related to books. You could do tours of your favorite shops, interviews, and book reviews, and you could also offer supplementary content too.

You can make money on YouTube through advertising revenue, channel memberships, and selling branded merchandise, to name a few examples.

If you’ve got what it takes to be a YouTube book reviewer, take a look at SavidgeReads for inspiration. This account has more than 23,000 subscribers. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll have more.

16. Read to Kids

Reading to kids isn’t for everyone. But if you love reading and telling stories to little ones, there’s a lot to like about this type of work.

First and foremost, you’ll help kids foster an appreciation for books. Reading to kids helps with auditory processing, builds attention spans, and gets them off electronic devices.

Plus, you’ll be extremely valuable if you can get kids to sit still and listen. This is very important from a side hustler’s perspective. Teachers, parents, and caregivers love hiring readers because it keeps kids occupied, allowing them to complete other tasks like paperwork and housework.

To get paid to read books aloud, contact local schools and daycare centers. You can even contact Facebook friends and try to drum up support.

You may also want to consider partnering with local facilities that attract field trips, such as zoos and museums. These places often hire professional narrators to read books to kids after lunch or in gift shops.

You won’t earn a ton of money reading to kids, but it will certainly be a fun home job for the right personality type.

17. Become a Caregiver and Read to Patients

Caregivers go into patient homes or work in health care settings — helping older folks, people with special needs, kids, and even pets.

Often, caregivers read to provide comfort and entertainment for their clients. People tell me it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of being a caregiver — and a great way to connect with patients.

Of course, you’ll most likely have to perform other duties as well. Depending on the role, you may have to cook, clean, shop for groceries, and transport patients to doctor’s appointments, classes, or stores.

If you’re interested in this line of work, head over to Care.com to find full-time and part-time work as a caregiver.

The average pay for a caregiver is $14 per hour. So, while you can earn some cash this way, make sure to keep your full-time job.

18. Work for a Library

There’s perhaps no better environment for a book lover than a library.

As a librarian, you’ll have unlimited free books at your disposal. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in reading completely. You’ll also enjoy job security and numerous benefits like health insurance and paid time off. Most school librarians also get paid holidays, weekends, and summer vacations.

If you want to become a librarian, gather up your professional references and put together a resume. After that, figure out what type of library you want to work in. For example, there are school libraries, university libraries, public libraries, academic libraries, niche libraries, and national libraries.

You’ll also need to determine the type of role you want to pursue in a library — whether it’s a librarian, aide, administrative director, technician, or assistant position. Once you have a clear direction in mind, seek out specific training for your target role. Many librarian positions require a master’s degree in library science or MLS.

Generally speaking, the amount you make depends on your title. For example, librarians make about $54,176 per year. At the same time, library services directors make much more, with a median salary of $116,468.

19. Work in a Bookstore

If you’re into the gig economy and don’t want the pressure of a full-time library job, you should consider working for an independent bookstore or a national chain like Barnes & Noble.

This is a great place to find part-time work. Of course, you can pursue full-time opportunities as well.

Working for a book store may involve stocking shelves, operating the cash register, and possibly serving coffee. It also requires a love of reading and an ability to communicate with customers and talk about books.

The average salary for a full-time bookstore clerk is $27,880 per year, so this wont be able to replace your full time job.

20. Booklist Publications

Booklist Publications is a legit book discovery service. As a member of the American Library Association, Booklist reviews help school and public library workers discover and suggest new materials.

The company pays $15 per review after publication in its magazine or digital properties.

21. Writerful Books

Writerful Books is an Australia-based company that helps publish emerging writers.

Right now, the company’s looking for book reviewers to cover American, Australian, British, Irish, Canadian, and New Zealand authors.

Best Books to Read that Can Lead You to Financial Freedom

Get this: Your next big money-making idea may be hiding in the pages of a book.

While you might not get paid immediately after reading these books, these titles can help you develop a money mindset and achieve long-term financial independence.

The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

🏆 Best Book for Real Estate Investing

The Millionaire Real Estate Investor is a must-read if you’re serious about entering the real estate game. You’ll learn all about how to build long-term financial wealth by investing in properties.

The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

🏆 Best Book for Passive Income

The 4-Hour Work Week explains how to ditch your full-time job and start making money through passive income. Read this book if you’re looking for a radically different approach to working and making money.

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns by John C. Bogle

🏆 Best Investing Advice

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing provides a primer on index investing.

Author John C. Bogle is the founder and former CEO of the Vanguard Group , a leading provider of low-cost investment funds.  Read this book if you want to build a solid and well-rounded portfolio.

Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days by Chris Guillebeau

🏆 Best Book for Making Money

Side Hustle is an excellent choice if you’re getting serious about growing your revenue streams. Author Chris Guillebeau provides a blueprint that explains how to select, start, and profit from a side hustle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on getting paid to read books.

Does NetGalley offer free books?

NetGalley provides a way to request and recommend books before their release date. The company doesn’t pay for reviews. However, it provides readers with advanced review copies (ACRs). This is a great way to get books before other people do, put your name out there as a reviewer, and start forming professional connections.

Is reading books a legit way to make money online?

Reading’s an excellent way to make money online if you enjoy the process and have time for it. Just keep in mind compensation can vary drastically from job to job. For example, there’s a big difference between reviewing a book for a few bucks and running a library.

Should I read as a side gig for extra money?

Reading can make a wonderful side gig. However, if you’re on a tight schedule, it can also be a real drag. For example, it isn’t much fun staring down a deadline with hundreds of pages to read and review — and no time to do it. Before you decide to read books as a side gig, look at your schedule and determine whether you have the bandwidth for it.

You may find that it’s best to read for pleasure during your downtime and stick with a side hustle that’s faster and easier. Some examples include walking dogs, babysitting, and managing social media accounts.

What is Publishers Weekly?

Publishers Weekly is a website for publishing businesses, booksellers, and literary agents.  Head over to Publishers Weekly JobZone to access a running list of open book publishing jobs. This job board is a stellar resource if you’re looking to find work in the publishing industry.  You can also find publishing gigs on sites like Indeed , Monster.com , and ZipRecruiter .

Should You Get Paid to Read Books?

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of ways to get paid to read books and write reviews.

From reading to kids to reviewing nonfiction books and writing book summaries — if you’re the type who can never be around too many books, you can earn money by pursuing your passion.

Spend some time thinking about which opportunities best fit your lifestyle. You never know when you might stumble into a game-changing gig that makes you reevaluate the way you think about work.

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