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.
Narrating
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:
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
- Copyeditor
- Narrator
- Librarian
- Book publisher
- Academic
- Translator
- Bookseller
- Researcher
- 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!