Just like a year ago, we are presenting the list of ebooks that were most downloaded from Project Gutenberg in the last 30 days – just in time for Christmas.

Almost 7.8 million free ebooks were downloaded from Project Gutenberg since mid-November 2023. Apart from all-time classics, you will find on the list three picaresque novels by Tobias Smollett and a short story by Philip K. Dick.

Founded in 1971 by Michael Hart, Project Gutenberg is the longest established digital library.

Currently, the site offers free access to over 70,000 eBooks that can be read online or downloaded in a variety of formats, for all possible ebook apps and e-reading devices, including Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Rakuten Kobo.

The site provides useful stats about ebook downloads, Top 100 Ebooks in the Last 20 Days, where you can see the most popular titles based on how many times they were downloaded or read online.

Between November 15 and December 15, 2023, users downloaded from Project Gutenberg 7,776,391 ebook files.

On the list, you will find such classics as Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, or Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

For the second year in a row, three books by T. Smollett made it to the Top 20 Most Downloaded Ebooks, including The Adventures of Roderick Random. These three books alone were downloaded 108,000 times in the last 30 days.

Tobias Smollett was a Scottish poet and author living in the 18th century. He is best known for his picaresque novels – stories of an anti-hero’s adventures in a disreputable world. They usually feature a roguish protagonist who is forced to rely on his wits, charm, and cunning to survive misadventures.

You can download ebooks from Project Gutenberg to any e-reader or book-reading app. Make sure to pick up the file called EPUB3. This file format is compatible with Kobo, Apple Books, Nook, Google Play Books, and Amazon Kindle, among other platforms.

Top 20 free ebook downloads for Christmas 2023

1. Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Published in 1818, this famous classic novel follows a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein who creates a hideous sapient creature out of body parts of the dead.

The creature is rejected by society and ultimately seeks revenge on his creator.

The book combines elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement, and is considered one of the first true science-fiction stories.

Number of downloads: 83,710

⇢ Download

2. Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

The world’s beloved novel of manners is set in rural England at the beginning of the 19th century and follows the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and her love interest Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

We follow the five Bennet sisters as they navigate their way through their family’s financial struggles, the pressures of marriage and society, and their own personal feelings.

Through witty dialogue and character development, Austen explores themes of love, class, and pride.

Number of downloads: 58,559

⇢ Download

3. Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

Herman Melville

A classic novel by Herman Melville tells the story of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge on the giant white sperm whale that on the ship’s previous voyage bit off Ahab’s leg at the knee.

The novel is a great exploration of themes of fate, revenge, and the power of nature. It has been adapted into numerous films and television shows over the years.

D. H. Lawrence called Moby-Dick “one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world” and “the greatest book of the sea ever written.”

Number of downloads: 57,192

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4. A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens

First published on December 19, 1843, this novella is considered one of the most popular and beloved Christmas stories of all time.

The story follows the miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, who show him the error of his ways, and how to be a better man.

The tale of redemption of the human spirit has been adapted for stage, film, and television many times over the years.

Number of downloads: 56,917

⇢ Download

5. Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Written by Shakespeare early in his career, the tragedy follows two young star-crossed lovers whose families are engaged in a long and bitter feud.

The play is set in Verona, Italy, and it revolves around the forbidden love between Romeo Montague, a young man from the Montague family, and Juliet Capulet, a young woman from the Capulet family.

The play is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and well-loved works, and it has been adapted for stage, screen, and opera countless times. It is a story of love, loss, and the destructive power of family feuds.

Number of downloads: 53,359

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6. Middlemarch

George Eliot

Middlemarch is a novel by George Eliot, set in the fictional Midlands town of Middlemarch during 1829–1832 and follows several intersecting stories with a large cast of characters.

The novel explores the social and political changes in England during the early 19th century, particularly the impact of industrialization and the reform of local government.

Middlemarch is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels in the English language.

Number of downloads: 47,070

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7. A Room with a View

E. M. Forster 

Set in Italy and England, the story is both a romance and a humorous critique of English society at the beginning of the 20th century.

The novel brought Forster recognition when it was first published and is now considered a modern classic.

The story centers on Lucy Honeychurch, a young upper-middle-class Englishwoman, and her experiences with love, independence, and travel.

Number of downloads: 46,322

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8. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare 

This is a comprehensive collection of the writings of William Shakespeare. It includes all of his plays, sonnets, and other poems, as well as various other works attributed to him.

The book includes, among others: The Sonnets, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. The Comedy of Errors, The Merchant of Venice, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are also included.

This free ebook is an invaluable resource for any student or fan of Shakespeare’s work.

Number of downloads: 43,412

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9. Little Women

Louisa May Alcott 

Little Women is a classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, originally published in 1868. It follows the lives of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, and their experiences growing up in Massachusetts during the Civil War.

The book has been adapted for stage and screen numerous times and has been lauded for its strong female characters and its exploration of themes of love, family, and independence.

Number of downloads: 42,078

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10. The Enchanted April

Elizabeth Von Arnim

The Enchanted April is a 1922 novel by British writer Elizabeth von Arnim.

It tells the story of four very different women who rent an Italian villa for the month of April and, through the beauty of the surroundings, find contentment, joy, and transformation.

The novel was adapted into a film in 1992, starring Miranda Richardson and Joan Plowright.

Number of downloads: 39,864

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11. The Blue Castle

L. M. Montgomery 

A 1926 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, best known for her novel Anne of Green Gables.

The book tells the story of Valancy Stirling, a 29-year-old spinster who is stuck in a restrictive life, but finds freedom and adventure when she begins to explore the world around her.

Number of downloads: 39,252

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12. Cranford

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

First published in 1851, the novel is set in the fictional town of Cranford, a small market town in the north of England.

We follow the lives of the town’s many female inhabitants, who are mostly middle-class and elderly spinsters, as they go about their everyday lives and gossip about their neighbors.

The novel is known for its humorous, gentle satire of Victorian life and its strong female characters.

Number of downloads: 37,176

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13. The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom

T. Smollett

The novel, first published in 1753, follows Ferdinand Count Fathom, a handsome and charismatic con artist who is adept at convincing people to part with their wealth.

After being sent away from his home in England, Fathom continues to travel across Europe and experience numerous adventures.

Through the course of the novel, Fathom is forced to confront his own moral boundaries and ultimately selects a path of redemption.

Number of downloads: 37,088

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14. The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

T. Smollett

The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, first published in 1771, is widely considered to be one of the first picaresque novels in English literature.

The novel follows the adventures of its protagonist, Humphry Clinker, as he and his companions journey from London to Scotland and back again.

Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters and settings, and the novel offers a vivid picture of life in 18th century Britain.

Number of downloads: 36,499

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15. The Adventures of Roderick Random

T. Smollett

Here is another novel from T. Smollett. It follows the exploits of Roderick Random, a young man from a well-to-do family who is disinherited and forced to make his own way in life.

Random goes on a series of adventures, ranging from romance and duels to a naval battle and a stint in a debtors’ prison. 

The novel is noted for its realistic and humorous depiction of 18th-century life and for its exploration of themes such as social mobility, corruption, and injustice.

Number of downloads: 36,151

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16. History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Henry Fielding

This comic novel by English author Henry Fielding, first published in April 1749, follows Tom Jones, an illegitimate foundling, from infancy to adulthood. 

Tom’s journey takes him through various social circles and tests of morality, eventually leading him to true love and a fulfilling, prosperous life.

The novel was well-received when it was first published, and it has since become one of the most beloved novels in the English literature.

Number of downloads: 36,151

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17. My Life — Volume 1

Richard Wagner

My Life is an autobiography by German composer Richard Wagner.

First published in German in 1889, it contains a detailed account of Wagner’s life and works, as well as his personal reflections on his life and times.

Number of downloads: 34,290

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18. Twenty Years After

Alexandre Dumas

Twenty Years After is a historical novel by Alexandre Dumas, first published in 1845. It is the sequel to The Three Musketeers and part of the D’Artagnan Romances series.

The novel follows the adventures of d’Artagnan’s sons as they fight to protect France from the machinations of Cardinal Mazarin, the chief minister of King Louis XIV.

The novel also follows the fortunes of the other musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and their respective families.

Number of downloads: 34,289

⇢ Download

19. The Eyes Have It

Philip K. Dick

From one of the most important figures in 20th century science fiction comes a short story was first published in 1953. It follows a man who is utterly convinced that the world is being overrun by aliens.

Through the eyes of the protagonist, the story blurs the boundaries between imagination and actuality, presenting a thought-provoking reflection on the nature of truth and the fallibility of human perception.

Number of downloads: 33,555

⇢ Download

20. The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter is a classic novel by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850.

The book tells the story of Hester Prynne, a young woman who conceives a child while living in an oppressive Puritan society.

The novel examines the effects of societal pressure on an individual, as well as themes of sin, guilt, and redemption.

Number of downloads: 31,412

⇢ Download

Keep exploring. Here are other lists and tips:

The fact that you don’t reveal your reading activity to the public doesn’t mean your sensitive data is 100% protected.

The rise of e-books has brought a new era of reading convenience, but it has also raised concerns about privacy.

Opposite to social media, what you read is supposed to stay private. And this single thing makes you extremely vulnerable. Among the books you’ve read, there may be some you would never discuss publicly.

The book you are reading in a privacy of your bedroom says more about you than the dozens of Caturday posts you share on Instagram or Mastodon.

However, major e-book publishers and tech giants like Amazon, Rakuten Kobo, Google, or Apple are collecting vast amounts of data on your reading habits, anyway. It includes what books you read, when you read them, how long you spend on each page, and which device you use.

The reason is they want to improve your reading experience and book discovery. But they also use it to target ads – and who knows what else.

At the same time, ebook publishers and sellers do nothing or little to offer users transparent privacy rules and settings. And there are a lot of things to do in this area. Here is a set of basic privacy settings users should have in ebooks and audiobooks.

The Fast Company reports that a congressional letter was issued from a coalition of groups that include civil rights, anti-surveillance, anti-book ban, racial justice, LGBTQ+, and immigrant.

The coalition calls on federal lawmakers to investigate the digital reader surveillance. Activists argue that the data collection is an invasion of privacy and that it could have negative consequences for freedom of expression and their ability to access information.

This investigation is an essential first step to revive the right to read without fear of having your interests used against you. Because, unfortunately, that right is on life support when it comes to digital books. 

The future of reading is at stake, and lawmakers must act to protect readers. We need strong privacy laws that apply to e-book readers, and we need to hold these companies accountable for their data collection practices.

Please keep it in mind: every time you sync your e-reader or app is the time you are sending your sensitive data to the company that may process it.

Keep reading. Here are tips and lists to explore:

This shopping season, forget about the Kindle, and get Kindle books instead. In three combines deals, well over 1,000 books are featured – and Cyber Monday hasn’t started yet.

Many users are waiting for Black Friday to get an upgraded Kindle model for a lowered price.

The thing is that there have been no new Kindle models this year. And e-readers, as a category, are evolving at a much slower pace, compared to, for instance, tablets.

You can still save on Kindle e-readers, although the Black Friday 2023 is over. But ask yourself a question: Do I really need a new Kindle for the purpose of getting it at a slashed price?

Why not consider packing your current Kindle or Kindle app with new books that you could delve into this holiday season?

Especially, that right now there are 1,090 Kindle books on sale, with prices starting at $0.99.

For the first time ever, Amazon offers not one, but three short-term Kindle deals. And I’m not counting in the ongoing Kindle Monthly deals and Kindle Exclusive deals.

Al three deal offers area featured on the official Kindle Daily Deal home page, and I will list them below so that you can get a quick glimpse at what you can get.

One of the deals, Treat your Kindle with great reads, ends tomorrow, so it will be valid on Cyber Monday 2023. However, two other ones, are valid only on Sunday – and there are 960 ebooks that you can grab at discounted prices.

Tip: Scroll down the individual page with deals to reveal the full list of books, not only the featured ones.

Epic Kindle reads starting at $0.99

Books featured: 101
End date: November 26, 2023, 11:59 PST

The latest, 13th novel from the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo, Killing Moon, was released in May 2023. The brilliant but troubled detective must confront a chilling serial killer who preys on young women and leaves behind a disturbing signature. The regular price of the Killing Moon is $29.99 (hardcover), but you can get the Kindle edition for only $3.99.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro is the timely novel about an artificial friend named Klara, who navigates the complexities of human relationships and the explores the nature of love and belonging. The book costs today $3.99, instead of $14.99.

There are 99 other books to explore in this deal. Which one caught your attention?

Black Friday Kindle Savings

Books featured: 759
End date: November 26, 2023, 11:59 PST

The largest Kindle deal so far includes 759 books from, this time not only fiction, but also biographies and spirituality.

The prices range between $0.99 and $6.99. I suggest using the category widget on the left side to narrow down the list of results to books from your favorite genre.

In the New York Times bestseller, Upstairs at the White House, J. B. West, the chief usher of the White House offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at America’s first families. The regular price of the book is $17.99 (hardcover), but you can grab the Kindle edition for only $1.99 today. If you have an active Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can get it for free.

This particular deal offers several books that have been published by Macmillan and HarperCollins Publishers this year, including S. A. Cosby’s All the Sinners Bleed ($2.99) or The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons ($2.99).

Treat your Kindle with great reads

Books featured: 230
End date: November 27, 2023, 11:59 PST

Most of the books are from the literature & fiction, mystery and thrillers, romance, and science fiction categories.

Karin Slaughter’s After That Night is a chilling tale of suspense and betrayal, as the past comes back to haunt a doctor whose life is shattered by a violent attack. The book costs today and tomorrow only $3.99, instead of $14.99.

After Death by Dean Koontz is $2.99. You will pay the same for the Goodreads Choice, Kate Quinn’s The Diamond Eye.

Make sure to visit the Kindle Daily Deal home page tomorrow to grab Cyber Monday 2023 Kindle deals.

Keep exploring. Here are other lists and tips:

Are you wondering when the Kindle Scribe will get a price cut that’s deep enough to justify the purchase of this top-shelf device?

Get ready for July 11, 2023. During the main Prime Day 2023 event, Amazon will offer the deal on the Scribe. The company has just confirmed it in the newest press release.

Here is the section informing about upcoming deals on Amazon devices:

Save up to 75% on select Amazon devices, including the Invite-only deal on 43” Fire TV Omni Series, Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen), Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), and Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, Pioneer and TCL smart TVs with Fire TV built in, Kindle Scribe, and the all-new Fire Max 11 tablet.

What Kindle Scribe deal can we expect on Prime Day 2023? I expect the deal price to be no higher than $289.99 for the entry-level variant, with 16 GB of storage and the Basic Pen.

Such a deal was offered in March 2023, as a part of National Reading Month celebrations. In this case, your savings will reach 15% ($40), as the regular price of this variant is set at $339.99.

The $40 you keep in your pocket is enough to get a decent Kindle Scribe case, and it that case comes from a third-party producer, you will still have some money left to spend on cool e-reader accessories.

The Kindle Scribe is designed not only for reading, but also writing. The killer feature is handwriting support. You can choose from two compatible pens – Basic or Premium – that come free with a chosen variant. It also comes with several templates for handwritten notes.

The device sports the 10.2-inch glare-free 300 ppi touchscreen display with front and warm light, asymmetric glass front, and a USB-C port. 

Which Amazon device are you going to grab this Prime Day? You can see all currently active Amazon device deals in this handy listing.

Here is the Kindle Scribe product page on Amazon. Bookmark this page in your browser and come back on July 11, 2023, to see how much you can save.

Keep exploring. Here are other tips and lists:

The deal lets you save $36 on Amazon’s popular digital subscription that includes ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines.

Amazon’s major Prime Day 2023 event is on July 11 and 12, but some deals are already active. Among them, you will find a deal on Kindle Unlimited digital subscription.

The deal lets you get 3 months of the subscription for free. The regular monthly fee is set at $11.99, so you will save $35.97.

The Kindle Unlimited deal can be reached right from the Prime Day 2023 front page. Just look for the widget saying “3 months free of Kindle Unlimited”.

Please note, that the terms of the deal may vary. It depends on the history of Kindle Unlimited with your Amazon account. 

If you have subscribed to the membership before – and especially if you have been a member several times – the offer tailored just for you may not be as attractive.

Despite the fact that some Amazon devices are already discounted by even 55%, the prices of Kindle models are still not reduced. I am especially waiting to see a price drop on the Kindle Scribe.

Before you subscribe or resubscribe to Kindle Unlimited, make sure to check out the current catalog of eligible titles.

As you may already know, KU is being currently affected by hundreds of books that were generated by artificial intelligence, and their publishers don’t disclose this fact. Here is a quick guide on how to spot AI-generated books in Kindle Unlimited.

What Kindle related deals are you going to grab this Prime Day?

⇢ Prime Day 2023

Are you interested in the Kindle? Keep exploring:

AI-generated books may seriously harm the publishing industry, and digital subscriptions are prone to be hit the hardest.

There is a growing list of books published with the help of artificial intelligence.

Everyone knows the story of Ammaar Reshi, a product manager for a Silicon Valley fintech company, who used ChatGPT and Midjourney to create a children’s book Alice and Sparkle. 

Since August 2022, a Canadian artist Tim Boucher published almost 100 books that were co-created by AI. Boucher says he needs between 6 and 8 hours to create and publish each of his books. Imagine, a single author capable of publishing hundreds of books a year.

Obviously, ChatGPT takes credits for most of what happens in the publishing industry right now.

Currently, there are already almost 1,000 ebooks in the Kindle Store that are co-authored by AI. Specifically, ChatGPT is listed as one of their authors. These books were created by authors responsible enough to admit they use ChatGPT.

And now we come to the essence of the big problem that’s flooding Kindle Unlimited: lots of newly published books were generated by AI, and you don’t even know about it.

What’s even worse, many of these books made it to the top 100 Kindle bestseller lists. It was first discovered by an indie author Caitlyn Lynch on Twitter (here is a cover story on the Vice):

Take a look at the Best Sellers in Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Romance eBooks top 100 chart. I can see 19 actual legit books. The rest are AI nonsense clearly there to click farm.

How is that possible? It’s directly connected with how digital subscriptions work. As you can download any book at no extra cost, you do it instantly without checking out its content. 

And when you open the book on your e-reader or in a book reading app, you just need to read roughly the length of the free sample to make this book considered as read.

The story about nonsense AI Kindle Unlimited books broke at the end of June 2023, and most of these titles are not on the main Kindle bestseller lists anymore. However, they are still on the top 100 lists for subcategories. Luckily, these books have several things in common, and I will discuss them below.

How to spot AI-generated Kindle Unlimited ebooks

The titles are usually written in capital letters

It may obviously change over time, as the creators of these books with try to adapt. But today, most of these AI books come with titles written in CAPITAL LETTERS.

I am not talking about the title that appears on the cover art, but the title that’s a part of the product page description on Amazon.

Here is a screenshot of the Top 100 Kindle bestsellers in the Teen & Young Adult category. 

Authors have Asian names

If you spot a book that is published by someone called Lam Dich Quan, Phung Linh Vang or Phuong Tuong, it strongly suggests that its content was generated by AI.

Here is the same screenshot with the highlighted names.

Book covers are made from a template

If you browse Kindle bestsellers lists or search results pages, and notice books with the same cover artwork and different titles, the chances are big these books are AI generated.

Obviously, there are many books that use the same cover artwork, naming only the books from the same series, or free Kindle books that are available in the Kindle Store.

However, compared to book series, the same cover art is used not for a few titles but dozens of them.

Again, let’s have a look at the Top 100 Kindle bestsellers in the Teen & Young Adult catgory. 

Same cover art but different authors

If you re still not sure whether the KU book was AI-generated or not, you can compare cover art. If the books with the same cover art template are published by different Asian authors, these books are AI-generated (see the screenshot above).

Books are under 100 pages

I have run through the entire list of Top 100 Kindle bestsellers in the Teen & Young Adult catgory, to spot the AI titles. Then I opened them their product detail pages.

Out of 24 titles in the Top 100 Teen & Young Adult bestsellers that I considered to be AI generated:

▸ Only one title had a print length longer that 100 (FREE MUSIC by Lam Dich Chinh), with 118 pages).
▸ 13 books were shorter than 50 pages.

Why are these books short? It’s not only about the ease of generating the content. In the case of the digital subscription it’s also about meeting conditions of the read title. The shorter the book, the biggers the chances to get the reader swipe past the required length.

Published in 2023, no publisher

The final place to find out, if the book was generated by AI or not is the “Product details” section.

None of the books I have tested included the “Publisher” field in the Product details” section.

If all the conditions listed above were met, and if the book was published in 2023 or later, you can be sure is was not written by a human but by an AI tool.

Keep reading. Here are other lists and tips to explore:

UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day is an international celebration of books, authors, and reading. It is held annually on April 23, the anniversary of the deaths of William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.

Since 2018, Amazon celebrates the World Book Day by organizing the “Read the World” giveaway. 10 books written by authors from around the world were offered as free downloads for at least a week.

In a press release announcing the Read the World 2022 selection, Amazon shared information that more than 5.5 million Kindle books were downloaded by over 1.2 million unique readers from 190 countries.

It turns out that Amazon’s World Book Day giveaways are no more. This year, Amazon offers 9 Kindle books, but you are eligible for a free download of only one title from the list.

If you are interested in getting more than one book, you will have to pay for the remaining positions in your shopping basket. The good news is that all the recommended books are offered at prices that are reduced for World Book Day 2023 to $4.99.

Technically, the promotion works through applying to your account a credit worth $4.99 (the value of each book on a list). So, if you pick up just one book from the World Book Day 2023 selection, you will get a refund that equals its price. 

The Read the World 2023 offer lasts until April 30th, 2023. I have listed all the titles below, with short blurbs. Which book are you the most interested in?

9 recommended books for World Book Day 2023

The Last Rose of Shanghai

Weina Dai Randel

China

Aiyi Shao is a young heiress and the owner of a formerly popular and glamorous Shanghai nightclub. Ernest Reismann is a penniless Jewish refugee who she hires to play piano, causing a sensation and making her club the hottest spot in the city.

They soon realize they share a passion for jazz and each other, but they are from different worlds, and she is engaged to another man. War and turmoil threaten their love as they must make choices between love and survival. 

The Last Rose of Shanghai is an epic story of love and redemption, set in the vibrant and dangerous atmosphere of Shanghai during an era of political upheaval.

All the Lies They Did Not Tell

Pablo Trincia 

Italy

In 1997, a six-year-old boy from the Bassa region of Italy was questioned by authorities and relayed stories of abuse and satanic rituals. 

As the child’s story progressed, more and more people were implicated in his shocking revelations. Fifteen more children were transferred out of the region and their parents were accused of participating in the satanic sect. 

Allegations of kidnapping, torture, sacrifice, and murder escalated as the Satanic Panic of the 1990s spread. 

Investigative journalist Pablo Trincia returned to the scene of the crime to uncover the truth behind the stories, and his findings are as terrifying as the lies.

Say Her Name

Dreda Say Mitchell, Ryan Carter 

United Kingdom

Eva, a biracial woman adopted 20 years ago, is suspended from work and dealing with the death of her adoptive parents, Cherry and Carlton “Sugar” McNeil. She joins a DNA database in the hopes of uncovering her identity and is thrilled to get a positive match.

However, she soon finds out that someone is trying to stop her from discovering the truth. She’s drawn into a dark side of society where black women disappear without a trace.

Once, someone wanted a better life for her, but now that she’s torn down the facade of her life, has she come too far to be saved again?

Small Deaths

Rijula Das

India

Lalee and Tilu Shau live in Calcutta’s notorious red-light district, both wishing for a better life. Tilu is in love with Lalee and wants to marry her to liberate her from her street life.

When a fellow sex worker and young mother is brutally murdered, Lalee is offered the chance to take her place as a high-end escort, but it soon turns dangerous.

Tilu is drawn into a rescue mission, and they must go on life-altering journeys to escape a savage fate. 

Small Deaths is a modern noir that reveals the resilience and obstacles of outcasts trying to find dignity, love, and survival.

War and Me

Faleeha Hassan

Iraq

Faleeha Hassan’s memoir is a deeply personal account of her life growing up in Najaf, Iraq, and the enduring effects of loss and fear she experienced.

Despite the violence of war, she found the courage to travel alone to the front lines, searching for her father and brother. After moving to the US, she chose to focus on education for her and her children, rather than the war that had been such a part of her life for so long.

Through her story, readers gain an intimate perspective on the loving bonds of family, and how we can find courage and hope even in the most desperate of situations.

Such a Beautiful Thing to Behold

Umar Turaki

Nigeria

In Umar Turaki’s gripping novel, a mysterious plague known as the Grey has taken hold of the small village of Pilam, leaving the world to quarantine it without mercy.

With victims sapped of strength and color in their eyes, Dunka, the eldest son of a family afflicted by the Grey, takes it upon himself to leave the village in search of a cure. 

Along the way, Dunka meets up with his siblings, now an unlikely family of six, as they bravely face the chaos of violence, hunger, and death.

Ultimately, this novel is a story of survival, love, and the human spirit’s capacity for hope and wonder in the face of adversity.

Broken Summer

J.M. Lee

South Korea

Lee Hanjo is a celebrated artist at the peak of his career but on his 43rd birthday, his devoted wife has disappeared. 

She has published a novel about a similar artist with a questionable morality which is based on Hanjo’s past. He must reflect on a summer from his youth when a deadly lie irreversibly determined the fate of two families. 

J. M. Lee’s novel explores hidden truths, denials and their consequences as those who remain must face the deceptions of the past and experience the vindication and suffering that comes with revenge.

West Side Love Story

Priscilla Oliveras

Mexico

Two familias in Texas, the Capuletas and the Monteros, have been embroiled in a decades-long feud. Mariana Capuleta and Angelo Montero, two young star-crossed lovers, are determined to end the rivalry between their familias. 

To do so, they must compete in the Battle of the Mariachi Bands, despite their forbidden attraction to each other. As the stakes of their competition increase, so does their secret affair. 

But with betrayals, rivalries, and broken ties, they must make sacrifices and weigh the consequences of their actions. Mariana and Angelo must fight to bring peace between their familias and make beautiful music together.

Piece by Piece

David Aguilar, Ferran Aguilar

Andorra

David Aguilar was born with one arm missing, but he refused to let this define him. At just nine years old, he built a prosthetic arm out of LEGO bricks, and he hasn’t stopped creating since.

His inventions, inspired by his passion for building, could help others and make a difference in the world. In this memoir, David shares his story of triumph and success, with humor and heart. 

He talks about his family and friends, the heartbreak and loss he experienced, and how he continues to dream big and build a better world, piece by piece.

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The company that started a new era of reading experience, has won the international design award in the category Apps for Excellent Communications Design.

Have you tried bionic reading already? 

Bionic reading is a free tool that brings an enhanced reading experience to your current e-reading device or app. How does it work?

Some parts of the words are displayed in bold text. As a result, you will be able to read faster and understand more.

The software is developed by the startup company Bionic Reading GmbH. The tool comes with an API, so that developers could create dedicated bionic apps and extensions.

The official Bionic Reading app is available for iPhone & iPad and Android. Currently, it’s free to use, but soon the company will offer a possibility to upgrade.

There are also dedicated apps for Mac and Windows. You can try bionic reading right in your browser, by going to the Bionic Reading web app. 

Most importantly, you can add bionic-formatted books to your reading app, for instance Amazon Kindle. All you have to do is open the Bionic Reading web app, add an ebook file (epub is now also accepted by Amazon), wait for a conversion, and add a converted file to the reading app of your choice.

The company that develops the Bionic Reading ecosystem has been awarded at the German Design Award 2023. It won in the category Apps for Excellent Communications Design.

Here is an excerpt from a jury announcement:

A fascinating tool that not only saves a lot of time, but also impressively shows what our brain is capable of.

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All Jane Austen’s novels are available for free from Project Gutenberg, both as ebooks and audiobooks. You can also read them online, right on your computer.

Jane Austen’s novels are beloved for their sharp wit, timeless themes, and memorable characters. 

They are often seen as a perfect blend of comedy, romance, and social satire, and they offer an insightful look at the world of early 19th century England.

You don’t have to pay a penny to start the Austen adventure. Works of one of the most beloved writers in English literature are in the public domain. It means you can read them free of charge – legally.

Below, you will see a list of Jane Austen’s books available as free downloads from Project Gutenberg. The order is based on an average number of downloads in the last 30 days.

What is Project Gutenberg? It’s a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to encourage the creation and distribution of ebooks. It is the oldest digital library, with over 60,000 free ebooks.

You can add books to your e-reader or e-reading app by picking up EPUB3. This file format is compatible with Kobo, Apple Books, Nook, Google Play Books – and also Amazon Kindle (mobi is no longer supported). You can download the files with one click to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

If you don’t want to download the files, you can read Jane Austen’s books directly in your browser. Simply click on “Read this book online: HTML5” link on book detail pages.

Moreover, Project Gutenberg also offers audiobook versions of Jane Austen books. They can be downloaded in Speex, MP3, Apple iTunes, or Ogg Vorbis format.

Are you a Jane Austen fan? Take a look at my design collection that features Jane Austen’s original, remastered handwriting from her letter to sister Cassandra, written in April 1811. You can get it on Zazzle.

Jane Austen novels in chronological order

1. Sense and Sensibility (1811)
2. Pride and Prejudice (1813)
3. Mansfield Park (1814)
4. Emma (1815)
5. Northanger Abbey (1817) – posthumous
6. Persuasion (1818) – posthumous
7. Lady Susan (1871) – posthumous

Jane Austen books – free ebooks and audiobooks

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s most famous romance novel. It follows the life and loves of the five Bennet sisters as they navigate the complexities of life in the early 19th century English countryside.

The novel looks at themes of class, marriage, and first impressions, and follows the young women as they attempt to find their place in the world.

Pride and Prejudice is widely regarded as one of the most influential novels of all time and has been adapted into numerous film and television adaptations.

The novel is considered a masterpiece of English literature and is often studied in English classes.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Emma

Emma is set in Highbury, a fictional village in England, the novel revolves around the meddlesome Emma Woodhouse, who interferes in the relationships of others but eventually comes to recognize and develop her own feelings of love.

Throughout the novel, Emma is determined to find a husband for her friend Harriet, and also to arrange her own romantic future.

The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and social class, and presents a sharp critique of early 19th-century English society.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility was first published in 1811 and is Jane Austen’s first novel.

Set in southwestern England, the follows the lives of two sisters – Elinor and Marianne Dashwood – as they navigate the social expectations of 18th century society.

This romantic novel is widely considered to be one of Austen’s most successful works, and is typically seen as a precursor to the romantic comedy genre. 

Sense and Sensibility is renowned for its vivid characterization, exploration of complex emotions, and the use of irony and satire.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Persuasion

Persuasion is Jane Austen’s novel published posthumously in 1818.

In the novel, Austen examines the effects of time on love and relationships. Anne Elliot is a 27-year-old unmarried woman whose family has fallen on hard times. 

Anne is approached by an old suitor, Captain Wentworth, who she rejected eight years earlier. His return to the social scene forces her to reconsider the choices she has made in the intervening years. 

The book is seen as a continuation of Jane Austen’s exploration of the themes of social class and female agency set forth in her earlier novels.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey is set in the late 18th century and follows Catherine, a voracious reader of Gothic novels, as she visits the city of Bath and the nearby estate of Northanger Abbey.

While in Bath, she meets the Tilneys, a wealthy family who invite her to stay at their estate, Northanger Abbey.

There, Catherine finds herself drawn into a world of horror, suspense, and romance, as she struggles to make sense of the strange and sometimes sinister events that occur around her.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Mansfield Park

Jane Austen wrote Mansfield Park at Chawton Cottage between 1811 and 1813.

The story centers on Fanny Price, who is sent to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle at their estate, Mansfield Park.

Despite her poverty-stricken upbringing, Fanny grows into an intelligent and moral young woman.

As she navigates her relationships with her family, she develops a strong sense of self-awareness and morality. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, class, and morality.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Lady Susan

Lady Susan is Jane Austen’s novella, most likely written in 1794, but published for the first time in 1871.

The main character, Lady Susan, is a beautiful and manipulative widow, who schemes to find wealthy husbands for both herself and her daughter.

The novella explores themes of love and marriage, as Lady Susan examines the different paths she can take to find a suitable partner.

It’s worth noting that Lady Susan is considered one of Austen’s most enigmatic and controversial characters.

⇢ Ebook ⇢ Audiobook

Bonus: The Letters of Jane Austen

Letters of Jane Austen insight into the life and mind of the writer, and offer a glimpse of the world she lived in.

One of the collections of the letters was selected by Sarah Chauncey Woolsey from Austen’s nephew Lord Edward Bradbourne, and published in 1908 by Little, Brown, and Company.

The collection includes letters written between 1796 and 1817. Among them, there are several letters to her sisters, including Cassandra.

The final letter is from Cassandra Austen to her niece Miss Knight, after the death of Jane.

⇢ Ebook

Book cover images: Project Gutenberg, Wikimedia Commons.

Jane Austen Collection on Zazzle

Jane – a collection featuring Jane Austen’s original, remastered handwriting from her letter to sister Cassandra, written in April 1811. 

The design is available in dark and light colors on dozens of products, including t-shirts, leggings, notebooks, stickers, wireless chargers, laptop sleeves, and iPhone cases.

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Are you still a Kindle Unlimited member or plan to reactivate the subscription?

Kindle Unlimited is only as good as the books that you can read. There are now over 3 million eligible titles, including books with Audible narration, magazines, short stories and comics.

You still can’t read bestselling new books from the Big 5 publishers. However, it’s worth noting that Kindle Unlimited books dominate Top 100 Kindle bestseller lists. Even 80% of the top sellers are eligible to read for free with your KU subscription.

What are the best books you can access and read within your Kindle Unlimited? Amazon editors may direct you to multiple interesting titles.

About Amazon blog has recently released a list of the best new books available to Kindle Unlimited members. 

Curated by an Amazon editor, Sarah Elison, the list includes books from popular categories: mystery, romance, and woman’s fiction.

Kindle Unlimited helps voracious readers, casual book lovers, and new-to-reading customers discover incredible books across every genre – with new titles added every month.

From bestselling author Kendra Elliot comes Bone Deep, a riveting mystery in the Widow’s Island Novella series. The story follows an ex–FBI agent’s race to save the man she loves from a trio of bank robbers.

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg is a romance about Merritt Fernsby, an author who inherits a house that is said to be haunted. He is initially scared of the house but eventually becomes close to Hulda, the woman who is hired to help him with the house.

If you are into women’s fiction, you should check out The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev. It’s a story about a 65-year-old woman who inherits a million dollars and uses it to buy a condo in a Florida retirement community. This change has a ripple effect on her daughter-in-law Aly, who is encouraged to fight for a segment at the news station she works at.

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