When I was younger, I always imagined getting paid to read books. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get paid for doing something they love?
It seemed like the dream job!
While being a full-time bookworm might not be a realistic career path, there are actually many ways to make money by reading books, both online and offline.
I’ve rounded up 18 of the best ways to earn some extra cash while indulging in your favorite pastime.
Whether you’re a social media enthusiast, a skilled writer, or simply love sharing your thoughts on books, there’s an opportunity out there for you.
Let’s dive into the different ways you can turn your love for reading into a profitable venture.
I’ve organized them into four categories: social media, jobs, review sites, and other unique opportunities.
Make Money Reading Books for Social Media
One of the coolest and most common ways to make money by reading books is to build a social media presence where you become known for your book recommendations and reviews.
You can influence what people read and get paid for it!
All you need to start is a way to post online.
You don’t even have to buy books at first – use your library card or a service like Hoopla to get free ebooks and audiobooks.
Here are some of the best ways to use social media to earn money from reading:
1. Post your video thoughts on BookTok (and BookTube, and BookStagram).
TikTok might get some hate, but it’s actually getting more people to read.
I’ve found tons of great books on BookTok, like The Hating Game, Emily Henry’s novels, and The Song of Achilles.
The best part?
BookTok is a great way to make money by reading books!
Here’s how it works (it’s similar for any video book review):
- Create a TikTok account and make it all about book reviews. Tell people what genres you like.
- Start reviewing books! Think about how to make your videos stand out and become a trusted source for book recommendations.
- Join the TikTok Creator Fund once you’re eligible. But be aware, the payouts are pretty small, so you’ll need a lot of views to make decent money.
- Look for sponsorships! This is where the real money is.
You can also post your videos on other platforms like YouTube and Instagram to reach a wider audience.
It might take a while, but you can definitely make money reading books this way.
2. Write your review on a blog to earn money by reading books.
Another great way to get paid for reading is by writing about the books you love!
Blogs are perfect for this because you don’t have to create videos all the time.
Just post your thoughts and reviews once or twice a week as you read, and you’ll gradually build an audience.
Add some ads to your blog, and you’re on your way to earning money!
It might take a bit of time to get noticed, but if you’re a bookworm, you’re reading anyway, right?
So why not share your reviews on your own website instead of (or along with) Goodreads?
3. Post about books on Medium.
Medium is a cool platform that pays you based on how many paying members read your stuff.
The more views, the more money you make.
So, share your book reviews on a Medium publication like Books Are Our Superpower, and start earning money for reading!
This is a super easy way to make money because you don’t have to worry about fancy SEO stuff or having your own website.
Just write your thoughts, get 100 followers, and start getting paid for your book reviews.
4. Podcast it, baby.
Podcasts are like BookTok or Bookstagram, but you only need to record your voice.
Grab a cohost or go solo, share your thoughts on the books you read, and earn money through sponsorships.
Most podcasts don’t make money directly from ads, but if yours gets popular, you can earn money through Patreon supporters, by selling extra content, or even by getting a deal with a podcasting company.
5. Use affiliate links.
Affiliate links are a pretty common way to make money from reading books, and it’s such a good way to earn that I’m giving it its own category!
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for an affiliate program like Bookshop.org (I love them!).
- Read a book.
- Find the book on Bookshop.org.
- Share your recommendation with friends, on your blog, podcast, social media, or newsletter.
- When someone buys the book because of you, you get 10% of the sale!
That’s it!
It’s a simple way to make money, and it can grow over time as your audience grows.
You can start earning right away with just one sale, and it only gets better from there!
Freelance or Jobs
Maybe you don’t want to start a whole new social media thing.
Or maybe you want to get paid right away, not wait months for ads or sponsorships to kick in.
If that’s you, think about a career change or a side hustle.
Freelance gigs or actual jobs are great ways to make money from reading, and you get paid right away! The only downside is that you might not always get to pick the books you read.
Here are some options for you.
Some are full-time jobs, others are more casual gigs, but they all involve getting paid to read books!
6. Narrate audiobooks.
Ever listened to an audiobook?
Of course you have!
Well, if you have a nice voice, you’re in luck!
Audiobook narrators are in high demand.
You can actually get paid to read books out loud!
Audiobooks are getting more popular every year, so it’s a great time to get involved.
There are two main platforms where you can upload some voice samples, get hired, and start earning money by reading books:
- ACX (Amazon/Audible): You can choose to get paid a percentage of sales or a flat rate per finished hour. The rates are usually $250 or more per finished hour.
- Findaway Voices: This is similar to ACX, with comparable rates. You can sign up, submit samples, and get chosen based on your accent or how engaging your voice is. I like Findaway Voices because they help authors get their books into libraries, which means more exposure and potential earnings for you.
My recommendation? Try both!
7. Become an editor.
Book editing is another way to make money from reading!
It can be either a full-time job or a freelance gig.
If you have some education in editing or writing, you can apply for editing positions.
Or, if you’re just starting out, you can offer your services on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Editing can involve fixing grammar mistakes or even doing more in-depth work, like improving the overall structure and flow of the book.
It’s a great way to earn money by reading because it also helps you become a better writer!
8. Become a literary agent.
Becoming a literary agent is like living the dream for book lovers.
You get to discover amazing, hidden manuscripts, read them, and help them become the next big thing.
Every one of your favorite books was probably championed by a literary agent before you even knew it existed.
If you don’t have the right experience yet, start with an internship.
It’s all about who you know in this field, so network like crazy and learn everything you can about how publishing works.
Then you can get paid to read books, even the ones that haven’t been published yet!
TCK Publishing has a great guide on how to become a literary agent.
Check it out!
9. Translate books.
Do you speak more than one language?
Awesome!
You can actually get paid to read books in different languages and translate them.
I personally enjoy reading in English and Swahili, so I’m super grateful for the translators who make it possible for me to enjoy books from other cultures.
Another option is proofreading books in another language.
You can find this kind of work on sites like FlexJobs, Fiverr, Upwork, Babelcube, and Ulatus.
This can be a full-time job or a side gig, depending on how much you love doing it.
10. Proofread books.
Being a book proofreader can be a full-time job, but it’s more often a side hustle.
I think it’s one of the coolest ways to make money reading books.
Why?
Because by the time the book reaches the proofreader, it’s usually pretty polished and close to being published.
Editors handle the rough drafts, so proofreaders are mainly looking for small mistakes.
You need to be detail-oriented and have a good grasp of grammar, but it’s definitely possible to make money by reading books this way.
11. Design book covers.
Here’s a fun one!
If you’ve got a good eye for design or you’re even a graphic designer, you can make money by reading books and designing their covers.
You’d read the book, get a feel for its vibe, and then create a cover that captures the essence of the story.
You can do this as a freelancer or work for a publishing company.
Either way, it’s a cool way to get paid for reading books!
This is usually a later step in the publishing process, so you’ll get to read a book that’s almost ready to go.
Plus, it’s a pretty important job because your cover design can really make or break a book’s success.
Submit Reviews
Let’s talk about the third way to get paid for reading: submitting reviews.
It’s super easy, just three steps:
- Read a book.
- Write down your thoughts.
- Submit your review to one of the five platforms I’m about to tell you about.
Boom! You just made money by reading.
This is probably the fastest way to earn $200 for reading a book.
You’ve probably heard of places like Kirkus Reviews, so here are five lesser-known platforms to check out:
12. Booklist.
Are you good at summing up what you like or dislike about a book in about 150 to 175 words?
Can you describe the plot and figure out who would enjoy it most?
If so, this might be a great way for you to make money!
These review sites pay $15 per review.
You don’t need any special qualifications, just a love for books and libraries.
13. The US Review of Books.
This one’s more for experienced book reviewers.
You’ll need to reach out to the editor with your resume, some writing samples, and references from people who can vouch for your work.
They want reviews that are 250-300 words long, with a summary of the book and your own insights.
You can check out some examples on their website.
They pay for reviews, but they don’t say exactly how much.
14. Reedsy.
Reedsy is a bit different.
They don’t pay you directly for reviews, but you can earn money through tips.
You write a review, share it on their site, and see what happens.
If a reader really likes your review, they might tip you $1, $3, or even $5.
15. Bookbrowse.
Bookbrowse is another good option for submitting reviews.
They offer a small payment for each review and usually assign one review per month to their reviewers.
To apply, you’ll need to be familiar with their review style and have a few high-quality writing samples that are at least 300 words long.
16. Online Book Club.
Online Book Club is a cool way to get started with paid book reviews.
Your first review won’t earn you money, but you do get a free book to read.
Not a bad deal, right?
But after that first book, you can start getting paid for your reviews!
You can earn anywhere from $5 to $60 per review.
It’s super easy to join – just enter your email and sign up.
I did it in less than a minute and got a free book right away.
You just have to confirm the download within an hour and submit your review within 14 days.
Miscellaneous Ways of Making Money by Reading Books
These last two ways to make money from reading are still pretty awesome, but they didn’t really fit into the other categories.
So, here they are on their own:
17. Create a paid book club.
This one’s simple: start a book club!
All you need are some friends. Pick a book, get everyone excited about it, ask for a small fee to cover your organizing efforts, and you’re set.
I pay five bucks a month for my local book club, and it’s totally worth it. I get to hang out with friends and chat about a book once a month, without having to do any of the planning. The organizer, makes $25 to $75 a month depending on how many people show up.
This won’t make you a millionaire, but it’s a fun way to get paid to read books you’re genuinely interested in.
Plus, you get to socialize with your friends!
18. Join apps that pay you to read.
There’s an app called Booksta that claims to let you “get paid to read.”
It’s the only one I could find that actually pays you for reading.
Here’s how it works: you read a book, take a quiz on Booksta, and earn “Booksta coins” based on your score.
Apparently, each coin is worth $5.
But there’s some confusion on whether you can actually cash out your coins for real money, or if they’re just a promise of future value when they’re “on a Blockchain platform.”
I’m always a bit skeptical when I hear the word “Blockchain,” but don’t let my doubts stop you from checking it out!
The Best Way to Make Money by Reading Books Doesn’t Exist (Yet)
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could all just read books and get paid a decent wage for it?
That’s my dream!
But we’re not quite there yet.
For now, the best ways to make money by reading books are:
Maybe someday my dream of getting paid to just read will come true.
In the meantime, I hope these ideas help you find a way to earn some extra cash from your love of books!
