LibGuides: Open Access eBooks &amp; Audiobooks: Open Access Google eBooks

Download Classics & Primary Sources

Using Google Play Books you can find, read and download free classic works of literature and other primary sources like first hand accounts of historical events, autobiographies, correspondence, diaries, are more.

Good to Know

A work will be free if it is out of copyright or the author or publisher choose to make it free. This brief explanation of length of copyright & publications can help you determine if an author's work might be available for free, full text online.

Works Published After 1978
Life of the author + 70 years.

Works Published 1923-1978
95 years from date of publication.

Works Published Before 1923
All in the public domain.

Here's how to get started:

Enter your author or work title in the search box.
At the top of your result list, select the All prices pull down menu and select free.
Click on the free eBook you want, click on the Free button and start reading or download to your Google Play app. Some free Google Play eBooks will require an existing account with a payment method, but will charge $0.00 to your account.

Free Google Play Books

Read over a million free Google Play Books from the public domain. Choose from a diverse collection of public domain titles -- from well-known classics to obscure gems. Many are available to download in EPUB and/or PDF format.