By Cassie Phillips
The word “free” seems to be too good to be true, and often that can be the case with free e-books. These picks are not your average slew of bad genre books; they’re the exception to the rule. From classics to new reads, they’re the proof that not all online literature is inferior to what gets printed.
Downloadable on Amazon and Kindle, these texts are great for grabbing on the go or over a secure connection at your local coffee shop. In today’s connected world, you never have to be without a great read. Check out these picks that range from kid-friendly and ghostly to classic and modern.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
When little orphan Mary Lenno is shipped off from her home in colonial India to the cold and dreary countryside of Yorkshire, it’s up to her imagination and tales of the exotic country she just left to keep her spirits high and her storytelling sublime. When she discovers a secret garden on the English estate, it’s the cultivation of plants that build lasting relationships and personality for Mary in her new home. It’s been turned into countless movies and plays, but the original Secret Garden is full of the minute details that make it a great read.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm
The Brother’s Grimm are famous for their grim tales of magic and mystery. Perhaps they’re not exactly the perfect read for the younger set, but older storytellers and writers of fiction will fall in love with the gory details that they didn’t hear the first time around. From severed toes to gruesome deaths, these sometimes violent, always bloody tales are better off in their original form.
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling
Kipling’s The Jungle Book might be the more famous of his texts, but the standalone tale of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is perfect for a short, nighttime read with your child. In a vibrant and well-personified telling, a brave mongoose becomes part of a British colonial family and saves them from the appearance of two menacing cobras in one of the best classic stories around. While the Victorian meanings behind the text might be lost on the younger set, the greater picture is one that everyone will love.
The Ghost Files by Apryl Baker
For lovers of tales that go bump in the night, the teen favorite The Ghost Files is a welcome tale. After her mother tried to kill her when she was young, Mattie Hathaway has been able to see dead people. When the ghost of her foster sister shows up, Mattie knows it can only mean trouble. With the help of a police detective and her sixth sense, the two discover that there is a dangerous killer on the loose who must be stopped.
President Obama: The Kindle Singles Interview by David Blum
For the politically minded, President Obama: The Kindle Singles Interview by David Blum will be a revelatory experience. From the effectiveness of government programs to the personal anecdotes of his family and personal life, this dive into the life of the 44th president will be an eye-opening 30-page glance at the inner mind of one of the world’s most prominent leaders.
From politics to ghost stories, these five e-books are your answer to never sitting through another boring commute or waiting in a long coffee shop line. Grab these free downloads and enjoy! Also be sure to leave a comment below if you think there is anything else people might want to take a look at!
About the Author:
Cassie is an avid reader and technology maven. From downloading great e-books to discovering new authors, she thinks that technology is the best way to get the best out of her favorite hobby. Visit her at her website culturecoverage.com