The Kindle is a fantastic platform for book lovers, even if you prefer physical copies. For effectually $100, you go a device that lets y'all read at dark, lets you buy books instantly, and lasts for weeks on a single charge.

Although there are several Kindle models to fit any upkeep, perhaps you want to experience an eBook before buying or don't have the money to buy a device at present. You'll exist pleased to know that Amazon provides a costless Kindle app for Windows and Mac that lets y'all read right from your PC.

Allow'south piece of work through the procedure of using this software and finding some gratuitous books you can enjoy...

1. Download the Kindle App and Sign In

First, y'all'll need to install a free copy of the Kindle app for Windows or Mac. Head to the Kindle app page, click Download for PC & Mac, and the site will automatically catch the correct version for your operating system. You can also apply the Android or iOS apps if you prefer. One time it's installed, open the file and wait for information technology to load upwards.

Next you lot'll need to enter your Amazon account credentials. Note that if you use 2-cistron authentication (2FA) on your account, the app won't permit yous sign in and yous'll continually be asked to solve a CAPTCHA. To gear up this, enter your countersign immediately followed by your electric current 2FA code in the password field. This isn't explained anywhere in the app, simply information technology works. If y'all don't have an Amazon account, you lot can create 1 here.

2. Detect Some Complimentary Books

If you own whatsoever books on Amazon, you lot'll find them in the All section of your library. When you want to start reading these, double-click one to open it. Yous tin also right-click a book and choose Download to salve it on your device for offline reading.

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Assuming you don't have any books nonetheless, let's become looking for some. You can click the Kindle Store link at the pinnacle-correct of the window to open the Kindle book storefront in your default browser.

However, since we're looking for free books, yous should visit the Cheap Reads for Kindle page first. Hither, Amazon gathers the most pop complimentary books in several categories. Y'all'll detect classic reads that are out of copyright from authors like Charles Dickens and Jules Verne, but there are plenty of scientific discipline fiction, romance, and thriller books on this page as well.

If you'd like to narrow your search, go ahead and select a category, like Computers & Technology, on the left-hand side of the Kindle books homepage. Scroll down past the featured best-sellers, and look for the Sort past: drop-down box a bit down the page.

Change it from Featured to Price: Low to High to show all free books in that genre first. We institute some well-rated books on JavaScript, data security, and Java programming for free in our testing.

Once you've establish a book that takes your fancy, click Buy now with 1-Click to claim information technology. If yous have multiple devices, you tin choose which one yous'd like it sent to. No matter which ane you selection, though, the book should bear witness up in your Library on the Kindle app moments later on. You lot can click the Refresh button next to Library to manually sync if the new book doesn't show upwardly.

Amazon notes that free books may vary in quality and Kindle formatting, and so don't surprised if the formatting looks a piffling off.

3. Read Your Books!

Double-click the new book in your Library to open up it. The interface is similar to a PDF reader, with several shortcuts that help y'all customize your reading view. Use the left and right pointer keys to move between pages, and click the Full Screen push to maximize screen real estate for reading.

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The Text Options button lets yous conform the font, font size, words per line, effulgence, and color modes. If y'all prefer two-cavalcade reading, click the Columns push button next to this. Go to is a shortcut tool that lets you instantly skip to whatever page. You tin bookmark a page for later past clicking the Bookmark button in the top-right.

A couple of actress features circular off the Kindle app'southward handbag of tricks. On the left sidebar, y'all'll find buttons for Tabular array of Contents, Search, Notebook, and Flashcards. The Notebook holds your bookmarks, and you can fifty-fifty create some flash cards from your bookmarks. You lot can also double-click any word to see its definition, color-lawmaking it for later, or add a annotation to it.

Practise You Like Reading on Your PC?

Inside simply a few minutes, anyone can start enjoying free books on their reckoner. While you probably won't find your favorite books in the free section, there's a risk you lot'll dig upwards a subconscious treasure. If yous're never read books digitally before, this is a adventure-free way to give information technology a shot. It doesn't paint a perfect film of the Kindle feel, however. There are pros and cons to using the app on your phone or computer, so bigtime readers volition probably prefer a real Kindle.

Now that yous have access to the Kindle ecosystem, check out how to find unlimited content for it!

What do you think of reading books on your reckoner? Does using the Kindle app make you desire to own a existent Kindle? Delight permit us know what free books you're reading through the Kindle app downwardly in the comments!

Image Credit: Who is Danny via Shutterstock.com

Originally written past Karl 50. Gechlik on November eleven, 2009

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About The Author

Ben Stegner (1800 Manufactures Published)

Ben is the Editor in Primary at MakeUseOf. He left his Information technology job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked dorsum. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more as a professional writer for over eight years.

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