Do you like reading? Well, if you're here, the answer is probably yes! Reading is an excellent hobby that can provide knowledge, entertainment, and even money for those who know where to look.
Yes, it is possible to make money reading books and there are actually quite a few platforms that pay for this. If you're interested, just keep reading and find out where and how to get paid to read books.
How can I get paid to read books?
The truth is that reading a book is the initial process, not the only thing you need to do to profit. Just as there are several platforms where you can make money reading titles, there are a number of different work methods you can take for making money with your book reading.
Here are some of the main activities you can do to get paid to read books:
Review books
Reviewing titles is one of the most common ways to make money reading books, and there are many websites that pay decent amounts for a book review.
In many cases, these platforms will ask you to review specific books, such as lesser-known and niche titles. This ensures that these books gain visibility in the market.
In addition, some platforms may ask for simple texts, while others may require more technical articles of 1,000 words or more. The amount of payment may vary from platform to platform, but one constant is that, in addition to a love of reading, to make money from book reviews you’ll need good writing skills.
Narrate audiobooks
The audiobook market has been growing more and more in recent years, being perfect for those who want to enjoy a good story, but don't have time to stop physically and read books.
Although well-known books are constantly being adapted to the audio format, there are thousands of books out there waiting to be given this treatment. Sites like ACX hire narrators to produce audiobooks, you just need to create an account and audition for projects.
Important elements for this type of work include having good audio capture equipment, as well as a suitable place to record for long periods of time (after all, you’ll basically be reading a book of hundreds of pages out loud) but for book lovers who also have interest in doing voice recordings, this is a great way to get paid reading books.
Proofreading
Some platforms and independent book publishers hire experienced readers to read books and find any flaws in the production, whether printing errors or writing errors. It goes without saying that knowledge of grammar is necessary, but if you enjoy literature, there’s no better way to contribute to the literary community and still profit from it than doing proofreading.
Creating and monetizing a book community
If literature is your passion, why not create a community around the topic? Book influencers are often used by readers who want opinions on certain books and prefer a review from a figure they can follow on social media rather than just a name at the end of an article. And Whop makes it easy to start your own community.
With a large enough audience, you can even gain sponsors, such as major publishers who can send you books for review before they are released, in addition to the possibility of creating your brand within the literature segment. All this just by doing what you love, reading books.
How much can I earn from reading books?
The amount of money you make will depend largely on the platform and method you are using to make money reading books.
Earnings from writing book reviews are never fixed. Certain sites may pay different amounts that vary according to the size of the book, its complexity, and especially the number of words you write—many companies prefer to agree on a fixed number of words, such as texts of 500, 1000, or 1500 words a review, for example.
On the other hand, activities that require extra equipment, such as narration jobs, where you’ll need decent recording gear, can give you higher profits. Many users report that it’s possible to earn between $100 and $150 per hour working as narrators for audiobooks. These amounts can vary depending on the book and platform.
While some options can be quite profitable, it's important to know that none of these models can earn you enough to make a living out of it. If you plan to dedicate yourself full-time, there may be differences, but consider the earnings and conditions of each platform before starting.
Best platforms to get paid for reading books
There are many websites that you can use to make money reading books, most of which are sites where you can earn money by sharing your opinions on certain publications, but there are also sites that hire you for other services in this area, such as proofreading and voice work.
To make good money reading books, you need to have an idea of how they are made and be able to form a solid opinion about the quality of the material.
Here are some of the best platforms where you can get paid to read books.
1. ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)
One of the most well known websites to get paid to read books, ACX connects audiobook narrators and producers with authors and publishers. It’s a platform focused on the production of audio books, so on ACX you're essentially paid to read books aloud.
Like we mentioned earlier, for this kind of job you’ll need some basic recording equipment in addition to the ability to read clearly and expressively. The best part about ACX, is that it allows narrators to earn either a one-time fee or a royalty share, offering flexibility based on your preferences and experience in this segment.
Best for: Readers with a strong, expressive voice interested in audiobook narration.
Earnings: $50–$200 per finished hour or royalty share based on audiobook sales.
2. Reedsy Discovery
Reedsy Discovery is a marketplace focused on reviewing and advertising self-published indie books. When applying and being accepted as a reviewer, you'll receive early access to self-published books to write detailed reviews that authors can use for promotional purposes.
It's an excellent platform to build your name as a respected reviewer, as Reedsy Discovery has a scoring system in the form of badges, which you earn after meeting goals, like reaching a certain number of reviews on the platform, for example.
Best for: Fans of indie books and those interested in building a reviewing portfolio.
Earnings: Readers can leave you tips as as token of appreciation after your review is published, which can be $1, $3, or $5 dollars
3. Online Book Club
The Online Book Club is as straightforward as it’s simple. It’s a platform where, if accepted, you receive books, review them, and receive amounts that can vary between $5 and $60 per review. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Online Book Club is extremely transparent, there are no fees or anything like that for book reviewers and the platform just expects you to write honest and quick reviews. It’s an excellent option for readers looking for some extra money without complications and in a straightforward way. The platform itself states that this is not a way to get rich, so the amounts earned are exactly what is proposed.
Best for: Readers seeking a steady flow of paid book reviews.
Earnings: For your first review, you'll only get the book for free. If your review is approved, you’ll become eligible for paid reviews, which range from$5–$60 per review, depending on experience and book length.
4. Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is a prestigious platform where experienced reviewers can critique books, primarily for traditional publishers (like Amazon) and self-published authors. This platform expects high-quality, professional reviews, making it best suited for readers with strong writing and analytical skills.
Reviews on this website generally follow the format of 350 words or more. One difference is that the platform accepts reviewers from all over the world, as the "Kirkus Indie" section, for example, has titles in both English and Spanish, as well as other languages.
Best for: Professional reviewers or those with a background in literature.
Earnings: Varies depending on complexity and book type.
5. Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a well-known trade publication that hires freelance reviewers to evaluate books before publication. Assignments on the platform involve writing concise yet insightful reviews for a professional audience, including booksellers, librarians, and publishers.
One thing to consider is that the platform has high standards, and contributors are often expected to have relevant experience or expertise in specific literary genres. So to be a Publishers Weekly book reviewer you really need some good writing skills.
Best for: Professional readers and those with industry experience.
Earnings: $25 per review. Earnings can vary depending on book length.
6. US Review of Books
As the name suggests, the US Review of Books is a website that connects authors with professional book reviewers. But it’s also a great platform for reselling used books.
When you sign up as a book reviewer on the platform, you’ll have access to book titles posted monthly that you can choose to read and review. If you get the job (if another reviewer hasn’t picked the book first), you’ll be given a deadline, the amount you’ll earn, and the expected length of the review—which is typically between 250 and 300 words.
Best for: Freelancers with good writing and analytical skills and a taste for books of all genres
Earnings: Can vary depending on the review job.
7. Scribendi
If you’re more about analyzing books critically in terms of writing, content quality, and editorial feedback, doing proofreading instead of regular reviews, Scribendi is the perfect platform for you to get paid for reading books.
It works primarily with academic and self-published authors, so work on Scribendi may range from fiction novels to non-fiction and even research-based scientific works. It's particularly suitable for readers with a background in writing or editing.
Best for: Readers with editorial skills looking for detailed review opportunities.
Earnings: $10–$50 per review, depending on length and complexity.
8. Upwork
Unlike other platforms presented so far, Upwork is not exactly a website focused on books, but rather a space where you can find and offer all types of freelance work, and among them are those related to reading books, of course.
You can find job offers for book reviews, voice overs for audiobooks, and even proofreading. Each job posting will have its own specifications and price. It’s a great platform if you’re looking for freelance work, but some of the postings may not be worth the work in terms of pricing, especially compared to other platforms that are really focused on book reviews and other related work.
Best for: Freelancers looking for flexible, self-driven projects revolving reading books and other written material.
Earnings: Can vary depending on the project, like its scope and the overall negotiation.
Looking for other ways to make money online? Whop is just what you need
Getting paid to read is possible, but it certainly isn't a huge money maker. If you're looking to make a larger income through reading, then how about starting your own business? You can sell books online, or even create your own ebooks. With Whop you create your own whop (which is your online hub) and can use it to sell products and services to your community. So, you could launch your whop and use it it sell proofreading and read-aloud services.
Whop has everything you need to turn your idea into a profitable, lifelong business. Check out Whop today.
Get paid to read books FAQs
The frequently asked questions about how to get paid for reading books.
What skills do I need to get paid for reading books?
If you want to make money by doing reviews or proofreading, you need strong writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to provide thoughtful, constructive feedback. For narration opportunities, you need clear, expressive reading and basic audio equipment.
Do I need prior experience to start making money reading books?
Not always, but it depends on the platform and method you choose to make money reading books. Some book review platforms require prior writing experience for book reviewers, and some will even ask for a sample of previous work to get accepted.
Can I choose the books I review?
Most platforms offer a selection of books from which you can choose to read and review, edit, or read in audiobook format. In more specific cases, some titles may be assigned to you directly.
Looking for more side hustle ideas? Check out these articles:
![46 easy ways to make money online [2025]](/blog/content/images/size/w600/2023/11/20-ways-to-make-money-online--1-.webp)
