Wiki Money Online

For most people, reading is something they do for pleasure. But what if you could turn all those hours spent reading novels, nonfiction and other books into a small source of extra income? It may sound too good to be true, but getting paid to read books is a real side hustle. Publishers, literary magazines and book discovery platforms need people who can read books, evaluate them and explain clearly what works and what doesn't. Some opportunities pay per review, while others offer free books, experience and the chance to build a portfolio that can eventually lead to paid work.

There is, however, an important distinction to make. You generally aren't paid simply for finishing a book. You're being paid for the work that comes afterward: evaluating the book, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and communicating your opinion in a useful and professional review. 

Can you really Make Money Reading Books?

Book reviewing is a relatively specialized form of freelance writing, and there are far more people who enjoy reading than there are paid reviewing positions. Even established platforms are selective. The opportunity becomes more interesting when you combine reading with strong writing skills and a specific area of expertise. Someone who specializes in science fiction, business books, history, romance or technology, for example, can build a recognizable niche and develop a portfolio that publishers and publications can take seriously.

In other words, the real side hustle isn't simply "reading books." You're being paid for reading carefully, forming an informed opinion and communicating that opinion professionally.

If you don't have any reviewing experience, don't immediately expect to get paid. Start by reviewing books you already own and publish your best work on a personal blog or an established book community. Once you've built a portfolio, look for opportunities with publications and specialist review sites. Focus on genres you genuinely understand rather than trying to review everything.

The good news is that you don't need a journalism degree or publishing background to start building that portfolio. What matters most is being able to write clear, original and insightful reviews. The opportunities range from relatively accessible platforms where beginners can receive free books and earn a few dollars per review, to more selective publications that pay experienced reviewers considerably more.

OnlineBookClub

One of the easiest places to start is OnlineBookClub.org, a long-running online community for readers that currently says it has more than 6 million members. The platform is free to join and offers books to members in exchange for honest reviews.

The first review is unpaid, but you receive the book for free. Once you have completed your first review, you can become eligible for paid reviewing opportunities. According to the platform's current information, most paid reviews pay between $5 and $60 per book, although compensation varies depending on the assignment.

An important point is that reviewers are not expected to give positive reviews. OnlineBookClub explicitly says that reviewers are paid for an honest review, whether they liked the book or not. This makes it a useful starting point for people who want to gain experience before applying for more selective reviewing opportunities.

Link: OnlineBookClub - Get Paid to Review Books

BookBrowse

For readers who already have strong writing skills, a more professional opportunity is available through BookBrowse, an online publication specializing in contemporary fiction and nonfiction.

The reviewing process is considerably more demanding than simply writing a short opinion. Reviewers typically produce a 600–1,000-word review and also contribute a "Beyond the Book" article exploring an interesting fact, theme, setting or subject connected with the book. BookBrowse says its reviewers generally write around one review per month and receive a byline and payment. Its own recent article puts the average payment at approximately $60 per review.

Competition is high, however. The publication receives many applications and looks for reviewers capable of producing thoughtful, polished work. Most reviewers are based in the United States, although international applicants can apply if they are comfortable reading ebooks.

Link: BookBrowse - Become a Reviewer

Foreword Reviews

Another interesting option is Foreword Reviews, a publication particularly known for covering independently published books. It works with freelance reviewers from different backgrounds and provides a more traditional paid-reviewing arrangement.

The current rate is $55 per review, with approximately one month to complete an assignment. Reviewers receive the books they are assigned and are free to decline assignments they aren't interested in. The publication hires reviewers on a rolling basis.

This is therefore a more professional opportunity than the typical book-review website. Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong writing and ideally have some experience or knowledge of particular genres or subject areas.

Link: Foreword Reviews - Freelance Reviewers

Readers' Favorite

If you're looking for a way to gain experience while reading books for free, Readers' Favorite is another option worth considering. The platform has a large reviewer community and covers a wide range of genres.

The reviewing program is primarily volunteer-based, but reviewers can receive compensation for reviews and may also have access to free books. The platform currently states that earnings are paid through PayPal and that reviewers need at least $50 in earnings before requesting a payout. Payments are normally processed within 24 hours of an earnings request.

This can make it useful for building a reviewing portfolio, although it shouldn't be considered a high-paying side hustle on its own. The platform also has rules designed to ensure that reviews represent the reviewer's own work rather than AI-generated content.

Link: Readers' Favorite - Become a Reviewer

Reedsy Discovery

For experienced reviewers, Reedsy Discovery offers a more professional route. The platform connects independent authors with a network of reviewers who provide editorial reviews of books.

The main barrier to entry is experience. Reedsy's current reviewer application says it is looking for reviewers with at least three years of experience writing for literary publications. Approved reviewers get access to books before or around their release and are compensated for reviews.

This makes Reedsy Discovery less suitable for someone who has never written a review, but potentially very attractive as a longer-term goal. A good strategy is to start with more accessible opportunities, build a portfolio and eventually apply to professional literary platforms.

Link: Reedsy Discovery - Book Reviewers

NetGalley

There is one more platform that deserves a mention even though it doesn't actually pay reviewers: NetGalley.

Publishers and authors use NetGalley to provide digital advance copies of books and audiobooks to reviewers, journalists, librarians, booksellers and other members of the book community. In exchange, members provide reviews, ratings and other feedback.

So why include it in an article about making money? Because free advance copies can help you build a reviewing portfolio. If you're starting from scratch, reviewing books on NetGalley can give you experience and examples of your work that you can later use when applying for paid reviewing opportunities. It's therefore better viewed as a stepping stone rather than a source of direct income.

Link: NetGalley - Sign up as a Reviewer

How to Write Better Book Reviews

Getting paid to read is only half the equation. The quality of your reviews will determine whether you can turn this into a genuine freelance opportunity.

Don't just summarize the book. A good review should tell the reader what you thought about the writing, characters, structure, ideas or arguments and, most importantly, why you reached that conclusion.

Be specific. Instead of saying that a novel was "great" or "boring," explain what made it work or fail. Was the character development convincing? Was the pacing too slow? Did the author handle the subject convincingly?

Avoid spoilers. Unless the publication specifically asks for them, a review should help readers decide whether they want to read the book without ruining the experience.

Develop your own voice. Professional reviewers aren't simply summarizing somebody else's description. Your perspective and ability to communicate it clearly are what make the review valuable.

Proofread carefully. Grammar, spelling and structure matter considerably when you're trying to get paid for writing. BookBrowse itself emphasizes the importance of editing and warns against plagiarism and AI-generated reviews.

Build a portfolio. If you don't have professional reviews yet, start by reviewing books you already own or use services such as NetGalley to gain experience. A collection of strong reviews will make it much easier to demonstrate what you can do.

See also