Best websites for downloading free ebooks

 I need to figure out some good free eBook download sites. Let's start by recalling what I know. There are a few sites I've heard about before, like Project Gutenberg. I think that's one of the oldest ones with a lot of classic books. Then there's Open Library, which might have more modern books too? I'm not sure. Maybe LibriVox? Wait, isn't that for audiobooks? Oh right, but maybe they have eBooks too or links to them.

Then there are sites like ManyBooks or Feedbooks. I think those offer free eBooks, maybe in different formats. I should check if they're legal. Oh, the user probably wants legal sites, so avoiding pirated content. So Project Gutenberg is definitely legal since they offer public domain books. Open Library is part of the Internet Archive, which is a reputable source.

What about other sources? Maybe some university websites? Like the Internet Archive itself has a lot of eBooks. Also, Google Books has some free eBooks available, especially older ones. Oh, and Amazon has a section for free Kindle books, right? So maybe mentioning the Kindle Store's free section would be helpful.

Then there are sites like Smashwords, where authors can publish their work, and some might offer free eBooks. Similarly, BookBub could be a place where they curate free or discounted books. But BookBub might require signing up.

Wait, what about international sites? Like for non-English books? Maybe Project Gutenberg has affiliates in other countries, like Projekt Gutenberg-DE for German books. Also, the Internet Archive's Open Library might have books in various languages.

I should also consider educational resources. Sites like Textbook Revolution or Open Textbook Library might offer free academic books. And MIT OpenCourseWare sometimes has free materials, including books.

Need to be careful about some sites that might have pirated content. So I should list only the legitimate ones. Also, some sites might require creating an account, like Open Library, but that's still okay.

Let me think if I'm missing any major ones. Oh, Baen Free Library for science fiction and fantasy. And maybe the HathiTrust Digital Library, which is a partnership of academic institutions.

Also, Standard Ebooks is a site that takes public domain books and formats them nicely. That's a good one. Plus, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) aggregates resources from libraries.

What about mobile apps? Like Libby or OverDrive, which require a library card, but they're free. Maybe mention those as well, even though they're not direct download sites.

Wait, the user asked for download sites, so maybe focus on direct downloads rather than library lending. But OverDrive does have some titles available for immediate download without waiting, depending on the library.

Also, the Internet Archive's eBooks and Texts collection. And maybe Faded Page, which is another public domain site.

I should structure this into categories: Public Domain, Academic/Textbooks, Author-promoted, and maybe others. Also, note the formats available (ePub, PDF, Kindle, etc.) and any regional restrictions.

Need to verify each site to ensure they're still active and legal. For example, Z-Library was a big one but got taken down due to piracy issues, so definitely avoid mentioning that.

Also, check if sites like ManyBooks and Feedbooks are still operating and legal. From what I remember, they offer both free and paid books, with the free ones being public domain or author-promoted.

Okay, compiling all this, the main sites would be Project Gutenberg, Open Library, ManyBooks, Feedbooks, Internet Archive, Google Books, Amazon Free Kindle Books, Smashwords, BookBub, Standard Ebooks, HathiTrust, DPLA, Faded Page, Baen Free Library, Open Textbook Library, and maybe some international ones like Projekt Gutenberg-DE.

Also, note that some sites might have ads or require email signups, but as long as they're legal, it's okay. Ensure to mention that users should respect copyright laws and check the book's copyright status in their country.

I think that's a comprehensive list. Let me make sure I didn't miss any major ones. Oh, maybe the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) for academic works. And PubMed Central for health-related books, though that's more articles.

Also, Librivox is for audiobooks, but they link to Project Gutenberg texts, so maybe include it as a related resource.

Alright, time to organize this into a coherent list with brief descriptions for each site.

Here's a curated list of legitimate free eBook download sites, organized by category, with brief descriptions:

Public Domain & Classic Literature

Pr  Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org)

Over 70,000 free eBooks (mostly public domain classics). Available in ePub, Kindle, PDF, and plain text formats.

1.      Standard Ebooks (standardebooks.org)

High-quality, meticulously formatted public domain books with modern typography.

2.      Faded Page (fadedpage.com)

Offers public domain books, particularly strong in Canadian literature.

3.      Projekt Gutenberg-DE (gutenberg.spiegel.de)

German-language public domain books.

Libraries & Archives

5.      Internet Archive - eBooks & Texts (archive.org/details/texts)

Millions of free eBooks, including modern titles via controlled digital lending.

6.      Open Library (openlibrary.org)

Borrow modern eBooks (with a free account) or download public domain works.

7.      HathiTrust Digital Library (hathitrust.org)

Academic-focused, offering access to millions of digitized books (full view for public domain titles).

8.      Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) (dp.la)

Aggregates free resources from U.S. libraries, archives, and museums.

Academic & Textbooks

9.      Open Textbook Library (open.umn.edu/opentextbooks)

Peer-reviewed, free college textbooks.

10. Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) (doabooks.org)

Academic peer-reviewed books available under open access licenses.

Author-Promoted & Indie Platforms

11. Smashwords (smashwords.com)

Self-published eBooks, including free titles by indie authors.

12. Amazon Free Kindle Books (amazon.com)

Filter Kindle Store by "Price: Low to High" to find free eBooks (requires Amazon account).

13. Baen Free Library (baen.com/categories/free-library)

Free science fiction and fantasy eBooks from Baen Books.

Curated Lists & Discounts

14. BookBub (bookbub.com)

Sign up for alerts on free/discounted eBooks tailored to your preferences.

International & Multilingual

15. Wikisource (wikisource.org)

Multilingual library of public domain texts, translated works, and more.

Formats & Accessibility

·         Most sites offer ePub, PDF, or Kindle-compatible formats. Check individual sites for details.

Important Notes

·         Legality: All listed sites distribute content legally (public domain, Creative Commons, or author-authorized).

·         Regional Restrictions: Copyright laws vary by country; verify a book’s status in your region.

·         Library Apps: Libby/OverDrive (requires library card) offer free eBook loans but may have waitlists.

Avoid sites like Z-Library or LibGen, which host pirated content. Always respect copyright laws and support authors when possible. Happy reading!