Top 10 Best Online Reading Libraries Worldwide

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brown wooden book shelves in library

Online libraries have transformed access to knowledge, offering millions of books, audiobooks, and resources for free or at minimal cost. Below is a curated list of the top 10 online reading libraries from around the world, detailing how to join, their charges in USD and INR, and their URLs.

1. Open Library

Description: Open Library, an initiative of the Internet Archive, aims to create a web page for every book ever published, offering over 3 million free books, including classics and out-of-print titles.
How to Join: No registration is required to read public domain books. For borrowing recent titles, create a free account on the Internet Archive website.
Charges: Free
URL: openlibrary.org

2. Project Gutenberg

Description: Project Gutenberg provides over 60,000 free eBooks, focusing on classic literature and public domain works, available in multiple formats like ePub and Kindle.
How to Join: No registration needed; simply browse and download books.
Charges: Free
URL: gutenberg.org

3. Internet Archive

Description: A massive digital library with over 3 million texts, videos, and audio recordings, including books and archived web pages via the Wayback Machine.
How to Join: No registration required for public domain content. Borrowing digitized books requires a free Internet Archive account.
Charges: Free
URL: archive.org

4. National Digital Library of India (NDLI)

Description: Sponsored by India’s Ministry of Education, NDLI offers a vast repository of educational resources in multiple Indian languages, including books, journals, and audiobooks.
How to Join: Register for free on the NDLI website using an email or institutional ID.
Charges: Free
URL: ndl.iitkgp.ac.in

5. Libby by OverDrive

Description: Libby connects users to local library catalogs worldwide, offering free eBooks and audiobooks through participating libraries. It’s available in 78 countries.
How to Join: Download the Libby app and sign in with a valid library card from a participating library. Some libraries allow digital card creation via phone number.
Charges: Free with a library card
URL: overdrive.com

6. Hoopla

Description: Hoopla provides instant access to eBooks, audiobooks, comics, and more through public libraries, with no wait times for many titles.
How to Join: Sign up via the Hoopla app or website with a library card from a participating library.
Charges: Free with a library card
URL: hoopladigital.com

7. Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)

Description: DPLA offers over 40 million digital resources, including books, images, and videos, from U.S. institutions and some Indian partners.
How to Join: No registration needed for open-access content; some resources may require a library account for borrowing.
Charges: Free
URL: dp.la

8. Read Print

Description: Read Print offers over 8,000 free books by 3,500 authors, with features like personal bookshelves and reading groups. It was named one of TIME’s 50 best websites in 2010.
How to Join: No registration required to read; sign up for free to create bookshelves or join discussion forums.
Charges: Free
URL: readprint.com

9. Bookshare

Description: Bookshare provides accessible books for people with print disabilities, offering over a million titles in formats like braille and audio. Public domain books are available to all.
How to Join: Free for U.S. students with qualifying disabilities; others can join with a membership. Public domain books require no registration.
Charges: Free for public domain books; individual membership costs $50/year (?4,200, based on 1 USD = ?84).
URL: bookshare.org

10. ManyBooks

Description: ManyBooks offers over 50,000 eBooks, primarily classic titles, with some modern books available at discounted prices.
How to Join: No registration needed to download free books; optional sign-up for personalized recommendations.
Charges: Free for most titles; some modern books have costs (varies).
URL: manybooks.net

Notes on Charges

  • Currency Conversion: Charges in INR are based on an approximate exchange rate of 1 USD = ?84, as of August 2025.
  • Free Access: Most libraries are free, especially for public domain content. Services like Libby and Hoopla require a library card, which may involve local library membership fees (often free or nominal).
  • Membership Costs: Bookshare is the only library listed with a clear subscription fee for non-public domain access ($50/year or ?4,200). Always check the respective websites for updated pricing.

These online libraries cater to diverse reading needs, from academic research to casual reading, and are accessible globally with minimal or no cost. Explore their collections to find your next great read

The Brave Web Browser: A Privacy-Focused Alternative

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A cell phone sitting on top of a wooden table with the logo of the Brave browser

The Brave web browser, launched in 2016 by Brave Software, is a free, open-source browser built on Chromium, the same engine powering Google Chrome. What sets Brave apart from other browsers is its uncompromising focus on user privacy, speed, and a unique approach to online advertising.

Key Features That Differentiate Brave

  1. Ad and Tracker Blocking: Unlike most browsers that allow third-party trackers to monitor user activity, Brave automatically blocks ads, trackers, and scripts that collect personal data. This results in faster page load times—often 2-4 times quicker than competitors like Chrome or Firefox—and a cleaner browsing experience.
  2. Privacy by Design: Brave uses HTTPS Everywhere to ensure secure connections and prevents fingerprinting, a technique used to identify users based on their device configurations. It also blocks malicious scripts and protects against phishing attempts, offering robust security without the need for extensions.
  3. Brave Rewards and the Basic Attention Token (BAT): Brave reimagines online advertising with its opt-in Brave Rewards program. Users can choose to view privacy-respecting ads and earn BAT, a cryptocurrency, which can be tipped to content creators or redeemed for rewards. This model contrasts with traditional browsers that rely on invasive, data-driven advertising.
  4. Tor Integration: For enhanced anonymity, Brave offers a private browsing mode with built-in Tor support, routing traffic through the Tor network to mask IP addresses. This feature goes beyond the standard incognito modes of other browsers, which don’t obscure your IP from websites.
  5. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Brave is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with seamless sync for bookmarks, themes, and settings. Its Chromium base ensures compatibility with Chrome extensions, making it a versatile alternative.

How Brave Stands Apart

While browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari dominate the market, Brave’s privacy-first philosophy sets it apart. Chrome, for instance, is deeply tied to Google’s data-driven ecosystem, collecting user information for targeted ads. Firefox offers strong privacy features but requires manual configuration or extensions to match Brave’s out-of-the-box protections. Safari, while privacy-focused, is limited to Apple’s ecosystem and lacks Brave’s innovative ad model.

Brave’s commitment to speed is another differentiator. By blocking resource-heavy ads and trackers, it reduces data usage by up to 60%, making it ideal for users with limited bandwidth or slower devices. Its BAT system also empowers users to support creators directly, bypassing middlemen like ad networks.

Focus on Privacy

Brave’s core mission is to give users control over their online experience. It minimizes data collection, storing only essential, anonymized usage statistics. Unlike competitors that profit from user data, Brave’s model incentivizes privacy-respecting ads while allowing users to opt out entirely. Its open-source nature ensures transparency, with the code available for public scrutiny on GitHub.

Conclusion

The Brave browser offers a compelling alternative to traditional browsers by prioritizing privacy, speed, and user empowerment. Its ad-blocking, tracker-free browsing, and innovative rewards system make it a standout choice for those seeking a faster, safer, and more ethical web experience. For privacy-conscious users, Brave is a bold step toward reclaiming control online.

How to Set Filters in Thunderbird: A Simple Guide

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email notification on smartphone

Mozilla Thunderbird is a powerful email client that helps you manage your inbox efficiently. One of its most useful features is message filters, which allow you to automatically organize, sort, or take actions on incoming emails based on specific criteria. Whether you want to sort emails into folders, mark them as read, or delete spam, filters can save you time. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up filters in Thunderbird.

Why Use Filters in Thunderbird?

Filters in Thunderbird help you:

  • Automatically move emails to specific folders (e.g., work, personal, or newsletters).
  • Delete or flag unwanted emails like spam.
  • Highlight important messages from specific senders.
  • Keep your inbox organized without manual effort.

Let’s dive into the steps to create and manage filters in Thunderbird.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Filters in Thunderbird

Step 1: Open the Filter Settings

  1. Launch Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
  3. Hover over Tools in the menu, then select Message Filters from the dropdown.
    • Alternatively, you can go to Tools > Message Filters on Windows or Thunderbird > Preferences > Filters on macOS.

Step 2: Create a New Filter

  1. In the Message Filters window, click the New button to create a new filter.
  2. A new window titled Filter Rules will pop up, where you can define your filter.

Step 3: Name Your Filter

  1. In the Filter Name field, give your filter a descriptive name (e.g., “Work Emails” or “Newsletters”).
    • A clear name helps you identify the filter later.

Step 4: Set Filter Conditions

  1. Under Apply filter when, choose when the filter should run:
    • Getting New Mail: Applies to incoming emails.
    • Manually Run: Allows you to apply the filter manually to existing emails.
    • Check Filter before Junk Classification if you want the filter to run before Thunderbird’s spam detection.
  2. In the Conditions section, define the criteria for the filter. For example:
    • Select From in the first dropdown, then contains, and type a specific email address (e.g., “boss@company.com“).
    • You can add multiple conditions by clicking the + button (e.g., filter emails with specific words in the subject line).
    • Choose whether all conditions (Match all) or any condition (Match any) must be met.

Step 5: Define Filter Actions

  1. In the Perform these actions section, decide what Thunderbird should do with emails that match the conditions. Common actions include:
    • Move Message to: Select a folder to move the email to (e.g., “Work” or “Archive”).
    • Mark As Read: Automatically mark the email as read.
    • Delete Message: Send unwanted emails to the trash.
    • Forward Message to: Forward the email to another address.
  2. Add multiple actions by clicking the + button if needed.

Step 6: Save and Test the Filter

  1. Click OK to save the filter.
  2. Back in the Message Filters window, you’ll see your new filter listed.
  3. To test it, select the filter and click Run Now to apply it to existing emails in your inbox (if you chose “Manually Run”).
  4. New emails will automatically trigger the filter based on your settings.

Tips for Using Filters Effectively

  • Organize Filters: If you have multiple filters, use the Up and Down buttons in the Message Filters window to prioritize their order.
  • Test Your Filters: Run filters on a small set of emails to ensure they work as expected before applying them broadly.
  • Use Specific Conditions: Be precise with conditions (e.g., exact email addresses or keywords) to avoid misfiltering emails.
  • Backup Filters: Go to Tools > Message Filters > Filters for > Export to save your filters as a backup.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Filter Not Working? Check if the conditions are too strict or if the filter is disabled (uncheck the box next to the filter name to enable it).
  • Emails Going to Wrong Folder? Double-check the conditions and actions, and ensure the target folder exists.
  • Too Many Filters? Combine similar filters to simplify your setup.

Conclusion

Setting up filters in Thunderbird is a straightforward way to keep your inbox organized and save time. By automating tasks like sorting, deleting, or forwarding emails, you can focus on what matters most. Try creating a few filters today, and tweak them as needed to fit your workflow!

Do not like Thunderbird and prefer Google apps then may be you can check out this post about Gmail.

How to Organize Your Gmail Inbox with Folders and Filters

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black laptop computer showing the gmail site

Keep your Gmail inbox tidy by using labels (Gmail’s version of folders) and setting up filters to automatically sort incoming emails. Here’s a simple guide:

Step 1: Create Labels (Folders)

  1. Open Gmail in your browser.
  2. On the left sidebar, scroll down and click More if needed.
  3. Select Create new label.
  4. Enter a name for your label (e.g., “Work,” “Personal,” “Bills”).
  5. Optionally, nest the label under an existing one by selecting “Nest label under” and choosing a parent label.
  6. Select Create.

Step 2: Set Up Filters to Sort Emails

  1. In Gmail, click the search bar at the top and then the filter icon (a small triangle on the right).
  2. Enter criteria for the filter, such as:
    • From: Sender’s email or name (e.g., “from:newsletter@company.com”).
    • To: Your email address or aliases.
    • Subject: Keywords in the subject line (e.g., “Invoice”).
    • Has the words: Specific phrases in the email.
  3. Click Create filter (blue button).
  4. Choose an action, such as:
    • Apply the label: Select the label you created (e.g., “Bills”).
    • Skip the Inbox: Archive the email so it goes directly to the label.
    • Mark as read: Keep it out of your unread count.
  5. Click Create filter.

Step 3: Manage Your Inbox

  • Emails matching your filter criteria will automatically go to the designated label, keeping your inbox clean.
  • To view emails in a label, click the label name in the left sidebar.
  • Manually move emails to labels by dragging them or selecting them and using the Move to or Label as options.
  • Regularly review and archive or delete emails to maintain a neat inbox.

Tips for a Tidy Inbox

  • Use descriptive label names for easy navigation.
  • Create filters for frequent senders like newsletters, bills, or work contacts.
  • Enable the Archive button to quickly remove emails from the inbox without deleting them.
  • Check the All Mail section to ensure no important emails are missed.

By setting up labels and filters, you can automate email organization and maintain a clutter-free Gmail inbox.

Do not like Google product then may be Thunderbird email client is what you are looking out for.