[Must-Visit Website]: Project Gutenberg

Because of the nature of my job, I spend a lot of time online. As a result, I come across some pretty cool websites, and I’d like to share these treasured finds with you.

In this new blog series, Favorite Websites, I’ll post my favorite sites with you, and will give you tips on how you can use these websites. I hope you enjoy!

Favorite Website: Project Gutenberg

I still remember how excited I was years ago when I discovered the Project Gutenberg website. I couldn’t believe there were so many books available FREE to read – I was in heaven!

Project Gutenberg – https://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

This website includes over 59,000 free eBooks. You can read these books online, download them to your computer, or even read them on a Kindle. The books included are older books that have had the copyright expire. The books have been digitized and added to the website as eBooks.

You don’t have to register to use the website, nor are there any special apps or programs needed to enjoy the website.

The books on this website are classic literature, children’s books, and educational books – something for everyone! Make sure to see my notes below on some of the clever ways I use the books on this website.

Use This Website:

To use this website, search for a book you’re interested in or browse the selection. Once you find a book, you can read it online or download it.

1. Go to https://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page and click on one of the options at the top of the window – Book Search, Book Categories, or Browse Catalog
   
2. Click on Book Search and then enter the name of the book you’re looking for
   
3. Click on Book Categories to search books by category
   
4. Click on Browse Catalog to browse all the titles
   
5. When you find a book you’re interested in, simply click on the book title to read that book, then click on the format you want – for example, “A Field Book of the Stars by William Tyler Olcott“ (found in the Browse Categories, Science Bookshelf
   
   
   

Additional Tips and Notes:

• I love using Project Gutenberg for art and craft projects! For example, if you browse the Children’s Books and look for the ones that are illustrated, you can save and print the illustrations and use them in your projects. I like to print illustrations and frame them for art on the wall. I also like using the illustrations as gift wrap – just download, enlarge, and print on a color (or black and white) printer, and you have unique gift wrapping paper for special gifts. Here’s one of my favorite illustrated children’s books – perfect prints for framing – The Dumpy Books for Children, Book 7 – A Flower Book Here’s one of the illustrations from this book (isn’t it great?!).
  
• The botany category of books is another favorite of mine. I love the colorful illustrations of the plants (especially the wild flowers), as well as the black and white line drawings of the plants. Print the illustrations on a colored printer, frame them, and use them as art in your home. An inexpensive way to decorate, and something you can change with the seasons. Here’s an example:
  
• I really love the books in the insect category. The illustrations – both colored and black and white – make great prints to frame or use in projects. Here’s an example:
  
• There are so many fun books on this website, you’ll really have to spend some time to find your favorites. Here are just some of books I enjoy that you might want to take a peek at:
  – Nonsense Books by Edward Lear (love the illustrations)
  – Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes by Walter Crane
  – The Absurd ABC by Walter Crane (awesome illustrations)
  – Writing and Drawing Made Easy, Amusing and Instructive Containing the Whole Alphabet by William Chinnery
  – Wonder Stories, The Best Myths for Boys and Girls by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

I hope you find this website helpful and interesting – and I hope you find some new favorite books. Enjoy!

Have a question? Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you.