Get Paid to Read Books: 15 Top Companies for Book Reviewers

Do you enjoy reading books as a hobby? If so, you might be delighted to know you can get paid to read books!

If you can bury yourself in a book, reading it chapter after chapter, and can write an on-point book review, then this side hustle may be perfect for you.

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How to become a book reviewer

Right now, you’re probably asking: How do you become a book reviewer? Do you need to hold a specific degree or earn a particular certification? Do you even need training for it?

Fortunately, there’s not much that you need to become a book reviewer. First, you need to be a voracious reader. You must really love reading books. If you spend a good time in the library reading books or always made a point to visit the bookstore to check out books from your favorite author, then you’ll most likely qualify to become a book reviewer.

However, you also need to be a good writer. After reading the book, you will have to write a book review. You should be able to follow the guidelines of the editorial staff. Most editors are busy, so they’ll appreciate book reviewers who can create concise, onpoint, and objective perspectives about the book. Make sure not to give out spoilers or discuss the plot twists. Book Trust has a fantastic guide in writing book reviews here.

Additionally, having a sample book review, resume or CV, and website or blog link ready would be very useful when you’re hunting for book review gigs. Some companies require one or all of these, so it’s best to have them digitally stored when you apply. If you want to specialize in this niche, it’s a good  to place all your book reviews in one place so that publishers and authors can easily see if you’re a good fit for them.

How much do book reviewers make?

Reading a book can take some time and writing a review will also require some effort and brain energy, so you’re probably wondering how much you can make as a book reviewer.

There is no standard rate for book reviewers. According to Career Trend, you may earn zero dollars plus a free book, or $300 per review from top publishers. Those who are employed full-time by a publisher can make a more predictable income.

So as you can see, being a book reviewer isn’t always lucrative, and it won’t promise steady income. It’s a good side hustle for people who enjoy reading books as a hobby, but it probably won’t pay your mortgage.

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Top Publishers That Pay You For Book Reviews

Now let’s get down to the list of publishers that hire book reviewers, how much they pay, what they require, and what it’s like to work with them.

Related: 15 Inspiring Hobbies that Make Money

1. Online Book Club

One of the most popular book review sites is Online Book Club. Joining the Club is quite easy: just sign up and pick a book you’d want to read and review. The first review you write that’s accepted by the editorial staff isn’t paid, but all the subsequent book reviews will earn you somewhere between $5 to $60, plus a free copy of the book. Additionally, Online Book Club awards a $25 Amazon gift card for every 30 book reviews you write. .

2. Reedsy Discovery

If you want to get your hands on the best new books even before they hit the market, joining Reedsy Discovery will help you get paid to read books online. Reedsy has a massive library of books by self-published authors, so you’ll most likely to find books that you enjoy reading. You won’t get paid much, except for tips from authors ($1, $3 or $5). But as you build your reputation as a book reviewer, you can connect with authors directly for book review gigs.

3. Kirkus Media

Do you want to know how to become a book reviewer for Amazon? Join Kirkus Media! It is the prime source for book reviews for books that are sold on Amazon. 

 Kirkus Media is often hiring book reviewers, so it’s great to try your luck here before anywhere else. In your application, mention any relevant experience you have as that may increase your chance of being noticed.

Once you get in, you’ll have thousands of books from across genres that you can read and write a 350-word book review for. Details about the rates, however, are not specified on the site but you will get paid by check 60 days after your review is submitted and approved.

4. Book Browse

Book Browse is another legit company that hires people to read and review books. This company aims to help readers pick out the best books for them by publishing book reviews. If you’re wondering how you become a book reviewer for Book Browse, you’ll need to fill out  a short online form and send them two sample book reviews. According to its website, Book Browse gives book reviewers a modest payment and a byline. However, most reviewers only get to review one book each month.

5. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine with a core focus on the publishing industry. The company has a long list of book genres that are open for book review  including children’s books, mystery/thrillers, religion, lifestyle, and tnonfiction, from self-published as well as traditionally-published authors. To work with PW, you need to send your resume and a sample 200-word review. Book reviewers are paid an honorarium, but the amount is not disclosed publicly.

6. Any Subject Books 

Any Subject Books is a book review website that aims to supply honest and objective book reviews to readers. To do this, the site provides a standard form that book reviewers need to fill in, evaluating the book’s style, characters, plot, etc. Any Subject Books is also generous in sending reviewers books in their desired genres. The deadlines for book reviews are mutually decided by the book reviewer and Any Subject Books, and payment varies accordingly.

UPDATE 2024: Anysubject.com is no longer available

7. Women’s Review of Books

If you love to read books written by women authors for women audiences, then it’s a great idea to work for Women’s Review of Books. Women’s Review of books has been around for the last three decades, reviewing a wide range of literary works, including poetry, fiction and memoirs, among others.

If you wish to apply, attach one of your best book reviews as a sample as well as your resume. You will be compensated with a PDF issue where your book review appears, one year subscription to their magazine and $100 for every successfully approved book review.

8. The U.S. Review of Books

Another reputable book review website is the U.S Review of Books. The company hires freelance book reviewers who can write professional objective reviews of their books. The U.S Review of Books has an extensive selection of books spanning different genres, and they’re looking for reviewers who can provide an honest yet objective critique aboutthe book, and not the author. Book reviews should be around 250-300 words and are formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style. Payment is not disclosed, but according to most sources, the company pays via check once a month.

9. Booklist Online

Booklist is owned by the American Review Association, striving to help readers pick the best books that are worth their time. There are over 8,000 books published on Booklist, so the magazine constantly hires book reviewers. Books are of a wide variety, including fiction, nonfiction and young adult. You can write a book a review of 175 words to 225 words, and receive $15 for every approved book review. Make sure to follow the editorial team’s guidelines for writing book reviews to make sure you don’t get rejected.

10. Writerful Books

Writerful Books works with authors and publishers seeking honest reviews of their work. As an author services company, they are constantly searching for book reviewers with unique and engaging voices to help with their growing list of titles.

Whether you’re into mystery, romance, fantasy, or non-fiction, you can choose the books that interest you the most and write reviews on them.

Writerful Books pays anywhere from $10 to $50. If you consistently publish high-quality reviews for them, they may even reach out to you with more opportunities.

If you are interested in becoming a book reviewer for Writerful Books, it would be ideal to check out their website for more information on their guidelines.

11. Foreword Reviews

Foreword Reviews is a company that provides summaries and reviews written by independent authors and publishers. They boast of a team of professional reviewers who come from diverse backgrounds, including published authors, librarians, and teachers.

When you write for Foreword Reviews, you get to keep the books they send you. And here’s the best part—you have the freedom to choose the books you want to read and review. Foreword Reviews also offers a fair compensation of $55 per review. In addition to the pay rate, you have a whole month to complete each assignment.

You can apply by sending your application to their managing editor.

12. Book Tasters

Whether you are a seasoned reviewer or just starting out, BookTasters welcomes all book enthusiasts to join their community.

BookTasters already have over 5,000 readers on board, but they are in need of more to help authors improve their work.

To join BookTasters, you must have an Amazon Verified account and a Goodreads account. This is to ensure that you are a legitimate reader and have a platform to share your reviews. Once you have these accounts, you can go to the BookTasters website and sign up to become a reviewer. Browse through the available books and request to review the ones that interest you. If your request is approved, you will receive a digital copy of the book to read. 

When you become a part of the BookTasters community, you'll have the chance to participate in competitions and even win prizes.

13. eBookFairs

Another option on the list is eBookFairs. They have a program called Paid Book Reader where you can make money by writing reviews of the books featured on their website.

eBookFairs has a straightforward set of guidelines for book reviews. Book reviews need to be at least 200 words long and provide valuable feedback to authors. You can learn more about their guidelines here.

They also have specific rules in place for paying their reviewers. You can check out their site to see how much you can earn for each review and what steps you need to take to get paid.

14. Reader’s Favorite

Reader’s Favorite is a well-known book review and contest website that connects authors with book reviewers. They already have a team of over 1,000 reviewers, but they are always on the lookout for more professional and talented reviewers. If you have good writing skills and want to help readers and authors alike, then Reader’s Favorite is the perfect place for you. 

Reader’s Favorite only accepts digital books for review. If you want to be a part of their team, you need to be willing to read and review books in digital format. However, the good thing is that you can earn money and even win cash prizes by simply reading and reviewing these books.

13. Tyndale Blog Network

Ever heard of My Reader Rewards Club? It is a program run by the Tyndale Blog Network. This program is centered around a special rewards system where you can earn points by participating in different activities on the site. These include inviting a friend to join the program and sharing a link on Facebook.

At My Reader Rewards Club, you can also earn points by writing a review for a Tyndale or NavPress book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can earn up to 50 points in a month and these points can then be redeemed to snag more books from Tyndale’s collection. 

If you’re interested in participating, you can find more information in the FAQ section on their website.

14. Blue Ink Review

Blue Ink Review is a reputable book review service that offers paid reviews to self-published authors and publishers. They are always looking for reviewers who have a strong command of the English language and can write honest and insightful book reviews.

The company also takes great care in matching the right book with the right reviewers, so choose a specific genre that you are knowledgeable of and passionate about. For instance, if you have a particular interest in science fiction, highlight this in your application. If accepted, you will be assigned books to review, typically in the genres you are interested in.

The compensation details are not mentioned, but if you wish to become a reviewer, make sure to read and understand their guidelines.

15. Upwork

Upwork is a popular online platform where people can find jobs in many different industries. While Upwork is often associated with traditional freelance jobs like graphic design and virtual assistance, it may come as a surprise to learn that authors and publishers also post book review jobs on the platform. Here's an example:

To get started, sign up as a freelancer on Upwork. In your profile, mention any relevant experience you have as a book reviewer. This could include writing book reviews for blogs, literary magazines, or other platforms. It’s also a good idea to show a portfolio of your work. This could include samples of your writing, such as book reviews or literary analyses. Once your account is set up, you can start bidding on book review projects that interest you. 

The amount of money you can make by reviewing books on Upwork varies depending on the project and the client. Some clients pay reviewers on an hourly basis, while others pay per project completed. Successful reviewers may receive offers for long-term partnerships with authors or publishing companies.

Get Paid To Read Books: Is It Worth Becoming A Book Reviewer?

If you want to get paid to read books, you should first look at these nine places and see where you can possibly land a book review gig. Some of them pay more than the others, but of course, you also have to consider the selection of books they offer. You probably won’t enjoy reading memoirs if you love romance novels, right? To make your work as a book reviewer more pleasurable, try to find book reviewer jobs where you can get access to your favorite kinds of books.

All in all, working as a book reviewer is a great way to get paid to read books. You are not just enjoying your hobby, but getting paid for doing what you love. It isn’t very lucrative though, so it’s probably best to keep this as a side hustle and not your main source of income.

Have you tried working as a book reviewer? If so, how was your experience?

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