2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge

Welcome to the 2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge! The hosts might have changed a bit, but we're still here to encourage you to read those freebies!

Previously on WBtC: In 2011, Missie @ The Unread Reader started the Show Me the Free reading challenge as a way to get some of those freebie ebooks read. It was a hit and in 2012 it morphed into the Why Buy the Cow? challenge and she invited me to join her as a co-host. Unfortunately, Missie is unable to continue hosting and has graciously handed the challenge off to me and my partner in crime, Amanda @ On a Book Bender.

Things you need to know: This challenge is for free LEGAL downloads of books. These can be books offered through bigger sites, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or smaller sites, such asSmashwords and All Romance Ebooks. Ebooks offered through author or publisher websites are acceptable as well, provided they are available free to everyone at the time of download. ARCs, library books, books free through Amazon Prime, books won or gifted, and galley ebooks DO NOT count toward this challenge.

Here's how it works:

• Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained FREE e-books. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
• Anyone can join. You don’t have to be a blogger, and you don’t have to live in the United States. 
• Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage. 
• Please Note: If you don’t have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon’sFree Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.
• The challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. You can join at any time.
• e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.
• Every month in 2013, I will make a post for the 2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge so you can link your reviews.  Based on participation, monthly link ups may be combined.

Challenge Guidelines: 

• If you have a blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.
• Non bloggers: participate by linking up your profile URL from the site you plan to post your reviews on such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
• When you post your book review, you MUST reveal how you obtained the free & legal download. Please make your source clear. We do not condone piracy of any sort.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.
• Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but ARCs/galley e-books DO NOTcount. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble.

Levels:
Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Buying in Bulk: 36 Books
Super Saver: 50 Books
Extreme Couponer: 100+ Books

Intrigued? Do you think you want a piece of this action? Excellent. Hop on over to the sign-up pageand show us what you're made of!

Want to know where to start looking for those freebies?
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
All Romance eBooks: offers random freebie books throughout the year (signing up for the newsletter is the best way to stay updated about new freebies)
Pocket After Dark: offers free online reads that change monthly and/or every two weeks
Books on the Knob pulls freebies from around the web in different genres for reader consumption (for romance/erotica reads check out Erotica and Romance Books on the Knob)
Additionally, check out your favorite authors' blogs. They often have hidden gems for their readers.

Sign-up! Tell your friends! Read free books!