Welcome to Free Book Friday 5! The past few weeks I found some pretty amazing free books that many people took advantage of and enjoyed. Every week I try to make the new list better than the last one!
Just in case you missed the past few weeks’ Free Book Fridays, here they are:
Free Book Friday: Something for Everyone!
Free Book Friday 2: Something for Everyone!
Free Book Friday 3: Something for Everyone!
Free Book Friday 4: Something for Everyone!
This week’s Free Book Friday 5 includes several different genres so that everybody can find a great read for the weekend. Here are the genres I have picked out in keeping with the subject of Complete Literature’s goals as a website:
- Teachers’ Books
- Books for Younger Students
- Books for Older Students
- Fun Books for Teachers
Just let me know if there is a genre you would like to see added! I would be happy to look into it and include it in future Free Book Friday posts.
Just click on the books or titles to get to the Amazon links. Make sure that you click on the Kindle version so you don’t end up paying the physical book price. Unless, of course, you want the physical book!
Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! You can just click here to download the free Kindle app on just about any device, mobile or desktop.
Also, one final note: while the title of these articles are Free Book Friday, it is only because I introduce them on Fridays. All of the books in Free Book Friday 5 will be free for as long as the offers are available. Make sure to check with Amazon before purchase to confirm free status.
Table of Contents
Book For Teachers
Honey…. You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!: An Inside Look At How Teachers’ Mental Health Affects The Classroom
About the Book
When life does not go as we plan (and it never does), sometimes our mental health takes a direct hit. Or sometimes, the life we have lived as a whole affects our mental health and we have no idea.
When a large number of teachers is experiencing a family crisis, depression, or stress, it is impossible for that not to leak down to the way they work with their students on a daily basis. Ms. Howard works through these three items in the first three chapters of this very short book. She also includes some pretty crazy stories that came from the teachers working in her charter school–hence, the “you can’t make this stuff up” part of the title.
The next chapters cover various methods of working through and healing the teachers in the following ways:
- Changing the Culture
- Art Therapy
- Finding Balance
- Financial Freedom
The final chapter talks about the impact of the difficulties, and then the impact of the solutions. It was pretty awesome hearing about how she was able to get help for her teachers and then work with them as a team to find healing and success in their school culture.
I have to admit, some of the stories were pretty far “out there.” I was surprised and also sad for her that she had to put up with such craziness that affected the students in her school.
You can work through this book in one sitting, but it will have a huge influence on you long after you finish. It really inspired me to always be available to listen and help those that are hurting and looking for help.
About the Author
Stacey Owens-Howard was a National Board-Certified teacher who worked as an Early Education specialist. She did well with that for 10 years and made a good living. She was an excellent worker, conscientious, hard working, prompt, and worked well with her peers.
But she had a son who was not doing well in the traditional school system. And that inspired her to begin a charter school that catered to children who learned differently than the normal traditional school model. She does not go into detail in the book about what model her charter school followed. The topic was more about developing and training an excellent staff that would do right by the kids.
And in the end, her school succeeded because she took the time to pay attention to the needs of her staff and they all healed as a community within the school I found it to be pretty inspiring.
I also think it could be helpful to any organization or company that is dealing with high stress. While you won’t have the connection of working with students, you will have the connection of working with your peers.
Book for Younger Students
Sascha Martin’s Rocket-Ship: A hilarious sci fi action and adventure book for kids (Sascha Martin’s Misadventures 1)
About the Book
This is a best selling book because it mixes some unusual genres together. Science fiction and adventure are pretty normal together. But in this book, John Arthur Nichol adds an element of comedy, and totally nails it. Your kids will be belly laughing all the way through this. And if you’re reading it to them, they will be begging you to keep going.
As the title suggests, this book follows the story of Sascha Martin. He builds a rocket ship, and then takes it to school with him. BUT, he also puts a sign on it that reads, “Don’t Touch!” So what do you think happens as soon as the kids read that sign? Yep, chaos ensues because no kid that ever read a sign that says don’t touch ever chooses to not touch, and especially not in a sci-fi adventure book!
Sascha’s classmates learn that Sascha knew just enough about building rockets to be really dangerous! You will have to read the book to find out exactly what happens.
About the Author
John Arthur Nichol has a special gift in making kids laugh. And it come across really well in all of his books.
Mr. Nichol says that wherever he can, he loves to implement mystery, suspense, and laughter. And it is this really unusual combination that makes his books work for kids so well.
Mr. Nichol lives in Sydney, Australia, and has three adult children, two in Sydney, and one in Melbourne.
Note: if you purchase the free Kindle version of this book, you also get the audio version free! You will find the link for that inside the Kindle book.
Book for Older Students
The Metamorphosis
About the Book
Most people will recognize this as the classic from Franz Kafka. It has truly stood the test of time as it shows young adult readers how to plot their course in life even when the world changes everything up on you.
Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself turned into an insect. He now has to move on through life in this new form. Of course, this causes him to question the purpose of his existence.
This book is a novella, so the plot does not take a lot of time to develop and will keep you reading to the very unexpected end, which I will not divulge.
About the Author
Franz Kafka, born in Prague in 1883, originally wrote this book in German and it was instantly loved around the world. He wrote many works that dealt with such issues as alienation, physical and psychological brutality, parent-child conflict, issues of bureaucracy, and mystical transformations. He was certainly a man way ahead of his time. Young adult readers still love this work to this day.
Fun Book for Teachers (or for Anyone)!
We’ll Meet Again: A beautiful and uplifting new short story from the Sunday Times Bestseller
About the Book
Amazon says, “For nurse Jenny Hallam, there’s no such thing as a quiet day (or night) at work. But even with WWII rumbling away, Jenny still has time, patience and kindness for everyone she treats, with plenty to spare for her two young children at home.”
People everywhere notice her kindness and gentle spirit, and she starts to gain attention even from the men she is taking care of: one in particular.
This is a short book (just 48 pages) so you can finish it in one sitting. I did with the distraction of my kids, so anyone can! There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you riveted. And it is one of those books that you just feel good after reading, something that is increasingly rare in this day and age.
About the Author
Cathy Bramley is a British author who has sold over a million of her romantic comedy books. She has grown a very loyal following through the years. This is largely because of her feel-good writing style that makes you swoon over the men and wish that the women were your best friends in real life.
She has always been an avid reader, but for many years ran her own marketing agency in England.
Another reason that she has such a large following is because she makes herself largely available to them. She always has up-to-date contact info and welcomes the feedback and thoughts of her fans.
Conclusion
So this is my Free Book Friday 5. I hope that you liked it as much as the others. Free Book Friday 5 is definitely my favorite list so far! I have actually enjoyed writing these because it is forcing me to take the time to read things that I wouldn’t normally get a chance to. And that has been super fun in my work-all-day-and-night current life.
Let me know which ones appealed to you and which ones you read and enjoyed!
And stay safe out there! You should really just stay in and grab a cup of coffee and a blanket and read these books!
And once again, if you need the rest of the series, here it is:
Free Book Friday: Something for Everyone!
Free Book Friday 2: Something for Everyone!
These are super useful resources. Thanks for sharing!
So thorough and detailed! I love that you also wrote about the author – to me, knowing a bit about the author can be a really important part of the reading experience. Great post xx
Very true, Meghan. Many times what the author writes is steeped in the experiences they have had throughout life.
Woohoo, I am all about free books! I’ll check some of these out for sure. I’ve been reading a ton while in quarantine.
Me too, Amber!
Your blog is becoming a real salvation both on how best to manage the study of the kids, but also the time for us adults.
Thank you, Cristina. I am hoping that my blog can be greatly helpful at all times.
What a great list of books. I’ve actually been wanting to read Frank Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. I”m more of an audiobook listener and I see that one is only $.82. Score! Thanks so much!!
So thorough and detailed! Great list of books!
It’s great that we can get all these free books to read , looks like a super selection , something for everyone.
My daughter is a teacher. I will share this post with her.
Free Book Friday!?!? ummm, amazing!!! love this so much. Cool post!!!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for this great list of books. I might check a few of these the next days. I am excited to read again…
I think you will like them. 🙂
You’ve given us more excellent suggestions here! If I had kids this would be the time I’d be making sure that we all sat down and did some reading together.
I have been able to take advantage of that. If anything, this whole quarantine thing has helped me be even more intentional with my kids.
Excellent suggestions as always my friend. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you. Happy Easter!
Thank you for these suggestions! I’ve been reading more during quarantine and I’ve always looking for more books.
I have been reading more than I have in years during this lockdown. Such a wonderful past time that helps me relax. Great suggestions here!
That one about the impact of a teacher’s mental health sounds really interesting. I’m going to have to check it out!
These sound like really great suggestions. My sister is a teacher so I will have to share with her.
What an excellent list and some great recommendations! Thank you for sharing!
These are some great ideas to add to the list. I am always looking for my next great read.
It’s so nice to have variety. 🙂 I just had my post last night about my favorite book. Reading is really one thing I would thank myself for doing. <3
I love reading inspirational books it is sort of my stress reliever. Life has been busy nowadays after I give birth I wish I can make time again for a me time.
You will get more of that me time back eventually. Time will fly by. But for now make sure you schedule little bits of it, even if it is for only a few minutes!
These are some great resources. Having a little information about the author makes the book all the more intriguing to read.
I love hearing about the author because that is where the book originated from. Whatever is going on in their life and heart has to have something to do with what they are writing.
Had I known about the Teacher suggestion earlier this year, I would have given it to my daughters Principal. Her teacher was surely going through something, and it led to bad results in the classroom. Once she went on medical leave, and a sub came in, my daughter excelled in school. 🙂 The insect book sounds like a book I would quickly pass, but you made me interested in it. Thank you!!
Maybe you can still help out with that situation. I do hope that it is resolved now and in the future. And I am not much of a bug person myself, but that book was pretty awesome. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this!
I love that you also included a few lines about the author: this usually helps me a lot in deciding if a book will be good for me or not.
This is a great list of books detailed and well written. These are great reads during the quarantine to help with the stress that some are experiencing.
Yes, Holly! I am finally starting to get a bit more time to read. I always have a hard time balancing work and life and I work from home so the quarantine has not necessarily given me a huge amount of extra time.
I’ve been reading a lot in self isolation. There are so many ebooks available for free, .99 or 1.99.
These are perfect, because I am looking for new books to read. Thanks for these recommendations! I’ll take that “We’ll Meet Again”.
Great idea! i think most of us read more during the lockdown and I personally believe it is for the better
Thank you for giving us the chance to know about the authors too. It’s always a way to feel connected before beginning the read.
I agree! Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy this week’s selections. 🙂
What a great resource, who doesn’t love a free book. The Metamorphosis looks like something I’d enjoy!
It was a fun read with my boys. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Adrienne!
I’m a teacher and these resources were so helpful!
I hope you are able to enjoy them, Shannon!
This is a great post during this time given teachers and students are struggling. These look like great reads.
I love your Free Book Fridays and all the cool books you include for teachers!
Thank you, Kez! I hope to keep making them available.
Sascha Martin’s Rocket Ship sounds like a book my kids would love! While the schools are closed I want my kids to read a lot . So, very handy information. Best part is it is free!
Yes, Priya! My eight-year-old son loved this one. I hope your kids enjoy it too. 🙂
thank you for the suggestions! i have been looking for a good read lately
Thank you for your suggestions. I am going to bookmark this post.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sarah. 🙂
This is another great read, very helpful book. Thank you!
Great Marie, your suggested books are really the great, I believe you’re the best teacher and your students are lucky to have a wonderful teacher and guide.
Great choice of books! Thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely check them out.
I’m all for free books! I think the book for teachers might be the most appropriate for me to start with. Even though I’m a uni lecturer, I’m always looking for ways to improve my classroom and the mental wellbeing of my students.
The Metamorphosis sounds oddly familiar! I think I did a book report on this back in college as part of our assignment! Interesting plot indeed! 🙂
Metamorphosis sounds like an amazing book. I have read reviews about this book and they said that the story is so inspiring
Great choices friend, Metamorphosis sounds like an amazing book!
These are some amazing resources, thanks for sharing it will use them for my daughter
The Metamorphosis looks like it would be a really great read for older students. In fact, I think it’s something that I would even read myself!
These are really good books to have. I hope there will be more.
Forcing yourself to do something you like doesn’t sound half as bad 🙂
The book for teachers about their mental health and how it can affect the classroom definitely sounds like a must read. If the teacher is mentally healthy.. they can effectively teach their students in a healthy manner.
Can’t wait to pick up so many of these!
reading is such a great comfort during alone time. and when you can’t travel you can always pick up a book and travel to some foreign or fantastical location. have you been using Overdrive from your local library? such a gem.
Great post. . ! I love reading about the authors as well.
Sascha Martin’s Rocket-Ship: A hilarious sci fi action and adventure book for kids looks so nice. My niece would definitely love this! She loves a good adventure books.
What a great initiative and great book selections. I like how in line with your mission you are.
I liked the part where it is there, ‘Something for everyone’. These resources are super useful, some of my friends are teachers, they will live it!
Yes to free! Who doesn’t like free book I will check. Few of these out
I love thatI can go and read through this again to see what im gonna be reading next! tganks for thethorough reviews
Such a cool concept, I mean who doesn’t like free stuff right? That looks like a good list of books too. I might have to check one of them out.
All of these books sound so awesome and so beneficial! I mean if they’re free, count me in too! I love free books!
Kileen
cute & little
That’s interesting book recommendations! It all looks fun reading during this pandemic.
I enjoy reading good books. Thanks for the recommendations. Reading good books help in relieving stress.
Great! Thank you very much! Who doesnt like free books? I am gonna check them out!
My oldest boy is only ten but sometimes I’m guilty of buying books ahead of time just to make sure I have it on hand when he is ready. The Metamorphosis might be on that list.
Thank you for sharing the list of books. They are all good to read as I think in one way or another it can nourish our hearts and minds. I would love to read Honey…. You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!: An Inside Look At How Teachers’ Mental Health Affects The Classroom as I am also a teacher, I think that I can relate fully on this stuff. Aside from this, The Metamorphosis and We’ll Meet Again seem to be an interesting read too.
This is a great list of books! My reading game has picked up by 100% during this pandemic and I am always looking for new books to read.
I’m curious to read The Metamorphosis. I love the cover and it’s so interesting!
Thanks for this. It was just what I needed. I’m looking to get my son something new to read. Rocket Ship sounds like fun book.