The OptRead Shelf, September 19, 2026: Fresh Free Reads to Grab

Welcome back to The Shelf, where we line up the newest free books added to OptRead today. Every title here is free and expires on 2026-09-22, so if something catches your eye, grab it before it's gone.

Travel Guides with a Local's Eye

• Greater Than a Tourist—Great Falls, Virginia by Lillian Stroup: 50 travel tips from a local — the inside scoop on a secret 25.
  It's never too late to visit Great Falls.
• Greater Than a Tourist—Sydney, New South Wales, Australia by Laura-Jo Thorpe: 50 tips from a local — for anyone excited to plan a trip and try something new.
  Guidance from a local is the point.
• Greater Than a Tourist—Virginia, USA by Jenna Marson: 50 tips from a local — history, mountains, beaches, small towns, local food, hidden gems.
  Go beyond the usual tourist attractions.
• Greater Than a Tourist—Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada by Cristina Lutcan: 50 tips from a local — for travelers who want guidance from someone who knows the area.
  Try something new with a local's help.
• Greater Than a Tourist—Missoula, Montana, USA by Ella Rehder: 50 tips from a local — the inside scoop on Missoula, Montana.
  It's never too late to visit.
• 50 Things to Know About Las Vegas by Angela McQuay: best places to plan—and win money — plus hidden gems off the strip.
  Maximize your time and money in Sin City.
• 50 Things to Know About Solo Female Travel by Abigail Belknap: practical advice from one woman to another — for anyone determined to take that solo trip but concerned about safety.
  Don't let fear hold you back.

Practical Skills and Outdoor Know-How

• Overlanding from Scratch by JB Agüero: a practical guide to 4x4 travel — preparing your vehicle, planning routes, organizing camp.
  For anyone who wants to explore beyond paved roads.
• The Ultimate Survival Guide by Alys Angelici: a comprehensive manual for all situations — wilderness, urban, desert, arctic, jungle.
  Survival skills matter in an unpredictable world.

Mysteries, Ghosts, and Cursed Places

• Six Set Sail — A Murder Mystery by NG K: six old friends, one luxury cruise — they're not all getting off alive.
  Trapped at sea with second chances.
• Ghosts, Legends & Lore from Florida: Tampa Bay by Jonah Bell: Tampa Bay keeps stories — from Gasparilla's civic pirate to Ybor City's rumored tunnels.
  Meet the women in white of the Vinoy and more.
• WEIRD TRAVEL CURSED PLACES by SparkTrail Press: haunted castles, forbidden islands, deadly roads — ancient curses, ghost towns, dark legends.
  Some places are famous because somebody swears the chair kills people.

For the Young at Heart

• Dracula by Bram Stoker: a chilling tale of horror, obsession, and undying evil — the timeless masterpiece.
  Journey into the darkest recesses of the human psyche.
• Red Rose Rising by A. J. Manney: Zalia loses everything in a single night — rescued by the dark prince of the enemy realm.
  Left with nothing but grief and rage.
• Blue Madness by D.K Lake: moving to Nebraska? — Kelsey has to break the news to Nessie and Mitchel.
  A goodbye party and a fun weekend ensue.
• Becoming a Stoic by Robert Whitfield: how to stop letting things get to you — for when a grade, a comment, or a text wrecks your day.
  Stop replaying it and feeling wiped out.

Fantasy Escapes

• The Mirror of Light and Shadow by L. R. SAINT: a Gothic portal fantasy — seventeen-year-old Morgan Blackmore is shattered by her twin's death.
  Claire's antique mirror opens a doorway into Mournglass.
• Mist At The Beach House by Victoria LK Williams: mermaids and murder — Morgan Seaver returns for a funeral she didn't expect.
  She left as a murder suspect.
• The Ninth Time I Killed You by Nadia Vestry: she has killed him eight times — Sera Kestrel has served a deathless order for 412 years.
  Across eight lives, she loved the same soul.
• Her Purr-fect Christmas Mate by Zoe Chant: his kiss turned her into a cat — not the mystical creature Peony expected.
  Her true love was not meant to be arrogant Mordecai.
• Hide the Witches by Miranda Lyn: a romantasy of magic and cool creatures — power dynamics, loyalty, and a passion between witch and witch hunter.
  A stunning new series.

Which of these will you add to your shelf first? Tell us in the comments—and remember, all are free until 2026-09-22.