The Shelf: September 22, 2026 — Free Books on Travel, YA, Sports, and More
Welcome to The Shelf, where every book added to OptRead today gets a one-line pitch. All titles below are free and expire on 2026-09-25, so browse quickly.
Travel: Guides, Tips, and Local Secrets
Fifty travel tips from a local — the Greater Than a Tourist series. Each guide offers insider advice on food, culture, and hidden gems.
- Greater Than a Tourist- Kansas City Missouri by Daniel Moreno. Fifty tips from a local.
- Greater Than a Tourist- New Mexico by Jeff Christensen. Authentic experiences in New Mexico.
- Greater Than a Tourist- National Harbor Maryland USA by Sheva Hodge. An inside scoop on Maryland.
- Greater Than a Tourist- The Lower Rio Grande Valley Texas USA by Dwayne Vega. Local insight into the Valley.
- Greater Than a Tourist- Mackinac Island Michigan USA by Jennica Janae. Guidance for Mackinac Island.
- Greater Than a Tourist- Manitoba Canada by Hannah Chartier. First-hand Manitoba tips.
- Greater Than a Tourist- New York City New York USA by Anthony Bevilacqua. Local tips for NYC.
Eat China with Confidence by China Companion Guides. A bilingual menu reader with 250+ dishes and phrases.
150 Facts about Driving Tests Around the World by Mike Dunnaway. Curious facts about driving tests globally.
The Ultimate Retirement Getaway Guide by Jefferson Foster. Travel wisdom for the young at heart.
Oahu Travel and Adventure Guide by Ocean Breeze Adventures. A shortcut to Oʻahu's thrills and culture.
Travel in Time in New York by Dan Blanchard. Daytrips to historic sites with leadership lessons.
Musings from a Small Island by Sol Luckman. A literary travel memoir with local flavor.
Young Adult: Magic, Mystery, and Mind Readers
Six YA adventures where powers, curses, and secrets collide. Start a new series for free.
- Bodhi Bagsly: The Curse of Pumpkin Stone by Chad Martin. A village under a curse.
- The Thought Readers (Mind Dimensions Book 1) by Dima Zales. A mind reader's story.
- A Shimmer of Magic (The Crystal Mages Trilogy Book 1) by Jane Shand. A young mage's journey.
- Runesworn: Stone One by Taylor Night. A romantasy debut.
- Torrent (Angels & Demons Book 1) by Megan Linski. A paranormal angel romance.
- Creator of the Stones: The Stone Guild, Book 1 by J. R. Geraci. Two opposites protect a princess.
Sports & Outdoor Recreation: From Chair Tai Chi to Ultramarathons
Fitness and sports stories for every pace. Gentle workouts, race strategy, and a memoir.
- 5-Minute Chair Tai Chi for Seniors by Silver Sage Press. A 28-day gentle program.
- The HYROX Doubles Playbook by Alex Harper. Partner workouts and race strategy.
- Tactical Calisthenics for Beginners Over 40 by Leon Akira. A 28-day bodyweight blueprint.
- The Wedding Winger by Delancey Stewart. A hockey romcom.
- The Memoirs of Casanova by Giacomo Casanova. An autobiography of a fascinating figure.
- Chasing Trails by George Mahood. A fun book about a miserable run.
- The Invisible String by Shelby Gally. A minor league hockey love story.
More to Explore: Tarot, Productivity, Psychology, and Fiction
A mixed shelf of self-help, fantasy, and romance. Quick picks for curious readers.
- The Complete Guide to Tarot by Erin Book Publishers. Over 500 pages on tarot.
- 150 Facts about Everyday Productivity Hacks by Mike Dunnaway. Quick wins and brain tricks.
- The Fantastic Life / ACT 3 by R. Coppola. Lessons for a vibrant later life.
- Dark Psychology by erick milton. Analyze people and body language.
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason. Timeless financial wisdom.
- The Money Abundance Activation by Christel Andersen. A 14-day neuroscience system.
- Stop Reacting, Start Living by Ellie Anderson. 50+ tools for emotional regulation.
- Alias Tomorrow by Anthony Caplan. A literary science fiction story.
- A Witch in Blood by Sabrina Hale. An urban fantasy academy novel.
- The Lies of Vampires and Slayers by K. M. Shea. A slayer's new life.
- A Deadly Sin (Fallen Angels 1) by Alisa Woods. An angel paranormal romance.
- To Kill a Unicorn by John Corwin. A Lovecraftian urban fantasy thriller.
- One Bed between Enemies by Lisa Hazel. A mistaken identity billionaire romance.
- The Mountain Man's Devoted Refuge by Tiffany Bloom. A later-in-life small-town romance.
Which of these free books will you add to your shelf first?