How I wish we have bookstore here where you can read freely.

Well they don't really smile on people reading their books without buying them here. It's not FORBIDDEN... but I think when I sit and read in a bookstore they want to charge me rent or at least buy the book I'm reading. Reading a book puts wear and tear on the book, especially if it's a paperback. So I don't blame them for not wanting us to read the books. They do want to sell them after all. If they let everyone come in and just read, they'd have a lot of damaged merchandise on their hands. It's much better to sit and read in a library. They don't care if the spine gets a little wrinkled because you held it open and read it. They don't have to sell the book and they get paid by the government.

I have visited countries where people were allowed to read the books in the bookstores. There were even chairs and tables so that you could sit down and read. When I saw that for the first time I was very surpriced, because in my country they don't want people to read in the bookstores and there are no chairs. Sometimes there are even signs on the walls saying: "Please do't read the books before you buy them. If you want to read books without buying them, go to the library"

Do you not have a library in your location? I dont expect book stores would like people just reading books without actually buying them or they would never make any money. You could try searching online for "free e-books". You'll find loads of sites like this one I just found for you: http://www.free-ebooks.net/ Happy reading :)

I am from Philippines and we do have bookstores where you are free to read books before buying them, and there are also bookstores where reading is not allowed. I am not sure though about their rules and regulations regarding reading inside the bookstore, but I think they don't have (am I making sense here?), anyway, what I mean is, there are couches around the bookstore, and I often see a lot of people sitting and holding a book, some are simply seated along the aisle of every bookshelves, with notebooks open (maybe to take down notes?) but the staffs are not saying anything on them. I never tried to stay there to just sit and buy nothing from their great collection of books, normally, I go there, browse on topics and buy the book. Maybe one of these days, I'll try to sit there whole day reading a book, and observe other people around me. :-D

I love those free to read bookstore. I never leave without buying anyway. So they also get something in return, not just providing free books to read. In India, I know of two book store which does that. One is Crossword and the other is Book Cafe. There used to be a Book Cafe near my house, but they closed it down now, and Crossword is too far from my house. In any case, I haven't had much free time now to spend on the book store.

well then you could try e books but i can guarantee you that they can never give u the original reading feeling as you get while reading a book. I always go to a bookshop and read some chapters and then i come back home everyday. So it's very easy for me to read as many books as i can. Does the word library ring a bell?

Well, I don't mind if my country does not offer free books to read like manga. It would be so unfair for the bookstore business. We already have a public library which is free. If I want to read manga site. Better to log on the net and enjoy comfort my home.

Yes, I think these places must be wonderful too. I read a book by Jane Green about owning this kind of book shop and I thought it was a wonderful idea. The only place I stay to read books now is the local library. I buy a lot of books though, especially cheap from charity shops, as I love reading.