Large-Print Books, Free Library Audiobooks and Puzzles

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

If small print has taken the pleasure out of reading, large-print books, audiobooks and e-readers can bring it back, and your public library offers all three free. Large-print puzzles, big-piece jigsaws and easy-grip craft tools do the same for other hobbies.

Who this helps

Anyone whose eyes tire with ordinary print, people with sight conditions such as macular degeneration or cataracts, people who find a heavy book hard to hold, and anyone looking for enjoyable ways to keep the mind active. If reading has suddenly become harder, have your eyes tested first; sight tests are free from 60 (see free prescriptions and eye tests).

Large-print books

Ordinary books are usually printed in type of about 10 to 12 point. Large print is generally 16 to 18 point, with more space between lines, and "giant print" is larger still. The paper is often thicker and less shiny to cut glare.

Libraries are the best source. Most have a large-print section covering popular fiction, crime, romance, sagas and biography, and can order titles in from other branches, usually free or for a small reservation charge.
Buying — large-print editions cost more than standard paperbacks, typically from around £10 to £25 new, because fewer are printed. Online booksellers list them as a format option. Charity shops and second-hand sellers sometimes have them; see charity shops and second-hand.
Weight — large-print books are bulkier. A book rest or reading cushion on your lap or table takes the weight off your hands.

Free audiobooks and e-books from your library

Joining a public library is free. As well as books on the shelf, most UK library services now lend e-books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers over the internet, at no charge, through apps such as BorrowBox or Libby. Which app your library uses varies, so ask at the desk or look on your council's library web page.

You need your library card number and PIN, and a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Audiobooks play through the app; e-books let you enlarge the text as much as you like.
Loans return themselves on the due date, so there are no fines.
Popular titles may have a waiting list, just like printed books.

Staff will usually help you set the app up if you bring your device in. In England and Wales you can find your local service through GOV.UK.

Tip: If you cannot get to the library because of illness, disability or caring duties, ask about the home library service. Many councils have volunteers who choose and deliver books, large print and audiobooks to your door, free of charge.

Services for people with sight loss or a print disability

RNIB Talking Books — the Royal National Institute of Blind People runs a free library of tens of thousands of audiobooks for people with sight loss, available by download, on USB stick or on CD. RNIB also offers books in braille and giant print. See RNIB or ring its helpline.
Listening Books — a charity lending audiobooks to people whose illness, disability or mental health condition makes reading print or holding a book difficult. There is a modest annual membership fee, with free membership for those who would find it a barrier. See Listening Books.

E-readers and tablets

An e-reader is a light, slim device with a paper-like screen. Any book can be made large print at the touch of a button: you choose the type size, boldness and spacing, and many have a built-in light. A tablet does the same and also plays audiobooks, though its glossy screen is more tiring for long reads. See our guides to e-readers and tablets for over-60s, and check which devices work with your library's app before you buy, as not all do.

Reading aids

A good reading lamp is often the single biggest improvement. See lighting for ageing eyes.
Bar and dome magnifiers, covered in reading glasses and magnifiers.
Book rests, page holders and reading cushions: around £10 to £30.

Puzzles and games

Large-print puzzle books — crosswords, word searches, sudoku and codewords in big grids with space to write. Widely sold, from around £3 to £10. Spiral-bound books lie flat.
Jigsaws — look for "large piece" or "extra large piece" puzzles with fewer, bigger pieces (commonly 100 to 500) that are easier to see and pick up. Typically around £8 to £20. A felt roll-up mat or a puzzle board with a lip lets you clear the table without undoing your work.
Playing cards — large-index or "jumbo" cards with big numbers and symbols, and card holders that keep a hand upright if gripping a fan of cards is hard. Around £3 to £12.

Hobbies and crafts

Easy-thread and self-threading needles, needle threaders, and hands-free magnifiers for sewing and embroidery.
Ergonomic crochet hooks and lightweight knitting needles with thicker handles for stiff fingers.
Chunky pens and pencil grips, bold-lined writing paper and large-print diaries, calendars and address books.
Groups: local branches of u3a, library reading groups, craft circles and community centres are sociable and usually low-cost. Ask at your library what meets nearby.

What to look for and mistakes to avoid

Check the type size before buying online. "Large print" is not a fixed standard; look for the point size or a sample page.
Choose matt paper and good black-on-white contrast in puzzle books.
Do not pay for an audiobook subscription before trying the free library service. If you do subscribe, note when the free trial ends.
Do not struggle on with poor light or outdated glasses.

Related guides

For more free and low-cost ideas, see free things for over-60s and cinema and theatre discounts. Listening is easier with the right equipment; see TV headphones and hearing amplifiers.

Common questions

Is it free to borrow audiobooks from the library?

Yes. Digital audiobooks and e-books through your library's app are free with a library card. Some libraries make a small charge for audiobooks on CD, often waived for people with sight loss.

What size is large print?

Usually 16 to 18 point type, compared with 10 to 12 point in standard books. Giant print is bigger again. An e-reader can go larger than either.

I do not use the internet. Can I still get audiobooks?

Yes. Many libraries lend audiobooks on CD, and RNIB and Listening Books can send books by post for those who are eligible.