Read Manchester and Transport for Greater Manchester placed 6,000 books on tram seats before services left depots in the morning.
Greater Manchester Libraries distributed another 2,000 books at bus interchanges across the city region.
Passengers could take a book home or leave it for someone else to read.
The giveaway marked the Take 10 to Read campaign ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10.
First launched by Read Manchester in 2018, the campaign encourages people of all ages to make time for reading and highlights its potential wellbeing benefits.
Read Manchester is a partnership between Manchester City Council and the National Literacy Trust.
Councillor Shazia Butt, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture, libraries and leisure, said the partnership had given away more than half a million books over ten years.
Fran Wilkinson, customer and growth director at TfGM, said: “A book can give someone the chance to switch off, escape into another world, learn something new, or simply enjoy a few moments to themselves.”
Library staff also spoke to passengers about services available to readers of different ages.
The Greater Manchester Libraries partnership includes library services in Rochdale, Bury, Oldham and the other seven Greater Manchester boroughs.
Jill Connolly, senior project manager at the National Literacy Trust, said: “Our Take 10 to Read campaign calls on everyone in Manchester to take 10 minutes to read on and around World Mental Health Day and discover how it can help you relax, boost your mood and connect with others.”
The campaign takes place during the National Year of Reading 2026 and encourages people to explore their interests through books, comics, articles and audiobooks.
