If you have Amazon Prime and love discovering new books before everyone else, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on one of Prime’s perks.
I’m talking about Amazon First Reads which is a monthly program that lets Prime members choose a free (or nearly free) ebook before its official release. But if you read ebooks even semi-regularly, it’s worth knowing how it works.
What Is Amazon First Reads?
Amazon First Reads is a monthly program for Amazon Prime members. Each month, Amazon selects a handful of upcoming Kindle books (usually across several genres) and lets Prime members choose one to download early.
Most months:
Prime members get one free ebook. Occasionally, Amazon offers two picks.
Non-Prime members can still buy the books, usually for around $1.99. If you pick your free ones, you can buy the books at the sale price.
Once you choose your book, it’s yours to keep. This isn’t a borrow like Kindle Unlimited. It doesn’t expire. It stays in your Kindle library permanently.
What Kind of Books Are Included?
First Reads titles are typically:
* Early releases (often 1–4 weeks before publication)
* Written by newer or mid-list authors
* Occasionally by well-known authors experimenting in new genres
Genres rotate but usually include:
* Romance
* Thriller / mystery
* Historical fiction
* Women’s fiction
* Fantasy or sci-fi
* Literary fiction
Some months are amazing. Some months are a maybe. It really depends on your reading taste.
How Amazon First Reads Actually Works:
If you’ve never used it before, it’s surprisingly simple.
* Log into your Amazon account
* Go to the Amazon First Reads page
* Browse the monthly selections
* Click “Choose Now” on the book you want
* Send it to your Kindle
* That’s it.
Once you select a book, you can’t swap it out later, so it’s worth reading the descriptions and checking reviews first.
Do You Need a Kindle?
You don’t need a physical Kindle device or the Kindle app.
You can read First Reads books on:
* A Kindle e-reader
* The Kindle app on your phone or tablet
* Kindle for desktop
* As long as you can read Kindle ebooks, you’re good.
Is Amazon First Reads Worth It?
This depends on how you read. For me, it usually is.
If you:
* Already have Amazon Prime
* Read ebooks regularly
* Enjoy trying new authors
* Like early access to books
* Then First Reads is a solid bonus.
* Even if you only choose a book a few times a year, that’s still several free ebooks you didn’t have before.
My Honest Experience With Amazon First Reads:
Some of my favorite surprise reads have come from First Reads. Books I probably wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. I’ve also chosen books that ended up being “just okay,” and a few I didn’t finish. I didn’t pay extra for the books, there was zero guilt if I did not finish them.
A Few Tips Before You Choose Your Monthly Pick:
* Look at genres, not just titles
* Read the full description
* Check the page count (some are shorter than expected)
* Remember: you don’t have to pick a book every month
Amazon First reads vs the Library:
Amazon First Reads and library apps like Libby or Hoopla serve very different purposes.
First Reads is best for:
* Early access
* Owning the book permanently
* Discovering new authors
The library is better for:
* Popular bestsellers
* Audiobooks
* Risk-free browsing without limits
Final Thoughts:
Amazon First Reads isn’t life-changing, but it is a nice little perk if you’re already paying for Prime. It’s an easy way to add a new book to your Kindle each month without spending extra money. Occasionally, you’ll stumble onto a great book or short story.
If nothing else, it’s worth checking once a month to see what’s available.