Free books and early access to reads sounds like the perfect combo for your favorite book lover. (And by favorite, we mean you!)
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Here’s How to Get a Free Kindle Book Every Month with Amazon’s First Reads Program
Published on Jan. 16, 2025
There’s good news: “Here’s a great book.” Then there’s really good news: “Here’s a great book—and it’s free!” If you’re a shameless bibliophile, you always have an eye out for new and interesting ways to invite fantastic fiction and nonfiction titles into your life. So when a program like Amazon First Reads pops up, you want to make sure you’re in the know and first in line to get your hands on more glorious books. Well, stick with us here because some really good news is coming your way.
If you’re not already taking advantage of this book program, allow us to introduce you to your new best friend. The Amazon First Reads program is super simple and—if you play your cards right—totally free.
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What is the Amazon First Reads program?
Amazon First Reads offers early access to new books across a variety of genres.
The program isn’t new—it launched more than 10 years ago as Kindle First, which allowed Amazon customers to buy and download select books a full month before their release. A few years later, the Kindle First program got a name change and some added perks for Prime members, and First Reads was born.
How does First Reads work?
Each month, the Amazon First Reads program emails Prime members with a handful of Kindle books selected by a team of in-house editors. Members can pick one of the books to read ahead of the official release date—and it’s totally free. (Non-Prime members can also choose one of the Kindle books for the reasonable price of $1.99.)
Just think: With this program, you’ll be getting the first bite, so to speak, of these fresh-from-the-publishing-oven reads. (OK, we’re going to stop with the baking analogies; we already have visions of sugar cookies dancing in our heads!) But if you don’t have time to read the book before it hits shelves, don’t worry. The First Reads books that you select will live forever in your Kindle library, so go ahead and download your free read, then get to it when you have time.
How about even more good news? During select months, you can get a bonus Amazon Originals short read for free with Prime or $1.99 for non-Prime members.. You’ll even get the chance to download two freebies at certain times of the year (more on that later).
What kind of books are part of First Reads on Amazon?
Handpicked by Amazon editors, First Reads books are spread across eight to nine different book genres, from unputdownable book club fiction (What the Light Touches by Xavier Bosch) and romance (Happy After All by Maisey Yates) to gripping nonfiction (Give Her Credit by Grace L. Williams) and psychological thrillers (Close Your Eyes by Teresa Driscoll).
Past First Reads books include:
- Trust No One by Debra Webb
- Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
- A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
- Bummer Camp by Ann Garvin
How do I join Amazon First Reads?
If you have a Prime membership, you can visit the First Reads page on Amazon, browse the handpicked selection and download your free book. There’s no obligation to buy anything. As a Prime member, you’ll also receive a monthly email announcing the new First Reads editors’ picks.
If you’re not receiving First Reads emails, double-check your notification settings. Here’s how:
- Go to your Amazon account.
- Scroll down to “Communication and content.”
- Select “Communication preferences.”
- Select “Subscribed updates” in the sidebar.
- Next to Amazon First Reads, click the toggle bar to the “on” position.
Of course, you can always opt out of this monthly note at any time with a simple unsubscribe or by toggling off that email notification. But then you won’t get the early inside scoop on what books are lined up for your enjoyment.
And if you’re not a Prime member? You’ll want to bookmark the First Reads homepage. Every month, visit for the list of discounted books, then click your pick to buy it for $1.99.
So can everyone get free books with First Reads?
No, not everyone. The free part only applies to Prime members. However, Kindle Unlimited subscribers can also borrow Amazon First Reads books for free—but they have to wait until the books are released. Being able to get the jump on reading these editor-selected books is another perk that comes only with Prime membership.
Reminder: These are Kindle books, so you’ll have to read your selection on a compatible Kindle device or download the free Kindle reading app to your phone or tablet. If you don’t have a Kindle or use the Kindle app, you can’t read Amazon First Reads books.
Also, it’s important to note that the First Reads program is available only to customers in the United States.
When can I get more than one free book?
Amazon keeps its bonus-reads schedule under wraps, but it just so happens you can get more than one free book right now. As a little gift to Amazon First Reads program members, you can choose any two January First Reads picks. Basically, it’s more books for you. Correction: more free books.
And you thought it was going to be hard to read more books this year!
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