Have you heard of Amazon First Reads?
Have you heard of the Amazon First Reads program? It’s a simple (and free!) way to get new releases if you’re an Amazon Prime member.
I’m always on the lookout for free book programs, and never more so than now when millions of people have limited access to their libraries.
One of those free book programs is Amazon First Reads.
I stumbled on the Amazon First Reads program a few years ago when I was looking at all the perks of being an Amazon Prime member (this program was originally called Kindle First – they renamed it a few years ago).
Are you familiar with this program?
Each month the Amazon editors team chooses around nine titles across different genres – they are either new releases or haven’t even been officially released yet.
For April, for instance, those categories are suspense, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, domestic suspense, women’s fiction, literary fiction, YA romance, picture book, and historical fiction.
From those nine books, you can choose one of them as a Kindle version at a wildly discounted rate.
And if you’re a Prime member?
It’s FREE (have I ever mentioned that free is my favorite price?).
By the way, if you don’t have a Kindle, you can always download the free Kindle app to your phone or tablet and read on that – I have a real Kindle, but I still use my Kindle app on my phone all the time.
AND, if you don’t have an Amazon Prime membership, you can get a free trial here.
You can also get a hardcopy of the book for a major discount.
As you probably already know about me, there’s nothing I love better than a book list, and so it’s super fun for me to be able to see their picks each month (and nine is a manageable number – it’s not like you’re trying to sort through 150 titles).
And, even better, you can see all their PREVIOUS picks here. You’ll notice if you look at the previous books, they’re almost all included in the Kindle Unlimited catalog.
(If you’re wondering about my ideal evening after the girls go to bed? It’s looking at book lists and maxing out my library cards. Give me a good chocolate chip cookie to eat while I do it and I’m basically the happiest camper on the planet).
(Yes, I’m the most gigantic nerd on the planet. It’s all fine).
Anyway, I get so many emails about how to get books without breaking the bank, that I couldn’t not share.
If you end up using it, let me know which book you picked and how you liked it!
Any other questions about Amazon First Reads? I’m happy to help!
Amazon Prime is a life saver. I would like to be able to avoid it (I’m not a huge fan of their business practices…) but I live in a really rural area and can’t really drive the hour into the nearest city for anything except work (and then I have to leave to get the kids at daycare on time, no shopping time allowed) so: delivery.
And they’re convenient, quick, affordable… yeah. Life saver for rural living with kids.
I *devoured* The Rule of One over the weekend – very good story. Definitely worth 1.99 if you’re thinking about it! And the ending is set up for a sequel.
Yes! The sequel comes out in 2019!
Amazon Prime is more expensive in Canada – I think it’s either $80 or $85 a year – and that’s just too much for me. I’ve opted for the Free Trial a couple of times before, and like you, I never understood what the overall appeal was. I mean, if you’re shopping on amazon constantly then I suppose it’s convenient to have a Prime membership, but if you’re just a casual, infrequent amazon customer (like I am), then I can’t justify spending $80+ a year on a membership.
I literally have a tab open for each of this months picks already – gonna go read the synopsis of each before choosing! But I like knowing which one you chose!
Its’ so hard to pick, isn’t it? Let me know which one you decide on.
I had NO idea this was a thing! Or that SO many people have Amazon Prime, I mean, it makes sense because I feel like 60% of people I know have it. I just got The Rule of One and I’m pretty excited about it! Thanks!!
I also love the Amazon Matchmaker feature. With most of the Kindle Firsts selections, you can purchase the accompanying audiobook for $1.99! I love it, it’s like getting the book and audiobook for $1.99.
Oh, I’ll check that out! Thanks for the tip.
This is one of my favorite Prime perks! I usually wait about a week after they come out and then read the reviews- I always end up picking correctly if I wait, haha. We are also huge fans of prime music (we don’t have Spotify or anything like that) and we do use it for their prime tv too. I also love that they have a student program and have recently started offering prime for low-income families too (at a reduced cost).
So many good perks! And that’s a good hint to wait a few days!
Thanks for sharing this!!!
Too good to keep to myself!
I also picked The Ragged Edge of Night but was tempted by The Rule of One!
(My sister turned me onto this perk of Amazon Prime just a few months ago.)
Awesome!! I’m so glad you mentioned this – I had no idea! We LOVE Amazon Prime & I just picked the children’s book from the list:) Can’t wait to read it with my kiddos! Thank you!! xo
Amazon prime is so good! It’s another way to avoid cable as well. I know we’re talking books here, but there are some good shows as well. Just Add Magic is the cutest show that the whole family enjoys together! Prime music is also a huge perk for us! It’s really a great deal! I’m so glad you posted about this and can’t wait to read The Ragged Edge of the Night! I LOVED The Nightingale!
I’ll check that show out! Thank you for the recommendation!
Thank you for sharing this! I can’t belive I’ve been a prime member for so long and didn’t know this!! I’m so excited, it’s like Christmas morning! ❤️
Yay! Happy to share the wealth 🙂
If you have a Kindle there’s Kindle’s Own Lending Library where you can borrow another free book a month. It’s a limited selection, but a lot to choose from. I have been able to find books to read and usually only buy a few books a year between all the prime benefits.
Also, Daniel Tiger is on Prime to watch and you can download them for road trips!
Amazon Prime also offers ‘Prime Reading’. You can borrow up to ten titles at a time, including children’s books and magazines from a small but decent group of titles (I just borrowed Siblings without Rivalry and The Handmaid’s Tale.) And they change it up periodically.
I was struggling to find a book that I could get digitally and remembered this post. Thank you! I grabbed the Ragged Edge of Night, but plan to get the Rule of One from the library once it’s out
I had NO IDEA this was a thing! My husband and I have had Prime for awhile. This is just icing on the cake for me! FREE BOOKS HOORAY
Yay!!
What did you pick for July? Its saying you get 2 books free for July ???!!! Yipppeee…
I could not live without Amazon Prime… I’m pretty sure that’s true 😉
What kind of e-reader are you using in the pic?
The baseline Kindle!
Hi! Thank you so much about this amazon prime perk! I had no idea about it…. and best part that is free!!
Love this! I just got a Kindle for Christmas and am totally obsessed!
Thanks for the tip, keep up the good work.
Could you add this to your weekly type emails? I will never remember to check, but will almost always buy something if someone reminds me of it….