There are so many books out there, so whether you’re a big bookworm or just looking to dedicate more time to a healthy hobby, there’s something for you.
So, if you’re interested in reading more, you may have heard of Prime Reading and become curious.
What Is Prime Reading In [currentyear]?
Amazon Prime Reading is a program exclusive to Prime members as one of the many membership benefits in [currentyear]. The Prime Reading catalog offers free Kindle downloads for more than 2,500 titles, including popular books and magazines. As Amazon’s version of a private online library, Prime Reading has an impressive selection for readers of all ages.
If you’d like to know more about Prime Reading, including how it works and what kind of books you can get, then continue reading the rest of our guide!
What’s Available on Prime Reading?
There’s a lot of literature you can enjoy through Prime Reading, which is essentially an online ebook and magazine library only available to Prime members.
It’s free for members to borrow books through Prime Reading.
There are over 2,500 titles to choose from to download free to your Kindle e-reader or the Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet.
No matter what you like to read, the Prime Reading library has something for everyone.
There are new releases available all the time, and an impressive selection of non-fiction and fiction across the most popular genres.
Children’s books, graphic novels, teen fiction, and adult titles are all available to read on-demand, as well as magazines and content on current events.
Also, the Amazon Kindle Store has shorter Kindle Singles, which are novella-length ebooks written by both new and experienced authors.
Prime Reading isn’t just for ebooks, as you can also listen to stories with Audible narration if you prefer.
This includes Whispersync technology, which lets you pause and pick up in the same spot.
However, one thing to note about Prime Reading is that the library changes often with many books only available for a limited time.
At the same time, if there’s something you’re eager to read but don’t see in the Prime Reading library yet, check back as new titles are constantly added.
How Do I Access Prime Reading?
Arguably one of the most attractive benefits of Prime Reading is how well it works on all the most popular devices and operating systems.
This includes the Kindle e-reader, Fire tablet, and the Kindle app on an Android or iOS tablet or smartphone.
Whichever device you use, Amazon has a lot to see and read in the Prime Reading library, which will appear in your account as long as you have an active membership.
Just make sure you’re logged in, and then you can go right to the Prime Reading homepage to view the full catalog.
Ebooks and magazines are listed under the “read for free tab,” while books with Audible narration are filtered through “read and listen for free”.
Any titles you download will be immediately available on the Kindle app or e-reader, so you can dive right into a good book.
Just keep in mind that if your Prime membership has expired or you haven’t signed up yet, you must register and maintain a current membership to access new books.
In that case, you may be interested in an Amazon Prime free trial, which would give you access to Prime Reading for free for the first 30 days.
If you don’t want Prime Reading for more than the 30-day trial, then make sure to cancel your subscription before the free trial period ends.
Otherwise, the free trial automatically continues into a paid membership, so you’d have Prime Reading access for the foreseeable future.
Something else to consider about Amazon Prime Reading is that you can borrow a maximum of 10 books at a time.
However, there’s no limit to how many titles you can read in a month, so it’s a great option for anyone who wants to get lost in a good book.
If you’ve already borrowed 10 books, all you need to do is select a title and return it, freeing up space for a new book download.
Is Prime Reading Free?
Like other exclusive Amazon services, Prime Reading is included in the cost of membership and there’s no additional fee to access this online library.
Many people have already signed up for Prime to get free shipping and other discounts, and then realize they have access to an impressive range of literature, too.
If you’re an existing Prime member, then there’s nothing extra you need to pay to start downloading books from the Prime library.
If you need an updated Amazon Prime membership, it currently costs $12.99 a month plus tax, or you can save a bit by paying the $119 annual membership upfront.
Also, as one of the top places to buy everyday essentials, Amazon offers dedicated discounts to students and those on certain government assistance programs.
Therefore, discounted Prime memberships and access to Prime Reading are available.
Free streaming and exclusive discounts sweeten the deal for the Prime membership, especially because there’s no minimum contract on a monthly plan that can be canceled at any time.
This essentially means that you can read as many ebooks as you’d like, plus get free shipping on any physical copies you want, as long as you have a Prime membership.
Is Prime Reading Good?
If you’re trying to decide whether an Amazon Prime membership is worth it for you, it helps to know how easy Prime Reading is to use.
Generally speaking, Prime Reading is good for anyone who reads a lot, or even those who just want to dedicate more time to reading and learning through literature.
Currently, there are over 2,500 titles to pick from.
Another advantage of Prime Reading is the simple download feature, which works for both Kindle e-readers and smartphones or tablets with the Kindle app.
Books download immediately, so you don’t have to wait to start reading.
As well, unlike other reading subscription services, there’s no limit to how much you can read.
There’s no limit because you can always return titles to make room in your personal Prime library, which allows for a maximum of 10 titles at any time.
Amazon has also simplified the online reading process for an enhanced user experience, so there are several ways to access Prime Reading.
You can visit the Prime Reading main catalog, or check out eligible items with the Prime Reading filter on the Kindle Store website.
If you’re using the Kindle app or your e-reader, you can look for Prime Reading books under the store search bar, which will bring up the entire Prime Reading library available for download.
Amazon clearly identifies Prime Reading titles as books that you can read and/or listen to for free, so in just minutes, you can be turning the pages to a great book.
Prime Reading is faster and more convenient than a traditional library, and with all genres and age ranges covered, it makes sense for a lot of regular Amazon shoppers and users.
In the world of on-demand digital services, Prime Reading stands out because you can share these benefits, rather than requiring a separate account for all users.
Prime Reading can be shared with up to two adults, four teens, and four young children in the same family.
This is one of the main reasons why more and more families are opting for Prime Reading, as the benefits can be shared and the content is free with a Prime membership.
With shared Prime Reading, you can pick 10 titles and so can the rest of your family members.
You’ll just be prompted to return a title if you want to check out a new one and already have 10 in your library.
Overall, a Prime membership with shareable Prime Reading benefits makes a worthwhile addition to many modern families.
What’s the Difference Between Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited?
Some ebook subscription services have a larger selection than Prime Reading, including Kindle Unlimited.
These two Amazon programs are similar, but Kindle Unlimited has over 1.5 million books to choose from, rather than the regularly-rotated Prime Reading library of around 2,500 titles.
Think of it this way: Kindle Unlimited has a vast majority of bestselling Kindle titles, while Prime Reading is more curated with a smaller, but frequently updated, selection.
There are thousands of audiobooks and magazines featured on Kindle Unlimited too, giving you more choices when it comes to reading on the go.
Also, Kindle Unlimited comes at an extra cost of $9.99 per month, which gives you all-you-can-read ebook titles, but not the other Prime benefits that come with a membership.
One thing to note is the free trial for Kindle Unlimited, as you can try it out for 30 days to experience this premium reading program that basically takes Prime Reading to the next level.
Many people start with Prime Reading as part of their membership and then sign up for Kindle Unlimited if they feel they want a bigger selection.
Either way, you can’t really go wrong with Amazon’s reputable range of ebooks by all sorts of authors.
What Is Prime First Reads?
Amazon supports authors in all stages of their careers through exposure in the Prime Reading library, and another exciting Amazon program is First Reads.
As part of the Prime Reading experience, Amazon has First Reads, which, as the name implies, are sneak peeks at upcoming releases.
Prime members get the first look at some highly anticipated books before they are released publicly, which is an especially attractive feature for those with a favorite series or author.
With First Reads, Prime members can pick from six editors’ selections and download a free book each month.
New titles are announced in the Prime newsletter that comes out every week.
Therefore, Prime Reading members can look forward to an inside look at some of the most exciting book releases on the calendar.
Also, even though First Reads is not out yet, they are yours to keep so you don’t need to worry about the ebook expiring.
However, the monthly selection of books changes at the end of the month, so make sure to select your pick to stay up to date on the First Reads.
To know more, you can also read our posts on Amazon eBook return policy, if Amazon repairs Kindles, and if Amazon owns Goodreads.
Conclusion
Prime Reading is included in your Prime subscription fee, so you don’t need to pay extra for it, and you can read as many books as you’d like every month.
Whether or not you think Amazon actually has the best book selection out there, it certainly makes a difference to have access to thousands of free titles through the Prime Reading library, all with a simple Prime membership.
