Amazon Prime has a ton of great perks. From free shipping to their Prime video library, there’s plenty to love. But one of our favorite membership perks is definitely the free e-books. And this month there’s more to love than ever with not one but two free e-books for book lovers! All you need to do is to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of their First Reads program.
What is Amazon First Reads?
Beyond the periodic Prime Day sales, your Amazon membership also offers special e-book deals every month. Prime members always have access to Prime Reading, a huge library of free books and magazines available to download. But did you know your Amazon membership also includes a program called First Reads?
Amazon’s First Reads offers a rotating selection of new books every month, and right now it’s offering two free e-books.
Check Out Amazon's First Reads
Each month, the program has a different selection of eight e-books that are available for Prime members to download for free. These are books that haven’t been published yet, giving Amazon members exclusive access to be one of the first readers — hence the name! Usually, members are only allowed to download one of the eight free e-books per month. But this month, Amazon is gifting members a second e-book from First Reads, expanding members' exclusive access.
How do I get the two free e-books?
First, you must be an Amazon Prime member to be eligible for the program. Next, you need to have a Kindle to read the book on, or the free Kindle app loaded to your smartphone.
Once you’re set up, go to the First Reads landing page and choose your favorite e-book. (Note: To make sure you get the book for free, select it via a web browser, and not via the Kindle or Amazon app.) One of your two free e-books will be your selection, and the other is a bonus short read that all First Reads members will receive.
The e-books for May span several popular genres, including women’s fiction, historical fiction, psychological thriller, serial killer crime fiction, book club fiction, a children’s book and an amateur sleuth mystery. With so many options, make sure you choose wisely!
If you can’t make up your mind, don’t worry — you can purchase additional First Reads titles at $1.99 each if two free e-books just isn’t enough. When you choose your book, make sure to click "Read for Free" and not "Pre-Order Now."
This month’s bonus read is a short story called Death Row by Freida McFadden, author of smash hit book The Housemaid. She’s known for her psychological thrillers with surprising twists, so this short read about a woman wrongfully imprisoned for her husband’s murder is sure to enthrall.
If you’re looking for more great new releases, don’t forget to join the Good Housekeeping book club for one amazing read every month!
Sarah Vincent (she/her) covers the latest and greatest in books and all things pets for Good Housekeeping. She double majored in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, where she sat in the front row for every basketball game. In her spare time, she loves cooking, crafting, studying Japanese, and, of course, reading.
