Since I can remember, reading has been my favorite summer activity. Whether I’m flipping through a beach read while lying on the sand or reading a cozy romance at home under the AC, I find books to be the best companions. And thanks to technology, I can access as many stories as I want from my phone, from almost any genre and period. But nothing beats the feeling of finding a newly released or unreleased read — a gem I get to enjoy before it gets to most readers’ bookshelves. Fortunately for me and other book lovers out there, Amazon is giving Prime members two free unreleased e-books this month as part of their First Reads Program.
What is the First Reads Program?
Prime members already have access to Prime Reading, which offers free books, magazines, comics, audiobooks and more. Through the First Reads Program, readers can choose one of eight unreleased titles every month for free, promoting visibility for new books and giving readers early access to new releases. Normally, you can choose one, but this month you get two. In addition to getting one of the eight titles for free, Prime members will get a complimentary short story.
How do I get two free e-books?
First, you need to be a Prime member (you can sign up here for a trial) to access the First Reads Program and have access to a Kindle or the free Kindle app, which you can download on your smartphone.
Next, go to the First Reads landing page on your browser and make your e-book selection. You get to choose one title, and the second one is a bonus read that all First Reads members will receive.
This month's free e-books are each from a different genre, including psychological thriller, literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, historical fantasy, and more. The complementary short story you'll get is Abscond by Abraham Verghese, a coming of age story about a boy named Ravi, set in 1967 New Jersey.
Remember, you only get to choose one unreleased e-book for free in addition to Abscond, so choose wisely! If the two free e-books aren’t enough for you, you can purchase any of this month’s First Reads titles for only $1.99 each. If you're not a Prime member, you can still purchase any of the titles for $1.99.
If you’re looking for more new releases, make sure you check out the Good Housekeeping Book Club to see this month’s choice. Happy reading!
Rosamelia is an Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping. She's also a graduate student in NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
