{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","contentId":"000001a0-aa5f-d55d-abe2-eb7ff31a0000","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/books-and-authors/prime-reading-free-books-benefits","headline":"How to read books for free with Prime: Amazon First Reads and Amazon Original Stories ","description":"Prime members get instant access to short stories from best-selling authors through Amazon Original Stories, plus a Kindle book and a short read each month with First Reads.","datePublished":"2026-09-17T16:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-09-17T16:00:00Z","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jacquelyn Smith","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com/author/jacquelyn-smith","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/d3ad050/2147483647/strip/true/crop/814x814+0+38/resize/84x84!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fec%2F2a%2Fc81a584c4202936473acfba42276%2F4a990dc5-6fb5-4675-a117-56b204227e37.jpg","width":"84","height":"84"}}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/46c1df1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F0e%2Fbe%2F31506f234aaa87a349fbc074208e%2Fprime-reading-hero-amazon-news.png","width":"300","height":"200"},"articleBody":"![Man with coffee sat on bench enjoying reading on his Kindle](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/46c1df1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F0e%2Fbe%2F31506f234aaa87a349fbc074208e%2Fprime-reading-hero-amazon-news.png)\n\n# How to read books for free with Prime: Amazon First Reads and Amazon Original Stories \n\n*Prime members get instant access to short stories from best-selling authors through Amazon Original Stories, plus a Kindle book each month with First Reads. Learn how to start reading or listening at no additional cost.*\n\n---\n\n## Key takeaways\n\n- Amazon Original Stories offers exclusive short stories designed to be read or listened to in one sitting.\n- Amazon First Reads gives [Prime members](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-prime-benefits) early access to one [Kindle](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/tag/kindle) book from a new selection each month.\n- Both benefits are included with Prime at no additional cost.\n\n---\n\nLooking for your next read? Prime members get even more value from their membership with two included reading benefits. \n\n[**Amazon Original Stories**](https://www.amazon.com/b?node=17506527011&ref_=apubna_ao_na_10003_ul_0_0_1809) offers exclusive short fiction and nonfiction as Kindle books and audiobooks. [**Amazon First Reads**](https://www.amazon.com/firstreads?ref_=apubna_pr_gs_10002_tx_1_br_2609&gad_campaignid=13339708231&gbraid=0AAAAADQBYHiJOqeF8Y8Dg_ZTbtLikWRbJ&gclid=CjwKCAjw_KjVBhAHEiwAnC0N9FhZg_opA7gmC5-stXxFXoHbsg2ptvkGjhbZoFP2rWvV28L6kdxXbBoC_csQAvD_BwE) gives members early access to one free Kindle book each month before it's released, plus a bonus short read in select months. Both are reading benefits from Amazon Publishing included with Prime at no additional cost.\n\n## What are Amazon Original Stories?\n\nAmazon Original Stories offers the payoff of completing a story without the time commitment of a full-length book. Read a best-selling author, discover a new voice, or try a different genre. You can finish the full story in a commute, an evening, or any other pocket of free time.\n\n![Smartphones and a Kindle displaying the Kindle reading interface](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/743d2cd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fa0%2F17%2F067637984b349796c71e9cf30e78%2Fkindle-latest-feature-hero3-amazon-news-lt-0202.jpg)\n\n- [How Kindle helps you stay immersed in every book you read](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/books-and-authors/kindle-recaps-feature-ebook-series-refreshers)\n\n## What stories are included with Amazon Original Stories?\n\nThere’s something for every type of reader. Amazon Original Stories spans popular genres including romance, thriller, memoir, and science fiction. Its roster brings together best-selling authors and celebrities, including Mindy Kaling, Issa Rae, Cheryl Strayed, Ian Rankin, Margaret Atwood, Guillermo del Toro, and Elin Hilderbrand. Choose a standalone short story like [*Picture This*](https://www.amazon.com/Picture-This-Short-Devney-Perry-ebook/dp/B0FYGGSVQX/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Zs_HpT4fRq-_5E_7VzhlrKwufczTxQIUu_uWOfPa5Mp4nF5wck6QiCisRwUE5qj8-f9sSRh6REavX-MgUtpF7OPqUvLhE7zlUeGLe0JqH0r7DwXHVYapOuFZFobsFrTEzRu1rJOe3Ow0fu2OGMa0w5hkWW2LIXIDBof8g4yuoBAw6Jh8Vb2QQtPFzr1N9BBNnQ_og6-JQtn0P8fQr13pw88nnvU1vmQqp-yZ0D-7MBk.3xZkbsFjp83FvP1turi1gFvRHtj6cRjlzLYCdHiUSUQ&dib_tag=se&qid=1787770429&refinements=p_n_date%3A1249101011&rnid=1249099011&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&xpid=0j7EYUKbzKbCw)by Devney Perry, [*The Replacement*](https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Short-Story-Liv-Constantine-ebook/dp/B0FZD2BHCP/ref=s9_acsd_al_ot_c2_x_4_t?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=WCVHZJNCY663ZDBBVNCM&pf_rd_p=74eaadbd-76c1-471e-bd14-c919cc73099a&pf_rd_t=&pf_rd_i=17506527011) by Liv Constantine, or [*The Safe Room*](https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Room-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B0G82Q44Q9/ref=s9_acsd_al_ot_c2_x_2_t?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=WCVHZJNCY663ZDBBVNCM&pf_rd_p=74eaadbd-76c1-471e-bd14-c919cc73099a&pf_rd_t=&pf_rd_i=17506527011)by Lisa Unger.\n\nOr explore themed story collections featuring multiple authors. Read suspense from Liane Moriarty and A.R. Torre in [*Deadly Ambition*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMSWMNC6)*,* romance from TessaBailey and Jessica Peterson in [*Summer Lovin’*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2WTWFD), or fantasy mysteries from Travis Baldree and Sarah Beth Durst in [*Magic & Mystery*](https://www.amazon.com/magicandmystery)*.* Travel through time with[*The Time Traveler’s Passport*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN8CHTQD)*,* featuring R.F. Kuang and John Scalzi, or explore coming-of-age stories in the young adult crossover collection [*The Edge of Everything*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5K8T43G?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi), including stories from Nicola Yoon, David Yoon, and Rainbow Rowell.\n\nAmazon Original Stories has published stories by Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and Academy Award winners and international best sellers across a wide range of fiction and nonfiction categories. Amazon Original Stories have won the Hugo, Audie, O. Henry, Shirley Jackson, Bram Stoker, and ITW Thriller Awards, among others, and have been selected for the Best American anthology series 14 times.\n\n## How does Amazon First Reads work?\n\nEvery month, Prime members can choose from an editorially curated selection of upcoming Amazon Publishing titles—free through [Amazon First Reads](https://www.amazon.com/firstreads) one month before they’re available to the public. New picks arrive on the first of every month.\n\nStart reading right away or save it for later. First Reads selections do not expire after you add them to your Kindle library.\n\n## What books are included with Amazon First Reads?\n\n![Montage of books that are part of the Prime Reading benefits](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/4627bb9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/767x431!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Faf%2Fa9%2F3d7d0e20498cb5db7467163560fe%2Fprime-reading-inline-amazon-news.png)\n\nThe lineup changes every month, making it easy to try a new author or genre without spending extra. Past selections include titles from popular authors like Rebecca Yarros, Dean Koontz, Tess Gerritsen, Tracy Clark, and J.T. Ellison.\n\nEach pick includes an Amazon Publishing editor’s note to help you make up your mind. [Browse this month’s Amazon First Reads selections](https://www.amazon.com/firstreads).\n\n## Do I need a Kindle device to use Amazon First Reads or Amazon Original Stories?\n\nNo. You can read or listen on a Kindle e-reader, Fire tablet, computer, or compatible phone or tablet using the free Kindle app. Amazon Original Stories audiobooks are also available through Audible. Prime members do not need Kindle Unlimited to use Amazon First Reads or Amazon Original Stories.\n\n## Why should I try Amazon First Reads and Amazon Original Stories?\n\nChoose Amazon First Reads when you want to dive into a book before it hits shelves. Turn to Amazon Original Stories when you want a short story you can read or listen to in one sitting. Both benefits offer another way to discover something new while getting more from your Prime membership.\n\nBut don’t simply take our word for it. Here’s what some readers say:\n\n“I'm so glad Amazon gave this book to Prime readers. I likely would not have sought it out, but gladly read it and was so pleasantly surprised by the story.” —Megan\n\n“I love the bonus short stories delivered each first of the month on Amazon First Reads. Each story is like a moment captured in time, priceless.” —JJH\n\nGet started with [Amazon First Reads](https://www.amazon.com/firstreads), then explore the latest titles and collections from [Amazon Original Stories](https://www.amazon.com/amazonoriginalstories).\n\n![hero](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/339651b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F10%2Fc5%2Ffb7283294a309e65c04606173143%2Foct2026-ki-books-hero-lm.jpg)\n\n- [9 page-turners to discover with Kindle+ right now](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/books-and-authors/the-best-new-books-available-on-kindle-plus)\n\n## Other reading benefits with Prime\n\nAmazon First Reads and Amazon Original Stories are just part of the reading value that comes with Prime. Members also get two credits toward any audiobook with an [Audible](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/tag/audible) Premium Plus trial, plus access to a broad selection of popular eBooks, audiobooks, comics, and manga at no extra cost.\n\n## Not a Prime member?\n\nAnyone can join [Prime](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/how-to-sign-up-for-a-prime-membership) for $14.99 per month or $139 per year, or start a free 30-day trial, if eligible. Amazon ensures Prime is accessible by offering discounted memberships. Qualifying government-assistance recipients and income-verified customers can sign up for [Prime Access](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-prime-access-discounted-membership) for $6.99 per month, and higher education [students](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-prime-for-young-adults) and 18- to 24-year-olds can sign up for $7.49 per month or $69 per year. For more information about Prime, including discounted memberships, visit [Prime](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/amazon-prime).\n\nNext, find out [how to buy books on a Kindle](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/how-to-buy-kindle-books).","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"About Amazon","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com","sameAs":["https://x.com/amazonnews","https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon","https://www.instagram.com/amazonnews"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/bd/8f/88e7b0314cc2bd05b9de3155a0fe/amazon-news.svg"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3884","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)","https://x.com/Amazon"]}}}