Everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads and how to get a free book every month: See July’s picks

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The summer holiday season is here. As you pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, don’t forget to pack your e-reader for plenty of summer reading. Fortunately, Amazon just released its July First Reads list.

Prime members who are likely to be bookworms can increase their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program. Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads releases a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike the Book of the Month, these books are completely free for Prime Members. Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program where eight to 10 editor-selected books are offered free to prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, and it is added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they must pay $1.99 for their book selection.

Some months, like Prime Day’s July (or June) and Black Friday’s November, offer two free books. And for some, you can choose a free short story with your one free e-book.

To choose your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime member, you will see a “read now for free” option when you go to purchase articles. Once selected, it will be automatically added to your Kindle library.

What books are available on Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight to ten books selected each month, Amazon’s book editors offer a variety of genres for each reader. The books are usually new or soon-to-be-released books – many of the books are published under one of Amazon’s imprints, so they’re only available on Amazon’s shelves.

In addition to the full-length books offered each month, there is often a short story available, too, exclusively for reading through the Kindle Store. You will find common words in the Early Learning collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members can read many of the previous First Read selections for free, so if there’s more each month you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

July 2026 Amazon First Reads books

The First of July Reading includes a short story from Peter James and an array of thrillers, romances, and fairy tales.
Credit: Screenshot / Amazon

July’s First Reading List brings exciting news for your summer reading list. July deals include nine novels and one short read.

This month’s short reading, John Grebble Is Goneappears Sunday Times bestselling author Peter James. Next comes John Grebble, who wakes up to find that he has been pronounced dead. He realizes that this was no accident – someone tried to wipe him out on purpose, and he’s on a mission to find out who.

But there are many books to choose from, including a cozy mystery, Oxford Detective Societywhich is the first book in the Lyssa Moore Mysteries series.

Here are all the Early Learning deals for July 2026:

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All selected books are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

No! No Kindle e-reader is required to read the books collected through First Reading. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you ask that it should get a Kindle, that’s a different question. While a Kindle isn’t required to enjoy the convenience of the Kindle Store, it’s our favorite e-reader product if you’re in the market.