Everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads and how to get a free book every month: See June’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 June 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 selected books are given away for 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 have to pay $1.99 per book.

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 eight full-length books offered each month, there is often a short story available, too, which is available to read 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.

June 2026 Amazon Read books for the first time

June First Reads deals include a short story from Lisa Unger and ‘One Captured Flame,’ the first book in a new fiction series.
Credit: Screenshot / Amazon

June’s First Read list just got a lot bigger – Amazon must know everyone is putting together their summer reads. June deals include eight novels, one novel, and one short read. Plus, Amazon is letting readers choose not one but TWO books this month — all for free.

This month’s short reading, Same roomfrom New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger. The suspenseful short story describes private investigator Rae Donovan, who after a long estrangement from his father, discovers that he may have been living a secret life. After her father’s death, Rae tries to find answers, no matter the cost.

But there are plenty of books to choose from, including the odd selection of fiction, One Captured Flamewhich is the first book in the book Rise of the Firebird series.

Here are all the First Scholarship deals for June 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.