Learn how to access the Amazon Prime Reading library and borrow up to ten titles FREE with your Prime account. This tutorial offers the best books to read now.
I have been promising this tutorial for years and am finally creating a monthly destination to browse the best Prime books available each month.
I am always surprised by how few people know about all the books that are available to them to check out with their Prime membership.
Today’s tutorial, I hope, will help you understand your member benefits better AND I share my top ten book recommendations for this month.
The Best Prime Reading Guide (10 Free Books)
What is Prime Reading?
Prime Reading is a benefit offered to Amazon Prime members that provides access to a rotating selection of ebooks, magazines, comics, and other digital content.
How Does Prime Reading Work?
To browse the Prime catalog, head to this landing page.
Be sure to scroll down to see the best books available now.
The items in the catalog are available to Prime members to borrow and read various titles at no additional cost.
The concept is just like your digital lending from your local library.
Just like acquiring the books through your Libby app, you can download these items for free directly from the Prime library.
Is Prime Reading Free?
If the book is in the Prime Reading catalog you should see “Read For Free.” It should state that this is included with your membership. If you are not seeing this prompt, make sure you are signed into your account.
You can now choose ten items to borrow for free through the Prime library if you have a Prime membership.
Basically, once you hit your limit of ten borrowed items, you will receive a prompt that looks like this that will alert you.
To borrow another book, you must return a book.
How Do I Return a Prime Library Book?
To return Prime Reading books on Amazon, follow these steps:
Go to Amazon Website: Visit the Amazon website and make sure you are logged in to your Amazon account.
Access Your Content and Devices: Hover over the “Account & Lists” option at the top right corner of the page. From the drop-down menu, click on “Content & Devices.”
Select Your Books: In the “Content & Devices” section, click on the “Content” tab if it’s not already selected. This will display a list of all the books and content you have purchased or borrowed.
Find the Book: Scroll through the list to find the Prime Reading book you want to return.
Actions Menu: On the right side of the book title, you’ll see a button with three dots (ellipsis). Click on it to open the actions menu for that book.
Return This Book: Select “Return this book from the actions menu.” A confirmation pop-up might appear asking if you are sure you want to return the book.
Confirm Return: Confirm that you want to return the book.
Once confirmed, the book will be removed from your device and returned to the Prime Reading catalog.
Remember, once you return it you may not have access to it again. This catalog rotates often.
If you have hit your limit with borrowing, you will receive a prompt to return an item, and Amazon will pull up all the items for you on one page.
Select the item you want to trade out; it will automatically return and check out your new selection.
What is the Due Date on Prime Books?
Unlike your local library, there is no due date for Prime books. You can keep that book as long as you want and return it whenever you finish.
I have held books on my account for years! They do not expire.
For most users, the limit of ten books is what leads to returning their books before they finish them.
As all the books made available are only available for a limited time, you do want to cash in if you find a book in the catalog you do want to read.
It might not be there when you return!
Can I Share Prime Reading With My Family?
You can share Prime benefits at no extra cost through their Amazon Household feature.
This feature allows members of the same family or household to share certain Amazon Prime benefits and digital content while maintaining separate Amazon accounts.
Here are some shared bookish benefits:
Shared Prime Benefits: Prime members within the same household can share benefits like free two-day shipping, Prime Video streaming, Prime Reading, and more.
Family Library: Family members can share ebooks, audiobooks, apps, and games purchased from the Amazon Appstore and Kindle Store.
It’s important to note that Amazon Household has specific eligibility criteria, and not all Prime benefits are shareable.
For example, benefits such as your Kindle Owners’ Lending Library are unavailable for sharing.
Additionally, there are limitations on the number of adults and children that can be included in an Amazon Household.
The current criteria are two adults and up to four teens, and four child profiles may link in a Household.
What is the Difference Between Prime Reading vs Kindle Unlimited?
Kindle Unlimited is a separate subscription service that offers a much more extensive selection of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more.
Check to see if you are eligible for a free Kindle Unlimited trial before paying.
It provides access to over a million titles, including a mix of popular and independent authors and various genres.
Prime Reading offers a rotating limited catalog that changes periodically. It’s a curated collection, and you can borrow ten titles at a time.
These two catalogs DO overlap at times, and I think that is why there is confusion between these two services.
For many readers, having access to the Prime catalog is enough.
What is the Difference Between Prime Reading vs Kindle First Reads?
The Kindle First Reads program allows you to access and purchase new books a month before they are officially released to the public. This benefit is available to all Prime members!
Each month, Amazon editors select a handful of new, not-yet-released books across various genres, and Prime members can choose one of these books for free or at a significantly discounted price.
You can read my Amazon First Reads tutorial, and you can shop for your Amazon First Reads free book here.
Does Your Amazon Prime First Reads Book Count Against Your Borrowed Titles?
No, your Amazon First Reads is an additional reading benefit you can access monthly. Typically, you are offered one book per month, but there are exceptions where they offer TWO!
That means every month, as a Prime member benefit, you have one book for your permanent library and ten books to borrow from the Prime library.
You never have to return your Amazon Prime First Reads book. It is yours forever.
What Subscriptions and Services Do You Recommend for Reading?
I ALWAYS cash in on my Kindle First Reads and always have ten books checked out from the Prime library.
I do not use Kindle Unlimited because the Everand app offers more reading benefits at an affordable price. That link should also take you to an incredible tutorial on how to use the platform and get every dollar out of the experience.
Here are the BEST Prime Reading Books for this month!
September Prime Reads
Discover a handpicked selection of captivating stories in our September Prime Reads collection. From thrilling mysteries to heartwarming romances, there's something for every reader.
Choose up to ten books with your Prime membership. Remember, these change frequently, so cash in today.
Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand (Short Story)
When life hands you a canceled couples' cruise, you might just find your true soulmate—yourself.
In Natural Selection, Sophia Othonos sets sail solo to the Galápagos, where the only thing more breathtaking than the scenery is the realization that she’s been waiting for the wrong guy to make her feel whole.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a short story selection.
The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen (The Martini Club Book 1)
In The Spy Coast, retirement is anything but peaceful for former CIA operative Maggie Bird.
Nestled in the quaint seaside town of Purity, Maine, Maggie’s quiet life is shattered when a body appears in her driveway—a deadly reminder that her past hasn’t forgotten her.
With a killer on the loose, Maggie and her old espionage buddies, the “Martini Club,” must dust off their spy skills and outmaneuver their enemies.
But as the local police chief closes in, Maggie faces a dangerous game where one wrong move could destroy everything she’s fought to protect.
Family Reservations by Liza Palmer
In Family Reservations, the heat in the kitchen is nothing compared to the simmering tension in the Winter family.
Maren Winter, a legendary restaurateur, is nearing the end of her reign, and her three ambitious daughters are ready to pounce. But when a New Year’s Eve party spirals into chaos, the gloves come off in a cutthroat battle for culinary supremacy.
As ambition and betrayal threaten to tear them apart, these sisters must navigate a tangled web of love, loyalty, and the desire to carve out their own identities—before the entire empire goes up in flames.
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
In The Other Side of Disappearing, Jess Greene’s life is a careful balance of secrets and sisterly love—until a podcast blows it all apart.
When her younger sister Tegan decides to chase down their long-lost mother, Jess has no choice but to join a cross-country road trip with a true-crime podcast team.
Along the way, they uncover more than just the mystery of a notorious con man; Jess discovers the courage to confront her past and an unexpected romance with the charming yet guarded producer, Adam Hawkins.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Be sure to scroll down to the past deals to also score Kate Clayborn's other novel- Georgie All Along!
Related- Captivating Books on Con Artists
Please Tell Me by Mike Omer
In Please Tell Me, when eight-year-old Kathy Stone returns from a year of captivity, the world waits for her story—but Kathy remains silent.
As a child therapist, Robin Hart is determined to help Kathy unlock her memories through play therapy.
But what starts as innocent play turns chilling when Kathy begins reenacting real unsolved murders with her dolls.
The deeper Robin delves, the more she fears Kathy might not only hold the key to past crimes but also to future horrors.
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
In A Girl Called Samson, Amy Harmon weaves a spellbinding tale of courage, love, and defiance.
Deborah Samson, born into a life of hardship, dreams of freedom in a world that offers her none.
Disguising herself as a soldier, she risks everything to fight in the American Revolutionary War. Amidst the brutal realities of battle,
She not only fights for her country’s future but also for her own identity and a love she never expected to find.
Center Ice by Julia Connors (Boston Rebels Book 1)
Paging hockey romance fans! In Center Ice, hockey’s wild card, just traded to the Boston Rebels, is about to face his biggest challenge yet—and it’s not on the ice.
When he reconnects with Audrey, his former college fling, he’s stunned to learn he’s a father. With his NHL career on the line and family obligations pulling him in all directions, he’s caught between the game he’s dedicated his life to and the family he never knew he needed.
Will he skate toward the future he thought he wanted, or will love and fatherhood take him in a whole new direction?
Before I'm Gone by Heidi McLaughlin
In this hlghly-rated novel, Palmer Sinclair’s life has always been about control—until a devastating diagnosis shatters her world.
Faced with the unthinkable, she creates a bucket list, determined to savor the life she has left.
Enter Kent Wagner, an army medic turned paramedic, who’s been quietly captivated by Palmer for years.
When fate throws them together, he offers to help her tick off each dream on her list. What follows is a heartfelt journey of love, loss, and the profound beauty of the small moments that make life worth living.
Related- Books on Grief & Loss
Heirlooms and Homicide (Hearts Grove Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Danielle Collins
In Heirlooms and Homicide, Henrietta's quaint antique store in Hearts Grove becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery.
When a prized antique box is linked to a missing girl and a mysterious death, she finds herself in the middle of a deadly puzzle.
With secrets lurking in every corner of her shop, she must unravel the clues before more lives are at stake. Dive into this charming cozy mystery, where the past holds deadly secrets and every antique tells a story—if only Henrietta can decipher it before time runs out.
This is the first book in the Hearts Grove Mystery Series.
Related- New Fall Books to Reserve Now
The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman
In 1931, Lilly Blackwood is stolen from her attic prison and sold to a circus, where she finds strength and friendship amid cruelty.
Decades later, Julia Blackwood returns to her family’s estate, only to uncover hidden truths about Lilly and their family’s dark past.
As Julia unravels the mysteries of Blackwood Manor, she confronts painful legacies and seeks to heal her fractured family.
This novel received a starred review from Library Journal who described it as a “Perfect for book clubs and readers who admired Sara Gruen’s Like Water for Elephants.”
STILL AVAILABLE PRIME READS
Did you miss these options from the Prime catalog? These free Prime books are still available!
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy's world is turned upside down, propelling her back to her hometown.
Encountering a diary from her teenage years, Georgie is inspired to embrace a new direction.
Joined by an unexpected accomplice, they embark on a journey to let go of the past and discover that what truly matters might be right beside them.
When We Let Go by Rochelle B. Weinstein
This highly-rated novel features an unexpected mother-daughter bond in this story of second chances.
Jude is a widowed father who proposes to Avery, which would yield a happy moment for the couple. But, Avery is on edge, wary of family, doubtful of happy endings, and afraid to leap due to her secrets.
Before committing to a new life, she returns to her childhood farm in North Carolina, unexpectedly accompanied by Jude’s teenage daughter, Elle.
As Avery and Elle navigate their pasts and present, they form an unexpected bond that gives them both the courage to move forward.
Related- Books On Grief and Loss
Related- Page-Turners About Motherhood
The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
After her parents' death, Beth Harmon is sent to an orphanage where she learns chess from the janitor and discovers her talent for the game.
Desperate to pursue her passion, she resorts to stealing money to enter tournaments and becomes addicted to tranquilizers as she discovers their positive effects on her game.
As her skills on the chessboard grow, so does her dependency, creating a dual battle against addiction and formidable opponents.
Be sure to stream the stunning Queen's Gambit adaptation on Netflix after you finish the book!
Related- Best Books on Addiction and Recovery
The Bordeaux Book Club by Gillian Harvey
When Leah and her husband moved to France, they dreamed of self-sufficiency. However, the reality is far from idyllic: three hours of digging barely yield a single straggly carrot, her teenage daughter is acting up, and her husband keeps finding excuses to disappear.
Seeking solace, Leah joins a new book club but discovers the group is filled with endearing misfits.
The quirky cast of book club characters and the cozy countryside of France is why this novel has been a hit with many reviewers.
Related- Books About Book Clubs
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
Claire Cook's glamorous façade hides a tumultuous reality.
As she plans to escape her controlling husband, a chance airport encounter leads to a daring ticket switch with another desperate woman.
However, a fateful plane crash propels Claire into a new existence, assuming a stranger's identity and confronting the hidden secrets that come with it.
Enter a Freaky Friday switch of identities and watch each of them try to foster new paths.
Of course, not all is as it seems and one might find themselves in just as much danger.
This 5-star thriller is a fast page-turner and should be at the top of your list, especially if you are in a summer reading slump.
Related- Best Psychological Thriller Books
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Taylor Swift's songs inspire this Booktok romance novel.
The story follows Meredith as she navigates a summer wedding on Martha's Vineyard, where their family plays an annual assassin game.
When an alliance with a charming groomsman draws her attention away from the family's game, Meredith must decide between winning the game in honor of her late sister's legacy or risking her heart.
Barriers to Entry by Ariel Lawhon
This powerful collection of short stories is written by bestselling historical fiction authors. The stories offer readers a chance to meet remarkable women who defied barriers in art, war, science, love, and justice.
There are 7 new novellas in the Blaze Collection, and this is one of the highest rated from the 7 books offered.
In this one-hour mystery, Frances Gleser Lee defies societal expectations to become the mother of forensic science.
As a new Harvard instructor, she challenges six male students to solve a murder using her accurate crime scene dioramas, proving that every detail matters in solving a crime.
Related- The Remarkable Murder Mystery That Changed Everything (Podcast)
Fallen Grace by Sadeqa Johnson
In this standalone short story, readers can continue through the life of Bubbles from Johnson's novel, House of Eve.
Bubbles, a single mother in segregated Virginia, defies her family's expectations and embraces motherhood despite societal pressures.
With courage and determination, she escapes from the home she was sent to and finds strength in her talent for singing, using it to provide a better life for her daughter.
While connected to her historical fiction novel, you can still read this short story from the Blaze Collection independently.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott's timeless classic follows the heartwarming tale of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate the trials and triumphs of sisterhood, love, and coming of age during the Civil War era.
Grab a digital copy so you can highlight all the sage advice from Marmee!
Related- Page-Turners About Motherhood
The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore
If you have caught the bug for books like The Women, Skenandore shares her unique medical background as a nurse in this historical fiction novel.
Una Kelly is a grifter with a troubled past and finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery.
Forced to flee from the law, she cunningly infiltrates Bellevue Hospital's nursing program, where she discovers unexpected compassion and purpose.
Skenandore skillfully crafts a plot with historical accuracy and brings to life the evolution of the nursing field.
STILL AVAILABLE AMAZON PRIME READS
Updated monthly- these previously featured Prime library selections are still available in the catalog.
Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez (The Improbable Meet-Cute Short Story)
Note that the entire The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection is also available on Prime Audio and can be borrowed as part of your ten Prime library options.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, this 61-page short story is the perfect pick-me-up while you wait for the release of Just for the Summer!
Holly, a hospice nurse, is now bedside for her grandmother's final moments.
On Valentine's Day, a mistaken note left on her windshield sparks a charming exchange between Holly and the sender, leading to an unexpected connection.
Related- The Best Fiction Books of 2023
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
This 101-page novella is among the highest rated from The Improbable Meet-Cute collection.
An endearing email exchange develops between two people who serendipitously connect on Valentine's Day starting in 2014.
As their correspondence evolves it becomes an annual tradition, offering glimpses into their lives, dreams, and growing connection.
If you fall in love with Christina Lauren's writing, be sure to check our The Best One Bed Trope Books for Romance Lovers for more books from this writing duo.
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
Amid World War II, architect Lucien Bernard faces a dangerous commission in Nazi-occupied Paris: designing a secret hiding place for a Jewish man.
As he becomes entangled in the web of deception and moral dilemmas, Lucien's actions take on a personal dimension, forcing him to confront the actual cost of resistance and the value of human lives.
This historical fiction novel was my first book club selection. I loved this book so much that I interviewed the author, and you can read that conversation when you finish.
Related- 2024 Book Club Books Announced (Join My Amazing Book Club!!)
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
In search of their dream home, newlyweds Tricia and Ethan become trapped in a remote manor during a brutal winter storm.
As they explore, Tricia stumbles upon a hidden room filled with audio transcripts from Dr. Adrienne Hale's patients, leading her down a chilling path of revelations.
The haunting puzzle of Dr. Hale's disappearance unfolds with each tape, culminating in a final cassette that exposes the spine-tingling truth.
The Pram by Joe Hill (Short Story)
Readers craving a spooky escape will devour this new 58-page short story from horror writer Joe Hill.
Willy's desperate yearning for a child takes a nightmarish turn when he's loaned a decrepit baby stroller to cart his groceries home.
When he hears the eerie coos of an impossible baby stir, Willy faces unsettling questions about the price of his wishes coming true.
This is part of the newly issued Creature Feature Amazon Original Story Collection for Halloween. Browse them all, including a new Josh Malerman book!
The Secret, Book & Scone Society (A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel 1) by Ellery Adams
Readers craving a cozy mystery will delight in this first novel in A Secret, Book, and Scone Society series.
In a quaint North Carolina town, Miracle Books is where Nora Pennington prescribes the perfect novels to mend wounded souls.
Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society when a businessman's mysterious death shakes the community.
As they unveil a web of corruption, they uncover their purpose in this small town.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
In Washington, D.C., Sarah Morgan excels as a powerful defense attorney, while her husband, Adam, struggles as an unsuccessful writer.
As their relationship falters due to Sarah's demanding career, Adam becomes entangled in a passionate affair with Kelly Summers.
Shocking events unfold when Kelly is discovered murdered, thrusting Sarah into her most challenging case: defending her husband against accusations of his mistress's brutal killing.
Can I help you read better this year? Here are some tutorials I recommend checking out!
Learn how to use The Storygraph App for tracking your reading goals!
Learn how to use the Libby App with the help desk from the Libby team!
Listen to the Book Gang podcast to learn how to read better this year.
Stream episodes wherever you get podcasts or head to the episodes page.
TELL ME: What book would you pick from this month’s list?
