If you’re an existing Amazon Prime member, did you know you already have access to Prime Reading? Whether you’re a confessed bookworm or just like to read on your morning commute, Prime Reading offers unlimited access to a selection of over one thousand e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and comic books to keep you entertained. You’ll find bestsellers from popular publishing houses alongside literary classics from authors like Jane Austen — and the best bit is that all the books are free for Prime members. You also get one free pre-release book per month from a selection of editors’ picks, allowing you to read some great books before everyone else.
You can read on the Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis — or just download the Kindle app for iOS and Android to start reading for free.
Don’t have Amazon Prime? We’ve also rounded up some of the best free Kindle books — with something to suit all tastes. There’s quite a lot to choose from in the Prime Reading catalog, so we’ve selected some of the best free Kindle books on Amazon Prime from a range of genres, including mystery, action, romance, and more.
Action and adventure
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Ignore anyone who says Harry Potter is a kids’ read. It’s the perfect adventure read for people of all ages. It has magic, action, adventure, and phenomenal storytelling to keep you engaged. The book takes you on a long, mystical ride and ends with a hopeful message. It’s an old classic that’s good for both new readers and nostalgic fans.
The Secret Weapon by Bradley Wright
When former Navy SEAL and elite counterterrorism operative Alexander King rescues a woman from a car bomb, he finds himself at the center of a plot to assassinate a U.S. presidential candidate — one that could even lead to war for his country. This action-packed thriller is packed with political intrigue and suspense and is the first in a six-book series.
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King of Ashes: Book One of The Firemane Saga by Raymond E. Feist
If you’re a fan of legendary sagas, you’ll love this one. With Game of Thrones vibes, it tells the story of kingdoms and wars, featuring tons of action and adventure to keep you hooked. We love the world-building, the historic era, and the engrossing story.
Mystery, thriller, and suspense
Misjudged: A Legal Thriller by James Chandler
You can’t go wrong with an adventurous legal thriller. This is book one in a series featuring a disabled veteran thrust into a mysterious murder case. It offers the right mix of mystery and intriguing character development to keep you engaged. Perfect for fans of legal and crime shows.
Still Life by Louise Penny
Still Life introduces the reader to Monsier L’Inspecteur Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec, a sort of modern-day Poirot. When a suspicious death is reported in the woods near the tiny rural hamlet of Three Pines, everyone’s convinced it was a hunting accident. But Gamache smells something foul afoot and sets out to solve the case. This traditional mystery from bestselling author Louise Penny is packed with intrigue and an enormously appealing and memorable main character in Gamache.
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The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
This bestselling thriller is a twisty, compulsive psychological suspense story that will leave you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It covers betrayal, murder, and a page-turning mystery with relatable characters. Give it a read if you enjoy gripping fast reads with a dark touch.
History and politics
The Memory Keeper of Kyiv by Erin Litteken
Featuring 16-year-old Katya, the book tells the story of what happened during the Holodomor. It deals with an important topic but is written in a conversational style, so it’s easy to read despite the sensitive themes. The stories and horrors are well-depicted offering a detailed glimpse into one of the most gut-wrenching eras of the past.
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
Whether you’ve seen the 2013 movie of the same name or not, Twelve Years a Slave is a must-read. The 1853 memoir and slave narrative of Solomon Northup, a free-born African American who was kidnapped by slave traders, is a moving, vital account of forcible enslavement — and it should be on everyone’s bookshelf. If you haven’t already seen the movie, we’d recommend reading the book first.
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Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days that Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger
If you’re interested in the life of Elon Musk, pick up this book ASAP. It dives deep into the history of SpaceX and how it became what it is today. Written by the senior space editor at Ars Technica, the book is well-researched and offers an interesting depiction of Elon Musk’s past.
Biographies and memoirs
On Becoming Me: Memoir of an 80’s Teenager by Kirsten Pursell
Nostalgic for the 80s? Pick up this diary entry-style memoir by an 80s girl. It is an authentic, personal, and moving read with the author opening her “memory vault” to offer you a peek inside. It’s richly written and offers a kaleidoscope of emotions, making it a memorable read.
Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
In Children of The Land, prize-winning poet Marcelo Hernandez Castillo writes about his life growing up undocumented in the U.S., his family’s encounters with a system that brands them as criminals, and the family ripped apart by draconian policies. At times sorrowful and somber, at times uplifting, this moving account of a family living under the radar in the United States — and the challenges they face individually and together — will stay in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.
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Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Former Sunday Times columnist and journalist Dolly Alderton knows a thing or two about love and navigating the world as a young adult. In her memoir, she takes us through the ups and downs of falling in love, getting dumped, getting drunk, and realizing nobody compares to her best girlfriends. Humorous, witty, insightful, and packed with heart, this book will resonate with women of all ages.
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Classic literature
Dracula by Bram Stoker
If you’ve never read Bram Stoker’s Dracula — or if you have, but it was a long time ago — there’s no time like the present to dive in. This legendary tale of the infamous vampire count of Transylvania has been the subject of many books, films, and plays, but there’s nothing like the original Gothic tale to keep you up at night. At 554 pages, this should keep you busy for some time.
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Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a classic for a reason, and it’s one many of us have seen at the movies as children. Colorful parrots, desert islands, pirates — they’re all within the pages of this adventurous novel, which tells the story of young Jim Hawkins and his quest to find buried treasure. If you’ve never read Treasure Island, put this on the top of your Prime Reading list.
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The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle
You probably know Sir Arthur Conan Doyle best for his famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, but did you know he also wrote The Lost World? Conan Doyle introduces us to Professor George E. Challenger, a big man with an even bigger ego, and his expedition to a plateau in the Amazon basin where dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals still exist. Published in 1912, it’s just as thrilling a read today as it was back then.
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Historical fiction
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
This No. 1 Amazon bestseller offers a moving historical portrayal of an Italian teenager turned German soldier and his courage and resilience during tough times. The book is similar to All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and Unbroken, offering an in-depth view of war and the toll it takes. Bonus points for the gorgeous cover that you’ll feel like flaunting on your Kindle shelf.
The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel
Set in Japanese-occupied 1940s Shanghai, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a timeless, poignant love story about two different people drawn together by jazz music, and fate — young heiress Aiyi Shan and penniless Jewish refugee Ernest Reismann. When Aiyi hires Ernest to play piano at her once-popular nightclub, he’s an instant hit, restoring the club to its former glory as the hottest spot in Shanghai. But the two soon realize they share more than a passion for music. Aiyi is already engaged, and as the war escalates, tearing the two apart, will they ever find each other again?
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Under a Gilded Moon by Joy Jordan-Lake
If you like your historical novels meticulously researched, you’ll love Under a Gilded Moon. Set against the imposing backdrop of Biltmore House in North Carolina, the home of the Vanderbilts, the novel tells the story of Kerry MacGregor, a student at college in NYC who’s suddenly called home to be with family in the Appalachian Mountains. But the Vanderbilts want the land owned by Kerry’s family to complete their estate, and Kerry soon finds herself caught in a war between rich and poor.
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Science fiction and fantasy
Earth Song by Nick Cook
Aliens, first contact, mystery — what’s not to like here? Featuring UFOs, conspiracies, and a good dose of adventure, this is a gripping sci-fi thriller with multiple sequels to keep the fun going. It feels a lot like X-files and popular alien movies with the same chilling vibe and engrossing world-building. It’s a must-try for both new and seasoned sci-fi fans.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Another series featuring space travel, and this time it’s a Hugo Award for Best Series winner! It has won several other awards including the Barnes & Nobles Sci-Fi Fantasy Blog Best Books of 2015, the Tor.com Best Books of 2015, Reader’s Choice, and the Bailey’s Women’s Prize. The space adventure story is action-packed with multiple twists and turns to capture you in this world of fantasy.
The Queen’s Poisoner (Kingfountain Book 1) by Jeff Wheeler
Another book with a Game of Thrones vibe, this fantasy series focuses on dukes, kings, and princes tangled in a world of war, betrayal, and revenge. It’s a mix of mystery presented as an empire saga, engrossing you in brilliant storytelling. This is book one in a series of royal fantasy stories, but we’re sure once you read one, you’ll want to buy them all.
Romance
The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn
It’s steamy, it’s heartwarming, and most of all, it’s entertaining. This romantic story by a USA Today bestselling author features the popular favorite enemies-to-lovers trope and showers you with tons of sweet moments to remember. The characters are relatable and the story is down-to-earth with a realistic touch.
The Life You Left Behind by Debbie Howells
Written by a Sunday Times bestselling author, this is a touching read about once-in-a-lifetime love and loss. It’ll warm your heart but also make you cry, so keep a box of tissues handy. It’s the kind of love story that stays with you long after you’re done reading, so we highly recommend picking this book up if you’re after a bittersweet romance.
Comics and graphic novels
Attack on Titan Vol.1 by Hajime Isayama
Attack on Titan (also an anime series) is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi story about the Titans, bizarre giant humanoids who have destroyed mankind, killing everyone they see. The humans left have holed up in a giant, three-walled city with 100-meter-high walls they believe will protect them. But one massive Titan is about to change all that …
Amazon Prime Reading
The Essential Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Calvin and Hobbes need no introduction, and whether you’re a longtime fan of Bill Watterson’s colorful characters or new to this brilliant comic strip, this is sure to delight. It’s worth noting that this can only be viewed on color tablets, not on your desktop PC or black and white e-reader, but don’t let that deter you. Following the imaginative adventures of Calvin and his tiger, Hobbes, this collection brings together the first two Calvin and Hobbes collections, Calvin and Hobbes and Something Under the Bed Is Drooling, as well as an original, full-color, 16-page story.
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Self-help
The Highly Sensitive by Judy Dyer
Do you need time alone each day to decompress? Are you known amongst your friends and family for your keen imagination or deep empathy? You could be a highly sensitive person (HSP), and you’re not alone — over 20% of people share this trait. This book is written for people like you who may struggle with anxiety and information overload when dealing with the world. It offers practical tips with a warm tone so you can change your life for the better.
The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
We have so much knowledge swimming around in our heads — but do we know how to apply it? Author Atul Gawande believes a checklist is the answer and presents a compelling argument for the checklist as an essential tool in every area of our lives. Gawande explains the importance of breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps in a fascinating and enlightening way, ensuring you know the best way to start using checklists in your daily life — including keeping them between five and nine items long, for best results — and looking at ways checklists have helped everyone from cardiac surgeons to busy moms.
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Captivating readers for over 25 years, Stephen R. Covey’s book is just as relevant and popular today as it was when it was first published. Its easy-to-understand infographic format helps you to be more effective and successful, guiding you through each habit step by step, from Habit 1: Be Proactive to Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. This inspiring, insightful book can broaden your way of thinking, improve your problem-solving abilities, and help you to be more successful in both your business and personal life. If you’re just getting back to work after lockdown or want to make the most of 2021, this is a book you should read.
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