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You can get thousands of free e-books over the course of 2026 if you know where—and when—to look. All year long, Amazon is offering free Kindle e-books to readers, with new opportunities popping up every month. In May, Prime members can get two free Kindle e-books from Amazon’s First Reads program, one of them being this month’s bonus short read.
What is Amazon’s First Reads?
Amazon First Reads is a program aimed at Prime members that offers early access to new e-books across many genres, as curated by First Reads editors (one of many Prime Member benefits). Prime members can choose to download one free e-book every month from a rotating list—though some months that number is bumped up to two, usually with a free short novel—and non-members get them for a discounted price. These e-books can be read on any compatible Kindle device or via the free Kindle app.
How to get your free Amazon Kindle e-books in May
Go to the First Reads landing page to see the full list of e-books available this month. Once you find a book that seems interesting, click the “Shop Now” button from the First Reads landing page. Make sure you’re not being redirected to the Kindle or Amazon mobile application, because you won’t see the free book option there; instead, use your internet browser on your phone or computer.
Make sure you’re not clicking the ”Pre-order for…” button, as that will direct you to pay; instead, click the “Read for Free” or the “Buy Now with 1-Click” button under the “First Reads” banner on the book’s Amazon page (don’t worry, you won’t be charged). This will send the e-book directly to the Kindle linked to your Amazon account.
You can see what it should look like from the screenshot below.
What do you think so far?
Credit: Daniel Oropeza
You’ll know you did it right when you see a “Thanks, [your name]!” order summary indicating the e-book is being auto-delivered to the Kindle Cloud Reader.
Free Amazon Kindle e-books available in May 2026
This month, you can choose one from eight new Kindle e-books, plus this month’s short read. Amazon notes the genre for each of the books above the title, offering a quick way to narrow down your options. (If you hover over the “See Editor Notes” under the “Shop Now” button, you’ll be able to read a short description from the First Reads editor who picked the book.)
Here are your options for May 2026. You can get this month’s bonus short read, The Replacement: A Short Story, plus one of these eight e-books:
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