As avid readers, each of us probably has an overcrowded bookshelf and piles of novels that are taking up precious space in our homes. With Kindle Unlimited, you can expand your library without adding anything else to your bookshelf.
Quick Navigation: What is Kindle Unlimited? | Cost & Pricing | Best Books to Read | Is It Worth It? | Common Questions
Kindle Unlimited allows readers unlimited books to add to your collection from the comfort of your phone, computer, or ebook reader.
📅 Updated for 2025: Kindle Unlimited now includes access to over 4+ million titles (up from 1 million previously mentioned), and subscribers can borrow up to 20 books at once (increased from the previous 10-book limit).
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about how Amazon Kindle Unlimited works:
- What is Kindle Unlimited?
- What’s included in Kindle Unlimited?
- How much does Kindle Unlimited Cost?
- And, is Kindle Unlimited it worth the price?
We also answer some common questions, like:
- What books are included (on Kindle Unlimited)?
- How do you purchase a subscription?
- How to shop for books
- How to find Kindle Unlimited audiobooks
- How do you return books on Kindle Unlimited?
- How do you cancel your Kindle Unlimited subscription?
- Should you try out Kindle Unlimited?
What is Kindle Unlimited?
With over 4 million titles available in 2025, Kindle Unlimited’s library has grown significantly. While you won’t find the newest bestsellers, there are plenty of gems across every genre.
Using either a Kindle device or even the free Kindle app on your phone, tablet, or computer, you can join Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited subscription and get straight to reading.
From instant classics like the Harry Potter series, The Hobbit, and The Hunger Games to glossy magazines like Bon Appetit and Elle, you can read anything within the millions of book and magazine titles available on Kindle Unlimited.
You can also listen to thousands of audiobooks to pass time taking the dog on a walk or driving a long commute to work.
You will also be able to consolidate your magazine subscriptions into reading them all on Kindle Unlimited, and you will be able to do all of it with just $11.99 per month (increased from $9.99 in 2023) for an unlimited collection of new, independent, and classic books, magazines, and audiobooks to enjoy.
Basically, if you’re a huge reader, the Kindle Unlimited subscription is for you!
How Does Kindle Unlimited work?
With your Kindle Unlimited subscription, you are granted access to the millions of book titles and thousands of audiobooks that can be found on the site.
There are some limitations, but none that would make it worth not trying out for a new exploration of books, audiobooks, and magazine titles.
What You Get With a Kindle Unlimited Subscription?
- For $11.99 per month (increased from $9.99 in 2023), you are given full access to the Kindle Unlimited library. However, this does not give you access to the entire Kindle library.
- While you can still purchase any book you would like to read or listen to, you will have to separately purchase any Amazon book, audiobook or magazine that is not included as a Kindle Unlimited pick.
- For example, new New York Times bestselling books will most likely not be included (at least immediately). However, you would still be able to purchase one of those books in addition to your Kindle Unlimited subscription.
If you don’t have a Kindle to enjoy your reading on, you can use the Kindle app on your tablet/iPad, computer, or smartphone. This way you don’t actually have to have a specific Kindle to enjoy your Kindle Unlimited books.
Since it is electronic only, Kindle Unlimited is a great way to make use of your ebook reader, tablet, computer, or Kindle for reading purposes.
Even though you can read an unlimited amount of books, you can only borrow up to ten of them at a time. You can keep them for as long as you want – there are no due dates like at a normal library.
This lets you “shop around” for free to try new books constantly, and you can always keep certain books in your library that you really love.
Unlike actually purchasing the books like you would on the Amazon storefront proper, Kindle Unlimited is almost like renting a book from the library electronically.
Looking for an e-reader to go with your Kindle Unlimited subscription? Check out our list of the best e-book readers.
How Much Does Kindle Unlimited Cost?
The cost for Kindle Unlimited is $11.99 per month (increased from $9.99 in 2023), which gives you access to the millions of book titles, thousands of audiobooks, and several current magazine subscriptions within the library.
If you’re on the fence about Kindle Unlimited or even just wanting to save some extra money, you can join with a free month’s trial to try out the subscription.
You’ll then start to be charged per month after the trial, but are free to cancel at any time.
With unlimited books to read throughout the library, this is a bargain deal for the service, whether you’re a book-a-day reader or you tend to read closer to one book a month.
What Books Are Included on Kindle Unlimited?
Within the options in the Kindle Unlimited library, you’ll find millions of book titles. You’ll also find thousands of audiobooks and magazine subscriptions.
Kindle Unlimited does not often include new bestsellers or massive hits. But Kindle Unlimited does include many incredible independent options and lesser-known authors and series.
From romance books to memoirs, the library gives you tons of options to explore new authors, genres, and titles.
Best Kindle Unlimited Books Available Right Now
Since the Kindle Unlimited library has over a million titles, it can seem impossible to know where to start looking.
Here some of the best Kindle Unlimited books available right now to get you started.
The Best Classics
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Complete Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen
The Best Self-Help Books
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey
- A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage by Cyndie Spiegel
- Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport
- Your Thoughts are Killing You: Take Control of Your Mind and Close the Door to Those Negative, Depressing, Fearful, Worrisome Thoughts Forever by Marybeth Wuenschel
- Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
- Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
The Best Literary and Fiction Books
- Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel by Mark Sullivan
- Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
- I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie
- Along the Broken Bay by Flora J. Solomon
- The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms
- Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagan
The Best Book Series
- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
- Skip Langdon series by Julie Smith
- The Girl in the Box series by Robert J. Crane
The Best Cookbooks
- The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig
- Baby-Led Feeding: A Natural, Independent Way to Raise Happy, Independent Eaters by Jenna Helwig
- The Wine Bible by Karen MacNeil
- The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 101 Easy, Flavorful Recipes for Lifelong Health by Serena Ball, MS, RDN and Deanna Segrave-Daly, RDN
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 500 Everyday Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users. Try Easy and Healthy Instant Pot Recipes by Jennifer Smith
- Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling by Meathead Goldwyn and Rux Martin
The Best Mystery and Suspense Books
- Thin Air by Lisa Gray
- The Dark Bones by Loreth Anne White
- The Rescue by Steve Konkoly
- The Girl Who Lived by Christopher Greyson
- Lying Next to Me by Gregg Olsen
The Best Memoir & Biography Books
- The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
- Upstairs at the White House: My Life With the First Ladies by J.B. West and Mary Lynn Kotz
- The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World by A.J. Baime
- Out of the Silence: After the Crash by Eduardo Strautch and Mireya Soriano
- Born Survivors: Three Young Mothers and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage, Defiance, and Hope by Wendy Holden
The Best Children’s Books
- The Bad Seed by Jory John and Pete Oswald
- Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map by James Dean
- Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
- Mary Poppins series by P.L. Travers
🆕 What’s New in Kindle Unlimited (2025)
- Larger Library: Now over 4 million titles (previously 1+ million)
- More Borrowing Power: Borrow up to 20 books at once (up from 10)
- Enhanced Audiobook Selection: Thousands of audiobooks included
- Better Mobile Experience: Improved Kindle app for all devices
- No Due Dates: Keep books as long as you want (unchanged but worth noting!)
Is Kindle Unlimited Worth $11.99 in 2025?
Despite the price increase to $11.99/month, Kindle Unlimited remains excellent value for avid readers in 2025. Here’s the math:
- Read 1 book/month: Each book costs $11.99 (may not be worth it)
- Read 2-3 books/month: Each book costs $4-6 (decent value)
- Read 4+ books/month: Each book costs under $3 (excellent value!)
With the expanded library of 4+ million titles and ability to borrow 20 books at once, the 2025 version offers more value than ever before.
If you prefer to read new releases, you may want to avoid getting a membership. However, those who are wanting to read more books will find great value in it.
Check out this article on how to get the most value from your Kindle Unlimited subscription.
How To Shop For Books on Kindle Unlimited?
Shopping for books on the Amazon storefront is incredibly intuitive and easy.
Using your computer, simply look through the Kindle Unlimited library. Add whatever books you may like to your library using 1-Click Ordering.
It’s simple and self-explanatory, making it as easy as possible to start getting used out of your subscription immediately.
How To Find Audiobooks on Kindle Unlimited?
To search for audiobooks to listen to with your Kindle Unlimited subscription, look for the badge that says “Kindle Unlimited with narration.” If they don’t have the badge, the books aren’t free and aren’t part of Kindle Unlimited.
The books can be listened to on your Kindle device, using your Kindle reading app, or with the Audible app.
If you’re looking for a place to start, check out these included Kindle Unlimited audiobooks.
Best Audiobooks
- What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
- False Step by Victoria Helen Stone
- Have You Seen Luiz Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde
- The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
Kindle Unlimited FAQ: Common Questions Answered
Q: Can I read Kindle Unlimited books without a Kindle device?
A: Yes! You can read on any device using the free Kindle app – phones, tablets, computers, etc.
Q: How many books can I borrow at once?
A: You can have up to 10 books checked out at any time, but you can read unlimited books by returning and borrowing new ones.
Q: Are new bestsellers included in Kindle Unlimited?
A: Most new bestsellers aren’t immediately available, but KU has over 1 million titles including classics, indie gems, and older bestsellers.
Q: Can I cancel anytime?
A: Yes, you can cancel your subscription anytime and keep access until your current billing period ends.
💡 Kindle Unlimited Tips & Tricks
- Start with the free trial – Test it risk-free for 30 days
- Use the “Read for Free” filter when browsing Amazon to find KU titles
- Download books for offline reading – Perfect for travel or commutes
- Try audiobooks – Many KU books include Audible narration
- Return books you’re not enjoying – No penalties for returning early
Should You Try Kindle Unlimited?
If you’re still on the fence about trying Kindle Unlimited, go ahead and sign up for a free trial. It will allow you to see what it is that you like or don’t like about the service.
For reading lovers, this service is a great way to fit more books into your life for only $11.99 per month (increased from $9.99 in 2023).
We always encourage our readers to jump out of their comfort zones in the literary space, and Kindle Unlimited is a great vehicle for exploring all sorts of books, audiobooks, and podcasts.
Whether or not you’re typically a fantasy reader or you tend to gravitate more towards suspense; whether you’re a historical kind of person or prefer autobiographies, Kindle Unlimited is bound to have several books you will enjoy.
Ready to Start Reading?
📚 Try Kindle Unlimited free for 30 days and discover your next favorite book! Cancel anytime if it’s not for you.
👆 Which book from our recommendations list are you most excited to read? Let us know in the comments!
About the Author
At the ripe old age of 3, Susannah decided that life was just a blank canvas and took Magic Marker to the newly installed carpet in her room just to “see what happened.” She’s taken that approach to life since, curious about pretty much everything.
She earned a journalism
Susannah is a high school teacher and yearbook adviser with a huge passion for reading (Harry Potter is her absolute favorite