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The best Kindle in 2023: here are the top Kindles for reading

Whether it's fantastical voyages, autobiographies, or thrillers, we love books in all their different guises. There's nothing wrong with tucking a small paperback discretely into a pocket, but if you're planning on regular journeys with your beloved books, you can expect dog ears, tears, and even torn covers. Why risk it? A Kindle can save your books a whole load of harm, can hold thousands of titles, and is much easier to take on holiday than a briefcase full of books.

The Amazon Kindle is easily the best-known e-book reader, and it's probably the best you can buy. It's intimately embedded into Amazon's ecosystem, making buying and downloading books a breeze, and it has some of the best e-book reader technology around. If you're looking to buy a Kindle, you may have been confused by the range of devices on offer. Don't worry, we're here to demystify your choices. Here are the best Amazon Kindles you can buy, including the best overall choice, as well as other options if you're looking for something different.

Want to explore other e-book reader brands? We have a list of the best e-book readers that explores brands other than just Amazon's Kindle.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021)

Best kindle overall.

• Bigger, brighter screen
• Warmer color temperature adjustments
• USB-C charging port
• Screen smudges easily
• No auto-adjusting light

Why you should buy this: Pound for pound, it's the best Kindle around.

Who it's for: Anyone who wants a great Kindle with a wide range of features.

Why we picked Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite (2021):

If you want the best Kindle for most people, keep it simple and get the Kindle Paperwhite. An update to the 2018 Paperwhite, the 2021 version of Amazon's midrange Kindle has increased the size of the screen and added a USB-C port. These two updates may seem fairly small, but they're what the Paperwhite needed to catapult itself to the top of our best Kindle list.

The screen is 6.8 inches and sports slightly slimmer bezels around the edge. That's a good and bad thing, as it means a large screen-to-device ratio, but it also means less bezel to grip while reading. It's also prone to smudges, and the larger design also means it's slightly less portable than the smaller basic Kindle and the previous model of Paperwhite. The screen is clear and crisp, though, with a 300 pixels-per-inch resolution. There's a blue-light filter, so it's easy to read at night, and since it's an e-ink screen, it's easy to read in direct sunlight too.

The Kindle Paperwhite is also waterproof, which provides peace of mind if you like to read in the bath. The inclusion of USB-C means your Kindle can share a charger with all of the best Android phones , though the battery still lasts for weeks, so it's not something you'll have to do often.

The Paperwhite comes with 8GB or 16GB of storage, and you'll need to upgrade to the Signature Edition if you want more storage space. While 8GB is more than good enough if you're only planning on packing it with books, if you're looking to use Audible, then the larger audiobook downloads will take up a lot more space, so you may want to upgrade to 16GB. The Paperwhite is fast, even though e-book readers aren't particularly known for speed. This helps the reading experience, cutting down on those micro-pauses when turning pages.

The Kindle Paperwhite starts from just $140 (with ads) or $160 ad-free. Yes, that's still an unfortunate reality in Amazon's ecosystem. But there's an upgrade you can grab: the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. Is it worth your money? Read on to find out.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Best kindle upgrade.

• Wireless charging
• More storage
• Auto-adjusting brightness
• More expensive than basic Paperwhite
• Upgrade usefulness is debatable

Why you should buy this: It's a slightly upgraded version of the Kindle Paperwhite.

Who it's for: Audiobook lovers who want more storage than the basic Paperwhite offers.

Why we picked Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition:

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition exists in a strange space, because it's basically a 32GB upgrade to the standard Paperwhite, with a few extra bits thrown in for good measure. It's an odd beast, and you'll have to decide for yourself whether the extra features are worth the additional price.

The first upgrade is auto-adjusting brightness, and it's the strongest of the three. Changing the brightness of your Paperwhite isn't difficult, but it could be a chore if you're moving around a lot. The Signature Edition handles that chore for you, automatically altering the brightness to match your surroundings.

The next upgrade in the Signature Edition is 32GB of storage. It's only really useful for those who expect to carry a lot of audiobooks on their Kindles. The 8GB version can carry thousands of books, so the upgrade is only really useful if you love to listen to audiobooks and have Bluetooth headphones to connect to your Kindle.

The final upgrade is wireless charging, and this usefulness may vary depending on how you use your Kindle. If you read all day, every day, and really give your Kindle battery a hammering, then being able to drop it on a wireless charging pad may be useful. But for most people, a single Kindle charge will last weeks, meaning your charging pad is either constantly topping your Kindle to full from the high-90% mark, or it's waiting for weeks between charges. While this upgrade may be attractive to some, it's difficult to see how this will benefit most people. Still, it's there if you need it.

The Signature Edition costs $190, so it's a $30 upgrade on the Paperwhite without ads, or $50 with ads.

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Amazon Kindle (2022)

Best cheap kindle.

• Lightweight and compact size
• 6-inch e-ink screen with 300 ppi
• Dark mode and backlight display
• USB-C charging and great battery life
• Very affordable
• No ambient light sensor
• Not waterproof

Why you should buy this: It's a great basic e-book reader.

Who it's for: Someone who wants value and doesn't care about waterproofing.

Why we picked Amazon's Kindle (2022):

With the new Paperwhite being so good, you might worry there's no place for the even newer Amazon Kindle. Worry not, the basic Kindle is still excellent, and there are still very good reasons to buy it over the Paperwhite.

The base Kindle is certainly not a flashy device. It's made from black plastic, which means it's cheap and would benefit from the extra grip offered by a case. However, it's extremely light and small, with a 6-inch display. This means the Kindle is even more portable than the Paperwhite and can be easily slipped into most pockets or bags without adding much bulk at all. The screen has also been upgraded, and now boasts the same 300ppi resolution as its more expensive sibling. There's no blue light filter, though, so you may need to be more careful when reading at night. However, it does have a dark mode, which helps a bit with night reading.

Like the Paperwhite, the new Kindle features a USB-C port at the bottom of the unit, finally bringing Amazon's cheapest Kindle into line with most Android devices in 2023. It also has 16GB of storage as standard, another excellent upgrade over the base-level Paperwhite, which only has 8GB. Unfortunately, you don't get any waterproofing, so keep it away from the pool and the bath. Like previous Kindles, the basic Kindle's battery should easily last you weeks between charges.

You're missing out on some tasty features from the Paperwhite, but if you're looking to save some money and just want a basic e-book reader, you really can't do much better than the Amazon Kindle. It's small, portable, and still an excellent way to read thanks to the upgraded screen and extremely long battery life. At just $100, it's an easy pick for our Best Kindle list.

Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)

Best premium kindle.

• Excellent screen that’s perfectly readable outdoors
• Comfortable to hold
• Color-adjustable front light allows for better nighttime reading
• Good performance
• IPX8 water resistance
• No USB Type-C charging port
• User interface could use a visual refresh

Why you should buy this: The Oasis offers a great reading experience and a big screen.

Who it's for: Someone who doesn't mind paying a lot for a great e-book reader.

Why we picked Amazon's Kindle Oasis (2019):

It's absolutely crying out for an update, but the Kindle Oasis is still the best big-screen Kindle you can buy. Almost four years on, Amazon hasn't launched anything quite like the Kindle Oasis, and that means it still deserves a place on this list. The most expensive Kindle e-book reader is a more premium offering than the Paperwhite or basic Kindle, and that shines through.

We'll start with the design. Unlike the plastic Paperwhite and Kindle, the Oasis has an aluminum frame that feels heftier and higher quality. There's a thick bezel on one side that houses the page-turning button. Yup, no swiping across the screen for Oasis viewers, who can more comfortably use their Kindle with a single hand. It's a real winner of a design, and being able to use the buttons instead of swiping is a game-changer.

The 7-inch screen has a 300ppi resolution, but it also has an auto-adjusting backlight that changes colors, so you're not bathed in blue light at bedtime. The orange tone can be set to come on automatically at nighttime, and since this is an e-ink screen, you'll have no problems viewing the display in the strongest sunlight as well. Storage options are 8GB or 32GB, and the 8GB option really rankles in 2023, especially at this price point. Still, that's thousands of e-books, and dozens of audiobooks, so even the basic option is fairly generous.

The battery doesn't last as long as other Kindles', as you'll get roughly a week or two of use. The Oasis' age really shows when you see the Micro-USB port. It's an extremely dated port and feels very out of place in 2023. But when you're only charging a few times a month, it's far from a deal-breaker.

The Kindle Oasis is the most expensive Kindle that's dedicated to reading, and it has the features to back up that price, which starts at $250.

Amazon Kindle Scribe

Best kindle for writing.

• Slim and lightweight design
• E-ink screen looks fantastic
• Tried-and-true Kindle reading
• Superb writing experience
• Weeks of battery life
• Very competitive pricing
• Few formatting tools for writing
• Limited Kindle app integration

Why you should buy this: It's a Kindle, but you can write on it.

Who it's for: Note-takers and editors galore.

Why we picked Amazon's Kindle Scribe:

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon's latest Kindle device, and it's a strange piece of kit unlike any other Kindle that's ever been released. This is the first Kindle you can write on, and it's a unique twist that works really well. The Kindle Scribe is the best Kindle for writing, and is worth every cent if that's something you need.

The writing experience is a great place to start. The Kindle Scribe comes with either the Basic Pen or the Premium Pen, and it's these you'll use to create your notes and jottings. Writing feels amazing, and you can make notes directly in your e-books, or choose from a number of different templates, including music sheets. Both attach to the Scribe magnetically, though only the Premium Pen has a built-in eraser and shortcut button. No matter which pen you get, they're both ready to go out of the box and never need to be charged.

The Scribe has a 10.2-inch display, making this the biggest Kindle ever made. Thanks to the 300ppi e-ink tech, it's easily legible and useful in a wide range of lighting. It has an auto-adjusting backlight, and an adjustable warm light too. It looks a little unwieldy, but the light build and thin frame mean it's just as easy to handle as the much smaller Paperwhite. The Kindle Scribe is not as portable, though, so expect to be shoving this into a bag, rather than a pocket. Despite its size, the Kindle Scribe still delivers the same amazing reading experience we've come to expect from other Kindles, which is quite the achievement.

Battery life is measured in weeks, but don't expect to see the same battery life you might get out of a Paperwhite. Our review period saw the Scribe being used throughout the day for note-taking, with 30 to 60 minutes of reading as well, and the battery life came in around two to three weeks. That's still a great battery life span, and if you use it less, expect to see it last for longer. Like all modern Kindles, the Scribe uses USB-C for recharging.

The Kindle Scribe has a massive amount to offer, so it's only fitting it comes with a high price as well. The Scribe starts at $340, and you'll pay more for the more useful Premium Pen. It comes included with higher storage models of the Scribe, which is a nice bonus. We don't recommend this Kindle for anyone who just wants to read; pick the Paperwhite instead. No, this is for the avid note-takers who would also appreciate a reading device. Those who edit and take notes on documents will likely find the Scribe invaluable, but it's a much more niche device than the other Kindles. But wow, what a device it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amazon Kindles used to be quite restricted with the formats you could read, but those days are firmly behind us. Amazon has also recently embraced EPUB files, opening Kindles up to some of the best sources for free e-books -- without the need for conversion. Kindles support the following file formats:

• Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
• HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
• Text (.TXT)
• JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
• EPUB (.EPUB)

This is an eternal question, and it's a good one. The answer is primarily comfort-based. The OLED and LCD screen technology used on our phones and tablets is gorgeous, but staring at them for hours at a time can be tiring on our eyes. The e-ink technology used in e-book readers, like the Kindle, has been specially created to be easier on the eyes and also has the benefit of being easily legible even in bright sunlight. Unlike your phone's screen, e-ink screens don't have glare, so they're just as easy to read on a sunny day as your favorite paperback book.

Also, e-book readers don't come with the same distractions as a smartphone or tablet, so you're able to properly seal the world away while you read.

The easiest way to get new books onto a Kindle is just to buy them from Amazon. However, there are plenty of free resources for e-books out there, and plenty of other stores too. There's an easy way to send new books to your Kindle though, and it involves just emailing them across to your device.

Head to the Content and devices page of your Amazon account, then click Devices . You'll be able to see that your Kindle has its own email address. Simply attach the e-book files you want on your Kindle to an email to this address, and they'll be sent to your Kindle.

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While Apple's iPads are most people's go-to tablet, there are many other great options out there if you don't want to be in the Apple ecosystem. For example, if you'd like something in the Google ecosystem, the Pixel Tablet is an option, and there are even some great Black Friday deals on it. This one from Best Buy has the Pixel Tablet and the charging speaker dock for just $400, rather than the regular $500 you'd have to pay. Plus, you can get up to $325 worth of trade-in value to help bring that down even further.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet With Charging Speaker Dock Google's Pixel Tablet sits in a hard place, not being the first official Pixel tablet but also trying a bunch of new things, making this a sort of first general Google tablet, even though it isn't, which means that there are both good and bad things. While the display is a good-sized 11 inches, runs an excellent 2560 x 1600 resolution, and can hit an impressive 500 nits of brightness,  it only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which isn't as noticeable on a smaller screen like a phone but is much more noticeable on a tablet of this size, making a lot of apps and browsing feel a bit sloppy.

If you already own the new Apple iPhone 15 or any of its variants but you're still stuck with a basic case, it's highly recommended that you take advantage of this year's Black Friday deals to enjoy some savings on a much-needed upgrade. Not only should you be providing the necessary protection for your iPhone 15 to keep it unscathed, but it would be a huge bonus to place it in a case that looks stylish and matches your personality. However, there's a problem -- there are thousands of iPhone 15 case deals that are available for Black Friday,  so it's going to be very hard to narrow down your choices. That won't stop us from trying though, so you should read on. Best iPhone 15 case Black Friday deal

For serious protection without making your iPhone 15 too heavy, you should go for the OtterBox Commuter Series, which is on sale in Amazon's early Black Friday deals for $35 instead of $40. The $5 discount may not look like much, but it's a welcome bonus for what we've tagged as the best rugged case in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases. It's capable of withstanding three times the military standards for drop protection with a hybrid dual-layer construction that combines recycled rubber with a rigid outer shell, but it stays slim and lightweight so your iPhone 15 won't feel like a brick in your hands. We're not sure if this lowered price will remain online through to the shopping holiday, so you should think about making the purchase right now.

You don't need to spend several hundred dollars if you want to get a dependable tablet, especially with tablet deals like this one from Best Buy -- the Lenovo Tab M9 for just $100, following a $40 discount on its original price of $140. As part of the retailer's early Black Friday deals, we expect the offer to draw a lot of attention, but once it's gone, we're not sure if it will return for the actual  shopping holiday. If you want to make sure that you get this Android tablet for much cheaper than usual, you shouldn't hesitate to buy it right now.

Why you should by the Lenovo Tab M9 tablet If you manage your expectations with the Lenovo Tab M9, you'll be getting a device that will be able to handle your day-to-day functions. It's not going to be as fast as the high-end models among the best tablets, but with the octa-core MediaTek Helio G80 processor and 3GB of RAM, it will provide decent performance for work and school tasks such as doing online research, managing spreadsheets, and communicating with your colleagues. It's also perfect for recreational activities such as watching streaming shows and playing mobile games, as the tablet features a 9-inch touchscreen with 1340 x 800 resolution.

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Medea Giordano

The Best Kindles to Take Your Library Anywhere

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Best for Most Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021, 11th Generation) Read more

The Smallest and Least Expensive Amazon Kindle (2022, 11th Generation) Read more

Frivolously Awesome Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019, 10th Generation) Read more

Best for Kids Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition (2021, 11th Generation) Read more

We love Kindles here at WIRED. They're simple, reliable, and perfect at what they do—in one palm-sized device, you can bring thousands of books with you to the park or mountain, and they typically get a month of battery life per charge. You can subscribe to get unlimited books from Amazon or get free books from your local library (more on those below). But what's the best Kindle? Our guide will help you decode the differences.

Be sure to check our many other buying guides , including the Best E-Readers , Best Fire Tablets , and Best Alexa Speakers .

Updated October 2023: We've added Strapsicle Kindle holders and a sleeve from the Quirky Cup Collective. We've also updated prices and links throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best for Most

We think most people will like the Paperwhites the best. The step-up, waterproof e-reader went from one to three models, and they rival the more expensive Oasis. We tried the Signature Edition ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ), but all three have bigger, 6.8-inch screens with smaller bezels. The screens are brighter overall at their max and have adjustable warm lighting, but only the Signature can auto-adjust that brightness to your surroundings—we think that should be standard across all models. Its faster page-turn rate means there's no delay while you read.

The Signature has 32 gigabytes of storage and the Standard has 8 gigs. That's a big difference, but you can still read and store a lot of books with 8 gigabytes (around 5,000). If you mostly listen to audiobooks, you may want to go for the Signature, since those tend to take up more room. Still, if you want to save some cash, just clean out your backlog; you can remove a book from your device without deleting it entirely from your Amazon account. The 2021 Paperwhites all have USB-C charging, but the Signature supports wireless charging.

The Smallest and Least Expensive

The difference between Kindle models is not as stark anymore, so you'll probably be happy with whatever price point you prefer. This base Kindle was finally updated in 2022 and is the cheapest one at $100. It's the smallest of the lot at 6.2 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, with a 6-inch screen (the same screen size as the new Kindle Kids). If you find tablets too cumbersome to hold with one hand, consider this one.

The price increased by $10 from the last version, but it doubled the storage from 8 gigabytes to 16, and the screen is a 300-pixel-per-inch (PPI) resolution versus the old one's 197 PPI. It gets the same USB-C port for charging as the Paperwhite models, and it charges quickly. However, it's not waterproof, and it doesn't get warm lighting or auto-adjusting light.

Frivolously Awesome

There's no practical reason to buy a $270 ebook reader, but the Oasis has a sleek aluminum design with a ridge on one edge and physical buttons to turn the pages. These make it ideal for one-handed reading. The light-up display also looks a little more natural and automatically adjusts the brightness.

Many of the Oasis' features now show up in the Paperwhites, like adjustable warm lighting, water resistance, and a faster processor. At 7 inches, the touchscreen is only slightly bigger too. After years of use, reviews editor Adrienne So has noticed that the battery on her Oasis now only lasts several days. It's also been unavailable on and off. We think it's due for an update.

Best for Kids

The 2021 Paperwhites include a Kids Edition, which brings a bigger and sleeker screen, more lighting options, and IPX8 water resistance for the first time over the original Kindle Kids Edition. The rest of the features are pretty much the same as the new Kindle Paperwhite, except you'll get a year's subscription to Amazon Kids+ , a kid-friendly content library with parental controls. (You can access the same platform across other Amazon devices, like Fire Tablets or Echo speakers .) It also comes with a case and a two-year no-questions-asked replacement guarantee. If your kid smashes it just once, you get your money back. If you're going to get your kid an entertainment device, an ebook reader that doesn't have access to social media is a safer choice. There is a web browser, but it's restricted by default (you can completely disable it too). There are 8- and 16-gigabyte storage options

★ A cheaper alternative with more storage: The newest base Kindle Kids ($120) is cheaper than the 8-gig Paperwhite Kids, but for 16 gigabytes (that's also double what the original Kids Edition was). But this one isn't waterproof if you think that will be a problem with your kiddos, and there's no adjustable warm lighting.

Aarian Marshall

Reece Rogers

For Note-Taking

Thanks to the included pen, you can now write on your Kindle ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends )! There's no lag, and the outcome looks very similar to your handwriting. It's already pricey at $340, but you can spend an additional $30 for the premium pen that includes an eraser on the opposite end. You can't write directly on most books, which is frustrating—you have to instead use sticky notes. There are now some options available with that functionality, but it's mostly crosswords and guided journals.

The enormous 10.2-inch screen is ideal for taking notes, marking up PDFs, or doodling, and there are numerous paper formats you can choose, like college-ruled or dotted. The screen size does make reading easy too, especially if you need to increase the font size, but it takes away some of its portability if you prefer to keep an e-reader in your pocket or small purse. There are 16-, 32-, and 64-gigabyte options. Since it was released, Amazon has updated it with additional brush types, a convert-to-text in export tool, and better page navigation and subfolders. Weirdly, it's not waterproof like the other pricier Kindles. We've tried other E Ink tablets for writing , but this is probably the best (and cheapest) option.

For Easy Holding

When I'm a couple of hours into a reading session and my hands start to cramp, I fantasize about setting up one of those hands-free tablet holders so I can lie in bed with it directly in front of my face. I'm not quite there yet, but I do love these silicone Strapsicles. Attach one or both to the back of your Kindle—one is angled for your right hand and the other for your left—and slide your hand in. Your hands won't cramp, you won't accidentally hit the screen and flip pages, and the reader won't slip out of your hands. People also use Popsockets for this reason, if you prefer that. I love my phone Popsocket, but after a particularly long scrolling session, my fingers start to ache. These straps eliminate that altogether.

There are three sizes meant to hold different types of e-readers. You should see exactly which models they work with on the Amazon pages, as well as on this page on the Strapsicle website . If you use a case, these might not work, but the brand sells its own thin clear option for $13.

Do You Need a Cover?

Kindles are, thankfully, not as fragile as our pricey smartphones, but you may still want to add a cover to protect the screen if you're frequently toting it around in a bag. These are meant mostly to protect the screen and add some protection from minor bumps, but they're not padded for serious drops. If you get a Kids Edition, those come with a case already.

The fabric covers for the Base Kindle ($30) , Paperwhite ($35) , and Oasis ($40) open like a book and come in some variation of black, blue, pink, or green. All but the Oasis one is made from post-consumer recycled fabric.

If you've upgraded to the Scribe ($60) , that case flips up and over like a notepad, and you can position it into a stand too. There's also a slot for the pen if you don't want it to be attached magnetically all the time. This one is also made with recycled materials.

Or Get This Pretty Sleeve

When this mystical Kindle sleeve graced my TikTok For You Page—it was the Sun and Moon version —I knew I needed it. It's beautiful and will protect your device when you aren't using it, so you can throw it in your bag without worry. The outside is velvet and the inside satin, with some padding in between and a zip closure. On the back is a small zip pocket. There are several pretty designs, including a luna moth and an hourglass.

On each page, you'll see which devices fit. This size is good for the Kindle Paperwhites and Oasis, plus a bunch of Kobos and the iPad Mini. But if you use a bulky case, consult the measurements. There are also separate, and larger, book and iPad sleeves .

The Quirky Cup Collective is a small business out of Australia, and there's an informational page on tracking times and pricing. It may default to AUD, but the company will charge you accurately for the country you're in (I haven't seen it as anything but US dollars).

Do You Have an Older Kindle Model?

Have an old Kindle lying around—or are looking at a used one for sale—and aren’t sure which one it is? This Amazon page includes photos, specs, and release years for the entire lineup. Once you know which one you have, you may be able to trade it in for credit toward a newer model.

Most old models probably still work, just with fewer bells and whistles. We think it's best to avoid Kindles with keyboards or any other physical buttons—page-turn buttons on the latest Oasis are OK.

Some older Kindles lost the ability to browse, purchase, or borrow new books directly from the device. However, you'll still be able to do so on Amazon.com on your computer or phone and have it sent to your Kindle, which is a better experience anyway. According to the company, the models affected are the Kindle 2nd Generation (International), Kindle DX International, Kindle DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4th Generation, and Kindle 5th Generation.

Start Reading

If you buy every single book you want to read at Kindle, it can add up! But there are ways to save some money while reading as much as your heart desires.

You may want to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited for $12 a month . You can only choose from the Unlimited catalog, but there are millions of titles there, including audiobooks and magazines. Start out with the 30-day free trial. Since I got into romance thanks to #BookTok, this has been incredibly rewarding and I typically hate paying a membership for anything.

If you already pay for a Prime account, you're eligible for some free books through Prime Reading . There are not as many options as with Kindle Unlimited, and in a lot of cases you'll see both Unlimited and Prime options lumped together, so you'll have to look closely to find the free ones. But it's still something, and there are even some magazines included.

But if you don't want another monthly subscription and don't want to continue giving your money to Amazon, take advantage of ebooks available with your library card . Browsing a digital catalog is not as magical as spending an afternoon looking over every shelf in a library, but such is the ebook life (no one says you can't read both!). We have a detailed how-to on this that you should check out, but here are some of the takeaways:

• Get a library card for your local branch
• Check your branch's website for its ebook offerings. Many use the website OverDrive .
• Download directly to your Kindle library. They'll automatically be removed when they're due back.

If you know someone else with a Kindle, you can lend books between your libraries, just as you would with a physical copy. Follow these instructions from Amazon to do so, and keep in mind not all books can be loaned.

What Else Can a Kindle Do?

Kindles have helpful features that you may want to take advantage of it. Long-press a word or phrase to see its definition , highlight it, or take notes . You can also search the entire book for that particular word or phrase or translate it to or from other languages.

Word Wise shows short definitions in small text within the lines. Unfortunately, it's not available for all books, but when it is, you can turn it on or off and choose more and fewer hints. Clicking the short definition opens a longer one from Word Wise and the New Oxford American Dictionary or Oxford Dictionary of English (you can switch between the two), plus translations, and a Wikipedia page, if applicable.

While reading, tap the top of the screen and click “Aa” to change font size or type —there's even a font called OpenDyslexic that helps make reading easier for people with dyslexia. You can control margin sizes and line spacing from that menu too.

When a Kindle is connected to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, VoiceView Screen Reader (accessed through Settings > Accessibility ) allows you to use gestures to navigate your device and reads aloud what you've pressed. It will also read a book aloud, though it doesn't sound nearly as nice as an audiobook does.

Amazon owns Goodreads , so it syncs seamlessly to Kindles (press the three-dot menu > Goodreads ). If you have a Goodreads account, you can review the Kindle books you've read or browse your bookshelf and recommendations. Long-pressing a word or phrase, in addition to what is mentioned above, opens up an option to share quotes directly to Goodreads.

There's a web browser too if you're connected to the internet ( three-dot menu > Web Browser ). It's not the best, so I'd reserve it for emergency searches.

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The best Amazon Kindle Books for November 2022

6 November 2022 By Michael Kozlowski 1 Comment

The year might be winding down, but the bevy of great books that are coming out in November is still very strong. There are a myriad of fascinating reads that are available soon. Looking for something with a little more heft? Jon Meacham’s latest on Abraham Lincoln fits the bill. Two very different Hollywood books also make the list: Quentin Tarantino’s cool Cinema Speculation, and Matthew Perry’s shocking memoir detailing his long history with drug abuse.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry

One of the biggest celebrity memoirs of 2022, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry, a.k.a. Chandler Bing, is both a story of on-set antics and celebrity make-outs, as well as a tell-all of the insidious nature of addiction. There are juicy stories of fame and fortune (the raucous parties, the private jets), love and sex (guess which co-star he had a crush on and what A-list actress he dated and dumped), but what’s the most shocking is the severity of Perry’s addiction—he went through detox a whopping 65 times. Perry divulges what his benders were like, how it started, who helped him, and the lowest lows that he experienced (an anecdote about riffling through people’s medicine cabinets for pills is gutting)—much of which happened when he was starring in one of the hottest, and some could argue most iconic, shows on television. Could he be any more honest? I mean, maybe, but he’s alive and telling his story. So, for that, I think we have to be pretty grateful.

Desert Star by Michael Connelly

Back on the force, Renée Ballard is building her own cold case squad and makes Harry Bosch an offer he grudgingly accepts in Desert Star, their fifth outing together. Connelly is on top form here, as inventive as ever when it comes to employing his vast knowledge of investigative techniques—be they vintage or cutting edge—to underpin stellar plots with the kind of credible details that make the whole thing sing. The diptych plotlines—a grieving brother and a zealous cop, each equally consumed with their own “white whale,” the dead-ended cold cases so personal to both men—up the emotional ante for readers in one of Connelly’s best—a high bar, indeed.

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Frankie and Zeke are teenagers—creative oddballs, if you will—who meet over the course of a summer and embark on an art project that takes on a life of its own, forever changing their lives, that of their families, and beyond. Like Wilson’s other novels, your heart will expand as you dive into the world that Frankie and Zeke create together. There’s so much to love about this book: the big questions it raises about art as social transformation and culpability (are you responsible for just what you make or the effect is has on people’s lives?) but the best part is reading about two kids who are having the time of their lives. Their sense of adventure, joyous obsessions, and life-altering friendship is infectious.

Butts: A Backstory by Heather Radke

Radke whisks us though history, starting with how backsides enabled human evolution two million years ago, to the complicated story of Sarah Bartmann, the owner of the most infamous butt of all time (on display inside a Paris museum until recently), to, yes, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Buns of Steel, and Kim Kardashian. We learn about twerking’s religious roots and why pants never fit (blame the male scientists who dreamed up the “normal” female body in the 1940s). Radke keeps the narrative moving, whether she’s quoting existentialist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir or RuPaul (both are cited in a single paragraph). Yes, butts can be “silly,” Radke explains, but they’re also “tremendously complex symbols, fraught with significance…laden with humor and sex, shame and history…used to create and reinforce racial hierarchies, as a barometer for the virtues of hard work…femininity and humanity.”

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham

We live in a divided country, and so it makes sense to examine the man who was president when the nation suffered an actual schism. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham approaches Lincoln through his education and evolution as a thinker, setting those experiences in parallel with the practical work of politics, grounded by the reality that Lincoln, like all of us, was an imperfect human being. What emerges is a man who very early developed principles and a moral center that would guide him through the highs and lows of his political and personal journey. If one is to take away a message from this highly readable, deeply researched book, it’s that fallible people can achieve great things when they are guided by clear ideals. This book belongs in the upper echelon of Lincoln biographies.

Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths

Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur (The Stranger Diaries, The Postscript Murders), the gay, Sikh detective is back, only now she’s a Detective Inspector and newly relocated to London following her promotion. Her first major case involves an overdose at Manor Park—a posh school attended by the children of politicians and rocks stars. Since the victim in this case is Garfield Rice, a controversial member of Parliament, the case promises to be just as high profile as its victim. And it turns out that one of DI Harbinder’s team has a connection to Manor Park, and good reason to keep it hidden. Pair a great, nuanced character (Kaur) with a smart, tight police procedural, and you have an unputdownable winner.

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

We All Want Impossible Things is such a lovely, readable novel about the messy fullness of being human. The narrative centers around Edi, who is dying of cancer in hospice care, and her best friend, Ash. Their families come together in grief and hilarity, holding it together through the mundane moments of illness mixed with vivid, heart-bursting moments of love. Life is lived on planes like this, the achingly beautiful times that make you feel like everything is amazing, and everything is terrible. I’m not usually a crier, but this novel made me tear up. It also made me smile, and feel warm and fuzzy. The way Newman writes about grief is quirky, devastating—and often very funny. I wanted to befriend the characters, and move into Ash’s family. We’ve spent the past several years losing, changing, and finding joy as we figure out a post-pandemic world. This book embraces how life goes on even when it feels like it can’t. It’s a story as much about living as it is about dying.

The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama

Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2018 memoir, Becoming, was one of the best-selling books of all time. Now, she’s following it up with The Light We Carry, a new book chock full of advice about staying balanced and hopeful in today’s turbulent world. “Self-knowledge builds confidence, which in turn breeds calmness and an ability to maintain perspective,” she writes in the introduction. “Which leads, finally, to being able to connect meaningfully with others—and this to me is the bedrock of all things.” Readers will learn about the practices that keep Obama grounded, from “going high” and “starting kind” to gathering a “kitchen table” of friends and mentors.

Gilded Mountain by Kate Manning

At the turn of the twentieth century, the Pelletiers, a French-Canadian family, move to Colorado, where a job at a marble quarry promises not just employment but housing. The work is grueling and before long, the father is once again trying to unionize his fellow workers—much to the chagrin of the company foreman. The novel is told by 17-year-old Sylvie Pelletier, a smart, feisty, and determined woman employed by a local newspaper that exposes the harsh working conditions of the workers while the quarry’s owners live in wealthy opulence. The catch? Sylvie falls for the owner’s son and before long she’s immersed in the robber baron world, caught between the man she loves, her family, and the workers struggling to make ends meet. Filled with pluck and the union beliefs of her father, Sylvie is a character you root for—one that believes justice is on her side and will fight to make it so. Gilded Mountain is utterly transporting, a novel that will sweep you off your feet with the promise of adventure, equality, freedom, and, yes, love.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

This weekend I watched the new Netflix Original movie adaptation of Soman Chainani’s fantastic fairytale fantasy, The School for Good and Evil. It’s always tough when you have a book you love—or in this case a series—that’s adapted for the screen. Will the filmmakers be true to the story? Do they capture the same feeling you got from reading the book, even if there’s some cinematic differences? In this case, I was pretty satisfied with the result. The author was involved in the film and was realistic about the limitations of translating the page to the screen. I felt like the movie was true to the gist of the story, and I really enjoyed the special effects and lavish costumes. It’s a mash-up of magic and fairytale, which fits in perfectly with some of the big box office hits of the last decade. If you liked the movie, you’re going to love the book!

How to Survive Everything by Ewan Morrison

Morrison’s new novel is a fascinating exploration of the ethics of prepper culture through the eyes of a teenage girl. Along with her young brother, Haley’s been abducted by their disaster-prepping father, who has funded a bunker with what should have gone to child support payments and is convinced they must stay with his motley crew of camo-clad fanatics for at least three years. Did the apocalypse happen? Or is their father completely delusional? Harrowing, humorous, and featuring a clever and resourceful heroine, How to Survive Everything is the perfect book to read down in your bunker ahem, living room.

Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino grew up going to movies in Hollywood. One might question the parenting decision to take a young child to see Bullitt (and many, many other films of the late ’60s and early ’70s), but it certainly contributed to the formation of his brilliant movie mind. Tarantino’s catalog is deep and wide, and he is here to share it with us. For that we should count ourselves lucky. As I was reading Cinema Speculation, I felt sometimes that I was reading a master class and other times that I was overhearing a conversation at a dinner party. A very cool dinner party. Each page is filled with deep understanding, but there is something else here, too—enjoyment. Tarantino loves movies, and he has a perspective on actors, directors, writers, producers, critics, and movie goers that kept me glued to every page (even when some of the references were flying over my head). This book is intimate, obsessive, and cool, and it is ultimately as enriching as anything I’ve read in a long time.

Foster by Claire Keegan

In Keegan’s latest novella, a girl is dropped off at a farm in rural Ireland to live indefinitely with relatives while her mother awaits the birth of her youngest child. There, young Ann experiences a level of love, care, and attention she didn’t know she was missing. And, in her blooming, her foster parents begin to come to terms with events in their past. Somehow, what Keegan doesn’t put on the page manages to convey as much as what she does. Between what’s written and what’s not breathes an exquisite, tender, and heart-expanding story, as Keegan creates more magic in 128 pages than others could do in 928 pages.

Michael Kozlowski

Michael Kozlowski has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past twelve years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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The best Kindle readers you can buy right now

Kindle readers are great for the bookworms who take a novel wherever they go and the busy students juggling multiple reading assignments. They can hold a near infinite amount of books, newspapers, and magazines in one compact, lightweight device. And not just that -- you can save lots of money when you switch from physical books to e-books. 

While most Kindle tablets have a fixed amount of internal storage, many support Amazon Cloud backup or microSD cards for expanded onboard storage. Moreover, many Kindle readers are waterproof up to 2 meters, meaning you can take your e-reader to the beach or pool and not have to worry about splashes and sprays ruining your tablet. With anti-glare screens and auto-adjusting backlights, it's easier than ever to read your favorite books indoors and outdoors in direct sunlight.

Also:  The best iPad models you can buy

So, which Kindle is right for you? ZDNET rounded up the best Kindle readers available to buy right now, with the best Kindle reader overall being Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite . We broke down their features and price points to help you decide which is the best fit for both your reading needs and budget. Keep reading below to find the perfect Kindle for you.

The best Kindle readers of 2023

Amazon kindle paperwhite, best kindle reader overall.

• Post-consumer materials
• Excellent battery life
• Waterproof up to 2 meters
• Easy to use
• Audible requires separate app
• No headphone jack
• No microSD card support

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite specs: S creen size: 6.8 inches | Storage: 8GB, Amazon Cloud | Battery life: Up to six weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: No

The Kindle Paperwhite is a simple, no-fuss e-reader that allows you to download and store thousands of comics, novels, and audiobooks to enjoy at home or on the go. The 6.8-inch display provides 300 points per inch for crystal-clear text, and the glare-free coating makes reading easier by a direct lamp or in sunlight. The integrated battery can last up to ten weeks on a full charge, letting you read for almost two months straight before needing to plug in. And when you do need to recharge, it uses a USB-C cable, so you don't have to worry about keeping a special charging cable handy.

Also: The Kindle Paperwhite gets a new look

Furthermore, the Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof up to 2 meters for 1 hour in freshwater or .25 meters for three minutes in saltwater. This means you won't have to worry about spills and splashes while reading at the beach, by the pool, or at the dinner table. Additionally, with the Kindle Unlimited app, you can browse hundreds of thousands of titles, including Kindle exclusives. If you prefer your e-reader to be eco-friendly, the Kindle Paperwhite is made of 60 percent post-consumer materials, including magnesium, to keep electronic and plastic waste out of landfills and oceans.

Amazon Fire HD 8

Best non-kindle e-reader.

• Up to 1TB microSD card support
• Good battery life
• Alexa built-in
• On the heavy side

Amazon Fire HD 8  specs: S creen size: 8 inches | Storage: 32GB or 64GB | Battery life: 13 hours | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: Up to 1TB

Since an e-reader like the Kindle is usually a single-purpose device, it may not always make sense to spend a ton of money on one. Fortunately, the Amazon Fire 8 is an exceptionally affordable Kindle-capable tablet. For just $100, you can get an 8-inch tablet with 32GB of internal storage, which you can expand with up to a 1TB microSD card. The internal battery lasts up to 13 hours, allowing you to listen to audiobooks or read all day before needing to plug in. Moreover, since the Fire 8 is closer to a typical tablet, you can download apps like YouTube to turn it into an entertainment hub for both kids and adults.

Also:  Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review: Primed for Amazon superfans

With Alexa built-in, you can use voice commands to launch apps, play music, and even make video calls to friends and family. This is an excellent way to keep in touch with your book club or reading circle in a post-COVID world. Alternatively, you can switch Alexa off to prevent any misuse of your Fire 8's camera and microphones to gather information about you and your family.

Kindle Oasis

Best splurge kindle.

• Auto-adjusting front light
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Page-turning buttons
• No cover or stylus included

Kindle Oasis  specs: S creen size: 7 inches | Storage: 8GB or 32GB, Amazon Cloud | Battery life: Up to six weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: No

For customers who are willing to spend a bit more to get more features, the Kindle Oasis is an excellent option. The chassis features an ergonomic design that is more comfortable to hold and easier to use with its integrated page-turning buttons. The screen has an adjustable warm backlight for reading in both dim rooms and direct sunlight to reduce eye strain. It also uses built-in sensors to automatically adjust screen brightness and light temperature depending on your environment. Alternatively, you can schedule screen lighting changes based on typical use times for different members of your family.

Moreover, the chassis is waterproof, able to be submerged up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) for up to 1 hour in freshwater or .25 meters for three minutes in saltwater. Although it doesn't have a regular headphone jack, the Kindle Oasis supports Bluetooth connectivity. You can use wireless headphones and speakers to listen to audiobooks or the screen reader function. Furthermore, if you need to download a few last-minute titles in the airport lounge while waiting for your flight, the Kindle Oasis supports WEP and WPA2 WiFi security to protect your connection.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Best kindle reader for travel.

• Wireless charging capable
• Water resistant
• Cloud storage backup
• Accessibility options
• A bit on the heavy side

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition specs: Screen size: 6.8 inches | Storage: 32GB, Amazon Cloud | Battery life: Up to 10 weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: No

The best part of having an e-reader is being able to take dozens, if not hundreds, of books with you while you travel for work, errands, family gatherings, or vacations. Ayman from @aymansbooks on TikTok is one of BookTok's most successful accounts, with over 900,000 followers on the platform. She is regularly making content and memes about novels and recommending the books she reads on the platform. The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is her Kindle of choice, Ayman told ZDNET. Whether she's at the DMV, sitting at a cafe, or waiting in a line, Ayman said that she always totes her Paperwhite Signature Edition with her and pulls it out when she has a spare second to read. "I love how I can easily highlight and make annotations as I'm reading; it feels just as though I'm reading a physical book," Ayman said. 

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is built with travel in mind. It supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging, so you don't have to keep a special charging cable for a single device. Additionally, the internal battery can last up to 10 weeks on a full charge, allowing you to enjoy your beach reading even if you forget your charging cable.

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The screen features an anti-glare coating for better visibility in direct lamplight or sunlight, as well as an auto-adjusting backlight to suit dim rooms. With 32GB of internal storage, you can store tens of thousands of titles on the tablet. However, if you need even more space, you can utilize Amazon Cloud storage to free up room on the Paperwhite Signature Edition for new books. The tablet is water-resistant, which is great for reading by the pool, on the beach, or anywhere accidental spills may happen.

Additionally, it has a screen reader function for blind and visually impaired users and supports Bluetooth headsets for audiobooks.

Kindle Scribe

Best kindle for note taking.

• You're able to sign documents, take notes, and draw
• Robust 10.2-inch screen
• Battery life for literal days
• It's expensive
• Doesn't offer compatibility with Microsoft Word yet

Kindle Scribe specs: Screen size: 10.2 inches | Storage: 16, 32, or 64GB | Battery life: Up to 6 weeks at 30 minutes per day | Lock screen ads: Yes, removable with fee | microSD card support: No

The Kindle Scribe combines a digital library with a digital notebook. For the first time, you can use the basic pen to create notes either through an app or on the book you're reading, making it convenient if you're studying for a test and want to organize what you're reading and your notes in one place. Additionally, you can upgrade to the Kindle Scribe Premium Pen to easily erase notes.

The display is remarkable, with a high-resolution 10.2-inch screen. You'll also have access to ample storage options, and the battery life will let you read the next bestseller without having to worry about finding the nearest plug for charging. When Matthew Miller reviewed the Scribe last year, he said it was his on-the-go-note-taking tablet of choice. "My desire to find something that doesn't waste paper and also provides the ability to preserve and share my notes has been met with the Amazon Kindle Scribe," Miller said. And the writing and erasing capabilities are top tier, too, especially with the add-on Premium Pen, he adds. 

Review:  Amazon Kindle Scribe: 7 ways it could be even more remarkable

On the other hand, there is room for improvement. Currently, you can export notes to a PDF and email them. However, it would be ideal to send notes to other programs like Microsoft Word, which will be part of a future software update. Additionally, we found that you have the inability to organize your notes on the Kindle Scribe. Overall, it's a great foray into the digital note-taking market, and with future software updates, it should become one of the more popular models in the Kindle lineup.

What is the best Kindle?

The best Kindle e-reader is the Kindle Paperwhite. You can choose between 8 or 32GB of internal storage to download thousands of comics, novels, and audiobooks. Additionally, you can opt for cloud storage syncing for near-infinite storage space for your digital library. The screen features an anti-glare coating for better visibility in sunlight and flush bezels for better handling. Furthermore, the integrated battery can last up to six weeks on a full charge, allowing you to read as much as you want, worry-free.

Which is the right Kindle for you?

When shopping for a new Kindle reader, aside from price, you should also consider how much storage space you'll want or need for your digital bookshelf. The Kindle Paperwhite has 8GB of storage, which is enough for hundreds of books, audiobooks, PDF files, and graphic novels. On the other hand, the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition has 32GB of storage, which allows your digital bookshelf to store almost 14,000 titles. Furthermore, no matter which model of Kindle reader you use, many support either microSD cards up to 1TB or cloud syncing for near-infinite storage.

Below is a table that outlines which Kindle corresponds to specific needs:

How did I choose these Kindles?

I chose Kindle readers that have relatively affordable price points for budget-minded shoppers as well as customers who are willing to spend a bit more to get all of the features they want. I also chose models that support microSD cards for expanded storage to allow for truly huge digital libraries.

I also selected an option designed for kids, so they can read their favorite books and discover new ones on their own device.

Also: How to buy books on Kindle

Moreover, we also chose a high-end model for those wanting a large, waterproof screen with Bluetooth connectivity.

How many books will 32GB hold?

It all depends on what kinds of books you want to download, as different media files have different sizes. For example, a single comic book issue file can be as small as 650MB, while a graphic novel can be up to 1.5GB. On the other hand, plain-text files like novels, nonfiction titles, and even school textbooks have fairly small sizes, allowing you to have up to 13,500 books in your digital library with 32GB of storage space.

However, longer titles like War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy will have a larger file size than something like F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. If you like longer reads, you'll probably store fewer books, though you should still be able to download and store thousands of titles.

You can even download audiobooks from the Kindle app, though the audio files are quite large. This means that a 32GB Kindle will only hold about 150 audiobooks, depending on the length of the recording.

Can I read Kindle books on an iPad?

Absolutely! If you have an iPad, you can download the Kindle app from the iOS App Store. This allows you to buy and download digital books to your iPad, turning it into a true multimedia entertainment device and eliminating the need for a single-purpose tablet.

Moreover, it's not just iPads. Samsung, Lenovo, and other tablet makers allow you to download the Kindle app so you can take your digital library with you.

Are Kindle books free?

They can be. Whether you're looking to fill out your library or to finally get around to reading those classics that were assigned back in your high school English class, it's pretty easy to find free Kindle books. Lots of classic literature is in the public domain, which just means that they are no longer protected by copyright laws and can be provided for free. If you're looking for new titles, you don't have to spend a fortune.

Also: How to get (great) free books on Kindle

You also can find thousands of titles for very low prices, sometimes as low as 99 cents. However, these are often self-published works. And while self-publishing is a great way for writers to get their work in the hands of readers without going through literary agents and publishing houses, it also means that sometimes the work isn't entirely up to snuff. So if you're tempted to buy that ultra low-priced title, make sure you read reviews first so you don't end up buying something you won't like.

Are there alternatives to the Kindle worth considering?

If you don't like the idea of a single-purpose tablet taking up space in your home, but still want the ease and portability of a digital library, you're able to download the Kindle app to just about any tablet on the market. Here is a short list of Kindle alternatives that I thought were great:

Amazon Fire HD 10

A polished Kindle reader with a 10.1-inch, 1080p, HD display, 4GB of RAM and wireless charging capabilities.

iPad Air (5th Gen)

A fantastic reader if you want 5G connectivity, fast performance, and good battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8

A perfect option if you want the functionality of note-taking with the S-Pen coupled with a vibrant display.

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The best Kindles in 2023

These are the best Kindles and e-readers you can buy based on our testing.

• Best overall
• Best for kids

Best for wireless charging

Best premium kindle, best kindle alternative.

• How to choose
• How we test

The quick list 1. Best overall 2. Best value 3. Best for kids 4. Best for wireless charging 5. Best premium Kindle 6. Best Kindle alternative How to choose How we test

The best e-readers are usually Amazon Kindles these days, because the tech giant has sunk lots of money and effort into designing affordable, durable e-readers that last for days.

But finding the right Kindle for you can be tricky, because Amazon now sells not only basic Kindles but the fancier Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Scribe, as well as a kids edition of the Kindle. What once was simple as reading a page-turner is now not so easy.

Luckily, we can help! We've reviewed all the major Kindles and e-readers for years, so we know how the latest models stack up to the competition because we've used them ourselves. No matter your budget, these are the best Kindles on the market.

If you want something to read on your new Kindle, check out our tips for how to get free ebooks . And if you absolutely, positively have to start reading right now (or just want an option to keep reading while your e-reader is charging) we've curated the best e-book reader apps for those who want to read on a smartphone or tablet.

But most importantly, check out our regularly-updated list of the  best Black Friday deals  if you're looking to save a bit of money on a new e-reader!

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing e-readers coverage and reviewing man himself every year.

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the tablets on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever tablet catches your eye.

Best Kindle overall

Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite (2021) strikes a nice balance of price and performance, offering you a dependable e-reader with a nice screen for under $200.

Read more below

Amazon's basic Kindle is a good e-reader that can be yours for $99 if you're willing to put up with lockscreen ads. The latest model has great battery life and USB-C charging at last, but it's still not waterproof.

Best Kindle for kids

The Amazon Kindle Kids Edition is a simplified version of the basic Kindle with good enough resolution, a kid-friendly interface, cute colorful cases and a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. 

Best Kindle for wireless charging

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is like the Paperwhite but $50 more expensive. In return, you get support for wireless charging, which is a luxury worth splurging on for some.

The Amazon Kindle Oasis costs nearly twice as much as a Paperwhite, but you're paying for a more comfortable chassis with a rounded back, the ease of physical buttons and a waterproof rating high enough to survive an hour-long bath.

The Nook GlowLight 4 is a great alternative to Kindles if you'd rather not enter Amazon's ecosystem. It looks very similar and while it's not waterproof the way great Kindles are, we think the Nook interface is a little more usable than what you'll find on a Kindle.

The best Kindles you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best Kindle overall

1. amazon kindle paperwhite (2021).

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Small changes lead to great products staying great, and such is the case with the new Kindle Paperwhite (2021). It's got the same basic look as previous Kindles and Kindle Paperwhite models, a matte black shell and an e-ink screen, but this time it's larger, with a 6.8-inch panel. The bezels are also smaller, so the device didn't have to grow too much to accommodate the growth from a 6-inch panel. 

While it's still a super-sharp 300-ppi display, it's now supported by an array of 17 LED backlights, for incredibly even lighting. And it's still got a great waterproofing (IPX8-rated) protection. 

After the larger display, the big change this year is the move from microUSB charging to USB-C. It's a welcome change if only for the reversible port. Faster charging doesn't appear to be on the table, but the microUSB port has been around for way too long, and is often fragile, so we're happy to see it go.

The Paperwhite costs slightly more than half as much as the $250 Kindle Oasis, coming in at $139 ($10 more than in previous years). That said, it's gained one of the Oasis' once unique features: display warmth. Our testing of the Paperwhite 2021's waterproofing included a 20 minute bath in our sink. It worked just as well as it did before when we took it out. 

Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review .

The best value

2. amazon kindle (2022).

The Amazon Kindle (2022) is nearly a perfect device for what it is, and some of its flaws are more down to Amazon than the device itself. Being locked into Amazon’s ecosystem is a drag, but you can’t really knock the Kindle for that.

That’s not to say there aren’t improvements that could be made. The fact that the Kindle 2022 isn’t waterproof is probably the biggest differentiator between it and the more expensive Paperwhite. Also, our reviewer missed having the option adjust the warmth of the display light, another minor but meaningful Paperwhite feature — though if you’re fine with using dark mode it’s easy to move past that shortcoming. Admittedly, if Amazon fixed those things there would be no reason to get the Paperwhite, so while we're disappointed we aren't shocked.

Ultimately though, the Kindle 2022 is probably the best Kindle for most people. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, the display is bright and crisp — a massive improvement over earlier models — and the battery lasts for ages. Unless you really need a waterproof Kindle, it’s tough to advocate spending more than the $100 you'll pay for a new Amazon Kindle (2022).

Read our full Amazon Kindle (2022) review .  

The best Kindle for kids

3. amazon kindle kids edition.

Amazon's latest Kindle improves on the $90 Kindle by adding what's missing and chipping away at the cruft that fills up a regular Kindle. Kids will like it for the colored cases, while parents will love Amazon's 2-year no-questions-asked warranty. Even better, there are no lock screen ads. In fact, the Kids Edition is so close to our ideal Kindle interface, we wish Amazon would offer it as a mode for adults who just want to read the book, and not dabble in the Goodreads community.

Otherwise, the Kindle Kids Edition is the same tablet as the 2019 Kindle. You get the same 6-inch, 167 ppi display and front lighting, and the display is still inset, not flush with the frame. Oh and it's even got helpful vocabulary building tools and a free year (a $60 value) of Amazon's Amazon Kids+ (fka FreeTime Unlimited), which has thousands of titles. The Kindle Kids Edition was so popular that Amazon's making a Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition, which we will review soon. 

Read our full Amazon Kindle Kids Edition review .  

4. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

What if you're tired of small, incremental change? Yes, the Kindle Paperwhite (2021) has lighting warmth and USB-C and a slightly larger screen, but for those who think this update's a bit slight, Amazon has the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. It's got the same 6.8-inch, 300-ppi panel as the regular Paperwhite, with smaller bezels and fantastically-even backlighting plus IPX8-rated waterproofing protection. But there's more on top.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition can be charged via Qi-based wireless chargers, plus its backlighting is automatically-adjusting. Plus, 4x as much storage and no on-screen ads. Not all of those features may be huge for everyone, but we're betting at least one is interesting for all. But at $189, it's a pretty pricey tablet. It's sitting right between the normal Paperwhite and the Oasis, and a good option if you have the money.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition review .

5. Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)

The new Kindle Oasis still offers Amazon's most luxurious reading experience, with its machined aluminum back, larger screen, physical buttons, automatic lighting adjustments and very well-lit screen (using 25 LEDs) — screams "first class." Its Oasis moniker is earned from its IPX8-rated water resistance, which allows it to survive hour-long baths. The device also supports Audible's audiobooks, as long as you've got a Bluetooth device handy.

The Oasis's curved back and physical buttons give you an easier way to get a grip and a way to read your book without tapping the screen. While the Oasis is the best Kindle for those who can splurge, we just wish it didn't cost nearly twice as much as the Kindle Paperwhite. It's the Kindle with more effort put into its design, losing the simple and utilitarian aesthetic of the regular Kindle and the Paperwhite.  

Read our full Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) review .

6. Nook GlowLight 4

Amazon doesn't run the whole e-reader world, so we occasionally test competitors' e-readers. And while the Nook Glowlight 4 isn't better than any Kindle, it's got minor tweaks and updates that give us reason to give it some attention here. One of its best features is it's no-fuss reading interface, which gets out of your way when it's time to read (Amazon could do this, and we wish it would).

That said, for a $140 e-reader, it's lacking waterproofing, which the Paperwhite offers. Oh, and loading up library books, proved to be a frustrating process. But for the reader who doesn't want to use an Amazon-made device? The Glowlight 4 may be the best Kindle alternative for them. We're looking into testing more competitors to find them a better option.

Read our full Nook GlowLight 4 review .

How to choose the best tablet for you

Let's start with your budget, as that's the easiest way to make this call. If you're running tight right now, the $90 Kindle is a solid recommendation. Its lighting is good enough for a handful of situations and its battery life is nothing to sneeze at. 

If money is no option, then you're going to be choosing between the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis, and this is sort of tough. If you prefer your devices to be built with a harder plastic, that still feels reliable, then you've probably got the Paperwhite in mind. It offers the same water resistance as the Oasis, and is similar in many regards.

But if you're tired of futzing with menus, and changing brightness, you will probably want the Kindle Oasis. Its display automatically adjusts to ambient lighting situations, maybe its best unique feature overall — as its metallic, not-symmetrical design is a bit divisive in our office.

How we tested these e-readers

To start, we read a lot on these Kindles. We don't just do that to see how much battery life is drained in a set of time (and to then compare against the estimations these manufacturers provide), but to discover what we like and don't like about a given Kindle. We then keep reading. At home, on the bus, in the park and anywhere else where the lighting changes. 

In addition to evaluating e-readers' size, weight, claimed battery life and design choices, we test their brightness using our light meter. The experience of reading on the device also plays a huge role in these reviews. For instance, we look at the intuitiveness of the interface, the size of the available library and how well the special features (such as web browsers or dictionaries) work. 

We've also tried alternatives to the Kindle, such as the Kobo Nia . While it's not one of our best picks, its interface is great for those who want to stay focused on books, and isn't as focused on supplementary content as Amazon's Kindles are.

We even drop water-proof Kindles into our makeshift dunk tank, and watch as they survive — the first time it was surprising, and now it's become something we expect. Lastly, we try and see if Amazon's changed anything about how Kindles work with public libraries. It's the one thing we prefer about competitors.

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Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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• ash26rana nice Reply
• jai_test10 Amazon Kindle is really good. Reply
• ridhimasane thank you for sharing this wonderful article on kindle out of these i liked the kindle white paper. Reply
• ebookwebsite12 I found the best about Kindle is a Large library of audio books and built-in Audible capability. It is of the cheapest price for the solid glare-free e-reader. Reply
• sanchezkk I just purchased a refurbished Kindle Paperwhite and I'm excited because I've never had an eBook reader and I feel that I will get a lot of use out of it being that I only have to charge it once every 6 to 8 weeks. Thank you Tom's Guide for providing the information. Reply
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The 20 best books of 2023 so far, according to Amazon's book editors

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Every year—for more than 15 years running—Amazon editors come together to decide on the 20 Best Books of the Year So Far. This process is months in the making. Amazon editors read hundreds of books, paying attention to the titles that stick with them most and that they know will fascinate readers. From there, they create a list of favorites, whittling it down from 60 to 40 and then finally to 20, during a heated debate in Seattle. It’s a passionate, lengthy process where emotions run high.

Al Woodworth, a senior editor on the Amazon Books Editorial Team, said, “Our list is about books that you can’t stop and don’t want to stop talking about. We’re aiming for books that are conversation starters and books that will keep you up all night reading—whether it’s a juicy romance, heart-pounding narrative nonfiction, or a pacey thriller.”

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In addition to the overall top 20 Best Books of the Year So Far, the Amazon Books Editorial Team also put together the top 20 picks in popular categories like biography and memoir, literature and fiction, history, mystery and thriller, romance, cookbooks, and children’s books (by age)—making it the perfect list to discover your next favorite read. You can see the full list on Amazon.com , and below are the top 20 picks, along with quotes from the editors.

by Ann Napolitano

"With gusto and compassion, Ann Napolitano crafts a tear-jerker of a story that centers on the Padavano sisters, who are thick as thieves—until they aren’t. Hello Beautiful offers big emotion, and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful and so page-turning, which is why we named it the Best Book of 2023 So Far." —Al Woodworth

by S.A. Cosby

"This Southern Gothic serial killer mystery comes out of the gate dark, and S.A. Cosby rarely takes his foot off the gas, but his storytelling—lean but vivid, and emotionally intelligent—nails every beat. I couldn’t read it fast enough." —Vannessa Cronin

by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D.

"Mind-changing revelations, fascinating facts—Jean M. Twenge's compulsively readable book will transform the way you see yourself and everyone you know, and finally put all those tired tropes about baby boomers, millennials, and more to rest. You’ll quote it every day." —Lindsay Powers

by Emilia Hart

"Though divided by centuries, three women, who share a unique connection to the natural world and to one another, tell their fascinating stories of persecution, danger, and resilience in a beautifully written novel that is a fierce and dazzling read." —Seira Wilson

by Paul Kix

"This is the best kind of narrative nonfiction: Your heart will pound, your blood will boil, you’ll feel the rush of adrenaline as Paul Kix tells the history—complete with the unsung heroes, villains, and funders—of how Martin Luther King Jr., his team, and thousands of children in Birmingham, Alabama, changed America." —Al Woodworth

by Helen Elaine Lee

"Sorry/not sorry for the simile: This empathy-expanding novel, a sly paeon to the power of great fiction and its ability to be a Trojan horse delivering the truth, is like a pomegranate—open it and you’ll find a treasure trove inside." —Erin Kodicek

by Deepti Kapoor

"Power, pleasure, drugs, and violence collide in this page turner with Crazy Rich Asians , Narcos , and The Godfather vibes. From extreme wealth to extreme poverty, and narrated by a cast of characters on both sides of the spectrum, Deepti Kapoor’s juicy novel centers on a sprawling Indian family that controls—or attempts to control—all that’s around them, at any cost." —Al Woodworth

by David Grann

"Batten down the hatches, this true story of mayhem and murder, adventure, and reckless ambition on the high seas is a thrill to read. You can almost feel the salt spray on your skin as the HMS Wager and its hurly-burly crew fight the elements and each other in pursuit of fame and fortune. David Grann, once again, has made history come alive." —Al Woodworth

by Abraham Verghese

"We didn’t want this book to end—told over the course of three generations, Abraham Verghese weaves a magnetic story of how cultural, social, and racial politics play out in the lives of wives, doctors, and artists who strive to find a home and purpose in a shifting and dangerous world. Filled with characters who love deeply and dream big, this novel will sweep you off your feet." —Al Woodworth

by Emily Henry

"Emily Henry's latest has all the feels! More than your standard second-chance romance, Happy Place is about the beauty, pain, and joy that come with biological families, chosen families, growing up and apart, and how—as adults—we deal with this thing called life." —Kami Tei

by Jonathan Eig

"Eig’s definitive and engrossing portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. is a remarkable feat of writing and research, revealing the gutting hardships and heroics of a man who changed the world. This is biography at its absolute finest." —Al Woodworth

by Lisa See

"I will not soon forget Lady Tan. A historical fiction grounded in women, medicine, and tradition, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is immersive and relatable, and I found myself underlining throughout this absorbing read." —Kami Tei

by Dennis Lehane

" Small Mercies comes in quiet, as a missing-daughter story set in Boston’s Southie neighborhood, but as it picks up steam and readers ride shotgun with Mary Pat Fennessy, a "tough Irish broad," as she hunts for her girl, an explosive story of racism, revenge, and reckoning ignites and leaves readers slack-jawed to the very last page." —Vannessa Cronin

by Jeannette Walls

"A feisty tomboy, bootleggers, wheelin’ and dealin’ family members, quickie marriages, and a shootout juice the pages of Jeannette Walls’ beguiling new novel. Set in Virginia during prohibition, Hang the Moon charts the life of Sallie Kincaid, a young woman with grit and gumption, who wrestles with the legacy of her family—however good, bad, and ugly it may be." —Al Woodworth

by Brendan Slocumb

"Engrossing and heart pounding, this one had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end. A cautionary tale about how some secrets can grow and create havoc for generations. A must read!" —Kami Tei

by Angeline Boulley

"Boulley brilliantly weaves together a suspenseful heist thriller about the theft of Indigenous peoples’ ancestral objects and human remains with an eye-opening look at repatriation, injustice, and the lengths one young Native American woman will go to right terrible wrongs." —Seira Wilson

by Rachel Heng

“Coming-of-age story, love story, historical fiction—Heng manages to do it all. You’ll ache for these characters, and the ending will leave you feeling equally satisfied and bereft. The Great Reclamation begs to be a classic” —Sarah Gelman

by Matthew Desmond

“In 200 searing pages, Matthew Desmond lays out a clear explanation of inequality that will make you rage, sob, capitulate, and feel shame. This book may not be the easiest read, but it's one of the most important ones.” —Lindsay Powers

by R.F. Kuang

"Satire at its finest! Yellowface puts a spotlight on the pressure some authors face trying to quickly and consistently produce the next great novel. Challenges around public opinion and cultural appropriation, specifically within the Asian community, are consistent themes throughout. Smart, cheeky, immersive, and thought-provoking." —Kami Tei

by Curtis Sittenfeld

“Sittenfeld shape-shifts her talent yet again in this fun and thought-provoking romantic comedy. A fun summer read that is begging to be made into a movie, Romantic Comedy also proves, once more, that Sittenfeld is a writer who can’t be put in a box.” —Sarah Gelman

To read more reviews and author interviews, check out Amazon Book Review .

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25 of The Best Kindle Unlimited Books to Read in 2023

Rey Rowland

A daydreamer and a bit of a lost cause, Rey loves stories. Whether they're book shaped or you can see them on a screen, a story always hides in the corners of her mind. She's working on a few stories of her own, always accompanied by her trusty cat.

View All posts by Rey Rowland

So you got a Kindle Unlimited subscription in 2023 but you’re a bit overwhelmed and don’t know where to even begin reading. I get it, the catalog is HUGE. I recently got the subscription myself, and I have spent countless hours pouring through it to pick my next read. The good news is, now you don’t have to! In this list, I’ll give you some of the best Kindle Unlimited books 2023 has to offer. That way you can pick one and kick-start your reading year with some seriously amazing stories.

A few things before I get into it though. There are technically over a million titles you can access through Kindle Unlimited. So of course this list is by no means complete or comprehensive. These are just some of the best Kindle Unlimited books you can read this 2023. I also decided not to include audiobooks or magazines. If you don’t see them on this list, that doesn’t mean there aren’t great picks! On that note, this time around I also picked books that are more popular or well-known from a wide variety of genres. Whether you like nonfiction, graphic novels, fantasy, suspense, or romance — anyone can find their next great read!

But without further ado, let’s get into 25 of the best Kindle Unlimited books for this 2023.

Best Kindle Unlimited Books: 2023 Nonfiction

Token Black Girl: A Memoir by Danielle Prescod

Let’s kick things off with this incredible memoir about pop culture, media, the fashion and beauty industries — and the pressure to be perfect. In Token Black Girl , Danielle Prescod explores these topics (and many more) as she tells the story of how she grew up as a Black woman in a primarily white community that basically made her entire identity invisible. Prescod also dives into her experiences in the beauty industry, where she overlooked several toxic ideals in order to climb up the ladder. After decades of doing this, Prescod couldn’t bury her emotions anymore. So she decided to look inwards and confront what motivated her to stay unhappy for so long.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara

Did you know that this incredibly popular true crime memoir is actually available on Kindle Unlimited? I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is the story of how Michelle McNamara became obsessed with the Golden State Killer. She investigated his horrible crimes decades after they were committed, and she was able to piece together a lot of evidence that helped advance the investigation. Sadly, she died before he was unmasked. So her husband Patton Oswalt and journalist Billy Jensen helped complete McNamara’s true crime masterpiece. 

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

This might be one of my favorite memoirs, and I’m so excited more people get to read it now that it’s on Kindle Unlimited! In the Dream House is written in short, essay-like vignettes, and each of them follows a classic narrative trope. Machado uses this format to talk about her experience in an abusive same-sex relationship — as well as the expectations of Queer relationships in general. It all comes together thanks to Machado’s beautiful and lyrical writing style, which makes this read unforgettable.

Best Kindle Unlimited Books 2023: Comics and Graphic Novels

Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

Maybe you liked Netflix’s Sandman adaptation and you’re thinking about reading the graphic novels. If so you’re in luck! The first nine volumes are available on Kindle Unlimited — kicking things off with the 30th anniversary edition of Vol. 1 Preludes & Nocturnes . The story begins when an occultist tries and fails to capture Death. Instead, he traps her younger sibling Dream (a.k.a. Morpheus). Dream is locked away for 70 years before he manages to escape. Now, he has to embark on a quest to retrieve his lost objects of power.

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Moving on to a beautiful graphic memoir about gender identity, Gender Queer is Maia Kobabe’s exploration of eir self-identity ( and one of the most challenged books in 2022 , because people are the worst). From eir childhood, to adolescent crushes, eir relationships and the trauma of pap smears. Kobabe dives deep into eir life story as a Queer person with this memoir. Add to that eir own drawings, and this graphic novel packs quite the emotional punch!

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

This YA graphic novel weaves together three stories steeped in Chinese culture and mythology. The first storyline follows a kid named Jin Wang. All he wants is to fit in at school, but as the only Chinese American student he gets bullied constantly. Then there’s another student named Chin-Kee, who constantly ruins his cousin Danny’s life every time he visits. The third story follows none other than the Monkey King, one of the best-known Chinese legends. As separate as these stories may seem, they all come together in a way you won’t expect!

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

Next comes another graphic memoir that is absolutely worth reading! They Called Us Enemy talks about George Takei’s time in an American concentration camp for Japanese people during WWII. He was only four when every person of Japanese descent in the west coast was sent to these “relocation camps.” His parents were just trying to get by on a daily basis, and it was especially hard for him to understand what was going on as a child. The graphic memoir jumps around from that period of time to the present. Where it also discusses the repercussions of growing up behind barbed wire. 

Best Kindle Unlimited Books 2023: Historical Fiction

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

If you want a sprawling historical fiction that follows one family through generations, you’re in the right place! The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois follows an African American woman named Ailey Pearl Garfield. Du Bois’s words resonate deeply with Ailey, especially what he calls “Double Consciousness.” Ever since Ailey was young, she has struggled to belong. So in order to understand who she is, she decides to look back at her family’s past and the trauma they have been carrying for generations.

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

This is a story about love, survival and redemption set in 1940s Shanghai. The Last Rose of Shanghai follows Chinese heiress Aiyi and Jewish refugee Ernest. They meet in the streets of Shanghai, when she hires Ernest to play the piano at her Jazz club. Soon after, he becomes quite famous, making Aiyi’s club the newest sensation. Slowly but surely, the two start to develop feelings for each other — even though she is already engaged. As war starts to escalate, Ernest and Aiyi will have to decide what they value more: their love or their survival.

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo

The Night Tiger will transport you to 1930s Malaysia. The story follows two people with a common goal: to return a severed finger to its owner. On one side there’s Ren, an 11-year-old whose master just died. He tasked Ren with finding the finger he lost years ago right before he died. Then there’s Ji Lin, who moonlights as a dancehall girl to help pay her mother’s debts. That’s how she came upon a horrific gift: a severed finger. It feels like a very bad omen, so she enlists the help of her stepbrother to return it to its owner. Both Ren and Ji Lin have 49 days to complete their task — as they also avoid the strange tiger that has been prowling through town.

The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia

Next comes a great work of historical fiction that incorporates magical elements. Translated from Spanish, The Murmur of Bees follows a boy named Simonopio. He was found as a baby, with a cleft palate and covered in a blanket of bees. A couple named Francisco and Beatriz Morales adopt him, and Simonopio becomes a cause for wonder, partly because of his powers. The boy can see visions of the future, and he’s always protected by a swarm of bees. Both gifts will help Simonopio keep his new family safe as his destiny unravels before him.

Best Kindle Unlimited Books 2023: Contemporary and Literary Fiction

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev

If you want a heartwarming and delightful contemporary about three women coming together in times of crisis, then you should definitely check out The Vibrant Years ! The story follows three generations of Desai women: 65-year-old Bindu Desai, her daughter-in-law Aly, and Aly’s daughter Cullie. All of them have their own difficulties to overcome, but they are brought together by Cullie, who needs their help conducting research to develop a new dating app. What could go wrong?

Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia

This sprawling literary fiction jumps around from the present day to the 1800s, from Cuba, to Mexico, to the U.S., following five generations of Cuban women. It especially focuses on Jeanette and her mother Carmen. Carmen escaped Cuba years ago, leaving her own mother behind. Now she’s trying to give Jeanette a life worthy of the American Dream. But all Jeanette wants is to understand her family’s past. Their lives will also intersect with two immigrants from El Salvador named Gloria and Ana. How? You’ll have to read it to find out!

Best Kindle Unlimited Books 2023: Horror, Mystery, and Thrillers

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

The Last House on Needless Street is one of the most popular horror books of 2021 — and it’s definitely one of the best Kindle Unlimited books of 2023! Catriona Ward has crafted a super twisty story about a serial killer and a missing child. It’s mostly narrated by Ted, the man who lives in a strange house on Needless Street. His cat Olivia is there, too, as is sometimes his daughter Lauren. Something is off about the whole situation, as you can tell by Ted’s constantly erratic behavior. Things get more complicated when Dee moves in next door. She’s looking for her sister, who went missing years ago near this very street.

The Last Final Girl by Stephen Graham Jones

Several of Stephen Graham Jones’s books are available in KU — including the more experimental The Last Final Girl ! Written like a screenplay, this novel tells the story of Izzy. She’s a Slasher aficionado who suddenly gets to live her very own horror movie. It all begins when homecoming princess Lindsay survives the attack of a man in a Billie Jean mask. She’s a final girl — and not the only one. With the masked killer still on the loose, who will be the last final girl?

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Next, how about a thriller set in the publishing industry? The Other Black Girl follows Nella Rogers. She’s an editorial assistant, and the only Black woman at Wagner Books. That is, until Hazel arrives. Hazel quickly becomes the office darling, and that’s when a string of menacing notes start to appear on Nella’s desk. Could Hazel really be responsible for those notes? Either way, Nella becomes obsessed with finding out the truth — and it might cost her a lot more than her career.

Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

Razorblade Tears follows two fathers bent on revenge for their murdered sons. On one hand there’s Ike Randolph, a Black man who has been out of jail for 15 years. His son Isiah and Isiah’s white husband Derek were brutally murdered. Enter Buddy Lee — Derek’s father and another ex-con. Grieving and desperate for justice, Buddy and Ike join forces to find out who killed Derek and Isiah. Their path will be bloody and violent, but they won’t stop until they rain vengeance on whoever killed their sons.

Best Kindle Unlimited Books 2023: Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo 

Now that Hell Bent is upon us, it’s a great time to reread Ninth House ! For those of you who are new to this story, it’s a dark academia fantasy set in Yale. The story follows freshman Alex Stern, who has earned a place at the prestigious university thanks to her ability to see ghosts. She was actually recruited as part of Yale’s Ninth House — one of the university’s secret societies. Their mission? To regulate the other houses’ occult activities. But when one of their spells goes wrong, and Alex’s partner Daniel goes missing, it’s up to her to find out what is really going on at campus.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

What do you get when you mix a historical reimagining with elements of fantasy? Well, She Who Became the Sun of course! Set in 1300s China, the story follows Zhu Chongba. She is destined for nothingness, while her brother is destined for greatness. But when he unexpectedly dies, she decides to take his name and his fate. With a burning desire to survive and thrive, she’ll do anything to get what she wants and avoid her own fate.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers 

This is not the only Becky Chambers book available on KU, but it’s a great place to begin reading cozier sci-fi! The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet follows Rosemary Harper and the ragtag crew of the Wayfarer. The ship has seen better days, but it’s the perfect opportunity for Rosemary to let go of her past and travel across the galaxy. Things take a turn when they are offered the job of a lifetime: tunneling wormholes through space. It’s a lucrative yet dangerous enterprise, but they accept the offer, which sends them on the adventure of a lifetime.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Everyone’s favorite Murderbot is available on KU! All Systems Red is the first novella in a series that follows the sarcastic and hilarious SecUnit. In this particular story, Murderbot is supplied to a team of scientists working on a distant planet. What they don’t know is that it has hacked its governor module and given itself free will. Murderbot doesn’t like humans all that much. But it’ll work hard to keep its new friends alive from those who want the resources of this planet for themselves.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

For anyone who wants a softer magical element, this amazing book translated from Japanese features time travel! Before the Coffee Gets Cold is definitely one of the best Kindle Unlimited books for this 2023. The story is set in a café in which you can travel back in time to visit your loved ones — as long as your coffee stays warm. The novel follows four characters who go back for different reasons: to confront the one who left them, to receive a letter, to see someone for the last time, and to meet the daughter they never knew.

Best Kindle Unlimited Books 2023: Romance

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall 

Romance books are huge on KU, and Boyfriend Material might be one of the most popular ones! The story follows Luc O’Donnell, the son of a famous rockstar who is trying to clean up his image. In order to do so, Luc needs a nice (fake) relationship. Enter Oliver Blackwood, a barrister and the perfect boyfriend material. The two have very little in common, but they still strike a deal and pretend to date in public. But as we all know, fake-dating can easily feel like real-dating.

Digging Up Love by Chandra Blumberg

For those of us who love culinary romance novels, Digging Up Love is a sweet must-read! The story follows Alisha Blake. She’s an ambitious baker who helps out in her grandfather’s restaurant. One day, a dinosaur fossil is unearthed in her backyard, which is how the handsome paleontologist Quentin Harris winds up in her small town. Alisha and Quentin immediately like each other, but fate might have other plans — and Alisha’s definitely scared of falling in love.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston 

Last but absolutely not least, Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is absolutely one of the best Kindle Unlimited books for 2023! The story follows August, she’s cynical about the supposed “cinematic magic” of New York City — until she meets Jane during one of her subway commutes. August immediately develops a crush on Jane, and soon finds out that the cool rocker aesthetic Jane wears isn’t merely a stylistic choice. Jane is from the 1970s, and she was literally displaced in time. August vows to help her, even if they might never see each other again.

Want more KU recommendations? How about mystery series , or the best KU reads of 2021! Or maybe you’re curious about the difference with Prime Reading. In which case, we’ve got you covered !

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These are the Kindles most likely to get the best Black Friday deals

Black Friday deals are starting to roll in, but if you’re looking for a good price on Amazon ’s Kindle ereaders, then you might want to hold fire before hunting down a Kindle deal.

That’s because the best Black Friday Kindle deals tend to take place on Black Friday itself, which is on November 24 this year, as well as Cyber Monday – the more tech-orientated deals event. It’s on those days, and the weekend between, that we tend to see all manner of Kindle models get price cuts.

Discounts can slice some $20 / £20 to $50 / £50 off the price of Kindles. That might not sound like a huge amount when compared to some Black Friday deals, but these discounts can equate to some rather healthy savings given most Kindles are reasonably affordable for the functionality they offer. 

So we’d suggest that you should wait until Black Friday is closer before getting a Kindle. The next question is what model is right for you? 

What Kindle should you buy? 

There are a good suite of Kindles to choose from, especially as the ereader brand has been around for some time. But we’d say there are three main models to consider. The standard Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Scribe. 

Amazon Kindle

The standard Amazon Kindle 2022 is arguably the best ereader for most people. It has a sharp 6-inch display with a backlight, uses touchscreen navigation, has a long battery life, and is basically an overall delight to use. 

This is the Kindle you’ll want to take on holidays or use as an ereader for your daily commute. In effect, it’s an ereader for almost anyone than we can wholeheartedly recommend.

You can expect prices to dip as low as $74.99 in the US and £64.99 in the UK. A saving of some $25 / £20 should mean you can get a few books to start your Kindle journey with. 

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Kindle Paperwhite is a premium take on the Kindle, offering a display that’s more akin to the experience of reading a paperback book – hence the Paperwhite name. It’s roughly the same size as the standard Kindle, with a 6-inch display, but packing handy extras like waterproofing and an adjustable warm light to improve reading conditions during day or night. 

For people after a few extras, then the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition throws in wireless charging, more storage and an auto-adjusting backlight. 

At $139.99 / £159.99 it’s a good bit pricier than the standard Kindle but offers a better reading experience. So this is the model people who are serious about ereaders should consider. 

And Black Friday is the day to hunt it down at a great price, as it’s dropped as low as $94.99 in the US for the 8GB model, and £124 for the 16GB model in the UK (there’s no 8GB option for British shoppers). 

But right now you can score a discount on Paperwhite bundles, which throw in a power adapter and a protective cover, so those are worth checking out below. 

Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle: was $204.97 now $184.97 at Amazon If you're intending to make your new Paperwhite an everyday companion, then you might want to consider Amazon's Essentials Bundle; which includes a protective cover and a power adapter. We've provided a link to the black fabric cover bundle, but you have a choice of 'Denim' and 'Agave Green'. 

Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle: was £142.97 now £137.97 on Amazon If you're looking at making your new Paperwhite an everyday companion, then you might want to consider Amazon's Essentials Bundle; which includes a protective cover and a 9W power adapter. 

Amazon Kindle Scribe

The Kindle Scribe is both an ereader and a digital notebook, thanks to its large 10.2-inch e-ink display. So not only do you have plenty of space to read the likes of digital magazines, but you can pen notes, diaries, lists, and anything else that comes to mind, courtesy of the bundled-in stylus.

We’d say this Kindle isn’t for everyone due to its dual-nature and its price of $339.99 / £339.99. But it’s still an impressive device and could even replace your tablet in certain situations. People into journaling should also consider the Kindle Scribe. 

Prices can drop as low as $264.99 / £264.99, so we’d definitely suggest waiting until Black Friday or Cyber Monday before taking the plunge on this premium Kindle. 

However, much like the Paperwhite, there are currently deals to be had on the Kindle Scribe bundles, so check out the deals boxes below.

Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle: was $519.97 now $459.97 at Amazon If you're a keen note-taker, then this Kindle bundle is the one for you. It comes with the Premium Pen for scribbling on the Kindle's screen, as well as a neat leather folio magnetic cover. It's a pricey bundle even at a discount, but pretty much the ultimate Kindle experience. 

Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle: was £482.97 now £467.97 at Amazon The Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle, combines a Kindle that's great for note taking, along with the Premium Pen and a neat leather folio magnetic cover, as well as a charger. It's a pricey bundle even with money off, but pretty much the ultimate Kindle experience. 

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Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at TechRadar with a focus on phones and tablets, but a general interest in all things tech, especially things with a good story behind them. He can also be found writing about games, computers, and cars when the occasion arrives. And he also supports with the day-to-day running of TechRadar. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face and a nose for food markets. 

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The 10 Best Books of 2023

The staff of The New York Times Book Review choose the year’s standout fiction and nonfiction.

Credit... By Timo Lenzen

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By The New York Times Books Staff

• Nov. 28, 2023

Every year, starting in the spring, we spend months debating the most exceptional books that pass across our desks: the families we grow to love, the narrative nonfiction that carries us away, the fictional universes we can’t forget. It’s all toward one goal — deciding the best books of the year.

Things can get heated. We spar, we persuade and (above all) we agonize until the very end, when we vote and arrive at 10 books — five fiction and five nonfiction.

We dive more into the list in a special edition of our podcast . And in case you’d like even more variety, don’t miss our list of 100 Notable Books of 2023 , or take a spin through this handy list , which features all the books we’ve christened the best throughout the years.

Here they are, the 10 Best Books of 2023.

The Bee Sting , by Paul Murray

Murray makes his triumphant return with “The Bee Sting,” a tragicomic tale about an Irish family grappling with crises. The Barneses — Dickie, Imelda, Cass and PJ — are a wealthy Irish clan whose fortunes begin to plummet after the 2008 financial crash. But in addition to this shared hardship, all four are dealing with demons of their own: the re-emergence of a long-kept secret, blackmail, the death of a past love, a vexing frenemy, a worrisome internet pen pal and more. The novel threads together the stories of the increasingly isolated Barneses, but the overall tapestry Murray weaves is not one of desolation but of hope. This is a book that showcases one family’s incredible love and resilience even as their world crumbles around them. Read our review .

Local bookstores | Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Apple

Chain-Gang All-Stars , by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

A dystopian satire in which death-row inmates duel on TV for a chance at freedom, Adjei-Brenyah’s debut novel — following his 2018 story collection, “ Friday Black ” — pulls the reader into the eager audience, making us complicit with the bloodthirsty fans sitting ringside. “As much as this book made me laugh at these parts of the world I recognized as being mocked, it also made me wish I recognized less of it,” Giri Nathan wrote in his review. “The United States of ‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ is like ours, if sharpened to absurd points.” Amid a wrenching love story between two top competitors who are forced to choose between each other and freedom, the fight scenes are so well written they demonstrate how easy it might be to accept a world this sick. Read our review .

Eastbound , by Maylis de Kerangal

De Kerangal’s brief, lyrical novel, first published in France in 2012 and newly translated by Jessica Moore, follows a young Russian conscript named Aliocha on a trans-Siberian train packed with other soldiers. The mood is grim. Aliocha, unnerved by his surroundings after a brawl, decides to desert — and in so doing, creates an uneasy alliance with a civilian passenger, a Frenchwoman. Their desolate environment — de Kerangal describes the Siberian landscape as “a world turned inside out like a glove, raw, wild, empty” — only heightens the stakes. “The insecurity of existence across this vastness and on board the train emphasizes the significance of human connection,” our reviewer, Ken Kalfus, wrote. “In a time of war, this connection may bring liberation and salvation.” Read our review .

The Fraud , by Zadie Smith

Based on a celebrated 19th-century criminal trial in which the defendant was accused of impersonating a nobleman, Smith’s novel offers a vast, acute panoply of London and the English countryside, and successfully locates the social controversies of an era in a handful of characters. Chief among them are a widowed Scottish housekeeper who avidly follows the trial and a formerly enslaved Jamaican servant who testifies on behalf of the claimant. Smith is a talented critic as well as a novelist, and — by way of the housekeeper’s employer, a once popular writer and friendly rival of Dickens — she finds ample opportunity to send up the literary culture of the time while reflecting on whose stories are told and whose are overlooked. “As always, it is a pleasure to be in Zadie Smith’s mind, which, as time goes on, is becoming contiguous with London itself,” Karan Mahajan wrote in his review. “Dickens may be dead, but Smith, thankfully, is alive.” Read our review .

North Woods , by Daniel Mason

Mason’s ambitious, kaleidoscopic novel ushers readers over the threshold of a house in the wilds of western Massachusetts and leaves us there for 300 years and almost 400 pages. One after another, in sections interspersed with letters, poems, song lyrics, diary entries, medical case notes, real estate listings, vintage botanical illustrations and assorted ephemera not normally bound into the pages of a novel, we get to know the inhabitants of the place from colonial times to present day. There’s an apple farmer, an abolitionist and a wealthy manufacturer. A pair of beetles. A landscape painter. A ghost. Their lives (and deaths) briefly intersect, but mostly layer over each other in dazzling decoupage. All the while, the natural world looks on — a long-suffering, occasionally destructive presence. Mason is the consummate genial host, inviting you to stay as long as you like and to make of the place what you will. Read our review .

The Best Minds , by Jonathan Rosen

An inch-by-inch, pin-you-to-the-sofa reconstruction of the author’s long friendship with Michael Laudor, who made headlines first as a Yale Law School graduate destigmatizing schizophrenia ; then for stabbing his pregnant girlfriend to death with a kitchen knife, after which he was sent to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. Drawing from clips, court and police records, legal and medical studies, interviews, diaries and Laudor’s feverish writings (including a book proposal of his own), Rosen examines the porous line between brilliance and insanity, the complicated policy questions posed by deinstitutionalization and the ethical obligations of a community. “The Best Minds” is a thoughtfully constructed, deeply sourced indictment of a society that prioritizes profit, quick fixes and happy endings over the long slog of care. Read our review .

Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs , by Kerry Howley

Howley’s account of the national security state and the people entangled in it includes fabulists, truth tellers, combatants, whistle-blowers. At the center is Reality Winner (“her real name, let’s move past it now”), the National Security Agency contractor who was convicted under the Espionage Act for leaking classified information to The Intercept and sentenced to 63 months in prison. Howley’s exploration of privacy and digital surveillance eventually lands her in the badlands of conspiracy theorists and QAnon. It’s an arc that feels both startling and inevitable; of course a journey through the deep state would send her down the rabbit hole. The result is a book that is riveting and darkly funny and, in all senses of the word, unclassifiable. Read our review .

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Fire Weather , by John Vaillant

In 2016, raging wildfires consumed Fort McMurray in the Canadian province of Alberta. In the all-too-timely “Fire Weather,” Vaillant details how the blaze started, how it grew, the damage it wrought — and the perfect storm of factors that led to the catastrophe. We are introduced to firefighters, oil workers, meteorologists and insurance assessors. But the real protagonist here is the fire itself: an unruly and terrifying force with insatiable appetites. This book is both a real-life thriller and a moment-by-moment account of what happened — and why, as the climate changes and humans don’t, it will continue to happen again and again. Read our review .

Master Slave Husband Wife , by Ilyon Woo

In 1848, Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved couple in Georgia, made a daring escape north disguised as a sickly young white planter and his male slave — Ellen as the wealthy scion in a stovepipe hat, dark green glasses and a sling over her right arm to conceal her illiteracy. Improbably, despite close calls and determined slave catchers, the Crafts succeeded in their flight, going on to tour the abolitionist speaker circuit in England and to write a popular account of their journey. Their story, which a leading American abolitionist called “one of the most thrilling in the nation’s annals,” is remarkable enough. But Woo’s immersive rendering, which conjures the Crafts’ escape in novelistic detail, is equally a feat — of research, storytelling, sympathy and insight. Read our review .

Some People Need Killing , by Patricia Evangelista

This powerful book mostly covers the years between 2016 and 2022, when Rodrigo Duterte was president of the Philippines and pursued a murderous campaign of extrajudicial killings — EJKs for short. Such killings became so frequent that journalists like Evangelista, then a reporter for the independent news site Rappler, kept folders on their computers that were organized not by date but by hour of death. Offering the intimate disclosures of memoir and the larger context of Philippine history, Evangelista also pays close attention to language, and not only because she is a writer. Language can be used to communicate, to deny, to threaten, to cajole. It can propagate lies, but it also allows one to speak the truth. Read our review .

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The Best Amazon Black Friday Deals on Kindle E-readers: Get Up to 29% Off

Amazon has the best Black Friday deals on e-readers from the Kindle Paperwhite Signature to Kindle for kids.

Book lovers looking for a portable and comfortable reading experience can save on a new Kindle e-reader with Amazon's Black Friday deals . Whether you enjoy reading outside or just reading under the covers, Kindle e-readers offer a convenience that's hard to beat. 

Right now, Amazon is offering a number of its Kindle devices for up to 29% off. You can get the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Bundle, regular Paperwhite bundle, and Kindle for kids at a discount for access to a ton of books no matter where you are. 

Thanks to their flush-front design and glare-free display, Kindle Paperwhites read like real paper, even in bright sunlight. The adjustable color temperature makes nighttime reading just as simple. You can store thousands of titles and take all the books  with you without worrying about battery life since a single charge last weeks, not hours. With Kindle Unlimited, you'll get unlimited access to over 2 million titles, thousands of audiobooks , and more.

With its 6.8-inch display lit from the sides and adjustable lighting, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite helps minimize eye strain and it’s also waterproof. Shop all the best Amazon Black Friday Kindle deals, below. 

Best Amazon Black Friday Deals on Kindle Devices & Bundles

Kindle paperwhite kids.

The Kindle Paperwhite Kids has a larger black & white 6.8” glare-free display and up to 10 weeks of battery life to help establish healthy reading habits. 

$170   $135

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle - Cork Cover

The Kindle Paperwhite is still one of the best ways to read an ebook. Plus, when on vacation it will make traveling with more than one book super convenient.

$273   $253

Kindle Scribe

Read and write as naturally as you do on paper. The latest Kindle Scribe was featured on Oprah's 2023 Favorite Things List. This Kindle Scribe is the world’s first 10.2” glare-free Paperwhite display and included Premium Pen.

$340   $240

Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle

Read and write as naturally as you do on paper. The latest Kindle Scribe features the world’s first 10.2” glare-free Paperwhite display and included Basic Pen.

$500   $341

Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle

The Kindle Paperwhite has up to 10 weeks of battery life making sure your reading time is rarely interrupted. The glare-free display and waterproof capacity allow you to enjoy your book in endless outdoor settings. This Essentials Bundle includes a Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon Fabric Cover, and Power Adapter. 

$195   $175

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle

Get more with the Kindle Signature Edition: this has everything the Kindle Paperwhite does, plus wireless charging, auto-adjusting front light, 32 GB storage, wifi, without ads, & comes with an Amazon Leather Cover.

$265   $245

For more savings, check out our  2023 Black Friday sales guide  to the best deals on tech,  holiday gifts , fashion, beauty and more.

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