Is there anything better than relaxing in the sun reading a fantastic book? I do not think so. Now is a great time to stock up on books for the summer, because Amazon has a big book sale until May 20. Prices for e-books start at $1, while print books are as low as $5. Every genre you can think of is covered in the sale, from classics to children’s books and BookTok favorites. We’ll list our favorites below, but you should check everything for yourself. Maybe you can finally make a dent in that huge “to read” pile and start rebuilding.
Be sure to check out our related guides, including the best Kindles, the best e-readers, and the best e-book subscription services. Don’t forget that you can also frequently find discounts on bookstore.orgif you prefer not to buy through Amazon.
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Amazon Book Sale Deals
Photography: Jaina Gray
We’ve seen this deal before, but it still matches the best price we’ve tracked. The Kindle Scribe (8/10, WIRED recommended) is expensive. This agreement makes it a little more accessible. It is the best Kindle for taking notes and annotating. It’s also the only Kindle on sale right now.
Kindle Unlimited trials typically last one month, but now new subscribers can try the service for two more months. Note that the service will automatically renew at $12 per month once your trial ends, so set a reminder to cancel if you don’t want those later charges. Kindle Unlimited is one of our favorite ebook subscription services. It helped me read again as an adult.
Neal Stephenson named the Metaverse. How much more WIRED can you get? This classic cyberpunk story is worth every penny.
Photography: Amazonas
People have a lot of strong opinions about this author, but if you’re curious, you can save on one of her most popular titles. This tender romantic novel is being turned into a movie that will be released in August.
This novel is possibly the perfect beach read. It’s romantic and glamorous, with a full cast of characters and just the right level of intrigue to keep you turning the pages.
I devoured this book in two days. I couldn’t stop reading it. If the idea of a badass heroine, talking dragons, a thuggish romance trope, and a quest to save the world gets your blood pumping, this one lives up to the hype.
Photography: Amazonas
The books are almost always better than their film adaptations. No shade for the wonderful Kathy Bates, but Misery It is definitely one of those cases. I probably shouldn’t have read it when I was 13, but I did and I still think about it. I think it’s one of King’s best works. If you have already read it, Fairy tale—a newer novel by King—is also on sale for $13 ($8 off).
This memoir comes highly recommended by WIRED critic Medea Giordano. She said she “broke his heart into a million pieces.” I’ll be purchasing a copy based on that recommendation alone, but if you need more convincing, check out the thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon.
This memory has been a New York Times bestseller for 80 weeks and counting. It explores McCurdy’s life as a child actor, with an overbearing mother, addiction, eating disorders and more, but ends on a good note, with themes of resilience and self-discovery. (I will also buy this one).
Photography: Amazonas
It’s a Dr. Seuss board book and it’s $3 and I guarantee the kids in your life will enjoy it (pun very much intended). They can lift the flaps and discover opposites. You can read the rhymes. It’s a win-win situation.
I, for one, totally agree with Snoop Dogg’s culinary career. This cookbook was made in collaboration with E-40, who should need no further introduction. It contains over 60 recipes that share a common theme: getting together with loved ones and eating good food.
Reviewer Scott Gilberton jokingly called it a “light read,” but despite its heaviness, it is worth reading. This novel stays with you long after you put it down. It’s brave, moving and, despite its heady narrative, not too difficult to read. But, above all, it will stay with you; I recommend having one highlighter pen practical.