Books You Can Kind of Read for Free

By Cain Hernandez
Blog Content Contributor

Called Prime Reading, Amazon launched a small library of books, magazines and more that you can read on any device with the Kindle app installed. I spent some time browsing their catalog, and they do seem to have fairly decent collection.

When I say “kind of”, I mean that you can read them for free if you have an Amazon Prime subscription. So it’s not really free, just a perk that comes with the two-day shipping service. If you’re a college student, you can sign up for Amazon Prime Student, which gives you the service for no charge for six months. Even if you’re not a Prime member, I still encourage you to check out some these great reads.

The Essential Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury by Bill Watterson

Calvin and Hobbes is a comic strip that was syndicated in newspapers all over the country for almost 10 years. Naturally, this was the first book that caught my eye. I put this first on the list mainly for nostalgic reasons. As a kid, I used to stay up later than my bed time reading about all the hilarious adventures Calvin and his stuffed lion, Hobbes, would get into. The last time this comic strip was published was 1995, but I believe it still holds up today. Calvin and Hobbes is something people of all ages can enjoy, so check it out.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly encourage you to do so.

Tolkien’s classic follows the fantastical adventures of Bilbo Baggins. Acting as a prelude to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is just as engaging, making you feel as though you are part of the world you are reading about. Although not quite as serious in tone as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is still a wonderful story, filled with dragons, giant spiders, elves, wizards and more. I can assure you, the book is much better than the movies it inspired.

The God’s Eye View by Barry Eisler

The story covers multiple characters, one of which who works for the NSA, managing their camera network and facial recognition software. Labeled as a thriller, The God’s Eye View takes you an a mysterious, character driven journey about the innerworkings of the NSA. This thought-provoking novel is a bit frighting at times, making you wonder just how free we really are. The “God’s Eye” refers to a surveillance program in the book, which the author describes as his “fictional version” of the things being done by our governments NSA. A bit disconcerting, but if you like mysteries/thrillers, you should give it shot.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Even though this is technically a children’s novel, I honestly think anyone can enjoy the Harry Potter series. Luckily, the first entry in the seven book series is available to read for Prime Members.

If you don’t know the story already, Harry Potter follows the boy the series is named after and all of his magical adventures. Each book takes place at the fictional boarding school Hogwarts over the course of a school year. The world-building is these books is still some of the best I’ve come across. Rowling is certainly a master at her craft, and you can’t help but want to be part of the story and the magical world she created.