I recently came across a new feature from Amazon that's going to be a game-changer for anyone who loves reading book series on Kindle. Amazon has rolled out a new "Recaps" feature that helps readers refresh their memory on plotlines and character developments before diving into the next book. And yes — it’s powered by generative AI.
At first, I was skeptical. AI writing a recap of an entire book series? That felt a little risky. But then I realized how many times I’ve picked up book two or three in a series months after finishing the first, only to forget half the characters and major events. This new feature feels like a solid fix for that exact problem.
How Kindle Recaps Work
The recaps are short summaries that appear on the series page within your Kindle Library or through the three-dot menu in the series grouping. If a recap is available, you’ll see a “View Recaps” button. But fair warning: these come with spoilers, so proceed only if you're ready to refresh your memory in detail.
Amazon confirmed to TechCrunch that these recaps are AI-generated using generative AI tools combined with moderation from Amazon’s internal team. That mix is supposed to ensure the summaries are accurate and stick to the book's actual content.
This might just be one of the most practical uses of AI I’ve seen in consumer tech lately. It’s subtle, not flashy — but incredibly helpful. Whether you’re into epic fantasy sagas, mystery thrillers, or contemporary dramas, staying connected to the storyline matters. And let's be honest, most of us don’t have time to reread an entire book just to get back up to speed.
Amazon says the feature currently works for thousands of best-selling English-language e-books in the U.S., whether you've purchased or borrowed them. It’s live now for Kindle devices, and it’s coming soon to the Kindle iOS app.
This update isn’t just about adding a fancy AI feature — it’s about improving the overall reading experience. Readers can jump back into a series without skipping a beat, and that’s a huge win. I’m curious to see how well the AI does in capturing the essence of more complex or emotionally nuanced books, but for now, this feels like a step in the right direction.
Also, I’m glad Amazon didn’t just silently insert this into Kindle — they’re making it clear that AI is involved, and they’re taking care to combine tech with human moderation. That builds a little more trust, especially given how sensitive readers can be about summaries and spoilers.
Have you tried the new Kindle Recaps feature yet? Let me know what you think. For me, it’s a welcome surprise that actually solves a real problem — and that’s what tech should do.
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