Amazon Kindle Introduces AI-Powered Book Recaps to Help Readers Stay on Track

For book lovers who enjoy diving into long-running series, remembering every plot twist and character arc can be a challenge. Amazon understands this struggle and is rolling out a new “Recaps” feature for Kindle users. This feature is designed to refresh readers’ memories before they pick up the latest installment in their favorite series.

Although Amazon’s official announcement didn’t explicitly mention AI, the company later confirmed to TechCrunch that these recaps are indeed generated using artificial intelligence. “We use technology, including generative AI and Amazon moderators, to create short recaps of books that accurately reflect the story,” said Amazon spokesperson Ale Iraheta in an email.

However, not everyone is excited about this new development. Some readers on Reddit have voiced concerns about whether AI-generated summaries can truly capture the depth and essence of a book. After all, books aren’t just about the facts—they’re about emotions, relationships, and intricate storytelling. While Amazon insists that these recaps are carefully reviewed for accuracy, readers remain skeptical, and TechCrunch has reached out to learn more about how the process works.

Right now, Kindle users in the U.S. can access these summaries for thousands of best-selling English-language series. The feature is also expected to arrive on the Kindle app for iOS soon. To see if a series includes a recap, users need the latest Kindle software. They can look for the “View Recaps” button on the series page in their Kindle Library or find the option in the three-dot menu under series grouping.

One important note: these summaries contain spoilers. Before reading, users will be notified that key plot points and character details will be revealed. Once they acknowledge this, they can dive into the recap.

Amazon sees this as a way to enhance the reading experience rather than replace it. “By adding a new level of convenience to series reading, the Recaps feature enables readers to dive deeper into complex worlds and characters without losing the joy of discovery,” the company wrote in a blog post.

From epic fantasies to thrilling mysteries, Kindle’s Recaps feature is Amazon’s latest attempt to make sure readers stay connected to the stories they love—without the frustration of forgetting crucial details between books.