If you're a voracious reader like me, you're likely never without a book in your back pocket (or backpack, in my case). As soon as I've closed the cover on one novel, I'm immediately picking up another to take its place. To be honest, this aggressive appetite for reading can be a blessing and a curse on my bank account and my bookshelf, since I generally buy each copy individually. I know, I know — I could take advantage of my local library. But my memory's terrible, and nothing's worse than an unreturned book and a library fine.
Just when I thought about dialing back my habit, I discovered Amazon Prime Reading [1] and Kindle Unlimited. All Amazon Prime members have access to a variety of free books through Prime Reading, and for an extra subscription of $10/month, that library expands even more. You can walk around with up to 10 (that's right, 10!) books on your mobile device or Kindle and simply "return" them to Amazon once you're ready to move on. I've rounded up some of the most promising available reads, including the Harry Potter [2] novels and The Handmaid's Tale [3]. So, keep reading, then cancel all your weekend plans, as you've got some reading to do.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Before the hit Hulu show, there was Margaret Atwood's poignant dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale [4], following the experience of Offred within a disturbing and oppressive government.
Read The Handmaid's Tale now. [5]
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Marley & Me is an autobiography exploring one man's growing relationship with his dog over their years together.
Read Marley & Me now. [6]
The Selection by Kiera Cass
This first novel in Cass's series centres around a competition between 35 girls in a dystopian world, all trying to win Prince Maxon's heart.
Read The Selection now. [7]
1984 by George Orwell
George Orwell's iconic novel, which is set in the year of the title, centres around another totalitarian government where its citizens are expected to succumb to extreme surveillance and uniformity.
Read 1984 now. [8]
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Before Jennifer Lawrence [9] braided her hair and picked up a bow and arrow, Suzanne Collins wrote The Hunger Games. This young adult book follows the heroine Katniss Everdeen as she struggles to survive in a postapocalyptic televised challenge.
Read The Hunger Games now. [10]
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The sequel to the first novel in the The Hunger Games trilogy reveals that life for Katniss after the games is anything but easy, especially once she has to re-enter the tournament that nearly claimed her life the year before.
Read Catching Fire now. [11]
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Collins wraps up her trilogy with Mockingjay, where Katniss joins the citizens' rebellion and faces her enemies in the Capitol.
Read Mockingjay now. [12]
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
You may be familiar with the Hobbit movies, but J.R.R. Tolkein actually gave Bilbo Baggins' quest life back in 1937.
Read The Hobbit now. [13]
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
Taking place in Middle-Earth, this book begins the thrilling trilogy of Tolkien's iconic Lord of the Rings novel.
Read The Fellowship of the Ring now. [14]
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Believe it or not, there once was a time when the names "Harry Potter [15]" and "Daniel Radcliffe [16]" were not synonymous. When J.K. Rowling wrote the first in her series of seven books about the famous witches and wizards of Hogwarts, do you think she knew the phenomenon that would result?
Read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone now. [17]
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are back and dealing with a haunting presence in the halls of Hogwarts that threatens their friends and their school.
Read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets now. [18]
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
The third in Rowling's series, The Prisoner of Azkaban, explores the escape of convict Sirius Black and his relationship to Harry.
Read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban now. [19]
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Who put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire? That's the question on everyone's mind as the hero is picked to participate in the Triwizard Tournament between two other Wizarding schools.
Read it Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire now. [20]
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
After the tragic events of book four, a secret society emerges to deal with the violent uprising of He Who Must Not Be Named.
Read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix now. [21]
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Harry deals with love and loss in The Half-Blood Prince, as he embarks on adventures with Professor Dumbledore that shed light on the life of Lord Voldemort.
Read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows now. [22]
Dracula by Bram Stoker
This 1897 novel about Count Dracula has become the source of inspiration for movies, TV shows, and the theatre. Novels like Twilight [23] and Vampire Diaries may even have Dracula to thank for paving the way for dark, bloodsucking lore.
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
Inspiring an Amazon Original Series, The Man in the High Castle examines an alternative reality of what could've been after World War II.
The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
A mysterious garden, used for a horrific purpose, is discovered, and soon one woman must help FBI agents piece together what happened there.
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen
Getting this book is technically cheating, because you get a TON of Austen's iconic novels in one: Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, and Persuasion.
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
The stunning true story of Pino Lella examines his bravery during World War II, as a spy against the Nazis.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes: Volumes 1 — 4 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Like the Jane Austen collection, this pick offers you a variety of classic stories about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed London detective. Think of it this way: it'll help fill the hole in your heart until Sherlock drops new episodes.