Amazon is rolling out a new feature called “Recaps” for Kindle users, designed to help them recall plotlines and character development before starting a new book in a series. Although the company’s press release about the feature doesn’t mention AI, Amazon has confirmed that the recaps are generated using generative AI. “We use technologies including generative AI and Amazon moderators to create short book summaries that accurately reflect their content,” Amazon spokesperson Ale Iraheta said in an email.
Kindle device owners in the United States can now view short recaps for books they have purchased or borrowed, for thousands of bestselling English-language series. Amazon plans to add the recap feature to the Kindle app for iOS soon.
To access recaps, users must have the latest version of Kindle software. They can check if a series has a recap by looking for the “View Recap” button on the series page in their Kindle library or through an option in the series menu. Before reading a recap, users are warned that it contains spoilers about major plot points and characters.
“By adding a new layer of convenience to reading series, the Recaps feature allows readers to dive deeper into complex worlds and characters without losing the joy of discovery, ensuring a seamless reading experience across all genres,” Amazon notes in its blog. The company says recaps are available for a wide range of series—from epic fantasy to gripping thrillers, including popular new releases and beloved classics.
