Amazon introduces “Ask this Book” on Kindle — ask questions about the ebook you’re reading

Amazon has added a new feature to the Kindle experience called “Ask this Book.” The tool lets readers pose questions about the book they’re currently reading and receive answers generated by Amazon’s systems. The feature launches initially for English-language Kindle eBooks in the United States.

At launch, Ask this Book aims to help readers clarify plot points, look up facts from the text, or get quick summaries of characters and themes without leaving the Kindle app. Amazon hasn’t published detailed technical notes, but the functionality appears to rely on AI models trained to analyze book text and produce concise responses.

How it works (what to expect)

• Ask questions directly inside the Kindle app about the current book (plot details, character info, timelines, themes).
• Answers are generated from the book’s text and are presented inline — you don’t need to search externally.
• Initially available for English eBooks in the US; broader rollout and language support may follow depending on uptake.

Possible benefits and use cases

• Quickly clarify confusing passages or refresh your memory about earlier chapters without flipping pages.
• Use it as a reading companion for dense nonfiction or long fiction to get instant context or summaries.
• Students and researchers may find it helpful for pulling quotes or locating where topics are discussed in a book.

Concerns and things to watch

• Accuracy: AI-generated answers can hallucinate or oversimplify — always verify important facts directly in the text.
• Copyright and excerpting: Amazon will need to balance in‑book answers with rights and licensing rules for authors and publishers.
• Privacy: check how question prompts and usage data are stored or used; Amazon’s privacy docs should clarify this as the feature rolls out.
• Spoilers: readers should be cautious — Ask this Book might reveal plot points if prompts aren’t phrased carefully.

Rollout and availability

The feature is starting with English Kindle books in the US. Amazon could expand language support and regions later, as well as add capabilities based on user feedback. If you use Kindle regularly, look for the Ask this Book option in the app’s reading toolbar or menu when a supported title is open.

For more on Kindle and related features visit Amazon’s Kindle page: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Kindle. We’ll update this post as Amazon provides further details about technical implementation, privacy handling and wider availability.

Discussion: Would you use an in‑book Q&A feature like Ask this Book — for fact‑checking, study help, or avoiding spoilers? What safeguards would you want Amazon to include (accuracy checks, opt‑out, spoiler warnings)?