How To

How to Read Kindle Books on PC or Mac

Chris M. Arnone

Senior Contributor

The son of a librarian, Chris M. Arnone's love of books was as inevitable as gravity. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. His novel, The Hermes Protocol, was published by Castle Bridge Media in 2023 and the next book in that series is due out in winter 2024. His work can also be found in Adelaide Literary Magazine and FEED Lit Mag. You can find him writing more books, poetry, and acting in Kansas City. You can also follow him on social media (Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, website).

So you want to read a Kindle book, but don’t have a Kindle? I get it. My favorite way to borrow books from the library is digitally. This was really a lifesaver while libraries were closed during this pandemic. But maybe your library closed before you snagged a Kindle Oasis? Maybe you just don’t want another device in your drawer. All good. Here’s how to read Kindle books on PC or Mac.

Kindle App

Amazon offers a free app for both Mac and PC to meet your reading needs. One way to find it is through Amazon. Just search “Kindle for PC” or “Kindle for Mac,” depending on your flavor of OS.

How to Read Kindle Books on PC

Like any other Amazon purchase, just add it to your cart and complete your free order, then download and install like any other software.

As easy as that is, there’s an easier way. Both Mac and PC have Kindle apps available in their respective app stores, which streamline the installation process.

How to Read Kindle Books on PC

Once the app is installed, open it up, sign in, and there are all your Kindle books!

How to Read Kindle Books on PC

Double clicking on a book will fire off the download and immediately open the book for reading.

The app provides Notes and Highlights, bookmarking, freely hopping around the book, and a variety of settings for your reading pleasure.

Kindle Cloud Reader

“But I don’t like installing apps!” you say. Or maybe you have a Chromebook. Again, I get it. Amazon has you covered there, too. The Kindle Cloud Reader is web-based, working straight from your browser with no installation.

Simply navigate to read.amazon.com, sign into your account, and voila!

How to Read Kindle Books on PC

No downloading needed here. Just double click on a book and you’re reading in moments.

Whether you’re socially isolating or enduring your commute with a mask and three bottles of hand sanitizer while screaming, “SIX FEET!” at everyone who comes near you (is that just me?), you can keep on reading on your desktop or laptop. Because now you know how to read Kindle books on your PC or Mac.