Have you ever been in the middle of a novel and suddenly stopped, thinking, “Who was that character?” Amazon has launched a new AI feature designed for precisely those moments. Announced at a hardware event in September, the Kindle Ask this Book feature is finally available to iOS users in the US.
What is Ask this Book and how does it work?
According to Amazon, the feature is currently active on thousands of English-language best-selling books. The most striking aspect is its spoiler protection. The AI only uses information up to your current page when answering your questions.
Its use is quite simple: You select and highlight any passage in a book you’ve purchased or rented. Then you ask the AI your question about the plot, characters, or details. The assistant gives you instant, contextually relevant, and spoiler-free answers. You can also ask additional questions for details if you wish.
While this feature is a lifesaver for readers, it has caused a major crisis in the publishing world. An Amazon spokesperson, speaking to Publishers Lunch, took a controversial stance, stating, “To ensure a consistent reading experience, the feature will always be on; authors or publishers have no option to disable it.”
This further angered authors who are already wary of AI companies due to copyright issues (such as the New York Times’ lawsuit against Perplexity).
Currently available only on the iOS app, the feature is planned to arrive on the Android app and physical Kindle devices next year (2026).
Amazon also introduced a “Recaps” feature for series. Similar to the “Previous episodes…” logic in TV shows, this system refreshes your memory when transitioning between series. However, it’s worth remembering that Amazon recently withdrew its “Video Recaps” feature due to bugs; therefore, a cautious approach to AI recaps might be necessary for now.
So, what do you think of this Kindle Ask this Book feature that could enhance your reading pleasure? Would you want to ask an AI about the details of a book? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
