Amazon is quietly making the Kindle app a lot smarter for readers who hate breaking their flow or accidentally spoiling themselves.
A new feature called Ask this Book is now rolling out on the Kindle iOS app in the US, letting users ask questions about the book they’re currently reading and get instant, spoiler-free answers.
The idea is simple but surprisingly useful. While reading, you can highlight a passage and ask questions about characters, plot points, or themes without having to leave the page. Crucially, the feature only pulls information from up to your current reading position, meaning it won’t ruin what’s coming next, a common risk when Googling even the most basic story detail.
Amazon positions Ask this Book as a kind of in-context reading assistant. Instead of flipping back pages or searching online to remember who a character is or why a moment matters, the app gives short, relevant answers right where you’re reading. You can choose from suggested questions or type your own, and even follow up if you need more clarification.
At launch, the feature supports thousands of English-language bestselling Kindle books and is currently limited to the Kindle iOS app in the US. Amazon says support for Kindle devices and Android will follow next year, suggesting this is just the first step in a broader expansion.
Ask this Book also fits neatly alongside another recent Kindle addition: Recaps. Designed for readers returning to a series after a long break, Recaps offers a quick refresher on key storylines and characters, which is similar to a “Previously on…” segment for TV shows. That feature is already available on Kindle devices and the iOS app in the US.
Together, these updates point to a bigger shift in how Amazon wants people to read on Kindle: fewer interruptions, less friction, and more confidence to stay immersed in the story. For anyone who’s ever paused mid-chapter to look something up and instantly regretted it, Ask this Book could be a genuinely welcome upgrade.
