Kindle Recaps Feature: What It Is and How It Works

[BookMan]

Last week, Amazon rolled out a software update (version 5.18.1) to all Kindle ereaders released in the past 7 years, introducing a new Recaps feature. This allows users to read brief summaries of previously read books in a series before starting the next installment.

Pros:

• Useful for catching up on long series or books with delayed sequels (e.g., George R.R. Martin’s works).
• Helps refresh memory without re-reading lengthy novels.

Cons & Limitations:

• Recaps appear to be AI-generated and are often basic, short (~4 paragraphs), and poorly formatted.
• Navigation is clunky, with paragraph breaks and scrolling issues.
• Limited availability:
  • Only on Kindle ereaders for now (iOS support coming soon).
  • US-only.
  • Only for “thousands” of best-selling English-language books.
• No font size adjustments for Recaps.
• Requires an internet connection.
• Only works with ebooks purchased or borrowed through Amazon/Kindle—not paper books or those from other platforms.

Effectiveness:

• Particularly weak for complex or long novels (e.g., The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson), leaving readers still confused about plot and characters.

How to Access:

• Ensure your Kindle is updated to software version 5.18.1.

Source: Have You Tried the New Kindle Series Recap Feature?