How to close a book and go back to your library

To close a book on Kindle, press the Menu button (three horizontal lines) at the top of the screen, then tap Go to Library. On some Kindle devices, you can also press the Home button directly. On a phone or tablet running the Kindle app, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the back arrow or home icon. The book stays on your device — closing it just takes you back to your list of books so you can pick something else to read.

The exact steps depend on which device you are using. Kindle e-readers, tablets, phones, and web browsers each have slightly different controls, but all of them return you to your library without deleting anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Menu and select Go to Library on a Kindle e-reader, or use the Home button as a shortcut.
  • On the Kindle app for phones and tablets, swipe from the top and tap the back arrow to return to your book list.
  • Closing a book does not delete it — it stays in your library until you remove it yourself.
  • If you want to stop reading a book permanently, you can delete it from your library, but this action cannot be undone on some devices.

Closing a book on Kindle e-readers

On a Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Oasis, or basic Kindle e-reader, tap the three horizontal lines at the top center of the screen to open the Menu. Tap Go to Library. You will return to your bookshelf, where you can see all your books and start reading a different one.

If you want a faster route, press the Home button (usually at the bottom of the screen or on the device itself, depending on your model). This takes you directly to your library without opening the Menu first. Either method works — use whichever is faster for you.

Closing a book in the Kindle app on phones and tablets

On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone running the Kindle app, swipe down from the very top of the screen. A menu bar will appear. Tap the back arrow (usually on the left side) or the home icon to return to your library. On some older versions of the app, you may see a menu button (three dots) instead — tap that and select Go to Library.

If swiping from the top does not work, try tapping the top-left corner of the screen, where the back button usually sits. The Kindle app on phones and tablets is designed to keep you reading, so the exit controls are sometimes hidden until you interact with the top of the screen.

Closing a book on Kindle Cloud Reader (web browser)

If you are reading on a computer through Kindle Cloud Reader, click the back arrow in the top-left corner of the reading window, or click the Kindle logo to return to your library. You can also close the browser tab entirely — your reading progress is saved automatically, so you can pick up where you left off the next time you open the book.

Kindle Cloud Reader works in any web browser, so the controls are simpler than on dedicated devices. There is no Menu button to hunt for — just look for the back arrow or logo at the top of the page.

What happens to your book when you close it

Closing a book does not remove it from your device or your account. Your reading progress is saved automatically, so when you open the book again, you will return to the exact page you were on. The book remains in your library and takes up storage space on your device until you delete it.

If you want to remove a book permanently, you can delete it from your library. On a Kindle e-reader, press and hold the book title and select Delete. On the Kindle app, swipe left on the book title (on iPhone) or press and hold it (on Android), then select Delete. Be aware that deleting a book cannot always be undone, depending on your device and whether you own the book or borrowed it.

Moving between books without closing

You do not have to close a book to start reading another one. Go to your library, select a new book, and start reading. Kindle keeps your place in the first book, so you can switch back and forth between multiple books without losing your progress in any of them. This is useful if you are reading several books at once or want to take a break from one story.

Your library shows how far you are into each book, so you can see at a glance which ones you have started and which are unread. This makes it straightforward to jump between books without worrying about losing your spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing a book delete it from my Kindle?

No. Closing a book only takes you back to your library. The book stays on your device and in your account. Your reading progress is saved, so you can open it again and continue from where you left off. You have to manually delete a book to remove it.

How do I get back to my library if the Menu button is not working?

Try pressing the Home button instead — it is usually faster and works on all Kindle devices. On phones and tablets, swipe from the top of the screen or tap the back arrow in the top-left corner. If none of these work, restart your device and try again.

Can I close a borrowed book without returning it?

Yes. Closing a borrowed book does not return it. The book stays on your device until the loan period ends, at which point it is removed automatically. You can also return a borrowed book early by going to your library, pressing and holding the title, and selecting Return.

What if I want to stop reading a book but keep it in my library?

Just close the book and leave it in your library. You can open it again whenever you want to continue reading. If you want to hide it from your library view without deleting it, some Kindle devices let you archive books — press and hold the title and select Archive instead of Delete.