2026 Reading Challenge discussion

Hi everyone!

I thought there must be more kindle readers in this group than just me so maybe we could all help each other out.

I hope this topic is in the right place - please tell me if not and I´m trying to move it around. I just thought it was most fitting here and since it´s the only group I am actively using I hope that´s okay.

I´ve got a rather nerdy problem with my kindle and here it comes:

I´ve got a kindle paperwhite 5.th generation and the last few books I downloaded don´t show the Covers. It´s just one of those kindle-stock photos and on top authors name and title of the book. I really want to see the covers again as I get confused on what book is inffront of me.

At first all of my books showed their covers but then it slowly started that I couldn´t see the covers of the new books I downloaded (even though in my kindle e-shop the covers are shown). So than I reached to out to amazon but they just didn´t get my problem and aren´t of any help.
I tried restarting my kindle several times and now I even went back to default settings and downloaded all of my books again - and now I can´t see a single cover. Every book is just this stock photo + title + author. It´s so frustrating!

Does anyone have an idea what else I could do?

I know my kindle is quite old but I haven´t used it that much (I got it as a christmas present like 10 years ago but I preferred actual books back than) - I´ve only been actively using the kindle for like a year and it´s fully functional otherwise I just really really want to see the covers of the books

Hmm...
I'm assuming we're not talking about sideloaded e-books, or documents, right?

Have you updated your kindle recently? Also, do you have whispersync enabled?
I'd say sync your Kindle, update and then restart. but if that doesn't work, then I don't know, sorry.

Hi Lisa! Thank you. Yes all of the books are directly from Amazon so no sideloaded books.
I did all of your ideas already. I feel like I tried everything but it just gets worse.

Thanks so much anyways

A quick Google search tells me that you're not the only one with the issue.
I've got a 7.th generation myself but haven't noticed any problems.
How frustrating! I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help but I hope you're able to find a solution soon :)

After some time on Google this was suggested:
Remove the books whose covers you want to be shown.

Re-add them to the Kindle using calibre.

Unplug the Kindle.

Replug the Kindle.

Go to the device setting on Calibre and select some option called something like "reset metadata" or "reload metadata". Wait until task is done.

Unplug, wait a bit and check your library. Covers should be there.

I also reached out to Amazon for you and they said to check your Kindle content and see if there are updates for the book.

Not sure this will help but maybe. Send me an inbox message if it doesn't we can keep looking.

Blagica wrote: "After some time on Google this was suggested:
Remove the books whose covers you want to be shown.

Re-add them to the Kindle using calibre.

Unplug the Kindle.

Replug the Kindle.

Go to the device..."


Wow thanks so much! I don´t use callibre - since I always just download books from the amazon shop. I´ll have a look into it though and will let you know if it worked out!

For Amazon I also was able to contact someone but they just gave me the answer that my kindle is probably too old now - I also checked for updates but there aren´t any.

I exclusively read kindle books, since I need larger print :) I just re-subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, after taking a few months off from it.

Blagica wrote: "After some time on Google this was suggested:
Remove the books whose covers you want to be shown.

Re-add them to the Kindle using calibre.

Unplug the Kindle.

Replug the Kindle.

Go to the device..."


Thanks so much for this! I finally found the time to download calibre. My boyfriend needed an epub file converted and we read online that you could that with calibre aswell. So I just sat down and did everything you said Blagica and it worked. I am so happy that I can see my covers again! And in the end it actually was quite easy (took me like 15 minutes to do everything)


This makes reading fun again - although I wish there would be a kindle with colour display haha

You are welcome honey

This is all beyond me. I bought one of the last kindles that had no lights in it (very sensitive to certain lights so this is safest). I was quite annoyed by the last update that made my library harder to find.

I miss side loading because this model has to get books with wifi and that noise drives me batty (I can hear it when too close to it or it's strong) so we don't use it. Our ISP provider doesn't let you buy your own modem so I have to log in to turn my wifi on and off--lately that site has been glitchy for me doing that. However, they have the better landline service (part of our bundle and not something we plan to give up.)

can you link me the model you have so I can do some research?

Blagica wrote: "can you link me the model you have so I can do some research?"

Mine hasn't been made in some years, so I can't get a link on Amazon for it. I got it on the tail end of when they were being sold, which means if and when it dies, that will be it for me :( You can't read them in the dark since they have no lights other than the power one on the bottom.

It's an e ink kindle, and if you'd like an e ink tablet there is raecent article listing some here https://www.engadget.com/best-e-ink-t...

Happy New Year! Does anyone know how to edit their Shelves on the Kindle's Good read app? I usually do it on my desktop Mac, but attempting to do it on my FireFox Kindle.