Readwise has launched Readwise Books, a new application that combines an e-book store, digital reading tools, and book-tracking features in a single platform. The app allows users to purchase books, monitor their reading habits, and access detailed statistics, positioning it as an alternative to Amazon’s Kindle and Goodreads services.
The bootstrapped startup, which develops tools for saving articles and organizing reading highlights, described the new application as a combination of Kindle and Goodreads. According to a company announcement, the platform is designed to track reading activity beyond basic information such as completion dates and book status.
Readwise Books Combines E-Book Shopping and Reading Analytics
The Readwise Books store offers millions of e-books from the five major publishing houses and other publishers, initially serving customers in the United States. Physical books are also available through Bookshop.org’s distribution network, alongside a selection of audiobooks.
Unlike conventional book-tracking applications, Readwise Books provides detailed metrics covering words read, reading pace, depth, immersion, and individual reading sessions. Users can visualize their activity over time and share their progress with friends.
The application also supports books purchased outside its own store, including DRM-free EPUB files uploaded by users. Readers can track sessions through Amazon’s browser-based Kindle Cloud Reader, photograph pages in physical books to record their progress, and listen to e-books through text-to-speech functionality.
Readwise co-founders Daniel Doyon and Tristan Homsi compared the application’s tracking capabilities to Strava, the fitness platform known for recording detailed activity metrics. They said user feedback suggests that measuring reading sessions can encourage more consistent reading without requiring streaks, scheduled sessions, or formal reading goals.
AI Features and Open Integration Support
Readwise Books also introduces AI-assisted reading features, subject to publisher approval. These include reading session summaries, definitions, translations, and contextual questions about specific passages.
HarperCollins is currently the only major publisher that has authorized these AI functions. Readwise has not specified when additional publishers might support the features.
The application also provides a public API and Model Context Protocol server, allowing developers to connect reading data with external applications and AI agents. Potential uses include generating personalized book recommendations, displaying reading activity on personal websites, and automatically recording sessions from compatible e-readers.
Availability and Subscription Pricing
The Readwise Books app is currently available in beta on iOS, with access limited to invited users and existing Readwise subscribers. The company plans to expand its e-book store beyond the United States.
Readwise Books will remain free, although certain AI features will eventually require payment. The company’s existing reading and highlight-management applications cost $7.99 per month individually or $9.99 per month when bundled together.
Featured image credits: Google Play
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