The Next Chapter of Readwise: Our Own Reading App

The Next Chapter of Readwise: Our Own Reading App

In today's digital age, technology has disrupted traditional publishing and distribution models, yet the experience of reading remains largely unchanged. We spend hours reading books, only to forget most of what we've learned. Why doesn't software help us internalize the knowledge we want to apply to our personal and work lives? At Readwise, our mission is to revolutionize the practice of reading through software.

We have listened to our users and built our own fully-integrated reading app. The reason behind this decision is simple - it is what our users have been asking for. The demand for a better reading experience is evident, as physical books still outsell e-books in the U.S. With publishers generating billions of dollars in revenue from print and e-books, it is clear that the reading industry is thriving.

However, the era of reading technology that emerged in the late 2000s was more focused on controlling the distribution of content in the mobile-first world than advancing the practice of reading itself. Kindle, Pocket, Instapaper, and Goodreads were born during this time, but they did not fundamentally change the way we read.

At Readwise, we started by addressing the problem of retention. We realized that if you want to get more out of reading, you first need to forget less. Our reading app is built on a local-first foundation, allowing for lightning-fast, full-text search of your entire library of books, articles, annotations, and highlights. With our app, you can find exactly what you're looking for, even if you only remember a single word. Plus, you can access your library offline, ensuring that you never miss out on valuable information.

Another challenge we tackle is content overload. In today's digital world, we save more things than we can actually consume. Our inboxes are overflowing, turning our digital gardens into digital graveyards. To conquer content overload, we have made highlighting a first-class feature in our reading app. Unlike other reading apps where highlighting is an afterthought, we believe that the best way to read between the lines is to write between the lines. By actively highlighting, you engage with the text and retain more information.

Contrary to popular trends, we are not attempting to make reading a social activity or enable internet-scale annotations. Our focus is on providing a superior single-player experience. As toolmakers, we see immense potential in improving the individual reading experience before exploring multiplayer capabilities.

To further enhance your reading experience, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Establish a daily routine and stick to it: Successful people have daily routines that help them stay focused and productive. Set aside dedicated time each day for reading and make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.

• 2. Practice meditation: Many successful individuals, including Marvin Liao, who specializes in startups, incorporate meditation into their daily lives. Taking just 10 minutes in the morning and, sometimes, at night to meditate can help clear your mind and improve your focus while reading.

• 3. Hone your storytelling skills: The power of pitching and storytelling cannot be overstated. Learn the art of telling compelling stories to enhance your understanding of the material you read. By framing information in a narrative format, you can better internalize and apply what you've learned.

In conclusion, the Readwise reading app represents the next chapter in the evolution of reading. We aim to improve the practice of reading through software, empowering individuals to retain more knowledge and apply it to their lives. By addressing the issues of forgetting and content overload, and by prioritizing highlighting as a core feature, we are committed to enhancing the reading experience. So, sharpen your ax with Readwise and unlock the full potential of your reading journey.