Readwise, the maker of a reading companion app, has launched Readwise Books, an e-book store and reading tracker that directly competes with Amazon’s Kindle and Goodreads. The app is in beta and free to use, with some AI-powered features expected to go behind a paywall later.
Its store, initially available in the U.S., offers 'millions' of ebooks from the big five publishers and others, print books fulfilled by Bookshop.org’s distributor, and some audiobooks. The company describes it as 'a cross between Kindle and the Goodreads apps,' but with more detailed reading statistics. Users can track metrics such as words read, reading pace, depth, immersion, and session data, features the company likens to a 'Strava for reading.'
The app also supports tracking books from outside the ecosystem: users can log reading sessions on Kindle’s Cloud Reader, snap photos of physical books to mark progress, and upload DRM-free EPUBs. A text-to-speech feature reads ebooks aloud.
Readwise is embracing open technology with a public API and an MCP server that supports AI agents. Only Harper Collins has so far opted in to AI features, which include session recaps, definitions, translations, and location-based Q&A about the text.
Co-founders Daniel Doyon and Tristan Homsi wrote in a blog post that 'the desire to read books, like exercising and eating well, is laden with guilt' and that the app’s session tracking 'makes the reading you’re doing legible and, as the adage goes, that which is measured is improved.' The company said the most consistent feedback from users has been that the app leads them to read more without willpower tricks.
Kindle remains the industry leader, with an 83% share of the market when Kindle+ is included in the statistics. Readwise says its more in-depth metrics could be a big selling point. An invite is required, though existing Readwise subscribers can access the app directly.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Readwise's entry into e-books offers a rare independent challenge to Amazon's dominance in the market, potentially increasing competition and choice for readers.
- The app's focus on detailed reading metrics could fundamentally change reading habits by making progress visible, similar to how fitness trackers have done for exercise.
- By opening its platform via API and MCP, Readwise may enable a new ecosystem of book-related AI agents and integration, contrasting with Goodreads' closed ecosystem.
Background
Readwise is a bootstrapped startup originally known for its read-it-later app and highlight aggregator. Amazon controls roughly 83% of the e-book market through Kindle and Kindle Unlimited, and Goodreads is the leading book-tracking app. While many third-party apps have tried to improve on Goodreads, few have built a full e-book store to compete with Kindle.
Key Perspectives
This section omitted because the sources report fewer than two distinct positions.
What to Watch
- Whether other major publishers follow Harper Collins in allowing AI features, which could be a key differentiator.
- Amazon's response: potential upgrades to Kindle or Goodreads to counter the new competition.
- User adoption during the beta phase and whether Readwise can convert free users to paying customers for AI features.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedReadwise launched an e-book store and reading tracker to challenge Amazon’s Kindle and Goodreads.Startups | TechCrunch: “Readwise takes on Amazon’s Kindle and Goodreads with its new app for book lovers.”
- SupportedThe new app offers detailed reading metrics.Startups | TechCrunch: “Readwise Books aims to offer more detailed reading stats, than the dates you read a book and whether you finished it.”
- SupportedReadwise Books uses open technology, including features for AI agents.Startups | TechCrunch: “This includes a public API and an MCP server. The latter supports AI agents”
- SupportedAI features are for opted-in publishers; only Harper Collins has opted in so far.Startups | TechCrunch: “With publishers’ permission, the app will support AI-powered features as well”
- SupportedThe app is in beta and requires an invite except for existing Readwise subscribers.Startups | TechCrunch: “The Books app is currently in beta and requires an invite , unless you’re already a Readwise subscriber.”
- SupportedThe app is free to use, with some AI features expected to go behind a paywall later.Startups | TechCrunch: “The new Readwise Books app will remain free, with some AI features later going behind a paywall.”
- SupportedThe store initially offers millions of ebooks from the big five publishers and others in the U.S., plus print books and some audiobooks.Startups | TechCrunch: “its new store offers “millions” of ebooks from the big five publishers and others, initially in the U.S., with more countries to come. Print books (fulfilled by Bookshop.org’s distributor) and some audiobooks are available as well”
- SupportedReadwise described the app as “a cross between Kindle and the Goodreads apps.”Startups | TechCrunch: “The bootstrapped startup described the new app as “a cross between Kindle and the Goodreads apps,””
- SupportedUsers can track words read, pace, depth, immersion and sessions; Readwise likens the metrics to a “Strava for reading.”Startups | TechCrunch: “It lets readers visualize richer reading data like words read, pace, depth, immersion, and sessions.”
- SupportedUsers can track sessions in Kindle’s Cloud Reader, photograph physical books to mark progress, and upload DRM-free EPUBs.Startups | TechCrunch: “This includes a way to track reading sessions by using Kindle’s browser-based Cloud Reader and a feature that lets you snap photos of physical books to mark your progress. Plus, you can upload any DRM-free EPUBs”
- SupportedThe co-founders wrote that the desire to read books is “laden with guilt.”Startups | TechCrunch: ““The desire to read books, like exercising and eating well, is laden with guilt,” the company explained in a blog post penned by co-founders Daniel Doyon and Tristan Homsi.”
- SupportedKindle has an 83% market share when Kindle+ is included in the statistics.Startups | TechCrunch: “which remains the industry leader, with an 83% share of the market when Kindle+ (formerly Kindle Unlimited) is included in the stats.”
