Readwise Books challenges Kindle and Goodreads with a new app

Readwise has launched Readwise Books, an app that combines an ebook store, a reading tracker and tools for following reading activity. The company describes it as a cross between Kindle and Goodreads, giving readers one place to buy, read and track books.

The app offers detailed statistics on words read, pace, depth, immersion and reading sessions. Its store initially offers millions of ebooks from the five major publishers and others in the U.S. Print books, fulfilled by Bookshop.org’s distributor, and some audiobooks are also available. Readwise says more countries will be added.

Readwise Books can track reading outside its own store, including sessions in Kindle’s browser-based Cloud Reader. Readers can also photograph physical books to record their progress and upload DRM-free EPUB files. The app includes text-to-speech. Readwise is not making its own e-readers.

With publishers’ permission, planned AI features include session recaps, definitions, term lookups, translations of words and phrases, and questions about the section a reader is viewing. So far, only HarperCollins has opted in. The app also offers a public API and an MCP server.

Readwise Books is free and currently in beta. It requires an invite unless the user already subscribes to Readwise. Some AI features are expected to move behind a paywall later. Readwise says Kindle has an 83% share of the market when Kindle+, formerly Kindle Unlimited, is included.