Readwise launches e-book store to challenge Amazon’s Kindle dominance

The new application, Readwise Books, positions itself as a "Strava for reading," focusing on the psychological impact of data. While Amazon relies on a closed, end-to-end hardware and software loop, Readwise is betting that readers want more than just a library. The platform visualizes reading habits, including pace, session depth, and immersion, aiming to make reading habits legible rather than just a source of guilt over unread pages.

The store offers millions of titles from major publishers, alongside print options fulfilled by Bookshop.org. Beyond standard e-book purchases, the app supports DRM-free EPUB uploads and integrates with Kindle’s browser-based Cloud Reader to track progress. Co-founders Daniel Doyon and Tristan Homsi argue that tracking sessions—rather than relying on arbitrary streaks or goals—is the key to fostering consistent reading habits.

Unlike the walled garden of Goodreads, Readwise is leaning into interoperability. The app features a public API and an MCP server, allowing users to build custom tools, such as automated book recommendation agents or personal website integrations. While currently in an invite-only beta, the app remains free to use, with future plans to gate select AI-powered features—such as session recaps and context-aware Q&A—behind a subscription model.