Tools I Actually Use: Readwise
What It Is
Readwise is a highlight review and knowledge retention tool. It automatically collects your highlights from Kindle, Instapaper, Pocket, Apple Books, Readwise Reader, and PDFs, then resurfaces them through a review process. You can also manually add quotes or notes from physical books, scanned pages, or any other source.
This daily review is the core of why I use Readwise. I’m served 5 highlights a day which enough to be valuable, not overwhelming. It’s like flashcards for your past thoughts.
Where My Highlights Come From
Readwise isn’t just for Kindle books. I sync from a wide range of inputs:
- Kindle
- Instapaper
- Apple Books
- Bluesky
- Medium
- Email (yes, really)
Having all my highlights centralized means I no longer forget great ideas buried in an app or lost in an old tab.
How I’ve Tuned My Review
By default, Readwise decides what to show you but you can take control. I’ve tweaked it to show:
- 5 highlights per day
- A balance of recent and older highlights
- Bonus quotes for serendipity
- Quality filter turned on
This setup keeps things tight and focused.
Highlights That Stick
Some quotes stick with me long after I’ve read them. Readwise helps those ideas resurface at just the right time.
The Gatsby quote hit me unexpectedly, and that’s the point. Readwise brings forgotten insights back into focus.
Browsing the Feed
Beyond the daily review, the Highlights Feed gives me a scrolling view of what I’ve saved. It’s low-pressure but great for reflection.
Sometimes I find ideas that hit harder the second time around.
Chatting With My Highlights
This feature caught me by surprise and I wasn’t sure I’d use it. But now and then, I’ll throw in a question and see what surfaces.
It pulls quotes from my own highlights to answer thoughtful prompts. Sometimes, it feels like I’m being reminded of who I was when I read something powerful.
See My Highlights
If you want to browse the kinds of quotes and ideas I’m capturing, I’ve made a selection of them public at:
It’s a live feed of books I’ve read and highlighted, updated as I go.
Final Thoughts
Readwise has earned its spot in my toolkit. It’s not a flashy app, it’s a quiet powerhouse. For me, it’s less about remembering quotes and more about re-encountering the ideas that shape how I think.
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