💡 WiseUp! Vol. 17 — Infinite library, a guide for importing from Pocket, and more!
This week, we're all hands on deck bringing your content from Pocket before it shuts down. We're also helping you improve your iPad experience and bringing your favorite passages from your Kindle books. Plus, we open the floor to discuss crying on planes (spoiler alert - it happens for a reason!)
On the app side, we help you maintain the groove with fixed read times and focus indicators. We also improved parsing by fixing how we handle sites like NY Post. Read on for all the details or check out our log of weekly improvements.
Before we get into the tips…
📍 Let's start with a reading recommendation
Lost in the infinite library
While curating Wisereads, editor Abi came across this essay exploring literacy, used bookstores, and the infinite shelves of books in Jorge Luis Borges’ short story, The Library of Babel.
"Bookstores, used bookstores in particular, contained a unique experience for any visitor who would enter. There, somewhere in between the hardwood floors, the creaking bookcases, and the smell of paper and book bindings settling into themselves, was a feeling of infinite possibility, a sense that there was meaning to be found within its walls and that through your searching within the pages that surrounded you, one was going to be acted upon by a more powerful spiritual force that might bestow on you eternal truth, if but you could make the right selection.”
From the support inbox
Have questions about using Readwise or Reader in your workflow? We'd love to be your guide! Reply to this email with your question and you might be featured in an upcoming issue. Even if your question isn’t featured, we’ll respond to every message.
❓ A Reader question from Erix R:
How can I import my content from Pocket?
Before Pocket shuts its doors for good, move your saved reads to Reader and keep your archive alive. Head to Integrations in Reader, connect Pocket, and your library will sync automatically—archived items go to Archive, your 10 latest to Inbox, and the rest to Later. Done.
❓ A Readwise question from Allen A:
If I mark a highlight as a favorite on my Kindle, will it be favorited in Readwise too?
No, highlights you mark as favorites on your Kindle won’t automatically be favorited in Readwise. To favorite a highlight while reading, use inline tagging—just add “.favorite” in the note field so it’s saved in Readwise without breaking your flow.
📖 New help doc of the week
Tips for using Reader on iPad
If you’re using Reader in Safari on your iPad for a more laptop-like experience, you might notice a persistent banner nudging you to open the app instead. Cayla’s latest FAQ explains how to hide the app to make that banner disappear for good.
🎬 New video of the week
How to import your Pocket content
Last week, Pocket announced they are shutting down 😥. If you still have documents in Pocket, Erin is sharing how you can quickly your Pocket library to Reader, and why we’re not going anywhere as a company.
📰 May 17 - May 23 updates
What's new in Reader and Readwise
🔀 Fixed Pocket Imports — Tristan added some extra heft to our Pocket API connection, which was overloaded due to a large number of people exporting. You should be all set to import everything from Pocket now.
🧘 Fixed Focus Indicator — You should now see the focus indicator immediately when opening documents on web, thanks to Johannes. This makes keyboard navigation much smoother.
⏰ Fixed Read Times — You can now see full remaining read times in your feed even when author names are long. Thanks to Arek, those numbers will no longer be cut off on mobile devices.
🔎 Fixed Image Zoom — You can now tap and zoom in on images smoothly on iOS. Andrew got rid of the jerks and jumps.
🧐 Fixed Feedback Box — Arek fixed a glitch where the feedback box on mobile devices would close if you closed the box by accident. Text should no longer disappear if you tap out.
🛜 Parsing Updates — Krzys made improvements to how Reader handles posts from lemonde.fr, nypost.com, france24.com, nysfocus.com and smashingmagazine.com.
👍 Three featured finds
From support specialist Max
Something to read 📖
This essay by Ross Andersen explores Earth's oldest living beings: trees! Some specimens have survived for nearly 5,000 years—truly mind-bending. Max loved this essay, though it takes a heartbreaking turn.
Something to focus ✒️
For brainstorming sessions on his e-ink tablet, Max swears by his favorite writing tool: the Lamy AL-star pen.
Something to unwind 🍵
A piping hot cup of Le Touareg—green tea with cool peppermint—is Max's perfect way to unwind. A must-try for these final cool days of spring!
💬 From the Readwise group chat
Join the Mile Cry Club
Did you know you're more likely to cry while on an airplane? Whether you're watching movies, looking through old photos, or reading—or perhaps you've just finished "A Little Life"—the tears flow more freely at altitude.
See you next week!
Warmly,
the Readwise customer support team