💡 WiseUp! Vol. 51 — A spontaneous dive into a disciplined life
This week, we’re diving into a question that might make your resolutions easier to keep: are discipline and spontaneity actually enemies?
On the app side, we've fixed an issue with large libraries (200,000+ documents!), and improved PDF enhancement and Webhooks. 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
Live a disciplined life, spontaneously
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 Readwise question from Dan W:
I deleted my Kindle highlights, but they still appear in Readwise. How do I remove them?
This is a good way to reset a book without closing the door on it. Click the down arrow next to the book in your Books list and pick Refresh Highlights. That clears the highlights you see now but keeps the book linked to your account. If you highlight more pages later, they will show up automatically.
❓ A Reader question from Dexter T:
The custom Reader email address is hard to remember. Can it be personalized?
This feature helps you remember your Reader email address and keep your reading organized. You can pick a personalized address by visiting the Add to Library settings in the Reader web and desktop app, or Account then Email on your phone. The address needs to be unique to you, like a license plate. Choosing something very obvious can attract spam, so a bit of randomness helps.
You can pick a personalized address by visiting the Add to Library settings in the Reader web and desktop app.
📖 New help doc of the week
Keep your Readwise chat list organized
Chats piling up? We’ve added new documentation on renaming and deleting chat threads, so you can label what matters and let go of what doesn’t. And, while you’re checking out the updates, brush up on all the ways Readwise’s chat feature can help you find and synthesize your highlights!
🎬 New video of the week
It's finally here
A few months ago, we shared an early preview of a new Chat with Document feature. We’re excited to announce that the full version is now live on desktop, with lots of added upgrades.
📰 Jan 10 - Jan 16 updates
What's new in Reader and Readwise
📚 Fixed Large Libraries — Mitch fixed an issue where users with very large libraries (200,000+ documents) could hit a database error that prevented the app from loading properly on mobile.
📧 Fixed Feed Routing — If your Reader email address started with "feed" (like feedcharacters@library.readwise.io or feed+randomstring@readwise.io), emails were landing in the wrong place. Rasul fixed this, and documents should be where they belong now.
📬 Fixed Gmail Autoforwarding — Gmail autoforwarding confirmation emails were sometimes failing when your Gmail address differed from your Readwise account email (like if you use Apple's private relay). Rasul fixed the confirmation flow to properly match you by your Reader email address.
📄 Improved PDF Enhancement — Johannes tweaked what happens when a PDF's text enhancement fails. You'll now see a clear message with a "View as PDF" button to fall back to the original, rather than a loading animation.
👋 Fixed Welcome Email Header — A "Welcome to your free trial" header was incorrectly appearing on Themed Connection emails for some existing subscribers. Rasul removed it.
🏃 Fixed Android Subscriptions — Arek fixed a race condition that could cause subscription status to get out of sync on Android.
🔗 Improved Webhooks — Rasul made it easier to update webhooks, and fixed an issue where some users were getting errors when trying to create new webhooks.
🤖 Fixed MCP Server Login — ChatGPT users can log in to the MCP server again, thanks to Piotr.
🛜 Parsing Updates — Krzys made improvements to how Reader handles posts from Substack RSS feeds.
👍 Three featured finds from the CX team
From technical writer Cayla
Something to read 📖
Cayla’s currently re-reading a favorite book from her teenage years: Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde (not to be confused with a somewhat more popular novel of a similar title). Set in a dystopian world where social hierarchy is determined by how much of which colors a person can see, the novel blends social satire with innovative fantasy, made all the more enjoyable by Fforde’s dryly humorous prose.
Something to focus 💈
After losing the last of her go-to hair ties, Cayla went looking for a new brand to keep the hair away from her face while working. She ended up with a pack of GIMME bands for extra fine hair, which are seamless, gentle, and don’t fall out even when she sleeps with a braid in.
Something to unwind 😴
A bad night’s sleep can really mess up your rhythm, so Cayla takes her pillows very seriously. The best one she’s had yet: the Pluto Pillow, specially customized to your distinct sleeping style, mattress type, and general preferences.
💬 From the Readwise group chat
Another one for the bucket list
Did someone call for a Side Quest Expansion Pack? If you feel seen, let us know. It's good to feel we're not the only ones.
Warmly,
the Readwise customer support team