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A Question and Annotation Driven Parallel Reading App

A Question and Annotation Driven Parallel Reading App

by _bramses·Feb 20, 2026·1 point·0 comments

AI Analysis

MidNiche GemCozy

Built for 60 books/year club—too niche; Readwise and Apple Books handle annotations already.

Strengths
  • Genuine methodology: questions-before-reading and parallel-reading synthesis is real cognitive work.
  • Tactile polish: heatmaps, timed sessions, nested commentary—respects the craft of reading.
Weaknesses
  • Tiny TAM: 60-book/year readers are <0.1% of iPhone users; Readwise owns this with AI.
  • Feature creep masking simplicity: vector embeddings, shortcuts, widgets—complexity for niche audience.
Category
Target Audience

Book club members, serious readers, academics

Similar To

Readwise (annotation sync across books) · Apple Books (native highlighting) · Notion (note linking)

Post Description

I run a book club where the club members read 60 books a year (https://www.sixtybooksayear.com/). When reading at a pace of ~5 books/month, there are skills you develop to increase your storage of concepts from any given book, but also your ability to synthesize ideas across books.

I've compiled some of my best working knowledge into this app on how to become a serious reader. Bram's Reading App will help you: (1) set questions you want answered before you even pick up a book [Questions Over Completion], (2) answer those questions as you read with deliberate annotations [Commonbase], and (3) learn to read and manage multiple books at the same time [Discursive Reading].

Other Features include: Widgets and Control Center Shortcuts, Save from Share Sheet, Configurable Per Book Reading Notifications, Vector Embedded Annotations Across Books, Reading Sessions with Live Timers, A Tactile Progress Wheel, Nested Commentary, Full Text Search, Quiz Mode (next release), Micro Essay Builder (future release)

I hope you enjoy, and let me know if you have any great tips about being well read!

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