A novel way to
lead reading groups.
You read. They read.
Their notes show up.
No spoilers.
The ReadWith app introduces a new mechanism for sharing reading notes, in small private groups and to encourage deeper reflection.
How it works:
As you read, write down your notes, your insights, surprises, reactions, anecdotes.
Write down the page number and total pages.
For audio books, use time remaining of total.
Your friend’s notes will then appear to you,
but only the notes of passages you both read.
Invite other friends into a GroupRead, and set goals like “Chapter 4 done by end of month.”
Assemble small clubs for discovering people and books, and share notes so others can read with your past notes, as if live.
This mechanism requires readers to first volunteer their own thought. Before they can access the thoughts of others, on the current passage they just read, the must first add their own. This creates an incentive to reflect, to contribute.
This made me think of…
This passage here made me realize that I’m currently…
This point the author makes is really insightful. I didn’t expect that…
The incentive to think as you read makes book-reading more active. You’ll see the effect right away. You’ll be looking forward to read other people’s reactions. You’ll want to read more books, and maybe read more than one at a time, to vary your perspective.
Turn the page, get to “done”
All those books we’ve been meaning to read, no one ever gets around to reading them, despite our good intentions.
But this time, from your lead, you’ll be finishing those books together with your friends.
Write a different story
We’re feeling exhausted from the news cycle, and the dopamine factory of social feeds. But you, you want to slow down the pace.
You’d love to build a circle of serious thinkers. Maybe start with one book, one invitation. And then create a quiet place for thoughts to surface.
A better feed, at your own pace. That’s a different story.
Re-read your past (self)
Imagine re-reading a book, that classic tome, always worth revisiting. Imagine re-reading it with your past self. You’ll see the progress you’ve made, how you’ve changed, and maybe you’ve always been the same in some ways. “I wonder what my old self thought of this passage.”
Reading with your past self is surprisingly rivetting.
Add me to the list!
I can’t wait for this.
Keep reading…
ReadWith isn’t ready to be unveiled just yet, but you’ll be the first to know when it is.
In the meantime, keep reading, and maybe keep your reading notes with the following progress data: page number, total pages. Or if an audio book: time remaining, total time. Keep your notes. Write notes as if you’re writing small blog posts you’d share to your friends.
On a personal note…
Hi! I’m Pascal Laliberté, and I’m working on bringing ReadWith to you soon.
I’ve been running small reading groups using ReadWith for the past couple years, and I think you’ll enjoy the deep-thinking vibes it creates.
There’s something about seeing your friend’s reading notes just at the moment you entered yours, on the same topic as your friend’s note (because it’s from the same part of the book), that makes it feel live.
Who am I building this tool for? I want to equip the leaders. People who are happy to organize a place for other thinkers and readers. I think the fee will be fair, and there’ll be an easy way to get started. More on that soon.
How to share this to others? Be on the lookout for people who are in a goal-setting mood. These people are in motion, ready for new ideas, ready to get serious about getting to a better place. “What are you planning to read soon?” “Would you be up for exchanging notes and reading it together? I found a tool to help us with that.”
If you’d like to see me building it, I invite you to follow along on my social feeds. I’m currently posting weekly updates on my building efforts, and sharing about what I’m reading along the way.
–
Pascal