Frequently asked questions
Real answers in plain language. If something isn't here, email us.
What is a pulse?
A pulse is one verbatim quote from a non-fiction book paired with a one-sentence insight (in our words) and one concrete action you can do today. Each pulse takes about 30 seconds to read. A 300-page book becomes 50–200 pulses you can swipe through on your phone.
Is ReadMinute free?
Yes. The full pulse library is free to read, forever. We earn a small commission when you buy a featured book through Bookshop.org — that funds the curation. An optional Audio Pro tier (audio versions of every pulse, $4.99/mo) ships later for readers who want hands-free listening.
Are the quotes accurate?
Every quote is verbatim from the source with an exact page reference. We never paraphrase the quote, never AI-rewrite it, and never ship one whose page-ref we haven't verified. The insight + action paired with each quote are our words — not the book's.
Can I save pulses to read again?
Yes. Tap the bookmark icon on any pulse and we'll keep it on /bookmarks. Saved pulses live in your browser only — there's no signup, no account, and no server roundtrip. They persist across reloads on the same device.
Is my reading tracked?
We use Plausible Analytics + Cloudflare Web Analytics, both of which are cookieless and don't track individuals. We don't set tracking cookies. Bookshop.org may set affiliate cookies on their domain when you click a Buy link — that's the only third-party cookie possible.
How do you pick which books?
Three filters: rated 4.0+ across Goodreads/Amazon/book-clubs, treats a problem readers can apply (not academic-only), and has at least 50 quotable passages. We don't take publisher sponsorships and don't accept payment to feature a book.
Why mobile-first?
Most non-fiction reading happens in spare moments — waiting in line, on a bus, between meetings. Pulses are designed to fit those moments: one swipe, 30 seconds, one idea. The desktop experience works fine, but the format is built for phones.
Can I suggest a book to add?
Yes — please. Email [email protected] with the title, author, ISBN, and one or two passages you wish were on ReadMinute. We add 1–2 books per month from suggestions, choosing the ones that meet our curation criteria.
Is ReadMinute a substitute for reading the book?
No. It's a way to (a) decide if a book deserves your full time, (b) refresh the ideas of a book you've already read, and (c) carry the best 200 sentences of a book in your pocket. Every pulse links back to Bookshop.org so you can buy the original.
What if a quote is wrong or an author wants something removed?
Email [email protected] with the title, page reference, and the issue. We respond to publisher and author takedown requests within 7 days. Quotes are reproduced under fair use (US 17 USC §107) with citation; we revise or remove on good-faith request.
Still have a question? Email us at [email protected] →
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