Facebook is on fire over the purchase of Goodreads by Amazon. What little I've read about this deal suggests it has a lot to do with Kindle and eBooks. But I'm seeing people fearing for indie bookstores, which don't sell eBooks as a general rule, because Goodreads presently has "Get a copy" buttons for a very wide variety of on-line stores that includes "Indiebound"--at the bottom of the list. "Amazon" is already at the top, and Barnes & Noble, has its own button. Even if Amazon gets all "It's our site, now, and we'll do what we want to," I think it remains to be seen how great an impact this will have on independent bookstores. How much were they relying on Goodreads?
Some people aren't addressing the impact of this on independent bookstores. They just seem to feel that Amazon is bad on principle, because it is hugely successful. I think it's kind of like hating Anne Hathaway, except that she's also young and beautiful in addition to being successful, whereas Amazon makes up for the youth and beauty thing by being really, really successful.
2 comments:
To which she blinks and said, "People hate Anne Hathaway??? Why??"
- and realizes that this is not the point.
On Principle I don't like megaliths doing business. HOWEVER. They haven't yet ruined The Book Depository, which was my litmus test. The only thing I'm concerned about is if Goodreads brings more of Teh Crazies which Amazon already has in comments. If so, that's my cue - and my excuse - to bow out.
Tanita! You're at Goodreads! I don't think I knew that.
I can't dislike something on principle for its size. If, because of its size, it gives bad service, that's another story. I have to have a reason beyond, It is big.
I am loving The Book Depository, btw.
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