Amazon to buy Goodreads-comments discussion

I was checking my Twitter and Google Plus accounts yesterday and viola! The news that Amazon was going to take over yet another domain in the book world-our very own Goodreads. Since it appears the deal is done-we are all along for the ride now; however there is some good news-Amazon seems to be making every risky sounding move work commercially as can be viewed in the Forbes article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartu...

I only hope no freedoms are lost in the scuffle-holding my breath. Feel free to jump in-all opinions are welcome.

I'm not on GR that much. I use it to check the comments for my books being sold on Amazon. But GR is a valuable tool, to authors and readers. I'm on Google+ and this topic was in one of the author forums there. Rants and raves about this topic. I'm not sure what to expect, I'm just hoping it works out in our favor, the readers and authors.

I'm happy yet uncertain...I have gone over to the Amazon Monopoly personally--I buy my books on Kindle, or in print from Amazon; or in print via the Amazon Marketplace. I buy my household and personal items via the Amazon Marketplace. So obviously, Amazon is a quick and easy solution for me.
But I still remember Amazon denying Goodreads any Amazon book data, in late January 2012, shortly after I joined GR (1-1-2012). Since, I've had to manually add many books acquired from Amazon. I hope that this new arrangement will mean Amazon book data flows automatically to GR. Other than that, I guess it's a wait-and-see situation.

Mallory...your quote "... I still remember Amazon denying Goodreads any Amazon book data, in late January 2012, shortly after I joined GR (1-1-2012)"...

The announcements on Goodreads said to expect no changes....but one never knows. Your comment is part of the reason I am a bit concerned, because I remember that conflict between Amazon and Goodreads too. I am a member of both, but there was more freedom on Goodreads... let's hope it stays the same.

Sara, I totally agree. Amazon already has Shelfari, now it will have our beloved Goodreads...I can only hope it will be a primarily positive arrangement.

i'm not sure what to think yet!
thanks for inviting me here, Sara!

Carole wrote: "i'm not sure what to think yet!
thanks for inviting me here, Sara!"

You are welcome Carole...thanks for your feedback

Here is an interesting point of view on Bookshopblog.com:

http://bookshopblog.com/2013/03/29/go...

Sara wrote: "Here is an interesting point of view on Bookshopblog.com:

http://bookshopblog.com/2013/03/29/go......"Sadly, when I read something like that I think of what carriage makers were saying circa 1905. You adopt, you adapt, you improve, or you go the way of the whale-oil lamp. As for Amazon controlling GR content, until Amazon begins censoring posts, I plan to reserve judgement. Just my opinion, of course.

This scares me personally. I love Amazon. I don't like what it does to the websites it has taken over. Two of my favorite websites are no longer my favorite websites. The Book Depository and Woot, http://www.bookdepository.com/ and http://www.woot.com/ they are no longer in my bookmarks toolbar. The book depository was my major place to look for new books at competive prices to Amazon. I noticed a while back that it no longer was ever competive and then found out that Amazon took it over. Then there is woot. It started as a one sale a day, usually overstock of some interesting item- eg. I bought a Sansa clip for $7 there. It has become a place for Amazon to post its gold box wears. No longer a one sale a day site.

Since Goodreads is not a commercial sales site, this won't happen, and I hope that only advertising and links are more aimed at Amazon and no censorship will be involved.

Oh well, here's to crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

J.W. wrote: "Sara wrote: "Here is an interesting point of view on Bookshopblog.com:

http://bookshopblog.com/2013/03/29/go......"
I am hoping you are right-if so-then hurrah for the change in ownership.

Amyiw wrote: "This scares me personally. I love Amazon. I don't like what it does to the websites it has taken over. Two of my favorite websites are no longer my favorite websites. The Book Depository and Woo..."

The threat of censorship is what most of us are concerned about, I am sure. Two things are concerns, acutally-the risk of exclusivity and censorship.

This merger seems like a done deal, as far as Amazon and Goodreads are concerned. Goodreads has millions of members who are probably concerned, but these members understand the site's strengths and how it could be even better. Let's make it easy for Amazon to make decisions that preserve the best attributes of Goodreads, as well as consider how to make the Goodreads experience even better. I added a few discussion folders if you'd like to contribute specifics.

Goodreads expected to grow as a result of Amazon purchase:
"Chandler said that Amazon's reach and resources would help his company expand faster and reach new members and that a top priority was integrating the Goodreads and Kindle experiences" (Los Angeles Times, Mar 29, 2013)Link: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi...

I love Goodreads much more than Shelfari. I use it much more to connect with authors, reviewers, fans,and readers. I read and post reviews here. I like the bookshelf arrangement better. I would be disappointed if GR went the way of Shelfari.
That said I am grateful to Amazon for many things. I have published at Create Space and Kindle Direct. I make many purchases through Amazon. The processes are friendly and easy.
I sometimes think that I work at, or belong to Amazon. When enrolled in KDP Select, I did not like the exclusivity requirement. But, when it takes over GR, squashes the Nook, and kills the last Brick and Mortar, exclusivity will not be an option.

Mike I do believe you have described, dare I say....a monopoly?.....that is what should not happen because while business control and exceptional growth is good-it is much better when there is healthy competition.
May healthy competition stay alive.

Amazon & Goodreads Blog Post:
http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

Sara wrote: "Mike I do believe you have described, dare I say....a monopoly?.....that is what should not happen because while business control and exceptional growth is good-it is much better when there is heal..."

Couldn't agree more. Competition is always best for the consumer in all regards from pricing to quality to service.

I don't know what to think about the take-over at this stage. Like many others posting on here I have used the Amazon platform for numerous purchases of items of all description. We appreciate its function as a one-stop online store.

And then there was the Lovefilm acquisition last year or the year before. Like Goodreads this was an already popular enterprise, in this case with the movie-renting public (and which has probably helped contribute to the demise of Blockbuster). What happened thereafter was a concerted marketing blitz - I found this a bit tedious myself - but they essentially seemed to keep the existing company model. I don't have any figures at hand but I imagine it is going from strength to strength, especially with Lovefilm Instant a very affordable alternative to Netflix.

The question is whether GR becomes a vehicle for proprietary Amazon technologies like digital ebooks? I don't see this being a huge issue at present since one should at least be able to provide a link to other ePub retailers with ISBN information etc. The benefits to authors should be greater exposure and integration of reader reviews with those on the Amazon marketplace. This is especially useful for indie authors like myself who don't have access to, or cannot afford, the marketing and advertising campaigns of established publishers.

Leo,
your quote:
"The question is whether GR becomes a vehicle for proprietary Amazon technologies like digital ebooks? I don't see this being a huge issue at present since one should at least be able to provide a link to other ePub retailers with ISBN information etc. The benefits to authors should be greater exposure and integration of reader reviews with those on the Amazon marketplace. This is especially useful for indie authors like myself who don't have access to, or cannot afford, the marketing and advertising campaigns of established publishers"

I agree with you entire post and I believe your perspective that Amazon is using the "Strength to Strength" approach may prove useful to all of us indie authors....its one of those wait and see things.
Thanks for the input.

Sara

Not being a fan of the Amazon attitude towards ebooks (even though they are a very useful site otherwise), I'm adopting a wait and see attitude. If they sit back and let people continue on as before, great. If they try to tie in a little closer, okay. But if they try to make purchase links be Amazon-only or other ways of trying to shut out other vendors...

Okay, I'm not sure what I would do, since I do love Goodreads.

But I will definitely be watching.

We will all be watching Lianne.
Thanks for the input.
Sara

Joined to find info about facebook goodreads link/app. I had it in my favorites on facebook and now its gone along with my posts from goodreads to facebook. It's not a real big deal but i always just came to goodreads from facebook. I have had trouble with the link for a few days and now its just not there anymore? Annoyed lol, thanks.