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Exciting News About Goodreads: We're Joining the Amazon Family!
When Elizabeth and I started Goodreads from my living room seven years ago, we set out to create a better way for people to find and share books they love. It's been a wild ride seeing how the company has grown and watching as more than 16 million readers from across the globe have joined Goodreads and connected over a passion for books.
Today I'm really happy to announce a new milestone for Goodreads: We are joining the Amazon family. We truly could not think of a more perfect partner for Goodreads as we both share a love of books and an appreciation for the authors who write them. We also both love to invent products and services that touch millions of people.
I'm excited about this for three reasons:
1. With the reach and resources of Amazon, Goodreads can introduce more readers to our vibrant community of book lovers and create an even better experience for our members.
2. Our members have been asking us to bring the Goodreads experience to an e-reader for a long time. Now we're looking forward to bringing Goodreads to the most popular e-reader in the world, Kindle, and further reinventing what reading can be.
3. Amazon supports us continuing to grow our vision as an independent entity, under the Goodreads brand and with our unique culture.
It's important to be clear that Goodreads and the awesome team behind it are not going away. Goodreads will continue to be the wonderful community that we all cherish. We plan to continue offering you everything that you love about the site—the ability to track what you read, discover great books, discuss and share them with fellow book lovers, and connect directly with your favorite authors—and your reviews and ratings will remain here on Goodreads. And it's incredibly important to us that we remain a home for all types of readers, no matter if you read on paper, audio, digitally, from scrolls, or even stone tablets.
For all of you Kindle readers, there's obviously an extra bonus in this announcement. You've asked us for a long time to be able to integrate your Kindle and Goodreads experiences. Making that option a reality is one of our top priorities.
Our team gets out of bed every day motivated by the belief that the right book in the right hands can change the world. Now Goodreads can help make that happen in an even bigger and more meaningful way thanks to joining the Amazon family. (And if you want to be part of this, please check out our Jobs page for open positions. We've got a lot of hires to make!)
This is an emotional day for me. Goodreads is more than a company to me – it's something that Elizabeth and I created because we wanted it to exist. Since then it has grown a lot and become a place we love working at, full of incredibly smart and passionate people who also believe in our mission. I feel a little like a college graduate – happy to come to this milestone, nostalgic for the past amazing seven years, and incredibly, incredibly, excited for the future.
Otis
P.S. For the more official version of the announcement, here's the press release that went out today.
P.P.S. Please let us know – what integration with Kindle would you love to see the most?
Today I'm really happy to announce a new milestone for Goodreads: We are joining the Amazon family. We truly could not think of a more perfect partner for Goodreads as we both share a love of books and an appreciation for the authors who write them. We also both love to invent products and services that touch millions of people.
I'm excited about this for three reasons:
1. With the reach and resources of Amazon, Goodreads can introduce more readers to our vibrant community of book lovers and create an even better experience for our members.
2. Our members have been asking us to bring the Goodreads experience to an e-reader for a long time. Now we're looking forward to bringing Goodreads to the most popular e-reader in the world, Kindle, and further reinventing what reading can be.
3. Amazon supports us continuing to grow our vision as an independent entity, under the Goodreads brand and with our unique culture.
It's important to be clear that Goodreads and the awesome team behind it are not going away. Goodreads will continue to be the wonderful community that we all cherish. We plan to continue offering you everything that you love about the site—the ability to track what you read, discover great books, discuss and share them with fellow book lovers, and connect directly with your favorite authors—and your reviews and ratings will remain here on Goodreads. And it's incredibly important to us that we remain a home for all types of readers, no matter if you read on paper, audio, digitally, from scrolls, or even stone tablets.
For all of you Kindle readers, there's obviously an extra bonus in this announcement. You've asked us for a long time to be able to integrate your Kindle and Goodreads experiences. Making that option a reality is one of our top priorities.
Our team gets out of bed every day motivated by the belief that the right book in the right hands can change the world. Now Goodreads can help make that happen in an even bigger and more meaningful way thanks to joining the Amazon family. (And if you want to be part of this, please check out our Jobs page for open positions. We've got a lot of hires to make!)
This is an emotional day for me. Goodreads is more than a company to me – it's something that Elizabeth and I created because we wanted it to exist. Since then it has grown a lot and become a place we love working at, full of incredibly smart and passionate people who also believe in our mission. I feel a little like a college graduate – happy to come to this milestone, nostalgic for the past amazing seven years, and incredibly, incredibly, excited for the future.
Otis
P.S. For the more official version of the announcement, here's the press release that went out today.
P.P.S. Please let us know – what integration with Kindle would you love to see the most?
Comments Showing 1,651-1,700 of 2,216 (2216 new)
This is horrible, HORRIBLE, and disheartening news! The "independent entity" comment is simply dust-in-the-eyes PR: you can't maintain your independence when you're owned by a retailer whose sole purpose is to make money... Not to mention that I don't want my reviews posted or used in any conceivable way on Amazon.com! Period.
LibraryLass wrote: "Beth wrote: "I have a suggestion: let me download all my info and books and reviews with one click so I can take it elsewhere."Yes please! Can anyone help with this?"
Andreea wrote: "This is horrible, HORRIBLE, and disheartening news! The "independent entity" comment is simply dust-in-the-eyes PR: you can't maintain your independence when you're owned by a retailer whose sole p..."
LibraryLass wrote: "Beth wrote: "I have a suggestion: let me download all my info and books and reviews with one click so I can take it elsewhere."
Yes please! Can anyone help with this?"
I would like to know also.
I believe if you click on "My Books" there is an import/export option on the left. You can then use that to get a csv file and open it in Excel to save to your computer. LibraryThing allows you to import this, for example, to transfer your info & reviews.
Don't you get it or don't you care. People who have been devoted to your site are leaving in droves. Went to a reading at an independent bookstore a couple days ago and now vow to either buy from them or from used book store. We don't need Amazon. More meaningful way? Enjoy reading at your new Island home as your have sold out. No other way to put it.
Allie wrote: "I believe if you click on "My Books" there is an import/export option on the left. You can then use that to get a csv file and open it in Excel to save to your computer. LibraryThing allows you t..."CSV files can also be opened by Google Docs, and Open Office - among others. The process is surprisingly quick.
Unfortunately I must admit that LibraryThing takes a long time to import your books and reviews. I imagine that they're incredibly busy right now with refugees from Goodreads, but they're only up to book #49 in my import list!
Apparently some other book review sites can import CSV files as well, but I haven't tried them yet. I'm wary; I've been burned too many times, putting in hundreds of hours contributing to a website only to discover in the end that all of my work went to fatten the bottom line of a corporate predator.
I'm damned sick of that! Which is why I'm encouraging people to discuss the best alternatives to Goodreads over on the new "Escaping Amazon" community on Google Plus. Because I can't help but suspect that such discussions won't be tolerated here for long...
I just signed up for Library Thing and am currently waiting to have my books imported (along thousands of others it seems). I'll be deleting my goodreads account. I urge everyone who's invested in a diverse and independent literary culture to do the same.
I'm so sad to hear that you will be limiting your dream to amazon and kindle. I do not look forward to the limitations and directions they will inevitably employ here. I am undecided about leaving my account open. As a supporter of independent books and diversity in retail, I am so disappointed that this site won't be neutral territory when it could have partnered with so many different people, including amazon, on its own terms. Sorry to be so negative. Wish you all the best. Perhaps I'll see you all on the flip side.
If you're leaving to go to LibraryThing, you ought to know that Amazon has a controlling interest (40% I believe) through its subsidiary AbeBooks.If you're looking for a new book site not connected to Amazon, you'll have a hard time finding it. At ThirdScribe (http://join.thirdscribe.com) we do not use the Amazon API, and remain independent. We require authors to load their books on their own (and can post whatever sales links they like). Any GoodReads review associated with that book transfers with them through GoodReads' review API.
Our site is not exactly like GoodReads, but it is a book based social network with many of the same functions and a few more besides. It's free for members to join and our beta will launch in a couple of weeks. Feel free to sign up early and get updates and stay in the loop.
Rob wrote: "If you're leaving to go to LibraryThing, you ought to know that Amazon has a controlling interest (40% I believe) through its subsidiary AbeBooks.If you're looking for a new book site not connect..."
It is not a controlling interest. Amazon owns AbeBooks which has a minority interest in LibraryThing. Controlling interest is still held by founder, Tim Spaulding.
No need to denigrate LT to promote your own.
Susan wrote: "It is not a controlling interest. Amazon owns AbeBooks which has a minority interest in LibraryThing. Controlling interest is still held by founder, Tim Spaulding."
The point is LT isn't truly independent from Amazon.
This speaks volumes. -> "Amazon is requiring us [LT] to remove links to other booksellers on work pages. [...] But agree or not, we have to follow their terms."
(source: http://www.librarything.com/blogs/lib... )
The point is LT isn't truly independent from Amazon.
This speaks volumes. -> "Amazon is requiring us [LT] to remove links to other booksellers on work pages. [...] But agree or not, we have to follow their terms."
(source: http://www.librarything.com/blogs/lib... )
Ska wrote: "Susan wrote: "It is not a controlling interest. Amazon owns AbeBooks which has a minority interest in LibraryThing. Controlling interest is still held by founder, Tim Spaulding."The point is LT i..."
You left out the rest of that quote, including the response which discusses the work around and why Tim felt it necessary.
"The Response. Most of all, we think we’ve found a way to give Amazon what they require, and continue to provide members with options: We’re going cut back our primary-page links to Amazon alone, and give people the best, most diverse secondary pages we can make. We are allowed to link to other booksellers, like IndieBound and Barnes and Noble on secondary pages, and we’re going to do it far better than we ever have. We’re going to take something away, but also make something better—something that goes way past what we did before, in features and in diversity of options.
...
We think the new page will make a lot of members happy. For one thing, LibraryThing has never been about buying books, so having all these links on a separate page won’t be a great loss. And if the new format doesn’t make members happy, we’ll listen, and together we can plan to take LibraryThing on a truly independent course."
Why not just tell us what you have to offer, instead of attacking another independent website?
Can books and reviews be imported into your site? What does your site have to offer that others don't? I can't tell because it requires a registration to even enter the website.
Susan wrote: "You left out the rest of that quote, including the response which discusses the work around and why Tim felt it necessary. "
I left it out because it has no bearing on the point I was trying to make -> LT is NOT entirely independent from Amazon. The fact that they found a tiny loophole only makes them look desperate rather than in control.
Nobody is attacking LT. What a ridiculous statement. I am voicing my concerns, that's all.
Susan wrote: "What does your site have to offer that others don't? I can't tell because it requires a registration to even enter the website."
I don't know this other site and I am not going to check it out either because I agree that it's stupid not to be able to see what I am signing up for.
Right now I don't know where to move my books.
I left it out because it has no bearing on the point I was trying to make -> LT is NOT entirely independent from Amazon. The fact that they found a tiny loophole only makes them look desperate rather than in control.
Nobody is attacking LT. What a ridiculous statement. I am voicing my concerns, that's all.
Susan wrote: "What does your site have to offer that others don't? I can't tell because it requires a registration to even enter the website."
I don't know this other site and I am not going to check it out either because I agree that it's stupid not to be able to see what I am signing up for.
Right now I don't know where to move my books.
Susan wrote: "Rob wrote: "If you're leaving to go to LibraryThing, you ought to know that Amazon has a controlling interest (40% I believe) through its subsidiary AbeBooks.If you're looking for a new book site..."
Susan,
I apologize and you are correct, Tom does maintain his controlling interest and I was misinformed. I was under the impression that the percentage CIG had attained diluted Tom's 60% to be under or par with Abe Books. After your comment I checked a little deeper and you're absolutely right, Tom is still maintains the controlling interest.
I see no need to denigrate LT, nor was it my intent to do so. It provides a solid service to libraries and users alike. However, 40% interest is not insignificant. Given the sentiment expressed about Amazon's influence regarding books, people should know that it is a major backer.
As I said, ThrdScribe doesn't work like LT or GR, but it is intended to provide a neutral place in the web to help authors and readers connect. It focuses on discussion and exchange, and reviews play a role in that.
Peter wrote: "Peter wrote: "No, he has left us, that's all. All of his posts are now under [deleted user], like this example http://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/41...."How confusing, another Peter!
Sumeer did ..."
Peter, I have noticed in the past that comments flagged as offensive have been deleted by GR. Perhaps another person in this thread flagged his responses?
I am so sad and disappointed about this. I am still debating what to do with my account, but I do not want Amazon to own it.
Rob wrote: "Susan wrote: "Rob wrote: "If you're leaving to go to LibraryThing, you ought to know that Amazon has a controlling interest (40% I believe) through its subsidiary AbeBooks.If you're looking for a..."
How soon do you think you will be ready to open your virtual doors? I am curious to see the site and have signed up.
Susan wrote: "How soon do you think you will be ready to open your virtual doors? I am curious to see the site and have signed up."Thanks for signing up, Susan!
Unfortunately, we're still a few weeks away. This GR sale thing took us by surprise. I launched the blog a tad earlier than scheduled yesterday, and you can see it here: http://blog.thirdscribe.com
I'll be putting the About and Features pages up this weekend so everyone can learn more about the site and how it works.
Rob
Rob wrote: "Susan wrote: "How soon do you think you will be ready to open your virtual doors? I am curious to see the site and have signed up."Thanks for signing up, Susan!
Unfortunately, we're still a few ..."
Since you depend on fees from authors, I'm guessing that dead authors aren't going to be represented (I hear they're hard to collect from). I'm sorry to hear it; most of my favorite authors have been dead for at least thirty years. And the few living ones I do like, I correspond with directly.
Best of luck with the project, though!
I loathe Amazon and will be deleting my Goodreads account.
I totally agree with Message 50. You sold out. You are joining the crowd that is squeezing authors, publishers and great independent bookstores. Shame on you. You were a great place to share literary knowledge and thoughts. I cannot believe you didn't understand the ramifications of this. Hopefully some techie will start a new place for us readers to play and post without Big Brother involved. This is a travesty.
Since you depend on fees from authors, I'm guessing that dead authors aren't going to be represented (i hear they're hard to collect from). I'm sorry to hear it, most of my favorite authors have been dead for at least thirty years. And the few living ones I do like, I correspond with directly.Best of luck with the project, though!
Peter,
I've been giving that a lot of thought. While I can't bring dead authors back, some publishers, such as Sterling, bring in SME's to curate the books and provide extra content. I'm hoping I can get those publishers to post the books and have their SME's facilitate discussion.
What do you think, would something like that work for you?
Peter wrote: "But it's pretty much the standard corporate playbook to start censoring posts that are critical of unpopular corporate decisions. And certainly Amazon is known for deleting posts it doesn't like."It must've been Sumeer deleting it, because my post, #1492, on page 30, which lists ten alternative options, is still there. I think it's more probable that they're no longer paying attention to this thread and are just letting us vent.
Dylan wrote: "If there's not a bookshelf site app per se "out of box", another solution I would be looking for would be an open-source social networking template, with add-ons or mods available which closely resemble a bookshelf app (pertinent data about a book, the ability to review it, share it on other shelves, etc.) "Thanks for signing up, Dylan!
Yeah, we didn't make a bookshelf type of app purely because several very good ones already exist.
Ours allows for members to "like" and follow books, much like they do for a Facebook page. Each book has its own page, own social stream, own forums, and can be reviewed. It also pulls from other review sources, like Goodreads.
Our goal was to encourage active discussion and focus on the "social" instead of the more passive cataloging.
@Rob: Hi! Regarding ThirdScribe, how high a priority is an Android app? That's one of the criteria I'm using to narrow down my Goodreads alternatives.Thanks!
Rob wrote: "Since you depend on fees from authors, I'm guessing that dead authors aren't going to be represented (i hear they're hard to collect from). I'm sorry to hear it, most of my favorite authors have be..."That might work for me somewhat. Unfortunately many of my favorite books are quite definitely and permanently out of print, so ThirdScribe probably won't satisfy all of my book-reviewing needs.
It's quixotic to review books which not one person in a million will ever hear of, much less read. But I like to think that maybe one person might read one of those reviews and be moved to search out one of those forgotten treasures. And that way, perhaps, their memory will not utterly be lost.
That's why I read old books like Mister Penny to children at my local library. They'll never be able to buy a new copy, and even an old copy might be hard to find. But the kids love that story, and want to talk to me about it after I'm done. I hope that years from now, some of them might read it to their children. And so, something I love might live for another generation.
Peter wrote: "Rob wrote: "Since you depend on fees from authors, I'm guessing that dead authors aren't going to be represented (i hear they're hard to collect from). I'm sorry to hear it, most of my favorite aut..."Wouldn't it be nice if the Guttenberg Project offered reviews like yours?
Katharine wrote: "@Rob: Hi! Regarding ThirdScribe, how high a priority is an Android app? That's one of the criteria I'm using to narrow down my Goodreads alternatives.Thanks!"
Katherine,
It'll be a web app for a while. We're growing the service organically. Apps (both Android and iOS) are are on the roadmap, but I don't expect to see any dedicated platform apps until some time in 2014.
Susan wrote: "Peter wrote: "Rob wrote: "Since you depend on fees from authors, I'm guessing that dead authors aren't going to be represented (i hear they're hard to collect from). I'm sorry to hear it, most of m..."Susan,
That would be really cool, actually. I'll see what we can work out.
Unf---ingbelievable... Honestly? You think no more of this fantastic tool you created than to "sell out" to a selfish greedy bastard like Bezos, who obviously "bought" the no state tax ruling so he could make more billions and create a private space travel company while underselling retailers and doing his utmost to vanquish brick and mortar stores--and--become the only publishing entity on the planet!?! While I adore Goodreads, I'm certain I'll end up leaving it, 'cause before long, Bezos and company will manipulate it and ruin it... People without a social conscious are those who support Amazon and increase Bezos' net worth. If I had ever been interested in an ereader I would have NEVER purchased a Kindle; Amazon is all about exclusivity and monopoly--capitalism at its best, I guess... I am in disbelief; I just assumed the Goodreads creators were "good people." How sad that you've given up...
Kari wrote: "Peter wrote: "Rob wrote: "Since you depend on fees from authors, I'm guessing that dead authors aren't going to be represented (i hear they're hard to collect from). I'm sorry to hear it, most of m..."I do it for the love of books, and to as a small repayment to the memories of authors who enriched me (although not in any way I imagine Otis would understand). But you're welcome!
By the way, your icon cracks me up. I just today designed something very similar as the image for the new "Escaping Amazon" community over on Google Plus - which, as I may be mentioning slightly too often, is at https://plus.google.com/communities/1...
Rob wrote: "I see no need to denigrate LT, nor was it my intent to do so. It provides a solid service to libraries and users alike. However, 40% interest is not insignificant. Given the sentiment expressed about Amazon's influence regarding books, people should know that it is a major backer."Why do people keep repeating this falsity? Amazon does not own 40% of LibraryThing. Amazon owns Abebooks, Abebooks has a partial investment in LibraryThing but it is neither controlling nor 40%. Tim Spaulding, the founder, has the controlling & majority holding and has publicly stated he has no intention to sell.
So no, Amazon isn't a "major backer" nor does it have the ability to do much in the way of "influencing" the direction of LibraryThing.
Secondly, LibraryThing isn't dependant on Amazon - they source their data from numerous places, the loss of the Amazon API if they chose to get rid of it really wouldn't be that big a deal, but unlike Goodreads was, they aren't in breach of the API terms post change.
I agree with a lot of what these others have said. I'm not too pleased that you are allowing Amazon sink their claws into this great site and allow horrible trolls run ramped on here. And no I don't want my reviews on Amazon either unless I allow it!
I would like to congratulate Elizabeth and Otis, firstly for all their amazing efforts so far - they got a great idea and ran with it all the way - and now for pulling off this merger. They must have been under pressure for ages - six years is a very long time on the Internet.Regarding Otis' question: Goodreads on Kindle...
As a Goodreads author who has a book on Kindle, what I would most like to see is the ability to do my own e-formatting. Goodreads allows this, as you can upload an epub file of your own. With Kindle you can only go back and review your uploaded doc file, and to make changes means re-uploading. This is particularly important for me as my novel includes a number of format-sensitive poems; but I think most indie writers would prefer to control the way their text appears on the screen. It's one of the main reasons why we prefer this medium.
I am genuinely curious to learn whether people in America are aware that outside the US, the Amazon brand is primarily associated with multinational tax evasion, sweatshop-like working conditions, the use of uncontracted temp workers, and gaming the system to receive huge taxpayer *subsidies*?
Kari wrote: "Amazon does not pay taxes in the US either. And the working conditions are no better here either. I would hope that many people are aware that Amazon has spent millions to avoid paying taxes that t..."
I suspected as much. Here's how their local packing facility works here.
I suspected as much. Here's how their local packing facility works here.
I've learned a lot about Amazon over the last 48 hours. Seems a company I would like to steer clear of. Sadly, in the end, multi-nationals will swallow every small company. Greed is a sad fact of life.
I don't like this either. I'm happy with Amazon, and I'm happy with Goodreads. But too much consolidation of data only does bad to an end user. Is there any option to archive my reads and download them?
Katharine wrote: "Peter wrote: "But it's pretty much the standard corporate playbook to start censoring posts that are critical of unpopular corporate decisions. And certainly Amazon is known for deleting posts it d..."What evidence is there regarding amazon deleting posts? How many have been deleted? What reasons are cited? Do you have specific examples?
I, on the other hand, have been pleased with amazon, as a reader and as a writer. All of my novels, including those previously published by others, are now available POD and kindle on amazon. The costs to create the books was lower than any other POD or e-book publisher. The kindle royalty is 70%. I see potential upside in the GR/amazon relationship, again both as a reader and as an author.
deleted user wrote: " But too much consolidation of data only does bad to an end user. "What exactly is the "bad" you refer to?
Nick wrote: "I'm not sure what to make of this decision: I like Amazon, and don't understand where the complaints are coming from, but also don't like seeing too much influence gathered by ANYBODY.So for now,..."
http://www.change.org/petitions/amazo...
This, while written from a very opinionated stance, is the problem. I work in the industry and know this is indeed the case.
I just truly hope that GoodReads doesn't change, it's a fabulous website and so excited I came upon it.
That article about Amazon reviews is very illuminating. In particular the spokesperson's comment that reviewers were not required to have "experienced the product" before reviewing. It does not bode well.....
I never bought anything directly through Amazon. But i have to use Bookdepository to buy books that aren't translated in my country, so i guess i'm feeding the beast :(I had no idea about this kind of behaviour on Amazon's part.
I am and have been an Amazon customer for many years and I am completely in love with my Kindle Fire but I am not happy about this news. I don't believe for one minute that the Amazon 'Powers that Be' will allow us to keep GR the way it currently is which is just the way we like it. I am sure their leadership team already has a plan in place with the massive changes they will be rolling out in the very near future.I would have preferred to paid a membership rather than go this route. Amazon has become an online "big box" store and I am afraid of what that will mean for those of us who love GR.
Oh well, it was good while it lasted.
Goodreads is one of my favorite sites to interact with readers and fellow authors, and I’m hopeful that it does not become the GrAmazon beast conjured up in these posts; however, truth be known, there is no way on God’s green earth that I would have turned down that kind of payday! So, good for you Goodreads Team!Ricki Wilson
@Dwan--unfortunately, the Change.org petition for which you graciously provided a link has closed... Great idea, though! Would another publisher be willing to launch another one? Perhaps in the wake of the Goodreads "sell out" there would be more interest?
It seems like they really don't care about our concerns because I have yet to see a reply from the GR team.Does anyone plan to respond to any of our questions and concerns?
Allie wrote: "That article about Amazon reviews is very illuminating. In particular the spokesperson's comment that reviewers were not required to have "experienced the product" before reviewing. It does not bo..."Um I hate to say it but what how is that different to GR? People here can chose to rate or review a book they haven't read can't they?
Although I have to agree Amazon's review policy is restrictive.
Yes please! Can anyone help with this?