Amazon is buying goodreads

[D.J.]

I'm sure many of you have already seen this announcement, but in case you didn't, Amazon is in the process of purchasing goodreads. Here is a link to the press release:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.z...

And here's an article by someone who thinks that this might ultimately be a good thing.

http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/20...

So what do people here think? Good move or bad? Either way, the times they are a changing and I wonder what changes are in store for this site.

[Michael]

I think it's bad.

Amazon already own That Library Thing and Shelfari, so it gives them control over the three biggest discussion sites for books.

It can only serve to stifle competition.

[Stephanie]

I dislike Amazon to begin with so I'm not happy about it. Plus, Amazon doesn't have the greatest track record with leaving these types of sites alone like they say they will, so I'm worried Goodreads might go down the drain with the influence of Amazon. I'm already looking into other sites just incase this place goes down.

[D.J.]

Does anyone use Shelfari? I am a member over there as well and it's owned by Amazon but I don't think they are over the top with it. Then again, it does seem kind of dead compared to goodreads. Maybe it was really vibrant before? I'm not sure about its history.

What other sites has Amazon bought and then ruined?

[Justin]

I heard a small rumor that Amazon is starting to regret the Goodreads purchase and could be shopping it to Barnes&Noble.

[D.J.]

After the recent Barnes & Noble earnings report (they posted a loss of $118 million), I doubt they're looking to buy anything anytime soon.

[Amber]

I haven't read the releases yet, but I say bad. I don't know, I never really liked Amazon. For me at least, it's hard to get around, everything is grossly inflated (price wise) and-- well I'll stop there. I just do not want to see goodreads be a pain in the butt to operate and to have things moved around and Amazon ads everywhere. *sigh*. Sometimes change isn't good (in my opinion).

[Amber]

Stephanie wrote: "I dislike Amazon to begin with so I'm not happy about it. Plus, Amazon doesn't have the greatest track record with leaving these types of sites alone like they say they will, so I'm worried Goodrea..."
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