Adding a description for a book nobody's ever heard of...

[Ethan]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Just added this book^ that I picked up at a used bookstore. I don't have anything for the description though. I can't find anything about it online other than the Amazon and Abe listings.
Has anyone read it, and could they fill me in with a brief description?
If not, should I add a description (not a review) once I've read it?
Also, if a book is in French, should the description be in French or in English?

[Arenda]

According to Worldcat, there are four stories in this book. Added the titles of these stories to the description.

You can add a description when you have read it. Usually the description is in the language of the book, but English is fine also.

I have removed the ASIN from this edition. ASIN's are used on Goodreads only for Kindle and Audible editions, not for pre-isbn hardcover or paperback editions (as they can be on Amazon).

[Ethan]

Thanks Arenda. I hadn't thought to check Worldcat.

So you removed the ASIN; does that leave this book without any kind of ID number?

[lethe]

Yes, the book was published before ISBNs existed.

Second-hand booksellers on Amazon use a unique ASIN for these books in order to be able to sell them. Outside of that these ASINs have no meaning at all.

[Arenda]

Ethan wrote: "So you removed the ASIN; does that leave this book without any kind of ID number?"

Usually removal of an isbn or ASIN is strictly forbidden. This is an exception.

Pre-isbn editions don't have any ID number unfortunately.

See this part of the librarian manual about isbn/ASIN: https://www.goodreads.com/help/show/2..., especially the part that starts with 'ALSO NOTE'.

[Ethan]

Arenda wrote:
See this part of the librarian manual...

Thanks for the link. I'd had some trouble finding that.
I guess I just felt a little wary of not assigning an ID number to a book I was cataloguing.

I noticed this part at the bottom of the page:
The book may have another identifying number such as an LCCN and that can be added to the note as well. A note can also be added using the Librarian Note feature linked near the top of the book edit page. An LCCN or other identifying number should never be entered into the ISBN field.

Should I add the LCCN (53-6355) in a librarian note?
Again, I'm just hesitant to add a book with no ID number to catalogue it by.

[Arenda]

Ethan wrote: "Should I add the LCCN (53-6355) in a librarian note?"
You can add it if you like.

Again, I'm just hesitant to add a book with no ID number to catalogue it by.
There are a lot of books on Goodreads without any ID number. Don't worry about it. Best to add as much info (publisher, publication year, format) when adding books without an isbn.

[lethe]

Personally, as a European, I fail to see the point of an LCCN, but if you want, you can add it.

So, is it an American book then, published in French?

[Ethan]

lethe wrote: "So, is it an American book then, published in French?"

It is. It's a French reader, used for teaching French, published in New York.

[Ethan]

Arenda wrote:
You can add it if you like.

Thanks for the help. I'm always picking up/finding old books at the bookstore that nobody knows anything about, so I'll keep this all in mind.
Thanks again.

[Krazykiwi]

Re the description: Abebooks resellers often provide original catalogue or bookcover descriptions. Sometimes you have to look through the whole page of editions, but it only takes a moment, and is often faster than typing it all in yourself.

You can often get covers for older books there too, although be careful (if it says "This is a stock image", don't use it, it may not be the actual edition you have, but otherwise it's a great source).

We are allowed to use Abebooks information, as they are an Amazon company.