tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post5038150779786890947..comments2023-11-02T05:05:46.010-07:00Comments on book, book, book: Amazon Links: The Devil's Handiwork or A Boon to Readers? Discuss.ElsKushnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584616838165132885noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-23207759642272360352007-03-26T09:09:00.000-07:002007-03-26T09:09:00.000-07:00It's WorldCat. I posted about it today hereIt's WorldCat. I posted about it today <A HREF="http://awrungsponge.blogspot.com/2007/03/questions-about-book-links.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>Andromeda Jazmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-32532756241681482152007-03-18T16:56:00.000-07:002007-03-18T16:56:00.000-07:00I often get links for pictures of the book covers ...I often get links for pictures of the book covers from Amazon, and I link there because of the reviews. I like linking to the authors' page or the publishers' page better though, and I try to do that first. There is a library site that allows you to find the book in your public library but I can't think of it right now. I am sure someone else here can name it...?Andromeda Jazmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12355192738014962965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-18663865695466975092007-03-14T17:39:00.000-07:002007-03-14T17:39:00.000-07:00Myself, I link to the publisher's page. I dislike ...Myself, I link to the publisher's page. I dislike Amazon, and I figure nobody reading my blog will have the slightest difficulty finding it if they want it. The problem with linking to publishers is that it takes an extra two or three steps for me, but not that many, actually. Come to think of it, I dislike most publishers, too, but there it is. If OCLC would make its Total Global Catalogue available and linkable and good stuff like that, I would link to that.<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/>-V.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-29536581659220277892007-03-13T06:05:00.000-07:002007-03-13T06:05:00.000-07:00I love your idea about a wish list on Amazon for t...I love your idea about a wish list on Amazon for the school library - we don't have a really good independent bookstore near our school, but that would be a great idea also!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03844867871179578637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-88157050677382073592007-03-12T06:41:00.000-07:002007-03-12T06:41:00.000-07:00I like standing on my head! My argument likes sta...I like standing on my head! My argument likes standing on its head too.<BR/><BR/>I think however that what I said wasn't that you should link to Powells or Booksense because it would have any impact of the customers, but RATHER because it will make you stand out as a blogger. <BR/><BR/>That is: yes, customers have opinions about where they'll spend their money. Linking to any one vendor and any other may have little impact on their behavior.<BR/><BR/>However, by linking to Powell's or an indie/Booksense vendor you make a statement about YOURSELF.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-73239809061294332712007-03-10T11:53:00.000-08:002007-03-10T11:53:00.000-08:00Well, you saw my comments on Jody's post, so you k...Well, you saw my comments on Jody's post, so you know what I think about the chains=bad, amazon=bad, independents=good equations. But I will say, as a blog reader and book consumer, that, far from really appreciating a link to Powell's or an independent, I don't give a rat's ass where the blog link takes me -- I just want to know more about the book. I think Andy Laties' argument works just as well stood on its head: your readers are sophisticated enough to make their own choices about where they prefer to purchase their books. Give them the link to information about it (which, as you point out, is usually best on Amazon), and let them decide where to spend their dollars.<BR/><BR/>(Of course, that said, you can now stone me as a hypocrite, since you know I only link to LibraryThing. Such a cop-out!)Phantom Scribblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03258384756183844406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-69784765804477739192007-03-10T09:21:00.000-08:002007-03-10T09:21:00.000-08:00Hello, neighbor! I remember the Red and Black Book...Hello, neighbor! I remember the Red and Black Book Collective from the first time I lived in Seattle. These days, the two independent bookstores I love most are All For Kids Books in Seattle and Island Books on Mercer Island. <BR/>--Alkelda the Gleeful (Farida Dowler)Saints and Spinnershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04733517166056974501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-90226575436421461822007-03-10T09:10:00.000-08:002007-03-10T09:10:00.000-08:00I haven't read Fuse's post yet but will head there...I haven't read Fuse's post yet but will head there pronto. I link to Amazon, Powell's, and occasionally B & N, but haven't signed up on any of them as a vendor. I'm conflicted, too. Amazon has such a thorough database of books that it's very helpful, more helpful than Powell's, as much as I like Powell's. For the consumer, Amazon's prices are often better than the independts'. AND YET. I did take all my reviews down from the Amazon site because I felt like I was selling books for them for free. <BR/><BR/>My favorite independent bookstore is Lemuria, in my hometown of Jackson, Miss., but its web site is not nearly as thorough as Powell's, much less the other two biggies.<BR/><BR/>Which is all a long way of saying that I will follow your discussion with interest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047768604497531498.post-31688217496554730672007-03-10T08:50:00.000-08:002007-03-10T08:50:00.000-08:00Well I'd say that you should link to Powells or to...Well I'd say that you should link to Powells or to a local indie bookstore that is connected to Booksense.com. You have to figure that your readers are sophisticated enough web-wise to go to Amazon on their own if they want to read the ancillary stuff. People will really appreciate being directed to a less-obvious online bookselling source: it will set you apart.<BR/><BR/>My 2 cents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com