Too many bookstores are closing their doors. How will we find our books?
That’s the rub.
Not a massage kinda rub, but an OUCH! bruising kinda rub.
Plenty of studies show most bookbuyers find books in bookstores or libraries, through word of mouth, regardless of where they ultimately buy them.
Not online. Online is confusing and overwhelming.
A bunch of companies are trying to make online book “discovery” more user-friendly.
Will they replicate the bookstore experience? Never. But if they help readers find worthy books online, and keep the business of publishing good books alive, everyone benefits, even booksellers.
What do you think? Do these spots work for you?
Newest “Recommendation Engines”
1. Bookish was years in the making; it’s the result of a major collaboration between some of the largest publishers in the world. The look and concept is cool: type in a book you love and through miraculous algorithmic juggling, others you will love pop up. Plenty of bells and whistles; plenty of early praise and complaints. Compared to Amazon: easier and cleaner; both less suspect and less powerful. Good people behind it; good luck to them. [Read more…]
