Goodreads c/o Amazon
Goodreads.com is a ‘book and social cataloging’ website that has been extremely popular among book worms (more like Getglue of books). Otis Chandler, the owner of the website has officially announced today that Amazon has acquired Goodreads.com. Started in January 2007, Goodreads has more than 16 million members, 20 million+ monthly visits and the site is managed by 30 employees.
The terms of the deal are not made public yet and the acquisition is expected to close in Q2 2013. The first target for Otis/Amazon seems to be bringing Goodreads to Kindle e-book readers.
“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,” said Otis Chandler, founder of Goodreads.com
“Amazon and Goodreads share a passion for reinventing reading,” said Russ Grandinetti, Amazon Vice President, Kindle Content. “Goodreads has helped change how we discover and discuss books and, with Kindle, Amazon has helped expand reading around the world. In addition, both Amazon and Goodreads have helped thousands of authors reach a wider audience and make a better living at their craft. Together we intend to build many new ways to delight readers and authors alike.”
“I just found out my two favorite people are getting married,” said Hugh Howey, best-selling author of WOOL. “The best place to discuss books is joining up with the best place to buy books – To Be Read piles everywhere must be groaning in anticipation.”
