Trying a New BookShelf
For years I hand coded a page of books that I like and recommend. Today I installed a new Amazon "astore." You can find it here --> Full Circle Associates: The BookShelf. Tell me what you think. Too much sell out ot Amazon? It was so easy to do.
posted by Nancy White at 5:42 PM
8 Comments:
Hi Nancy,
Nice tool. Nevertheless I will not install it for my own website. Firstly, I have the impression that you cannot use your own reviews. Secondly I want to add Dutch books and books that are for free to my list. Amazon does not have them. At last, I do not want to 'force' my readers to buy at Amazon.
Nancy, I think the BookShelf is a great idea and that it provides a service for people. So does being able to easily order your suggestions. I created one with the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 inspiring movies. Here:
http://astore.amazon.com/inspireandmotivate-20
It took me quite a while and I have had several people thank me.
I like it, Nancy! I read most of those books, so maybe that's why. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for blogging about this.
Ah, this is the kind of feedback I was hoping for. Wilfred, I worry too, about this sort of "force into Amazon" mode. In my dreams I'd like to be able to easily build the bookstore with a switch that says:
Amazon
Powell's Books
Third Place Books
etc.
So I want my cake and eat it too. Ease of building but freedom of choice. I wonder if there is a web service out there that does that?
Stephanie, I'll check out your list. Dave, I follow your Nordic Track reading list as well!http://dbvt.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=Nordic+Track&s=5
Nancy, you inspired me to add an "astore" to Writer Way. Wilfred, it turns out you can add your own reviews.
Nancy -- The top five books about innovation is a current interest for me. So your "Bookshelf" post was of great interest.
One thing to consider is that many people do not have the time to read 20+ books when they want to learn more about a topic, such as "Online Community, Teams and Networks." To address this problem, it might be helpful to have more categories, with category topics more specific so you could list just the top four to seven books in that category. Having fewer books in a category would likely increase your influence by making it easier for a peruser of your list to pick one or two books to read from a short list rather than trying to pick from that 20+ list.
Just a thought! Keep up the good work trying out new things and sharing what you learn.
Enjoy your new year, and may it be one full of interesting experiences...
L'chaim et namaste!
Bob W.
Nancy-
Amazon-focused, yes, but I think the ease of making suggestions on top of your busy busy life is worth it. If people would rather purchase elsewhere, at least they have the titles you are reading.
I know that I appreciate books by people I respect and who have similar interests and can suggest further reading. It is up to me to pay attention or click on the the next site.
Happy New Year!
Bob, good suggestion to refine the subcategories. You are right - a laundry list isn't very helpful.
Karen, post a link to your story.
Jeffrey - thanks!
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