The days of choosing between an ebook and supporting your local independent bookstore are fading into history. The American Booksellers Association announced that it is joining up with Google ebooks:
ABA member stores with IndieCommerce websites are now selling Google eBooks online. Google launched its ebook program today. ”This partnership with Google is an important chapter in the renaissance we’ve been seeing in independent bookselling,” said ABA President Michael Tucker, co-owner of Books Inc. bookstores in California. “It allows our membership to better compete with corporate retailers on selection, price, and convenience. It levels the playing field.”
Loving those words “levels the playing field.” (I’ll resist the temptation to talk about the uneven sales tax playing field between Amazon and every other bookstore.) Google’s ebooks are available on a myriad of devices-computers, smart phones, ereaders of various types-via cloud computing so a reader is not limited to one retailer. Click here for a list of the independent bookstores offering ebook sales. I found two of our locals: diesel and Skylight.
I looked on the Google ebookstore website and found a couple of the books on my list, but as with the Kindle I’m sure the choices will be expanding. They advertise thousands of books and many of the bestsellers are listed on the opening page, some of which were selling for less than $9.99 and some for more. All of the books can be accessed via your favorite independent bookstore.
I haven’t used Google ebooks, yet, but if you have, please share your experience.
Tags: bookstores selling ebooks, independent bookstores ebooks
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