Amazon, Kindle, and Goodreads: implications for literary consumption in the digital age

ABSTRACT

This article examines the complex dynamics of an increasingly digitized reading culture with particular emphasis on changing configurations of ownership and privacy. The analytical point of departure is Amazon, its popular e-reading device Kindle, and Amazon’s connection to the popular social network site for readers, Goodreads. First, the configurations of technologies and practices which make up networked reading culture are described and discussed. Second, the article assesses the implications of digitization on the personal experience of consuming books, where issues relating to ownership, intimacy and privacy are especially relevant.

KEYWORDS:

• E-books
• reading
• social media
• digitization
• Amazon

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable feedback, fair and constructive critical comments, and very useful specific suggestions for improving this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 Using the common name “Kindle”, I refer to the most recent editions of the e-reader starting from the first Kindle Paperwhite, introduced in 2012, and subsequent devices such as the Kindle Oasis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anne-Mette Bech Albrechtslund

Anne-Mette Bech Albrechtslund is an independent researcher, lecturer and consultant. She holds a PhD in digital media and communication from Aalborg University, Denmark.