Amazon Buys Shelfari  

by Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 8/26/2008 8:18:00 AM

Amazon continues its buying spree of book related companies. Although it hasn’t confirmed it, the giant e-tailer has acquired Shelfari.com, the Seattle-based social network site for readers. In a post on his Web site yesterday, Shelfari cofounder and CEO Josh Hug told members that the company is being acquired by its Seattle neighbor and investor. According to Hug, “Shelfari and Amazon will work hand in hand to continue to grow our dynamic community and create innovative tools around the books you love.” Although he offered no specifics, Hug told members that “with more resources and Amazon’s expertise in building a platform, where people come to share ideas, there are a lot of new opportunities in the future that will benefit each of you.” Shelfari was launched in 2006 and through 2007 had 1 million users.

Earlier this summer, Amazon bought Abebooks, which holds a 40% stake in Shelfari competitor LibraryThing. It was unclear if Amazon has any plans to join Shelfari and LibraryThing. Other book companies bought by Amazon include Audible, which it acquired at the beginning of 2008.