Beloved Librarian Who Signed With Amazon: ‘The Vehemence Surprised Me’

Nancy Pearl, the famous librarian who recently partnered with Amazon to republish a handful of out-of-print titles each year, tells the New York Times and Seattle Times that based on the reaction she’s received it’s a “hard question” whether she’d do it again.

Amazon Publishing is launching Pearl’s line at a time when many in her community -- independent booksellers, librarians and some authors -- are very angry at Amazon for what they see as predatory business practices, relentless discounting and attacks on independent bookstores. “By aligning herself with Amazon, she’s turning her back on independents,” said Seattle Mystery Bookshop owner J.B. Dickey. “Amazon is absolutely antithetical to independent bookselling, and, to many of us, truth, justice and the American way.”