The enshittification of Amazon paperback books

14 hours ago

The author discusses their journey from losing the habit of reading in adulthood to rediscovering it with the help of a psychologist, now reading about 1.5 books per week.
They emphasize the joy and benefits of reading, including a more vivid imagination and a serene spirit, and the pleasure of building a personal library inspired by Umberto Eco.
The author prefers physical books over eBooks, appreciating the experience of bookstores and receiving books in the mail, despite mostly purchasing from Amazon for its selection and pricing.
A significant issue with Amazon purchases is the emergence of print-on-demand books, which the author finds inferior in quality, often with poor printing and higher prices than stock editions.
Examples include books like Bertrand Russell’s 'The Problems of Philosophy' and Penguin Classics, where the print-on-demand versions are noticeably subpar.
The author criticizes Amazon for not disclosing when a book is print-on-demand, leading to disappointment and the hassle of returns, despite Amazon's accommodating return policy.
They reflect on the concept of 'enshittification,' where platforms degrade in quality after capturing user dependency, as seen in Amazon's book selling practices.
The author contemplates systematically refunding print-on-demand books but finds the cycle frustrating and wasteful, suggesting Amazon should inform buyers beforehand.

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