On a platform like the iPhone, customers aren't comparing books to other books; they're comparing books to games, music, movies and tens of thousands of other choices that dwarf the inventory at even the biggest bookstore.
First, I tested three search engines that compare book prices.
Here's Trillin on McMurty's book-scouting bona fides: He compares book scouting to cowboying, acknowledging in the process that he was a fairly miserable cowboy.
The site targets so-called "adventure travellers," letting them discover, compare, book and review holidays with local and independent hosts, guides and tour operators.
"I always tell people that I compare book restoration with face-lifts," said Bruce Kavin, one of three siblings who run Kater-Crafts Bookbinders.
Schulz, in one story, compared books to meteors.
Mr. Osnos compared books to movies, adding, "In the book business, like the movie business, most of the things we do are moderate sellers".
Its calculation compared books priced at $14.99 with those priced at $9.99, but many e-books sell for $12.99 or $13.99.
An interesting topic of conversation would be to compare books that are about sexuality to books that just happen to feature LGBT characters.
As a reader and writer, though, I prefer my reviews from people who compare books to books, at least more often than not.
