I've drunk Amazon's free Diet Coke. Nothing makes more sense to me than a company trying to make bookselling into a profitable business. I'm not anti-Amazon, and I'm not pro-publishers either. I'm pro-books.

Lev Grossman’s quote, "I've drunk Amazon's free Diet Coke. Nothing makes more sense to me than a company trying to make bookselling into a profitable business. I'm not anti-Amazon, and I'm not pro-publishers either. I'm pro-books," reflects his nuanced view on the book industry and Amazon's role in it. Grossman acknowledges that while he may not align perfectly with either Amazon or traditional publishers, he supports the ultimate goal of promoting books and their availability to the public. By stating he's "pro-books," Grossman emphasizes that his priority is the continued success and accessibility of books, regardless of the platform or publisher.

The meaning behind the quote is Grossman’s balanced approach to the evolving landscape of the book industry. While many people take strong stances either for or against Amazon—due to its dominance and disruption of traditional bookselling—Grossman expresses a more pragmatic perspective. He recognizes the importance of Amazon in making books more widely available and profitable, but also does not ignore the significance of publishers in the process. His neutral stance suggests that what truly matters is the availability and success of books in all formats.

The origin of this perspective likely comes from Grossman’s extensive experience as a novelist and book critic, where he has seen the changes in the publishing world firsthand. As someone who writes and is involved in the literary community, he understands the complexities of how books are produced, marketed, and sold. His neutral viewpoint is shaped by his personal experience with both the challenges of the publishing industry and the opportunities provided by online platforms like Amazon.

Ultimately, Grossman’s quote serves as a reminder that the goal should be to support the book itself—whether through traditional publishing or online retail—and to ensure that books continue to reach readers. His stance highlights the evolving nature of the book industry, where both publishers and platforms like Amazon have a role to play in making books accessible, while still focusing on the ultimate product: the book itself.