Key Takeaways
- A reader was asked to provide the publisher’s website link for a book titled The Books of the Bible at a Glance.
- The book lacks an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), yet a public page on PubHTML5 was provided as a source.
- On Goodreads, books can be added without an ISBN, but only librarians or staff can create new records and require verifiable evidence.
- The reader’s best next move is to supply the strongest publicly accessible link—preferably a publisher’s site—and any supporting metadata for the book.
Story & Details
The Initial Request
A support contact on Goodreads asked the reader: “Could you please provide me with the link to the publisher’s website that contains the book’s information?” The reader had previously indicated the book does not have an ISBN.
The Reader’s Response
The reader provided the URL: https://pubhtml5.com/wrme/fjpa/LOS_LIBROS_DE_LA_BIBLIA_EN_UN_VISTAZO/
This link leads to a flip-book version of The Books of the Bible at a Glance, hosted on a general publishing platform rather than a brand-name publisher’s domain.
What Goodreads Requires
According to help articles, Goodreads no longer allows general members to add book records to the database; instead the request must go through the Goodreads Librarians group or staff. An ISBN is not mandatory, but reliable metadata and a publicly accessible, verifiable link are essential.
Why the Publisher Link Matters
A proper publisher website helps establish authorship, format, edition, publication date, and imprint. When a title lacks an ISBN, the evidence must come from a stable public page or catalog listing.
What to Do Next
If the book’s official publisher page exists, sharing that should satisfy the request. If not, using the PubHTML5 link along with additional confirmation (cover image, colophon page, imprint details) will help the librarians decide.
Conclusions
Even when a book lacks an ISBN, it can be properly catalogued if the metadata is robust and verifiable. The reader in this case should focus on delivering the strongest publicly accessible evidence available: ideally a direct publisher site, and secondarily the hosting link supported by complementary data. With these in hand, the librarians can evaluate the title for inclusion without delay.
Sources
Goodreads Help – How can I add a book if it has no ISBN/ASIN?
https://help.goodreads.com/s/question/0D58V00007rdYfRSAU/how-can-i-add-a-book-on-gr-if-it-has-no-isbn-asin
Goodreads Help – Why can’t I add books that I own and have read?
https://help.goodreads.com/s/question/0D58V00006uUYfFSAW/why-cant-i-add-books-that-i-own-and-have-read
Goodreads Help – Why can’t I add books anymore …
https://help.goodreads.com/s/question/0D5ar00000HKvoyCAD/why-cant-i-add-books-anymore-i-always-could-but-now-i-cant-without-the-isbn-it-was-so-much-easier-before-the-option-to-add-new-book-no-longer-exists-only-importexport
Wikipedia – Goodreads overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodreads
Appendix
ISBN (International Standard Book Number): A unique numeric identifier for books, assigned to editions of a publication for easier cataloguing.
Goodreads Librarians group: A volunteer programme on Goodreads where approved members review and manage metadata and book records on behalf of the community.
Publisher website: The official online presence of a publishing company, typically including book listings, author pages, and publication information; considered a primary source for bibliographic verification.
PubHTML5 link example: A public digital-publication link used in this case, which serves as secondary source evidence when no formal publisher site exists.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 