It doesn't affect your experience in any way if there's an affiliate link
Perhaps it is not meant to, but when a scientist has affiliation with say the tobacco industry, I would take his research about the effect of smoking on health with a very suspicious hat on. In fact, I would dismiss it completely.
I think the same logic applies here, it may seem like the list is made for the bucks hence eroding goodwill and by buying a book in such a way you might feel cheated at worst or perhaps simply do not want to encourage such conflict of interest at best.
But books aren't commodity goods, like tobacco. When a blogger recommends a book (or a list of them) he's recommending specific books to read, usually on a narrow topic that his audience is interested. His interest lies in recommending books that his audience will enjoy (or learn from, in this case), so that they trust his recommendations in the future.
Re:Reading list for those who love to learn
by byrneseyeview on Friday June 19, 2009 @12:27PM
(#665415)
Does it also disturb you that Amazon.com's page about this book is designed to make you want it?
In fact, an affiliate link should make you feel good! At least you know that the link was posted for money, rather than for some base motive like attention or conformism.