Wow, look at us, getting all controversial now, aren’t we?
Though, for the life of me, I don’t see how this is still a conversation we’re having in 2019. In 100 years, after both coasts of the United States are
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie all about audiobooks.
Audiobook
NOUN /ôdēōˌbo͝ok/
— an audiocassette or CD recording of a reading of a book, typically a novel.
In other words, the bane of some readers’ existences. Audiobooks are generally considered an alternative to reading books, and thus, it’s been thrust into the paperback v. hardback v. ebook debate.
The reading community has been divided on exactly how to classify audiobooks, with staunch supporters equating it with any other form of reading, and dissenters decrying that it “doesn’t count” as reading.
✿ Accessibility for those who can’t read physical books, for any number of reasons.
✿ Time optimization by taking advantage of
✿
✿ Limited or low literacy is still a problem, and audiobooks allow such people to enjoy reading.
✿ Great tool for language learners to be immersed in a language in a fun, engaging way.
✿ Auditory learners versus visual learners will get more out of listening to a book and employing auditory comprehension versus reading comprehension.
✿ Allows multitasking and enhanced focus for those who have attention problems.
✿ Offers similar benefits to physical books, such as expanding vocabulary, comprehension skills, creativity, critical listening skills, etc.
I live in a town where the population skews heavily older, so audiobooks are a pretty regular feature in my life. I know plenty of people who physically can’t read without audiobooks. I also know people who just prefer them.
What it boils down to is that no one should be discriminated against based on their ability (or inability) to consume content in a certain fashion.
In the end, that’s what this discussion come down to. It’s akin to saying someone is “cheating” or “not really traveling” if they ride their bike to the store instead of driving a car. They arrive at the same location by taking the same route, seeing the same scenery, etc. The only difference is the mode of travel. The same is essentially true with audiobooks versus physical books.
Storytelling used to be a venerated part of our society. I’m not sure when that swung so hard in the opposite direction, but it’s a shame, in my opinion. I feel like people have forgotten why we read. It isn’t to feel better about ourselves at the expense of others. It isn’t to read X pages or X books in a year to reach some imaginary goal we’ve set. It isn’t because we’re smarter than everyone else. We read because it’s fun and enjoyable and enriches our lives. All of which audiobooks are entirely capable of providing.
I totally agree with you. Audiobooks are a wonderful tool for many different types of people.
My Top Ten Tuesday post.
I am very definitely pro-audiobook! I love being able to “read” during my commute to work. I also love how audiobooks give us the chance to listen to exactly how the author wanted something to sound in cases where the author is also the narrator.
I tend to listen to podcasts on my commute, but I know so many people who listen to books, and I think it’s great! Especially since I live in a rural area, where everyone has a really long commute.
That’s so true! And a great narrator can really add so much to an audiobook that you don’t get from the text.
Of course I am pro. Just because at this point in my life it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t be able to have access to books in this way. I think it is great that it works for so many people.
I agree! I know several people who rely on them, and even suggesting that by listening to them they’re not really “reading” hurts their self-esteem, because they don’t have any other options. In my opinion, there’s really no win here for insisting that the only “real” way to read a book is physically.
Great post!
Personally, I can’t listen to audiobooks because I can’t keep focused that long, but I’m definitely pro-audiobook. Just because they don’t work for me doesn’t mean they’re not what makes reading accessible for MANY others.
Same for me! My attention wanders and I just don’t get as much out of audiobooks as I do physically reading. But I’m glad they’re available for others. 🙂 And one day, they may very well be my only source of reading, as well. Who knows?
I find it easier to understand more difficult concepts if I can see them (because of the time switching back and forth, it probably would have been better if I had read Furyborn in print) but it’s a good way to get more books read.
I’m a very visual learner, so I tend to retain things better that way anyway. But I can see how timeline shifts and stuff might be confusing. There were some interesting audiobooks people mentioned, though, where the content lent itself to audio, like in On The Come Up, there is apparently some raps? So I thought that was kind of neat.
It’s not my preferred method of reading, but I do like to switch it up and listen to an audiobook (I’m in the middle of one now) for my kids’ activity commute time. I do miss being able to flip back to reread something while listening, but it’s not a deal-breaker:)
I do the flipping back thing a lot, too. I think that’s why I like listening to podcasts instead of audiobooks, because usually, I’m less invested if I happen to miss a sentence or two in a podcast. Which, you know, with my attention span, happens a lot. xD
Great post! I am pro-audiobook! I prefer reading physical books because my mind wanders, but this year I’m trying to make an effort to listen to audiobooks more. You’re right, they are a form of storytelling.
My mind tends to wander a lot, too. You’re so not alone in that! Trying to start with some of the podcasts that were recommended this week, and I had to rewind several times because I missed chunks of conversation and was confused. xD
I can relate to this! I’m listening to an audiobook at the moment and the rewind button gets used a lot lol. 🙂
In the last few years, I have started listening to more audiobooks and I think they’re great. I like listening to self care books on audio and some classics as well. Helps me get through harder reads. Haha. But I can’t multitask too much or I start missing too many details from the plot.
You know, I never thought about listening to classics on audiobook, but I might have to give that a try. Classics are one thing that’s really hard for me to get through physically, because my eyes just glass over. But I love plays and theater. So maybe an audiobook would be able to marry the two enough for me to get through more of them. It’s a great idea! I’ll have to give it a go. 🙂
You should try it! It really helps me thru harder classics. It saved me on The Grapes of Wrath. Would not have finished that if I had been reading it hard copy. It helps you feel so accomplished reading long classics like that.
I’m definitely pro-audiobook! I listen to them at work sometimes, but mostly on road trips and at home while doing some chores. It allows me to read while I normally wouldn’t be able to, and plus there are just some narrators I love, so I’ll make a point of doing the audiobook versus another form.
Hubby used to work night stock, and I’m pretty sure the only reason he survived is because he listened to audiobooks! Gave him something to keep his mind busy. 🙂 So I hear you.
I don’t generally listen to audiobooks myself, but I’ve seen several in these posts with narrators that I’m really curious about, so now I’m going to have to go check them out. xD
I 100% agree! Your car/bike analogy is perfect.
If you’re taking in all of the words and hearing the story, then, darnit, it counts.
My thoughts exactly!
A totally agree with your reasons! I just wish I could listen to them without becoming distracted by whatever task I’m doing at the same time. They 100% count though and are great for visually impaired and other types of learners.
Same! I feel like there’s a whole secret world out there that I don’t get to be a part of because my silly attention problems. xD So I’ll just be in a corner pouting while everyone else listens to beautiful voices crooning to them. lol.
I like audiobooks! I think they create a different way for people to read and I think they count just as much as books. I find myself distracted sometimes while listening to them, so I usually read books, but I do listen to them sometimes.
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
That seems to be a common thing I hear, that sometimes people have trouble focusing! I’m one of those, too. Glad to know I’m not alone!
I absolutely completely agree with you! I am ashamed to admit, that many years ago when I was much younger and judgier, I thought of it as “cheating” sometimes. But now I know how WRONG I was. First of all, even if it WAS (which it isn’t because what even does that mean, right?) who CARES what someone else does to consume media?! Like if people want to stand on their hands and have someone recite them books in stanzas who the heck am I to judge that!? Plus like you said there are just SO many amazing benefits to audiobooks, so many more people who are able to consume books! I am so, so happy they have this option. Awesome post!
We all do silly things when we’re younger, and hopefully, we grow out of them. xD Goodness knows I’ve had my judgy moments that now I’m like … why was I like that?! lol.
That’s sort of where I fall on it. What exactly does cheating mean? Cheating whom? Reading isn’t a contest or a race!
So funny, because I just had a conversation with a lovely gentleman who’s just a few years older than I am (I think 31 or 32), and he has a blur in one of his eyes, so he physically can’t read. Audiobooks are his only option. He’s just started The Kingkiller Chronicle on audiobook, which is how we got talking about that, and I thought how relevant it was to last week’s post. xD