I’ve seen a few posts recently arguing whether audiobooks count as reading. For me, the important thing is people are able to access books in the way that best suits them, be it ebooks, audiobooks or physical books. Some people don’t get that access at all and we that do are the lucky ones.
My mum gave us the greatest gift of reading and loving books. She's lost her sight in later life, but still reads through audiobooks. Without them she would be unable to enjoy the thing she loves to do... reading!📚
This is such a weird argument to me. I don't care whether anyone else thinks it counts as reading, I'm going to continue reading that way. If detractors are concerned with literacy rates, they should be advocating for better, more accessible education and leave audiobooks out of it.
Also, money is still going to the author and hopefully a narrator.
My partner is dyslexic, and has struggled with reading her whole life. She was led to believe she was less-than those who read voraciously, when the act of doing so was far more difficult for her. Thanks to audio books, she’s taken in dozens of books this year. That’s a win. Equity.
I have to read a lot for work so I'm so grateful for audio books. Without them, I wouldn't consume any other writing at all. I want to move around when I'm off work, glad to escape from my chair, or close my eyes and just listen peacefully. I'm baffled why anyone has a problem with them.
As a truck driver, the only time I ever get to "read" anything is while I am driving. So audiobooks help.
Due to visual impairment i have to use an e-reader and will eventually be stuck with audiobooks only.
Plus, if supposed great minds of the ancient world like Marcus Aurelius considered having some guy following you around reading to you as reading then we get to consider audiobooks reading.
I think they have their place. However what I dislike is the type of reviewer who uses audiobooks to flick through a book instead of reading. They are only interested in telling us they have “read” 100’s of books a year. That gives audiobooks a bad press.
"Reading with your ears"
I love audiobooks. I did transcription for a long time so it feels natural to me to do them while I work at another job now. Once you figure out the perfect speed to balance your brain, they work
Audiobooks r great for road trips. 🙂
I really enjoy both but to me they are very different experiences. I’m currently listening to ‘London Fields’ by Martin Amis, which I read a few years ago and it’s like a completely different book.
There are books I’ve listened to that I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed as much had I read the physical version. And I’ve no idea why.
A narrator can make or break a book. Shout out to all the good narrators out there.
Stephen Fry could read a telephone book and make it interesting. I found the audio version of Mythos much more accessible than the book.
Tom Hanks’ narration of The Dutch House was so good that I went back and read the book to see if it was as great as I thought it was.
Oh, yes! Kate Reading and Michael Kramer come to mind.
Agreed! I still cannot articulate why I was finally able to finish The Wheel of Time series by listening to the audiobooks. I could see the happenings in my head, and I wasn’t as distracted by the skirt smoothing! #WoT #RobertJordan #audiobooks
Oral storytelling is the first human art form so I feel like there’s something deep inside of us that loves to be told a story
Another great reason for pushing access to all forms of media.
Would these people class those with a visual impairment also devoid of being capable of 'reading' a book? Yikes, let people consume stories however they like (or in some cases, are able to). Good grief. xx
If they’re being pedantic, yes. Yikes, indeed.
Reading has its own unique benefits but honestly I do not see the point of shaming people for consuming knowledge, do what you gotta do.
My mum's blind. So, audio books are reading to her. Not saying that is necessary requisite but there are a million reasons people might prefer/require audio over physical. I can't cope with Kindle but it's still reading
Saying listening doesn’t constitute reading is semantics. The important thing is that you consume the information
We’re NOT DOING THIS DISCOURSE AGAIN OVER HERE We are VERY TIRED Sincerely, -Librarians x
I’ve seen it on here too as well as Twitter. I don’t really see it on Instagram but that might be how my feed is curated.
It is totally reading. I can’t “read” on the bus 🤮 but I can put on headphones.
Listening to audiobooks has helped my reading comprehension overall. It sets the "voice" in my head, so when I start a new genre, I usually listen to the audio. Same parts of the brain work during reading and listening to a book.
Audio books is just another way to consume the written word Listening to a great reader who sometimes happens to be the author can bring the book alive far better than my imagination. I listen to a lot as I work on things that don’t require my brain power. Yes there’s nothing like reading for real
Most of my workday is spent in headphones listening to something anyway, so it might as well be audiobooks! Not to mention that take is very ableist to people who have visual impairment.
I once thought Beatrice was pronounced “beat rice”… so audiobooks helping me to avoid similar such moments is a plus.
I’m going to throw down the Librarian card. Libraries have carried audiobooks alongside books as long as I can remember. It’s a book, unabridged, that you are ingesting. I’ve never heard a valid counterargument that didn’t come across as ableist gatekeeping. Let people read as they will. So what?
You listen to audiobooks, you don't read them. Regardless of the medium, you're getting the same information... Thing is, one of you knows how to pronounce the words and names right.
Being someone that struggles with reading words on some days and ok on others, I love having the option to still continue a book through audio. It is beneficial to see words still just at a pace you're comfortable with ❤️📚
I will be borrowing some DVDs from my library. They're not only about books.
I love audio books!
Totally agree with you. Today was my first time seeing posts about it. Just mind-boggling and feels like such a waste 🫠
Audiobooks is a form of story-telling which has been around for a lot longer than the written word. Humans have been telling and listening to stories since we developed the power of speech. Reading the written word is comparatively modern compared to story-telling.
My mother was an avid reader until she lost her sight. So grateful that she has a way to keep her brain engaged via audiobooks and via the Alexa ap on her phone. I make a living narrating audiobooks, so I am a little biased, but even so I'm grateful that my mother can continue to enjoy her books.
I enjoy listening to expertly narrated audiobooks with invested orators who believe in the story they're sharing. It's the poorly done audiobooks with inexperienced narrarators that damages my soul.
No, books on the page are better. My first edition of Absalom, Absalom! smells like the 1940’s. You can’t hear that. But I tell people that audiobooks and ereaders are just as good ‘cause my collection will never be complete.
It's in the same pot as literary snobbery, made by people who would actually prefer it if literature (& all the arts) were not more accessible, bc this is how they value their social superiority.
As a person who acquired a vision disability, audiobooks and ebooks are lifesavers-- they allow me to enjoy stories. The ableist gatekeepers need to step aside.
I read books: hard copy, e-books, audio books. I don’t care what format it’s in. The thing is, I’m a fast reader. I can physically read a book in less time than listening to an audio book. But an excellent reader brings something else to the table. It enhances the experience.
My father at 90 was nearly blind. He loved audio books.
I'm an avid reader aged 65. I took early retirement in March after 46 years as a street cleaner what I got me through the day was listening to audio books
Is Listening to a Book Just as Good as Reading It? www.nytimes.com/2018/12/12/l... Spoiler: pretty much.
Get 👏 a 👏 library 👏 card 👏. Ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming shows, movies, and so much more are available with most library cards!
In many countries, including the UK, authors get payments each time a book is borrowed too.
Even though I do believe that physical books are still needed, Audio books allow a person to receive the same insight if they were physically reading. It’s progressive and available to everyone! Iconic moment in reading and education
I’m a reading teacher, 22 years retired. Individuals learning to read can use audiobooks, but cannot count them as “ books read.” Fluent readers could and should use audiobooks! If you are a struggling reader, if you don’t have a creative mind’s eye (aphantasia), or if you prefer audio, go for it!
Audiobooks are not only tools that help, they are art!They present the content in a new way. Doggie paddling may not be considered swimming, but if you are in the ocean, it works! Access books however you like! ❤️
I personally dislike using them but they I agree they are another way of accessing the medium and of course they count.
I’m trying to get into them more. Mainly as a way to help me get through by review book backlog. I do find I read at a different pace to audio so I have to play around with the speed setting.
I use them for autobiography’s usually if I do.
An autobiography or memoir narrated by the author is a special treasure!
Agreed! I got into audiobooks by listening to The Disaster Artist, because Greg Sestero does such an excellent Tommy Wiseau impression
I agree!
Yes, it's a different way of accessing the same material. Listening and reading are technically two very different processes, but as long as the material is accessed, that's the main thing. The only big difference is the interpretive angle a reader can give, but I think this is mostly an advantage.
The question is not whether audio books count as reading (they don’t) but rather whether they give you access to new ideas (they do).
I have only read 24 books ever (and written two, but that's another story), the last 11 have been on Audible, so please let them count.
Of course they count. I hope you enjoyed them all.
I’m an avid reader , I also like to walk , with audiobooks I can do both at the same time .
Agree! Let the people read however they want.
Of course it’s reading. People get old their eyes don’t work as well. Plus you can listen while you drive, walk and exercise. Make a 2025 reading goal now.
There is no viable argument. A book is a book to be looked at on screen or paper page or, via audio. Reading is reading whether it’s written word, illustration for young children, graphic novels or listening. I don’ know how to classify people who don’t get this - possibly snobs, who knows?
As a teacher & with a special interest in early childhood development, I can’t stress enough how important it is for children to listen to stories. It helps develop their vocabulary amongst other things - doesn’t change as an adult! I’ve learned how to pronounce words by listening to books
We're not in school any more (most of us). Learning and increasing knowledge is a good thing, the medium is far less important.
Janet I just read a great book called no wind at the window. I love to read. Make America read again
Very true Janet! This always flummoxes me and amuses me in equal measure. If you consume a story, who cares how you do it? You read with your mind and imagination - whether the story enters it via your eyes or ears is irrelevant.
And we all read a slightly different story. How you envisage characters and setting will be totally different to my imagination.
Totally!😘
Best take I've seen yet. Let the people consume art however they can.
I think saying audio books don't count is an elitist/privileged take. We should be encouraging people to acquire as much knowledge and high quality stimulus as possible. I literally work/ commute so much that I couldn't read without murdering someone on the highway. Books for the busy!!!
I do a combination of what is good at the time, I can’t do dishes while reading a physical book but I won’t just sit and listen to an audiobook. We have options, why not enjoy them?
Nailed it!
True
Audiobooks can’t count as reading. It is listening. To take this to a logical conclusion, if all reading was through listening, what would happen to writing? We would no longer understand or be able to arrange the symbols that represent the words.
I prefer the book or ebooks myself. Still, one can consider audiobooks the "newish" form of the oldest type of communication, "oral history." Or storytelling. This method is as old as humankind.
Exactly!
I have listened to a lot of audiobooks and read a lot of books. I don’t think that listening to a book is the same thing as reading a book. Reading a book is a luxury. I read books that are more complex, they are easier for me to decipher that way. I tend to use audio for sleep and chores.
I’m retired and the only thing I miss about working was listening to a book on the ride there and ride home. It has been stated that you retain more when listening than when reading.
Listening to Andy Serkis reading LOTR is just as good as reading it. Besides, I couldn't possibly do Gollum like he can!
An audiobook makes sense to me. We listen to music over reading the notes 🎶
I, particularly, love to read, but my wife does not. She's dyslexic and finds audiobooks more favorable than trying to struggle through reading (and comprehending) it!
it seems like a ridiculous debate.
The important part is consuming the knowledge or the entertainment regardless of the information is delivered.
This distinction boggles me. Any way you access a book is reading, whether the words reach you through your eyes or your ears or your fingertips. All are appropriate at different times and not everyone can see or hear.
And I'm so bored of seeing it. I agree with you 100%
I read non-stop both with a physical book or audiobook. Audiobooks are great for cleaning, driving in the car, getting ready for work or just when my eyes get tired. Love both for different reasons.
why is this even a discussion or argument?
I’ve seen it mentioned a few times in the last week, on here and on Twitter. I think it gets raised every so often.
It’s the same as saying that reading to someone doesn’t could as reading to both people. Has only one person read the book?
Yah the argument is silly and seems like an obvious logic hole trap. It's like that old joke about 4 fingers and 2 thumbs.
Yes! Thank you for putting it into words, I've been struggling to articulate this
I have been doing the audio book thing for a while now. It’s a great way to multitask, especially for long commutes. And bonus: it supports the authors. Many productions are done in a radio show format which supports voice actors. Most audiobooks are about the same price as a hard cover.
One of my book club members only uses audiobooks. Mainly because her schedule doesn't allow her to read fast enough to finish the book. I don't see an issue. We all discuss the book the same 😂
Having physical problems I use audio books in the evening and also when travelling. Other times a good book in my hand is wonderful. I have run out of space for bookcases. Don't get the snobbery. Just enjoy the story
To discount the ways in which others consume books is surprising to me. I've had long commutes in my career, audio books saved me. After closing several estates of people that had many books (I do as well) I've become a fan of ebooks. I LOVE BOOKS no matter how I'm getting them.
Hard to read when you are driving.
Very true. You enjoy books however you can and should consider ourselves lucky that we can access and enjoy books in any format we choose.
If you can handle them, good for you. It's probably better than reading, but I need the time to think and can't do that with someone yapping in my ear
As a teacher there are a couple of things about this. Audio allows a person to access the book in a way that works for them. That is great. But for my students, they still need to learn to read. If the purpose is anything other than learning to read, audio books are great.
everyone knows it doesn't count unless after reading each page you tear it out and eat it
It’s so valuable for different learning styles, too. I’m an audio person and the things that stick with me are more often what I hear than what I see.
Yes, of course it's reading! I prefer visually reading because I tend to zone out while listening to things. But for most of human history, content was relayed through oral traditions. Whatever works best!
I have read many books in my lifetime and always enjoyed the feel of the book in my hand, but now at 73, my “reading “ is listening to audiobooks. Blame it on age or poor eyesight … it works for me at this time in my life.
Away with all book snobbery, what counts is the content.
This always irritates me. Even if it’s prefaced with ‘I’m not judging, but technically…’ there is always that undertone of judgment. ‘Oh it’s fine - just not how I would appreciate literature. But it’s fine. Really.’
I can't read books while driving or cooking dinner, so audiobooks work for me then. Special time concentrating on a book and only the book is different though. Either way, get some books into your life!