In Defense Of Audiobooks
"Audiobooks aren't really reading" is an opinion I've run into at least once, despite the fact that audiobooks are everywhere on the Libby app and offline. Let's talk about the pros and cons of audiobooks, and why they are absolutely reading.
I once told one of my Bible study people that I listened to my morning Bible passage. The look I got back was a face of "well, that's not really reading" -despite her not saying those words. What she actually verbally responded with was close to that, but not exactly that. Why do people think audiobooks or listening to a book isn't reading? Let's look at that for minute.
Psychology Today has an article on this. According to them, it depends on what you are reading. Fiction is comprehended equally in audiobook and word form. Textbooks and books with complex ideas, not so much. If you are studying something, it might be better to read it physically with your eyes, rather than just with your ears (especially if you need to jump back a paragraph and reread stuff). I would argue that maybe both methods together would be good, but that's not what the article said. It also pointed out that you can lose focus on the narrator's words when your thoughts wander. However, the article also says that frequent listeners of audiobooks/podcasts learn to tune out more and more as time goes on. Narrator voices also vary, meaning a bad audiobook is a bad experience with an otherwise good book. Put simply, the article said it depends on your purpose, whether you are studying the text and its complex ideas, or you simply want some narrative fiction or nonfiction. It didn't say it wasn't reading; it said the ideas may not sink fully in for complex ideas that need laser focus - or if you need to reread a paragraph to understand it. Check out the article here.
One of arguments against audiobooks (according to this reddit post) is that people consider themselves readers without physically picking up a book. This person doesn't consider an audiobook reader a "reader". I don't agree (for many reasons, including the existence of the blind, for whom records of books were made). Look at the comments yourself to see where you land, but you process the storyline and can discuss it, whether you audiobook read or physically read it. Honestly, I know so many people with bad eyesight who have trouble reading physical words on a page (cough cough, my husband, cough cough), or want to be hands free while working on crafts (that's me). Here's another reddit thread about the topic.
The benefits of audiobooks
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Courtesy of thevoicesinmyhead.com |
Downsides
You could say that audiobooks are books read out loud to others. That is one point I'll agree on. But reading with your ears is still reading in my eyes. If you read that phrase and disagree, we can agree to disagree. This section will include logical arguments against my own argument, as well as the downsides of audiobook form.
Psychology Today does have a point about textbooks and study. I will also point out that I physically read my Bible and listen to it at different points of time. In a group study I have the physical copy, while at home in my morning routine I have it read to me on my YouVersion app. Studying a text does require physically seeing it. This is specific to studying a text.
Another point previously made is trying to get back to reread a paragraph, which doesn't work well on an audiobook. If you have trouble understanding the book and need to go back a bit, buy the physical book with it or borrow it from your local library. Maybe a book with text does need to be the form of book when you have to reread a phrase several times.
You might not know how to spell a character's name if you only listened to it. For reviews of audiobooks, I've had to look up spellings. It doesn't help you spell things to only listen to a book. Phonetic spellings are not always the real spelling. Fantasy novels will prove that quickly, as well as last names and older books with different grammar rules.
In my case, I read faster than the narrator can speak. In other words, it takes longer to read it in audiobook form. This is when you might need to read it with your own eyes (on deadline, especially). Or your narrator speaks too fast (though some apps have a speed adjuster). Narrator speed is a downside to this.
Need a visual diagram? Maybe pick up the library copy and read it that way. Some books have maps, images, visuals, and necessary visual aids. Dungeons and Dragons books are not the best for this medium. Some books don't translate well to audio only.
Also, highlighting and commenting on the book are not possible in audio form. You might not be as immersed (though it depends entirely on the book and your focus). You might be engaging shallowly and not deeply. It's ultimately your choice. Some science studies say engaging with the book and holding it will yield a deeper connection and more memory retention.
Conclusion
Sources:
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Audiobooks | Forces of Habit
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