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

Personally, I read all forms of books. It doesn't matter what form of book you read, as long as you understand the story or information conveyed. Again, Psychology Today made a good point. Narrative fiction and nonfiction are easy to listen to. When you do this frequently, you get used to tuning out distractions, especially with headphones and earbuds with noise cancellations. Let's get into the main benefits of audiobooks. 

First of all, you are hands-free. Housework, driving to work, long road trips in a car, at work doing something tedious and boring... Do I need to continue? You don't need to have the physical novel in your hand to enjoy it. It's the same words, same story, and same information. The main benefit is really travel entertainment. 

There are some novels better experienced in audiobook form. Take that into account. The Night Swim and its sequel include podcasts, which are better listened to than read. Depending on your book, it might be beneficial to listen to it. 

Courtesy of thevoicesinmyhead.com

Another benefit is helping you focus in on a tedious task. Putting folders and party bags together in silence gets boring fast. You can focus in faster with something going in your ear. It occupies your mind while your hands go on auto-pilot (though it might be good to not fully go auto-pilot if you start missing party or folder pieces). I use it when I don't want music or TV, but want something for my mind to chew on. Or I'm at work doing laundry. It stops my mind from wandering, which helps my brain laser focus to do stuff faster. It's also not vegging (sitting and watching something because you are bored). 

It allows you to get stuff done when you are limited on time. For example, I get up and listen to my Bible. Meanwhile, I've made coffee, tidied up the house, thrown on my work clothes, and double-checked my work bag. The point is that I've started the day with God's Word, all while drinking my daily coffee and cleaning up my kitchen. I'm ready to go to work and I've done my devotional for the morning. No rush, no internal screaming. It helps that I also accompany that with Pandora afterwards, which is also my devotional time. When you don't have time to read, this is a way to read. 

People with bad eyesight need help reading. People with kids might not have the luxury of reading at home. Maybe a stressed parent reads in the car on the way to work. Maybe someone is blind, close to blind, or just can't sit down long enough. It's an accommodation for those of us who don't have time, have poor eyesight, or simply want free hands to craft with. It's the same book, just read to us. We can still discuss the contents. Anyone in another country who can't read may also access a story through this type of book. Pronunciation can be learned by hearing when it comes to learning new languages.

Prepping to read a text that you need to study? Listen to it first, take notes on what you don't understand, and start at those ideas. It can be study prep. Please consider that when you study in college or for any reason. It can prepare you for the class discussions and what questions you need to ask. Try projection reading (stop the audiobook to explain it to yourself, then listen fully to see if you understood the idea). 

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

The bigger question is this. What is your purpose in reading? Are you killing time or studying for finals? Does it really matter if "listening isn't reading", especially when some of us are simply enjoying a book? The text is the same. Science has mixed results. It does matter what genre you are reading, yes, but these two forms are the same book. There is no rule saying you can't read both together. The video below sums it up rather nicely. 

Sources:

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Audiobooks | Forces of Habit

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Morrow is coming out before Christmas 2025. This novella is the story of two women writing a family history for the Morrow family. They find a nasty secret while researching. Will they survive their internship? Find out when the book releases this year. 

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