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Reading has been a beloved pastime, offering entertainment and escapism to people of diverse interests. However, over the past two decades, the rapid advancement of technology has significantly transformed books, along with countless other aspects of daily life.
Audiobooks have positively revolutionized how readers consume literature, allowing busy folk and the visually impaired alike to be able to enjoy this hobby on their own terms. But are audiobooks worth sacrificing the authenticity of owning a physical book?
Exploring The History & Origins Of Audiobooks
Audiobooks originated in 19321 when the American Foundation for the Blind started recording books on vinyl records, with each side capable of holding 15 minutes of audio content.2 A year later, the U.S. Congress passed an amendment for the Library of Congress to begin producing audiobooks.3 Some of the earliest recordings created specifically in audio format were:
- “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Po,4
- “Midstream” by Hellen Keller,5
- William Shakespeare’s various plays, and
- “As The Earth Turns” by Gladys Hasty Carroll.6
While audiobooks slowly grew in popularity, it was not until the 1980s they became a mainstream product with widespread appeal. The rise of new technologies like cassette tapes and compact discs brought audiobooks into the public spotlight. Major publishers such as Random House, Warner Publishing (Warner Books), and Simon & Schuster began producing audiobooks under their own imprints.7
The establishment of the Audio Publishers Association further legitimized audiobooks as a valuable way to experience literature.8 By the 1990s, the term “audiobook” had been officially coined,9 and soon after, Audible revolutionized the industry by enabling readers to download books directly to their desktops.10
Audiobooks vs. Traditional Reading: A Comprehensive Comparison
Audiobooks and traditional books share many core similarities, but their unique functionalities set them apart as distinct mediums. These differences make each format better suited to specific lifestyle preferences and reader needs.
How Audiobooks Are Transforming Reading: The Key Benefits Of Listening
As the name implies, audiobooks are narrated versions of books, bringing stories to life through the power of voice.11 They offer a cinematic quality, providing a voice to something that would otherwise remain silent. Many audiobook enthusiasts appreciate the experience of having a story told to them rather than reading it themselves, finding it a relaxed and hands-free way to enjoy literature. This is the defining difference.
Where visual reading demands undivided attention, audiobooks provide flexibility, allowing listeners to engage with stories however and wherever they choose. For example, on the one hand, someone with a busy lifestyle might listen to audiobooks while driving, working, cleaning, or cooking — activities that occupy their hands and eyes but leave their mind open.
On the other hand, someone else might cozy up in a comfortable spot, letting the narrator immerse them in a tale of their choosing. Despite these contrasting scenarios, both individuals share the freedom to read at their own pace, tailored to their unique lifestyles. This flexibility is what draws so many people to audiobooks; audiobooks are a lifeline for individuals who face challenges such as visual impairments, reading difficulties, or trouble concentrating.12
In pop culture, The Office‘s Ryan Howard listens to audiobooks like The 4-Hour Work Week, showcasing how audiobooks can seamlessly integrate learning and leisure into a fast-paced lifestyle. By transforming written words into spoken ones, audiobooks open doors for a whole new audience — people who might otherwise be excluded from the joys of reading.
How Traditional Reading Captivates: Key Advantages Of The Written Word
Traditional reading has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember, with no definitive date marking its rise as a mainstream form of entertainment.13 Books come in all shapes and sizes, from mass-market paperbacks and digest sizes to hardcover, omnibus editions, traditional paperbacks, large-print, and even pocket-sized.
No matter how you prefer your books, traditional reading offers something for everyone; however, beyond the format sizes, traditional reading is the tried and true way to experience a story from start to finish.
What sets traditional reading apart from audiobooks is its deeply personal nature. When you sit down with a book, everything you experience as the author unfolds the story exists entirely within your own mind; from the voices of the characters or narrator to their appearance, the settings, and even the cinematography — you are the one directing it all.
In that moment, as your eyes scan the pages, absorbing every word, and immersing yourself in the prose the author has so skillfully crafted, you are fully engaged in an experience that is uniquely yours. Two people can read the same book, but their individual experiences will differ based on what their minds envision during their journey through the story.
Characters like Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls epitomize the love of traditional books, often seen with a paperback in hand. Traditional reading also helps with cognitive functions, such as memory retention, boosting creativity, and a closer understanding of diction.14 And that is the unique aspect of traditional reading that audiobooks can never truly replicate.
Finding Your Perfect Fit: Choosing Between Audiobooks & Traditional Reading
The choice between audiobooks and traditional reading ultimately depends on you. While this might seem like a simple answer, it is the most accurate one. Reading, in all its forms, is a deeply personal hobby that varies from person to person.
Do you find yourself constantly on the go? Struggle with focus or have visual impairments? Or perhaps you feel more connected when hearing another person’s voice? In that case, audiobooks could be the ideal choice for you.
On the other hand, if you have the time to dedicate to active reading, value crafting a story in your imagination, and prefer engaging with the narrative at your own pace, then traditional books might be your best fit.
At its core, your brain processes both audiobooks and physical books similarly, with comprehension levels nearly identical. The difference lies in how you choose to experience the story and how each format complements your lifestyle.15 No matter your choice, happy reading!
Footnotes
- APA. “Homepage.” Homepage, 2014. ↩︎
- PBS NewsHour. (2017, July 13). “A short history of the audiobook: 20 years after the first portable digital audio device.” PBS. ↩︎
- News, PBS. “A Short History of the Audiobook, 20 Years after the First Portable Digital Audio Device.” PBS News, November 22, 2017. ↩︎
- Owleyes.org. “The Raven Full Text – The Raven – Owl Eyes,” 2016. ↩︎
- Internet Archive. “Midstream My Later Life: Helen Keller: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive,” 2024. ↩︎
- Internet Archive. “As the Earth Turns : Carroll, Gladys Hasty, 1904-1999 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive,” 2024. ↩︎
- PublishersWeekly.com. “Over the Past 25 Years, the Big Publishers Got Bigger — and Fewer,” 2022. ↩︎
- Ciccarelli, Stephanie. “The History of Audiobooks.” Voices, May 25, 2020. ↩︎
- Cahill, Maria, and Jennifer Moore. “A Sound History: Audiobooks Are Music to Children’s Ears.” Children and Libraries 15, no. 1 (2017): 22–29. ↩︎
- Cahill, Maria, and Jennifer Moore. “A Sound History: Audiobooks Are Music to Children’s Ears.” Children and Libraries 15, no. 1 (2017): 22–29. ↩︎
- Cambridge Dictionary. “Audiobook.” @CambridgeWords, December 18, 2024. ↩︎
- Rosen, J. (2018, September 6). Are audiobooks as good for you as reading? Here’s what experts say. Time. ↩︎
- Hendricks, Monet. “The History and Science of Reading – Social Studies.” Social Studies, December 6, 2023. ↩︎
- Kwik, J. (2023, February 24). 10 Brain Reasons To Make Reading a Habit – Jim Kwik – Medium. Medium. ↩︎
- CBC Radio. (2023, September 19). Reading vs. listening: Are audiobooks as good as reading? CBC. ↩︎