Hey fellow readers! I’ve been contemplating something and wanted to get your take on it. Do you think reading a book while listening to its audiobook still counts as “reading”? Personally, I find it more convenient, and it allows me to absorb the content in a different and easy way rather than just reading
I’ve noticed that I pick up on details and nuances I might have missed when solely reading. What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel it’s a valid way to experience a book, or do you think it’s a different kind of engagement? Share your experiences and opinions—I’m curious to hear the diverse perspectives of this community!
by Any-Priority-7
4 Comments
Can we not have this argument for one single day?
I always read past the reader :/
I treat them as separate things.
You do you.
ANYTHING THAT WORKS FOR YOU IS “VALID” – even if it does not work for other people.
My opinion on audiobooks in general are this: they are a valid form of consuming literary media. However, when I listen to audiobooks, and I suspect a lot of people are probably like this, I remember far less about the book after. Mostly because when I listen to an audiobook my focus is divided, because I’m doing something while also listening. So I don’t tell people I “read” the book. But that’s my hang up. I also was reading at work once and had a coworker interrupt me to brag that he was also an avid reader and had read over 200 books in the year so far. I was dubious but I’m not an asshole so I congratulated him and said that he’s really dedicated. He then explains that it’s easy, he just listens to audiobooks at work. I’m like… cool so I bet you retained maybe a fifth of what you would have had you read it.
But anyway look, it depends what you want to get out of reading. If you’re listening AND visually going along there’s nothing wrong or weird about that. If you just want to read or just want to listen there’s nothing weird or wrong about that. Are you still “reading”? Yes. And if not, who cares.