Is listening to an audiobook as good as reading?

Audiobooks are increasingly being hailed as a legitimate form of reading, with even Queen Camilla joining in on the cause. The traditional notion that reading has to be done in print or digital format is slowly being dismantled, and audiobooks are emerging as a valuable alternative.

The benefits of audiobooks are well-documented, particularly for those who struggle with visual impairments or dyslexia. However, research also shows that listening to audiobooks can be just as effective as reading in developing comprehension skills and acquiring vocabulary. In fact, studies have found that 37.5% of children and young people feel encouraged to do more traditional reading after listening to audiobooks, while over half report that it helps them relax.

The publishing industry has taken notice, with many authors opting to release their work exclusively in audio format. Peter Bradshaw, a film critic, recently published his novel "Mercy" on Audible alone, citing the experience as "amazingly liberating and exciting." Even some notable authors are embracing audiobooks, such as Joanna Scanlan, who narrated Bradshaw's book.

The industry is also seeing growth in new platforms and services. Spotify introduced audiobooks in 2022, while companies like Spiracle have entered the market. The star-studded casts of audiobooks on Amazon's Audible are becoming increasingly popular, with recent productions featuring big-name actors like Marisa Abela and Glenn Close.

As the line between print and digital formats blurs, it's clear that audiobooks are here to stay. With more authors opting for audio releases, and the growing popularity of services like Audible, the future of reading is looking brighter than ever. Whether you're a bookworm or an audiobook enthusiast, one thing is certain: listening to stories can be just as valuable – if not more so – than turning pages.

Audiobooks are slowly changing the way we consume stories . It's crazy how something that was once seen as a lesser alternative to traditional reading is now being hailed as a legitimate form of it . I mean, think about it, when you're listening to an audiobook, you can focus on other things like your surroundings or even just relax . And for those who struggle with visual impairments or dyslexia, it's a total game-changer .

But what really gets me is how this shift in reading habits reflects our society as a whole . We're living in a world where information and entertainment are at our fingertips 24/7 . So, why not make listening to stories another option? It's like we're redefining what it means to be "well-read" or "culturally literate" .

And I love that more authors are embracing audiobooks . Peter Bradshaw and Joanna Scanlan narrating their own books is just genius . It's like they're saying, "Hey, my story has value regardless of how you consume it." And I think that's a beautiful thing .

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I'm loving this audiobooks thing ! I mean, who needs physical books when you can get lost in a story with a great narrator, right? It's crazy how much of a difference it makes for people with visual impairments or dyslexia. And let's be real, listening to a good book is just as relaxing as reading one... maybe even more so! I've been binge-listening to audiobooks on Spotify and Audible, and I'm hooked! Even the big-name actors are getting in on it, which is cool. It's like, the old idea that you need a physical book to be "reading" is just being replaced by... well, listening to stories! Anyway, this audiobooks thing is definitely here to stay, and I'm stoked about it

I'm loving this audiobooks trend ! I mean, who needs print or digital when you've got a great narrator right? It's amazing how it's becoming more accepted that reading is about the story, not just the format. And it's so cool to see authors like Peter Bradshaw and Joanna Scanlan embracing audiobooks - they're breaking down those old barriers between print and digital. I'm also stoked to see new platforms popping up, like Spotify and Spiracle. It's all about accessibility now, right? 37.5% of kids loving traditional reading after listening to audiobooks is a big win for me . And have you tried Audible lately? The star-studded casts are insane!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Audiobooks are literally changing the game for me! I mean, who says you need eyes to read? I've been binge-listening to podcasts and audiobooks during my daily commute, and it's honestly given me so much more time to relax and unwind . And yeah, I can already imagine why more authors are ditching the print format - with all these new platforms popping up, it's like the world is finally catching on!

I'm loving this shift towards audiobooks! It's like we're seeing the whole 'reading' experience being rebranded, and it's all about accessibility now. But you know who's going to benefit from this the most? The publishers with deep pockets! Like, when are we gonna see some real competition in the audiobook market? Shouldn't there be more options for indie authors or smaller presses?

And what's up with these big-name actors jumping on board? Are they just doing it for their Netflix subs? The whole thing feels a bit like a marketing ploy to me. But hey, if listening to stories is the new 'reading', then I'm all in! Just don't expect me to ditch my physical copies anytime soon... I mean, where's the tactile experience in that?

I'm loving this shift in how we consume books ! It's so cool to see Queen Camilla joining the party ‍ and authors like Peter Bradshaw embracing audiobooks. I mean, who needs print or digital when you can just zone out with a great narrator ? And it's awesome that services like Audible are popping up - it's making books more accessible to everyone, regardless of how they read . Plus, having big-name actors narrate audiobooks is just the icing on the cake ! I think this is a total game-changer for the publishing industry and for people who struggle with reading formats. Can't wait to see where it all goes from here !

I'm still on the fence about audiobooks, I mean, don't get me wrong, they're convenient and all but have we really lost touch with what reading is supposed to be? It's like, where's the experience of flipping through physical pages and discovering new authors just by chance? Audiobooks feel so... formulaic. And don't even get me started on the prices - £20+ for a whole audiobook series is ridiculous

I'm loving this whole audiobook trend ... it's like how vinyl records made a comeback - people are finally realizing that there's more to reading than just your eyes . And you know what? I've always found audiobooks to be so much more relaxing than curling up with a physical book on a rainy day . My grandma used to listen to the radio plays when I was little and it was like having a special treat . Now, authors are embracing this format too... it's amazing to think that even Joanna Scanlan is narrating someone else's work - what would have happened back in my day?

I'm not convinced about this whole audiobooks being legit form of reading thing . I mean, have we really done studies that prove it's equal to traditional reading? 37.5% of kids feel encouraged after listening to audiobooks? That sounds like a pretty low bar. And what about people who don't listen to audiobooks? Are they just missing out or is there something wrong with them? Also, I'm curious about this "amazingly liberating and exciting" experience Peter Bradshaw had with Audible... how did he measure that exactly? Was it a survey or an experiment? Give me some sources on this before I buy into the audiobooks hype

Audiobooks are only going to make reading even more boring and isolating... like everyone's just gonna sit at home in their dark rooms listening to some other person's voice . And don't even get me started on the actors getting all the hype - it's just a bunch of rich people making a ton of money off of pretending to be someone else. And what about all the classics that'll never be recorded with good sound quality? It's just another way for the industry to cash in on our love of reading...

idk about all this fuss over audiobooks theyre still just someone reading words out loud, right? and whats wrong with that? im not saying its bad or anything, but is it really an alternative to reading in print or digital format? cant we just say we like listening to stories and be done with it? and what about the tech aspect? do we need another platform for our audiobooks? seems like just another way for companies to make more money

I'm loving how audiobooks are becoming the norm! It's awesome to see Queen Camilla on board with this cause ‍. I mean, who wouldn't want to multitask while driving or during their daily commute? Plus, it's amazing that so many authors are embracing audio releases - Peter Bradshaw's story is like "aha" moment for me! The fact that 37.5% of kids are more likely to read after listening to audiobooks is just mind-blowing! It's all about making reading accessible and fun, you know? And let's not forget the star-studded casts - I'm obsessed with those Audible productions! Can't wait to see what the future holds for this industry .

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this thread like 5 days after it was posted . Audiobooks are literally a game-changer for me. As someone who's always on-the-go, I love that I can "read" books during my daily commute or while exercising without having to worry about getting the words jumbled in my head. And yeah, I've noticed it's definitely helped me relax too - there's something so soothing about listening to a good story . Plus, I've got a friend who's super dyslexic and audiobooks have been a total lifesaver for them. It's amazing how far the industry has come in just a few years... now I'm excited to see what the future holds!

I'm loving this shift towards audiobooks! It's awesome that Queen Camilla is getting in on the action too . I've got a mate who's super dyslexic and he swears by audiobooks for reading - it's amazing to see how they're breaking down barriers for people with visual impairments. And let's be real, who doesn't love being able to multitask while listening to a good story? As an introvert, I'm all about finding ways to relax and unwind, and audiobooks are like my go-to self-care routine

I think it's dope that audiobooks are getting recognized for their awesomeness . I've been saying this for ages, but I love how they're becoming more mainstream!

As a visual thinker , I can appreciate the benefits of both formats - and now we've got the best of both worlds . I mean, who says you need to be stuck to one way of consuming stories? It's all about making reading accessible and fun for everyone!

I'm loving how authors are jumping on the audiobook bandwagon , especially ones like Peter Bradshaw, who's got a sick voice . And can we talk about the star-studded casts on Audible? Marisa Abela and Glenn Close? Iconic talent right there!

The future of reading is so bright, I can barely see it through my glasses . Seriously though, it's amazing to think that listening to stories can be just as valuable as flipping through pages . Bring on the audiobooks and let the storytelling continue!

Audiobooks are literally changing the game ! I mean, who would've thought that Queen Camilla was into them too? It's amazing how far we've come in terms of accepting audiobooks as a legitimate form of reading. And let's be real, it's not just about accessibility for people with visual impairments or dyslexia – listening to stories can be super relaxing and even help you unwind after a long day .

I love that authors are starting to release their work exclusively in audio format now! It's like the whole industry is waking up to this new way of experiencing stories. And those star-studded casts on Audible? Goals Can't wait to check out some more audiobooks and see what all the fuss is about

I'm literally buzzing about this ! The fact that Queen Camilla herself is into audiobooks? Mind blown! It just goes to show how accessible reading can be, and I love that the traditional notion of "you have to read in print or digital" is being turned on its head. Plus, it's so awesome that more authors are embracing audiobooks - Peter Bradshaw's story about releasing his novel exclusively on Audible is like, totally inspiring And can we talk about how cool it is that Spotify and Amazon have made audiobooks super easy to access? Game. Changer. I'm all for whatever makes reading more inclusive and fun!