Audiobooks Count as Reading!

I absolutely love listening to audiobooks. I listen while I'm driving, making dinner, doing housework, and even when I go for a hike. Audiobooks have brought me hours of entertainment and allowed my busy mind to take a break with something enjoyable.

Is It Cheating?

I’m often asked, “You don’t count audiobooks as reading, do you?” Some even say, “That’s cheating!” But I firmly disagree. If you think audiobooks don’t count as reading, it’s time to reconsider. Audiobooks are 100% books, and there’s science to back me up. Studies have shown that our brains process stories in the same way, whether we’re listening to them or reading them in print. Audiobooks also have major benefits for education and literacy.

Think about it: would you say reading a story out loud to children doesn’t count as reading? Of course not! The same applies to teens and adults. As an experienced audiobook listener, I can assure you that my experience of the story — mentally imagining and comprehending it — is the same whether I’m listening or reading. Plus, audiobooks give me more opportunities to read. Reading isn’t just about looking at words on a page; it's about interpreting the world around you. The term "reading" applies to watching a play, listening to music or viewing the illustrated panels of a graphic novel. It all counts!

The Benefits of Audiobooks

When I had my child, audiobooks were a lifesaver during the long days and nights spent nursing and rocking a fussy baby. Escaping into an audiobook helped me feel more settled, patient and less alone during what could be a very challenging time.

Audiobooks also make certain books easier to consume. Books in genres I don’t usually read or long books that might otherwise seem daunting feel more approachable when I listen to the audio version. 

Experiencing a story is reading it, no matter how you get it into your brain. If you absorb the story, you’ve read it. It’s as simple as that.
 

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Audiobooks at FVRL 

FVRL has an amazing selection of downloadable audiobooks through Libby, our library app. We also offer CD books, MP3 books and Playaways. New titles and hidden gems are added weekly, and I’m always excited to find something new to listen to. Visit an FVRL library today to learn more about Libby and audiobooks!

Sally is an FVRL Reading Adviser. Check out her profile to see what she’s reading.