Audiobooks are actually worse than normal books, amirite?

This is dumb. Not unpopular, dumb. People can "skim and not pay attention" while reading as well.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

Yes, but listening to something and reading something are still not the same thing. People not paying attention while they listen is just a pet hate.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

I would agree that listening to fiction is worse. But listening to nonfiction while I workout is the best way for me to retain the information. I also often read the same book I'm listening to. Sitting while reading is okay, working out and listening is far superior. I've also tried reading a ebook or book on a bike and treadmill. I can't read well like that, but I've seen people who can, and do so regularly.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

I prefer actual reading over audiobooks but I believe they did a study and found that people retain the same amount of information regardless of whether they read the book or listen to the audiobook.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

100% agreed. You're not getting the same experience at all. One is actively engaging your brain to process written words. The other is passively listening when you're driving or folding laundry or just zoned out on the couch.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

He's not wrong that people like audiobooks because you can do something else while you do it, which doesn't solve the problem of the human brain only being able to concentrate on one thing at a time.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

As a dyslexic, i am more likely to miss a word if I'm reading but I am very good at listening. Also, what do you mean "treat like podcasts". I treat long texts like people treat podcasts(skip paragraphs ), but I listen carefully to podcasts

by Anonymous 9 months ago

I agree. I think listening to audiobooks is better than not reading at all but actually reading a book is just so much better.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

Tbh I don't think an author would care how someone consumes their material. If I was an author I'd be just as happy if I got 100 audiobook sales to 100 paperback sales. Enjoying books is a personal hobby, not a homework assignment. If they paid for it then it doesn't really matter how they choose to interact with it.

by Anonymous 9 months ago

I had to drive 9 hours the other day, and audiobooks are a great alternative to crashing.

by Anonymous 9 months ago