Listening While Living: How Audiobooks Are Revolutionizing the Way We Read
I’ll be honest — the first time I swapped a paperback for an audiobook, I felt like I was cheating on traditional reading. There’s just something about flipping through real pages, right? But after spending hours with Audible books during my daily commute or doing task that doesn’t need extensive thinking, I realized: Listening vs. reading isn’t a betrayal — it’s a complete transformation of how we experience stories.
And honestly? It’s about time we talk about it.
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Are Audiobooks the Same as Reading?
Should we try listening to it, Gaston?
Let’s rip the band-aid off: No, audiobooks are not exactly the same as reading a physical or digital book.
Studies (like those from Psychology Today and Time Magazine) have shown that while both activities stimulate brain activity, they engage slightly different cognitive processes. Reading typically flexes our visual decoding skills, while listening taps into our auditory comprehension and emotional processing.
But get this — both activate parts of the brain linked to understanding narrative and building mental imagery.
In other words, whether you’re reading or listening, your brain is still painting vivid scenes, developing empathy, and learning new vocabulary.
(So, no, you’re not “cheating” if you love Amazon audiobooks. You’re just… evolving.)
How Audiobooks Are Changing Our Reading Habits
There was a time when curling up with a novel felt like the only way to get into a good story. Fast forward to 2025, and now millions of people are listening to books while cooking, driving, exercising — even grocery shopping.
The National Literacy Trust’s 2024 report on young people’s listening habits shows a massive rise in audiobook consumption among teens and young adults. They love the flexibility: multitasking while absorbing stories and information at the same time.
Honestly? Same.
Reading a book is great when you’re young and don’t have much to juggle in life. But for a lot of us? Life gets busy — really busy.
As a mom with a full-time job, I just don’t have the luxury of sitting down for hours and reading the books I want to read. I’ve tried the whole “read before bed” routine, but… let’s be real: five minutes in, I’m asleep.
It’s tough being someone who loves books but can’t seem to find time for them — and that’s where audiobooks became my secret weapon. I get to enjoy the magic of immersing into a story while cooking dinner, folding laundry, or even gardening.
Audiobooks have made reading more accessible too — for people with dyslexia, visual impairments, or attention challenges. It’s literally opening doors to literature that were once locked.
The Benefits of Audiobooks (Yes, There Are Many)
You know how some people say, “I just don’t have time to read anymore”?
Cue: Audiobooks.
Here’s why audiobooks are becoming the best way to keep up with your reading goals:
Multitasking magic: Turn “wasted time” into “reading time” — while commuting, cleaning, or walking.
Improved comprehension: Some studies suggest that listening (especially with professional narration) can boost comprehension and emotional connection with the material.
Stress reduction: A soothing voice narrating your favorite fiction? 10/10 would recommend for lowering anxiety levels.
Increased exposure to complex language: Audiobooks introduce richer vocabulary — especially important for younger listeners and ESL learners.
- Correct character name pronunciation: At least now you’ll finally know how to say those tricky fantasy or foreign names out loud (looking at you, Hermione) — though, fair warning: you’ll probably still need to Google how to spell them.
And yes, audiobooks can be just as engaging (and sometimes more!) than reading print, especially with full-cast narrations or immersive soundscapes.
How to Enjoy Audiobooks (Without Getting Distracted)
Okay, real talk: it’s very easy to zone out mid-chapter and realize you have no idea what just happened. Been there, done that.
Here are a few tips to actually enjoy audiobooks:
Start with genres you love: If thrillers or fantasy are your jam, listen to those first. (Trust me, it makes a difference.)
Find narrators you vibe with: A good narrator is EVERYTHING. Some will make you feel like you’re right there in the scene — others… well, not so much.
Imagine a female narrator who sounds slightly tipsy throughout or a male narrator voices every female character like an 1800s pirate with a sore throat?
Yeah… let’s just say the right narrator really does make or break the experience.
Set the mood: Headphones in, distractions out. Treat it like an intentional experience, not background noise.
Use the right platform: Audible books are great, but there are also fantastic alternatives like Libro.fm, Scribd, and even local library apps like Libby.
And if you’re wondering what’s the best way to listen to audiobooks, experts suggest adjusting the speed slightly (1.25x is a personal favorite) to match your natural attention span without sacrificing comprehension.
Reading Books vs AudioBooks: Which Is Better?
Honestly? It’s not a battle. It’s a beautiful expansion.
Reading a book with your eyes and absorbing a book with your ears are two valid, rich experiences — just like watching a film adaptation of a novel can give you a different, but equally moving, experience.
If you ask me, the real winner here is literacy itself.
More people are engaging with stories, knowledge, and ideas — in whatever format suits their lives best. And that’s something to celebrate, not debate.
“The method matters less than the magic you feel while getting lost in a story.“
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re flipping pages in a cozy armchair or catching the latest Amazon audiobooks while folding laundry, what matters most is that you’re connecting with words, ideas, and emotions.
So next time someone asks, “Are audiobooks the same as reading?” just smile and tell them:
They’re two sides of the same beautiful coin.
And honestly? I’m here for both.
FAQs
Are audiobooks better than reading?
It’s not really a competition — they both win in their own way. Audiobooks are perfect when your hands are full (literally), and your brain just wants to dive into a good story while you’re folding laundry or stuck in traffic.
Reading a physical book? It’s the classic, cozy, highlight-all-your-favorite-quotes experience. One isn’t better, just better for different moments in life.
Does listening to an audiobook still count as reading?
Yes. Yes. And absolutely yes. You’re still absorbing the story, growing your vocabulary, and connecting with ideas. It’s reading — just with your ears instead of your eyes.
Anyone who tells you otherwise probably hasn’t tried listening to audiobook-theatre-level narration of a fantasy series while cooking dinner.
What are the disadvantages of audiobooks?
Okay, real talk — audiobooks aren’t always perfect.
Sometimes you zone out mid-chapter and have to rewind 10 minutes like, “Wait… who died?”
And yes, you might finally learn how to pronounce a character’s name (bless), but good luck trying to spell it later. Also, if the narrator’s voice doesn’t click with you, the whole experience can feel off.
Plus, it’s a bit harder to skim or reread a favorite line unless your app has solid playback tools.
Is listening or reading more effective?
Honestly? It depends on what you’re reading — and how your brain likes to process info.
For deep focus stuff (like textbooks or anything you’d highlight with five colors), traditional reading usually wins.
But for fiction, memoirs, and even self-help? Audiobooks are just as effective — sometimes even more memorable, especially with a talented narrator.
Pro tip: try immersion reading — listening while reading along — for a next-level experience your brain will totally love.
Looking for more book recommendations?
Here’s my list of The Best Books to Read for Earth Day and my list of Must-Read Self-Help Books.
MyBookCushion.com is your go-to destination for the best book recommendations and book suggestions to help you find your next best read. Created by a passionate reader with over 11 years of book blogging experience, this site is built for book lovers who crave quality reads across all genre.