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Antonia Malchik's avatar

I didn't realize this was even still a debate! I don't listen (read) to many audiobooks but that's for very specific reasons: if it's nonfiction for research, I take a LOT of notes on the page to reference later. Maybe someone else would do that easily with audiobooks, but for me physical books are easiest to make notes in. I listen to a lot of podcasts for research, too, so at some point in each day am just tired of inputs, audio and screens, and want quiet. But yeah, differentiating seems odd to me. It's not just that reading is reading but that stories are stories! I used to listen to more audiobooks before my kids were born (on tape and CD), and then eased into kids' stories for long car drives because some of the readers are so fun. Upside-Down Magic is a particular favorite series.

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

I will add upside down magic to our Libby account! We are always looking for fun audiobooks for in the car during summer break - thanks!!

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Antonia Malchik's avatar

The reader for those books is really good. I think she also reads the Abby in Wonderland series. A good reader makes such a difference! (BTW, I adore Mansfield Park and my favorite Jane Austen audiobook reader is Amanda Root — who played Anne in the very good Persuasion movie.)

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Yes! The narrator makes such a difference! My kids were tickled to hear mark hamill’s voice on the Spiderwick chronicles - Luke skywalker was reading to them 😂

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Antonia Malchik's avatar

Probably how I felt about listening to Benedict Cumberbatch read Ngaio Marsh's mystery novels. 😂

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

😂😂

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Michael Edward's avatar

This was a very enjoyable read, which I think would have been just as persuasive if I had of read it through an audiobook 😉

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Thank you 😆

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Suzanne Arjona's avatar

The book vs audiobook dilemma is one I struggled with for a long time and I greatly appreciate you making the clarifications you did in this article! I was an avid (paper book) reader as a youngster. I first discovered audiobooks when my boys were very young and have now been “reading” audiobooks for almost 30 years. My boys, now adults, enjoy paper books, ebooks, and audiobooks now as well. Reading is reading regardless of which senses you use to absorb the information.

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Thanks! I didn’t really listen to audiobooks until college when I had such precious little time for pleasure reading. I’d clean my tiny apartment and listen to (the fabulously narrated) Harry Potter books to unwind and I’ve been hooked ever since. 🩷

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Chuck Petch's avatar

Followup: Just want to share I am unashamedly reading more audio books and feeling validated when I do so because of your article. It’s so convenient to read while walking!

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Yay!

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Chuck Petch's avatar

I’m with you, Lindsey. I now read more audio books than paper ones. I often enjoy them more when they are read by the author--then it becomes kind of a book and a one-person play all in one.

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Lindsey Melden's avatar

Yes! It’s extra special when the author reads their own work - it feels like a date with a good friend ☺️

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