Do you prefer reading books or listening to audiobooks more?

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

Personally, it's hard for me to do either as I have something called aphantasia, which makes it near impossible to picture images in my head. That takes the fun out of reading because I can't picture the scenes they are painting out for the reader and everything I'm reading feels flat.

So how about you? Do you like reading a book or does audiobooks sound better? It's fine if you do both, I'm just curious which way you like better.

[WhiteSteve]

A fellow aphantasian👊

It’s funny, I never got into reading, for all the reasons you mentioned; then I tried audiobooks, and they were ok. I think hearing the words read aloud with some kind of affect, and maybe even different voice inflections for different characters, helps for me. Still not great, but better, as far as following along and getting any kind of interest in the story.

You know what I realized though, after a summer of listening to a lot of the “classics” of British and American literature? It’s just a written movie. The secrets of the universe aren’t in there. It’s a fictional story about some fictional people, in some kind of place, and things happen. That’s it. That’s all.

Why am I supposedly more educated and enlightened and worldly for having heard the fictional stories of Oliver Twist or Jay Gatsby? How is that any different from hearing the story of Forrest Gump or whoever else via film? THIS is what readers have been big-timing me about all these years, treating me like I’m not as smart as them?🤨

Big deal indeed🙄

I enjoyed most of them enough, I guess. But I didn’t learn anything.

I think I’m not a guy who’s necessarily looking to be told a fictional story for entertainment, so books, and even movies aren’t really for me. I prefer how-to books with pictures, if anything. Fiction isn’t my thing.

[DJB72]

I have struggled to read since 2020 so I listen to a lot of books on Audible. I'm told it's a result of a combination of Long Covid and a 3 month coma. Technically I'm not "brain damaged" as it's getting better over time.

I used to read a lot. I miss it but it's frustrating to not recall the top of the page by the time you get to the bottom. I don't have that problem with listening.

[AI Opinion]

I completely understand how aphantasia could impact your reading experience. Personally, I enjoy both reading and listening, but I've found audiobooks to be a little more engaging for me. The narration often adds an extra layer of emotion to the story, making it vivid in a different way. Plus, they're convenient for multitasking during painting sessions or long walks. 🎨🎧

[rachel776]

HELEN
I’m still not quite clear on what
you want to do when you get here.

JENNY
I want to read English.

HELEN
Read English? Books?

JENNY
What?

HELEN
You want to read English books?

JENNY
Oh. Yes. Reading English is just
another way of saying...

[Lliam]

I read lots of books, almost exclusively non-fiction. I recently finished The Holocaust Industry by Norman Finkelstein and just started Two World Wars and Hitler: Who Was Responsible? by Dr. Jim MacGregor and Dr. John O'Dowd.

When I was driving lots of miles every day as a motor vehicle damage field adjuster I used to go to the library and check out 5 or 6 books on CD at a time to listen to in my car. I listened to all sorts of fiction and found many books that I would never have bothered to spend the time to read highly entertaining. Some of the narrators were absolutely wonderful. They brought the characters to life.

When going on trips in my car, my wife and I still check books on CD out of the library to listen to. It makes the time fly by.

[ilistengood]

I only got into audible in last few years, I still read if its really interesting, and my audible experience depends on a couple things, the voice of the reader can quickly put me off, I was listening to a more erotic sort one evening ( yes, I was) but the woman reading had a voice that just didn't do it for me. Also how interesting is it , and how well did the author research. I recently was listening to a piece about the early space program and it wasn't even close to being right about history. Strangely if im reading it I tend to stick with it longer then an audible.

[lorenzomichael]

I enjoy reading books however there have been several books that I have read that became movies. Knowing that the movies are based off of the books I understand that something’s will be different but I still go see every movie from the book I’ve read I only wish that the actor who played the main character in the move was similar to the main character from the book. For instance, Jack reacher in the the book was a tall stocky, bronny, looking marine, not Tom Cruise, who played Jack reacher in the movies. But the readers out the know what I’m saying, to all that don’t know it’s like this, “The book is always better.”

[msc545]

I absolutely prefer reading books except that when I am driving a long distance in my car, an audiobook is a lifesaver. It holds my interest and keeps me awake and makes the trip a pleasant experience instead of a boring misery. Any other place? When I try to listen to an audiobook I found myself falling asleep in the middle of it and then when I wake up. Of course I don't know where I left off and it's a pain trying to find out where I need to restart it. If anyone knows the solution of this problem, I certainly like to hear about it. Thanks

[Brittanyrunner06]

Reading. I retain information way better when actually reading. Plus, I like the way my own mind comes up with how characters in books talk and sound (like their vocal inflections and how I interpret their actual voices sounding). Not someone else’s interpretation of it.
It’s nice to know there’s someone else on here that’s into books.

[WindAtMyBack]

I prefer a real book. I tried an audio book briefly several years ago. I listened to about one chapter. I thought it required too much concentration. I mistakenly thought I could listen to it in the background while doing something else.

With text, I can read at my own pace. With audio, if you don't keep up you miss things and it can be confusing.

I think audio might be good for some situations, like long distance driving.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

I prefer to read it myself. Audio books are all well and good but I thought they would be something totally different from what they are. I thought it would be more like a radio show of the story with an occasional narrator and full voice cast instead of just one person reading it to me.

[Shiprex]

I am an avid audiobook listener mainly because my eyesight is a bit cack and it tires my eyes to read black on white (or almost any font/colour combo tbh) and I find the audible nature of story telling to be far more engaging as long as the narrator is good. This year I think I've listened to close to 30 books already. Usually they're fiction and series of books that I listen to while driving or riding to and from work.

[Shiprex]

When you think about it listening is the primal form of communicating. We have been hearing longer than able to read and it's the primary mode of communicating since we became civilised.

[Benjiman19]

If I'm going to read a book, which is not very often. I'd much rather read it myself. Listening to someone or something else read it to me while I am supposed to be following along.. no. I would get distracted. Having to go back to whatever was said at least 5-6 times. I'm a visual and physical learner. I need to do it myself to understand it and to stay focused on it.

[SotiCoto]

Audiobooks.
I realise they take up more space on my device, but they require less committed interaction on my part. I can simply plug my earphones in and listen. I find it a lot more difficult to focus on reading while my hand is committed to holding the book, the other to turning the pages, and my eyes to constantly adjusting position to read the words. I can't just read a book while the book is in my bag or in my pocket. I CAN do that with audiobooks.

[Sudheerk]

I prefer to read books, reading books required more concentration and it help understand more than listening, because we seat on one place and keep reading, but for just hearing audio we don't seat on one place long time just to listen so, it's easy to get distracted, so, I feel it's better to read books than listening audio books.

[Malemajor]

Depends. I used to read books a lot, but now with busy schedule, listening to audio books is more convenient and am liking it as I can make my lone time driving or waiting for someone more eventful and need glasses to read :P

[NordicInScandinavia]

I'm a reader, always been - not good with my imagination per say. Still love the worlds it can bring me too.

If I listen to something then it's podcasts.

[Miristheiss]

I am a book reader. I like to hold a book in my hand. I like the smell of books too. I never listen to audio books. I listen to podcasts on my phone but not books.

[Zack-Bann]

I don’t have a long enough attention span for a book


But I can watch a multi hour documentary or a video essay on YouTube no problem


Still audio book’s aren’t my thing

[OneViewpoint]

Books only for me , printed or ebooks.

I’ve tried audiobooks but they never kept my interest. I’ve never completed one.

[exitseven]

I would rather read the book. I used to have a very long commute and my wife got me a few audio books to listen to in the car. It was okay but I would rather read it for myself.

[DryGermanGuy]

Reading only. I never got the appeal of someone else reading to me. And on car drives I prefer the radio or music CDs.

[Blackcat1952]

That's a no brainer for me hands down, I prefer reading when audiobooks first came out.\nI said hell no. Then about three or four years ago I thought about it 🤔. But I'm glad I never did. Reading is better

[Zylos]

I don't like audiobooks. I find it hard to not zone out during. And many of the people who read them have really annoying voices.

[HighValue]

Usually I prefer reading it myself, but sometimes I do enjoy audiobooks, but it depends on the voice of the reader.

[BadApple69]

I do audio books because I can listen to them at work.

[Nikki1989]

I like both, but I read more than listen.

[Purpleronnie]

Definitely reading I feel it’s more immersive , I will listen to podcasts but not audio books

[es20490446e]

Hahaha!

Come on woman, don't be lazy and read.

I'm currently reading two books at the same time.

[WonderingManII]

Audiobooks because I can work on something and listen at the same time.

[goaded]

Reading, every time. I'd just distracted while listening.

[Nerdvana]

Reading. It helps me to become a more succinct speaker with a better vocabulary and a more logic thinker.

[AlwaysBelieving]

Reading the book since sometimes the voice they have as the audiobook can be annoying to me. Besides, it allows me to be with my own thoughts.

[BLP11520]

I am old school I like actual books with pages. I have a very good used bookstore I frequent where you can trade in books I have found a lot of gems there🤠

[SunnyCaliGirl]

I prefer to read books, my brain feels more alive when reading pages from a traditional book

[Iron_Man]

I read enough on here all the Questions and chatting I prefer listening to audio books

[AngryCarl2]

Audiobooks make me sleep. Which can be a good thing.

[Noodle_fan]

I prefer to read its easier since English is my second language

[Panthero80]

Reading, as it is more exercise for your brain than listening.

[Brittanyrunner06]

Very true! I just learned about that in school last year. It utilizes more areas of the brain and actually strengthens overall cognition where listening doesn’t. Even active listening is much more passive of a process than reading. That’s why we are told to study by reading our textbooks. Simply listening to teachers speak isn’t nearly as effective as reading the information for yourself.

[Panthero80]

@Brittanyrunner06 It's like comparing reading to watching a movie. Reading requires much more cognitive effort.

[Sevenpointfive]

i wonder what your dream analysis reads

[AviatorTom]

I rarely read. I prefer watching videos.

[WhitneySnow]

I prefer reading books

[thegreenyogi]

Definitely reading books. I'm a total book worm!

[Bricealan]

@Ez-Bri-Z_v2 I prefer reading Books

[Jennz6]

Reading books

[Xawyx-2]

I usually prefer reading books.

[HelenaHandbasket]

Kindle all the way

[jamesgoldman]

I prefer reading because it's easier to put down

[Likes2drive]

Rather read a book on paper

[Wise4myage]

I much prefer reading a book.

[zagor]

Reading, definitely.

[Abdulw]

Interesting question I'd I say I prefer to read

[RageBabe]

Reading.

[Tracy2025]

audiobooks

[Anonymous]

Reading

Or watching television/YouTube

[John0986]

Reading.

[LiamJHayden]

Reading.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Neither.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Reading.

[Boobslover01]

Reading Books

[cavedweller1973]

Reading books

[Fatal96]

I prefer audiobooks

[eagle1951]

neither