Is audible similar to reading a book?

“Audiobooks are like cheating”, someone mentioned to me once. She meant they’re not really like reading a book. Technically she was right. Listening to an audiobook isn’t the same as reading a physical book.

People learn differently. There are 8 different ways to learn. Audio and visual both works for me. Human beings have been sharing information orally for tens of thousands of years, while the printed word is a much more recent invention.

Few things I have observed, while experiencing both physical books and audiobooks and they are as follows:

• You want to feel a book? Get the essence? Hold a physical copy of the book or a kindle
• Want to kill time productively? Audiobooks should be your friend
• Multitasking? Listen to audiobooks while jogging, running, cooking food, washing dishes, etc.
• I always listen to fiction books on Audible. For non-fiction I prefer to sit down with pen and highlighter to take notes, which I couldn’t do while listening
• Audiobooks are relatively quicker. You can also increase/decrease speed according to your choice
• Comprehension wise audiobooks should be avoided. Hence a novel is preferred for audiobooks

A love of reading shouldn’t have parameters or rules as to what type of reading “counts.” Personally, I have found an immensely rewarding common ground in my reading life with both audiobooks and reading. Each creates differing experiences and memories, but neither is better or worse than the other. I can’t imagine my reading life without an abundant mixture of both audiobooks and reading.