Here's one reason: The expansion of audiobook sales has been GREAT for authors. It's opened up sales to a whole new class of people *who weren't reading us before.* Audio is now easily 30%+ of my income WITHOUT cutting into print/ebook sales. Let people read in every format. It's helping authors.
Reposted from
Linda Holmes
Hey, just a note: Saying people are “illiterate” if they listen to audiobooks sucks for a bunch of reasons.
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Or in the case of unalive authors, Benedict Cumberbatch.
I'll admit, I have zero interest in listening to a book when reading is such a pleasure, including yours. (Ears are for music, IMHO)
Def don't want to take the joy from anyone who likes or needs audiobooks!
Heavily recommend "The Big Goodbye" by Sam Wasson about the friendship of Nicholson, Robert Evans, Polansky and Robert Town during the making of "Chinatown". Best book on Hollywood ever written.
Driving
Walking the dog
Hell I was listening to Kaiju Preservation Society while I ironed uniform shirts yesterday
Plus you get cool things like "A Stitch in Time" read by Andrew Robinson *as Garak*, so it's like a cool bonus scene from DS9 years after it's ended. Super cool!
I use them for my smart dyslexic kids and when I am doing menial tasks.
As a teacher, the same meaning making is going on in the brain- the input source is not really important after 3rd grade.
I’ll never understand why people are weird about audiobooks! They’re awesome!
I plan to cut back on podcasts and do more books this year.
I listen at 1.2x speed most of the time.
People listen to audio-books for a variety of reasons. It could be time constraints, exercise, sigh-issues, pleasure or any number of other factos.
I listen to them when I run and drive to work (2 hour round trip).
Publisher: “You’re just trying to get Scalzi to dance, contractually aren’t you..”
Like while driving.
Or maybe they're like me and actually reading a book makes them fall asleep by page 2.
Or while multitasking.
i don't know, jus sayin - i agree
Not only have I *read* nearly everything you ever wrote (The Dispatcher is super under appreciated) but I've baghten 5 of your books as gifts to friends who read the physical copies.
My husband has some visual processing issues and he absorbs information better by listening than he does by visually reading it.
We're both dedicated readers and he's a librarian. Books are for everyone whatever the format!
(Images courtesy of this link: https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/factory-lectors-1910/)
Yes, I made up a word. I like this word.
The written word is clearly a crutch for those unable to sustain attention for long periods :D
Audiobooks changed driving a truck from a good paying job into a *good* job for them.
It's also better for winding down at the end of the day because you can rest/close your eyes and already switch off the parts of your body you would need to read a physical book.
I barely have time to read a couple of articles my wife sends me each day.
Audiobooks have been a game changer for a few years now. Plus they employ a few other voice actors and producers so it is also helping the economy.
Claiming that listening to audiobooks is reading is absurd. That you've a financial interest in the absurdity doesn't make it true.
I have a brain injury that robbed my ability to read 2-3 books every week. I miss it so much.
I started listening to audiobooks about a year ago, & discovered my brain can follow them easily enough.
I'm so happy to hear authors are benefitting!
Still love *reading*, but since I find it difficult to put down a book I'm enjoying; I typically only start a book if I know I have nothing planned.
I also enjoy listening to soothing music or sounds to relax at bedtome. So audiobooks might be a solution, but I’d likely fall asleep and lose my place. 😕
These are my flaws/preferences and have no sway at all on the validity of audiobooks.
Full disclosure: I have rarely stayed awake all the way through an Attenborough programme, for similar reasons, despite gorgeous photography and interesting narration.
Paper books are reading
ebooks are reading
Braille is reading
Audiobooks are reading
If you consume the text and digest it then you read it. IDGAF about the format.
You can also listen to an audiobook with someone, pause it at will, and discuss it - while driving.
I retain information better when I read it.
So I I save that for technical books.
I use audiobooks for fiction, especially if they have actual voice actors and sound effects!!
Audiobooks/dubbing were the only way I could enjoy media while waiting for surgery.
When you can't get an hour of quiet time to just sit in a chair uninterrupted.
But 90% of my reading books is through audiobooks. ❤️📚
They each have their own benefits, and I’ll pick one or the other depending on the situation or my mood.
Listening is reading!