Finding time to read can be tricky; juggling work and social obligations with personal interests can be overwhelming and pastimes such as reading can be put off, sometimes indefinitely. I am constantly balancing my reading and listening with my very active currently reading list.

The symmetry between text and audio is not always an even split, or a split at all. For example, my mother only listens to books and my partner only reads text-based books. In my experience, audiobooks have been a savior for my reading habits, yet I still love holding a physical book. Over the years, I have found the balance that works for me.

Pros to Audiobooks

Audiobooks are great for busy readers who have the desire, but not necessarily the time to cozy up with a physical book. Audiobooks are a way to read, while engaging in various activities. Commuting, doing chores, and exercising are prime examples of good times for audiobooks. Listening during my commute makes the slog through traffic (almost) enjoyable. Audiobooks are also great for helping when you want to relax, when your hands are busy, and at bedtime. Exhausted eyes, when you’re cooking, and crafting time are some examples. 

There is also the artistic reasoning for listening to audiobooks, they can introduce you to new ways of understanding a book and create a different mood. Hearing the expression in the narrator’s voice can add elements to a story that would otherwise be missed. It also can be exciting to hear the author read their book to you, or a celebrity you enjoy listening to.

Cons to Audiobooks

Listening can come with some difficulties. If you are reading something that you are not terribly interested in, or find yourself distracted by your environment or thoughts, you may catch yourself hearing, but not absorbing. This brings up the second issue, which is the difficulty of flipping back a few pages or chapters to refresh your memory and the lack of a visual aid, especially with history books which tend to have many names and dates embedded, making it a chore to keep information organized.

An important aspect of listening is that you have to enjoy the narrator; if they don’t fit the book, it can be distracting and annoying. I listened to an audiobook where the narrator had an uptick in their inflection at the end of every sentence. I couldn’t appreciate the book anymore as the narration was too distracting. The narration can also lull you to sleep, which as mentioned earlier can be an advantage, but only if going to sleep is your intent. If you are listening to a book while commuting and find yourself getting sleepy, perhaps it is better to listen to music and save that book for bedtime.

Perhaps one of the most common complaints to listening to books is the lack of the physical experience that reading offers. Nothing beats curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and immersing yourself in a good book.

Audiobook Suggestions

I have found over the years that there are certain types of books I prefer to listen to. The less complicated the books, the more likely I am to continue to pay attention. YA, horror, mystery, and thrillers are great options which tend to be more fast-paced and don’t generally have too many complicated concepts.

Try books that you are unsure you will enjoy, but want to attempt reading. If you are listening to a book while doing chores and find yourself disliking it, it’s much easier to stop listening and move on, knowing that your time wasn’t really wasted. I am often drawn to listening to books that are on my to-read list that, when I’m honest with myself, I probably won’t otherwise get around to reading.

It is good to listen to books that you are not heavily invested in, so you can enjoy the story without worrying you will miss important plot points. Another idea is to listen to your favorite books. This can offer a new perspective on a story you know well and might help you think about the book in a new way.

Some books are better read in text format, and that’s okay. If you find you are enjoying a story, but cannot get into the audiobook, there’s no harm in picking it up in print. This can take the pressure off and make listening to books fun.

Blog written by Amber Finnegan.