The Pros & Cons of Audiobooks
By Elizabeth Dubos
Audiobooks are digital or physical recordings of a book. An unabridged audiobook has all the original content; This means the narrator does not skip or shorten parts of the story. An abridged audiobook is the shortened version with fewer words and phrases. However, the abridged version maintains a sense of the original book, so listeners do not get confused.
Audiobooks are available in libraries, bookstores, and monthly paid subscriptions. Would you like to give audiobooks a try, but are unsure on whether or not you’d like it? Here is a list of the pros and cons of listening to audiobooks.
Pros:
1. Convenience or active lifestyle. If you’re a person who feels like there’s never enough time in the day, then you should consider audiobooks. Audiobooks are excellent to listen to while cooking, cleaning, studying, exercising, or listening to on a commute via car, plane, or train. You can easily hit play and feel like you’re not missing out on reading because the narrator will introduce you to new plots, settings, and characters for you to enjoy. Audiobooks also allow you to multitask. Next, audiobooks are convenient because you don’t need to carry a physical hard cover or paperback to enjoy the story. You can pop in your headphones and listen to the story on your phone or tablet.
2. Eyesight. People who are blind or have difficulty seeing should not lose out on the opportunity to hear an amazing story. Narrators use various voices and speeds to help listeners envision the story they’re listening to. It’s an audiobook narrator’s job to help the story come alive for those who cannot physically read it. Also, audiobooks are excellent for those who work at a computer all day; At the end of the day your eyes are strained, and you get a headache from reading. Listening to an audiobooks de-stresses your eyes, thus allowing you to relax.
3. Educational. Are you an auditory learner? Do you have difficulty pronouncing unknown words or names? Audiobooks are great for those who are dyslexic because it teaches them how to pronounce words or names. Next, audiobooks are great for children because instead of TV, it’s audiobook listening time to stimulate their minds.
4. Environmentally friendly. Do you wish you could do more to save the environment? Audiobooks are environmentally friendly because they do not use paper, ink, or chemicals or manufacture; Therefore, you would be a saving trees!
Cons:
1. Technology dependent. If you’re not technology friendly, then audiobooks may not be good for you. The majority of audiobooks are digitally available; Therefore, you’re going to need a phone, tablet, or laptop to access your audiobook collection. Plus, if you want to download new audiobook content you need access to Wi-Fi. It’s much easier to open a book, than it is to figure out how to use audiobooks on a device.
2. Expensive. Yes, libraries offer you access to their digital audiobook collection, but what if it’s not available or you don’t like anything you see. This may cause you to seek out a monthly audiobook subscription service like Audible, Amazon Kindle, or Scribd. While Scribd is the most affordable option with the most access to content, not everyone can afford to spare an extra $9.99 a month.
3. Visual learners. Audiobooks are not recommended for visual learners. For example, it can be frustrating if you’re trying to cook a recipe and not understand the recipe’s technical terms. If you are a visual learner, it’s easier for you to read a cookbook and look at the pictures.
4. Audiobooks are less engaging. If you’re the type of book lover who enjoys re-reading their favorite sections, then audiobooks may not be for you. You cannot re-read a section, take notes in the margins, or highlight an important or favorite quote. Now you’re making your brain work harder to organize and understand all the questions and content to better connect with the book. It’s important to connect with the material to fully understand its importance.
Edited by Kristina Drendel
By Elizabeth Dubos
Audiobooks are digital or physical recordings of a book. An unabridged audiobook has all the original content; This means the narrator does not skip or shorten parts of the story. An abridged audiobook is the shortened version with fewer words and phrases. However, the abridged version maintains a sense of the original book, so listeners do not get confused.
Audiobooks are available in libraries, bookstores, and monthly paid subscriptions. Would you like to give audiobooks a try, but are unsure on whether or not you’d like it? Here is a list of the pros and cons of listening to audiobooks.
Pros:
1. Convenience or active lifestyle. If you’re a person who feels like there’s never enough time in the day, then you should consider audiobooks. Audiobooks are excellent to listen to while cooking, cleaning, studying, exercising, or listening to on a commute via car, plane, or train. You can easily hit play and feel like you’re not missing out on reading because the narrator will introduce you to new plots, settings, and characters for you to enjoy. Audiobooks also allow you to multitask. Next, audiobooks are convenient because you don’t need to carry a physical hard cover or paperback to enjoy the story. You can pop in your headphones and listen to the story on your phone or tablet.
2. Eyesight. People who are blind or have difficulty seeing should not lose out on the opportunity to hear an amazing story. Narrators use various voices and speeds to help listeners envision the story they’re listening to. It’s an audiobook narrator’s job to help the story come alive for those who cannot physically read it. Also, audiobooks are excellent for those who work at a computer all day; At the end of the day your eyes are strained, and you get a headache from reading. Listening to an audiobooks de-stresses your eyes, thus allowing you to relax.
3. Educational. Are you an auditory learner? Do you have difficulty pronouncing unknown words or names? Audiobooks are great for those who are dyslexic because it teaches them how to pronounce words or names. Next, audiobooks are great for children because instead of TV, it’s audiobook listening time to stimulate their minds.
4. Environmentally friendly. Do you wish you could do more to save the environment? Audiobooks are environmentally friendly because they do not use paper, ink, or chemicals or manufacture; Therefore, you would be a saving trees!
Cons:
1. Technology dependent. If you’re not technology friendly, then audiobooks may not be good for you. The majority of audiobooks are digitally available; Therefore, you’re going to need a phone, tablet, or laptop to access your audiobook collection. Plus, if you want to download new audiobook content you need access to Wi-Fi. It’s much easier to open a book, than it is to figure out how to use audiobooks on a device.
2. Expensive. Yes, libraries offer you access to their digital audiobook collection, but what if it’s not available or you don’t like anything you see. This may cause you to seek out a monthly audiobook subscription service like Audible, Amazon Kindle, or Scribd. While Scribd is the most affordable option with the most access to content, not everyone can afford to spare an extra $9.99 a month.
3. Visual learners. Audiobooks are not recommended for visual learners. For example, it can be frustrating if you’re trying to cook a recipe and not understand the recipe’s technical terms. If you are a visual learner, it’s easier for you to read a cookbook and look at the pictures.
4. Audiobooks are less engaging. If you’re the type of book lover who enjoys re-reading their favorite sections, then audiobooks may not be for you. You cannot re-read a section, take notes in the margins, or highlight an important or favorite quote. Now you’re making your brain work harder to organize and understand all the questions and content to better connect with the book. It’s important to connect with the material to fully understand its importance.
Edited by Kristina Drendel
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