Do you love curling up in a quiet corner with a book or do you prefer listening to a story? Many studies have shown that reading is good for you. It teaches you empathy (being able to understand and experience other people’s feelings and points of view). It also teaches you new words and boosts your imagination. Studies have shown that reading helps people feel happier, healthier and even live longer. Some people think listening to an audiobook is only a step towards the real thing, which is reading from
a book in your hand. Others point out that people have told stories out loud for thousands of years, long before books were invented, so listening to a story is just as good as reading one. What do you think? Is listening to an audiobook as good as reading?
Yes – you can listen anywhere Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy stories and learn about sports, science or even history, especially if you find reading hard or don’t like sitting still for long. Even better, you can listen almost anywhere, like on long car or train journeys, while tidying your room or relaxing on the sofa. You can also enjoy an audiobook with your friends or family instead of listening alone. All of this makes it easier to fit more reading time into your day. Another benefit of audiobooks is that when an actor reads the story, they use different voices to show the characters’ feelings more clearly, which helps bring the story to life. Studies also show that hearing complex texts, like Shakespeare plays, out loud makes them easier to understand.
No – you’re not paying proper attention Some people say listening to audiobooks instead of reading is like cheating because you’re not focusing in the same way. If you’re listening while doing something else, then you can’t always pay full attention. Experts say that when you read, your eyes often go back to check the words, which can help you understand better what you’re reading. Turning the page also gives your brain tiny breaks that can help you to remember what you’ve read. This can’t happen when you’re listening to an audiobook. What’s more, when someone else reads a story, you’re hearing the way they want the characters to sound. When you read it yourself, you’re using your own inner voice, which makes it much more personal.
