Why Listen to Audiobooks?
Six Reasons Why Audio Versions of Books are Worth Considering
Apr 21, 2008
There are many reasons to listen to audiobooks. Whereas once they were regarded as a niche product, today people from all backgrounds and walks of life enjoy listening to the latest bestsellers or classic literature.
Audiobooks Save Time
One of the victims of today's busy life is the time to read. Many people just do not have the luxury of a few spare hours to sit down and read a book, however audiobooks can be listened to on the go. While it is possible to read a book on a busy bus or train when commuting, it is obviously so much easier simply to put on some headphones and be transported into the virtual pages of a book.
Audiobooks are Portable
Audiobooks can be listened to while leaving the hands and eyes free to do other things. Unlike reading a paper book or watching the television, an audiobook can be popped into a pocket or a bag and becomes completely portable. An audiobook can also be listened to in the gym, while gardening or crafting, during out of doors activities, like walking or hiking, in the car while on a long journey or in any number of ways.
Green Issues
Audiobooks, particulary those that are downloaded, are an environmentally friendly way to own books. Audiobooks not only reduce the amount of paper that is used, but also use minimal packaging materials. Little energy is used in the production of these books, unlike their paper counterparts that are often printed overseas and shipped back to a warehouse before being finally shipped to a store.
Technology
Tiny mp3 players and other audio devices now sit in the palm of a small hand while holding many hours worth of listening. At one time an audio book would have been split over many cassette tapes (or before that over many vinyl records). These were far from convenient and meant that several tapes had to be carried around. Today, many audiobooks are available digitally on cd or available for download and as such are much more convenient to listen to. Technology has also increased the number of listening options available. It is possible to listen to an audiobook on a personal digital organizer (PDA), computer or even a mobile phone, as well as standard mp3 players.
Cost
Thanks to the advent of downloadable audiobooks, the average price of audiobooks has reduced over the last few years. Major online retailers such as Audible sell a wide variety of fiction and non fiction books on subscription or at a discounted price and these represent significant savings. As there is no book production involved with a downloadable audiobook and no distribution costs, the savings are reflected in the price to the consumer. Free audio versions of many classics are also available and initiatives such as Librivox are recording and publishing many public domain titles.
Variety
As the popularity of audiobooks has increased, so has the range of books available. Until recently it was common for an audiobook to be released several months after the paper version. Today, the paper and audio version of many best sellers are released concurrently.
Quality
The enjoyment of an audiobook is largely determined by the narrator or reader. An excellent book can be ruined by the 'wrong' reader, while conversely a mediocre novel can be bought to life by an animated and skilled reader. This is indicated in the way that some audiobooks describe the reading of the book as 'being performed by', which is an indication of the fact delivering a book text is so much more than just reading words. Well known names such as Stephen Fry, Richard E Grant and others have moved the reading of audiobooks further into the field of entertainment.
If it is a while since you last consdidered an audiobook, now is the time to take another look - you could well be pleasantly suprised!
