is listening to audiobooks good for you?

Question

my mom won't let me listen to audiobooks because she thinks i have to do real reading. which is better? i know i can't listen to books all the time, but i was wondering if would be okay to listen to books half the time.

Answer 1

Actually reading will not only develop your vocabulary but it will also improve your spelling. It is easier to know how to spell a word by seeing it, not just hearing it. You are also using your own imagination when you read. You can hear the character's voice in your head, instead of hearing it portrayed by another person.

Now having said all that, audio books area great! Just don't use those *instead* of books. The reading part is important too.

Answer 2

Hm. I can see where your mom is coming from. The more you actually read, the faster and better you get with it (when I listen to audiobooks, they always seem so slowww), as well as much better critical reading skills, and longer memory retention.

You can probably get your mom to let you listen to audiobooks if you offer to listen instead of watching TV. That's how I live, actually -- I work on a project while I listen to the TV, audiobooks, or the radio for entertainment, since I can't watch my hands and the TV at the same time.

I assume you're talking about reading "Wuthering Heights" for school, or something, but if you go out and get books like "Learn Spanish" or "10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management" for your own personal development, to play in the background while you're doing other things, I can't see why she'd say no.

Answer 3

Audio books are fine in the right situations. I for one would like an audiobook over a paper book when on the train because I for oen don't like reading when other people are around me. There is also the long car ride where it can be good as well. Poor eyesight. Hemophiliac afraid of the possible paper cut.

If you are just using the audio book because you want to be lazy and don't want to pick up a book? Personally I'd rather not read if that was the case.

I do not recommend trying to listen to the Hobbit while driving home at 3 am on a long windy highway. That is an accident waiting to happen.

Answer 4

Audiobooks are OK. If you are using them to improve your reading, you should follow along in a book as you listen to the audiobook. The good thing about audiobooks is that you can listen to a text that might be too difficult for you to read without support.

Answer 5

The only time I'd use an audiobook is if I'm driving long distances. This way, I can still do something while staring at an empty long road.

Otherwise, reading a book would probably be better just cuz it helps with motor skills (reading speed) and ability to analyze things quickly. Reading is good stuff man

Answer 6

Lovely voice and accent. You speak softly, but I had no problem understanding; just had to turn up the volume a little. As in all your videos, good technical work, too: Good sound quality and the lighting is perfect. I didn't get the impression that you're going for a "dark, brooding..." (as one comment on the video site stated), but, yes, the reading is rather quiet and somewhat monotone. Such a terrific story deserves a bit of spark and energy! My opinion? It's already good; if you could amp it up a bit, it would be more fun to listen to. I believe that might also solve the problem some mentioned of distinguishing the characters. You don't need drastically different voices. The text makes it clear, plus you've done well using slightly different tones; well enough that I had no trouble knowing which character was speaking. From my post on YouTube: I'm reading the book and have read this part. How enjoyable for me now to not only hear you reading it but to see you. I've enjoyed all your videos immensely. You are a talented man, Steven. ~

Answer 7

I prefer to read rather than listen to books but I dont think there is anything wrong with listening to audiobooks. Its really an issue of preference. You should be able to experiment with both so that you can decide which one you like the most.


Maybe your mom wants you to read rather than listen to books so that you can improve your writing, vocabulary, grammar, etc.

Answer 8

You shouldn't just listen to books on tape because you will lose some of your ability to read fluenty. You will also never gain the ability to read harder material and understand it. So, your mom is right about that. However, listening to audiobooks every once in a while is good because it will increase your ability to comprehend what you hear. Another good practice would be to listen and follow along in the book at the same time.

Answer 9

It depends on if you are a visual or auditory learner. Some people learn better by reading because they comprehend what they read very well. Some people, especially people who have learning disabilities who have difficulty with comprehension when reading, learn better by listening to books on tape. The best advantage for you is to keep reading most of your books because you use and improve your reading skills by doing so, as well as exercise your imagination more by creating the tone and inflection of the words, creating pictures in your mind. When you listen to books on tape, someone else is choosing the tone and inflection of the words, and in doing so, may change the way you perceive what is being said in the book.

Answer 10

When I was driving up to 1,000 miles a week for my job I always listened to audio books. I still listen to them if I am going on a long trip in the car alone. I think that reading actually helps your vocabulary more than listening to books.