Audiobooks: The Transformative Power of Listening

The vast majority of audiobooks I’ve listened to are not just good; they are excellent. I believe they are narrated word for word from the published print novels. At least mine were, though I had to provide a phonetic pronunciation guide for a few terms due to the unique locales and terminology of my story, which involved life on a far planet where everything was different.

Life-Changing for Busy Individuals

Audiobooks are amazing! They can be life-changing for someone who loves books but simply does not have the time to read them with a long workday. When combined with a lengthy and tedious commute, they often result in pure magic. Suddenly, you are transported from the mundane monotony of urban travel to the world of books.

In the past few years, I have listened to more books than I have read. An added bonus is that audiobooks can break down what may seem like staid or scary books into short, daily bursts of learning through the medium of a well-spoken narrator. Often, I can remember key phrases from the narrator's baritone voice, even if it’s a spoken word rather than a visual one.

This has helped me widen my sphere of interest to areas I would probably never have considered had I simply chosen a book to buy or borrow.

So, yes, simply calling them good is an understatement. They are much more than that: they are transformative.

Variety in Audiobook Narrations

Sources of audiobooks vary. Some are professionally recorded with actors playing the characters. Some are read by professional readers. Others are read by Text-to-Speech robots. As far as the quality of the books themselves, they are the same as the printed versions. Some are better than others, but universally, audiobooks cost more and take considerably more time to listen to than to simply read.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Cut short answer: Audiobooks are definitely good. They improve listening skills and imagination power, and you can listen to books while driving or cooking. However, if you're fully concentrating on driving or cooking, you won't be as invested as you would be while reading. Reading improves vocabulary and enhances concentration. In this regard, reading will be far better than listening to an audiobook. I highly recommend giving audiobooks try!

If you are a reader, you are already familiar with what a book can do for a human being. Now, imagine all of that happening while someone narrates the whole thing for you, with expression and everything. It enhances the imagination and the experience!