All Reading is Good Reading: The Case for Audiobooks

There’s something about bookish spaces that guarantees at least one very passionate debate at any given moment. Paperback vs. hardcover. The best reading format. Love triangles—good or bad? (Spoiler: mostly bad). And, of course, the age-old argument that refuses to die:

Do audiobooks count as real reading?

Let’s get this out of the way—yes, they do. Audiobooks are real books. Listening to a story is just as valid as reading words on a page, and honestly? That this was ever up for debate baffles me.

I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: Audiobooks. Are. Books.

The Gatekeeping of "Real" Reading

At some point, reading became a weird status symbol. There’s this unspoken hierarchy where certain ways of consuming books are deemed more “serious” than others. Reading a physical book? Peak intellectual. Reading an e-book? Acceptable, but don’t let anyone catch you without a “real” book in your hands. Listening to an audiobook? Apparently, that’s where some people draw the line.

But why?

Storytelling existed long before written language. Our earliest human traditions were oral—stories passed down from generation to generation through spoken word. Myths, legends, histories, and lessons were all shared out loud. The idea that you have to read a story with your eyes to be “real” is a relatively modern and narrow-minded take.

Let’s also talk about accessibility. Not everyone experiences books the same way. People with visual impairments, learning disabilities like dyslexia, or conditions that make focusing on text difficult often rely on audiobooks. Should they be told that their reading experience is lesser? That they haven’t really read a book? Absolutely not. That kind of gatekeeping is ableist, exclusionary, and, frankly, ridiculous.

And even beyond accessibility, there are so many reasons audiobooks are a valid and important form of reading.

The Audiobook Experience Is Unique

One reason I love audiobooks is that they bring a completely unique experience to a story. A great narrator can elevate a book in ways that sometimes even our own inner voice can’t. They add tone, emotion, pacing—sometimes, they turn a good book into an incredible one.

Take The Hunger Games series, narrated by Carolyn McCormick—one of my all-time favorite audiobook experiences.

I already loved the books when I first read them in print. The world of Panem, the intensity of the Games, the rebellion brewing beneath the surface—it all gripped me from the start. But listening to McCormick narrate it? That was something else entirely. Her performance didn’t just tell the story—it immersed me in it. The tension in her voice during the reaping. The sharp, clipped tone of Capitol figures. The raw emotion she brought to Katniss' narration. The entire experience felt like I was living the story rather than just reading it. Certain scenes hit harder because of her delivery, and I caught nuances in the dialogue and characters that I hadn’t fully appreciated the first time around.

That’s the power of a good audiobook. It doesn’t take away from the book—it enhances it.

Audiobooks and Comprehension: The Science

Some people argue that audiobooks don’t provide the same level of comprehension as reading text. But research says otherwise. Studies have shown that listening to an audiobook activates the same cognitive and emotional regions of the brain as reading a physical book. Your brain is still processing language, forming mental imagery, and absorbing meaning.

In fact, some studies suggest audiobooks can even improve comprehension for some readers. Listening allows you to pick up on nuances of tone and pacing that can sometimes be missed in silent reading. Audiobooks also engage auditory processing skills, which can be especially beneficial for language learners and people who struggle with traditional reading formats.

So if anyone tells you that listening to an audiobook is somehow less intellectual than reading a physical book, just know that science isn’t on their side.

Why Audiobooks Are a Game-Changer

Beyond the science, audiobooks just fit into modern life in a way that’s invaluable. Not everyone has the time to sit down with a book for hours every day. But with audiobooks?

• You can read while driving.

• You can read while cooking.

• You can read while working out.

• You can read while doing chores.

• You can read when your eyes are too tired to stare at a page.

  
  

Audiobooks make it possible to enjoy books when you otherwise couldn’t. They allow people to fit stories into their lives, even in the busiest moments. And if that means more people are engaging with books—why wouldn’t we celebrate that?

What Makes a Great Audiobook?

If you’re new to audiobooks and unsure where to start, here’s what makes a truly great audiobook experience:

• A Stellar Narrator: a good narrator brings the story to life. They embody the characters, create distinct voices, and match the emotional tone of the book. Some narrators are so good they become the voice of a book in my head forever.

• Engaging Performance: some audiobooks feel like a one-person theater show. Others feature full casts, sound effects, and even original music. It all depends on the book and the production.

• Pacing and Clarity: a narrator who reads too fast or too slow can kill a story. The best ones have a natural rhythm that makes the book easy to follow and enjoyable to listen to.

  
  

For me, Carolyn McCormick’s narration of The Hunger Games checks all those boxes. If you haven’t listened to it, I highly recommend it.

Let’s Talk Audiobooks

Now I want to hear from you.

Do you listen to audiobooks? If so, what’s your favorite one? Have you ever listened to an audiobook that completely changed how you felt about a book?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your takes!

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Until next time,

Oregon J. Sinclair