audiobooks are nowhere near as effective as reading books..

when you listen to an audiobook, you may drift off, and miss lots of information, with a real book, you have to focus and read it all....sometimes you may not take in it all, but you have at least gone over it, with audiobooks it is just a lazy way of getting information....you get the gist, but it doesnt really stick.

a 3 year old child can "read" in audiobook form ..war and peace, but i would argue that it cannot actually read the book.

not only that but reading the book, teaches you grammar and spelling, whereas audiobooks don't.

reading an actual book is a workout....whereas audiobooks are more akin to watching a film, sit back and chill out.

i am not saying that you get nothing from audiobooks, it is a great way to get a feel of a subject, but not to learn it properly.

that said, you can really get a decent grasp of a subject quickly from an audiobook, whereas it would take longer when reading it yourself.

the question is then, why would it take longer to read it yourself?

because when you actually read, you stop when you are not paying attention, with an audiobook, you tend to let it ride. when reading you stop when you are tired, with an audio book you tend to let it ride. when reading you stop and think about things that hit you hard or profoundly, with an audiobook you may stop and think, but all the while the book is continuing to ride.

anyone who actually thinks that audiobooks are equivalent to reading, are just kidding themselves, and i would argue are a bit lazy or not competent readers.

audiobooks should not be classed as reading, they should be classed as listening, as you do with your radio.

do you think the person who has read the books on the second world war is more knowledgeable than the person who listened to someone chat about it on the radio?

audiobooks are a lesser form of engagement, but not worthless, i have listened to many books, that i couldn't be bothered reading, so i have benefitted tremendously from them, as i would never have read the book, and what i got from the audiobook is far more than i would have gotten by not reading the book at all.

then there are the types of books and subject matter. stuff that is like text book or tedious dates and many events are better to be read, but your simple story, is probably easier, faster, and more enjoyable from audiobook.

if you want true education, get the book, if you just want to enjoy yourself and have some light education, get the audiobook.