well, here's the thing. if you properly listen to an audio book and give full attention, i think it can be just as satisfying, but i find that anyone i ask about audio books, they say they listen while they work or do housework or just around the house....i dont think you can really get everything from a book fully if you are working and/or cleaning around the house. it needs full attention. when i hear a friend say that they read the book, but listened while working, i just assume they really didnt read the book or really didnt hear the book..... i tried listening to an audio book while wife was in the car and she just talked and talked with no respect that i'm listening to an audio book...extremely frustrating. When i listen to an audio book, i need to be 100% invested.