The Art of Listening: Why Audiobooks Deserve More Love

If you read my piece from the week of May 11th, you already know that I love audiobooks. Despite that, I was surprised to learn that June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, sponsored in part by the American Library Association.

The first idea of an audiobook is attributed to Thomas Edison, who, in 1878, recorded “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on his phonograph and hoped that one day whole books could be recorded. The American Foundation for the Blind made short vinyl recordings in the 1930s, and the invention of 60-minute cassettes in the 1970s allowed slightly longer works to be recorded, but it was the CD in the 1980s that made real audiobooks possible. Today, audiobooks are available everywhere.

Some interesting tidbits:

·         The average audiobook is 8 – 12 hours long

·         Narrators can make about $50,000/year, much more for experienced narrators

·         38% of US adults listened to an audiobook in 2024

Audiobooks have become very popular over the past decade; according to Publisher’s Weekly, audiobook sales increased by 13% from 2023 – 2024. And while some may fear that audiobooks are replacing print, this is not necessarily the case. A large percent of listeners choose them for convenience – they can consume books when reading a physical book isn’t possible. Many of these listeners, including myself, continue to read physical books as well. Furthermore, audiobooks are pulling in new audiences such as people who would not typically buy physical books.

Here are at least three reasons to appreciate audiobooks:

1.      They can benefit students of all ages. Emerging readers, students who struggle with reading, and English language learners can use audiobooks, especially read-alongs, to support vocabulary acquisition, make high-interest books above their reading level more accessible, and help them read to learn, not just learn to read. Moreover, some students learn better through listening, so audiobooks may immerse them in books better than reading an e-book or physical text. They can better form images in their minds, therefore increasing comprehension and enjoyment.

2.      Audiobooks can be enjoyed by any one of any age. I know several people personally who love to learn, to dig into topics they are passionate about, but who don’t like to read physical books. Maybe you know some people who feel the same way. Perhaps they get distracted or sleepy while reading, or they read slowly, and it frustrates them. Audiobooks, especially nonfiction ones, are a great fit for these folks. They can stop, rewind, skip ahead, slow the narration rate down or speed it up, all the while enjoying reading and learning.

3.      Audiobooks celebrate reading. Not only are they inclusive by making reading accessible for so many who may be unable to read a physical book, but they also celebrate both the new and the old. While audio may be a new format for many readers, listening to people tell stories has been around for longer than any of us know. And how many of you remember listening to your parents or teachers reading aloud to you or reading books aloud to your own children or grandchildren? There is something magical about listening to someone share a book out loud.

The friendly staff at Wickson can help you if you would like to listen to an audiobook sometime. I encourage you to give it a try – you may discover a new appreciation for reading!