We need to talk about something that drives me absolutely crazy: audiobook snobbery.
You know exactly what I'm talking about. The eye-rolling. The "that's not real reading" comments. The people who act like you're somehow cheating at reading because you listened to a book instead of staring at physical pages.
As someone who regularly switches between physical books, e-books, and audiobooks depending on my mood and situation (and insomnia level), I have some thoughts. And by thoughts, I mean a passionate defense of why audiobook snobs need to get over themselves.
"Listening isn't reading" is scientifically wrong
First, let's get the science out of the way. Studies have shown that the brain processes stories similarly whether you're reading or listening to them. Research from the Journal of Neuroscience found that the same cognitive and emotional areas of the brain are activated whether words are read or heard. The same comprehension happens, the same emotional responses occur, and the same connections form.
Your brain doesn't care how the words enter it—why should you?
Those narrators are doing something magical
A talented narrator can bring dimensions to a story that even the most imaginative silent reader might miss. Character voices. Emotional nuances. Pronunciation of fantasy names I would have butchered in my head. (And I never had to awkwardly ask anyone how to pronounce "Rhysand"—the narrator just told me!)
Take Joe Arden's narration of "Under Your Scars" for example. And yes, I know he's been called out for problematic behavior, I got the audiobook before I realized he was the narrator. Setting that aside, his performance absolutely elevated that story in ways you have to hear to believe. The emotional depth he brought to that character transformed what could have been just another dark romance into something that still lives in my head rent-free.
Multi-tasking is not cheating
One of the most common criticisms I hear: "You're not paying full attention if you're doing something else while listening."
Um, have you heard of coloring? (Those who follow my lives know this is my fave.) Repetitive tasks like coloring, walking, or doing dishes actually help some people focus better on audio content. Our brains are complex, and many people process information better when their hands are busy.
Just because someone is coloring while listening to Zodiac Academy: Sorrow and Starlight doesn't mean they're absorbing the story any less than someone sitting perfectly still with a hardcover.
Audiobooks make reading more accessible
Look, I know not everyone likes to do three things at once. But here’s the thing—some people literally can’t just sit down and read the traditional way. Like, physically can’t. They may have dyslexia or visual processing issues that make traditional reading difficult. Or physical disabilities that make holding books challenging. Some folks (hi, it's me) have insomnia and strained eyes from staring at screens all day.
Audiobooks level the playing field. They open up the world of literature to more people, which is a goal all readers should be behind.
Let's be honest, not every book works in every format. Heavy non-fiction with charts? Give me a physical copy. A cozy fantasy I want to escape into at 2 AM without waking my house? Pass me my Jbuds mini.
Being rigid about how you consume stories is like insisting you'll only ever eat pizza with your hands when sometimes a knife and fork is the way to go. (Controversial food opinion, I know, but I'm standing by my metaphor.)
Plus, there's the undeniable efficiency factor. I listen at 1.5x speed now and can fly through so many more books than I could with just my eyes. It's like unlocking a reading superpower. Suddenly I can get through my ever-growing TBR pile 50% faster without sacrificing comprehension. And for someone with limited reading time (or just an addiction to adding more books to their collection), that's a game-changer.
Taking it even further: The Graphic Audio experience
And if you want to experience the absolute peak of what audio storytelling can do, you need to check out Graphic Audio productions. Their tagline "A Movie in Your Mind" is no exaggeration.
These aren't traditional audiobooks—they're full audio productions with different voice actors for each character, sound effects, music, and ambient noise. It's like the difference between reading a comic book and watching a Marvel movie.
Graphic Audio primarily focuses on fantasy, sci-fi, and superhero stories (they do amazing versions of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere books), and while they're pricier than standard audiobooks, the immersive experience is worth it for stories where worldbuilding and action sequences play a major role.
If you're an audiobook skeptic who thinks listening can't compare to reading, I dare you to try a Graphic Audio production and still claim it somehow falls short. The experience is so different from both traditional reading and standard audiobooks that it deserves its own category entirely.
Read however the hell you want
Here's my reading philosophy: if you're absorbing and enjoying stories, you're doing it right.
Reading isn't a competition or a performance. It's about connecting with stories in whatever way works for your brain, your body, your lifestyle, and your circumstances.
If audiobooks help you read more, process better, or simply fit books into your busy life, then listen proudly and without apology.
And to the snobs: maybe try an audiobook sometime? You might be surprised by how immersive the experience can be—especially at 1.5x speed when things get slow in the middle.
Where to start your audiobook journey
If you're convinced (or just curious) about diving into the audiobook world, here are a few ways to get started:
- Audible offers a huge selection and typically has the best production quality for mainstream titles. Their subscription gives you credits for new books each month.
- Audiobooks.com is another great option with a similar subscription model but sometimes different title availability, so it's worth checking both.
- For those who prefer to support a platform focused entirely on audio drama, check out Graphic Audio for their unique full-cast productions.
Need some specific recs? Here are audiobooks that outshine their print versions
Looking to experience the magic of a truly exceptional audiobook? Here are five titles that many readers (myself included) consider even better in audio format than their physical counterparts:
- Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver - Narrated by Joe Arden and Ava Erickson. I wish the dude wasn't problematic because his talent is undeniable. The dual narration elevates this dark romance to something electric—the character voices are so distinct you forget you're listening to just two people.
- Lights Out by Navessa Allen - This dark romance comes alive through the audio performance. The narrators capture the complicated dynamic between the characters so perfectly that readers consistently say they got more emotional impact from listening than reading. The tension and chemistry practically crackle through your earbuds.
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Performed by a full cast. This oral history of a fictional 70s rock band was literally designed for audio. The full-cast recording with different voice actors for each character creates an immersive experience that feels like listening to a documentary.
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Narrated by Ray Porter. Porter's performance—especially of the alien character Rocky—adds dimensions to this sci-fi adventure that readers of the physical book miss entirely. The sound effects and voice modulation for different characters transform the experience.
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah - Narrated by the author. Noah's ability to shift between accents, languages, and impressions of his family members brings his South African childhood memoir to life in ways that simply reading the text cannot match. His comedic timing and delivery are perfection.
So, what's your take?
Are you an audiobook devotee? A format switcher like me? Or (whispers) a recovering audiobook snob? Let me know in the comments how you prefer to consume books and why.
And please share your favorite audiobook narrators! I'm always looking for voice talents who can make a good story great.
Until next time, happy "reading" however you choose to do it!
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