Do people who listen to audiobooks claim to have "read" them?

[dlemond]

I'm curious.

If you listened to an audiobook of any novel, say for example, "Lost Symbol"- and then later someone asked you, "did you ever read Lost Symbol," what do you say?

Do you ever claim to have read a book you never actually "read"?

[Elvis Fonzie Dean]

Good question.

[dlemond]

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

For people who are totally blind, or visually impaired audiobooks may be the only way they can enjoy books. I don't think it's fair to question whether they have "read" a book or not. They listened to the book. They comphrensed what they heard. Most of the books, for me, are audiobooks. I'm legally blind. It would be difficult for me to see printed books. When there's a book that I want to read that isn't on cassette or cd I buy the print version and read it. It just takes much longer and it's eyestraining.

In your way of thinking, you probably question whether someoneon who can't hear can 'listen' to a speech' [through sign language] or whether a person in a wheelchair can 'run' in a marothon.

Why would you go to "in your way of thinking"?
Like I was putting down handicapped people- where did that come from?
You are putting words in my mouth (so to speak).

I was inquiring of a person who is able to read a book or listen to an audiobook. (not to make a judgement on those who don't have a choice).

Also, I was wondering if becomes common thought amongst people who listen to audiobooks to term it reading.

To me, reading is the words forming in your head, the sentences taking shape, everything being drawn through you.

[gidgetgrape]

Originally Posted by dlemond

To me, reading is the words forming in your head, the sentences taking shape, everything being drawn through you.

A person can have the same experience listening with their ears, that they can have looking with their eyes. The brain does all the real work. A person who listens to a book has worked harder than someone who has only read the SparkNotes or seen the movie.

[Elvis Fonzie Dean]

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

A person can have the same experience listening with their ears, that they can have looking with their eyes. The brain does all the real work. A person who listens to a book has worked harder than someone who has only read the SparkNotes or seen the movie.

It CAN be the same, but maybe not for everybody.I think it's a complex thing to answer.

[ekkostar]

If there's an impairment, there's nothing wrong with using audio books (braille and eBooks are fine too ). I remember when I was in grade school some of my classmates with dyslexia used to take out the audio books from the library because it was easier for them.

[MickeyMac]

Myself I prefer to read books, but for those who are blind and have vision problems, audio books can be a godsend. That way they can still enjoy books.

[Janice]

The thing is, not only blind people listen to audiobooks. My husband gets them from the library sometimes. To clarify for dlemond, I believe he was asking about people who have normal sight. It's a given that blind people listen to books. For example, if my husband listened to a book, and someone asked him if he read it, does he say yes or does he say that he listened to it on audiobook? That's my take on dlemond's question. I hope it's okay that I'm speaking for him, and I hope I have it right.

[browneyes106]

Originally Posted by Janice

The thing is, not only blind people listen to audiobooks. My husband gets them from the library sometimes. To clarify for dlemond, I believe he was asking about people who have normal sight. It's a given that blind people listen to books. For example, if my husband listened to a book, and someone asked him if he read it, does he say yes or does he say that he listened to it on audiobook? That's my take on dlemond's question. I hope it's okay that I'm speaking for him, and I hope I have it right.

I agree with you. I think dlemond meant in that way. I know several people who don't have visual impairments or reading disabilities that listen to audiobooks. One of my former co-workers and her husband listened to an audiobook when they drove from New Mexico to Florida. A few other people have told me that they have done the same thing while traveling. My cousin likes listening to audiobooks while she is doing stuff around the house. She also reads the print versions of the books too. Some people that study screenwriting or writing listen to audiobooks to help their dialogue writing skills.

[Family Ties Forever!]

I apologize for misunderstanding your post dlemond.

[dlemond]

Originally Posted by Janice

The thing is, not only blind people listen to audiobooks. My husband gets them from the library sometimes. To clarify for dlemond, I believe he was asking about people who have normal sight. It's a given that blind people listen to books. For example, if my husband listened to a book, and someone asked him if he read it, does he say yes or does he say that he listened to it on audiobook? That's my take on dlemond's question. I hope it's okay that I'm speaking for him, and I hope I have it right.

Yes, that is correct.

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

I apologize for misunderstanding your post dlemond.

That's ok!

[Furienna]

Maybe listening to an audiobook isn't the same thing as reading. But it's just as good. When you're out for a walk or sitting on a bus, audiobooks can really come in handy.

[Courtnee]

It is not. Not at all.