Do audiobooks really count as reading? (Science has an answer!)

 

Greetings Book Lovers,

Be honest: Have you ever told someone you "read" 30 books this year, only to quickly add, “Well, actually... I listened to them”?

If you’ve ever felt a tiny pang of guilt while marking an audiobook as finished on Goodreads, you’re not alone. A recent survey showed that 2 in 5 adults believe listening to an audiobook doesn't count as "real" reading.

So, is listening actually a "lesser" way to consume a story?

Pediatric neurologist Dr. Arif Khan recently broke down the neuroscience behind reading versus listening, and the results are reassuring for all of us who spend our time immersed in a good narrator's voice.

Here is what science actually says about your audiobook habit:

1. Your Brain Processes Meaning the Exact Same Way

When researchers put people in brain scanners and compared what happened when they read a story versus when they listened to it, the resulting brain maps were nearly identical.

Once words pass through your eyes or your ears, your brain builds meaning in the same mental locations. Neurologically speaking, listening isn't a shortcut—it’s just a different entrance to the exact same room.

2. Fiction is Made for Listening

Where audiobooks shine brightest is story-driven content. When researchers tested comprehension between reading print, listening to audio, or doing both for narrative fiction, they found zero difference in retention.

Because stories follow a natural progression, your brain easily keeps up by ear. So for novels, memoirs, and lighter non-fiction? Audio tracks side-by-side with print.

3. Dense Textbooks Still Prefer Print

There is one area where print pulls ahead: dense, complex informational material (like academic textbooks).

When studying heavy material, our eyes naturally dart back to re-read confusing sentences. Audiobooks keep moving forward, which can make it easier for your mind to wander during technical explanations. If you're trying to learn a complex topic for work or school, paper and a highlighter are still your best friends.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Listening

If you want to maximize your audiobook time, Dr. Khan suggests these four easy tips:

• Pair the format to the genre: Save audio for fiction and memoirs; grab print copies for dense textbooks or reference guides.
• Capitalize on "found" time: Driving, doing dishes, or hitting the gym are perfect audiobook moments because they turn time you couldn't hold a paperback into bonus reading time.
• Try the 5-second check: Finished a great audio chapter? Pause for a second and summarize the main point in your head. It locks the memory in before you move on.
• Protect your attention: Focused listening will always beat skim-reading a paper book while checking your phone!

The Bottom Line: Next time someone puts an asterisk next to your reading list, you can officially set the record straight: Your brain did the exact same work. Happy listening!

What’s on your headphones this week? Are you currently listening to a great fiction story? Reply and let me know your favorite narrator recommendations!

I'm currently listening to The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates, which is well narrated by Grover Gardner.