I read a lot, using both audio books and hard copies. Both have their strengths and their weaknesses, so today I’ve decided to weigh the differences between them. This is a little bit of a short post, but I found it interesting to compare them. Hopefully you will find it the same, and if you’ve been wondering about the benefits and drawbacks of each type, this is a great post for you.
Audio Book
Pros:
- You don’t have to hold a book open before you, and you can keep your hands busy in some other way, whether it’s by doing a craft or fingering a piece of paper.
- It’s easier to fit it into a busy schedule. You can knock out other things on your to do list while you listen.
- A good narrator will make the story come alive in new ways through character voices and effects.
Cons:
- Visual learners might have a hard time following the story through audio.
- You have to use a device in order to listen, which might be a distraction from your reading.
- If you are interrupted it can be difficult to pause the book in time and you may find yourself having to go back a few seconds.
Hard Copy
Pros:
- You get to enjoy the pleasure of holding an actual book in your hand!
- The story often includes illustrations
- Reading is a great way to decompress at the end of the day or when you need a break from other activities.
Cons:
- Reading itself might be difficult for some people (such as a young child, or someone who has problems with their vision).
- Some books are hard to hold comfortably, or just don’t feel right in your hands.
- There’s the extra step of sitting down to read, and if you don’t make time for it, it can be hard to work into your day.
Final Thoughts
In the end, I love both listening to and reading books, and use each of them often. It usually depends on the situation, book, and access to it I have when I decide which one to use, and I have a long list of books I’m looking forward to reading both in audio book and hard copy form. 🙂
Do you prefer one to the other, or do you enjoy both of them?
For the Love of Stories 
I used to be a strictly physical book reader, but I have a forty-five-minute commute to work so I’ve learned that audiobooks are a great way to pass the time. I’ve found that I really enjoy listening to non-fiction and true crime through audio.
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That’s interesting, thank you for sharing! I have noticed that I listen to a lot of my favorite non fiction on audio too.
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