Throughout history, one of the biggest constants across the world has been storytelling. There have been many evolutions in how people shared stories, from around a campfire with family and friends to the mass printing and publishing we see today. Growing up, I’ve spent a lot of my time reading. Whether I was first learning to read, bored over the summer or simply had some free time in between classes, I’ve always been surrounded by books. Throughout my life, I’ve seen many mediums on how a story gets told, but is one better than the other?

Audiobooks were seen for the first time around 1932, and have since grown with the invention of the modern internet, but there are some pros and cons that come with them. On a positive note, they can be great for when you may not be able to sit down and read, such as when you’re driving or doing chores around the house. They provide accessibility for those who may struggle with words because of dyslexia, vision impairments and other possible disabilities. Audio listening can also help solve the age-old problem of ‘wait, how do I pronounce this?’ that comes with a physical book. On the other hand, sometimes they may take away some of the creativity that can come with reading, such as giving characters their own unique voices in your head. For me personally, I find it difficult sometimes to follow along with an audiobook, because of pacing and the fact that if I get distracted, which I do quite easily, it ends up being a bit more difficult to rewind to the exact moment rather than just looking back at the sentence.

Physical books have been around for millennia at this point, with the industry and more modern idea of printing and publishing booming after the invention of the printing press. Physical books have many benefits, such as cutting down the electricity you use or providing an excuse to sit down for a while and relax. Sometimes, it’s even just enough to have the book itself, with people finding enjoyment from being able to hold something and own it, rather than just listening to it. Just like how audio can be helpful for those who find written words hard, the same can be said for physical books and listening disabilities. If someone is hard of hearing, happens to have audio processing disorder (APD) or something else that can make it hard to hear things, a physical book is going to be way more helpful to them. Books, however fun they might be, aren’t always accessible. Some people don’t always have the extra money to spend on buying a new book or two, and while there are over 100 public libraries in the metro area of Minnesota, people elsewhere may not have one nearby that they can go to.

Personally, I find reading from a physical book is way better than audiobooks. I love to browse a bookstore or library for something new to read, and I don’t find that looking for audiobooks feels the same. They also allow me a lot more variety. I can’t think of an audiobook that doesn’t have a physical counterpart, but there are so many books that don’t end up getting a voiced version. I really enjoy the feeling of holding a book in my hand, and using reading as an excuse to get away from my screens is helpful to me. I know I’m on my phone and computer enough as it is.

All in all, both audiobooks and physical ones are great choices, even if I prefer the latter. Each has its own strengths and disadvantages, and it’s really up to the reader or listener to choose which option works for them. You can have a physical copy for some books and audio for others, or if you want to you can do both at the same time. It just depends on what’s most accessible for you and is engaging as well.