As a student, I don’t have much time to read for fun. I love reading, but when it comes to school, class readings come first. I am always looking for a way to read my books as much as I can, but it can be challenging to find the time I so decided to give audiobooks a try. Here is my experience with them so far:
One thing I can attest to is that audiobooks are much less time-consuming. I can listen to a book on my way to and from school while doing some schoolwork, working out or only when I go on walks. It has been my alternative to listening to music or podcasts. Most of the time, I put my books aside to have more time for school. However, audiobooks have allowed me to do both at the same time.
Another personal benefit of audiobooks is an easier comprehension of the story. I have dyslexia, so at times it can get difficult to follow a storyline. Sometimes I can only handle reading a few chapters, and then I put the book down and immediately forget what I read. With audiobooks, I can listen to a book without having to follow words for a long period .. I also use audiobooks to read actual physical books, which also helps with my dyslexia. However, I do feel like there are some downsides to audiobooks. As much as it is time- efficient and easy to follow, it’s nothing compared to reading an actual physical book. There is that sense of coziness when you pick up a book, sit on a couch with a fluffy blanket and read to decompress. You do not get that with audiobooks. They are definitely for people on the go.
Audiobooks are also expensive. For example, I created an account with audible (https://www.audible.ca), which is a website with many books that you can download at a lower price than what you pay at a bookstore. . Also, because you have to pay a $15 monthly fee, you get what they call “credits.” You get two credits per month, which means you get two free books every month. However, you always have to pay the monthly fee. With physical books, you can pop into your local library and get books for free as well as audio, depending of the library.
I enjoy the idea and experience of an audiobook. I think it is a great alternative for readers who have busy schedules and don’t have time to read as much as they would like. However, they do come with their own set of downsides. The fees of different audiobook apps or websites are not cheap. You also do not have that physical book experience. Personally, I believe it really comes down to whether or not you have a busy schedule or if you have a preference for one or the other. In all, I don’t think I will keep my subscription forever, but I will give it a bit more time to see if it is worth it. If you are a student and an avid reader, I would recommend you try it out.