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Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading a book? Is it cheating?

Is listening to an audiobook the same as reading a book? Is it cheating?

Gabriel #questionnaire #audio book

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73 Answers

Shelly

Its the same. It takes twice as long .

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Emily

You can adjust the speed on those.

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Emily

I usually have mine up as fast as it can be with me able to understand.

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Emily

It is the same. I actually wrote a paper on it last year, there are studies that the same parts of your brain is active as if you’re reading.

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Tiffany

If you are asking if it counts towards your reading goal, yes, I believe it does. And no, I dont believe it is “cheating”. You are still consuming the story. I set my audio books at 2x or 3x the normal speed so it takes very little time to consume a story, though I am aware of some people who cannot listen to words that are spoken that quickly.

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Emily

I always have my speed cranked up.

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Tiffany

The only time I dont is when I am driving, since I of course need to use more of my brain to focus on driving, and not getting a ticket for something dumb, instead of all on the words haha

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Don

It’s not cheating, but it just doesn’t appeal to me. Ever since I was a child, it’s just worn me out to have to listen to people talk. I’d be miserable listing to an audiobook.

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Diane

I’m the same way

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Dan

listening is better than reading

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Deanna

Yes, it counts! Many people, such as those with visual impairment, can only experience a book in that way.

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Estherjane

Nope. Some people that is all they have

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Mike

Disabled persons have reading goals too, therefore it’s not cheating.

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Runell

It’s not cheating. If you can explain to someone what a book is about that you’re listening to, then you have “read” it.

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Anne

No. Blind law school students and others read/listen to their audio books if they can’t find the texts in Braille. The goal is to utilize the content material.

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Jennifer

You’re absorbing and enjoying the book why should format matter……. watching the movie is cheating lol but not an audio book

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Mary

Agree ^^^^

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Jennifer

I’m shocked!!?

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Mary

@Jennifer I know right??? ?????????

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Jennifer

Completely unbelievable!! ????

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Melissa

I get so tired of this question. It’s not a competition. Count it, don’t count it, it really doesn’t matter. If you enjoy the experience of the book, it doesn’t matter how you get that experience. I read paper, electronic, and listen to audio. I’m completing all of those books.

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Laurel-Rain

I agree that listening counts, but just don’t enjoy it. I have to see the words to take it all in.

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Brandy

Very well said.

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Jean

It’s still a book. It’s definitely not cheating. The story ends the same no matter what format it’s read in.

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Kelli

No. It’s not cheating. Sometimes, it isn’t convenient to pick up a book if you have things to do. I’ve listened to old books on audiobook and I feel like I get more out of it by listening rather than reading it. I read paper, electronic and I listen to audiobooks.

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Brent

It’s the same
Anyone that says otherwise is mistaken

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Ryan

Ummm it’s not the same genius.one you use your eyes for and the other you use your ears for.

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Brent

Functionally the same genius

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Sara

No I switch back and forth especially when I have to do things like drive or dishes or whatever my kids need lol. Pesky life won’t get in my way!

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Tina

Cheating? There are no rules to reading!?

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Ryan

Wouldn’t it be listening then not reading.big difference

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Tina

Whatever makes you happy

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Crystal

Still a book. You’re still taking the story in. Def not cheating.

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Jenn

I count it as reading, my husband has bad eyes, and he’s just a couple books behind me in our goals.!!!?

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Em

I struggle with reading nowadays because of Vestibular migraines so audiobooks are a lifesaver

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Angie

If you’re in school and your teacher said don’t listen to the audio, read the book and you listen— it’s cheating. If you are reading for fun, nothing is cheating.

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Edward

It’s cheating if you and your hardback are in committed, exclusive relationship. As long as your heart back snow that you listen to audiobooks on the side, it’s not cheating

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Carol

No way. Some people are auditory learners and prefer to listen — the idea is to share a story from the author to us.

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Freya

No. The same thing that you are listening to is also written in the book.

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Dale

I wouldn’t class it as the same but it’s not cheating.

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Patricia

Why does this question pop up every. Single. Week. Doesn’t everyone know by now?

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M.C.

From a cup or a bowl, it’s still soup.

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Sabrina

I don’t it’s cheating, but it’s definitely not the same. It’s a different experience to hear it aloud, outside of your head. I personally don’t enjoy it. But for those who do, that’s great.

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Jeri

Life isn’t a competition. Get your stories in whatever medium is best for you =)

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Marci

Listening to books is a way for me to read more ! Listen when I am cleaning. I think it counts

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Michelle

It counts as reading.

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Sheila

Not cheating at all…
have to concentrate more though…

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Luca

Just another way to enjoy literature. You read or you listen: they cannot possibly be the same thing.

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Colleen

it is different based on science, guys. look up the literature on this (no pun intended). it is proven that you consume the story differently if you read paper books versus ebooks versus audiobooks. it just is. not cheating, just different in significant neurological/emotional ways.

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Aaron

sometimes the narrators performance can elevate the book’s enjoyment, other times it can take away from it. I really don’t like Scott Brick’s narrations. Dick Hill is excellent

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Mary

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/07/31/is-listening-to-a-book-a-cheating/?utm_term=.aa7541914393

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Vicki

Not cheating…but always fun to read the physical book at the same time as listening to it

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Joan

More than one way to enjoy books

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Meghan

No

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Tiffany

To me listening to an audio book is the same as reading. I listen to them when I’m cleaning, driving, working out. Becuase if I was sitting down reading a physical book I would never get anything done.

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Kadhijah

Nooo

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Johanna

I think it counts

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Sammantha

No, I think it counts the same. Don’t let no one tell you different. ????

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Aidy

I would hardly read at all anymore if it wasn’t for audiobooks. 🙂

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Brandy

I don’t consider it cheating. What about people with vison problems who love to read, but their eyesight won’t allow them. I do both.
I love audios for nights of insomnia especially. Or if I’m sick. Those times I need a distraction but I can’t focus on a book. I even took my iPod to the hospital and listened to it. I have 4 audios of my favorite author, Sandra Owens. She always sends me a signed paperback and audio with each new release. And I love the narrator’s, Amy McFadden and Sebastian York, who do her audios. Sebastian especially has such a sexy, yet calm and soothing voice.

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Eboni

It’s not the same but it’s not cheating either. If you don’t have time to sit and read it’s a great alternative. Though you’re exercising different brain muscles, brain muscles are still flexing. Haters be gone.

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Tricia

Its only cheating if your print books fibd out

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Dawn

No, it’s the same as reading.

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Johnna

I think it counts the same. What if you can’t read for medical reasons or just choose that this is your best way of enjoying a book. You still get the same emotions and facts as you would in reading it.

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Jordan

No.

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Anthony

Yes and no. It’s not the same as reading the book because, pending the personality and delivery of the narrator, you could have an entirely different experience or interpretation than you would if it was read yourself. That being said, you’re still consuming the literature, regardless of format, so I don’t see how that would be “cheating”

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Catalina

depends on your mood, still it counts as reading in both cases

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Allyson

I love audiobook I’m listening to Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

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Mar

As far as my kids are concerned, yes it’s cheating but not for adults.

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Ang

There have been studies that show the brain is activated in different areas but that the effort to listen and take information in is no less than the effort to read.

Should blind people not be counted as reading if they use their fingers for Braille, or their ears for hearing?

Audibooks equal reading.

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M.P.

Is it arguable that watching tv is the same as visually picturing a book?

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MJ

Listening comprehension and reading comprehension are two different skills. That’s what I was taught in school ?

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Tina

Counts for who? Do what you enjoy. I listen in the car, I read at home and enjoy both.

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