What Is an Audiobook?
An audiobook is a recorded narration of a book that is listened to rather than read on a page. Audiobooks are used for both personal entertainment and as educational resources to increase reading comprehension. They’re different from e-books, which are in a broader category encompassing all digital books either in audio form or with readable text. With the advent of smartphones, it’s easier than ever to listen to an audiobook wherever you go, whether you’re driving the kids to school or taking some time for yourself. Read on to learn more about what audiobooks are made of.How Audiobooks Work
As early as the 1930s, audiobooks were used as educational resources in the form of vinyl records. In the 1970s, cassette tapes became the norm, and this is when audiobooks became widely available in stores. CDs began to replace cassettes in the early 1990s, and after their decline in the late 2000s, most people transitioned to listening online. Recently, there has been a resurgence of audiobooks due to the advent of smartphones and easy online accessibility, which have led to an increased demand for quality recording.Narration
A narrator is the person telling the story or reading the text to the listener. A well-narrated audiobook brings a story to life, conveying all the emotions and sensations that the author intended. Audiobooks can be narrated by anyone from actors and professional voiceover artists to the authors themselves. Good narrators read clearly, emphatically, and with a tone that accurately reflects the narrative of the story itself. They are energetic, expressive, and engaging.Recording and Production
To record an audiobook, a narrator reads through a book either in a professional studio or independently in a home studio. In major publishing houses, the recording then is proofed and edited by a studio engineer. Typically, narrators are paid hourly based on the length of the finished recording. So, even if a three-hour audiobook takes 17 hours to record, the narrator is only paid for the three hours. This incentivizes them to make as few mistakes as possible, reducing the need for additional takes.
Audiobooks are often available as "abridged," which is a version of the full story that has been shortened for the benefit of downloading and listening time. They may also be abridged to remove controversial or potentially inappropriate content. Abridged versions were more common when audiobooks existed primarily in physical form simply because of the limitations of play time on vinyl, CDs, and cassettes.
Think of the abridged version as the "meat and potatoes" of a story, whereas an unabridged audiobook includes the full text exactly as it was originally published. In 1984, technology was released that made it possible to record twice the amount of content on one cassette, which made unabridged versions much more common.
As a general rule of thumb, if you’re looking to be immersed in the full experience of a story with all of the detail, dialogue, and imagery possible, opt for an unabridged version.
How to Access Audiobooks
When searching for audiobooks on Audible, you can browse through a variety of categories or search by author or title if you have something specific in mind. Sift through best sellers to find compelling stories by critically acclaimed authors. Find a narrator you love to listen to and then browse all of their other work.
Similar to music streaming services such as Spotify, you have two listening options: streaming and downloading.
Streaming Audiobooks
When you stream an audiobook, the audio file is remotely stored and then transmitted via an internet connection to your device. If your connection is reliable and steady, streaming is a great option that doesn’t take up storage on a device.
Downloading Audiobooks
Those who travel or have a spotty connection may prefer to download instead of streaming for uninterrupted listening. Downloading is also beneficial for smartphone users because you only need to use data once to download the audiobook, and then you can listen to the file indefinitely without using any more data.
Borrowing Audiobooks
You can also borrow free audiobooks from your local library. You don’t even need to make the trip—there are apps and programs that allow you to browse and borrow straight from your phone or computer, given you have a valid library card. To discover how, visit your local library’s website and follow their instructions.
Audiobook Formats
There are many listening options for audiobooks, and formats depend on where you get your audiobooks. Physical copies of audiobooks are available on vinyl, CD, and cassette. These are available both at the library and online. For example, many Amazon listings will include "Audio CD" as a format option along with the usual hardcover, paperback, and audiobook options.
When it comes to digital formats, it’s a little trickier than just picking your format out by hand. From MP3 to AAC, each format has its own benefits. It’s important to understand digital audiobook formats because it will help you transfer files between devices and listening platforms. You’ll likely see digital audiobooks in the following formats:
- MP3: MP3 files provide good sound quality at a relatively low file size. This is the standard for all audio files including music, podcasts, and audiobooks among most devices and platforms.
- WMA (Windows Media Audio): WMA files can be downloaded to a Windows computer and are typically about half the size of MP3 files, meaning they download more quickly and take up less storage space.
- AAC (Advanced Audio Coding): This file type uses an audio compression method that generally yields better sound quality than MP3 files.
- AA and AAX (Audible Enhanced Audiobook): Formats specifically created by Audible for audiobook files. AA is the standard audiobook format, and AAX is an enhanced format for better audio quality, though these are typically larger files.
Choosing a Device to Listen to Audiobooks
You can listen to digital audiobooks on hundreds of devices including smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, personal computers, Kindle, and BrailleNote.
When choosing the ideal device for your audiobook collection, you’ll want to research features that will make listening fun and easy. Below are some important considerations:
1. Battery Life
If you’ll be traveling or listening in a place without access to power, you’ll want to make sure your device can get you through an audiobook without the ultimate cliffhanger—a dead battery.
2. Bookmarking Capability
Just like marking the page where you left off, it’s important that you can bookmark your spot if you need to resume listening later. This will save you the trouble of rewinding and fast-forwarding until you find where you left off.
3. Connectivity
Devices with connectivity are beneficial for browsing and downloading new content. For example, a smartphone allows you to download the next installment of a series while you’re out and about. If you’re a parent, you may want your child to have access to audiobooks while limiting internet time; simple MP3 players are great options in this case.
4. Portability
While you can listen to audiobooks on a personal computer, you may want to consider a smaller device you can slip in your pocket if you’ll be listening on-the-go.
5. Sound Quality
White noise or poor audio quality can quickly ruin an otherwise riveting story. Audible allows you to download audiobooks in "normal" and "high" quality. If you have the storage space, high quality will result in a better listening experience.
6. Storage
If you’ll be downloading your audiobooks rather than streaming them, you’ll need a device with substantial storage space. An average 10-hour audiobook downloaded at high quality will require approximately 300 MB of storage space.
Benefits of Audiobooks
Audiobooks are great tools for digesting stories or learning anywhere you go. They’re particularly useful in situations when you need to be hands-free, such as during your morning commute or a weekend bike ride. Because audiobooks allow you to multitask, they free up time and allow you to fit more productivity into your day.
Listening vs. Reading
Audiobooks are wonderful resources for differently abled people or those who may struggle with reading. Thanks to nonprofit organizations like LearningAlly, audiobooks are now accessible and widely used by people with dyslexia and hyperlexia, as well as people with visual impairments.
Listening to audiobooks—rather than reading a physical book—helps build critical listening and thinking skills. Analyzing plots, speculating outcomes, and empathizing with characters are all ways your mind is sharpened while listening. Audiobooks can even help boost mental health and reduce stress.
Absorbing stories and lessons has always been an important part of human nature, and it’s made even easier and more accessible with the advent of audiobooks. No matter what you’re interested in, there’s likely an audiobook for it. No matter where you are, there’s a repository of audiobooks available at your fingertips. And no matter who you are, there’s a story waiting to change your life—all you have to do is listen.