If you listened to an audiobook, do you say you "read" it? (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

In regular/casual conversation - it is okay to say you "read" a book that you actually listened to on Audible or some other method?

I don't think there's any point in having to make the distinction that you listened it, you consumed the content - you presumably can do no more or no less having listened to it than read it (as far as the content goes). Should you really have to say "well I actually listened to it."

Certainly it's not 100% the same - there are things about reading the words on a page that cannot be replaced (such as building vocabulary and what not), but as the content itself, I think they're substantially the same. But I'm talking more about how we talk about it, not whether they're the same. If you say in casual conversation "yeah, I read ______", are you really lying?

 

[Brennan77]

Good question. I sometimes feel like I absorb the content better through audio. But I also feel weird about saying I read something that I listened to. So for now I'll say that I am familiar or that I listened to the book.

 

[superchuck500]

Good question. I sometimes feel like I absorb the content better through audio. But I also feel weird about saying I read something that I listened to. So for now I'll say that I am familiar or that I listened to the book.

I'm pretty new to audiobooks, but since starting last year, I have definitely gotten through more books than I was for years relying on time to read.

I think it depends on the context, but in pure casual conversation I have said "I read" the book just because it didn't seem relevant whether I read or listened to it. I mean, I obviously wouldn't testify that I read it. I suppose we should just normalize saying "I listened" to it, perhaps it already is.

"I'm familiar with that book"?? That just comes across as suspicious.

 

[Booker]

My vote is listening does not equal reading. Reading is active, where you digest the content in your own internal voice; listening is passive, digesting content in someone else’s voice.

Likewise vice versa, where if you read the transcript of an interview (or deposition), for example, you wouldn’t say you listened to it.

ETA: And there is nothing wrong with saying “I listened to” a book — it’s a very common activity, especially for people who spend a lot of time commuting.

 

[faceman]

You don't say I read. You say I heard

 

[superchuck500]

My vote is listening does not equal reading. Reading is active, where you digest the content in your own internal voice; listening is passive, digesting content in someone else’s voice.

But does it have to be "the same" in casual conversation about a particular book? Is that distinction really relevant in that context?

Also, I'm curious about the active (internal voice) versus passive (narrator) idea. Are you saying that your own internal voice lends itself to a more creative (and likely brain engaged) process? That seems possible.

Though I think as busy adults, go with whatever works for you.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

‘You talked to Sally?’
‘Yeah, we texted’

It’s like that

 

[kansast]

Last book I read was like 10 years ago and it was all 7 books of the “Dark Tower”. Since then I’ve listened to a ton of audio books. I had an Hour commute to work and an hour home. 5 days a week. In casual conversation I’ll say I read them. Other times I’ll mention they were audio books

Since the start of COVID my job has switched to working from home, and we’ve made that a permanent change. Saving a bunch of money in rent/parking/gas. Alas no time for audio books anymore

 

[Sailorsaint]

I like listening to old radio programs on SXM. When a show comes on that I’ve heard before, I’ll invariably say “I’ve seen this one before.”

 

[Optimus Prime]

Yes I do

Love audiobooks and I have no problem saying that I read it

its not the same thing as someone asking ‘did you read this book?’

and you answer ‘yes, well I saw the movie’

Audiobooks

Does anyone here listen to audiobooks? I am in my car alot and I listen to them all the time but I've been listening to them since middle school. With rare exceptions I avoid abridged versions. There was a book that had both versions, the adbridged was 4 hours long, the unabridged was 12. How...

saintsreport.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

But does it have to be "the same" in casual conversation about a particular book? Is that distinction really relevant in that context?

Also, I'm curious about the active (internal voice) versus passive (narrator) idea. Are you saying that your own internal voice lends itself to a more creative (and likely brain engaged) process? That seems possible.

Though I think as busy adults, go with whatever works for you.

I took his comment as more meaning when reading you decide the ‘performance’ of the characters

when I read I guess I read ‘flatly or monotone’ even if the dialogue is said by someone yelling in anger

when you listen to the book the narrator is actually yelling in anger

 

[Booker]

But does it have to be "the same" in casual conversation about a particular book? Is that distinction really relevant in that context?

Also, I'm curious about the active (internal voice) versus passive (narrator) idea. Are you saying that your own internal voice lends itself to a more creative (and likely brain engaged) process? That seems possible.

Though I think as busy adults, go with whatever works for you.

It’s a small distinction, but nothing to get hung up over.

‘You talked to Sally?’
‘Yeah, we texted’

It’s like that

Exactly.

I took is comment as more meaning when reading you decide the ‘performance’ of the characters

when I read I guess I read ‘flatly or monotone’ even if the dialogue is said by someone yelling in anger

when you listen to the book the narrator is actually yelling in anger

This, too.

 

[superchuck500]

‘You talked to Sally?’
‘Yeah, we texted’

It’s like that

That girl?

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

In regular/casual conversation - it is okay to say you "read" a book that you actually listened to on Audible or some other method?

I don't think there's any point in having to make the distinction that you listened it, you consumed the content - you presumably can do no more or no less having listened to it than read it (as far as the content goes). Should you really have to say "well I actually listened to it."

Certainly it's not 100% the same - there are things about reading the words on a page that cannot be replaced (such as building vocabulary and what not), but as the content itself, I think they're substantially the same. But I'm talking more about how we talk about it, not whether they're the same. If you say in casual conversation "yeah, I read ______", are you really lying?

If I listened to an audiobook then I would say that. If I read a book I would say that. I'm pretty literal so a distinction must be made.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

If I listened to an audiobook then I would say that. If I read a book I would say that. I'm pretty literal so a distinction must be made.

You say ‘audiobook’ not wav file?