Have you enjoyed a good book lately? If so, did you read it or listen to it? Some people say the best way to experience the written word is by turning the pages of a physical book. According to a study published in the journal Teaching of Psychology, students retained more information when they read a text on paper than when they listened to the text being read. And a study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that students’ minds wandered more when they listened to a passage than when they read it on paper. But other people say audiobooks offer many advantages over paper books. A report by the National Literacy Trust found that 37 percent of children surveyed said listening to audiobooks sparked their interest in literacy. Half of the children surveyed said listening to books helped relieve stress. Do you prefer experiencing books on the page or through earbuds?
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Which Are Better? Paper Books or Audiobooks?
Audiobooks
It’s not easy to carry an armful of paper books around with you, but it’s a piece of cake to take loads of audiobooks wherever you go. You can listen to audiobooks while walking, in the car, or doing other tasks. But perhaps my favorite thing about listening to an audiobook is being able to feel the emotions behind the book. The reader’s tone, pace, and expression immerse you in the characters’ thoughts and dialogue, adding a deeper level of understanding to the story. Plus, audiobooks can help people with conditions like dyslexia or visual impairments that make it difficult for them to read. Audiobooks encourage and support literacy, reading comprehension, and a fondness for books.
—Vidith Karnam, ninth-grader, California
Paper books
There’s something sacred about the rustle of a freshly opened book, the scent of the paper, and the way each page invites your imagination to build entire worlds. Reading a paper book helps me take a break from all the digital noise. I’ll never forget the rainy afternoon my friend and I sat in the library, each lost in our own book. We still talk about how peaceful that hour was. Plus, when you read a physical book, you can see how far you’ve read, highlight your favorite lines, or scribble thoughts in the margins. These interactions make the story feel like it’s truly yours. Audiobooks might be easier to carry around, but honestly, nothing compares to reading a paper book.
—Aleena Qadri, 12th-grader, Texas
What does your class think?
Which are better? Paper books or audiobooks?
Which are better? Paper books or audiobooks?
Which are better? Paper books or audiobooks?
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