Monday Real Talk

Have You Switched from Reading Books to Audiobooks?

For years, I was an avid reader.

Reading was my favorite pastime. If I started talking to the book, you knew I was really enjoying it.

When I opened Flava Coffee House, I was accepted onto an African American Book Review Team based out of Philadelphia. That experience changed the way I looked at books. I learned how to identify what makes a great book from a professional standpoint, how to write thoughtful reviews, and I fell in love with the entire process.

Before long, independent authors began sending me their books directly to review. That was the birth of Flava Coffee House Reviews.

Then, in 2008, I hosted a National Book Conference through Flava Coffee House that was sponsored by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. Authors, Spoken Word artists, and supporters traveled from across the United States to attend. Looking back, those are some really special memories.

Somewhere along the way, though, something changed.

I honestly don’t remember when I stopped being able to sit down and concentrate on reading. I still bought books. I collected Kindle books. But I just couldn’t stay focused long enough to finish them.

Then, about ten years ago, I discovered audiobooks.

That actually wasn’t new to me. My parents loved books on cassette tapes. We listened to them during long car rides and camping trips, so maybe audiobooks have always been a part of my story.

Now I find myself drawn to audiobooks more than printed books.

I enjoy all kinds of genres. Sometimes I want a mystery. Sometimes I want something inspiring. It really depends on my mood.

But here’s the funny thing…

The narrator can make or break a book for me.

If I don’t enjoy the narrator’s voice, there’s a good chance I won’t finish the book. But when I find the right voice, I can listen for hours.

That got me wondering…

Is there really a difference between reading a book and listening to one?

From what I’ve learned, there really is.

Reading gives you complete control. You can slow down, reread a paragraph, highlight passages, and let your imagination create each character’s voice. It’s often better for studying or learning complicated information because your brain can easily go back and review something you missed.

Audiobooks, on the other hand, bring stories to life in a different way. A great narrator adds emotion, personality, humor, and suspense that can make the story feel almost like a movie playing in your mind. They’re also wonderful for people who are driving, walking, cleaning, or who have difficulty reading because of vision challenges or dyslexia.

Research shows that both reading and listening activate many of the same language and comprehension areas of the brain. Neither one is “cheating.” They simply offer different experiences.

For me, audiobooks gave me back something I thought I had lost.

They gave me back stories.

So now I’m curious…

Which do you enjoy?

📚 Do you love curling up with a physical book?

🎧 Do you prefer audiobooks?

📱 Do you read on a Kindle or tablet?

❤️ Or are you like me and enjoy a little of everything depending on the season of life you’re in?

I’d love to hear your answer.

Lady Flava 🌻