Engagement with a story is, for me, something I enjoy with all my heart and soul. That probably goes without saying for fiction, myths, legends, fairy tales, etc., however, I also can feel it with certain non-fiction books. Here’s the thing: once we shift our perspective on non-fiction and realize that the author is still presenting us with a ‘story’ albeit one based in how she perceives and presents information through her own lens. And there are different ways to engage with the story.
One writer a few years back said that, “reading is something you do, where listening is something that happens to you.1” One is more active while the other leans more passive; both are valuable and worthwhile paths to engaging with story, but not the same. I prefer to read books most of the time, but greatly appreciate that so many books are now available in audiobook format. These different methods activate our minds in unique ways. Understanding the differences is not a case of feeling superior but just to know they are different.
After all, I watch a movie, I engage with a video game, I act out in a play on-stage (or attend one, and therefore watch as well as listen), so, yes, I read text or listen to an audio or to music. All of these are different! They elicit our sensorial and active/passive experience in different ways, occasionally feeling multiple senses almost simultaneously yet each of us leans more strongly into various senses than someone else might. So, no — reading a book is not the same as listening to one in audio format; you do you, but they’re not the same in my opinion.
This essay came up because the topic, which makes the rounds periodically, popped up on BookTube in response to something like: “Do audiobooks count?” The clue for me is in the use of “count” — many people just like adding up how many books they’ve read, similar to the contests to encourage reading and expand literacy when I was in grade school back in the 1960s. Personally, I’d prefer they be clear and say they read this number and listened to that number, but that’s just my view. It also goes to “WHY” someone is even interested in books.
Listening certainly can be convenient, entertaining, or even educational when we have to do other rote or automatic tasks, and, while can potentially be similar to the bardic tradition of story-telling, is still not the same. Why? Because telling stories used to mean one was not only listening but also watching the teller, and both were engaged together in that moment often without distractions; this was a relational experience, often around a campfire or sitting in front of a hearth.
I realize that the majority of ‘modern’ people generally lead hectic, busy lives and they do nearly everything in the frame of multi-tasking. Most of my experience with listening to audiobooks has been during long, primarily highway, road-trips. But multi-tasking is not my own nature or inclination and can create a lot of inner stress, even anxiety. I like to be fully present in each moment — these moments are gifts from Life.
Most of my other experiences with audiobooks has been late at night, curled up in a chair with a hot drink and a cat and/or dog (or several) on my lap, maybe a candle lit but at the very least with low lighting. Then I listen. Deeply. Actually, some of my favorite stories to listen to in this realm are old time radio shows created specifically for that purpose. Another fabulous audio collection of fairy tales, myths, etc., is the “Dangerous Old Woman” series presented by the incomparable Clarissa Pinkola Estes (produced by SoundsTrue but available on Amazon/Audible, I think).
Which leads me back to my preference for reading rather than listening (most of the time) because I thrill to that total holistic immersion in the story. My connection to story usually goes further than solely entertainment. For me, books are precious as are the stories they share across space-time. I generally choose to, and try to, honor them and their creators through presencing, and with immense gratitude to Goddess for giving our species this extraordinary ability.
1 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/friendly-interest/201812/why-listening-book-is-not-the-same-reading-it Accessed 17OCT24.
