Reading Audiobooks

Abstract

The development of digital media technologies like the MP3 file and the smartphone has changed the status of the audiobook from being a by-product of the printed book to being a mass medium in its own right. This chapter takes a context and user perspective on audiobooks and asks the fundamental question: to what extent can one say that one ‘reads’ an audiobook? Based on the Danish author Helle Helle’s novel Ned til hundene (Down to the Dogs, 2008), the authors discuss how the audiobook experience as a whole can be analysed regarding ‘technological framing’, ‘reading situations’ and ‘the performing voice’. They also investigate audiobook reading in relation to the experience of time and depth.

The New Audiobook Industry: Digitizing Reading through Hearing

“…Digital audiobooks provide a literary experience that is different from sight-oriented reading. Listening to audiobooks can be considered a reading experience that focuses on atmosphere and content and builds on the specific experiences found in audiobooks (Have & Pedersen, 2021). Switching between music, audiobooks, and podcasts (MAP Switching) reflects users' listening needs.…”

“…Media digitalization has changed how people read and listen to literary works, especially audiobooks (Have & Pedersen, 2021;Elislah & Irwansyah, 2022). Initially, it was only intended as a tool for blind people and victims of World War I and World War II, but now audiobooks are available to readers of all levels (Rubery, 2008).…”

“…Digital audiobooks are present in the digital era, making it easier for high-mobility users to consume audiobooks (Have & Pedersen, 2021). In addition, audiobooks offer different reading options and experiences that are atmosphere or atmosphere-oriented and contentoriented so that people feel that their free time is well utilized (Have & Pedersen, 2021).…”

“…The trend in the development of digital audiobooks is seen as not just a remediation of print media but an independent medium that makes the method of reading by listening increasingly common and is an expanded form of literary reading (Wallin & Nolin, 2020;Have & Pedersen, 2021). For teenage readers, audiobooks increase fluency, expand vocabulary, activate previously held knowledge, develop understanding, and increase motivation to interact with books.…”

“…By involving the senses of hearing, sight, and other body movements, reading audiobooks provides a non-monotonous and entertaining experience. The increasingly popular style of using audiobooks is when they are available on various digital platforms, such as subscription-based streaming (Have & Pedersen, 2021;Berglund et al, 2021;Wallin & Nolin, 2020). Not only do they play a role in literary and educational aspects, but audiobooks can also be helpful in health aspects (Poerio & Totterdell, 2020;Chen & Wang, 2023;Mermer & Arslan, 2024).…”