I’ve completely lost count of how many times this debate has reared it’s ugly head. Do audiobooks count as reading? Is listening to an audiobook considered the same as reading an actual book? Isn’t listening to a book cheating? You shouldn’t add audiobooks to your Goodreads challenge. Should audiobooks be considered real books? Does it still count as reading if you listen to an audiobook? Is listening to an audiobook considered reading? Isn’t it just listening?

It has been years of people asking the same question over and over and over and over again. Like little internet trolls who have reverted to the toddler stage and have been stuck in the same but why? loop since 2015. And beyond being annoying, it’s pretty problematic. Though sadly, reflective of our current society in which way too many people live by the idea that anyone different doesn’t matter.

Here are five reasons why people need to stop asking this question (like, yesterday) and why my brain might explode the next time I hear it:

Asking if audiobooks “count” is ableist. Period.

I know most people who question if audiobooks count (or say they don’t) probably don’t mean to be an ablest jerk. I’m sure a lot of people are just genuinely concerned or curious as to what the general consensus on audiobooks is. And whether they can count them towards their Goodreads goal for the year. I’d bet that not a lot of them are concerned about whether the Disabled Person down the street is able to enjoy a good book. In which case, I say: it’s 2022. Time to be a better person and start thinking about things like that.

Since this is actually my main argument, I thought it fitting to write and publish this post during Disability Pride Month, which you can read more about here. It’s also a great time to educate yourselves on the value of audiobooks (and maybe get some good arguments ready for anyone you come across who says they do not count).

Audiobooks are the most easily accessible way for Blind People to read

Repeatedly questioning whether or not an accessible book format “counts” implies that the people who need or prefer to use that format are undeserving or that there’s something wrong with them. The simplest example is people who are Blind. They generally need certain accommodations that are (usually) accepted by the people around them. Audiobooks make it easier for those who are Blind to consume books for both entertainment and education.They are probably the most accessible way of reading for the Blind.

And don’t come at me with “but can’t they just read books in Braille?” First of all, a tiny selection of books are even published in Braille (and they’re mostly the ones you can buy in a grocery store here in the US). Also, they are expensive. A Braille copy of Pride and Prejudice costs almost $100. Not only is the audiobook cheaper on literally any platform, it’s free on YouTube.

(Note: I am not blind, nor do I know someone who is. I’ve tried to do my research here, but please let me know if there is anything else I should be including, or if anything I said is harmful in any way.)

Audiobooks can accommodate all kinds of disabilities

But it’s not just Blind people who utilize audiobooks as an accommodation for reading with a disability. I have MS and get migraines, so sometimes I’m in a lot of pain. And sometimes my vision goes blurry. In both cases, reading visually becomes more difficult if not nearly impossible. Are you telling me I shouldn’t be allowed to lie down with my AirPods in, close my eyes, and get some reading time in which a good audiobook? And count it as reading?

There are so many disabled readers I know or have encountered that actually prefer audiobooks. They can make life easier and reading more convenient for those with a wide range of disabilities. If you (or someone you know) is questioning or discounting that, you should also be questioning why you feel that way.

Even just asking whether or not audiobooks count as reading is ableist. Why wouldn’t you want someone to be able to access and use audiobooks if that is the only, or least painful, way for them to consume books?

The word “book” is literally in “audiobook” (so maybe we should be concerned about your reading comprehension)

I mean… I’m not wrong. They are books. It’s in the name. So the fact that some people choose to completely ignore that is somewhat concerning. Though not surprising, considering the intelligence of some people. (We all know who they are.) But maybe they missed that elementary school session about word parts and compound words. I’m sure “doorknob” is also confusing. Here’s a tip… it’s a knob that opens a door. Just like an “audiobook” is a book you can hear (because it’s audio, which means sound, in case that’s also not clear).

Sure, we’re probably all guilty of not making very obvious connections. It took me an embarrassingly long time – I’m talking years – to realize the book title NOS4A2 was supposed to be read as “Nosferatu”, even though I knew it was about vampires. I still feel like a complete moron when I think about it. But there’s a difference between me just not making that connection and me judging people who pronounce the title as “Nosferatu”.

Also, I feel like the meaning of “audiobook” is pretty clear. And the people who judge them as “not real books” or who say that “audiobooks don’t count” really need to do better at explaining why exactly they think so. Is it not, inherently, a book? If I listen to the audiobook of say, The Martian (which is one of my favorite audiobooks), and you choose to read the paperback, are we not just ingesting the exact same story?

Not all people are good visual learners, some learn better by listening

I say this as someone who is not an auditory learner. I usually remember things much better if I use my eyes to read them. But I do know that a lot of people are the opposite, and learn or absorb information better if they hear it. That’s just a fact of being a human. What should not be a fact of being human is refusing to acknowledge that other people might think differently than you. They might be neurodivergent or simply have a different learning style, and that is totally fine. You trying to tell them that they’re “wrong” is, in fact, not fine.

People learn in different ways. Even though it’s not conducive to my largely visual and kinetic learning style, I do still enjoy listening to audiobooks. I can imagine that’s even more helpful for people who have an auditory learning style. Those things make a difference. And telling the other half of the population that it is only acceptable to read using the format that is the least beneficial to them is beyond stupid.

Gatekeeping book formats makes you seem like a pretentious asshat

Sorry, I really couldn’t think of a nicer way to say that. But seriously, how incredibly boring and sad must these people be that they are so concerned about the way other people consume entertainment? Imagine if you decided to read a few of Shakespeare’s plays (or had to for school). And I told you that reading them doesn’t count because they were meant to be watched on a stage. You can only count them if you saw them performed life. Film versions don’t count either because movies didn’t exist during Shakespeare’s time. Raise your hand if you just rolled your eyes.

Because seriously, WHO CARES? The fact that I just spent half a day listening to an audiobook while playing solitaire on my computer did not hurt or even slightly inconvenience a single other person. Didn’t even bother my cat. So why on earth would another human being give a single shit? I’d ask someone to explain, but it honestly makes sense given the current state of this country. But if you are not American, please explain, because most of you seem to have embraced logic. Is this just a thing here?

And while I’m sure we can all agree books are awesome, this is such an inconsequential thing to be gatekeeping. It’s kind of as ridiculous as me saying we can’t be friends if you wear pink nail polish. I might not be a huge fan of pink myself, but the fact that I never wear pink nail polish doesn’t mean is wrong for you to do so. I’m really not sure why that’s a difficult concept to understand.

Your opinion about something people enjoy that hurts no one literally DOES NOT MATTER

One thing that I am perpetually confused about is how some people are not only overly confident in their own opinions, but that they feel the need to push them on everyone else. I genuinely don’t get it. First of all, opinions are not facts. Never have been, never will be. And thinking they are does not make them so, sorry crazy.

You are absolutely welcome to not like audiobooks. You’re even have the right to decide to not “count” audiobooks towards your Goodreads goal. Or whatever else you’re talking about when you ask if audiobooks “count”. And you know why? Because that doesn’t affect me at all. Not even a little bit. I don’t agree, but I also don’t care. You’re not wrong to not like them. Just like I’m not wrong for enjoying them and also counting them as books I’ve read.

This entire post is my opinion (with the exception of a sprinkling of actual facts). It’s totally fine if you sat in front of your computer reading this thinking “this bitch is crazy!”. I don’t care. I also don’t care if you feel the need to leave that in the comments. All it does is show that you’re so insecure that my little blog post about audiobooks got under your skin. So maybe don’t. I’m sure if you made it this far, you do actually agree with me on this, but you never know. Either way, your opinion is not capable of dictating how I consume books. Even if you totally agree with everything I’ve said, I’d love to hear it, but it’s not going to change how I read books.

If you hadn’t guessed, my patience for seeing this question all over the internet is no nonexistent. And I felt the need to post on the topic since this is an issue that does affect the Disabled Community and it is Disability Pride Month, so we should be talking about things like this. Refraining from asking this question or saying audiobooks don’t count is such a simple way to make life a tiny bit easier for a lot of Disabled People (and also any readers who enjoy audiobooks). Stop stigmatizing disability accommodations, especially if it requires nothing from you except to keep your mouth shut.

I’d love to hear from any of you on this topic: What do you think of this “audiobooks don’t count” argument? Have you encountered in in real life? Is there another argument you think we should add to this list? Do you think we can finally put this argument to rest in 2022?

In case you missed it, I recently published a list of twenty books to read for Disability Pride Month. Definitely give it a read if you’re looking for a book to pick up this month.

And check out my bookshop, where you can buy books and also shop my curated collections of my personal favorites AND all of the books I’ve read for my reading eperiments. Or you can just buy whatever books you want to. I get a small commission at no extra cost to you, and you get to support your choice of indie bookstores – it’s a win all around!

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