why dont we read books? (don’t we have enough time)

Today's people offer constant excuses not to read books. Maybe they're right. Due to the increase of the population and the adoption of the capitalist system, people may be working harder and lacking enough time. Actually audiobooks are a different way of reading books. And they consume most of the excuses.

The audio books were first tested in 1932 by the American Blind Foundation. In 1955, attempts were made to spread it to people. Technological changes in the 1960s and 1980s led to the growth of the audio books sector. Finally, in 1994, the term audiobook became an industry standard.

Good news

According to Forbes magazine,
“Now, 37 percent of people say they’ve listened to an audio book, and the medium continues to become an important substitute for old-fashioned reading”

About 65 million people listen to an audiobook each year and that number continues to grow, according to the Audio Publishers Association. Many users now listen to fill their time during chores, commuting or to multitask with other work

So Which devices are preferred to listen audiobooks ?

You can choose different devices to listen to an audio book such as CD players, MP3 players, smartphones, tablets and PCs.There are some special devices for audio books such as Kindle,Kobo.

What are the Advantages of Audiobooks ? ('S'WOT)

- ease of carrying (You can’t carry hundreds of books with you) 

- eyes resting (Eyes become tired hence readings for hours) 

- cheaper (It is cheeper than books) 

- (Especially) blind people can use 

 - (You are) freedom to travel (because you don't need to sit down to read a book ) 

- ease of access to books (You dont need to go to bookstore, you can download wherever you want to listen audiobooks)

What are the Weaknesses of Audiobooks ? (SW-OT)

- Firstly you need a technology 

- Internet connection requirement (first time to download) 

- Charging problem (You can use it until charging ends or you need the electricity) 

- Earphone need (You should buy an earphone to listen without disturbing other people around you)- You need a bank card (to purchase while you downloading) 

- It could be distracting for drivers (You know, you need to focus on the road) 

- Devices can be broken (you can lose it easily if you dont possess a good backup system)

What are the Opportunities of Audiobooks ? (SWO-T)

- You can prevent paper waste (You don’t need print too many books) 

- Book reading rate increases (beacuse, you may have forgotten to bring my books with you, when you wwere in bus or subway. But you always carry your telephone and you can listen an audiobook)

- Pirate book sales are reduced (Some people would rather buy a cheaper digital version than a physical one) 

- Book printing and distribution costs are reduced 

- E-books devices sales increases (such as Kobo, kindle)

What are the Threats of Audiobooks ? (SWO'T')

- Bookstores may go bankrupt (you know, physical books sales are reduced) 

- People going to the library are reduced

So on an intellectual level, is listening to a book really just as good as reading it?

Although audiobooks are advantageous in many ways, I would rather read books instead of listening to audiobooks on the subway. Because, when you're reading a book, you give the people around you the message, "Look, I'm reading a book.". 

However, it is not possible to give this message if you prefer to listen to an audiobook by plugging in the headphones. Most people will think you're listening to music. 

Therefore, the book will not lose its intellectual position for many years.

When I was preparing this article, I wondered one more thing ...

Could those who listened to audio books understand as well as those who read books?

As a result of my research I have reached this; 
“In a 1977 study, college students who listened to a short story were able to summarize it with equal accuracy as those who read it. “ 

 “The way this is usually interpreted is that once you are good at decoding letters into sound, which most of us are by the time we're in 5th or 6th grade, the comprehension is the same whether it's spoken or written,” explained by University of Virginia psychology professor Dan Willingham.

“ There is no friend as loyal as a book ”

Thank you for reading my article