{"id":2428,"date":"2018-09-24T14:59:33","date_gmt":"2018-09-24T14:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/?p=2428"},"modified":"2025-11-11T14:15:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T14:15:07","slug":"the-rise-of-the-audiobook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/the-rise-of-the-audiobook\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rise of the Audiobook"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n<p>In the last 30 years, technology in society has evolved to such a degree that it would be unrecognizable to a time traveler catapulted here from the 1980s. Computers have developed from very basic gaming machines enjoyed by children, to devices that people live their lives through, and advertently changing the way we Interact with Literature forever.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<!--more-->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"db-the-rise-of-the-audio-book\" class=\"db-header-image\"><\/div>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"db-script-the-rise-of-the-audio-book\">\r\n    var el = document.getElementById('db-the-rise-of-the-audio-book');\r\n\tvar script = document.getElementById('db-script-the-rise-of-the-audio-book');\r\n\r\n    if (document.body.classList.contains('single-post')) {\r\n        el.innerHTML = '<ins class=\"adsbygoogle db-banner-ad\" style=\"display:block;border:none;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0553395522680398\" data-ad-slot=\"2983428166\" data-ad-format=\"horizontal\" data-full-width-responsive=\"false\"><\/ins>';\r\n\r\n       \t(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n    } else {\r\n        el.innerHTML = '<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/the-rise-of-the-audio-book\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1739\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/soundwave.png\" alt=\"The Rise of the Audiobook\" width=\"472\" height=\"120\" \/><\/a>';\r\n    }\r\n\t\r\n\t\/\/ el.parentNode.removeChild(el.previousSibling); \/\/ Remove <p><\/p>\r\n\tscript.parentNode.removeChild(script); \/\/ Remove this <script>\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Something else that this technological quantum leap has had a major impact on is the world of literature. In the same way that the <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/singulardtv\/10-technologies-that-revolutionized-the-music-industry-aa3023ad3132\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">music industry has been transformed<\/a> by moving from traditional bulky recording formats, like cassettes and vinyl records, to new digital storage devices that are able to store thousands of albums on something the size of a cigarette packet.\u00a0 Huge libraries of books can now be enjoyed in a more convenient way..<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Modern Phenomenon<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2461 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/casette2-300x66.jpg\" alt=\"audio cassette tape\" width=\"450\" height=\"99\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/casette2-300x66.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/casette2.jpg 634w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 450px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 450\/99;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Whilst audiobooks as a concept are nothing new, it is in their current format\u00a0that their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/adamrowe1\/2018\/03\/27\/the-rising-popularity-of-audiobooks-highlights-the-industrys-backwards-payscale\/#3ff9fc0e4723\" rel=\"noopener\">popularity has soared to new heights<\/a>. Audiobooks on tape became commercially available in the 1970s and were subsequently replaced by the formats of the day, like <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phonograph_record\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">vinyl<\/a>, CD and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MiniDisc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">MiniDisc<\/a>. Since those times, the retail experience has also altered significantly, with high street outlets like HMV and Our Price suffering, as the majority now choose to download their music instead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The reason why the current format of the audiobook has become so popular is its availability. From a time when it was necessary to make a conscious decision to go into to town and visit a retailer of audiobooks to buy one, it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/lifehacker.com\/five-best-audiobook-services-1688572545\" rel=\"noopener\">now possible to make an audiobook purchase with a couple of taps and swipes on a smart device<\/a>. Seconds after the consumer thinks of buying a particular audiobook, it\u2019s in their possession and being listened to.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Popularity with Commuters<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The daily commute to work can be a long, dull part of the day that merely needs to be endured rather than lived. It\u2019s one of the main reasons that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/when-to-listen-to-audio-books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">audiobooks are so popular with commuters<\/a>, offering as it does, a way to escape into the realms of their own and the author\u2019s imagination. Of course, many people still choose to carry a paperback with them for the same reason, but even that takes up more space and there\u2019s not always the requisite amount of elbow room to read a book comfortably during rush hour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The digital format also opens up the world enjoying books on the move to those who suffer from travel sickness. Ask anyone who gets car sick, train sick or air sick and most will tell you that the last thing they want to do try and read print whilst travelling &#8211; it just makes the problem worse.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>What the audiobook offers to the commuter is the ability to tap PLAY, sit back and listen to the dulcet tones of the narrator. It represents a uniquely relaxing, immersive and hands off book experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ease of Consumption<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Another aspect of the audiobook that sets it apart from the printed word is that it can be consumed so easily. Not everyone has the patience and stamina to work through 300-500 pages of a book, whereas an audiobook can be plugged into the ears of the listener and enjoyed from cover to cover, with no effort at all from the consumer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For those who struggle with reading, whether because of dyslexia or poor eyesight, the\r\nNo one is suggesting that listening to an often abridged version of a book offers the same experience as reading a novel or biography for yourself, but it stands up as an enjoyable medium in its own right and it gives those who don\u2019t tend to read books a chance to enjoy the classics in a more easily digestible way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Multitasking<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>One of the main differences between reading a book in the traditional way and listening to an audiobook is the fact that <a style=\"font-size: 1rem;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/when-to-listen-to-audio-books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a story can be listened to whilst doing other things<\/a>. Whether jogging, walking, cleaning or even working, it\u2019s possible to get on with your day at the same time as enjoying the vast range of literary content available to the audiobook customer.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As wonderful as physical books are, they need to be read with little or no distraction and at a time of the day when focus is able to be dedicated entirely to reading it. As most people have busy lives these days, audiobooks ensure that literary content can be enjoyed in a way that allows it to fit around people\u2019s other obligations and responsibilities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal Development<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A book genre that positions itself strongly in the audiobook market is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifehacker.com.au\/2015\/08\/16-audio-books-that-will-help-you-live-love-and-work-better\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">self help and personal development category<\/a>. The gurus resident in this field actively encourage people to listen to their content when they\u2019re doing other things, with some even meant to be listened to whilst a person is sleeping.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Whether driving, shopping or even at work, people are able to become more confident, assertive or relaxed whilst getting on with what they need to get done &#8211; something that just isn\u2019t possible with traditional books. Of course, self-help books are widely available in print form &#8211; it\u2019s just like with other types of books, the words inside need to be actively read, rather than simply absorbed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rise of the Audiobook<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Whilst the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/topics\/3296\/audiobooks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">explosion in the audiobook market looks set to continue<\/a>, it doesn\u2019t mark the end of the printed word. There are enough romantics among us to ensure that hardback and paperback books will still continue to be bought, not least because of the unique aesthetic pleasure that one gains from holding a new book in your hands. The audiobook doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be in competition with the way books have been enjoyed for centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Audiobooks offer an extra layer of convenience to the literary consumer that can be used as well as still buying books in the way that people have done for so many years. What they offer is an entirely different way to enjoy literature and if that means that more people get to experience some of the great works that otherwise wouldn\u2019t, that can only be a good thing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For that reason, we hail the rise of the audiobook.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>*Digitalbook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the Amazon LLC marketplaces.<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the last 30 years, technology in society has evolved to such a degree that it would be unrecognizable to a time traveler catapulted here from the 1980s. Computers have developed from very basic gaming machines enjoyed by children, to devices that people live their lives through, and advertently changing the way we Interact with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49786,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[346],"tags":[89,5],"class_list":["post-2428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-audio-book","tag-audiobooks"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":2428},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/audiobook-rise.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8z1cT-Da","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2428"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52555,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2428\/revisions\/52555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.digitalbook.io\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}