Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

Audiobooks - Good thing or Bad thing???

33 replies

jobnockey · 06/05/2021 09:39

12yo DS has asked me if I can join Audible for him so he can listen to a book before bed. Just wondering what opinions are on audiobooks vs 'real' books? I'd prefer him to actually read rather than listen but that may be because its my preference (didn't really get on with Audible...)

He has always read a fair amount (I get him a lot of books, perhaps too many!) but he's definitely been reading for pleasure less since starting secondary school, and will only pick a book up when made to really.

Are audiobooks a good way of keeping him hooked or will it put him off the effort of reading more?

What's the consensus?

OP posts:
thelegohooverer · 09/05/2021 17:54

I think it’s not too dissimilar to a bedtime story.

Blackcountryexile · 09/05/2021 17:50

In some areas you can join the library and borrow audio books for free. There is a pictorial catalogue of the available audiobooks on the library service website.

Original poster
jobnockey · 06/05/2021 11:00

Thanks all - Seems like it won't hurt! (apart from the £7.99 a month subscription fee of course - that's fairly painful).

OP posts:
Talipesmum · 06/05/2021 10:13

It’s all books. I’m listening a lot more than reading at the moment. It moves in cycles for me. Definitely worth a try I’d have thought!

LindaEllen · 06/05/2021 10:12

I think at 12 it's fine. I would be wary of offering it as an alternative to younger children who need the practice of reading, but if he's already losing heart with sitting there with a physical book, but he still wants to hear the stories, I honestly don't see the problem. It's better than nothing!

Moonlaserbearwolf · 06/05/2021 10:08

Audiobooks are amazing (apart from the ones where the narrator is bad!)
He may be too tired to read at bedtime and this is a way of consuming a story without having to read.
They are a brilliant complement to reading as a child may understand nuances they they would miss if they were reading the words themselves. My DD often reads a book and then listens to the same book on audio - that seems to work well.

ILoveMondayMornings · 06/05/2021 09:59

Nothing wrong with Audiobooks. Back in the day mine listens to story CD's. Both avid readers still as adults.

lazylinguist · 06/05/2021 09:52

If he's already not really reading out of choice, it's probably better that he experiences books via Audible than not at all or only when made to. Hopefully the more he enjoys them, the more likely he is to keep on with enjoying books in the long run in any format.

Incidentally, like you,I didn't get on with Audible mysef. That is until I started learning a new language. For some reason I much prefer to read than listen in English, but listening to foreign audiobooks is an absolutely brilliant way of learning!