Do you count listening to an audiobook as reading?

[Sidebeforeself]

Honestly not being a book snob here. But Ive realised all those Insta book feeds that talk about having read “ 30 books in 2 months” etc include listening to an audiobook. I dont count that as reading. It’s just as valid ..but it’s not the same . I would say Ive read X books and listened to Y. Not sure why it matters to me but it does!

Personally, no. But don't care if others do.

But 30 books in 2 months isn't that many! I'm reading roughly that many (no audio) and have slowed down massively from last year where I was closer to 30 per month.

I might specify or might not. I’ve got some books in both formats because I read on public transport & listen at home or when exercising.

Not only do I count an audiobook I would also count the abridged audio books on bbc sounds…

To be honest no I don’t, but then I don’t listen to audiobooks, just podcasts. I get distracted or fall asleep too often to listen to audiobooks, I’d literally never finish one.

It is "reading” the activity, but not "reading" the action.

Yes I count an audiobook as having ‘read’ a book.

I don’t count how many books I’ve read/listened to though so categorizing them matters not to me.

It isn't reading, no. It's listening.

They are listening to a reading, but are not themselves reading.

I consider audio books as 'reading'. In our book group, one lady is dyslexic, so the best way for her to be able to join in properly, is to listen to an audio book.

She can join in the book group this way, sure.

But she isn't doing any reading.

Sorry 30 books was just my made up example.

Yes I read books by listening to them. It’s about accessibility for me due to disability and being unable to hold a book for more than a few minutes.
Ive always been an avid reader and have continued to access books via listening-reading since a serious injury prevents me holding books.

Whay a weird thing to gatekeep.

Of course it still counts, just as accessing Braille books counts.

Of course it still counts, just as accessing Braille books counts.
Is it the same? Reading and Braille-ing require effort; listening is passive.
I've never done an audio book but I can imagine it's very easy to drift off and not pay attention.

I’m not gatekeeping . Just asking what people count as reading

Of course it counts. I actually take in more by listening as you can't skim.

No, but I recognise that others do.

My DC were late reading, but able to listen to advanced audio books. They became excellent readers, talkers, writers. They picked up good use of language from their audio reading.

Spelling took a while though.

This blows my mind. A book a day?! I'm lucky if I fit in 10 minutes a day! These are my book goals in a future life!
OP, I couldn't get worked up about this but I do get it. My friends have a book club and I was amazed at how many books they were getting through but turns out they were listening on their commute or on their child free days whilst doing chores. But that's fine and it's great that they can fit in enjoying stories again in a way that suits them. I don't have a commute and am either working or with my children so I don't have time to listen. I have 10 minutes of an evening but like to read my kindle in that time.

Honestly I struggle to remember which ones I’ve read and which I’ve listened to. It’s still taking in the book

TBH, a book a day isn't necessarily a good thing. My MH was shit, I barely left my house. I don't recommend it

There was a big debate about this a few months back prompted by Camilla championing Audiobooks. She is a patron of Book trust, a charity which promotes reading. So she has an active interest in literacy.

I'm not a royalist but I agree with her on this that yes, listening to Audiobooks does count as reading.

I understand why you feel the way you do but , Yes it counts. Material has been available for the blind on audio tapes etc long before audible was a thing. People who experience sight loss as adults are very unlikely to learn braille. Luckily this is one area where improving technology has been a game changer.
While I know there is research about this, not convinced that listening is always more passive as I know I can easily disengage while sat reading a book, simply because I’m distracted by sounds around me. I think a lot depends on how your brain processes sensory information.
My partner has accessed books via various audio platforms for years due to visual impairments. I also know another VI person who writes live code on the fly to help engineers, and does all this via specialised voice software. I think it would be odd to describe their experience of reading via audio books as not as valid.

I don’t, no.

Do people also class watching a film adaptation as reading?

Yes I count them as reading. I do both, interchangeably, and they both count to me.

I don't care. I listen to audio books because I can't hold a book/read a book due to having a stroke and MS. I don't care what others think.