It’s no secret that in our modern, technologically-driven age, the average person spends considerably more time in front of various screens.
We are constantly on our iPhones and other electronic devices, our eyes spend hours glued to computer screens, and when we get home after a long day of brain stimulation, we plunk ourselves down in front of our smart TVs to ‘unwind’ by binge watching our favourite shows.
All the while, we often neglect to read books.
Thankfully, for those of us who believe it is imperative to get our reading in, audiobooks offer an entire world of fantastic fiction, non-fiction, and access to knowledge on a variety of topics, including history, science, arts and entertainment.
And the best part of ‘reading’ audiobooks is that they allow us to give our tired eyes a breather while still reaping literary benefits.
As someone who spends long days writing, I often find myself coming home in the evenings not wanting to be in front of a screen. That’s when I turn on one of the audiobooks I’m listening to, sit back and relax.
Audiobooks not only help build literacy skills, but they also serve as a relaxant, which in turn helps people calm down in preparation for a good night’s sleep.
Given how busy we are today, audiobooks are also considerably more time efficient. For people who travel a lot, they’re great to listen to while on the road.
Audiobooks also have an interesting history dating back nearly a century. Recordings of ‘talking books’ on vinyl records were first available in 1932. These were produced in a recording studio by the American Foundation for the Blind.
Everyone knows that reading is crucial, but we don’t always have the time or headspace to get into a good book. Luckily, audiobooks provide a flexible alternative that is easier on the head and eyes.
