Why I say yes to audiobooks, e-books, and anything that gets you reading.
A few weeks ago, a new tutoring student asked me a question that made me pause:
“Do you ‘approve’ of audiobooks?”
It’s a common concern that highlights a major misconception: that there’s only one “right” way to read.
As a teacher and lifelong reader, I know that couldn’t be further from the truth. That question brought me back to my own reading journey.
There was a time when I was a total purist. I believed physical books were the only “real” books. I loved the weight of them, the smell, the turning of pages, and the joy of a well-stocked bookshelf.
But then I faced a challenge. Living in a country with limited access to certain titles, I often found books hard to get. And while some of my friends could wait patiently for a title to arrive, I definitely couldn’t. Enter: e-books.
Suddenly, with one click, I could access nearly any book I wanted. It was a game-changer. My Kindle app allows me to highlight, define new words, and carry a whole library in my purse.
And yes—I still love adding physical books to my collection. But now, I also have a rich digital shelf that travels with me anywhere.
Audiobooks were a later discovery. At first, I struggled—listening felt so different from reading. I found the narration hard to follow.
But when you consider car rides, school pickups, chores, and a long list of a mother’s tasks… suddenly, audiobooks made sense.
I “read” Sense and Sensibility recently—narrated by the amazing Rosamund Pike—and felt like I’d stepped back in time to the golden age of radio dramas.
Now, audiobooks let me read while living life. I just plug in my AirPods and enjoy a new book.
For that, I will be forever grateful.
At the end of the day, it’s not about the format—it’s about making room for books in your life in whatever way works best.
Reading builds empathy, grows vocabulary, and opens doors. So yes, I absolutely approve of audiobooks—or any format that gets someone reading.
What’s your go-to format: physical books, e-books, or audiobooks?
Let me know in the comments!
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