Audiobooks have begun to outsell print

[Shane R]

That's the dek of this article, which doesn't really provide (to my mind) convincing enough statistics to back it up. But perhaps it provides fodder for an interesting thread discussion.

When I called Audible, Amazon’s audiobook subsidiary, the company crunched the numbers and found examples of books in every imaginable genre that sell better as spoken than written words — sometimes four times as well. (Characteristically reticent Amazon declined to give exact sales figures across formats.)

The fact that audiobook narrators have developed the followings and star power to drive sales represents a seismic shift in the way books are sold and consumed, said Donald Katz, Audible’s CEO. “This is a completely different phenomenon — a cultural and, frankly, aesthetic change in people’s habits,” Katz said.

The rise of audiobooks isn’t just about the quality of the performance but the fact that many readers prefer the experience to text. “For a long time the industry treated audiobooks as a subsidiary format, but now we’re seeing it’s become a primary format for many — and has been for some time,” Kaufman said.

[Sydney's Mom]

I find the rise in audiobooks puzzling, because I used to think people only used them if they had long commutes, and since there has been a rise in public transportation, that should level off. But I have recently found audiobooks for where I used to use TV-while I am knitting. So I don't think audiobooks will replace print, because audiobooks are used in a different way. But I certainly don't buy print, and have recently bought a couple audiobooks.

But I don't think audiobooks can ever replace the cozy, late night book. The thought of noise in that context is not appealing.

[soulfuldog]

The fact they "found examples of books in every imaginable genre that sell better as spoken than written words" just means they found one book in each genre though doesn't it? They mention that sales of audiobooks reached $1.5 billion last year, but a weren't sales of ebooks around $6 billion?

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

The fact they "found examples of books in every imaginable genre that sell better as spoken than written words" just means they found one book in each genre though doesn't it? They mention that sales of audiobooks reached $1.5 billion last year, but a weren't sales of ebooks around $6 billion?

One would also point out that audio books are usually more expensive than print books.

Certainly audio books are becoming much more popular, but I would have to see hard numbers before I would buy into the idea that they are outselling print books.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

So I don't think audiobooks will replace print, because audiobooks are used in a different way.

No one is positing that. Print is here forevermore.

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Shane R

No one is positing that. Print is here forevermore.

I agree. I haven't bought a print book in 6 months, but I am glad I was still able to.

[Katsunami]

I can't believe this. Audiobooks are easily 2-4 times the price of the paper equivalent. I'm not even factoring in the often lower price of e-books (especially when combined with coupons), and the second hand market.

Two people I know are big on audio books, disdaining reading, which is 'too much work'. These people are also big on downloading stuff from Torrents and newsgroups. "I listen to two or three audio books a week", they proudly say. Yeah, downloaded ones, because in The Netherlands, an audio book easily costs €20, and I know for sure they don't have the funds to spend €200 a month on audio books alone.

On top of that, I also question if they have the time. I estimate that the average 400 page novel will take 8-10 to listen to (I don't know; just guessing here), and spending 30 hours a week only listening to audio books is a lot of time.

[Conan46]

I'm not surprised audio books are doing well. Overdrive is very popular, and I have wondered if the aging Boomers and their waning eyesight might be leading them toward audio books. Also audio is a unique way to experience a book, particularly with an awesome reader. The Potter books in particular are very good, and Stephen King had a great reader for his books. A few years ago I listened to one of my favorite books, The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the book seemed to come alive to me in a new way even though I have read the print version several times.

[Catlady]

What is so difficult to understand about the growing popularity of audiobooks? They allow you to multitask. You don't need to carve out special time to read. You can pop in earbuds and listen to a book while doing errands or cooking or commuting or whatever. Easy-peasy.

[Yolina]

I really don't get on with audiobooks I'm afraid. I find most narrators really irritating and I also dislike not being able to go at my own pace.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Conan46

I'm not surprised audio books are doing well. Overdrive is very popular, and I have wondered if the aging Boomers and their waning eyesight might be leading them toward audio books. Also audio is a unique way to experience a book, particularly with an awesome reader. The Potter books in particular are very good, and Stephen King had a great reader for his books. A few years ago I listened to one of my favorite books, The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the book seemed to come alive to me in a new way even though I have read the print version several times.

I was totally unaware that The Silmarillion was available as an audiobook. I see that it's not available for download, but I can buy the 13 cd unabridged version, so I just ordered that. Thanks for the pointer! The Silmarillion was the first hard back book that I purchased way back when it first came out. I still have that first edition.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Conan46

I'm not surprised audio books are doing well. Overdrive is very popular, and I have wondered if the aging Boomers and their waning eyesight might be leading them toward audio books. Also audio is a unique way to experience a book, particularly with an awesome reader. The Potter books in particular are very good, and Stephen King had a great reader for his books. A few years ago I listened to one of my favorite books, The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the book seemed to come alive to me in a new way even though I have read the print version several times.

While I may fit the aging baby boomer model, I mostly use audiobooks when I drive or when I am working, doing something that is what I call grunt work and want to block out the noise around me.

In the learning circles they talk about how people learn differently and how each sense uses a different part of the brain. Well over 90% of my audiobooks (and I have a lot) are books that I read either in paper or as ebooks. I find experiencing the book in different media gives me different insights into the book and enhances my enjoyment of the book.

[Shane R]

I love books, of which audiobooks are just one type. There are books I prefer in audio, and ones I prefer in print.

But if time is short, or I get a great deal (and there are good deals to be had on audiobooks), I'll gladly take an a-book.

Some-book is always better than no-book.

[Conan46]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

I was totally unaware that The Silmarillion was available as an audiobook. I see that it's not available for download, but I can buy the 13 cd unabridged version, so I just ordered that. Thanks for the pointer! The Silmarillion was the first hard back book that I purchased way back when it first came out. I still have that first edition.

It has been awhile since I listened to it, but I think it was on CD and I picked it up at my local library. I think you will enjoy it, can't remember who read it, but they really brought it to life.
I envy you that first edition I first read it in paperback as a teenager while visiting relatives in the mountains of east Tennessee, seemed the perfect setting to read that book.

[Conan46]

Originally Posted by Yolina

I really don't get on with audiobooks I'm afraid. I find most narrators really irritating and I also dislike not being able to go at my own pace.

When I first tried to listen to audio books I really didn't like them either, my mind would wander and I had trouble focusing on the reader. But I stuck with it a while and found it quickly becomes a habit as easy as reading with my eyes. But there are occasionally readers I don't connect with, either their voices grate or they are too dramatic or just can't relate to their voice. Luckily that is rare for me.