Audio book
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An audio book is a recording of the contents of a book read aloud. It is usually distributed on CDs, cassette tapes, or digital formats (e.g., MP3 and Windows Media Audio). The term "audio book" has been synonymous with "books on tape" for roughly twenty years. Cassette-tape sales still comprise roughly 40% of the audio book market[[Citing sources citation needed]], with CDs the other dominant format type. As of early 2006, downloadable audiobooks account for approximately 6% of the market. In the United States, the most recent sales survey (performed by the Audio Publishers' Association in 2004) estimated the industry to be worth 800 million US dollars. Current industry estimates hover at around two billion US dollars per year.
Unabridged audio books are word for word readings of a book, while abridged audio books have text edited out by the abridger. Audio books also come as fully dramatised versions of the printed book, sometimes calling upon a complete cast, music, and sound effects. Each year it the end of May or beginning of June, Audie awards are given to the top nominees for performance and production in several genre categories.
There are quite a few radio programmes serialising books, sometimes read by the author or sometimes by an actor, most of them on the BBC.
The popularity of portable music players such as the iPod have made audio books more accessible to people for portable listening.
Audio books have been used to teach children to read, and increase reading comprehension. They are also indispensable for the blind.
Most new popular titles put out by the major publishers are available in audiobook format simultaneously with publication of the hardcover edition. There are approximately 25,000 current titles on cassette, CD, or downloadable format.
The National Library of Congress in the U.S. and the CNIB Library in Canada both provide free audiobook library services to the visually impaired; requested books are mailed out (at no cost) to clients.
About forty percent of all audiobook consumption occurs through public libraries, with the remainder served primarily through retail book stores. Library download programs are currently experiencing rapid growth (as of May 8, more than thirty-five public library systems offer free downloadable audio books). According to the National Endowment for the Arts' recent study, "Reading at Risk", audio book listening is one of very few "types" of reading that is increasing general literacy.
Self-help audio books
Audio books are also used for education. Self-help audio books range from public speaking to learning meditation. Their general goal however is always to develop one's skills to be more happy and/or successful in life. While some focus on a particular skill, others help to shift the listeners life entirely.
Audio books are considered a valuable learning tool because of their format. You can't read a book while you're driving, can you? On the other hand, audio books let you learn new things in many places you couldn't previously. Usually while doing mechanical skills not requiring much thought (such as laundry or exercising). Rumours of learning while you sleep exist as well.
For this 'miraculous learning' to take place, one might also need to listen to the book several times. This is for the information in the cassettes/CDs to be absorbed fully. It's however very easy compared to reading a book many times. Some estimates say 21 times in total, 3-4 times a week is the time for the matter in hand to become second nature. An audio book heard only once will most likely disappear from the memory very soon as like any other sound heard only once.
See also
- Assistive Media
- LibriVox
- Radio drama
- DAISY Digital Talking Book
External links
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