Comments on: How Audiobooks Can Benefit People of all Ages

By: Roland R Clarke

Roland R Clarke — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 19:15:04 +0000

I'm a reader and a writer who has been struggling with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 25 years. Eventually, unable to hold a book (or a Kindle), I began listening to audiobooks, starting back in 2000, with my favourite book/trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Of course, I can still read articles, like yours, on my laptop.

I also read/listen to audiobooks that help with my crime novel writing.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:41:48 +0000

In reply to Traci Dowe/Kenworth. I am new to them too. Do you tend to listen to them on long drives? It's nice to be able to listen to audiobooks through the phone.

By: Traci Dowe/Kenworth

Traci Dowe/Kenworth — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 22:29:32 +0000

I've tried them recently and like them on occasion.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:54:21 +0000

In reply to Kate Lavender. Thank you, Kate! Antivirals were a game changer, but I needed two rounds of them. When it involves the eye things get interesting and not in a fun way. I'm glad that you found someone willing to help you!

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:51:08 +0000

In reply to denise.

Hi Denise,

Audiobooks are not for everyone. But they are super helpful for people for a variety of reasons, including differing abilities.

Thank you for your comment!

By: Kate Lavender

Kate Lavender — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:48:34 +0000

Dear Ellen, I am so sorry to hear about your shingles. I am also highly allergic to the shingles vaccine after trying three times. It left me unable to walk or balance myself for close to a week. However, I was fortunate and used my considerable charm to persuade a pharmacist I've known for over 20 years to administer the chickenpox vaccine, called Varicella, to me in 3 doses over a year. I haven't had an outbreak since. I've been thinking about writing a blog about it. I also consulted with AI, and if you do have an outbreak, there's an antiviral medication by tablet called ACYCLOVIR.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:45:20 +0000

In reply to Susan Jennings. Hi Susan, I included the "cheating" question because I found it curious, and do not agree with it either. How did you end up finding your voice actor? I am amazed at the abilities some have to do a variety of voices and keep track of it all. I'm happy to hear that this article is useful. Thank you!

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:40:00 +0000

In reply to Lynette M Burrows. There was a book that I lost along the way and planned to replace as an audiobook, but the voice actor was a bad fit for me. Didn't make the purchase. I prefer reading but now and then I enjoy an audiobook.

By: denise

denise — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 20:27:05 +0000

I'm not an audiobook reader because I can't seem to keep focused with them--I think my brain treats them as background noise because of TRT. However, I vehemently defend them as books. For many with disabilities and/or debilitating diseases or medical differences, it's the only way they can read a book.

By: Susan Jennings

Susan Jennings — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:10:43 +0000

Thank you for a wonderful article Ellen. I read print, ebook and audiobooks. I am always surprised when I hear that question, Are audiobooks cheating? And I'm not sure why anyone would consider it cheating. I'm old enough to remember listening to stories on the radio with my parents and it seems to have been forgotten that verbal storytelling is a very ancient art through most cultures.
I took the plunge and had a professional narrate all three books of The Sackville Hotel Trilogy. They sound wonderful, but the marketing is a quite a challenge. However your article has given me some ideas. Thank you.