Reading is a fantastic pastime. Reading is definitely one of the most calming pleasures, whether you read over 50 novels a year, pick one up on the weekend, or bring a stack with you on your summer vacation.
However, in recent years, another type of reading has risen to prominence: audiobooks.
While there is some disagreement about whether or not audiobooks constitute as reading, it’s reasonable to conclude that the majority of us support them as a convenient method to multitask while still getting in a good read.
Searches for the term ‘audiobook’ increased by 22% from 2020 to 2021, but how can we focus on what we’re listening to? Is it possible that we’re absorbing the story, or is it just background noise?
How to concentrate when listening to an audiobook
Listening to audiobooks is a skill that not everyone has and may require some practice.
Don’t be concerned if your mind continues to wander. You can train your brain to listen to audiobooks more simply by doing a few things.
Mayah Riaz, a celebrity manager, says, “I’ve been an Audible member since 2020 and have over 280 titles in my library.” ‘I adore audiobooks and can’t imagine life without them.’
‘However, I’ll be honest, it took me a long time to get into it. I had trouble concentrating at first and frequently forgot what was said. As a result, I was constantly re-listening to chapters.
‘However, I’ve been so focused on audiobooks for the past 12 years.’ Every month, I listen to about two.’
‘I can fit audiobooks into everyday life easier than physical books. I listen to them when getting ready, when driving when I’m walking, cooking, tidying, when doing emails and even when I’m falling asleep. I’m hooked on them.’
But it took Mayah time and practice to get to that stage. She also put steps in place to ensure she did not become distracted.
‘I wear headphones as it creates a more intimate experience,’ she tells us. ‘I don’t go on social media when listening to books.
‘I also constantly check in with myself to make sure I’m retaining the information. That has become an automatic thing I do.’
An extra tip Mayah suggests is to listen to a free audiobook trial before buying it. This way, you can see whether you like the narrator’s voice and reading style.
Learning to focus on audiobooks has other benefits too.
‘It is surprising how much you take in when listening even though you have other thoughts in your head. It is also a bit like meditation,’ Mayah says. ‘I’ve also found that it’s made me a better listener.’
TV producer Martin Kimber has ‘overwhelming’ dyslexia, making reading a ‘real-slog’.
‘Having to re-read every sentence [of a book] two or three times gets exhausting,’ he says.
‘I went through my entire school life, including an English literature A level, with undiagnosed dyslexia. It only got diagnosed during my second BA degree.
‘I always wondered why I found reading such a hard task. Then I realised I could retain information much more easily if it were audio.’
Top tips for concentrating while listening to an audiobook
John White, Director of We Run, a running coaching company, has been reading audiobooks for over five years.
He initially started with podcasts, which he finds lighter.
‘Podcasts require less concentration than a full book,’ he says. But I soon migrated onto audiobooks, and now it’s an automatic reflex to hit play whenever I’m doing any menial task that doesn’t require much brain power.’
Below, he shares his top tips for taking in the information.
- Choose novels that pique your interest. ‘The audiobooks that are the most difficult for me to concentrate on are almost usually those that I wasn’t very eager to listen to in the first place,’ John explains.
- ‘I find that if I’m interested in the author or subject, staying focused on the content is rather easy because I’m eager to learn more and absorb everything.’
- Rewinding isn’t something to be terrified of. ‘Even with the most engaging novels, it’s inevitable that your mind will wander from time to time, and you’ll miss the final tiny part of the book,’ John observes. ‘I used to find this annoying, but because I’m mostly listening when doing boring things like cooking or walking the dog, I try to remember that even with a few diversions and rewinds, I’m still getting a lot of value out of that time.’
- Combine it with a mindless pastime like coloring, doodling, or doing a puzzle.
- Take a walk while listening to music.
- While driving to work, listen to audiobooks to pass the time.
- Listen to an audiobook before going to bed to relax your thoughts and divert you from any worries you may have.
- Find monotonous tasks, such as cleaning or cooking, that go well with audiobooks.
- Instead of flicking through your phone, listen.
- Listen to something you’re familiar with. Rather than diving right in, try listening to an audiobook that you have already read.
- This can help you become used to listening to books and increase your chances of having a positive first encounter.
The production of audiobooks is also key to optimising the listening experience.
‘If I am producing an audiobook with the intent of making it relaxing, then, firstly, in the casting, I would consider a few things about the voice themselves. I would probably go with a lower register, not too high pitched. A soft, smooth, velvety tone,’ says Niki Alexandrou, an audiobook production manager at SNK studio.
‘Personally, I like an accent that differs from the perhaps more commonplace or “neutral” accent.’
In the recording, Niki will consider the pace, energy and storytelling tone.
‘Reading a book is not like recording an ad or a podcast; it is important to ensure the voice is not too pushed or sales-y. It should sound like someone telling you a story. Not too slow and not too fast.
‘There’s a balance to strike with the energy. If it’s too relaxed, then it might sound as if the reader is bored. It should be intriguing.’