Why Ebooks and Audiobooks Matter: Expanding Our Definition of What a Book Can Be
It’s been a while since I’ve posted on the blog, work has me exhausted! But I decided to pull this post together after seeing an Instagram reel that didn’t sit right with me. The part of the caption that caught my eye reads as follows “You can’t say you read “books” if you use kindle. By definition, book is “a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers”. So, kindle users, you are technically suppose to say “I read writings”, not books.” It's a familiar definition, but it’s also one that leaves a lot of people out. When we limit what a book can be to its physical form, we ignore how far technology has come and how much more accessible books have become because of it.
Ebooks and audiobooks are often thrown out of the conversation about "real" books. I’ve even heard people dismiss these formats as not being "true" reading. But here’s the thing: times have changed, and so has the way we consume media. We can't afford to be gatekeepers when it comes to how people access stories, especially in a time when books are being banned and restricted in schools and libraries.
Let’s take a closer look at why ebooks and audiobooks are essential, particularly for accessibility, and why we need to rethink what it means to read.
Accessibility for Everyone
First and foremost, ebooks and audiobooks provide a way for people with disabilities to access literature. For those who are visually impaired, screen readers and adjustable text options in ebooks can make reading possible. Audiobooks, meanwhile, offer an entirely hands-free way to experience stories, which is a game-changer for people with dyslexia or other reading difficulties.
When we limit books to their physical form, we shut out entire groups of people. Ebooks and audiobooks break down these barriers and ensure that stories are available to everyone, no matter their physical or cognitive abilities.
Flexibility That Fits Your Life
Life is busy, and finding time to sit down with a physical book can be hard. Ebooks and audiobooks provide flexibility and convenience. You can listen to an audiobook during your commute, or adjust the font size and background color of an ebook to fit your comfort level. These options aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re essential for people with specific needs, like those with low vision, mobility issues, or attention challenges.
Plus, let's be real: sometimes it’s just easier to throw your Kindle or audiobook app in your bag than carry around a heavy book.
Overcoming Physical Limitations
For people with limited mobility, holding a book and turning its pages can be difficult, if not impossible. E-readers and digital devices take away that struggle. Features like voice commands and automatic page-turning make it possible for anyone to enjoy a book, no matter their physical limitations.
This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about ensuring everyone has the ability to enjoy the written word.
Access to Banned Books
One of the most important aspects of ebooks and audiobooks is their ability to provide access to books that are otherwise banned or restricted. In a time when schools and libraries are pulling books off the shelves, digital formats offer a way for people to still get their hands on important, often life-changing, stories.
When books are censored, digital access can make all the difference. It ensures that people—especially students—can continue to engage with ideas and perspectives that might otherwise be kept from them.
Redefining What a Book Can Be
The notion that ebooks and audiobooks aren't "real" books feels outdated and exclusive. We live in a time when technology allows us to access literature in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago. Instead of gatekeeping what qualifies as a book, we should be celebrating the fact that more people have more ways to read than ever before.
Ebooks and audiobooks aren’t just convenient alternatives—they’re necessary tools for making literature accessible to all, and for protecting our freedom to read in an age of growing censorship.
It’s time we expanded our definition of a book. Reading is reading, no matter how you do it. And that’s something worth embracing.
What’s your favorite way to read—physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks? Let me know in the comments below!