A Guide To Navigate Through The World Of Audiobooks For Younger Audiences

By Author: Manoj Upadhyay
Total Articles: 38
Comment this article

In the hustle bustle of today’s world, we are often times lost in our work and personal commitments, and taking out time to read a book seems nearly impossible. Book reading has become a dwindling habit, and this has poorly impacted younger readers as well, as they are unable to cultivate a habit of reading owing to the paucity of time. Academic pressure and extracurriculars take up most of the time of the students, and developing the habit of reading may seem burdensome. But, today, we have a solution for this problem – audiobooks!
 
Popularity Galore: Audiobooks and Younger Audiences
 
Most youngsters love listening to music and podcasts, and audiobooks are the perfect medium to gather and garner their dwindling attention. There are millions of audiobooks available today, in several languages and various genres; catering to the varied interests of the audiences. Audiobook listenership has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years, and the industry was valued at $2.67 billion in 2019.
 
...
... Another concern that students may have is pertaining to the cost of buying books. Students live on meagre finances, and often times, it is difficult to make room in the budget for books, particularly, keeping in mind the rising prices of paper back and hard bound books. The question that arises here is regarding the accessibility of audiobooks to the student population. The answer is simple – free audiobooks. Several online platforms offer open and free access to audiobooks; these platforms are wildly popular across the world.
 
A Win-Win Situation: Benefits of Free Audiobooks for Students
 
While free audiobooks increase accessibility to books in general, they also ensure that the audience is able to enjoy the leisure of revelling in book, without having to worry about the budget or costs involved. It also allows them to be spoilt for choice and enables them to enjoy listening to a wide range of books. If we were to talk about younger audiences, free audiobooks entail the following benefits:
 

Budget-friendly access to millions of book titles
Huge range of books, available in different languages and encompassing every possible book genre
Inculcation of the habit of listening and exploring books
Helps in developing interests of children below the age of 7, who are still learning to read, and will enjoy the auditory experience
Allow the students to relax and rejuvenate
Audio-books can also be integrated with normal school curriculum, through the means of subject matter
They serve as a good learning aid
Facilitate broadening of the horizons of their knowledge

 
Getting Started: How to kick-start your tryst with audiobooks
 
It is not uncommon to find yourself in a fix, while kick-starting a new interest. We may feel lost, given the abundant variety and choice available to us. So, to being your journey with audio-books, here are some steps that you can follow:

Explore – Before settling on a particular genre, explore the options available – check out different books, the language choices and the quality of the audiobook. Surf extensively, until you come across the right pick for you. Exploring options, and choosing what’s best itself gives us an adrenaline rush. There is a barrage of options available, in terms of platforms as well, as many websites provide open, unrestricted access to free audiobooks.
Select and Relax – Selecting a book that fits the bill, can be tough given the plethora of options available. Once you narrow down to the book of your choice, sit in a space without distractions (with a hot cup of coffee, if possible) and enjoy the beauty of an audiobook. Audiobooks can be an amazing way to gain knowledge, and can also help refresh one’s mind.
Spread the word – As they say, spread the joy of reading, oops, the joy of listening. While audiobooks are gaining popularity over time, their benefits remain largely unknown for the masses. If you have a pleasurable experience with an audiobook, then spread the word; recommend them to friends, family and acquaintances. Suggesting them to your teachers and instructors at school, is also a viable option. This way, you help build a community.

So, what are you waiting for? Get, set and go! Start your audiobook journey today.