I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while, and I’d really appreciate your thoughts.
I love books—I buy them all the time, my shelves are full, and I’m genuinely excited about the stories and ideas they hold. But here’s my issue: I can barely read a physical or e-book for more than 15–20 minutes before my focus fades, my eyes glaze over, or I just lose the thread. It’s frustrating, especially since I’ve spent money on books I barely touch.
However, when I listen to audiobooks—especially while walking, commuting, or doing chores—I can stay engaged for hours. I follow the plot, remember details, and feel emotionally connected to the story. In fact, I often end up buying a book, struggling to get through even a chapter, then switching to the audiobook version and finishing it effortlessly.
One important note: English is my second language. I wonder if that plays a role—maybe my listening comprehension is stronger than my reading stamina, or perhaps hearing the words spoken helps with rhythm, pronunciation, and context in a way that silent reading doesn’t.
If you’ve found ways to enjoy physical reading more—or if you’ve made peace with preferring audio—I’d love to hear your story or advice.
Thanks so much! This community always has such thoughtful insights 💛
by Jibril_6