Audiobook is a recording of a book or other piece of writing made for distribution to the public. Such recordings include works of fiction and nonfiction. Audiobooks are recorded on cassette tapes, on compact discs (CD’s), and on electronic files that can be downloaded onto a computer or an iPod or other MP3 player.
Some audiobooks are abridged—that is, they are shortened versions of works. Some feature authors reading their own work. Many others, especially works of fiction, are read by actors. Actors often help stories come alive by using different voices and accents for different characters. Some Internet sites feature free audiobooks that can be downloaded. Volunteers usually read these works.
Recordings of historical and literary works were made in the United States as early as the 1930’s for blind people. These recordings—known as Talking Books— were made on long-playing records. The U.S. Library of Congress and a nonprofit organization called the American Foundation for the Blind distributed them.
The growth of portable music players from the 1970’s to the 1990’s led to the rise of audiobooks for the general population. Today, many people besides those who are blind or have another visual disability use audiobooks. Many people listen to audiobooks when they are doing something else, such as driving a car or walking. Audiobooks are also popular with people who cannot read and individuals who are learning a new language.
