If all you do is listen to books can you call yourself "well read" or "literate"

I like the feel of the book in my hands as I read. Even the paper has a distinct smell.  I can read technical materials on the screen all day, but when I'm relaxing I want to hold a book. Have an iPad, read 2-3 books on it and gave up.

I don't care for audiobooks, obviously. Why have cheese-whiz when you can have aged cheddar?

I find that in order for me to actually follow an audiobook, I need to concentrate on it a fair amount. I can't listen while I'm working, typing, blogging or anything like that.

I CAN listen while driving and running.

BUT - i struggle to listen when not doing anything else - I feel idle.

My thoughts are that it's smack dab in the middle of actually reading and watching movies, as far as brain engagement goes.

I disagree. Listening to a book is much like listening to a radio play - you still need to fill in a lot of gaps. You can be as engaged or disengaged whether reading or listening to a book.

Mrs. Gearboy is a HUGE reader. She has a kindle, regularly visits at least 4-5 libraries each week, goes to the bookstore every week (not always buying, but at least browsing)....AND she listens to books on her Audible account on her commutes (most days that means upwards of 2 hours of book time). Even her idea of a vacation is book-centric (she has gone to reader retreats run by the Books on the Nightstand podcast - another way she consumes books). She even has her calender marked with the publication dates of books she is looking forward to reading. The only distinctions she makes are that when she listens to a book, she recalls things a little differently than when she reads it - if she is reading a sequel to a book she heard, for example, the first book initially is recalled more like something that happened to her, or that she heard about from someone.

I have read an argument made (I think it was in Slate) that e-readers did not count because you couldn't turn back the pages so easily, or hold the book in hand and know how much was done. This argument is as silly as that one. If it is an unabridged book, it does not matter if you read in on dead trees, electrons, or stone tablets. It does not matter if you listened to it being read on your iPod, your Kindle, the author at a reading, or had your mommy or daddy read it to you as a bedtime story. You heard all the words and concepts the author was trying to put out there. It counts.

Movies, however, are definitely a different beast. They use a different set of images and shorthands to foreshadow, and even the best adaptation of a book if a different creation comparing them. Unless the movie was of someone reading the book aloud. Which would be the world's most boring movie.

My reading comprehension skills (which were consistantly far lower than they should be) seem to be better with an audiobook. If only I had audiobooks and a running addiction in high school, those literature classes would have probably been quite a bit easier.

Well said.  The important point is 'did you get something out of the effort'  it doesn't matter if the 'input' was visual, audio, braille, or even the Matrix spike in the back of your head, if you've obtained a transfer of information then you are 'more' than you were before.  People are funny about audio books, I love them.  Can I say that I read 'War and Peace' even though it was an audio book?  However, who cares when you can have a vibrant discussion about the book with anyone who is interested!

I'm not sure.  I am "listening" to The Stand right now on my runs and I have read the same book 3-4 times before.  If I concentrate, I get the same effect.  Can't the same be for reading?  Ever read a page of text and get to the bottom and not remeber/know anything of what you JUST READ?

There are several books I have both read and listened too, and don't feel there's much difference if I pay attention.

Well, technically it does matter, at least from a neuro sensory stand point. The brain process data differently depending on how the brain accesses the data. 

As a matter of fact.  I think sometimes video is a FAR better medium in getting a subject across than just reading.

Case in point, I watched "How the States Got their Shapes" on Discovery and found it fascinating so I got the book.  Not nearly as easy to digest, even with constantly flipping pages to see the exhibit/drawings/pics for reference.

My Brother In Law talks about how he is "well read" and when I ask him what he reads, he says stuff like James Patterson, John Grisham and authors like that. Maybe it is me, but I do not consider that to be well read. 

In my mind, someone that is well read has read books that are about more than courtroom dramas and spy thrillers.

So what is the definition of being well read?

High brow stuff like dirty limericks? 

"There was a young dentist Malone
who had a charming girl patient alone..."

While he thought he would thrill,

With his magical drill...

He left the poor girl to bemoan.

I have blind friends who say that those of us who haven't listened to the audio versions of the Harry Potter series haven't really "read" the books.  They swear that we are seriously missing out.

po-tay-to, po-tah-to.  Call it what you will.  And enjoy your reading. 

This description of books doesn't really resonate with me - I think because it focuses on the end result, e.g. "the acquisition of knowledge".  Reading for me is much more about the experience, it's a form of entertainment and at its best it is totally absorbing.

I suspect that the experience of listening is different than reading but I don't have enough experience with audio books to really know this.

Don

I know that - my comment (not clearly delineated) about movies was directed back to the OP, whose wife compared audiobooks to movies, which I think is an inaccurate comparison. Sorry if it came across as directed at your posting.

not sure if this was said, but i think if you read/listen to lots of books you can consider yourself well-read (i guess some judgment as to what types of books qualify...50 shades trilogy?  eh)

BUT it does not mean you are literate.  my pappy couldn't even write his own name, but did listen to audiobooks.  he was as illiterate as they come.