Audio Books?

Does anyone have comments about Audio books ever becoming a complete replacement for normal books?



Perhaps this generation may not see the change but what about the next generation or the next one?Audio Books?
I worked in a bookstore - most audiobooks are abridged. The average book would take as much time to read aloud as it takes to read quietly - say twevle hours. You can buy audiobooks that cover every word but they are very long and cover several CDs.

The audio book comes with an extra cost - the cost of paying an actor to read the entire book.

Also a publisher can make a paperback book for less than a dollar - a hardcover costs about $2. You can run printing presses very fast! The market for audio-books is far, far smaller so the production runs are more costly.



This may change - as you suggest - but an audiobook needs a device to play it - an Ipod-type device so I think the plain old book will be around for many years to come.Audio Books?
Personally, I only use audio books in the car. It helps with my long drives to and from work. When I'm at home, I always read the real thing. Books have been around for centuries...they will never be completely replaced.