Books on Tape

Because of my commute to work and to sites in Denver, I listen to a lot of books on tape (or CD -- I still say book on tape regardless). Being in the car so much I started to notice that my favorite music stations played the same stuff over and over, and talk radio really didn't do it for me either (there is only so much NPR I can handle). I found my answer with books on tape -- they make the time go by and keep me interested.

Does this make anyone else think of good old mix tapes?

I just took a count of the books I've read since starting this blog and almost half of them were books on tape. So my question is, if you listen to a book does it count as having 'read' that book? I actually have this debate with myself quite often and I always come back to saying yes, it counts. Here is why:

In anticipation for a trip to Colorado, my older sister bought The Hobbit to listen to. My nephew was just little at the time, so not much of a conversationalist. She had read The Hobbit many times and knew it was something she would enjoy but not have to necessarily focus on while she drove. Anyway, fast forward to my nephew meeting his kindergarten teacher for the first time. She asked him what his favorite book was and he said, "The Hobbit" (at this point his family had probably listened to the tapes several times). The skeptical teacher asked him to tell her the story. He did, with enough details that the teacher knew he hadn't been prepped and completely shocking my sister at the same time. I'm not saying he could write a paper on it or anything, but he knew the story.

I think the same thing goes for me. I don't expect to write a literary paper on any of the books I listen to, but if I take something away from it than I consider it 'read'.

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.