| Audio books refer to human-read or | | | | not only amazing tools, but they have also a |
| computer-generated recordings of books' | | | | lot of advantages. They are great time savers |
| content on CDs, cassette tapes or digital | | | | for multitaskers, allowing people to do other |
| formats. They have become more and more | | | | things while listening, such as driving, |
| popular, especially among children and among | | | | walking, working, riding and even waiting in |
| people with sight problems or other | | | | line at the supermarket. They are popular |
| disabilities. They are used both as learning | | | | when driving, too, as an alternative to |
| tools and as convenient and exciting ways to | | | | radio. These books on tape are also very |
| read books. According to some recent studies, | | | | accessible for older, ill, recovering and |
| the most frequently used purchasing method is | | | | disabled people, as they are an excellent and |
| to buy audio books online, as you save both | | | | practical way to fill in their boring or |
| time and energy. | | | | unproductive moments and to bring them back |
| | | | the pleasure of reading. More than that, |
| Also known as books on tape, audio books are | | | | these audio books are a great opportunity for |
| usually distributed on cassette tapes, CDs or | | | | blind people, giving them the chance to |
| various digital formats, such as MP3 or | | | | experience and enjoy a wide range of popular |
| Windows Media Audio. The more advanced | | | | books, stories, novels or information and |
| portable music players, like MP3 players or | | | | helping them to improve their education, to |
| iPods, made them even more accessible and | | | | develop new hobbies, to learn new habits and |
| more enjoyable to people. These audio | | | | to enrich their personal and professional |
| versions can be either purchased, rent or | | | | life. Nowadays, they have gained more and |
| download. More often than not, people rather | | | | more popularity among business people, acting |
| get them online. Nowadays, there are a lot of | | | | as ideal mentoring tools on business-related |
| specialized sites, which provide a real | | | | topics. Nevertheless, beside their practical |
| library of books on tape. It is very | | | | advantages, there is also the entertainment |
| efficient and energy saving to buy audio | | | | side. |
| books online, especially for busy persons, as | | | | |
| they just have to enter the site, to log in | | | | Books on tape are also used for education. |
| and to choose their book. | | | | They may range from home-schooling courses |
| | | | and learning meditation to language training |
| Audio books are usually considered dramatized | | | | and public speaking. They usually focus on a |
| versions of printed books, as they stress | | | | particular skill, but they may also aim at |
| upon a complete cast, music and sound | | | | shifting the listener's life entirely. Audio |
| effects. Depending on the recording type, | | | | books are also considered an exciting form of |
| there are two main categories of books on | | | | entertainment and educational alternatives |
| tape: human-read and computer-generated. | | | | for children. They are great learning tools, |
| While the human-read versions are read by | | | | as they provide a large vocabulary and |
| volunteers and have a more personal | | | | increase their imagination and communication |
| involvement and impact, the | | | | skills, as well as their reading |
| computer-generated versions are read by | | | | comprehension. They can be easily used to |
| computer voices and are associated with a | | | | stimulate literacy and a love of learning in |
| larger variety. The computer-generated voices | | | | children. Audio versions of books help |
| used in these books are very similar to those | | | | children to develop a love for information |
| on automated systems used by the blind | | | | and knowledge and stimulate them to start |
| people, as well as some telephone automation | | | | exploring the exciting world of written |
| systems. | | | | books. More often than not, they are used as |
| | | | bedtime stories, providing a calming and |
| Audio books are very appreciated, as they are | | | | relaxing atmosphere. |