If you listen an audio book, is it ethical to say you have "read" the book?

Question

Say you listen to a audio book (such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen) and someone later asks you if you have read the book. Would you say that you have, or would you say yes and then clarify that you had listened to it instead of read it? Or say someone is talking about the book and you chime in, "Oh, I have read that book!" Is that ethically correctly to say? Does it not really matter to you? Should I have to specify I listened to it instead of read it?

Additional Details

It would not be for a school project (I am out of school) and I have no reading disability. I just prefer listening to books over reading them.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

For some people, listening to an audiobook is the only way they have of "reading" that book. But I suppose that, if you're not visually impaired or dyslexic or otherwise physically unable to read print, it would be scrupulous of you to say, "I read that as an audiobook." However, if you've taken in every word and can discuss the book, does it really matter whether your familiarity comes from print or recording? After all, is there any ethical difference for a blind person between reading a book with his fingertips and reading it with his ears?

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Asker's Comment:

thanks

Answer 2

We were required to read 5 novels for my Honors English class and listened to I 3 of them on cds and I don't feel that there is anything wrong with that. Also, there is no need to specify that if you don't want to.

Answer 3

If you listen to it, you didn't read it. You had somebody read it to you.

Answer 4

Honestly, I think it depends on the context in which you are saying it. If you are saying it to your teacher or professor who expected you to actually read it, no, I don't think it's ethical--especially if you are still in high school where part of the curricular goals are about reading. If you are taking a college literature course, the goal is usually more exposure to certain literature and recognizing literary elements, techiniques and such, so it might be more legit.

If, on the other hand, you are discussing a book at a cocktail party or some other such thing, I don't think it really matters too much.

Answer 5

Evo Terra one of the founders of podiobooks.com says read if in audio or in text.
I think listen and consume are more popular.
I usually use consume but when I called my mother she ask if I ate the book.
There almost needs to be a new word so whether it is read, heard, or implanted through John Sculzi's BranPal(TM), it would still sound right.
I think Evo has a valid argument.

Source(s):

Consuming a JC Hutchins book right now

Answer 6

No, you didn't read them. It isn't valid even if you claim a disability either. Watching a play or movie isn't the same as reading a book either, you have to focus to read. You wouldn't claim to have read a book which you just skimmed in sparknotes would you?