Audiobooks surge as travel favorite, helping fuel debate over what 'counts' as reading

From long drives to delayed flights and crowded commutes, more Americans are now reaching for headphones over hardcovers, and it has sparked debate over whether their audiobooks really count as reading.

Since 2016, the percentage of Americans who listen to audiobooks daily has risen from 3% to 8% — a 167% increase — according to Edison Research. And 51% of adults say they have listened to an audiobook at least once, according to the Audio Publishers Association’s 2025 consumer survey.

But...