You listened to three audiobooks last month. Your friend says that doesn't count as "real" reading. Your other friend only reads on a Kindle and gets told it's not the same as a physical book.
Sound familiar? The debate about what counts as reading comes up all the time, especially when people start tracking their reading goals. So let's settle this.
Do audiobooks count as reading?
Yes. Next question.
Okay, let's go a bit deeper. Research consistently shows that listening to a book and reading a book activate very similar parts of the brain. You're processing language, following a narrative, absorbing information. The input channel is different, but the result is largely the same.
There are some differences. With audiobooks, you might retain slightly less of very complex material, because you can't easily pause and re-read a sentence. On the other hand, a good narrator can bring a story to life in a way that text on a page can't.
If someone finishes a book by listening to it, they finished the book. That's it.
What about e-readers and reading apps?
Some people feel like reading on a Kindle, Kobo, or phone isn't "real" reading. But functionally, you're doing the exact same thing: reading words, page by page, from start to finish.
E-readers actually have some advantages. You can adjust font size, read in the dark, carry hundreds of books in your bag, and look up words instantly. For a lot of people, switching to an e-reader means they read more, not less.
The format doesn't determine the value of the experience. A great book is a great book, whether it's paperback, hardcover, or pixels on a screen.
Does reading articles and blogs count?
This one's more nuanced. Reading a long-form article, an essay, or a deep-dive blog post? Absolutely a form of reading. You're engaging with ideas, learning, thinking critically.
Scrolling through social media captions and headlines? That's a different kind of reading. It's more like skimming, and it doesn't give your brain the same workout as sustained reading does.
The difference is focus. If you're reading something that holds your attention for more than a few minutes and makes you think, it counts.
What about comics and graphic novels?
Yes, those count too. Graphic novels combine visual storytelling with text in a way that requires a different but equally valid kind of reading comprehension. You're interpreting panels, dialogue, pacing, and visual metaphors all at once.
Anyone who's read Maus, Persepolis, or Saga knows that graphic novels can be just as powerful and complex as traditional novels.
So what doesn't count?
Honestly? The question itself is the problem. The idea that some forms of reading are more "legitimate" than others creates unnecessary guilt and gatekeeping. It discourages people from reading in the way that works best for them.
If you absorb more from audiobooks because you can listen during your commute, that's your reading. If you prefer a Kindle because it's easier on your eyes, that's your reading. If you read mostly nonfiction articles instead of books, you're still a reader.
The goal isn't to read in a specific format. The goal is to keep learning, stay curious, and enjoy the experience.
How to track different formats
If you're setting a reading goal for the year, here's a practical approach to tracking mixed formats:
Audiobooks: Count them as books. Most reading trackers (like Goodreads and StoryGraph) already do.
E-books: These are books. Track them the same way.
Articles and essays: If you want to track these, consider keeping a separate log or counting them toward a "reading time" goal rather than a "books finished" goal.
Comics and graphic novels: Count them however you like. Some people count each volume, others group a series together. There's no wrong way.
The How Much Can I Read calculator works regardless of format. Whether you read physical books, e-books, or listen to audiobooks, your daily reading time still translates into books per year.
Read however you want
The best format is the one that gets you reading. For some people that's a paperback and a cup of tea. For others it's an audiobook on a morning run. For many, it's a mix of everything.
Don't let anyone tell you your reading doesn't count. It does.