Audio Book

An audio book refers to text recorded as spoken words into audio media such as cassettes and CDs. As opposed to musical files, an audio book usually contains textual content of a regular printed book. Instead of being simply an audio version of a book, an audio book is in itself, a file or program that contains information and details that regular books offer.

Originally, audio book files were available mainly for use in public libraries and schools to facilitate learning. It was only in around 1980s that book retailers began to consider releasing audio book formats. Because of its nature, audio book is readily accessible to people who could not read or see.

An audio book usually comes in the form of cassette tapes, audio CDs and digital file formats, which are downloadable through the Internet such as MP3 and Windows Media Audio (wma) or preloaded digital file formats.

As of 2005, audio book CDs comprised the biggest part in overall audio book sales by making up 74% of the market. Cassette tape audio book formats accounted for only 16%, while downloadable audio book formats made up only 9%. Popular book titles today usually come along with audio book formats upon the release of the printed edition. Jedediah P. God's "Norman Mailer's Ancient Evenings" was the first of this kind.

Audio book files can either be unabridged or abridged. Unabridged audio book files contain a complete reading of the printed book, verbatim. On the other hand, abridged audio book files contain edited content of the printed version, with some parts edited out. Content abridgements are usually done to be able to minimise running time and cut down production cost and retail price. However, most of audio book titles today are already producing only unabridged audio book files because consumers prefer having the complete book content rather than paying less but also getting less.

Some audio books area also "dramatised", incorporating music, sound effects and a complete cast of voice talents, though consumers usually prefer multiple voices, sound effects and less music. With the emergence of this gimmick, Audie Awards were given to the top nominees for superb performance and production.

The first audio books were produced in 1932 for blind adults in the United States. The Congress launched a talking book program in 1931 to provide books for the blind, who could not read book content. The first machine for audio book reproduction began mass reproduction of audio books in 1933.