Discover quirky and surprising facts about audiobooks — from Agatha Christie’s first talking book to astronauts listening in space!
Audiobooks are everywhere these days — but for blind and low vision readers, they’ve been a lifeline for decades. Beyond the obvious convenience, audiobooks come with a fascinating history full of little surprises. Here are seven fun facts about audiobooks that you might not know!
Astronauts Listen in Space
Audiobooks have even travelled beyond Earth. NASA astronauts have taken recordings with them on missions — proof that storytelling is truly universal.
Faster Than You Think
Many experienced audiobook listeners speed up the narration. Studies show people can understand spoken words at up to 275 words per minute without losing comprehension.
The First Talking Book Was… Agatha Christie
In 1935, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd became one of the first books recorded on vinyl for blind readers. Christie’s crime stories were literally pioneers of the audiobook revolution.
Sound Familiar?
From Stephen Fry narrating Harry Potter to Juliet Stevenson reading Jane Austen, audiobooks often feature celebrated actors — making them a performance as much as a read.
Listening Uses a Different Part of the Brain
Neuroscience shows that listening activates the brain differently to silent reading — but comprehension levels are nearly identical.
The Longest Audiobook is 146 Hours
That’s In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. It would take almost a full week of non-stop listening to finish!
Audiobooks Boost Literacy for All Ages
According to the National Literacy Trust, audiobooks help improve vocabulary, comprehension, and reading motivation for children — especially those with vision impairments.
From Agatha Christie’s pioneering murder mystery to astronauts tuning in among the stars, audiobooks have always pushed boundaries. Whether you’re listening for leisure, learning, or connection, they prove that stories truly have no limits.
We’ve shared seven fun facts about audiobooks that we thought were interesting— were there any that surprised you?
Check out RealSAM BookClub to share your discovery with other VI readers. We are just about to begin discussing our Autumn picks, so it is the perfect time to join in for October!
