The gift of listening...

The means by which we "consume" content - for business or pleasure - is changing faster than at any time in history. And so is the pace: we're deluged with data. We patrol Instagram, facebook and a variety of platforms for opinions, for facts - sometimes accurate, sometimes, sadly, fake - and for social connection.


And yet, according to psychologists, we still feel alone.
And here is where the latest trend in reading has a part to play.
Remember when e-books were the latest thing?
Well, it's estimated that the sales of audiobooks will soon outstrip the sales of e-books.
The availability of high quality headphone and ear buds is tranforming the way we "read". We can now listen to our favourite books in high definition sound whenever and wherever we are. The narrators are professional actors and actresses who have the skill to transform the written word into a rather special experience.
And... they're talking to each one of us. We get to feel part of a bigger conversation, we can relish the nuances of the spoken word. And for those plagued by loneliness and in search of company, an audiobook can be a lifeline.

The famous line by C.S Lewis may need to be updated.
We read to know we are not alone
We listen to know we are not alone...