Research Information System
PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY, vol.025, pp.1-23, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
This study explores the audiobook consumption patterns of Storytel Türkiye users, examining their motivations for listening and the impact of audiobooks on their overall reading practices. Interviews were conducted with ten participants, most of whom are academics. Following data coding in MAXQDA2020, a reflexive thematic analysis was performed in line with practice theory, with the findings categorized under two main themes and two subthemes. The study reveals that audiobooks function primarily as a supplement to traditional reading rather than a substitute. Participants differentiate between work-related and leisure reading, frequently opting for audiobooks when engaging with fiction or reading for personal enrichment, while reserving print formats for academic and non-fiction texts. Additionally, multitasking emerges as a key characteristic of audiobook usage, not only allowing users to incorporate listening into their daily activities, including commuting, household tasks, and exercise but also creating valuable “me times”. These findings contribute to the expanding body of audiobook research by shedding light on the evolving dynamics of digital reading practices and the influence of technology on contemporary literary engagement.