Writing With Hope

Why I Buy the Book and the Audiobook: How I Read with ADHD

Posted on March 31, 2025 Updated on April 6, 2025

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Reading has never been easy for me. As someone with ADHD, my attention can drift fast, and focusing on pages of text—no matter how gripping—can feel like trying to hold water in my hands. I also read slowly. That’s not a flaw—it’s just how my brain processes words. But I still love stories. I still want to learn, to escape, to grow. So I found a way that works for me, even if it seems a little unconventional: I buy the audiobook and the digital or physical copy.

Yes, It Sounds Redundant—But It Works

At first, it felt strange spending money on both versions of the same book. Why buy two formats when one should be enough? But I realized quickly that using both—reading and listening at the same time—helps me stay focused, retain more, and actually finish books. For anyone who struggles with reading focus, this dual-format method can be a game-changer.

Digital Books + Speechify = ADHD-Friendly Reading

When I’m using a Kindle book, I pair it with Speechify—a text-to-speech app that syncs with my Kindle library. I can follow along on my screen while listening to a voice read it out loud. It’s like having a personal narrator, helping me keep pace and stay engaged. Speechify lets me adjust the speed, choose different voices, and re-listen to parts when I need to. It’s not just convenient—it’s empowering.

Physical Books and Audible Still Work Too

Even when I’m reading a physical book, I’ll use Audible to listen along. I flip the pages as the narration goes, grounding me in the experience. Having the physical book in my hands while someone reads to me helps reduce distractions. It makes the words feel more alive, more anchored. It’s not just about multitasking—it’s about creating a rhythm that my brain can stick to.

Audiobooks Aren’t a Shortcut—They’re a Tool

For some people, audiobooks might seem like the “easy way out” of reading, but for me, they’re an access point. They’re how I meet a story where my brain is. Whether I’m using Speechify with a Kindle book or Audible with a paperback, the goal is the same: get through books I care about, and actually enjoy the process.

Reading Your Own Way Is Still Reading

If you’re someone with ADHD, dyslexia, or just someone who finds it hard to focus on a block of text for long periods—this might be worth trying. It’s not cheating. It’s not lazy. It’s adapting. And for me, it’s been the difference between struggling through a few pages and actually finishing a book.

So yes, I buy both. And I’ll keep doing it. Because this is how I read. And that’s enough.

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