Media, modality, and motivation in literary-aesthetic experience: exploring auditory and visual reception of literature

• Listening to literary texts is not perceived as either inferior or superior. Rather, a diversity of perceptual perspectives predominates. • Contrary to many theoretical assumptions, audiobook listening is sometimes rated higher than reading, with advantages such as better text comprehension, enhanced imaginary visualization, and greater immersion – but not for all audiobook listeners. • Listening to literature primarily serves the purpose of relaxation, which has implications for the selection of texts, as well as the situations and practices of literary reception. • Listening to audiobooks compared to reading creates an effect of social presence, which plays a significant role especially during periods of loneliness or illness. Audiobooks have a rich history, evolving from Edison's invention of the phonograph to today's digital audiobooks. Initially considered auxiliary to printed books, audiobooks now enjoy concurrent release and widespread consumption, evident in market growth and increased user engagement. Persistent debates surround the classification of audiobook perception as reading, proponents advocating equivalence while critics contend that they are distinct modes of reception and aesthetic experience. Based on a praxeological approach and a theoretical framework encompassing text, medium, listeners, situations & practices and their resulting effects, this focus group study ( n = 34) revealed nuanced perceptions and self-descriptions of regular audiobook listeners, indicating clear distinctions between reading and listening. Despite divergent opinions, the participants demonstrate awareness of their motivations, concrete text selection, specific practices, and contextual factors that influence their choice of reception modality. This research highlights the implications of shifting from print reading to digital listening and the disparities and similarities between the auditory and visual reception of literary texts.