Yes, you can say you read a book you listen to.
While "reading" traditionally implies engaging with a book through visual means (i.e., looking at the written words), the core activity is understanding and absorbing the content of the book. Listening to an audiobook achieves the same goal: comprehending the narrative, ideas, and information presented. Therefore, it's perfectly acceptable in modern usage to say you "read" a book, even if you experienced it through audio.
Here's why it's commonly accepted:
- Focus on Comprehension: The primary objective is to understand the material. Whether you achieve this through sight or sound is secondary.
- Cultural Shift: Audiobooks have become increasingly popular and widely recognized as a legitimate way to experience literature. The language has adapted to reflect this.
- Implied Understanding: Saying you "read" a book implies you've fully grasped the content, regardless of the medium.
However, consider the context:
- Formal Settings: In a formal setting (e.g., an academic discussion or book report), it might be beneficial to clarify that you listened to an audiobook if the specific format is relevant to the discussion. You could say, "I read (or rather, listened to)..."
- Personal Preference: Some people prefer to be precise and might say "I listened to the audiobook" to avoid any ambiguity. This is perfectly fine and reflects personal preference.
Ultimately, the important thing is that you engaged with the book and understood its content. In most everyday conversations, saying you "read" a book you listened to will be perfectly acceptable and understood.
