--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reading is a very different thing than…" description: "\"Reading is a very different thing than performing. In fact, one of the things I think that doesn't work in books on tape is if the person doing the rea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/salman-rushdie-153_book_reading-is-a-very-different-thing-than-p_1678338.jpg" --- # Reading is a very different thing than performing. In… ![“Reading is a very different thing than performing. In fact, one of the things I think that doesn't work in books on tape is if the person doing the reading "acts" too much; it becomes irritating to you listening to it.” quote by Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/salman-rushdie-153_book_reading-is-a-very-different-thing-than-p_1678338.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/salman-rushdie-153_book_reading-is-a-very-different-thing-than-p_1678338.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a4/salman-rushdie-153_book_reading-is-a-very-different-thing-than-p_1678338.jpg) > “Reading is a very different thing than performing. In fact, one of the things I think that doesn't work in books on tape is if the person doing the reading "acts" too much; it becomes irritating to you listening to it.” [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that overly theatrical audiobook readings can distract and irritate listeners. **In simple terms:** Overacting in audiobooks is irritating. Key Takeaway Prefer natural narration. Themes communication performance literature Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical literary When to use this quote - audiobook production - voice acting - literary appreciation - education Key Concepts narration style listener experience Questions to Reflect On - How much expression enhances a story? - When does it become a distraction? A Different Perspective Some listeners may enjoy expressive readings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Books Tape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books-tape-930284/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-things/) [Doing Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-reading-649723/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Irritating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irritating/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Performing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performing/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Reading Acts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-acts-930285/) [Tape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tape/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) ## Related quotes > [If I'm riding my bike I just replay the same scenarios over and over in my head, like I haven't had a new mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/if-i-m-riding-my-bike-i-just-replay-the-same-scenarios-over-and-over/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I love to listen to books on tape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-haze/i-love-to-listen-to-books-on-tape/) [Angel Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angel-haze/) > [I listen to parenting books on tape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaria-baldwin/i-listen-to-parenting-books-on-tape/) [Hilaria Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaria-baldwin/) > [I couldn't read. 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