Recording at home in Thailand cured me of the idea that audiobook production begins with silence. Trains, motorbikes and birds exist, and some of the birds seem especially committed to joining the cast.
The useful question is not whether a noise exists, but whether it steals attention. A quiet, steady air-conditioner can disappear beneath a voice. A single bright bird call can pull the listener straight out of the story. Worse, cutting around every sound can make the background itself jump and change, creating a new distraction.
My practical rule is therefore simple. I wait out or retake intermittent noises that demand attention. Truly low, steady sound is often better left alone. If something needs attention later, I mark it and continue reading instead of turning a recording session into an editing session.
The aim is not perfect silence. It is stable, boring audio that leaves the story in front—which is much more achievable, and much kinder to everyone involved.
Happy reading,
–Eddie.