I like audiobooks, and find it easier to concentrate on the audio than on a printed book, but I know a lot of people who have tried them and find it impossible to focus like you describe.

Sorry about your loss. My mum died in January and I can completely understand that feeling of wanting to be close to her.

I was in a big London bookshop a couple of weeks ago and there was a massive table of those Penguin clothbound classics near the entrance, which makes me think they believe people still want to buy classics as Christmas presents at least.