Introduction:
I love to read but find that I rarely have time to sit down with a good book. I read at night but typically fall asleep within minutes – making books take FOREVER to read. Audiobooks help me to keep up with reading while still getting things done. I thought it would be great to turn Kindle books into audiobooks. In this post, I’ll show you how!
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I listen to audiobooks while driving, while painting, and while cleaning my house. Although I love using Audible for audiobooks (try Audible here), I wanted to find a way to read my Kindle books while multitasking.
I’m super excited because I learned the Alexa app can read Kindle books, including the “free” books from your Kindle Unlimited membership. The books are read by Alexa herself, and she does a pretty decent job.
Sometimes she cracks me up because she gets randomly angry – I’ve come to love that.
In this blog post and video I’ll show you how to use the Alexa app to have your Kindle books read to you. If you prefer to learn by seeing, you can watch my YouTube video here:
Step 1: Linking Your Alexa App with Your Kindle Account and Turn on Kindle Assistive Reader
To get started, make sure you have the Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet. If you haven’t done so already, you can easily find it on the App Store or Google Play Store. Once you have the app up and running, open it and sign in with your Amazon account credentials. Ensure that you use the same account linked to your Kindle books.
Open the Alexa app and go tot he menu at the bottom of your screen. Press More. Next go to the settings menu. Select Accessibility. Turn on “Kindle Assistive Reader.”
Step 2: Select Play at the Bottom of Your Screen
Please note that I have an iPhone. This may be different on other types of phones.
Once in the app, there is a menu at the bottom of your screen. Click on “Play.”
Scroll Down until you reach “Kindle Library.” This shows recent titles, but you can also click on “See All” to view more titles in your Kindle Library.
Step 3: Select the Book You Want to Read
Tap on the book you want to read and then select where you want to read it from on the pop-up screen. I typically choose “This Device” so that I can read it on my phone.
You can also select to have your book read through an Alexa device (like the Echo Dot).
You can also talk to Alexa while in the app. For instance, you can say “Alexa, read my Kindle book [title].” You can instruct her to move throughout the book, such as “Alexa, go back to the beginning of the chapter.” And my favorite: you can ask Alexa to read at up to 2X speed.
I have not been successful at getting her to rewind 30 seconds though. Typically, if I want to go back a bit, I’ll open the book on Kindle and go back to the section I want reread and then restart the Alexa app.
Yes, Alexa and Kindle sync with each other. 🙂
Sync Your Books
I don’t know if this is necessary but one thing I do is open the Kindle app version of the book quick before going to the Alexa app to listen to a book. This helps me to make sure that my phone is up to date on what spot I am on in my book. I read in bed using my Kindle Scribe (see my review of the Kindle Scribe here) so I like to just make sure before starting to listen to my book.
Bonus Tip: Kindle Unlimited – A World of Unlimited Reading
If you’re an avid reader who wants to explore a vast library of books, I highly recommend checking out Kindle Unlimited. With Kindle Unlimited, you gain access to over a million titles, including some bestsellers, classics, and a wide range of genres. I find it to be a great way to discover new authors. People in Facebook groups often recommend books that are available on Kindle Unlimited. Click here to learn more about Kindle Unlimited and embark on an extraordinary reading adventure.
Bonus Tip 2: Use Libby and Listen To Your Library Books
Another cool tip is to download the Libby app and connect to your local library. There, you can check out ebooks (and audiobooks actually). Most ebooks have a link to the Kindle version. If the Kindle version is available you can add it to your Kindle Library and then have Alexa read it to you!
Conclusion:
The ability to have the Alexa app read your Kindle books is a game-changer for bookworms and busy individuals alike. Whether you’re cooking, painting, working out, or simply relaxing, Alexa can be your reading companion, bringing stories to life and sometimes making you laugh with her random anger. By following the simple steps outlined in this blog post, you can unlock this fantastic feature and enjoy the magic of hands-free reading. Remember to make the most of your reading experience by exploring the extensive collection of books available through Kindle Unlimited. Start your reading adventure today!
I’ve just discovered a bit Alexis ability to read some of my Kindle books which is good as I have 500+. However I have not yet succeeded in getting her to read from the place I want her to EG page 17. Nor have I found out how to make her stop reading by voice alone. I wonder if you have any thoughts at my help ?
To play at a certain page I would open the book in the Kindle app first and go to that page. Then open the Alexa app and it should start reading at that spot. I just tried saying Alexa stop with the app open on my phone and it worked. If you play it in an Echo device you have to say alexa stop to the echo device instead of the app. I hope that helps!