Does an ereader read to you?

[HoleInBucket]

There is a new book out that I would love to get. An issue I have is that I haven't read a book since school. I know how to read, I just don't read. For a long time I bought books with great intentions of reading them but it never happens.

This book is something I would love though.

I'm thinking of an ereader but I have no experience of an ereader. Does ereader read to you? If so is the speech/reading/speed easy to listen to?

I think I would be more successful with an ereader device especially if it reads to be. Sometimes I get so busy. I like the idea of continuing to potter about with an ereader on the go.

Something like a kindle doesn't generally read to you, no, though I think you can sometimes download the audio. You want something like audible.com, I think.
You can listen via an app on your phone.
I'm sure someone will be along with better info soon!

I think you need an audio book rather than an ereader. I use audible for audiobooks, and often play books via alexa as I potter about.

If you have an android phone, Maybe give an Ereader app a try before committing to a device? They read the various book formats available.
I use FB reader (free) for books that don't have an audiobook yet. You'd need to add a TTS (Text To Speech) extension (also from Googleplay). so you can move between reading and listening. There are free voices (e.g. UK/US English accents) to select to be read to with. They can sound robotic, not 'acted', as in an audiobook, but I find that's a bit like an inner reading voice anyway.
I've also just read that TTS can be added to the onboard kindle app on the Amazon Fire tablet.

The more recent kindles can be linked to a bluetooth speaker so you can listen to an audio book. You can also listen to audio books bought on itunes on an ipad. You can generally listen to a sample which is a good idea as audiobooks tend to be more expensive than the print versions.

I am a big fan of readings on Radio 4 or Radio 4 extra. You just need the sounds app which is free and you can listen on a phone, tablet or laptop. They often have recently published books. Here is a link to some:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p034wrq4

I agree that it's nice to listen to something while you are washing up etc.

If you have an Alexa and you buy an audio book through Audible, say, she can definitely read to you. Great way to get through the housework and the washing up. (I'm not sure about other smart speakers. Alexa is the dominant AI lifeform in this household.)

Kindle can read to you. On ebooks where it's available, you get the option to add audio narration when you buy the book. This often works out cheaper than buying an actual audio book.
Audible is Amazon's audio book thing, and has lots of books available too.
Audible and audio narration are different things, but both allow the kindle to read to you.
Kindle has speaker and headphone jack, so you don't have to have anything else.

I don't think the newer kindles have a headphone jack, PomBearWithoutHerOFRS so you do need a separate speaker to listen via a kindle.

I don't think I'd buy an e reader for now HoleinBucket. I'd download the Audible app onto my phone and look for the book. I'd be surprised if they didn't have it as so many people buy the audio version of books these days.

Oooh! Mine is fairly new, had it about a year I think. When they did the offer to pay monthly instalments? and has a jack.
My Mam just got a new bigger one, will have to look and see if it has one!
You'd think that they would, for music and video etc. Not naff of Amazon if they don't!

Pom - I think you probably have a Kindle Fire which is a tablet and as you say is designed for all sorts of media. The Kindle is a different device which is only designed for reading books and hasn’t had a speaker for some time. The screen is on the Kindle is black and white and front lit rather than coloured and back lit. It means reading at night doesn’t blast your eyes with light and keep you awake.

If you look on your local library website they will probably have an audio book app. Mine uses BorrowBox. Then you can listen to books on your phone for free.

You need an audiobook, OP. Get the audible app on your phone or tablet and that is a recording of a book that you can listen to.

Thank you so much for all of the fantastic replies. Thank you. I got the audible app and I am loving it so much. Thank you so so so much.

Enjoy!

Isn't it great when something simple makes such a difference? Happy listening, HoleInBucket!

One of the great things about an audiobook is you can listen almost any time and without having to set aside time for reading, like on the way to work or while you're doing housework or out for a walk.

I love audiobooks - audible app here.
Few things for new users -
The sample button is great. Some narrators are annoying and you can tell from sample.
I’ve returned a purchase where the narrator made it kind of unlistenable for my ear - no quibble - not sure how often you can do this.
Extra credits are still good value I think.
Offers are good value
Wish list is useful way to keep track
Free podcasts are mixed bag but some have been great. There are loads available for free in audible.

I also use bbc sounds a lot for drama/read books and comedy mostly.

Started listening to pods through iTunes as soon as they were a thing (10 years ago??)

I can’t imagine the old days now where you waited for a programme and listened aloud from a radio. Very rarely do that.

Yes the deals can be quite good. There is usually a daily deal for about £3 and sometimes they do 2 for 1 which allows you to get 2 books for 1 credit so you could try to time your purchase with those.

I probably need to look into this.

I get all my audiobooks through the local library apps. It probably doesn't have as big a choice as Audible but it's free.

Did know you can read magazines free via a library app too? There is a huge selection.

Yes I came on to second Borrowbox via the library. I use it in combination with Audible and get the ones for free that I can - helps keeps costs down. My Audible membership is currently paused and I have a queue of 3 books coming from the library over the next month.