Accessible ways to read eBooks?

Submitted by itsanameinaname t3_z7b8se in books

I tend to find I need to switch back and forth between reading the text, and having the text read aloud.

This isn't a problem with free ebooks because I can usually just use the built in text to speech in Google play books. So I'll read three pages, and then have another three read aloud by the app and switch back and forth.

Unfortunately, I've been looking at buying eBooks, either through kindle or Google play books, and they seem to disable the text to speech option for these?

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farseer4 t1_iy5puqc wrote

  1. Remove DRM using Calibre.

  2. Install @Voice Aloud Reader, or a similar app to read your books Aloud (this app also lets you use the Google voices).

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non_avian t1_iy6v465 wrote

Yep, calibre will also convert between file types for books that are 🏴‍☠️d or freely distributed. Very useful program

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lyrasbookshelf t1_iy5q22j wrote

I'm not sure about the text to speech function, but if you're open to trying audiobooks, you could try Libby if it's accessible to you. You can borrow the e-book and audiobook at the same time and keep the system you currently have, alternating between text and sound.

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itsanameinaname OP t1_iy5qi1d wrote

Libby sounds really cool! Unfortunately I'm looking at buying books specifically because they're not available at my library.

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CrazyCatLady108 t1_iy5s6xi wrote

> because they're not available at my library.

have you tried other local libraries you might be able to become a member of? have you tried requesting that your library purchase a copy of the book/audiobook you want.

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itsanameinaname OP t1_iy5spwg wrote

Oh that's a good idea. I hadn't thought of that at first because my library is linked to a bunch of different ones, but in retrospect actually there's actually a few more near me that aren't part of the interlibrary system.

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CrazyCatLady108 t1_iy5tl1g wrote

doesn't hurt to look around. :) some of libraries that are not so local to me also offer digital only loans to non-residents. good luck!

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lyrasbookshelf t1_iy7galf wrote

Some libraries in the US let people from other states or countries make an account to use their digital library, such as the Queens Library. Last I checked, it was $50 per year. Since e-books and audiobooks can be very expensive, that would save you a ton of money :)

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Griffen_07 t1_iy6cvit wrote

If you use kindle there are accessibility settings meant for blind and low sight readers that will enable text to speech. You just got to buy the right adapter.

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Zikoris t1_iy5s82l wrote

My library has something called Daisy for some books, which I believe is basically a combination ebook/audiobook. Maybe yours does as well?

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[deleted] t1_iy6ayl5 wrote

[removed]

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books-ModTeam t1_iy6nquw wrote

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