Want to enjoy your Kindle books hands-free? Alexa can read them aloud to you using a feature called Kindle Assistive Reader. This guide explains how to set up Alexa to read your Kindle books, troubleshoot common issues, and find compatible titles.
Setting Up Alexa to Read Your Kindle Books
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- An Amazon Account: You’ll need an active Amazon account linked to both your Kindle and Alexa devices.
- A Compatible Kindle Book: Not all Kindle books are compatible with Alexa. More on this later.
- An Alexa-Enabled Device: This could be an Amazon Echo, Fire tablet, or the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Once you have these, simply ask Alexa to read your book. For example: “Alexa, read [Book Title].”
You can control the playback with voice commands like:
- “Alexa, pause/resume/stop.”
- “Alexa, read faster/slower.”
- “Alexa, go back/forward [time duration] or [chapter number].”
- “Alexa, tell me about this book.”
Kindle Book Compatibility with Alexa
Unfortunately, Alexa cannot read every Kindle book. Compatibility depends on several factors:
- Purchase Source: The book must be purchased from the Kindle Store, borrowed through Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading, or part of your Family Library.
- Enhanced Typesetting: The book needs to support Enhanced Typesetting, a feature that allows for a more dynamic reading experience.
- Language Support: Alexa only supports reading books in specific languages. Check Amazon’s documentation for a list of supported languages.
Finding Alexa-Compatible Kindle Books
The easiest way to find compatible books is through the Alexa app:
- Enable Kindle Assistive Reader: Open the Alexa app, go to More > Settings > Accessibility, and toggle on Kindle Assistive Reader.
- Browse Your Library: Navigate to the Play tab and then Kindle Library. This will display a list of your compatible Kindle books.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Alexa Isn’t Starting From the Correct Place:
Alexa should resume reading from where you last left off. If it doesn’t:
- Open the book on the device where you last read it.
- Ensure the device is connected to the internet.
- Manually sync the book to the furthest page read (usually found in the book’s menu options).
- Ask Alexa to play the book again.
Alexa Isn’t Reading My Kindle Book At All:
- Verify Compatibility: Ask Alexa, “Show my Kindle books,” or check the Alexa app’s Kindle Library to ensure the book is compatible.
- Restart Your Device: Unplug your Echo device (or other Alexa-enabled device), wait a few seconds, and plug it back in. This often resolves minor software glitches.
Conclusion
Reading Kindle books with Alexa offers a convenient and enjoyable hands-free experience. By understanding the requirements and troubleshooting tips, you can seamlessly integrate your reading into your daily routine. So, sit back, relax, and let Alexa bring your favorite stories to life.
