Audiobook supports differ from text-to-speech tools in that the former is typically narrated with human voices. In many instances, it may be the author, a volunteer, or even a paid actor.
There are many benefits to human-narrated content. For example, the pitch and cadence of speech may be comfortable and easy to follow. There are natural breaks and pauses in the reading, for example, at the end a sentence. There may be tonal changes that more effectively relay the emotion of subject matter. This resource from Understand.org opens a new window highlights the differences between human-narrated audiobooks and synthesized speech.
Below, we have highlighted some of the different types of audiobook and digital eBook resources available:
Human-narrated audiobooks
- Learning Ally Link opens a new window
- Allows users to navigate audiobooks in the same way one would navigate a print resource (e.g., by page, chapter, etc.).
- Students approved for accessible text accommodations can request a free Learning Ally account through the ATI.
- Audible.com opens a new window
- Allows users to navigate books by sections. Users do not have the ability to navigate in the same way one would navigate a print resource.
- Students must purchase their own Audible.com account to access these resources.
- Librivox opens a new window
- Audiobooks from all genres available in multiple languages. Download onto your computer or mobile device.
Digital e-Book Resources
- Bookshare.org opens a new window
- Available in multiple formats (e.g., Braille, Word, MP3, etc.)
- Students approved for accessible text accommodations can request a free Bookshare account through the ATI.
- Bookshare.org supported reading apps (select the links below for additional information)
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- iOS opens a new window: Dolphin Easy Reader, Voice Dream Reader, CaptiVoice
- Android opens a new window: Dolphin EasyReader, GoRead
- Windows opens a new window: Bookshare Web Reader, Open Lore Reader
- Mac OS opens a new window: Bookshare Web Reader, iBooks
- Chromebook opens a new window: Bookshare Web Reader, CaptiVoice
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- Project Gutenberg opens a new window
- Over 46,000 free e-books. Choose from e-pub, kindle books and more. Available for translation in Portuguese, Dutch and French.
- Planet E-Book opens a new window
- Offers 80+ digital free classic novels for download.
- Internet Archive: opens a new window
- A non-profit library of free books.
- Open Library: opens a new window
- An accredited California State Library run by the non-profit Internet Archive. Open Library is an open, editable library catalog.
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: opens a new window
- The HTML versions of the plays provided here are placed in the public domain.