How to Listen to Chireads Stories With Text-to-Speech
To listen to a Chireads story with text-to-speech, download the complete story as an EPUB and open it in an app with a read-aloud feature. WP Downloader creates the EPUB for free. You do not need to install anything or sign in to Chireads.
Download the Chireads story as an EPUB
Find the story on chireads.com. Its address will look like this:
https://chireads.com/category/translatedtales/story-nameCopy the story URL from your browser, then:
- Open the Chireads downloader.
- Paste the story link into the box.
- Wait for WP Downloader to detect Chireads and process the story.
- Choose EPUB as the output format.
- Download the file to your phone, tablet, or computer.
WP Downloader downloads the whole story. It cannot download a single Chireads chapter or a list of stories. You can also choose to include the story’s images.
Chireads stories are written in French. The reading tools below use the text-to-speech voices installed on your device, so the narration will depend on the voices available.
For more help with the download, see the Chireads download guide.
Listen on an iPhone or iPad
Apple Books opens EPUB files, and the built-in Speak Screen feature can read the story aloud.
To turn on Speak Screen:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Select Spoken Content.
- Turn on Speak Screen.
Open the EPUB in Apple Books. With the story on the screen, swipe down from the top with two fingers to start reading it aloud.
If the pronunciation sounds wrong, check the text-to-speech voices installed on your device and select one that supports French.
Listen on an Android phone or tablet
You can listen to the downloaded EPUB with an Android accessibility feature or an EPUB reading app.
Use Select to Speak
Go to Settings, open Accessibility, and turn on Select to Speak. Then open the story and tap the items on the screen that you want Android to read aloud.
Use Moon+ Reader
Moon+ Reader opens EPUB files and has a built-in text-to-speech mode. Open the Chireads EPUB in Moon+ Reader and start its read-aloud function.
Use @Voice Aloud Reader
@Voice Aloud Reader can also read EPUB files aloud. Open the downloaded file in the app and use its reading controls to begin listening.
Both apps use the text-to-speech voices installed on your Android device, so the narration may sound different depending on the selected voice.
Listen on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Thorium Reader and calibre can read EPUB files aloud on a computer.
Use Thorium Reader
Thorium Reader is free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Open the Chireads EPUB in Thorium Reader and use its read-aloud feature.
Use calibre
calibre is a free desktop program. Open the downloaded EPUB in calibre’s e-book viewer and select Read aloud.
These programs use the text-to-speech voices installed on your computer. Check your system voices if the French pronunciation sounds unnatural or as if it is being read in another language.
Get new chapters later
WP Downloader cannot add new chapters to an EPUB you already have. When a Chireads story is updated, paste its link into WP Downloader again and download a new copy. You can open the new EPUB in the same text-to-speech app you used before.
To move the story to an e-reader, follow the guide to send a Chireads story to Kindle or read a Chireads story on Kobo.
FAQ
Do I need a Chireads account?
No. You do not need to sign in to Chireads to download a story with WP Downloader.
Which format should I choose for text-to-speech?
Choose EPUB. Apple Books, Moon+ Reader, @Voice Aloud Reader, Thorium Reader, and calibre can open EPUB files and use the read-aloud methods described above.
Can I download only one Chireads chapter?
No. WP Downloader downloads complete Chireads stories. It does not download individual chapters or story lists.
Why does the French narration sound unusual?
The reading tools use the text-to-speech voices installed on your device. Check that a voice suitable for French is available and selected.
Will my EPUB update when Chireads adds chapters?
No. Download the story again with WP Downloader to get a new EPUB with the available chapters.