I used to be a big proponent of reading hard copy books. I couldn't get my head around an e-reader. Going to the library and picking out a book is one of my favorite things -- I love going up and down the aisles and keeping a list of books to read for the future. It's a joy to be able to hold a book in your hand and flip through physical pages.

But, I realized I wasn't reading as much as I used to, as life got in the way more frequently. I started settling for audiobooks when I was in the car driving, which worked out great. But eventually, I settled into a remote job, and I didn't need to be driving to and from places as much. My reading totals plummeted, as I couldn't really find time to go to the library. I eventually caved and got a Kindle and have been very pleased with it. Being able to instantly send books to the device was a game-changer.

I was still trying to find time to sit down and read when then I realized I could just make my Kindle work more for me. I'm frequently running around the house and doing chores like making the bed, dusting, or even the dishes after dinner. The last one, in particular, is when I use a little Kindle connection to keep up with my reading.

Kindle

Amazon's new entry-level Kindle weighs just 158g and comes packed with premium Kindle features, such as a 300ppi glare-free display, and a 25 percent brighter front light.

$110 at Amazon

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Connecting Kindle to Bluetooth devices helps

It's simple and takes next to no time

While I have a Kindle Fire, this trick will work with any Kindle with Bluetooth connectivity.

I found that I can basically turn any Kindle book that I own into an audiobook. The text-to-speech function is an absolute ace in the hole, as I can just bring the device with me and listen to the book through the speakers. But, while my Kindle Fire's speakers are just okay, note that other Kindle models don't even have an external speaker and need Bluetooth connectivity to play through another device, like headphones or a speaker.

I thought it would make sense to use the Kindle's Bluetooth compatibility to help boost the audio that was coming out of my Kindle. I have multiple Amazon Alexa speakers around my home and use them frequently. Whether it's for a dance party in the bedroom or to video call someone from the kitchen, my family and I put them to use throughout the week. Syncing the Kindle with the speakers was the cheat code I needed.

Connecting the Echo Show and the Kindle was easy

Use the technology at your fingertips

I knew both of these had Bluetooth connectivity because I've hooked my phone up to my Echo Show speakers many times to play different music directly. I've also hooked up Bluetooth earbuds to my Kindle to stream shows and movies. I was a little nervous to try this the first time, as when I turned on the Bluetooth on my Kindle and rather than the names of devices showing up, the product numbers came up on the list. I was worried I was going to have to try out each of the 10 or so devices that populated before landing on the Echo Show.

But, the more it refreshed, it eventually showed the names and the Echo Show populated. I clicked on it and the interface on the Echo Show changed to just a Bluetooth symbol. I was able to change the volume on both the Kindle as well as the speaker to make it sound better. Then, I was ready to start 'reading.'

Assistive Reading was ready for me

It makes my chores go much faster

The book I'm currently reading (well, listening to) is This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I opened it in the Kindle app, and it looked like any typical e-book: tap the screen to flip to the next page. To access the audio feature, I had to tap out of full-screen mode and bring up the page navigation menu.

On that screen, there's a Play button on the right side. That's what triggers Assistive Reading. As soon as I pressed it, the book snapped back into full-screen mode and a female computer voice began reading the novel aloud through my Echo Show. I then went about dusting my bedroom while listening to stories about Amory Blaine's time at Princeton.

When I did the same thing downstairs in the kitchen on my Echo Show while doing dishes, I found it so much better than listening on the Kindle itself. The richer volume and fuller sound from the speaker can be heard easily over a running faucet, while the sound coming from the Kindle is not easy to hear.

Finding the right speed for you while you're hooked up to the speaker can let you sail through your chores and your book.

I even connected my book to my Samsung The Frame TV in the family room and listened to it while folding clothes. While this one might have been a little excessive, as it's not exactly a loud chore, it just shows the versatility of this Kindle feature.

Change Assistive Reading settings for a more customized experience

Pick who you want to read to you

If you don't want a computer-generated female voice to read to you, know that you have options. Assistive Reading features multiple customizable settings, including voice and play speed. You can choose from a male or female voice and listen at different speeds.

There's a 0.7 play speed, which makes it slightly slower than normal. It then can jump 1.5x, 2.0x, 3.0x, and 4.0x to be faster, which can help you get through the book incredibly quickly. Finding the right speed for you while you're hooked up to the speaker can let you sail through your chores and your book.