Okay, Let’s Be Real
You might have that one article that you promised you’ll get back to later, and then it ends up in the digital graveyard of 32 open tabs and forgotten bookmarks.
That’s where a neat trick we recently stumbled upon might just save your day—and your eyes.
Introducing: ElevenReader – Text To Audio.
Thanks to this super handy app, both on App Store and Play Store, you can turn just about any written content—PDFs, website links, or research papers—into smooth, narrated audio that feels more like a podcast than a textbook.
And yes, we’ve personally tested it out, and we’re fans. Like, big fans. Tutorial👇
How This Helps Rest Awhile™ Readers
If you’re anything like us, you love the reflective content on Rest Awhile™—but let’s face it, life doesn’t always wait for your reading time.
Whether you’re hopping into a cab, scrubbing dishes, cooking, or squeezing in a break during lunch hour, ElevenReader lets you plug in your article of choice and listen instead of scrolling.
No need to squint at a tiny phone screen or re-read the same paragraph 5 times because you’re having trouble concentrating.
Just copy the article link from Rest Awhile™, paste it into the ElevenReader, choose your narrator (more on that below), and boom.
You can listen to it word-for-word or turn it into a conversational podcast between two AI voices.
A Personal Note: Why We Love It
We’ve been using it ourselves, and it’s been a game-changer.
We read (but now listen to) way more books now because we just import EPUBs and PDFs and let our chosen AI voice, Archer, do the rest.
Archer has that laid-back, conversational tone that feels like a friend catching you up over a cafe.
Just real enough to feel natural without it being weird. It’s nothing like that TikTok and YouTube AI Voice.
You might find Archer works for you, or maybe one of the other voice options tickles your auditory fancy. Either way, it’s fun to experiment.
Listening Is A Fantastic Supplement
But it’s not quite the same as reading something directly.
Especially here on Rest Awhile™, where many posts include lovely visuals, quotes, and links (in pink) to references that really round out the message.
Also, authors from other pages might have crafted their content in a way they’d love you to see and not just hear.
So treat this as a bonus tool, not a full-on replacement. Think of it like using chopsticks with pizza. Can you do it? Sure. Should you? We listen and we don’t judge.
We’re Not Endorsed By ElevenLabs
Just passing along this tip because it’s been a massive help for us.
Try it out and see how it fits into your routine.
And if you stumble on an even better text-to-speech tool that makes you feel like Morgan Freeman is narrating your lunch break, tell us in the comments.
Sharing is caring. Happy listening, as you Rest Awhile.
