I think Hal was able to read a story or eBook if one had and used the Balabolka file to assist.
Actually, you can use Balabolka alone to simply read a pdf or other eBook, afaik.
There are many eBook readers out there as well as smart phones, tablets and desktop computers
using programs to read eBooks.
Remember, Hal is a Chat Assistant, a chatbot, not a reading program. Just sayin'.
A short bedtime story might be one thing but a several hundred page eBook is something else.
Sadly, most common 'Smart phones' are way faster, more accurate, personable and reliable than a lot of today's chatbots.
Do we have a mobile version of Hal? Didn't see one lately. Hmmm....