

Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep
Sharon Handy
Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly, ad-free, AI-free sleep podcast in which we calmly, quietly read something rather boring to silence the brain chatter keeping you awake. Think Aristotle, Thoreau, and whoever wrote the 1897 Sears Catalog—mostly nonfiction, mostly old, a perfect balance of vaguely-but-not-too interesting.
If you're on Team Sleepless, lie back, take a deep breath, and let us read you to rest.
If you're on Team Sleepless, lie back, take a deep breath, and let us read you to rest.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 29, 2025 • 53min
Winter Impressions from John Muir and Henry David Thoreau
Let's sink into seasonal slumber with two essays by famed American naturalists. In the first, John Muir takes us to Tahoe in the winter, where he delights in its glacial-born beauties and his friend skis poorly. In the second, Thoreau regales us with tales of mischievous visitors to his cabin in Walden. Delightful! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All December supporters will be entered into our Annual Holiday Giveaway at the end of the month! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Winter Animals" in "Walden" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/205 Music: "Watching Whales on the Moon," by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY, https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Dec 22, 2025 • 1h
The 1942 Sears Roebuck and Co. Christmas Book, Part 2
Let's shop for sleep with more selections from this Christmas gift catalog from the years of World War II. This time, pretty yet practical cards, tree decorations and miraculous electric lights that stay lit, luggage, toys, ties, and the gift of every girl's dreams . . . a robe! May this help you have the happiest of holidays, dear listeners. Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All December supporters will be entered into our Annual Holiday Giveaway at the end of the month! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Music: "Heaven Be Here," by PC III, licensed under CC BY If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Dec 15, 2025 • 57min
Wintering in the Riviera, by William J. Miller, Part 1
Let's set sail for warm winter nights with a new (well, "new") travel book. In this first reading, thoughts on speaking the language, the best travel guides, the importance of strong luggage and a corkscrew, and how overpacking and Italian water are best avoided. Bon voyage! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All December supporters will be entered into our Annual Holiday Giveaway at the end of the month! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Wintering in the Riviera" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47463 Music: "Calling to Other Worlds," by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY, https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Dec 8, 2025 • 51min
An Account of Egypt, by Herodotus, Part 3
Delve into the myths of Egypt as Herodotus connects Greek gods to their Egyptian counterparts—think Apollo meets Osiris. Discover the tale of twelve kings brought low by a hat and an oracle's whimsical judgment involving a bronze cup. Unearth the secrets of the legendary labyrinth by Lake Moiris and marvel at its architectural splendor. Hear about the fate of Apryes and the mystical floating island of Chemis. With a touch of humor and enigmatic stories, sleep is just a tale away!

Dec 1, 2025 • 54min
Our Cats and All About Them, by Harrison Weir, Part 4
Delve into the captivating world of cats as they explore superstitions surrounding black cats and their historical misconstructions. Learn about the distinct beauty of Siamese cats, their dietary quirks, and affectionate behavior. Discover the mysterious tailless Manx breed and its intriguing origins. The discussion also touches on exhibition standards, including show rules for various patterns and markings. Most importantly, the episode emphasizes the value of surrounding yourself with beauty through the companionship of our feline friends.

Nov 24, 2025 • 45min
Life on a Medieval Barony, by William Stearns Davis, Part 1
Let's sink into slumber with this dreamy description of life in medieval France circa 1220. This time, the background of the barony in question and the somewhat circuitous route of acquisition by its ruling family. Spoiler alert, not wandering off for years on a crusade seems to help with the whole "keeping your property" thing. Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Life on a Medieval Barony" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46455 Music: "Dream Colours," by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY, https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Nov 17, 2025 • 48min
Farm Engines and How To Run Them, by James H. Stephenson, Part 7
Let's relax to yet more information about steam engines, their types, and how their valves work, followed immediately by a glowing description of the newfangled gasoline engine that makes all the previous hours of steam engine learning a bit . . . pointless? Well, it helped us sleep, I guess. Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Farm Engines and How to Run Them" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43867 Music: "Exit Exit" by PC III, licensed under CC BY If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Nov 10, 2025 • 59min
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes, by Robert Louis Stevenson, Part 4
Let's return to the mountains of France with this wonderful author and his rather opinionated companion. This time, we ponder the phenomenon of waking in the deep dark of night, the pleasure of sleeping outdoors, the prettiness of a barmaid who doesn't give our author the time of day, and the perils of religious fervor. Variety indeed! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/535 Music: "earth 2 earth" by PC III, licensed under CC BY If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Nov 3, 2025 • 57min
The Compleat Angler, by Isaak Walton, Part 1
Let's cast our lines into the river of relaxation with this classic about the art of fishing. This time, we begin with a conversation between a hunter, a falconer, and an angler about the relative superiority of their professions. But first, an overwrought patron dedication and lengthy, self-deprecating epistle to the reader, in perfect 17th century style. Deliciously dull! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "The Compleat Angler" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/683 Music: "Ocean Tapping" by PC III, licensed under CC BY If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Oct 27, 2025 • 58min
1921 Sears Roebuck and Co. Modern Homes Catalog (Part 2)
Let's celebrate our seventh anniversary with more from this catalog of lovely, affordable homes, a dream indeed, and all certified by a team of women as perfect in every detail. But first, some very thorough assurances that these plans are entirely satisfactory or your money back. Guaranteed! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "1921 Sears Roebuck & Co. Modern Homes Catalog" at the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/honorbiltmodernh00sear/mode/2up? Music: "Heaven Be Here," by PC III, licensed under CC BY If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, https://www.boringbookspod.com.


