
Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep
Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly 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 blend 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.
Latest episodes

Aug 7, 2023 • 1h 1min
Mount Everest, the Reconnaissance of 1921, Part 3
Let’s continue our sleepy sojourn to Everest and enjoy the flowers of Tibet, pursue timid gazelles, visit monasteries, endure a mutiny and a tragedy, and fire some drunken cooks. Adventurous! 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 “Mount Everest, the Reconnaissance, 1921” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39421 Music: "Boring Books for Bedtime,” 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jul 31, 2023 • 59min
Ecclesiastical History of Britain, by The Venerable Bede, Part 1
Let’s relax with the spread of Christianity in Britain, penned by a saint who was actually there. But first, a preface, an intro, and a biography of the blessed Bede! We do get to the history eventually, but you’ll probably be asleep. 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 “Ecclesiastical History of Britain” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38326 Music: "Boring Books for Bedtime,” 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jul 24, 2023 • 54min
Hand-book on Cheesemaking, by George Newell, Part 1
Let’s relax and sleep to more 19th-century know-how, and learn how to set up a cheese factory, get milk to curdle, and appreciate our buddy, lactic acid. Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All supporters in July will be entered into a giveaway for a custom episode of Boring Books for Bedtime made just for you. Yay! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read “Hand-book on Cheese Making” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/70813 Music: "Changing 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jul 17, 2023 • 52min
Our 250th Episode! Sears Roebuck and Co. Modern Homes Catalog, Part 1
Let’s take a relaxing shop through some of Sears’ lesser-known offerings—houses! From Craftsmans to cottages or an entire apartment building, it can all be delivered to you, guaranteed. Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All supporters in July will be entered into a giveaway for a custom episode of Boring Books for Bedtime made just for you. Yay! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Browse a library of pages from the Sears Modern Homes Catalog here: http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/index.htm 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jul 10, 2023 • 53min
The Natural History of Pliny the Elder, Part 2
Let’s return to Pliny’s relaxing opus and learn about the seasons, planting schedules, and the best time to buy a winter cloak so you don’t get price gouged. It’s all written in the stars! Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All supporters in July will be entered into a giveaway for a custom episode of Boring Books for Bedtime made just for you. Yay! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read all six volumes of Pliny’s Natural History at Project Gutenberg: https://tinyurl.com/p67jjkp7 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jul 3, 2023 • 57min
Pyrotechnics - The History and Art of Firework Making, Part 1
Let’s relax and sleep with quiet thoughts on a loud art, including speculation on Eastern origins, deadly Greek fire, and every mention of fireworks in Europe for a thousand years (no, really). Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All supporters in July will be entered into a giveaway for a custom episode of Boring Books for Bedtime made just for you. Yay! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read “Pyrotechnics: The History & Art of Firework Making” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64922 Music: "Peace,” 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jun 26, 2023 • 57min
On Horsemanship, by Xenophon, Part 1
By listener request, let’s relax and sleep with this guide to the purchasing, care, and training of horses in Ancient Greece. To sum up, hooves are everything, and kindness counts. Good advice! 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 “On Horsemanship” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1176 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jun 19, 2023 • 51min
The Art of Money Getting, by P.T. Barnum, Part 1
Let’s hear from the world’s greatest showman how to live a wealthy, happy life. Sleepy spoiler alert: do things you’re good at, don’t envy others, and spend less than you make. Talk about boring! 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 Art of Money Getting” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8581 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jun 12, 2023 • 51min
Symmes Theory of Concentric Spheres, Showing That The Earth Is Hollow, Part 3
Let’s continue with this sleepy theory about the Earth and how fish migrations absolutely, positively prove that it must be hollow. What other explanation could there be? None, says Symmes! 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 “Symmes Theory of Concentric Spheres” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54329 Music: "Boring Books for Bedtime,” 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jun 5, 2023 • 44min
Spices, Their HIstories, by Robert O. Fielding (Part 3–Conclusion)
Let’s finish our tour of the sleepy world of spices, learn about grains of paradise (my favorite medieval spice), and reveal the connection between saffron and…crocodiles? Sure, why not. 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 “Spices, Their Histories” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60192 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.