

Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep
Sharon Handy
Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly, ad-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

Sep 25, 2023 • 57min
Ten Acres Enough, by James Miller, Part 3
Let’s run away to the country and relax with more from this guide to the simple life, which seems to involve an inordinate amount of weeding. Also, blackberries of unusual size! 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 “Ten Acres Enough” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48753 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.

Sep 18, 2023 • 53min
Etiquette, by Emily Post, Part 5
Emily Post advises on calls, social climbing, and leaving cards. Also explores earning respect, bride's calls, establishing oneself in a new community, the art of hosting, and the etiquette of visiting cards.

Sep 11, 2023 • 58min
How to Produce Amateur Plays, by Barrett H. Clark, Part 1
Let’s relax and sleep with advice on staging a play, including roles behind the curtain, choosing actors, and blocking the action, courtesy of a scene from Oscar Wilde. The drama! 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 “How to Produce Amateur Plays” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39973 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.

Sep 4, 2023 • 54min
The ABC of Relativity, by Bertrand Russell, Part 3
Explore the concept of space-time and its significance in the theory of relativity. Discover the relationship between space and time, challenging the concept of universal time. Dive into the influence of events on our perception of time. Uncover paradoxes and measurement problems in the theory of relativity. Learn about measuring lengths and distances in motion and the reciprocal nature of observations. Delve into time dilation, intervals in relativity, and the Lorentz transformation for measurements between bodies in relative motion.

Aug 28, 2023 • 52min
Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 3
Join the hosts as they explore the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, its geysers, hot springs, and majestic landscapes. Learn about the diverse vegetation and natural features of Kaiser basins, including Mushpots and Paintpots. Discover the charm of camping in Yellowstone and the joy of spending time in nature. Experience climbing Electric Peak during a thunderstorm and learn about the geological history of the Rocky Mountains. Explore the fascinating rocks and ancient forest remnants on Emethyst Mountain. Dive into the petrification process of ancient trees and the beauty of nature as described by John Muir.

Aug 21, 2023 • 52min
The Book of Household Management, by Mrs. Isabella Beeton, Part 10 - Soups and More Soups
Learn about the preparation of vegetable soups, the history of onions and parsnips, the origin of peas, different types of soups and their recipes, and soup made with eggs and bouillon. Also, discover how to make spinach and tapioca soup while exploring their history and nutritional benefits.

Aug 14, 2023 • 54min
The Hive and the Honey-Bee, by Rev. L.L. Langstroth, Part 3
Tonight, let’s relax with more from the fascinating world of bees and learn all about murderous queens, busy workers, growing larvae, and lazy drones. It’s all sweet honey for your sleepy mind. 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 Hive and the Honey-Bee” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24583 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.

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.