
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

Jun 13, 2022 • 48min
REWIND! The Politics, by Aristotle, Part 1 (Remastered)
This week, while your reader tussles with a certain virus, let’s revisit a perfectly sleepy combo of ponderous Victorian introduction and ancient Greek philosophy, freshly remastered for your relaxation pleasure. Help us stay 100% listener-supported and ad-free for all! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "The Politics” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6762 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, boringbookspod.com.

Jun 6, 2022 • 50min
REWIND! Bacteria, by Sir George Newman, Part 1 (Remastered)
This week, while your reader is laid up with a certain virus, let’s revisit one of my favorite sleepy science reads. Enjoy this remastered intro to a brand new branch of study (in 1899), bacteriology! Help us stay 100% listener-supported and ad-free for all! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Bacteria” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48793 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, boringbookspod.com.

May 30, 2022 • 48min
The Book of the Ocean, by Ernest Ingersoll, Part 3
Let’s sail to sleep with more from this lovely work about the seas. This time, we learn the rigging of a schooner, praise the prowess of Pacific Islanders, and head to Iceland with Vikings. Help us stay 100% listener-supported and ad-free for all! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "The Book of the Ocean” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56311 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, boringbookspod.com.

May 23, 2022 • 48min
On Molecular and Microscopic Science, by Mary Somerville, Part 2
Let's relax with more sleepy science from a woman so talented that the word “scientist” was coined to describe her. This time, we learn about all the forces holding us together. Help us stay 100% listener supported! All supporters in May will be entered into a drawing for our first-ever SWAG! Details here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "On Molecular & Microscopic Science” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55886 Music: "Cosmic Tingles” by Lee Rosevere, 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, boringbookspod.com.

May 16, 2022 • 52min
A Short History of the World, by H.G. Wells, Part 5
Let’s continue our sleepy stroll through history with the fall of Assyria, the literary bedrock of the Jews, and the birth of philosophy in Greece. Rather a lot to cram into an hour, but Wells makes it sound easy. Help us stay 100% listener supported! All supporters in May will be entered into a drawing for our first-ever SWAG! Details here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "A Short History of the World” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35461 Music: "Cosmic Tingles” by Lee Rosevere, 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, boringbookspod.com.

May 9, 2022 • 49min
Spices, Their Histories, Part 1
Let’s take a sleepy tour of the spice cabinet and the origins of allspice, chilies, cinnamon, and cloves, with a pinch of insight into faking spices with brick dust. Useful! Help us stay 100% listener supported! All supporters in May will be entered into a drawing for our first-ever SWAG! Details here: 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, boringbookspod.com.

May 2, 2022 • 57min
Bird Biographies, by Alice E. Ball, Part 3
Let’s fly off to relaxation with more from this lovely book about our feathered friends. This time, we learn about the birds of early spring, and marvel at the sleepy songs of the sparrows. Help us stay 100% listener supported! All supporters in May will be entered into a drawing for our first-ever SWAG! Details next week. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Bird Biographies” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59880 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, boringbookspod.com.

Apr 25, 2022 • 51min
Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 2
Let’s conclude a month of relaxing travels with more from this tour of America’s national parks, sleepily agog at the Grand Canyon and the weird grandeur of Yellowstone. Help us stay 100% listener supported: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Our National Parks” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60929 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, boringbookspod.com.

Apr 18, 2022 • 46min
Faery Lands of the South Seas, by Hall and Nordhoff, Part 1
Our month of relaxing voyages continues as we head to the distant South Seas. We set off first for sleepy Tahiti and meet a man with little history but a lot of chickens. And profuse apologies if I sound a bit stuffy. I am! Help us stay 100% listener supported: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Faery Lands of the South Seas” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54479 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, boringbookspod.com.

Apr 11, 2022 • 51min
Pictures From Italy, by Charles Dickens, Part 2
Let’s continue our month of relaxing voyages and rejoin Charles Dickens on his sleepy sojourn to Italy. On the way, we visit a dungeon, pass a madhouse, and end up bemused in Genoa. Help us stay 100% listener supported: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "Pictures from Italy” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/650 Music: "Peace,” by Lee Rosevere, 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, boringbookspod.com.