

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

Mar 30, 2026 • 56min
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith, Part 5
Let's relax and sleep with more from this classic of economic theory. This time, the wages of labor, the backroom collaboration of owners to undercut those wages, and the importance of paying more than subsistence for national success. Wait, what? 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 Wealth of Nations" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3300 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.

Mar 23, 2026 • 46min
Cottages; or, Hints on Economical Building, by Brunner & Gerhard (Conclusion)
Let's relax and sleep as we conclude this guide to cozy home building. This time, water and sewer piping, the need for ventilation, why fireplaces are lovely but kind of useless, and the best design for your cesspool. The charming life indeed. Patreon supporters, look for your full book recording of "Cottages" coming very shortly! Because some nights, you just need a good, long bit of boredom. 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 "Cottages; or, Hints on Economical Building" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67922 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.

Mar 16, 2026 • 51min
The Story of Ancient Irish Civilization, by P.W. Joyce, Part 2
Let's honor a certain March holiday with more from this history of Ireland. This time, the magical powers of druids, the rise of Christianity, and a tiny island's giant reputation for scholarly excellence. Also, the fairy realm! History truly contains multitudes. 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 Story of Ancient Irish Civilization" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41666 Music: "Calling 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.

Mar 9, 2026 • 53min
The North Pole, Its Discovery in 1909, by Robert Peary, Part 4
Let's drift away to better sleep with more from this epic journey to the northernmost point of the planet. This time, some local traditions, admiration for dogs, being the taxi of the north, dodging icebergs, and not changing your clothes for weeks. Adventure 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 "The North Pole: Its Discovery in 1909" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18975 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.

Mar 2, 2026 • 50min
Cassell's Book of Birds, Part 6 - Parrots Continued
Let's soar to sleep on the wings of birds as we learn more about the feathered family of parrots. This time, descriptions of magnificent macaws in all the shades of the rainbow, as well as their charming cousins, the parakeets. Dreamy 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 "Cassell's Book of Birds, Volume 1" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48675 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.

Feb 23, 2026 • 47min
Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 6
Let's wander the forests of relaxation with more from this ode to the natural beauties of western America. This time, we learn more of the forests of Yosemite, from silver firs to ancient cedars, and Muir has a rather melancholy visit with an aged Ralph Waldo Emerson. Carpe diem while you can, friends. 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 "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, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Feb 16, 2026 • 50min
The Voyage of the Bounty to the South Sea, by Lt. William Bligh, Part 3
Let's sail to sleep with more from this voyage of HMS Bounty, which continues to be somewhat less exciting than promised. This time, we plant trees in Van Diemen's Land, see some rocks, and find out that jellyfish were called blubbers, which is adorable. Then Otaheite/Tahiti ahoy, at long last! What could go wrong? 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 "A Voyage to the South Sea" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15411 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.

Feb 9, 2026 • 48min
On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection, by Charles Darwin, Part 7
Let's relax with more from this foundational classic, just in time for Darwin Day. This time, how one species begets more and more variety over thousands of generations, the role of extinction, and why "the tree of life" is a lovely symbol indeed. It's science! 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 the Origin of Species" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1228 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.

Feb 2, 2026 • 43min
The Ten Books on Architecture, by Vitruvius, Part 2
Let's relax into a more orderly world with this classic of urban planning. This time, the best designs for structural walls, balancing the bodily elements, and placing temples. Also, we name the winds and create a compass to align our streets for greatest health. Governance caring about the health of the people? Dreamy 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 "The Ten Books on Architecture" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20239 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, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

Jan 26, 2026 • 55min
The South American Tour, by Annie S. Peck, Part 2
Let's continue along this relaxing, and much delayed, voyage to Central and South America. This time, we arrive in Panama and are treated to an extremely detailed description of that brand-new marvel of engineering, the Panama Canal, just before it opened to the world. Lakes and locks and dams, oh my! 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 South American Tour" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59715 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, https://www.boringbookspod.com.


