Podcast
Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep
Hosted by Sharon Handy · EN
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.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Story of Ancient Irish Civilization, by P.W. Joyce, Part 2
Mar 1600:50:44Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →The North Pole, Its Discovery in 1909, by Robert Peary, Part 4
Mar 900:53:17Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →Cassell's Book of Birds, Part 6 - Parrots Continued
Mar 200:50:23Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 6
Feb 2300:47:01Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →The Voyage of the Bounty to the South Sea, by Lt. William Bligh, Part 3
Feb 1600:50:26Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection, by Charles Darwin, Part 7
Feb 900:47:36Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →The Ten Books on Architecture, by Vitruvius, Part 2
Feb 200:42:51Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →The South American Tour, by Annie S. Peck, Part 2
Jan 2600:54:51Tap to summarizeLet'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.
Transcribe →All About Dogs, by Charles Henry Lane, Part 2
Jan 1900:50:24Tap to summarizeTonight, let's snuggle up with man's best friend as we learn more about breeds of dogs. This time, more dogs used in the sporting life, including pointers, setters, and bloodhounds. Also, a rather long bit about otters from a circa-1600 book that our author found interesting, and why not. Follow your bliss, 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 "All About Dogs" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45377 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.
Transcribe →Hoyle's Games Modernized, by Hoyle, Hoffmann and Bergholt, Part 1
Jan 1200:53:26Tap to summarizeLet's deal ourselves some sleep with this classic instruction manual for all the games you have and haven't heard of. Tonight, the intricacies of All-Fours, Baccarat, and something called Bezique, which is so laughably complicated that I almost want to try it. Score! 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 "Hoyle's Games Modernized" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39445 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.
Transcribe →