Preview
  • Nothing Much Happens

  • Cozy and Calming Stories to Soothe Your Mind and Help You Sleep
  • By: Kathryn Nicolai
  • Narrated by: Kathryn Nicolai
  • Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (166 ratings)

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Nothing Much Happens

By: Kathryn Nicolai
Narrated by: Kathryn Nicolai
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Publisher's summary

Based on the popular podcast, soothing stories to carry you off to deep, restful sleep.

Busy minds need a place to rest. Whether you find yourself struggling to sleep, awake in the middle of the night, or even just anxious as you move through the day, in Nothing Much Happens, Kathryn Nicolai offers a healthy way to ease the mind before bed: Through the timeless appeal of classic bedtime stories.

Already beloved by millions of podcast listeners, the stories in Nothing Much Happens explore and expose small sweet moments of joy and relaxation: Visiting the local cider mill in the autumn. Watching the tree lighting in the park with friends in the winter. Sneaking lilacs from an abandoned farm in the spring. Watching fireflies from the deck in the summer. Visiting the local cider mill in the autumn. Watching the tree lighting in the park with friends in the winter.

You'll also find 16 new stories never before featured on the podcast, along with whimsical illustrations, recipes, and meditations. Using her decades of experience as a meditation and yoga teacher, Kathryn Nicolai creates a world for you to slip into, one rich in sensory experience that quietly teaches mindfulness and self-compassion, soothes frayed nerves, and builds solid habits for nurturing sleep.

A Penguin Life title

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains illustrations, recipes, and crafts from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Kathryn Nicolai (P)2020 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

“A charming collection of short almost-stories intended as an antidote to insomnia and restlessness.... Nicolai accomplishes what no other author would want to hear: these stories can put people to sleep.” (Publishers Weekly)

“This collection of very short stories is designed to help readers fall and stay asleep. The stories follow the seasons, starting with winter, and rely heavily on the senses; there are a lot of lovely smells, soft and comfy things, and delicious foods, all described in detail and often accompanied by illustrations in muted tones. Peppered throughout are recipes, meditations, and other relaxation techniques.... The stories do succeed in their goal of helping readers sleep better, and couldn’t we all use more of that?” (Booklist)

What listeners say about Nothing Much Happens

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Finally!

So happy that I finally found something to listen to that lulls me to sleep. This has lots of sweet stories that are beautifully written and the narration is wonderful.

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  • Overall
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Wonderful

This is the most soothing, wonderful book to listen to to drift off. Her voice is perfect and the stories are delightful and relaxing. I really hope she comes out with another one.

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  • Overall
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Soothing voice and stories

I have listened time after time and never tire of her voice. Sweet dreams end each short story. Delightful flourish.

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It's the podcast but better...

I have been a fan of Kathryn Nicolai's podcast of the same name for a while now. I listen to her soothing voice reading her calming stories nearly every night. For someone with sleep issues stemming back to childhood trauma to be able to say her work and voice makes me feel safe says a lot.

The podcast is great but I'd sometimes be awake for the next story, or simply want to listen to several as I rest during the day without actually trying to sleep, and have to listen to the intro to the next story which was frustrating. With this book, there's no intro interrupting between stories.

I also must say that these are some of her absolute best. They're perfect. They're pure, calming, delicate, soothing, comforting, and warm.

Thank you for writing and reading this book, Kathryn.

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Excellent Stories

I listen to this almost every night. I love that it's written almost like "In a Year" sort of style. As much as I love her podcasts this is my favorite. I keep hoping for a part 2!

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Wonderful!

I love Kathryn’s stories and her voice. Her kind stories inspire me and remind me to find the beauty and joy in each and every day.

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Just what I was looking for!

I have been looking for something to listen too when I wake up in the night - otherwise my mind will begin to try to solve all of the problems in the world. I tried other "Bedtime Stories for Adults" type books and they were all focused on meditation. I didn't find that relaxing - instead of drifting back off to sleep, I was then focused on the steps involved with their meditation (and the voices of some were off-putting). Nothing Much Happens is exactly what I was looking for. Sweet little stories that engage your mind just enough - but are calming and soothing at the same time. I was also impressed with the narration. Many calming-type audiobooks are syrupy in the narration to the point of cringing. Kathryn Nicolai understood the assignment ;) Well done!!

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2 people found this helpful

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life changing!

I absolutely love this . This book helps me sleep and honestly keeps me from being scared at night and keeps my nightmares to a minimum ,if I even have any.
It's strange to say but it's almost been a miracle to me.
Thank you for changing my life.

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4th time I have listened!

I just realized this is the fourth time I have listened to your book. I think your book is wonderful it's help me sleep. I've referred this to my friends so that they can listen and sleep too. thank you so much for creating this masterpiece! I really enjoy your book.

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Wonderful

Soft-spoken writer tells relaxing stories that mingle with your dreams. I like to play it every night.

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