Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep Podcast By Sharon Handy cover art

Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep

Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep

By: Sharon Handy
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About this listen

 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.Copyright Sharon Handy, All Rights Reserved Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • The Book of Household Management, by Mrs. Isabella Beeton, Part 11 - Fish

    The Book of Household Management, by Mrs. Isabella Beeton, Part 11 - Fish
    Jun 9 2025

    Let’s relax and sleep to more advice from the redoubtable Mrs. B. This time, fish soup recipes, followed by a surprisingly detailed discourse on the natural history of fishes, their use as food, and general advice for preparing them. Also, a bit of poetry about oysters, because of course there is.


    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 Book of Household Management” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10136

    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.
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    59 mins
  • A Short History of the World, by H.G. Wells, Part 9

    A Short History of the World, by H.G. Wells, Part 9
    Jun 2 2025

    Let’s continue our relaxing journey through history with the twin empires of Rome and China, social structures in ancient Rome, and the evolution of religions in the wake of conquest. Wells weaves a wonderful tale for your tired 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 “A Short History of the World” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35461


    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.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • All About Dogs, by Charles Henry Lane, Part 1

    All About Dogs, by Charles Henry Lane, Part 1
    May 26 2025

    Let’s sleepily celebrate one of mankind's closest companions with this charming guide for "doggy people." In this first reading, dog care basics, a detailed look at some hounds, and how chasing beagles keeps cricketers in shape in the off-season. Helpful!


    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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
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Featured Article: The Best Sleep Podcasts to Count Your Sheep and Get Some Zzzs


Though sleep is vital, many people struggle with falling and staying asleep. It’s just not as easy as getting into bed, turning off the lights, and lulling into blissful dreams. Meditations, affirmations, bedtime stories, and thoughtful blends of music and soundscapes can help provide the background you need to get in the right headspace for sleeping. Explore some of the best sleep podcasts to help you craft a nighttime routine that supports restful slumber.

Featured Article The Best Sleep Podcasts to Count Your Sheep and Get Some Zzzs
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Ms. Handy’s wonderful voice and the excellent books she selects bore me to sleep every night. This allows me to wake up rested and ready to be engaging and not bore my college students! :-)

Boring Books Rock!

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I didn’t realize how much I would love this. My favorite was the JCPenney catalog

Sleep like a baby

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If you’re looking to relax and clear your mind, look no further! This is a hidden gem!

Perfect for bedtime listening!

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I find the topics interesting because these stories were written years ago. The stories are about science from years ago.

The topics.

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Sharon Handy’s reading is superbly paced. Her vocal tone is warm and soothing. The perfect mix for a relaxing listen. The source materials are delightfully dull. Interesting enough that I look forward to new updates and looking through old episodes. The range of materials from dense philosophy to cheese making and reading antique catalogs out-loud is the perfect mix of experiences. Novel enough to engage my mind and relaxing enough to let my mind doze off. If I end up sleepless, the episodes are informational enough that time awake doesn’t feel wasted, which is particularly soothing for my sleep anxiety.

Best sleep cast out there.

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I love everything about this podcast. I usually prefer a deep male voice (who doesn't?) but the narrator does a wonderful job of lulling me to sleep.

Excellent podcast for insomnia

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Does exactly what I want it to do by putting me to sleep and allowing me to focus on a story rather than all my racing thoughts. The length of story and tenor of voice is great.

The best/boring podcast

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I was looking for a storytelling that would be good for both myself and my four year old. The child bedtime stories all have filler noise that keep him and myself up. This podcast was our remedy. He falls asleep almost instantly with no fight, and unfortunately sometimes so do I! I've reset my bedtime routine with the expectation that his bedtime will be mine! Just an overall excellent storytelling series. A+ on voice and tempo as well.

wish I could stay awake for a full program

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…But not too interesting that I have to start awake and found out what happens next. Perfect.

Interesting enough to keep me focused…

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The best for sleep and her voice is like magic to the ears. I recommend very highly.

Sleep magic

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