Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep

By: Sharon Handy
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • 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
    Show more Show less
Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Show more Show less
Episodes
  • The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, by Suetonius - Nero, Part 1

    The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, by Suetonius - Nero, Part 1
    Mar 10 2025

    Let’s return to this classic history of the Roman emperors and hear a bit about a ruler both famous and infamous in his need for public adulation. Why pay attention to affairs of state when you can perform for judges you’ve bribed? Stately!

    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 Lives of the Twelve Caesars” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6400


    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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.
    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 5

    Our National Parks, by John Muir, Part 5
    Mar 3 2025

    Let’s relax with more of this sleepy stroll through some of America’s greatest natural wonders, protected for the enjoyment of all people as national parks. This time, we continue our tour of Yosemite and its mighty glacier-carved mountains. Majestic!

    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 Park” 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Ten Acres Enough, by Edmund Morris, Part 4

    Ten Acres Enough, by Edmund Morris, Part 4
    Feb 24 2025

    Let’s relax with more advice about successful farming. This time, we get snookered in the purchase of a cow, wage endless war on weeds, and sell some blackberry bushes. Profitable!

    Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener supported! All supporters in the month of February will be entered into a drawing for a personal, made-just-for-you episode of the book of your choice. Neat!

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod

    Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW

    Read “Ten Acres Enough” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48753


    Music: "Changing 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins

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

What listeners say about Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    34
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for sarah

Sleep like a baby

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

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ruthie Bosch

Boring Books Rock!

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! :-)

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for gwfarmer

The topics.

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

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jdcsmith83

Perfect for bedtime listening!

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

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Spencer Potter

Best sleep cast out there.

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.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kindle Customer

Excellent podcast for insomnia

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.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Cari

The best/boring podcast

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.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Annabelle marie

wish I could stay awake for a full program

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.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jessica

Interesting enough to keep me focused…

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

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for kelle

Sleep magic

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

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful