Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep

Sharon Handy

  • 53 minutes 17 seconds
    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!

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    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.

    9 March 2026, 11:00 am
  • 50 minutes 23 seconds
    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.

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    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.

    2 March 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 47 minutes 1 second
    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.

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    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.

    23 February 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 26 seconds
    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?

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    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.

    16 February 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 47 minutes 36 seconds
    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!

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    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.

    9 February 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 51 seconds
    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!

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    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.

    2 February 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 54 minutes 51 seconds
    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!

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    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.

    26 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 24 seconds
    All About Dogs, by Charles Henry Lane, Part 2

    Tonight, 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.

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    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.

    19 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 53 minutes 26 seconds
    Hoyle's Games Modernized, by Hoyle, Hoffmann and Bergholt, Part 1

    Let'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!

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    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.

    12 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 45 minutes 5 seconds
    Ten Acres Enough, by Edmund Morris, Part 5

    Let's kick off a year of better sleep with more from this fan favorite. This time, we raise some of nature's best composters, pigs, and decide raising poultry is maybe something we do not want to do for…reasons. Also, an educated girl who can take care of herself is the best kind of girl. Sound advice from the 1860s!

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    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, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

    5 January 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 52 minutes 51 seconds
    Winter Impressions from John Muir and Henry David Thoreau

    Let's sink into seasonal slumber with two essays by famed American naturalists. In the first, John Muir takes us to Tahoe in the winter, where he delights in its glacial-born beauties and his friend skis poorly. In the second, Thoreau regales us with tales of mischievous visitors to his cabin in Walden. Delightful!

    Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All December supporters will be entered into our Annual Holiday Giveaway at the end of the month!

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    Read "Winter Animals" in "Walden" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/205

    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.

    29 December 2025, 12:00 pm
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