Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep

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.

The Compleat Angler, by Isaak Walton, Part 1

Let's cast our lines into the river of relaxation with this classic about the art of fishing. This time, we begin with a conversation between a hunter, a falconer, and an angler about the relative superiority of their professions. But first, an overwrought patron dedication and lengthy, self-deprecating epistle to the reader, in perfect 17th century style. Deliciously dull!   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 Compleat Angler" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/683   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.

11-03
57:12

1921 Sears Roebuck and Co. Modern Homes Catalog (Part 2)

Let's celebrate our seventh anniversary with more from this catalog of lovely, affordable homes, a dream indeed, and all certified by a team of women as perfect in every detail. But first, some very thorough assurances that these plans are entirely satisfactory or your money back. Guaranteed!   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 "1921 Sears Roebuck & Co. Modern Homes Catalog" at the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/honorbiltmodernh00sear/mode/2up?   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.

10-27
57:42

Etiquette, by Emily Post, Part 8 - Servants

Let's relax with more from this classic of classy behavior, and learn about the roles of servants in a good household. What they do, what they wear, and how to pronounce val-et, which your reader corrects upon reading this. Whoops! Also, once again, we learn that treating workers with respect is the highest mark of class. Facts.   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 "Etiquette" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14314   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.

10-20
55:30

Where the Forest Murmurs, by Fiona Macleod, Part 2

Let's return to relaxation with two more essays about nature from this lovely work. This time, the magical peace of still waters framed by the changing leaves of autumn, and the almost universal reverence for the Pleiades, quiet heralds of November. Enjoy!   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 "Where the Forest Murmurs" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/70192   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.

10-13
44:38

The Evolution of Modern Orchestration, by Louis A. Coerne, Part 1

Let's sleep to sonorous notes about the history of the modern orchestra. This time, we work our way forward from antiquity, ponder the parallel musical tracks of church and village, and name a lot of instruments that most today have never heard of, like the crwth. Yes, that's a real thing.   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 Evolution of Modern Orchestra" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/49747 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, https://www.boringbookspod.com.

10-06
53:39

The Problems of Philosophy, by Bertrand Russell, Part 4

Let's relax with a listener request for more from the marvelous mind of Bertrand Russell. This time, thoughts about the nature of thought, induction versus deduction, and whether we can know anything. Spoiler alert, yes. But also, no. That's philosophy for you.   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 Problems of Philosophy" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5827   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.

09-29
51:06

Over Fen and Wold, by John James Hissey, Part 1

Let's relax with a lovely listener recommendation that takes us, and our authors, on a tour of little-regarded Lincolnshire. This time, the lure of new places, the charm of old maps, the evolution of place names, and confirmation that wishing to escape urban "uglification" to calm, green country is nothing new at all.   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 "Over Fen and Wold" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65900   Music: "Calling to 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.

09-22
53:21

On Molecular and Microscopic Science, by Mary Somerville, Part 3

Let's sleep scientifically this week, with more from a woman of such deep and broad accomplishment that the word "scientist" had to be coined to describe her. This time, colors, molecular heat conduction, what constitutes smells, and why gold is really blue.   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 Molecular and Microscopic Science" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55886   Music: "Cosmic Tingles," 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.

09-15
50:31

The Book of the Ocean, by Ernest Ingersoll, Part 5

Let's sail the seas of sleep with more from this volume about the history of our oceans. This time, the Age of Exploration south and north, the mythical Isles of the Blessed, Magellan's remarkable voyage, and how America really got its name. Hint, it was easy to pronounce.   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 the Ocean" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56311   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.

09-08
54:30

The Ethics of Aristotle, Part 3

Let's philosophize our way to sleep with more from this 2,300-year-old work on the art of being. This time, what is happiness? How is it related to good character and, more importantly, acting in a good way? Can a person who does bad be happy, even beyond the grave? You know, simple stuff like that.   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 Ethics of Aristotle" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8438 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.

09-01
51:04

The History of Bread, by John Ashton, Part 6 - Conclusion

Let relaxation rise with this conclusion to one of our most (understandably) popular books. This time in we learn of gingerbread, penny loaf scrambles, riots, and bread-related superstitions like sin-eating and . . . floating corpse compasses? Oh, delicious bread, is there anything you can't do?   Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener-supported! All paid supporters in August will be entered into a giveaway for exclusive swag! ALSO, Patreon supporters will be getting all six episodes of this book as a single long recording. Hurrah! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW Read "The History of Bread" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53219   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.

08-25
01:14:01

Old Country Inns of England, by Maskell and Gregory, Part 2

Let's relax with more about the evolution of that useful place to sleep, the inn. This time, we travel from pilgrimage hostels to lodging for wool guilds and secret meeting places for the first trade unions. Also, some history behind many common inn names. Inn-teresting indeed!   Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener supported! All paid supporters in the month of August will be entered into a giveaway for exclusive swag, hurrah! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read "Old Country Inns of England" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44382 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.

08-18
52:14

The Book of the Hamburgs, by L. Frank Baum, Part 1

Let's roost into relaxation with this rather charming guide to the Hamburg chicken from an author better known for wizards and wicked witches. This time, speculations on the origins of the Hamburg breed and characteristics of the beautiful Black Hamburg. So fancy!   Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener supported! All paid supporters in the month of August will be entered into a giveaway for exclusive swag, hurrah! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read "The Book of the Hamburgs" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53965   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.

08-11
48:37

The Story of a Boulder, by Archibald Geikie, Part 1

Let's chip away at sleeplessness with some 19th century naturalist writing, more specifically the "gleanings from the notebook of a field geologist." This time, we spot an odd boulder in a Scottish ravine, trace its origins back to the Ice Age, and ponder the monumental workings of glaciers. Perfection.   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 a Boulder" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66703 Music: "Calling to 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

08-04
52:37

The North Pole - Its Discovery in 1909, by Robert Peary (Part 3)

Let's conclude our month of relaxing travels to sleep with a journey to the farthest reaches of the Arctic and the search for the North Pole. This time, we meet the region's people, learn about various home constructions, and appreciate the grandeur of a land of seasonal extremes.   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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

07-28
57:12

Pictures from Italy, by Charles Dickens, Part 3

Let's continue our month of relaxing travels to sleep as we return to 19th century Italy with Charles Dickens and wind through the maze-like, mysterious, miasmatic, marvelous streets of Genoa. You can practically smell the place, which…was probably better avoided. Yikes. 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 "Pictures from Italy" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/650 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

07-21
51:38

Faery Lands of the South Seas, by James Hall and Charles Nordhoff, Part 4

Let's continue our month of relaxing travels to sleep with further tales of adventure from the South Seas. This time, we head to the atoll of Ahu Ahu, learn about gossiping ghosts, and drink rather a lot of rum punch. As one occasionally does.   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 "Faery Lands of the South Seas" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54479   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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

07-14
55:51

The Railway Traveller's Handy Book, Part 3

Let's kick off a month of relaxing travels to sleep with more from this handy guide to riding a train. This time, how to purchase your ticket, class differences, the best place to sit, and why rudely stolen seats are never worth the embarrassment of a kerfuffle. Facts!   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 Railway Traveller's Handy Book" at the Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/railwaytraveller00unse   Music: "Healing," 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.

07-07
48:27

Pyrotechnics: The History and Art of Firework Making, Part 3

Let's launch ourselves to sleep with more from this rather detailed look at fireworks. This time, we complete our historical retrospective of firework displays in Europe through the early 1900s, marvel at the fiery spectacles held at the Crystal Palace, and pity a guy that gets stuck on a wire. Whoops! 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 "Pyrotechnics" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/64922 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, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

06-30
51:18

Astronomy for Young Folks, by Isabel Martin Lewis, Part 10 (Conclusion)

Let's journey through the stars to sleep with our final reading from this marvelous book. This time, binary star systems, how to measure the vastness of our universe, and a quick summary of key astronomical facts, including the reminder that the parsec is a distance, not a unit of time. Take note, fans of a certain film. 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 "Astronomy for Young Folks" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45112  Music: "Exit Exit" 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.

06-23
01:03:47

MC

"Only such sugar will give satisfaction."

09-09 Reply

Jessica Mariana

When do we get more from the Sears catalogue? ♡

03-13 Reply

Mohammad

I don't know it's just me or others finds your voice scarry too , really good 👍🏻

12-25 Reply

AvoFawks

Thank you thank you thank you! I'm so happy to hear all of these new recordings!!! I loved the originals but could never listen to them because of the volume difference waking me.

10-01 Reply

Jessica Mariana

I can't imagine going to bed without Boring Books for Bedtime ♡ Even if I put it on in the middle of the day, I will fall asleep. I guess my brain has connected this pod with bedtime. 10/10 would recommend ☆☆☆☆☆

08-04 Reply

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