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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Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly, ad-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.Copyright Sharon Handy, All Rights Reserved Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • The Ethics of Aristotle, Part 3

    The Ethics of Aristotle, Part 3
    Sep 1 2025

    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.
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    51 mins
  • The History of Bread, by John Ashton, Part 6 - Conclusion

    The History of Bread, by John Ashton, Part 6 - Conclusion
    Aug 25 2025

    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.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Old Country Inns of England, by Maskell and Gregory, Part 2

    Old Country Inns of England, by Maskell and Gregory, Part 2
    Aug 18 2025

    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.
    Show more Show less
    52 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
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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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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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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 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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