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, 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.Copyright Sharon Handy, All Rights Reserved Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Cottages; or, Hints on Economical Building, by Brunner & Gerhard (Conclusion)

    Cottages; or, Hints on Economical Building, by Brunner & Gerhard (Conclusion)
    Mar 23 2026

    Let's relax and sleep as we conclude this guide to cozy home building. This time, water and sewer piping, the need for ventilation, why fireplaces are lovely but kind of useless, and the best design for your cesspool. The charming life indeed.

    Patreon supporters, look for your full book recording of "Cottages" coming very shortly! Because some nights, you just need a good, long bit of boredom.

    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 "Cottages; or, Hints on Economical Building" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67922

    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.
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    46 mins
  • The Story of Ancient Irish Civilization, by P.W. Joyce, Part 2

    The Story of Ancient Irish Civilization, by P.W. Joyce, Part 2
    Mar 16 2026

    Let's honor a certain March holiday with more from this history of Ireland. This time, the magical powers of druids, the rise of Christianity, and a tiny island's giant reputation for scholarly excellence. Also, the fairy realm! History truly contains multitudes.

    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 Ancient Irish Civilization" at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41666

    Music: "Calling 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.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • The North Pole, Its Discovery in 1909, by Robert Peary, Part 4

    The North Pole, Its Discovery in 1909, by Robert Peary, Part 4
    Mar 9 2026

    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!

    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, https://www.boringbookspod.com.
    Show more Show less
    53 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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I didn’t realize how much I would love this. My favorite was the JCPenney catalog

Sleep like a baby

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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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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 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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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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