Boring Books for Bedtime Readings to Help You Sleep
288 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 349 ratingsBoring 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.
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Episodes
Experiments in Alternating Current, by Nikola Tesla, Reading 1
June 24, 2019 11:00 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBFlow into the current of sleep on the genius of Nikola Tesla and his experiments in alternating electrical current. It runs our lives, but most of us have no clue how it works. This reading won't do a thing to change that, so feel free to drift off in peace. Music: “Words or Silence 1” by PCIII (freemusicarchive.org), is licensed under CC All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boring...
Original Stories, by Mary Wollstonecraft, Reading 1
June 17, 2019 11:00 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MB[Apologies, audio now corrected!] Relax to this spectacularly boring book by Mary Wollstonecraft, famed for her ideas about feminism, and not at all famed for her writing for children. If you manage to stay awake through "Original Stories," you'll likely know why. Children's literature has come a long way since 1790. Music: "Dream Loop" (DL Music) is licensed under CC All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free readin...
The Advancement of Learning, by Francis Bacon, Reading 1
June 10, 2019 11:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBLean into languor with "The Advancement of Learning," by great Elizabethan thinker Sir Francis Bacon, one of the originators of the scientific method. This honestly might be the densest thing I've ever read to you. See if you agree! Music: “Healing” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY. Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod, and ...
Mount Everest, The Reconnaissance of 1921, Reading 1
June 03, 2019 11:00 - 51 minutes - 47.9 MBDrift away through the Himalaya with the first major expedition to study Mount Everest, highest of high peaks in the Roof of the World. Why tackle Everest? If you can stay awake long enough, you may find out. Music: “Boring Books for Bedtime” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY. Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Pa...
The Coming of the Fairies, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Reading 1
May 27, 2019 11:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBLet your thoughts flit away as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the great Sherlock Holmes, tries to prove that actual fairies exist. No, really! It's a fascinating exercise in (not so) critical thinking, if you can stay awake long enough. Music: "earth 2 earth," by PCIII (freemusicarchive.org), is licensed under CC All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Pat...
The Blazing World, by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, Reading 1
May 20, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBDrift off on a voyage of relaxation with one of the foundation texts of science fiction and fantasy--"The Blazing World," written by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, in 1668. Imaginative worldbuilding and early scientific inquiry is a perfect tonic for sleep. Music: "Gentle Whispering" by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY-NC. Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-fr...
Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tze, Reading 1
May 13, 2019 11:00 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBThis week we fulfill a listener request, and relax to one of the world's earliest and most influential philosophical texts, the Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tze. If you stay awake long enough, perhaps you'll figure out what it all means, but don't hurt yourself. Music: "Exit Exit" by PCIII (freemusicarchive.org), licensed under CC BY All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod ...
Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Reading 1
May 06, 2019 11:00 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBLet's get transcendental with Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Nature" and relax to his musings on beauty, language, and our connection with the perfection of our surroundings. Music: "Ocean Tapping" by PCIII (freemusicarchive.org), licensed under CC BY All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also kindly support t...
Media Purchase Terms and Conditions
April 29, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBLet's click "I agree" to the mind-numbing powers of legalese with this reading of the Terms and Conditions that accompany every purchase from a rather famous media company. After all, it's not like you were going to read it yourself. Music: “Watching Whales on the Moon” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY-NC. Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com for this song and more All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-fr...
Plato's Republic: Introduction & Analysis, Reading 2
April 22, 2019 11:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this episode, we return to the musings of the great Victorian classicist Benjamin Jowett, his analysis of Plato's "Republic", and a whole lot of socractical thinking about justice. Music: "Peace" by Lee Rosevere (freemusicarchive.org), licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you ca...
A Short History of the World, by H.G. Wells, Reading 1
April 15, 2019 11:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBLet's relax to the history of our marvelous world, from formless matter through the age of mighty dinosaurs, as described by the great H.G. Wells. It's the stuff of dreams. Music: "Cosmic Tingles" by Lee Rosevere (freemusicarchive.org), licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod, and get bonus perks for supporting us on Patreon at www.patreo...
Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin, Selected Readings 1
April 08, 2019 11:00 - 53 minutes - 49 MBFloat away on a cloud of Benjamin Franklin's scientific musings about our atmosphere, lightning, waterspouts, magnetic poles, and the wonderful utility of mathematics. A great mind working to calm your own busy thoughts--what could be better? Music: “Boring Books for Bedtime” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us ...
How We Think, by John Dewey, Reading 1
April 01, 2019 11:00 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBSink into sleep on a philosophical cloud with "How We Think," by renowned education reformer John Dewey. Nothing will get your brain to stop thinking faster than a bunch of talk about thinking. But try not to think about that. Music: "Ambiment the Ambient" by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under CC BY All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod, and get bonus perks for supporting ...
The Sidereal Messenger, by Galileo, Reading 1
March 25, 2019 11:00 - 49 minutes - 45 MBSpace out with a classic of astronomy, Galileo's "The Sidereal Messenger," in which he shares mankind's first observations of the Moon's surface, and heaps a mind-numbing amount of praise on his patron. Music: "Illuminations," by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC-BY Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod, and get bonus perks fo...
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
March 18, 2019 11:00 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBLet's immerse ourselves in the beauty of Persian poetry with The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, rendered into English verse by Edward Fitzgerald. It's all about living in the moment. And wine. So much wine. The poetry bit starts at 27:49, if you'd like to skip Fitzgerald's very 19th century intro, but why would you? Music: "Heaven Be Here," PCIII, is licensed under CC All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, ...
The Woman and The Car, Reading 1
March 11, 2019 11:00 - 48 minutes - 44 MBTonight we relax with The Woman and The Car, written in 1909 by racing pioneer Dorothy Levitt. If you stay awake, you, too, will know how to drive a single cylinder, 8 horsepower vehicle . . . with style! Music: "Gentle Whispering" by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY-NC Visit http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www....
Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, Reading 1
March 04, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBTonight we drift off to a self-improvement classic--Meditations, by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Good Stoic advice never gets old, or less sleep inducing. We're also featuring a music track composed especially for Boring Books by Lee Rosevere. Check out more of his work here:https://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/ Or subscribe to his very chill music podcast, 5 Minute Meditations:https://apple.co/2VuGQUh Thanks, Lee! All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public do...
Somnium, or The Dream
February 25, 2019 12:00 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBLet's drift off to Somnium, or The Dream, written in 1608 by Johannes Kepler. Considered the great-granddaddy of all science fiction, it's every bit as riveting as you think a story by a famed astronomer-mathematician would be. Science fiction has come a long, long way. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can ...
Farm Engines & How To Run Them, Reading 1
February 18, 2019 12:00 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBIf you've never, ever wondered how to operate a steam engine boiler, this 1903 book about farm equipment is the perfect way to engineer a good night's sleep. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn yourself a very calming shoutout on the show). Enjoy! Music: "Exit Exit" by PCIII (fr...
The Book of Household Management, Reading 2
February 11, 2019 12:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBLet's drift off to a new entry from one of our most popular volumes: The Book of Household Management, by Mrs. Isabella Beeton. Dinner parties, calling cards, and kid gloves have never been so relaxing. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn yourself a very calming shoutout on the sh...
Ten Books on Architecture, Reading 1
February 04, 2019 12:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBTonight, we relax to a 2,000-year-old classic about architectural design. It's "Ten Books on Architecture," by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. Let this great Roman writer build you a bridge to sleep. There are also a few happy announcements. Enjoy! All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn you...
Darwin's Formation of Vegetable Mould By Worms
January 28, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBTonight, let's fall asleep to Charles Darwin's deep thoughts about the formation of dirt through the actions of earthworms, which is just as boring as you think it is. Annoying a worm with a bassoon has never been so dull. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn yourself a very calmin...
Principles of Chemistry, Reading 1
January 21, 2019 12:00 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBTonight we read one of the great foundational works of science, Dmitry Mendeleev's "Principles of Chemistry." So groundbreaking. So informative. So perfectly, mind-numbingly dense in the way that only 19th century scientific tomes can be. It's the perfect formula for sleep. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you ...
Practical Mind Reading, Reading 1
January 14, 2019 12:00 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBTonight, we relax our brains with a tediously detailed description of the not-at-all questionable science of mind-reading. It's all about the ether! No, really, it's science. It says so in this book. A note of gratitude to all of our listeners, who this past week helped push our podcast past the 10,000 download mark. Thank you for your support. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @bori...
The Poetics of Aristotle, Reading 1
January 07, 2019 12:00 - 53 minutes - 48.7 MBTonight we sink into slumber with the fundamental structures of dramatic storytelling, as defined in mind-numbing detail by Aristotle in his "Poetics". It's the perfect plot for sleep. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn yourself a very calming shoutout on the show). Enjoy! Musi...
New Year's Eve Special: Time and Clocks, A History
December 31, 2018 12:00 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBTonight we ring in the new year with a history of Time and Clocks, plus a dash of physics, from H.H. Cunynghame. It's definitely boring, yet we also learned, which is a great way to begin 2019. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn yourself a very calming shoutout on the show). Enjo...
2018 Holiday Special: Washington Irving's Old Christmas
December 24, 2018 12:00 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBOn this eve of Christmas, let's drift off to this charming vision of a 19th century English holiday, complete with warm hearths, jolly company, and swags of holly and ivy. Happy holidays to you and yours, and thank you for listening. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also kindly support this podcast. M...
1897 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalog, Bicycle Department
December 17, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBTonight, let's take another calming dip into the curious 19th century world of the Sears Catalog. This time, we'll explore the Bicycle Department, and 1897's latest velocipedes, cycling suits, and quality guarantees. Plug in, and pedal to peace. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us. Enjoy!...
The Brehon Laws: A Legal Handbook, Reading 1
December 10, 2018 12:00 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBTonight, let's fall asleep to the ancient origins of the Irish legal system, the "brehon laws". As we drift off, we'll also pass by some passive aggressive criticism about British control of Ireland, as only a solemn 19th century scholar of jurisprudence can express it. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can ...
Hand Loom Weaving: A Manual for School & Home, Reading 1
December 03, 2018 12:00 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBIn this episode, be lulled by "Hand Loom Weaving: A Manual for School and Home", and more early 20th century educational and moral philosophy than one might expect from a hand loom. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also kindly support this podcast. Music: "Ocean Tapping" by PCIII (freemusicarchive.or...
Plato's Republic: Introduction & Analysis, Reading 1
November 26, 2018 12:00 - 50 minutes - 46.7 MBIn this episode, we relax to the musings of the great Victorian classicist Benjamin Jowett, and his thoughts on Plato's "Republic". It's as perfectly ponderous as you imagine. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also kindly support this podcast. Music: "Gentle Whispering" by Lee Rosevere (freemusicarchi...
Transatlantic Eastbound Passenger Sailings, 1925
November 19, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBThis episode is specially dedicated to those who find lists and repetition relaxing. Instead of a book, we're reading the Joint List of Eastbound Transatlantic Passenger Sailings for December through April 1925. Bon voyage! PS Apologies for mangling ship and city names, and for pronouncing Cobh as "cob" and not "cove" through half of the recording. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @...
1872 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalog, Drugs Department
November 12, 2018 21:07 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBIn this episode, we venture through some of the 700+ pages of the 1872 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalog, and discover everything there is to know about freight shipping. We also trip into the Drugs Department, which is both quite boring and mildly horrifying. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us....
The Principles of Geology, Reading 1
November 12, 2018 19:33 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBIn this episode, we read the first two chapters of "The Principles of Geology," by famed-but-mildly-ponderous geologist Sir Charles Lyell. Honestly, it was kind of interesting, but try not to notice. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us (and earn yourself a very quiet shoutout on the show). ...
Loyalists of America and Their Times, Reading I
November 12, 2018 19:33 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBIn this episode, we'll ramble through a chapter of "The Loyalists of America and Their Times," written by a Canadian, so that's fun. And really rather boring. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us. Enjoy! Music: "Heaven Be Here," PCIII http://freemusicarchive.org/music/P_C_III/Heaven...
The Problems of Philosophy, Reading 1
November 12, 2018 12:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBIn this episode, we read the first two chapters of “The Problems of Philosophy,” by Bertrand Russell. There's a lot of talk of tables, and more instances of the word "thus" than there really should be. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also kindly support this podcast. Enjoy! Music: "Healing Drea...
The Book of Household Management, Reading 1
November 05, 2018 12:00 - 38 minutes - 35.6 MBIn this episode, we'll be bored by some housekeeping basics from "The Book of Household Management," a classic, and spectacularly detailed, guide from the pen of Mrs. Isabella Beeton. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also kindly support this podcast. Enjoy! Music: "earth 2 earth," PCIII (http:...
A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses, Reading I
October 28, 2018 16:25 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBIn this episode, we read several chapters from "A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses." It's every bit as mind-numbing as it sounds. All Boring Books readings are taken from works in the public domain. If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading, catch us on Twitter @boringbookspod or on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/boringbookspod, where you can also support us. Enjoy! Music: "Dream Loop" (DL Music)