Relax to this work by Mary Somerville, the 19th century's "queen of science." An amazing book by an amazing woman that will...send you off to dreamland, frankly. Because, let's face it, chemistry described in long, discursive phrases is perfectly boring. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "On Molecular and Microscopic Science" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57566 Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbooksp...
Dec 09, 2019•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's rest beneath the trees with one of the first environmentalists, John Muir. His relaxed rambles from Indiana to Florida contain quiet caves, leafy groves, and a rucksack full of rhapsodies about nature's beauties. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60749 Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: "Cosmic Tingles," by Lee Rosev...
Dec 02, 2019•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Relax with random selections, from the nature of gods to the totally-not-at-all-made-up manticore, from Pliny the Elder's remarkable encyclopedia. Who knew the sum of all knowledge could be so sleep-inducing? Support us on Patreon and get exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "Natural History" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57493 Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: "Exit Exit," by PCIII (freemusicarchive.org), is licensed...
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Enter the dreamy world of the Wee Folk as we continue our reading of "The Coming of the Fairies". Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of that great logical thinker Sherlock Holmes, tries to prove that...actual fairies exist? Okay then! Support us on Patreon and get exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "The Coming of the Fairies" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47506 Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: "earth 2 earth," by PCII...
Nov 18, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's quietly celebrate the lengthening nights of autumn with this reading from "American Pomology," a 19th century study on apple-growing in America. Also, we discover that the word "fruits" is weirdly fun to say. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive episodes: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "American Pomology" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37596 Connect on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: "Boring Books for Bedtime" by Lee Rosevere, licen...
Nov 11, 2019•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight we journey into the mists of history with Marco Polo and his uncles as they journey across the world to the court of Kublai Khan and back again. The 13th century has never been so dreamy. This week's episode complements a new tale about Genghis Khan by one of my favorite YouTube ASMRtists, The French Whisperer. I encourage you to check him out for relaxation and sleep. He's wonderful! Visit The French Whisperer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSkS5vtp5gY3huyVkX4IfMw Support ...
Nov 04, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's take a spooky yet ponderous journey back to the 17th century witch craze in New England, as described by one of its prime movers, the Reverend Cotton Mather. If he was cursed with anything, it was a love for clauses. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "The Wonders of the Invisible World: An Account of the Salem Witch Trials" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28513 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter...
Oct 28, 2019•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's our One Year Anniversary! Let's return to the book that kicked off our boring bedtime journey, and revel in the relaxation of A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses. Thank you to each and every one of you lovely listeners for supporting us. We look forward to boring you even more in the coming year. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24063 ...
Oct 21, 2019•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Fly away to relaxation on the wings of feathered friends with this week's reading, Cassell's Book of Birds. You'll learn more than you ever wanted to know about bird tongues, if you make it that far. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "Cassell's Book of Birds, Volume 1" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48675 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: “Ocean Tapping" by PCIII, licensed ...
Oct 14, 2019•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight we get dreamy with the utopian urban planning vision of Edgar Chambless in Roadtown. A city a thousand miles long, built in a straight line? Why, it's the perfect solution for stress! Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "Roadtown" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58964 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: "Cosmic Tingles" by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 http:/...
Oct 07, 2019•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let a sea of stardust carry you to sleep as we read "Astronomy for Young Folks" and learn about constellations, planets, and the equinoctial points of the ecliptic. You know, kid stuff. Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Read "Astronomy for Young Folks" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45112 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: “Exit Exit" by PCIII, licensed under CC BY All Boring Boo...
Sep 30, 2019•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sink into slumber as we detail the musical miracle of the Victrola, "the world's greatest instrument," and dream of a distant world where music on demand is a life-changing novelty. Read "How to Get the Most Out of Your Victrola" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53656 Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: “Healing” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC B...
Sep 23, 2019•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drift off in a world of snow and silence with Robert Peary's account of his trek to the world's northernmost point. But first, a rather lengthy history of Arctic exploration going back to the 1500s! Bundle up. Read "The North Pole" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18975 Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: “Dream Colours” by Lee Rosevere, licensed un...
Sep 16, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight we find sleep in sport with a detailed history of the game of cricket. This wander through the origins of England's national game is sure to bowl you over with boredom. Read "The Cricket Field" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52022 Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Music: “Boring Books for Bedtime” by Lee Rosevere, licensed under CC BY Visit htt...
Sep 09, 2019•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast To wrap up a month of Revisiting Relaxation, let's drift back through one of your favorite sleep-inducers, the Sears Catalog. Tonight's selection is a perfect pick for this podcast, and confirms that, truly, Sears was the Amazon of 1897. Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Music: "Heaven Be Here," PCIII, is licensed under CC All Boring Books for Bedtime readings are taken from...
Sep 02, 2019•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight we revisit a relaxing science classic, The Principles of Geology, erode away stress with a stroll through the stony halls of geological history, and ponder some very odd theories about our planet. Read "The Principles of Geology" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33224 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Music: "earth 2 earth," by PCIII (freemusicar...
Aug 26, 2019•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight, we return to the managerial wonder of Mrs. Beeton, and fall asleep to everything one needs to know to be a proper 19th century housekeeper, butler or footman. Who knew wine and wick-trimming could be so relaxing? Read "The Book of Household Management" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10136 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Support us with a mer...
Aug 19, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight we revisit one of our most popular books, Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius. His advice for Stoic living continues to be a font of sleepy wisdom two millennia later. Enjoy! Read "Meditations" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2680 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Support us with a merch purchase at Teespring: https://teespring.com/stores/boring-boo...
Aug 12, 2019•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's relax to this work about the classification and characteristics of animals, as determined by Aristotle 2,300 years ago. We don't get to the part about spontaneous generation, but he does mention winged snakes and mammals growing from worms, so there's that. Read "History of Animals" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59058 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbo...
Jul 29, 2019•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's drink deep of the relaxing words of Henry David Thoreau's classic "Walden". Wander the woods in sleepy solitude, where sweet dreams await you amidst the silent sentinels of the trees. Read "Walden" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/205 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Support us with a merch purchase at Teespring: https://teespring.com/stores/borin...
Jul 22, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we caravan from sand to sandman with the Manual of Egyptian Archaeology & Guide to Antiquities from 1895. It's everything you never wanted to know about pharaonic fortress design. Special thanks to listener Jeremy Zenith for this wonderful recommendation! Read "Manual of Egyptian Archaeology & Guide to Antiquities" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14400 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclu...
Jul 15, 2019•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's gently hammer away at stress and saw our way into sleep with this manual for the amateur woodworker. In it, we'll learn why a list of tools for the beginner is a useless idea, followed immediately by a list of tools for the beginner, because of course it is. Read "Woodworking for Beginners" at Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43604 Follow and chat with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/boringbookspod Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks: https://www.patreon.com/...
Jul 08, 2019•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Let Alexander Hamilton and his compatriots spark a revolution of sleep with arguments in favor of ratifying the US Constitution. If these Federalist Papers prove anything, it's that predicting what will become a Broadway hit is one of the great mysteries of our time. Music: “Boring Books for Bedtime” by Lee Rosevere, CC BY Read The Federalist Papers Follow and chat with us on Twitter Support us on Patreon and get exclusive perks! Support us by picking up some swag on Teespring Explore Lee Roseve...
Jul 01, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Flow 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 @boringbookspod, an...
Jun 24, 2019•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast [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 reading, catch us ...
Jun 17, 2019•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lean 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 get bonus pe...
Jun 10, 2019•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drift 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 Patreon at www...
Jun 03, 2019•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let 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 Patreon at www....
May 27, 2019•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drift 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-free reading, catc...
May 20, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast This 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 or on our Patreo...
May 13, 2019•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
