Birds and their nests by Mary Howitt – Nightingales, Larks and More Oh My! We pick up with this listener favourite and learn the mating and nesting habits of several birds, including beloved songbirds like Nightingales, Skylarks and more. We learn how they migrate, about attempts to introduce some of the birds to new areas and the parenting habits of birds like plovers. A lot of cute stories in here, with the occasional darkness of true nature. tory (03:04)  Find Birds and their...

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  Pt 03 – Sleepy Stories of Parties and Scandal This week’s bedtime story for all ages picks up with our protagonist at a party at the house of his cousin’s husband’s mistress, and it is every bit as awkward as you expect. The story then moves to another party that’s awkward in its own way as he receives an invite to Gatsby’s house and is immersed in the middle of the bright and beautiful young things, where meeting the host is more challenging than...

The book of the ancient Greeks by Dorothy Mills – Part 06. Athens and the Greek Colonies We pick up in this week’s boring episode with Solon establishing the new rules of what we might call democracy in Athens, the resistance to the new way and the founding of the Greek colonies in Asia Minor. It’s a fascinating period of history, but as always I’m confident that the way I’m telling it will see you fast asleep very soon..   Story (02:56)    Find The book of the ancient Greeks by...

Night and Day by Virginia Woolf This is a meditative reading from Viginia Woolf’s classic novel at Katharine Hilbery and her mother are going through the process of compiling the letters and information for the biography of their great ancestor. We learn a lot about the family, but I’m sure I won’t keep you awake as we discuss Katheirne’s methods for organising paperwork and keeping her mother in line. We learn the shocking information that Katharine has  a talent for mathematics right...

Old Glass and How to Collect it by J. Sydney Lewis We return to the popular non-fiction work, Old Glass and How to Collect it by J. Sydney Lewis which is just the recipe to help you sleep. We pick up learning about the glass produced in Ireland, the taxes and levies that wiped out the Irish glass industry, then move on to learning about novelty glasses, including popular yard glasses, which you can still find in certain pubs.   Story (02:50) (01:32)   Find Old Glass and How to...

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne We continue this classic adventure on the frigate Abraham Lincoln as it passes from the Atlantic through the Straits of Magellan and into the Pacific Ocean. As we meet legendary harpooner Ned Land the ship searches for the mysterious and dangerous ‘Narwal’ only to find nothing. The ocean shows know sign of the ‘Unicorn’ as the crew searches from Japan to America. Eventually they decide to call off the search when they see something...

Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions by Charles Mackay We pick up this week learning about how private enterprise came up with the plan to save the English economy by exploiting the new frontiers of South America through forming the South Sea Company in 1711. Driven by the promise of ships full of gold coming from the native tribes of the New World a frenzy of speculation in stocks in the company drove stock values through the roof. However, the riches failed to materialise as...

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett   In this sleepy time reading of The Secret Garden we pick up with Dickon and Mary in the garden, deciding whether poor Colin will be helped by some fresh air and sunshine. They decide to try persuade him to come out with them, but events take a turn when she’s too busy to visit Colin and the two of them have a fight. Events get tense in a funny way and play out for the best. But you should be asleep before Colin’s late-night temper tantrum puts...

The Elements of Geology by William Harmon Norton For this week’s sleepy story we return to the popular Elements of Geology. Learning about the formation of rivers valleys and geological deposits will definitely not keep your attention as you lie down to sleep. I recorded this yesterday and I can barely remember the specifics, but learn about how deposits form the curves in rivers, salt lakes and many other geological features. Story (03:04) SleepPhones, our perfect partnership In our...

Discussions With Spirits And Worms Will Help You Sleep The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World by The Duchess of Newcastle This novel is supposedly one of the first science fiction novels, and it’s certainly an artifact of its time, even if not exactly a rollicking story. The Empress, from out world, is still investigating the nature of the place she finds herself in. and Summons spirits to learn what is happening in the world above. What follows is a philosophical...

The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin You’re sure to sleep with this week’s reading of Darwin’s colossal work. We really get into the weeds of how plants are constructed to aid pollination, speculating about the rarity of hermaphroditism and the potential downfalls of it. And even more minute and exhausting details. Enjoy your inevitable sleep. 😊 Story (02:53)  SleepPhones, our perfect partnership In our experience the best way to experience the...

Joy and Fear in Little Women Little Women by Louisa May Alcott In this weeks bedtime story, Jo March gets good news as two of her stories are published in the local paper. There is much joy and excitement as they plan their futures and Jo looks forward to being able to support her family. But their father’s overdue letter is replaced by an ominous telegram and the joy is replaced by concern Story (02:55)  SleepPhones, our perfect partnership In our experience the best way to...

The History of Italian Masters will Help You Sleep A History of Art for Beginners and Students: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture Indulge in a tranquil journey through the captivating annals of Italian art with tonight's podcast episode, offering a soothing exploration of Giotto's family history and culminating in the triumphant achievements of Leonardo Da Vinci. This sleep-inducing historical lesson invites you to unwind and relax, transforming your bedtime routine into a delightful...

Mysterious Strangers and Bear Men Will Carry You To Sleep The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris In tonight’s story intended to help you sleep Golden Walther continues his voyage after leaving his unfaithful wife in search of mystery. We ended last time with him lost in a storm, but now the storm has abated, and they’ve seen land. They get to where they were going to find one man, living alone, whose stories of the mysterious and brutal bear men pique Walther’s curiosity. So,...

Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by David P. Todd This is a relaxing but fascinating read. As an astronomy book published in 1922 it’s fascinating how much was know about the Universe, but while they had discovered galaxies they still believed they were a type of nebula and were still theorising about what they were. But learn about how relative motion of the starts were known, how to detect binary stars and about transits of heavenly bodies. And so much more. Fascinating...

Dancing and Proposals in Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen We pick up for tonight's bedtime story where we left off in the middle of a ball, and continue with the shenanigans around Lizzy Bennett being proposed to by her insufferable cousin. Mr Collins won’t take no for an answer at first, but ultimately realises that Elizabeth won’t be a suitable bride for a man of his reputation. But You'll probably be asleep before the awkward stuff! Story (02:57)  ...

 The Republic by Plato We return again to the rhetoric and philosophy of Plato and pick up where we left off. In the long winded and rather boring discussion of justice and injustice, the just and the unjust and which is better for society. It’s full of confusing, circular arguments and very boring, so I’m sure this will help you sleep. Story (02:55) SleepPhones, our perfect partnership In our experience the best way to experience the bedtime stories of Sleepy Time Tales is with some...

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens We pick up on this year’s bedtime edition of A Christmas Carol with Scrooge in the company of the Ghost of Christmas Present and watching the festive activities of the Cratchit family. Scrooge finds his heart-strings tugged by the plight of Tiny Tim, and then finds himself flying to observe many other poor folks making the best of their Christmas. And this includes the family of his nephew. A lot seems to be happening, but I’m sure you’ll find...

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum We continue L Frank Baum’s fables of the beginnings of Santa Claus and Christmas traditions. In this episode we learn the origins of Christmas stockings, the Christmas tree and how Santa became immortal. A charming yet relaxing background to help you sleep. Story (02:45)  SleepPhones, our perfect partnership In our experience the best way to experience the bedtime stories of Sleepy Time Tales is with some type of headphone or...

The ethics of rhetoric by Richard M. Weaver An exploration of the ethics of using techniques of rhetoric to influence others. It’s a real web of language and frankly, I don’t know what I read in any of this. It will definitely help you fall asleep. Story (02:55) SleepPhones, our perfect partnership In our experience the best way to experience the bedtime stories of Sleepy Time Tales is with some type of headphone or earbud, but they can be cumbersome and uncomfortable. So we’ve...

 Embark on a tranquil journey with our soothing podcast, where we delve into the pages of a timeless historical novel. Join our protagonist as he ventures beyond the monastery of his upbringing, seeking knowledge and wisdom. A brief detour leads him into the serene embrace of a forest, where an unexpected encounter with a wandering friar unfolds. Yet, amidst the mystery and tension woven into this tale, rest assured, our gentle narration will guide you into a peaceful slumber before you...

Elizabeth Montagu, the queen of the bluestockings, Volumes 1 and 2 The Blue Stockings were a women’s social and intellectual club of sorts founded in the mid 18th Century and the history of them is quite interesting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Stockings_Society But for now the letters of the young Elizabeth give an interesting insight into the precocious mind of the future founder of the movement. But are not so interesting that you won’t be kept awake and gripped. Story...

In this new selection we learn of many of the people I’m sure we’ll get to know in Anne of Green Gables. It’s a strange story, apparently people just used to bring orphans home to bring up and put to work? But it doesn’t seem sinister, just odd, so it won’t stress you out and prevent you from falling asleep as we meet the varied cast of characters. Story (03:35)  SleepPhones, our exciting partnership In our experience the best way to experience the bedtime stories of Sleepy Time Tales...

Retelling History for Bedtime - The Dark Ages, 476-918 by Charles Oman While the history of the Western Roman Empire after the fall may be fascinating to many, to most it’s probably so boring that tales of Theodoric, possibly the greatest Germanic king of Italy will be guaranteed to help you get a good night’s sleep. Settle down, relax and drift away as tales of Franks, Visigoths and Ostrogoths wash over you in waves of soporific voice over. Story (03:09)  SleepPhones, our perfect...