Bedtime stories are read to help find peace and sleep. Typically they’re simple and light stories to help children fall asleep. Drifting off between the chapters and finding a rhythm that helps them sink into a deep sleep. As we get older sleep is harder and harder to find, and many people still grab a book to read to help them fall asleep. From tricks like reading a medical text to help your brain zone out to grabbing a comforting story, what we classify as a bedtime story as adults is a vague definition.
So when you need to wind down for the night, what do you reach for? A simple story? A classic fairy tale, or perhaps even a dictionary? From a collection of short stories to cozy mystery novels to romance books, each of these has the great perks of being one of your captivating bedtime stories.
5. Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore
Bedtime stories need to allow you to drift off between the pages, and this book is great for drifting off between chapters and catching up the next night. It has an overarching plot that allows you to drift off between chapters and catch up the next day.
Reincarnation Blues follows Milo as he is being reborn. After being reborn 9,995 times he is told he only has 10,000 before his lives run out. Miles is beyond tired of being reborn and finding perfection before he either achieves that and moves on or he ceases to be and just disappears. When we catch up with Milo, we are with him when he realizes he only has a few tries left to reach perfection.
Why I recommend this book: The book has great humor and the writing has a really good flow. Even though the story covers a somewhat serious topic of death and reincarnation, the book feels light-hearted and humorous. Perfect for a pre-bedtime read.
4. The Largesse of the Sea Maiden by Denis Johnson
A series of short stories that make great bedtime reading. If you know anything about Denis Johnson you can see some of his own life reflected in these short stories.
In total this book holds 5 short stories, 3 of which had been published previously. Short and sweet this collection of stories provides good storytelling and reflection of life as you start to slip off to sleep between the pages. If short bedtime stories are an easier choice for you, this collection is the way to go.
Why I recommend this book: The Largesse of the Sea Maiden by Denis Johnson offers a collection of haunting, introspective short stories that showcase Johnson’s mastery of language and character. His final work before his passing, profoundly reflects mortality and the human condition.
Related10 Spellbinding High Fantasy Series You’re Missing Out On
3. This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
A non-fiction book that was previously a journal turned into a novel. Easy to put away after each chapter while keeping your interest and sharing experiences with you. While not a standard book for bedtime stories, I found this had a good balance of intrigue, a captivating narrative, and finality between chapters to allow me to read and drift off peacefully.
As you read through the book Adam Kay is sharing his experiences of being a doctor working in public health hospitals throughout the UK. You follow him from school through the beginning of his career, and This is Going to Hurt provides an in-depth look at the world of physicians and their daily lives.
Why I recommend this book: This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay offers a raw, honest, and often darkly humorous look into the life of a junior doctor in the UK’s National Health Service. Kay’s memoir combines wit with poignant reflections on healthcare, making it an eye-opening read for anyone interested in medicine or the human experience.
Related10 Best Memoirs You Won’t Want To Put Down
2. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bedtime stories are notorious for taking their readers to different worlds. In this book, you will unravel the mysteries of this world, and follow popular science theories around the globe while discovering wonders and answers to questions you didn’t even know you had.
In a rambling style of writing, this is a novel that from a glance reminds me a bit of the times when my bedtime stories were read aloud to me. Bill Bryson takes subjects that typically bore or are uninteresting to most people and re-frames them in a way that makes the reader want to learn more about the world we live in. Reading this as one of the chosen bedtime stories is sure to influence your dreams and take you on adventures throughout our world.
Why I recommend this book: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson takes readers on an engaging journey through scientific history, explaining complex concepts with clarity and humor. Bryson’s accessible writing style makes this book an excellent choice for anyone curious about how we understand the universe and our place in it.
Related10 Best & Most Interesting High Fantasy Authors Of All Time
1. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
This is a beloved story that many people rave about. This fantasy novel from literary master Neil Gaiman makes the list of bedtime stories due to how easy it is to read and fall into the world of imagination.
When our main character Tristran Thorn falls in love and makes a vow to his love, it takes him on an adventure beyond his wildest imagination. Trying to do the seemingly impossible-catch a star-Tristran finds himself pulled into the kind of journey that many can only dream of.
Why I recommend this book: Stardust by Neil Gaiman is an enchanting fantasy novel that blends romance, adventure, and magic. Gaiman’s imaginative storytelling and whimsical prose create a captivating fairy tale for adults, perfect for readers seeking an escape into a beautifully crafted magical world.
May these stories bring comfort and relaxation to you as you try to fall asleep! Happy reading!
