If you’re an individual who needs a relaxing bedtime read before falling asleep, you’ve landed in the right place.
For centuries, having stories read to us at night has been an amazing way to calm the mind and gently put us to sleep.
Whilst it’s mostly toddlers that have books read to them to help them sleep, thanks to a little help from audiobooks, us adults can now lay back at night and enjoy a calming, stress-free time before we go to bed.
Better still, we don’t have to worry about nodding off with a book in our hands, dropping it on our face in the process (we’ve all been there, right?).
To help you find the perfect audiobook that will help you gently nod off into the perfect sleep, guaranteeing those precious Zzz’s, we’ve done some research and put together a list of the best audiobooks for sleep. In this post, we’ll take you through the options.
So, get comfy, sit back, and have a good look through our list if you want to find the perfect bedtime story!
OUR TOP PICK
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Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
EDITORS CHOICE
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Conversations With Friends: A Novel
BEST VALUE
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OUR TOP PICK
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
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We’re pretty sure you’ll have heard of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone before but if not, this book is the first installment of a wonderful fantasy series of novels written by British author J.K Rowling.
The series follows the adventures of three young wizards on their journey to become wizards and save the wizarding world from the evil that is Lord Voldermort.
Available in audiobook format, those that haven’t read the book before will love falling into the wizarding world of spells, creatures, and wizarding life as they fall asleep.
Those that know the books and films all too well will enjoy the nostalgic feeling the book offers, making you feel like a child again.
Your imagination will run wild as you slowly fall asleep.
EDITORS CHOICE
Conversations With Friends: A Novel
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Written by Sally Rooney and read by Aoife McMahon, there’s something incredibly soothing and addictive about listening to this well-written and hugely interesting audiobook.
Lending itself perfectly to the listening experience, Sally Rooney’s debut makes us feel as though we’re simply overhearing a juicy conversation.
Closing your eyes and imagining the thoughts and feelings of each person with the help of Aoife McMahon whose Irish accent is blissful to listen to is sure to put you in the perfect relaxed state ready for a good night’s sleep.
The story focuses on how our emotional impulses are in a constant battle with social restraint. With plenty of authenticity and charm, this is an excellent choice.
BEST VALUE
Penguin Sleep Tales
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Next up, we have an audiobook specifically designed with sleep in mind.
Produced by Penguin and narrated by Sally Scott, this audiobook is a collection of charming bedtime stories designed to help you wind down before you go to sleep.
Produced with help from The Sleep Council UK, this British audiobook effortlessly transports the listener to different locations, helping you relax through the visualization of various landscapes and beautiful settings.
Each story is 15 minutes long. This stops you from missing too much when you finally fall asleep.
Read soothingly and slowly in order to create the perfect environment that promotes deep sleep, some of our favorite stories include Hammock on a Distant Shore, Dancing Flames, and Wakarango Mai.
RUNNER UP
A Gentleman In Moscow: A Novel, Amor Towles
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Written by Amor Towles and narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith, A Gentleman In Moscow is a beautifully written story about a man that’s ordered to spend the rest of his days inside a luxury hotel in Moscow.
Packed full of humor, intrigue, and wit, the audiobook tells the compelling tale brilliantly, transporting the listener into a world of thought and imagination.
The story also captures Russian history excellently, making it a good choice for any listeners who love their history.
The man in the story is called Count Alexander Rostov. Following events that took place in 1922, Rostov was placed under house arrest.
Living in the Metropol, Rostov is stuck inside as Russian history unfolds outside.
RUNNER UP
Why We Swim, Bonnie Tsui
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The sounds of water and swimming are often associated with relaxation and calmness so it makes perfect sense to listen to an audiobook about it.
While Why We Swim, written by Bonnie Tsui and read by Angie Kane doesn’t feature the sound of water, it takes us on an intriguing journey into why people swim.
Exploring why this exciting, yet sometimes dangerous sport is so popular, Bonnie Tsui tells us the tales of swimmers swimming in the Arctic’s freezing water, piranha-infested waters, and even about a swim club that meets at Saddam Hussein’s palace.
Perfect for swim lovers that want to unwind at night, be sure to check this audiobook out!
RUNNER UP
Mythos, Steven Fry
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The next audiobook is both written and narrated by Steven Fry.
Offering exactly what its name would suggest, Mythos is an audiobook that lets the listener lose themselves in Greek mythology.
This vivid retelling of famous Greek classics is perfect for losing your imagination in a world of heroes, demi-gods, magic, and monsters, easily helping you forget the stressful day you’ve had and letting you immerse yourself in each story.
In a matter of minutes, you’ll find yourself slipping into a deep sleep as you close your eyes and closely listen to the calming voice Steven Fry speaks with.
Timeless tales about Pandora, ancient Greece, and Zeus are all on offer.
RUNNER UP
The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Cherished by book lovers all over the world, The Little Prince is now also available in audiobook format.
This makes it a great choice for your late night listening when you’re struggling to get to sleep.
This edition of Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s book is translated by Richard Gere, who excels in bringing the original story to life without deviating too much from the original French version.
The story surrounds a beautiful, yet mysterious boy that appears to a stranded pilot whilst making an extraordinary request.
A charming story and wonderfully soothing and relaxing to listen to, this is a solid choice.
RUNNER UP
Why We Sleep, Matthew Walker
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If you struggle to sleep and want to learn why, maybe Matthew Walker’s audiobook that looks into why we sleep can help.
“Unlocking the power of sleep and dreams”, this audiobook explores cutting-edge research in an attempt to explain why we sleep, how it helps us, and what we can do to improve our own sleep.
Helping to encourage sleep and open your eyes to new research, this could be the perfect bedtime audiobook to listen to in order to find what exactly stops you sleeping comfortably at night.
Until recently, most of the research in this audiobook was unknown, so it makes for great listening.
RUNNER UP
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
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Written by beloved American poet, Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings focuses around a youth filled with disappointment, tragedy, frustration, wonder, curiosity, and independence.
Following Maya and her brother’s story of the times they spent with their grandmother in a tiny Southern town, the story’s themes are prejudice and abandonment.
Powerful, poetic, and brilliantly written, this audiobook captures the longing of abused, lonely children perfectly, making you forget your own stresses and problems, and helping you remember just how lucky you are.
Beautifully read by Oprah Winfrey, this audiobook is a perfect bedtime listen, so be sure to download it as soon as you can.
RUNNER UP
Matilda, Roald Dahl
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Is there a better way to fall asleep than by taking yourself back to when you were a child with a childhood classic.
Personally, we don’t think there is and when we think of childhood classics, Roald Dahl’s Matilda takes some beating.
A delightful story that tells the tale of a lovely young girl called Matilda and the beautiful relationship she shares with her dedicated teacher, Matilda is a story that’s sure to make you smile.
Despite the story taking many twists and turns, you’ll begin to feel relaxed, hopeful, happy, and full of laughter in no time.
All the stress from the long day you’ve had will quickly evaporate.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, 10 awesome audiobooks that will help you sleep.
While there are many more audiobooks out there, we firmly believe these are the very best when it comes to helping you fall asleep.
Even though each audiobook offers something different and provokes differing emotions, the tone of voice used by the narrator, the thoughts and feelings you’ll feel, and the calming effect they all have is certain to help you relax and sleep after a long day at work.
Now all you need to do is pick a few of these audiobooks out, download them, and start your listening.
We’re certain you’ll enjoy whichever audiobook you choose.
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