Comfort Books That Help Me Relax And Put Me to Sleep

Bedtime stories to help you sleep in peace.

My mind wanders when I can’t sleep. I end up doom scrolling for hours, only to wake up with regret, exhaustion, and bleary eyes.

In such troubled nights, I often think back to my childhood where sleeping on time was never an issue. I always had a book beside me in bed, and fell asleep while reading.

A few months back, I decide to rejuvenate my love for reading bedtime stories to lull myself to sleep. It relaxes my mind, relieves stress, and helps me fall into a deep slumber without needing to go through my phone. 

I can feel the fatigue dissolve, and the urge to get into bed is strong because of the relaxing nature of some books.

In this article, I’ve sorted out some interesting books you can read before sleeping. These don’t contain heavy cliffhangers are are written in a manner what will help you unwind and slow down after a hectic day.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

I’ve always been fascinated by topics like the creation of the universe, black holes, life on earth, animals, birds, and every creature around me. I used to ask silly questions to my dad like why can’t I reach the sky, why can animals talk to me, and whatnot. Even today when I can’t sleep, I wonder about the world around me, which is completely different from my virtual screen. So, I started reading A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson and this book satisfies all my curiosities.

This book makes all the complex scientific concepts easy to understand for readers from any background. It explains scientific phenomena with humorous anecdotes that keep you hooked. From Big Bang theory, the formation of galaxies, gravity and electromagnetism, Einstein’s theory of relativity, and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, to tiny bacteria, A Short History of Nearly Everything discusses everything.

The book also discusses the evolution of life forms from single-celled organisms to complex creatures like dinosaurs and mammals. It’s fascinating how life started on earth as a genetic material learned a way to copy itself. This proves that we have evolved from the one. It touches on topics as diverse as geology, chemistry, and genetics, weaving them together into an interesting story. I liked the fact that this book appreciates the work of women and minorities in scientific discoveries, which is often overlooked.

I enjoyed reading this book during my bedtime and getting lost in the wonders of the universe. The new ideas I learned collided with the ones existing in my head, and this amalgamation lulled me into a deep sleep.

I highly recommend reading this book if you’re curious and want to learn foundational science concepts in a fun way.

My favorite quotes from A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

“There are three stages in scientific discovery. First, people deny that it is true, then they deny that it is important; finally, they credit the wrong person.”

“It is a slightly arresting notion that if you were to pick yourself apart with tweezers, one atom at a time, you would produce a mound of fine atomic dust, none of which had ever been alive but all of which had once been you.”

“Protons give an atom its identity, electrons its personality.”

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Life gives us so many reality checks that we sometimes need a moment to live in fantasy. Whenever I feel the need to escape, I read Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It’s a perfect blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance, which happen to be my favorite genres.

The story starts with a young boy Tristan Thorn who goes on an adventure to retrieve a fallen star and win the heart of his beloved, Victoria Forester. As he crosses the Village of Wall, his life takes a weird turn. He enters the land of magic, called Faerie. 

The fallen star he finds is not just a celestial object but a woman named Yvaine. She has magical powers, a unique personality, and becomes Tristan’s constant companion throughout his adventures. They face many obstacles, the witches, princes, and pirates, who have different agendas. Tristan and Yvaine apply their wit to triumph over their enemies, internal and external. 

This story beautifully depicts the power of love and embracing one’s true self. With wonderful storytelling and life lessons, this fantasy novel is perfect for bedtime. This book makes me forget about everything going on around me and explore the Faerie land with the protagonists. The scenes are so elaborate and deep that people of all ages can relate to them. 

Just like Tristan and Yvaine, we might end up discovering ourselves or maybe something better. I’m planning to watch the movie Stardust as well and immerse myself in this magical world.

My favorite quotes from Stardust by Neil Gaiman

“She says nothing at all, but simply stares upward into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars.”

“A philosopher once asked, “Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?” Pointless, really…”Do the stars gaze back?” Now, that’s a question.”

“Every lover is, in his heart, a madman, and, in his head, a minstrel.”

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The story of Little Women needs no introduciton. It’s based in the Civil War Era in Massachusetts, where four March sisters- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy face life’s challenges together. They have their struggles and ambitions that drive them in life. Despite their limited financial means, the March sisters find joy and comfort in each other.

The character growth of these four sisters is depicted beautifully in the novel. I could see myself reflected in each sister in some way or another. The way they navigate challenges is also inspiring. Beth suffers due to ill health and brings sorrow to the family. Jo has to sacrifice a lot for her ambitions. Meg learns lessons about marriage and motherhood, and Amy becomes mature over time. If you want to know more, don’t miss out on this masterpiece.

All these characters are relatable even today. They are inspiring, ambitious, and empowered women who live their lives on their own terms. Their story reflects the complexities of love, sisterhood, independence, and familial bonds. Written in 1868, Little Women was way ahead of its times, and is still inspiring generations of women and men alike.

My favorite quotes from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

“I like good strong words that mean something…”

“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.”

“I want to do something splendid…something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.”

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma, a beautiful young lady, sometimes witty, sometimes naive, is living in the English village of Highbury. As a self-proclaimed matchmaker, Emma loves to hook her friends with each other, sometimes leading to disastrous results.

The novel begins with Emma successfully pairing her governess, Miss Taylor, with a well-respected man, Mr Weston. But things go awry when she tries to start a new matchmaking project on her innocent friend Harriet. Emma encourages Harriet to reject a marriage proposal from Mr Martin, a respectable farmer and a gentleman. In hopes of getting a better match for her friend, she gradually starts meddling with Harriet’s romantic affairs, and of course, it fails badly.

Even though her intentions are pure, Emma gradually realizes the consequences of her actions, which leads to misunderstanding and heartbreaks. She lets go of her desire to control her loved one’s lives and becomes a self-aware lady.

I was amazed by the satirical wit in this classic novel and the portrayals of Emma as rigid societal norms. Emma represents the society that tries to govern romantic relationships. It shows that flexibility and understanding are much needed in today’s world for people to thrive. 

The most important parameters of matchmaking should be genuine affection and mutual respect. You can consider reading Emma if you love humor and satire that leave a touching message in the end.

My favorite quotes from Emma by Jane Austen

“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.”

“I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control. ”

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