Do you have trouble falling asleep sometimes? These audiobooks to fall asleep to will help you count sheep in no time.

The best audiobooks to fall asleep to

Many people have trouble falling asleep at night. In fact, according to the Sleep Foundation, up to 30% of people struggle with chronic insomnia. Additionally, many others who don’t have the condition also find it hard to fall asleep.

Listening to audiobooks can be a possible solution, thanks to their calming effects. This article reviews the top New York best-sellers currently available. But before we get to that, let’s discuss how audiobooks can help you sleep better.

How audiobooks can help you sleep better

Have you ever noticed how a gentle voice or a calming story, like the best books recommended on Goodreads, can make your eyelids feel heavy? Just like when we were children and someone read us a bedtime story, our minds and bodies respond to the rhythm and tone of a voice. Audiobooks, especially soothing audiobooks, tap into this natural response, making them an excellent tool for those struggling to drift off into dreamland.

Firstly, audiobooks provide a distraction from the day's worries. Instead of lying in bed, replaying stressful events or tomorrow's to-do list, your mind gets lost in a story. This shift in focus allows your brain to transition from the active, problem-solving state it's often stuck in during the day to a more passive, receptive state conducive to sleep. It's like finding the "find my" button for relaxation.

Moreover, the steady cadence of a narrator's voice, like that of Frances or Matthew Walker, can be likened to a lullaby. Just as the gentle rocking motion can soothe a baby to sleep, the rhythmic flow of words from the best audiobook recommendations can have a similar effect on adults. Over time, your brain might even associate the sound of an audiobook with sleep, making the process of falling asleep while listening even quicker.

But it's not just about the sound; it's also about the content. The stories and information in audiobooks can be engaging enough to keep your interest but not so stimulating that they keep you awake.

Choosing the right audiobook, like the best Stephen King audiobooks or best romance audiobooks, is crucial. Opt for stories that are calming, familiar, or even a bit mundane. Avoid thrillers or intense dramas that might get your adrenaline pumping. If you're planning a journey, consider the best audiobooks for a road trip or even short audiobooks to keep you entertained.

Lastly, the beauty of audiobooks is that they can be set to turn off after a certain period, thanks to the sleep timer feature, ensuring you don't miss out on the entire story while you're snoozing. Most audiobook platforms have this feature, allowing you to drift off without any worries.

Incorporating audiobooks into your bedtime routine can be a game-changer. They offer a comforting presence in the quiet of the night, guiding you gently into the world of dreams. So, the next time you find yourself tossing and turning, consider pressing play on one of the best audiobooks to fall asleep to from our list and let the magic unfold.

The best audiobooks for a good night’s rest

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is the first of the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. The young boy is unaware of his powers when he starts to get invitation letters to Hogwarts. Once he learns he’s a wizard, he packs his bags for the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The audiobook narration by Stephen Fry in the official audiobook series is faithful to the original work. Whether it’s been years since you read this classic or you have never got your hands on the book, you’re in for a great journey.

Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults: Tales to Soothe Tired Souls

“Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults” by Lucy Mangan is a collection of bedtime stories best suited to the older generation. The stories are concise and easy to grasp when you feel tired or stressed out.

The English audiobook is available on Audible, narrated by Joan Walker and Jonathan Keeble.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

You can’t go wrong with audiobooks narrated and written by Neil Gaiman. One piece that stands out is “The Graveyard Book” – the only novel to win both the Carnegie and Newbery Medals.

The novel is about an unusual boy, Nobody Owens, who lives in an unusual place – a graveyard. He’s raised by werewolves, ghosts, and other cemetery inhabitants. Nobody can fade so that mortals can’t see him. But can he face the wonders of the world of the living and the dead?

Find out in this magical and terrifying audiobook available on Amazon.

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

“The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” is an audiobook written and narrated by Bill Bryson. Among the author’s most famous and loved works, it’s narrated in its abridged version.

The story is a memoir of the author’s formative years in the U.S. in the middle of the 20th century. The plot covers his childhood discoveries and family life in 1950s America. This is the audiobook to read if you want a good laugh before bed.

The English Patient

“The English Patient” narration by Ralph Fiennes follows the lives of four people in an abandoned villa in Italy after the end of WWII.

Hana, a nurse, exhausted from the war, tends to her last surviving patient with much care. Caravaggio is a thief who tries to reimagine himself. Kip, an Indian sapper, looks for hidden bombs. The English patient, who is at the heart of the story, is provocative and intriguing to his companions. He doesn’t have a name, is burned, and has vivid memories of suffering.

Michal Ondaatje won the Man Booker Prize for The English Patient. The book was also adapted into an Oscar-winning movie.

To the Lighthouse

This Virginia Woolf classic is a landmark of English fiction. The author examines meaning and perception in her most thought-provoking prose works. The story is about Mrs. and Mr. Ramsay’s trip to the Isle of Skye.

Woolf examines the tensions of family life and the conflict between women and men. The Ramsay family endures some of the greatest challenges humans can ever experience.

The narration by Juliet Stevenson is the official Audible version and runs for seven hours and 38 minutes.

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s best-known work, “The Great Gatsby,” is available in audiobook form and narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal on Audible.

This classic novel takes place in the Roaring Twenties and follows the life of a mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby met Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life, during WWI. Since then, he’s made a fortune but believes he can only be happy if he wins Daisy back. He uses his new friendship with Nick Carraway to reach out to Daisy.

Other audiobooks worth considering

• “Conversations With Friends” by Sally Rooney, read by Aoife McMahon.
• “Atonement” by Ian Mcewan, narrated by Carole Boyd.
• “Nothing to See Here” by Kevin Wilson, read by Marin Ireland
• “Why the Caged Bird Sings,” written and narrated by Maya Angelou
• “Sherlock Holmes” by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Stephen Fry.

5 remarkable benefits of audiobooks

Audiobooks have surged in popularity over the years, and it's not just because they're a convenient alternative to reading. They offer a unique experience that brings stories and information to life in ways traditional books can't. Let's dive into five standout benefits of tuning into the best audiobook series:

1. Enhanced Comprehension and Retention: Listening to a story or information can often lead to better understanding. The combination of tone, pace, and emphasis from a skilled narrator can highlight important points and convey emotions that might be missed when reading. This added layer of vocal expression can help listeners grasp and remember content more effectively.
2. Multitasking Made Easy: One of the biggest perks of audiobooks is the freedom they offer. You can immerse yourself in a captivating tale, like the best classic audiobooks or the best audiobooks for teens, while doing household chores, exercising, commuting, or even grocery shopping. This means you can enjoy more books without having to carve out extra time in your day specifically for reading.
3. Accessibility for All: Audiobooks are a blessing for those with visual impairments or conditions like dyslexia that make traditional reading challenging. They ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, has access to the vast world of literature and knowledge.
4. Building Better Listening Skills: In today's fast-paced world, the art of listening is often overlooked. Regularly tuning into good audiobooks to listen to can sharpen your listening skills, making you more attentive in conversations and better at absorbing information in other areas of life.
5. Travel to Different Worlds Without Moving: A well-narrated audiobook can transport you to different places, times, and cultures. The immersive experience, enriched by voice modulations, sound effects, and sometimes even music, can make you feel like you're living the story rather than just hearing it. Whether you're looking for inspirational audio books, books to fall asleep to, or wondering what to listen to to fall asleep, there's a vast array of recommended audiobooks, including the best audiobooks of all time, waiting for you.

Speechify

Speechify is a text to speech assistive technology tool that turns text into high-quality speech.

Create playlists, change the reading speed, pick between natural-sounding and soothing voices, and much more.

Speechify works as a browser extension or a mobile app. Try it for free on the official website, Google Play, or the App Store.

FAQ

Which audiobook narrator has the most soothing voice?

Joan Walker, Toni Morrison, and Neil Gaiman have some of the most soothing voices.

What are some tips for helping me sleep?

Yoga, meditation, mindful breathing, eating light meals, white noise, and listening to bedtime audiobooks or soothing self-help podcasts before bed all have soothing effects.

Are audiobooks really helpful for sleeping?

Audiobooks have a soothing effect in that they make you focus on the recording instead of being trapped inside the thoughts that keep you from falling asleep. They help your brain relax and make it easier for you to fall asleep.