A healthy adult sleeps 7-9 hours a night. That adds up to over 30% of your life spent snatching ZZZs. If sleep is hard to come by for you, you may look to sleep education sources for advice or tips.
This guide is a running resource for the best books for sleep, whether you’re a healthy sleeper or need the help of an expert.
In This Guide
Sleep Science | Insomnia | Dream Interpretation | Fall Asleep With | Why Sleep Matters | FAQ
Best Books For Sleep
The best books for sleep may cover a wide range of topics, depending on what your needs are. But chances are if you’re shopping for a book for sleep, that probably means that you’re not getting much sleep to begin with.
The major topics we’re going to look at in this guide include books on the following:
- The Science of Sleep
- Insomnia
- Dream Interpretation
- Books to Fall Asleep With
Best Books on the Science of Sleep
For some, sleep is the act of “head hitting pillow”, but for many, there is far more to it than just that. This collection of books dives into the science of sleep, changes that happen in your body and brain, as well as ways to use science to get more rest.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
This study dives into a scientific exploration of sleep, why it is important, and how to use sleep for life-giving benefits in your life.
- Written by: Matthew Walker (Author)
- Narrated by: Steve West (Narrator)
- Read Length: 368 pages
- Listen Length: 13 hours, 52 minutes
The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How to Fix It
The book seeks to understand how sleep works and how outside factors like food, light, and other activities may be playing a role. Other topics include the misinformation behind sleeping pills, the art of napping, and sleep technology.
- Written by: W. Chris Winter, MD (Author)
- Narrated by: W. Chris Winter, MD (Narrator)
- Read Length: 272 pages
- Listen Length: 7 hours, 25 minutes
Sleep Smarter
This book looks at sleep through the lens of health and wellness and develops 21 strategies to help you get more shuteye. Sleep more and see the benefits in your life.
- Written by: Shawn Stevenson (Author)
- Narrated by: Shawn Stevenson (Narrator)
- Read Length: 288 pages
- Listen Length: 6 hours, 36 minutes
Best Sleep Books for Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it very hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or may also cause unusually early wake-up times. These books dive into the study of insomnia and ways to address the issue.
Say Goodnight to Insomnia
This book features a 6-week program developed at Harvard Medical School. The author surveys the dangers and limitations of sleeping pills, claims about sleep and health, as well as modern research and his tested approach at addressing insomnia for good.
- Written by: Gregg D. Jacobs, Ph.D. (Author)
- Narrated by: Timothy Andres Pabon (Narrator)
- Read Length: 256 pages
- Listen Length: 7 hours, 46 minutes
The Sleep Fix
This book tackles the tough subject of sleep with humor, science, and the art of journalism. The Sleep Fix interviews sleep experts globally and addresses the topic of sleep biology, common obstacles, and myths, as well as recognizing counterintuitive approaches.
- Written by: Diane Macedo (Author)
- Narrated by: Diane Macedo (Narrator)
- Read Length: 384 pages
- Listen Length: 8 hours, 16 minutes
The Sleep Book: How to Sleep Well Every Night
The book tackles insomnia with a 5-week, drug-free plan that focuses on mindfulness, new acceptance, and commitment therapy (act) techniques.
- Written by: Dr. Guy Meadows (Author)
- Narrated by: Sam Sword (Narrator)
- Read Length: 224 pages
- Listen Length: 4 hours, 49 minutes
Best Books for Dream Interpretation
Dreams are one of the most fascinating parts of sleep. The collection here includes books that can help with dream interpretation, the act of lucid dreaming, and symbology.
The Divinity Code to Understanding Your Dreams and Visions
This book is written to give you the key to understanding your dreams. It’s a Bible-based guide to dream interpretation that seeks to reveal the mysteries of Heaven. Includes an extensive Christian dream dictionary (with scripture references).
- Written by: Adam Thompson & Adrian Beale (Author)
- Narrated by: William Crockett (Narrator)
- Read Length: 680 pages
- Listen Length: 8 hours, 22 minutes
The Dream Interpretation Handbook
The Dream Interpretation Handbook details the dream interpretation process, how to decipher plot lines, and the symbology behind elements like colors, numbers, and common themes.
- Written by: Karen Frazier (Author)
- Narrated by: Erica Sullivan (Narrator)
- Read Length: 134 pages
- Listen Length: 3 hours, 38 minutes
The Alchemy of Your Dreams
This book explains the importance of dreams, the art of lucid dreaming, and understanding dream symbols + figures. It also looks at exploring consciousness, as well as unconscious and subconscious thoughts.
- Written by: Athena Laz (Author)
- Narrated by: Athena Laz (Narrator)
- Read Length: 256 pages
- Listen Length: 6 hours, 25 minutes
Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming
Exploring the world of lucid dreaming, you can learn to solve problems, gain confidence, improve creativity, and increase your understanding of the conscious and subconscious mind. Techniques in this book are aimed at exploring these areas as well as the possibility of expanding consciousness.
- Written by: Stephen LaBerge, Ph.D. & Howard Rheingold (Author)
- Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright (Narrator)
- Read Length: 352 pages
- Listen Length: 10 hours, 16 minutes
Best Books to Fall Asleep With
This collection includes books to read that are not about sleep but instead are designed to put you to sleep.
This Book Will Put You to Sleep
This book is written to be so dull that you can’t help but fall asleep between the pages. Written from a humorous perspective, topics include “The Motion of Sand Dunes”, “White Noise: A Technical Explanation”, and dozens of other snooze-fest stories.
- Written by: K. McCoy + Dr. Hardwick (Author)
- Narrated by: Mel Foster (Narrator)
- Read Length: 192 pages
- Listen Length: 6 hours, 54 minutes
Bedtime Stories for Adults
This book includes over a dozen bedtime stories for adults. These short, relaxing stories and written to help calm your mind and transition into sleep more easily.
- Written by: Sylvia Leghorn (Author)
- Narrated by: N/A
- Read Length: 250 pages
- Listen Length: N/A
Color Me to Sleep
Coloring has been a long-time source of relaxation for all ages, from children to adults. This book includes almost 100 coloring templates for detailed, intricate illustrations.
- Written by: Lacy Muchlow (Author)
- Illustrated by: Angela Porter
- Read Length: 208 pages
- Listen Length: N/A
Why Sleep Matters
If you’re in pursuit of health and wellness, looking to improve relationships, lose weight, or simply become a better “you”, getting more sleep may be the key.
Sleep plays an integral part in all of these categories and when sleep is lacking, any one of these areas may begin to suffer.
Read More
For more reads, check out some of our favorite sleep guides here:
- How to Sleep Better
- How to Sleep Faster
- How to Wake Up Early
- How to Stay Awake at Work
- How to Sleep On Your Side
- How to Stop Snoring
- How to Sleep On Your Back
- How to Pull An All-Nighter
FAQs
Books that help you fall asleep can be in a variety of styles. Some of the most effective include adult coloring books, guided meditations, visualizations, or topics that are just insanely boring.
Sleepers with insomnia must first recognize the scientific study behind the disorder. There are lifestyle factors that may make the condition worse, like anxiety, stress, diet, and toxic relationships. Look for books that bring these factors to light in an effort to help you identify areas in your own life that could be contributing to your insomnia.
When shopping for good sleep books look for titles that are well-written by notable authors, and / or have many reviews. Read through reviews. Do the sleepers who have success with this book struggle with the same things you’re struggling with? If the answer is yes, chances are that the book may work for you.
Yes. For many, reading a book in bed is a great way to calm down your mind and relax your thoughts. Turn off the overhead light and try reading by lamplight. Light a candle or diffuse some essential oils. Engaging with as many of the senses as you can is a good strategy to fall asleep faster while reading.
