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Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups
There are few more precious routines than that of the bedtime story. So why do we discard this invaluable ritual as grown-ups to the detriment of our well-being and good health? In this groundbreaking anthology, Ben Holden, editor of the bestselling Poems That Make Grown Men Cry, challenges how we think about life, a third of which is spent asleep. He deftly explores not only the science of sleep but also why we endlessly tell stories – even to ourselves, as we dream.
Holden combines his own illuminating storytelling with a treasure trove of timeless classics and contemporary gems. Poems and short stories, fairy tales and fables, reveries and nocturnes – from William Shakespeare to Haruki Murakami, Charles Dickens to Roald Dahl, Rabindranath Tagore to Nora Ephron, Vladimir Nabokov to Neil Gaiman – are all woven together to replicate the journey of a single night’s sleep.
Some of today’s greatest storytellers reveal their choice of the ideal grown-up bedtime story: writers such as Margaret Drabble, Ken Follett, Tessa Hadley, Robert Macfarlane, Patrick Ness, Tony Robinson and Warsan Shire.
Fold away your laptop and shut down your mobile phone. Curl up and crash out with the ultimate bedside book, one you’ll return to again and again. Full of laughter and tears, moonlight and magic,Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups joyfully provides the dream way to end the day – and begin the night . . .
Holden combines his own illuminating storytelling with a treasure trove of timeless classics and contemporary gems. Poems and short stories, fairy tales and fables, reveries and nocturnes – from William Shakespeare to Haruki Murakami, Charles Dickens to Roald Dahl, Rabindranath Tagore to Nora Ephron, Vladimir Nabokov to Neil Gaiman – are all woven together to replicate the journey of a single night’s sleep.
Some of today’s greatest storytellers reveal their choice of the ideal grown-up bedtime story: writers such as Margaret Drabble, Ken Follett, Tessa Hadley, Robert Macfarlane, Patrick Ness, Tony Robinson and Warsan Shire.
Fold away your laptop and shut down your mobile phone. Curl up and crash out with the ultimate bedside book, one you’ll return to again and again. Full of laughter and tears, moonlight and magic,Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups joyfully provides the dream way to end the day – and begin the night . . .
520 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2016
39 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2019
A book I have been dipping into over several months in between other books. A very enjoyable collection of short stories, poems and some extracts from novels also.
October 21, 2016
The older I've become and the less sleep I get due to health issues, the more I have become obsessed with night-time and all things sleep related, so when I read the blurb for this book it sounded perfect - and it was!!
This book explores the many aspects connected to sleeping, such as the traditions surrounding sleep including the reading of bedtime stories - always my favourite part of the day as a child! - and how a lot of us stop that process as adults, and the many other aspects of modern day life that can affect the amount of sleep we get, and the quality of that sleep. It goes into the processes that our brain goes through each night as we climb into bed awaiting the arrival of the sandman, and how the different stages of sleep and dreaming are affected by our everyday lives, and how we have lost the link to the importance of our body clock through the introduction of lighting and modern technology.
In between these fascinating insights into the sleep process, the reader is also introduced to a collection of short stories, poems and essays from a variety of different authors and poets that all link in some way to the night, dreams and sleep and it is a great way to discover new voices and new perspectives and I will be forever grateful to this book for making me aware of different styles of writing and I now have a list of interesting names to explore. Voices as diverse as Haruki Murakami to Virginia Woolf, from Rip Van Winkle to Roald Dahl and P.G. Wodehouse to Neil Gaiman - are just a few of those included and I think this book is one of those that you can keep dipping in and out of and discovering something new every-time you read a little chunk.
The mix between fact and fiction was a wonderful blend and made the book flow perfectly as you aren't bogged down by facts, and makes you look at things differently and pay more attention to bedtime rituals and ensuring better quality sleep - well, hopefully anyway!
Thank you to Nudge and the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this superb insight into sleep and bedtime stories!
This book explores the many aspects connected to sleeping, such as the traditions surrounding sleep including the reading of bedtime stories - always my favourite part of the day as a child! - and how a lot of us stop that process as adults, and the many other aspects of modern day life that can affect the amount of sleep we get, and the quality of that sleep. It goes into the processes that our brain goes through each night as we climb into bed awaiting the arrival of the sandman, and how the different stages of sleep and dreaming are affected by our everyday lives, and how we have lost the link to the importance of our body clock through the introduction of lighting and modern technology.
In between these fascinating insights into the sleep process, the reader is also introduced to a collection of short stories, poems and essays from a variety of different authors and poets that all link in some way to the night, dreams and sleep and it is a great way to discover new voices and new perspectives and I will be forever grateful to this book for making me aware of different styles of writing and I now have a list of interesting names to explore. Voices as diverse as Haruki Murakami to Virginia Woolf, from Rip Van Winkle to Roald Dahl and P.G. Wodehouse to Neil Gaiman - are just a few of those included and I think this book is one of those that you can keep dipping in and out of and discovering something new every-time you read a little chunk.
The mix between fact and fiction was a wonderful blend and made the book flow perfectly as you aren't bogged down by facts, and makes you look at things differently and pay more attention to bedtime rituals and ensuring better quality sleep - well, hopefully anyway!
Thank you to Nudge and the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this superb insight into sleep and bedtime stories!
November 5, 2016
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Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups The Perfect Way To End The Day…..duffythewriter November 5, 2016 Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups The Perfect Way To End The Day…..2016-11-05T14:44:08+00:00 Book Reviews, Fiction, Self Help, Motivational and Inspirational No Comment Professional Reader
bedtime stories for grown-ups
The very moment I saw the book jacket for Bedtime Stories For Grown-Ups by Ben Holden, I was intrigued. At first, I thought it contained some new adult fairy tales, but it’s actually a well thought out collection of poems, tales, and anecdotes from all over the world, and throughout history. The theme, of course, is sleep and dreams.
This is the ideal book gift for those who might have trouble dropping off to sleep, and who struggle finishing a 500-page novel. It’s designed to be dipped in and out of, where the reader chooses what they are drawn to. You can read some of the tales of The Arabian Nights, or a brilliant short story by BJ Novak called The Rematch, about the time the tortoise and the hare had another crack at the race. The Happy Prince, Diamonds and Pearls, and The Moth and The Star amongst other short stories, lulled me gently to sleep with their eloquent tones and evoked memories of other stories I adored as a child.
Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups is a real treasure of a book, and one I know I will return to again and again. It will remain permanently on the bedside table. The perfect Christmas stocking filler.
follow me @duffythewriter
About Duffy
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Home » Book Reviews » Fiction » Self Help, Motivational and Inspirational » You are reading »
Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups The Perfect Way To End The Day…..duffythewriter November 5, 2016 Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups The Perfect Way To End The Day…..2016-11-05T14:44:08+00:00 Book Reviews, Fiction, Self Help, Motivational and Inspirational No Comment Professional Reader
bedtime stories for grown-ups
The very moment I saw the book jacket for Bedtime Stories For Grown-Ups by Ben Holden, I was intrigued. At first, I thought it contained some new adult fairy tales, but it’s actually a well thought out collection of poems, tales, and anecdotes from all over the world, and throughout history. The theme, of course, is sleep and dreams.
This is the ideal book gift for those who might have trouble dropping off to sleep, and who struggle finishing a 500-page novel. It’s designed to be dipped in and out of, where the reader chooses what they are drawn to. You can read some of the tales of The Arabian Nights, or a brilliant short story by BJ Novak called The Rematch, about the time the tortoise and the hare had another crack at the race. The Happy Prince, Diamonds and Pearls, and The Moth and The Star amongst other short stories, lulled me gently to sleep with their eloquent tones and evoked memories of other stories I adored as a child.
Bedtime Stories for Grown-Ups is a real treasure of a book, and one I know I will return to again and again. It will remain permanently on the bedside table. The perfect Christmas stocking filler.
follow me @duffythewriter
April 21, 2020
I brought this because it was a beautiful hardcover that was half price.
My favourite stories are:
The Moth and the Star
The Tale of King Yunan and the Sage Duban
The mouse, the Bird and the Sausage
She Frequented Cementaries
Dual Balls
The Message
My favourite Poetry was:
An Irishman Forsees his Death
My favourite stories are:
The Moth and the Star
The Tale of King Yunan and the Sage Duban
The mouse, the Bird and the Sausage
She Frequented Cementaries
Dual Balls
The Message
My favourite Poetry was:
An Irishman Forsees his Death
March 10, 2017
A quirky book containing something for everyone. It is a little bitty and disjointed and the short stories are of varying range and quality. Nevertheless it was an easy and overall a worthwhile read.
February 24, 2018
I've always had trouble sleeping ever since i can remember so i picked this out of curiosity and it does seem to make falling asleep slightly easier an enjoyable collection of short stories even if its a bit disjointed at times.
January 18, 2020
Being advised you can open a page anywhere in the book and continue your reading is clever dont you think?. A fariy tale for adults or YA who conspire to shape your thoughts to something outrageous sublime. A bit quick sand for my brain powers to locate a vilian I thought.
August 8, 2018
Since there is so many short stories it's hard to get with the flow of the story. Also it sometimes feels like it's trying to advertise authors, which I didn't think that was what the book was about.
September 19, 2018
Loved this so much! Will most definitely read it again; it’s just one of those books.
A bundle of short stories so you can read one before sleep.
A bundle of short stories so you can read one before sleep.
August 22, 2023
Disjointed bunch of short stories
September 30, 2018
The only problem I have with this book is it’s introduction to so many authors I now want to read. That list is large enough.
Thank you, also, for the journey of story selection. The sleep cycle effect is very effective.
Thank you, also, for the journey of story selection. The sleep cycle effect is very effective.
gave-up
August 6, 2020Why I Gave Up
Original review, before I started actually writing useful notes about books I bailed on: Just a reminder to myself here that I attempted to read this book and gave up.
How Far I Got
I have no idea. I really don't remember a single thing about this book other than that I borrowed it from a branch of the Hennepin County Library I'd never visited before, and it was the first book they had that was on my "to read" list.
Worth Trying Again?
Apparently not.
Original review, before I started actually writing useful notes about books I bailed on: Just a reminder to myself here that I attempted to read this book and gave up.
How Far I Got
I have no idea. I really don't remember a single thing about this book other than that I borrowed it from a branch of the Hennepin County Library I'd never visited before, and it was the first book they had that was on my "to read" list.
Worth Trying Again?
Apparently not.
January 17, 2017
There were many interesting inclusions-- different types of stories and poems. I enjoyed the introductions to each; they were often helpful to understanding the story/poem. Naturally, since the book is an anthology, there were stories/ poems I did not care for. Nor did I much like the author's ruminations on sleep and supposedly scientific aspects of sleep.
November 18, 2016
I haven't really finished it yet, because it's a book to dip into not to read all the way through, see https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/11/18/b...
kind-of-read
April 9, 2017I read this in dribs and drabs, and definitely didn't read the entire thing, but I enjoyed the bits that I read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews