Discover the Best New Novel Recommended by Librarians for Bedtime Reading
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Adriana ChavezMon, April 6, 2026 at 12:11 AM UTC
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What's the last thing you do before bed? For many of us, it's staring into the blue light of our phones, unfortunately. We say that because it's no secret that using our phones before bed is a maladaptive habit. Yet, despite knowing that, it's a hard one to break. Plus, we need a positive one to replace it with. And that's where bedtime books come in handy.
Yes, the obvious answer is to replace the phone in your hand with a book. And we're not just saying that; sleep experts have found that reading before bed can reduce stress by up to 60%, gently helping you to relax and wind down for the night.
However, if you crave a peaceful night of rest, you probably don't want to dive into a violent thriller or another genre that would spike your cortisol levels and get you too pumped to drift off to sleep. There's also the balancing act of finding a story that's engaging enough to keep you reading, but not so engaging that you'll keep saying "just one more chapter" until 3 a.m.
So, to help us with this quandary, Parade turned to librarians. We interviewed two from different branches of the New York Public Library to share the best books to read before bed, including a brand new book they both recommend.
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How To Get Into the Habit of Reading at Night, According to Librarians
"Reading before bed has proven to be a great way to decompress before you decide to turn the lights out for the night," says Colin Vautrinot, a Supervising Librarian at Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library in Staten Island, NY.
He recommends curating a cozy environment to get into the zone. While many like to sit up with a book in bed, Vautrinot prefers cuddling up on the couch with a cozy blanket, a cold drink and a good read.
But how exactly can you get into the routine? Belinda Farley, a Library Information Assistant at Muhlenberg Library in Manhattan, has the answer: "Incorporate the act within or around a bedtime routine that you’ve already established," she says. "And keep it simple."
She emphasizes keeping the habit manageable: the more you stick to it, the more you'll naturally read each night.
"For instance, if the last thing that you do before you go to bed is brush your teeth, do that, and then commit to reading just five pages, or just one poem, before you turn off your night lamp," she shares.
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The Best Genres To Read Before Going To Sleep
The librarians say these are the best types of books for bedtime:
"Cozy reads"
Short books
Poetry
Meditation books
Self-renewal books
Travel writing
"'Cozy reads' are generally lighter reads that have a happy ending," explains Vautrinot. He also recommends meditation and self-renewal books, which can help you go to bed with a clear mind. As for length, he advises reading shorter books so you don't stay up all night to finish a particularly engrossing read.
"Anything less than 250 pages is ideal," he states.
Speaking of brevity, poetry is an underrated genre to read at night.
"Poetry is a genre in need of more nods toward bedtime reading—pun intended," Farley jokes. "Not that poetry puts you to sleep, but because the best poem will land a line or a phrase with its reader that is so resonant, so unintentionally specific yet communal, that the solace found within its words transcends the cares of the day."
Travel writing can also be mentally transportive, providing "as much solace for the armchair or—in this case—bedtime reader, as an actual journey, itself," she says.
The Best New Novel To Read Before Bed, According to Librarians'The Book Witch' by Meg Shaffer
(Amazon)
Length: 320 pages
There's one new book out this spring that Vautrinot and Farley both love and think deserves the #1 spot on your nightstand: The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer. You can find it on shelves on April 7. "At once a fantasy, a mystery, a romance and a love letter to reading, in general, this story concerns a main character whose job it is to right literary wrongs," Farley tells Parade.
"The story centers around a third-generation book witch who can jump in and out of her favorite stories to quell malicious alterations and rogue characters," Vautrinot explains.
Rainy's coven has forbidden her from seeing the Duke of Chicago, her favorite fictional character. The problem is, she needs his help to track down her grandfather and an invaluable book before it's too late.
Farley calls the novel a "cozy page turner" that will especially appeal to fans of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library. The novel is engaging and approachable, making it an ideal bedtime read even if you don't typically gravitate towards fantasy. "The author's writing is engaging and will stick with you," Vautrinot promises. "[The] fairytale vibes... will settle even the most restless sleeper," Farley says.
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11 Other Great Books To Read Before Bed, According to Librarians
Need more books to read before bed? The New York librarians have you covered with this list of 11 more books ideal for bedtime.
1. 'Upward Bound' By Woody Brown
(Amazon)
Length: 208 pages
Vautrinot gushes about Upward Bound, a new novel that takes place at an adult daycare for persons with disabilities in LA. The clever, humor-filled novel delights and surprises with its interwoven narratives and sophisticated writing.
"You meet a group of staff and members who are full of life and vitality, although you may not see it on the surface," the librarian shares. "Even though this is an incredibly short read, it will engage you, and move you, leaving you wishing that you could meet this fascinating group of individuals."
2. 'Orbital' by Samantha Harvey
(Amazon)
Length: 224 pages
Orbital documents a day in the life of a group of astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. Readers witness a snapshot in the lives of these space travelers who hail from across the globe—a planet they are now viewing from above.
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According to Farley, the novel "lulls and buoys readers in its vision of a wider, connected universal mission," acting as "a guidepost to sweet dreams."
3. 'Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment' by Daniel Coyle
(Amazon)
Length: 208 pages
Written by cultural expert Daniel Coyle, Flourish focuses on groups who have formed profound, meaningful connections, from men trapped together in a Chilean mine to a Dutch soccer team that transformed the sport. Through research and original reporting, Coyle unpacks what differentiates these flourishing groups from others and how you can apply these principles and practices to your own life.
Vautrinot calls the book a "meaningful reflection piece" you can read in one night.
4. 'On The Calculation of Volume (Book 1)' (Series) by Solvej Balle
(Amazon)
Length: 176 pages (Volume I)
This Danish series of novels follows Tara Selter, who finds herself in a Groundhog Day-like scenario when she gets stuck in time on the day of November 18th.
Three out of seven volumes have been published in English thus far, with the fourth coming out on April 14. According to the book description, the first volume "has the effect of a strong tranquilizer," as readers become intoxicated by the novel's construction of time, plot twists and wit. "While reading along with how Tara addresses this conundrum, readers are left pondering their own daily habits and priorities, as they wonder how Tara’s dilemma will be resolved," Farley shares.
5. 'I Always Knew: A Memoir' by Barbara Chase-Riboud
(Amazon)
Length: 480 pages
Barbara Chase-Riboud’s memoir, I Always Knew, epitomizes the comfort of travel writing that makes the genre an excellent choice for bedtime readers.
"In letters written to her mother that chronicle her transcontinental experiences as an African American woman establishing herself as an artist, this is a book that crosses seas to investigate the self and its creative potential," Farley says.
6. 'The Snakes That Ate Florida' by Ian Frazier
(Amazon)
Length: 384 pages
This collection consists of articles across Ian Frazier's 50-year career as a reporter for The New Yorker. The pieces focus on the complexities of modern life, ranging from "the tragic secret life of the manufacturer of maraschino cherries" to stories on the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the book description.
"This compilation lends itself to nighttime reading in its style: read a selection, then call it a night," Vautrinot says.
7. 'Go Gentle' by Maria Semple
(Amazon)
Length: 384 pages Release date: April 14
The premise of this book is as captivating as its pink cover. According to Vautrinot, it follows "an amateur New York City philosopher who lives the single life to the fullest" and "meets a dark and handsome stranger, who unlocks a side of her she never knew she had." The novel is another upcoming release, out April 14, and is written by the New York Times bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette.
"Although this book is engaging, its style will allow you to put it down, but pick it right up after a great night's sleep," Vautrinot says.
8. 'Stay Dead' by Natalie Shapero
(Amazon)
Length: 104 pages
"Poet Natalie Shapero’s latest collection, Stay Dead, is the bedtime read you didn’t know you were craving," Farley states.
But don't worry; it isn't actually about death.
"This book of poems is more of a send-up of creative society in wry, irrelevant poems that are equally humorous and thought-provoking in ways that will make you smile as you drift off to sleep," she describes.
9. 'Change the Recipe: Because You Can't Build a Better World Without Breaking Some Eggs' by José Andrés
(Amazon)
Length: 208 pages
You may recognize the author of this essay collection: famed chef and humanitarian José Andrés. "Although a quick read, this book is rich in content," Vautrinot shares.
"Written in José’s unmistakable voice, Change the Recipe is a collection of his most affecting and powerful life lessons: hard-won wisdom from a man who has dedicated his life to changing the world through the power of food," the book description reads.
10. 'Rest Is Resistance' by Tricia Hersey
(Amazon)
Length: 224 pages
"The thesis of this book is literally its title," says Farley. Grounded in Black liberation, womanism, somatics and Afrofuturism, the book serves as a guide to break away from hustle culture and reclaim rest. While the librarian realizes that this type of book may not seem appealing to read before drifting off, she assures readers: "Do not be dismayed!"
"The pages here proceed like a reader’s ally. Emphasizing the importance of rest, naps, pacing and sleep, Hersey’s manifesto takes the guilt out of taking a break and turning in early, granting the reader 'permission' to rest within a society that often suggests otherwise," she shares.
11. 'More Than Enough' By Anna Quindlen
(Amazon)
Length: 256 pages
You may already be familiar with Anna Quindlen from her wildly successful books like Rise and Shine, Lots of Candles and Plenty of Cake. Vautrinot calls her "a stalwart of the literary world and says that her latest novel, More Than Enough, brings the same talent. "Polly Goodman, a high school English teacher, relishes her book club. So much so that they are her best friends. When they attempt to give her an ancestry test kit as a gag gift, the results leave Polly questioning everything," he describes.
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Sources: -
Colin Vautrinot is a Supervising Librarian at Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library in Staten Island, NY.
Belinda Farley is a Library Information Assistant at Muhlenberg Library in Manhattan.
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Books section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
