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Essential audiobooks for your summer road trip
Hit the road armed with these enjoyable audiobooks fit for long or short drives.
Published on May 22, 2023
The Wangs vs. the World
Jade ChangThere are few things more American than road trips, and for the Wangs — Chinese immigrants who made a fortune but then lost everything in the 2008 financial crisis — it might be the thing that keeps their family together and their hopes of reclaiming the American Dream alive. But, as with most road trip novels, hijinks that are not so hilarious in the moment (but definitely are in retrospect) ensue along the way — and will keep you laughing mile after mile.
The Cartographers: A Novel
Peng ShepherdAfter an argument over a map, Nell Young is fired by her father, a cartographic scholar at New York Public Library. Seven years later, Nell’s father is found dead in his office, and Nell has a gut feeling it has something to do with the map. If you enjoyed Peng Shepard’s previous mystery, “Book of M,” you probably won’t be able to put down this thrilling tale filled with memorable characters, twists and turns, and even a little magic.
Death on the Nile: A Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition
Agatha ChristieWhen a rich socialite is found murdered on a luxury cruise ship, who else is there to turn to but Hercule Poirot? The world-renowned Belgian private detective is on the case to catch the killer. Christie’s beloved character has remained a mystery thriller mainstay over a century after his initial introduction.
Sadie: A Novel
Courtney SummersSadie has a stutter, a switchblade, and a will of steel. She’s declared missing after she embarks on a journey to find her sister’s killer, and a radio personality picks up her trail to create a popular podcast called “The Girls.” It’s a heartrending thriller perfect for anyone addicted to the podcast “Serial.”
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
Mary RoachThink packing for a week’s vacation and holding your full bladder for several miles on the drive to the beach is difficult? Try packing for Mars and living for months on a spaceship. Mary Roach investigates how all the human bodily functions (particularly the gross ones) continue to work in space flight. The answers are out of this world, and Roach’s writing is hilarious.
Taste: My Life Through Food
Stanley TucciConsider Tucci’s book an invitation to his dinner table. Pull up a chair as the “Big Night” and “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” star tells the stories behind the food that has shaped his life. In this memoir, he shares how meals connect him to the people he loves, from his Italian family to his British wife to his Hollywood co-stars. You don’t need to drive across Europe to appreciate it, but it’s here for you if you are.
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals
Caitlin DoughtyWhat better way to pass the time on your next trip than to ponder life’s big mysteries? For example, if you die making a funny face, is it stuck that way forever? Or, if you swallow a bag of popcorn kernels before you die and then get cremated, what happens? Doughty’s talent for finding the humor in bleak and morbid topics, combined with her expertise as a funeral director, not only makes for entertaining material but also normalizes discussions of death.
Welcome to Night Vale: A Novel
Joseph FinkWritten and narrated by the creators of the beloved podcast, this eerie and hilarious novel takes the show’s surrealist absurdism to new heights. It’s a fantastically atmospheric listen that’s sure to vanquish road-trip boredom.
America for Beginners: A Novel
Leah FranquiFranqui’s debut novel introduces a complex cast of characters all searching for connection despite their different backgrounds. Her road trip-themed story touches on grief, acceptance, and friendship, as Pival, recently widowed, visits America determined to reunite with her estranged son. She’s joined by Satya, her guide, and Rebecca, an aspiring actress, as they journey from coast to coast.
My Brilliant Life
Ae-ran KimFull of life and curiosity, Areum Han is a voracious reader keen to observe everything around him. Despite living with a terminal disease that guarantees his death at a young age, he’s determined to live life to the fullest and learn as much as possible about his parents’ lives and his quirky neighbor and best friend, Little Grandpa Jang. Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, “My Brilliant Life” is an honest portrayal of the full spectrum of human emotions and explores what it truly means to be alive.
The Fixed Stars
Molly WizenbergA frank and fascinating memoir about sexual orientation, identity, and life’s curveballs. At 36, Wizenberg felt confident she had her life figured out. After being married for 10 years to her longtime partner whom she shared a child and a business with, she was shocked to realize she felt a strong attraction to another woman. This unexpected development kickstarts her journey to remaining true to herself while also being mindful of her family’s well being. Not an easy journey, but certainly a worthy endeavor — one that will help the miles fly by.
Not Necessarily Rocket Science: A Beginner's Guide to Life in the Space Age
Kellie GerardiYour next road trip may not be as exciting as a journey through the stars, but you can still experience the thrill of a space flight with Gerardi, an aerospace professional and bioastronautics researcher. As the commercial spaceflight industry shows no signs of slowing, it’s more important than ever that people of all backgrounds — not just rocket scientists — join the industry to make it accessible to everyone. Gerardi’s passion for space exploration is undeniable and will inspire anyone who has a keen interest in the stars and galaxies far, far away.
Light Years from Home
Mike ChenThe Shao family’s camping trip turned out to be less than ideal. In fact, it was a downright disaster. After Evie and Kass’ father and brother went missing, their father turned up days later rambling about alien abductions and UFOs, but Jakob was never found. The two sisters had wildly different responses to this dramatic shift in their family dynamics which strained an already tense relationship. Things take a turn for the weirder when Jakob shows up, convinced an intergalactic armada is after him. A fun sci-fi novel that puts family drama and relationships at its core — and is hopefully in no way similar to your next camping trip.
Love in English
Maria E. AndreuLove knows no boundaries or borders, but there are plenty of barriers to language when you’re forced to speak in an unfamiliar tongue. After emigrating to New Jersey from Argentina to reunite with her dad, Ana is forced to brush up on the eccentricities of English while enduring the embarrassments of high school. “Love in English” is a fun story that will have you falling for language all over again.
My Brother, My Brother And Me
722 podcast episodes
My Brother, My Brother And Me
722 podcast episodesThe McElroy brothers bring their childlike enthusiasm and free advice to listeners with a podcast that answers life’s big (and small) questions. Going strong with over 600 episodes, the brothers rant, break into song, and drop an impressive number of pop culture references that might make bumper-to-bumper traffic feel more bearable.
Alice Isn't Dead: A Novel
Joseph FinkYou don’t have to be a fan of the podcasts “Welcome to Night Vale” or “Alice Isn’t Dead” to appreciate this reimagining of the latter from the shows’ creator, Joseph Fink. In this horror novel, Keisha becomes a truck driver so she can travel around America searching for her wife, Alice, who was presumed dead but has shown up in news footage of various disasters throughout the country. A spooky read with a deep love for horror and the human spirit at its core.
You're Wrong About
50 podcast episodes
You're Wrong About
50 podcast episodesBeing wrong has never been so fun. Marshall, a journalist who describes herself as “obsessed with the past,” is here to set your memory straight on high-profile people and events that have been publicly maligned or misrepresented. Do a deep-dive on Yoko Ono, Terry Schiavo, and the O.J. Simpson trial to see things with a modern perspective.
One Last Stop
Casey McQuistonA queer time travel rom-com? Yes, please. Especially one by the delightful mind behind the swoon-worthy hit “Red, White & Royal Blue.” Everybody’s gushing about this fun, romantic tale of true love on the subway stuck in a time loop between modern day Brooklyn and the punk rock ’70s. Travel is extra fun while you’re rooting for August and Jane.
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
Anthony BourdainThe late, great Anthony Bourdain continues to bring us his infectious enthusiasm for the wondrous world he left all too soon. There’s no better travel companion: Bourdain bestows his best stories and recommendations culled from a lifetime of exploration in this book. You’ll have a new appreciation for the diners you drive past and maybe even patron on your trip.
Driven: The Race to Create the Autonomous Car
Alex DaviesLooking forward to the future when cars drive themselves? Alex Davies, the transportation editor for Business Insider and previous WIRED writer, provides the fast and furious facts about Google and Uber’s battle to create the first truly autonomous car. As with all great tech insider stories, there are a whole lot of money, hubris, and software snags. Fascinating to listen to, whether you’ve got a Tesla or not.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Phil KnightJust as Nike’s swoosh symbol is one of the most recognizable symbols of excellence around the world, this memoir from the shoe company’s founder, Phil Knight, has quickly become one of the most-lauded, must-read business books of all time. It’s an impeccable ride to take, as Knight spends his time globetrotting, repeatedly visiting Japan on a quest to design and produce the best shoes.
Unpacked by AFAR
57 podcast episodes
Unpacked by AFAR
57 podcast episodesExplore life’s big questions with ethical travel experts while you’re embarking on your own four-wheeled adventure. Episodes range anywhere from 20 minutes to 2+ hours and offer a smorgasbord of topics ranging from how to catch a better night of sleep while on the go to using travel as a tool to cope with grief.
Tokyo Ever After: A Novel
Emiko JeanBilled as “The Princess Diaries” meets “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Tokyo Ever After” follows plain old Japanese American teen Izumi Tanaka as she deals with the discovery that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan. Caught between so many identities proves difficult to navigate, even with the help of a hot bodyguard. A royally fun cross-cultural adventure.
Rocky Road
Anne StuartStuart is known for her dark heroes, determined heroines, and plenty of fast action. “Rocky Road” is a different type of Stuart book: It’s a seven-hour rom-com, though the reserved hero with plenty of secrets is still present. Here, a woman escapes to Maine, where she meets a man recovering from a gunshot wound (the book is funny, we promise). There’s a cross-country chase, a lot of banter, and two people falling reluctantly in love.
Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom
Keith BoykinBoykin has quit unfulfilling jobs and let go of harmful mentalities long before these concepts became part of what's now referred to as the Great Resignation. And he wants you to know that it's okay if you, too, decide to call it quits on what doesn't suit you. This Scribd Original highlights Boykin's journey in moving away from high-profile, lucrative jobs to put his personal freedom first.
The Dutch House: A Novel
Ann PatchettGet swept up in Patchett’s touching story about the beautiful relationship between a brother and sister navigating the disintegration of their family. This novel feels at once like a modern fairytale — there’s even a wicked stepmother — and a Victorian work of familial greed and cruelty of circumstance. Celebrity narrator Tom Hanks enhances Patchett’s signature wit and incisive descriptions, making this the perfect audiobook to escape into.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire SáenzShow up for the intense, unruly passion — stay for Lin Manuel Miranda’s irresistible voice. Sáenz’s stunning novel is a delicate and beautifully written portrayal of first love. Aristotle (Ari) and Dante meet when they are 15. Despite being complete opposites, they strike up an instant friendship. As the story unfolds, Ari and Dante confront the challenges of family, culture, and sexuality. You may not be driving something as cool as Ari’s red pickup truck, but you can certainly imagine you are.
Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America
John WatersLet cult classic filmmaker John Waters hitch a ride with you if you want a lot of laughs. This is a hybrid book: The first half is fictional, where Waters imagines a few really good rides with strangers alongside a series of bad ones; the second half relays his real adventures hitchhiking from Baltimore to San Francisco. “Carsick” is such wild fun it might just even convince you to pick up a hitchhiker.
In Five Years: A Novel
Rebecca SerleNarrated by musical theater star Megan Hilty, this novel details the deep, sustaining bonds of friendship and love when your world turns upside down. Protagonist Dannie Cohan has a perfectly curated answer to the popular interview question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Until one night she has a dream — or is it a vision? — where she’s with a man who isn’t her present fiancé. Serle’s story of destiny, love, and loyalty is being adapted for the silver screen by HBO Max.
Dread Nation
Justina IrelandWhat if the Civil War ended because the undead came to life? That’s the premise of Ireland’s fresh and compelling alternative historical fiction. It’s got twists you won’t expect and clocks in at 11 hours of nonstop action — the perfect listen for a road trip, preferably not near a former Civil War battleground.
My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream
Janine MarshWhether you’re planning a Parisian getaway or have dreams of visiting the French countryside, Marsh’s story of trading in corporate London for a simpler life in northern France is sure to inspire. The six-hour audiobook chronicles her rollercoaster adventure that starts with purchasing a truly dilapidated barn and fixing it up.