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The Kitchen Table

Audio book recommendation

12 years ago

I'm driving from Boston to southern California in two weeks. I like to listen to audio books to pass the time on long drives. Can anyone recommend any? I don't want anything heavy or overly gut-wrenching and it MUST be engaging to hold my attention so anything addictive would be perfect, lol.

I'm thinking of getting "The Help" and the first "Game of Thrones" though I'm worried that might be a little too heavy for this trip, but it's long and has rave reviews. Also "Room: A Novel" but I haven't purchased any of these yet so I'd love recommendations. To give you an idea of my taste for light reading, I devour the "In Death" series but I've read them all already so I'd love something similar.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (11)

chessey24
12 years ago
Check your local library - we get a ton of books on tapes from there for trips. Getting ones that both of us will enjoy can be a problem -look for authors that you enjoy
Georgysmom
12 years ago
For riding in the car, I like the Nelson DeMille, Harlan Coben, Vince Flynn, Daniel DeSilva type books. Your library is a very good source.
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bee0hio
12 years ago
My favorite audio book is "To Kill a Mockingbird", I would definitely recommend it, if you haven't read it or seen the movie. It is sooo well read.

I also audio-booked "The Help" & recommend it.

I get mine from both the local library & the state library, on-line. And I definitely agree with audio books on long, lonely drives to pass the time & make it enjoyable.

Safe drive & enjoy the trip!
Chi
Original Author
12 years ago
Unfortunately this is a one-way trip so I can't use the library. I like to use Cracker Barrel's audio book service but it's a gamble to see if any of the books will be appealing. I figure it's better to spend a little money to get something I know I'll like since it's such a long drive.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I appreciate it.
susan_on
12 years ago
I just started The Help yesterday. I am thoroughly enjoying it, and it helps me pass the time doing garden and household chores.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
12 years ago
why not try some of the free audio online sites and download your own, that way you can have as many as you like.

87 Places For Free Audio Books Online

you might check out this one with the Venus De Milo murders series. There are many others there too.
The Venus de Milo Murders

storiesnow is cool in that it carries a lot of the old time radio dramas on audio.
Storiesnow.com
alisande
12 years ago
I haven't read any of the "In Death" books, but I listened to four of them and was quite addicted. Too bad you've read them all. :-)

You might enjoy other mystery/suspense audio books. I liked anything by Robert B. Parker, especially the Spenser series narrated by Joe Montegna. Lots of dialogue, and funny banter between Spenser and Hawk. Jeffrey Deaver's books are quite different from Parker's, but quite engrossing and well done in audio form.

Whatever you get, be sure to get UNabridged versions!
bee0hio
12 years ago
From the library I download them to my computer, then transfer them to my iPod. Could you do anything like that?
socks
12 years ago
My girlfriend listened to The Help and said it was wonderful because you got the southern accents and local language. Have a good safe trip. You are moving to So. CA? Or just visiting?

Just thinking, you will probably need more than one book. I've enjoyed the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series on tape, the reader being Lisette Lecat who in my opinion does a wonderful job.
anne_ct
12 years ago
I'll second anything by Daniel Silva. If you can find his latest Portrait of a Spy anywhere...it's terrific!
donna_loomis
12 years ago
I LOVED Room! And I listened to the audio, didn't read the book. The narration was done by about 3 different people. A grown woman narrated for the little boy, but I thought she did a terrific job.

If you are looking for something similar to the "In Death" series, how about Laurell K. Hamilton's "Anita Blake Vampire Hunter" series? Similar, but different, LOL.

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