Dh and I are taking a 9 day trip which will include about 5 days driving through New England to, hopefully, see fall folliage. Dh enjoys road trips much more than I but I’m helped tremendously by listening to a good book. Can anyone recommend books that both you and your spouse enjoyed? I’m really just interested in being engaged and entertained; it’s not the time I’m looking for a non-fiction book or, honestly, expanding my knowledge on a subject. We’ve done this once before and had good luck with the mystery author Harlan Coben and will go back to him if I can’t come up with anything else.
And I believe I asked for audio book suggestions about a year ago before our last road trip (could be where Harlan Coben was suggested!) but just spent 15 minutes trying to find the thread without success so my apologies for a potential repeat of a question.
Both my H and I enjoy the Harry Bosch LA detective books by Michael Connelly. Also books by Daniel Silva that feature an Israeli spy posing as an art restorer in Europe, his earlier books are better than later ones imo. Just read a book by William Kent Krueger that features detective Cork O’Connor, we both like those and there are quite a few by him. Nonfiction but great story, The Boys in the Boat about the 1936 American Olympic rowing team.
DH listened to his very first audiobook on a road trip with me this summer – American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road. Interesting story and inspired lively discussions after we were done. Played it at 1.25 to get it done on our trip and that speed seemed good.
And I have enjoyed many of Neil Gaiman’s books, such as American Gods, the graveyard book, ocean at the end of the lane, …He reads all his books and his voice is superb.
When reading for pleasure, dh is inclined towards mystery, spy, thriller, etc. I like family sagas, historical fiction, etc. The Michael Connelly books sounded familiar and asked dh–he’s read almost all of them but is now searching for the one he hasn’t. I’ve read Boys in the Boat and dh may have too. Will check out the others. Thanks for the suggestions thus far.
I’m only partway through it but if you liked The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood has a new book out in the same universe called The Testaments. There are different readers (including Atwood) which makes it interesting.
Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs novels have a nice historical mystery to them.
I listen to a lot of audiobooks. Born A Crime by Trevor Noah was one of my favorites. I didn’t even know who Trevor Noah was when I listened to the book but still enjoyed it! It seems to have wide appeal.
I’m in a FB group for book recommendations. Born A Crime seems to be one of the most recommended audiobooks whenever someone asks specifically about audiobooks.
Whatever you do, listen to a sample first. The narration can make or break the enjoyment of a book for me. For example, I found Hillbilly Elegy to be one of those where Vance’s monotone voice made the book drag on-they never should have chosen the author to narrate his own book in that instance!
We listen to Harry Bosch books also when on a road trip. We alternate Michael Connelly with David Baldacci books. He has several series that we enjoy. Camel Club, John Puller, Will Robie, Amos Decker, King and Maxwell.
I like the David Baldacci books as they have a male and female reader. When I’m driving I like easy to follow books and find Michael Connelly and David Baldacci fit that bill.
I loved the Boys in the Boat (it was mentioned) but I read it, didn’t listen. But a really great book
Thanks everyone. Dh told me that he has 2 books selected, I believe from this list, so we’re set for now but, if we don’t like them, I’ll come back here to check out more of the recommendations.
And I read Born A Crime awhile back – great book! Also read Hillbilly Elegy and dh really enjoys both Connelly and Baldacci so, aside from the one Connelly he skipped, he’s got those covered. Again, thanks everyone!
“A Man for All Markets” - Edward O. Thorpe
Mr. Thorpe is like a brilliant Forrest Gump. What a fantastic stumble through life. His voice is so curious it was infectious to listen to. I had to listen to this audiobook twice. It was that good.