While with my girlfriends in Charlottesville last weekend, we were talking about Ann Patchett’s new book, Whistler, which seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue. I’m already loving it but am only 10% in. Inevitably, any conversation about Ann Patchett ends with effusive praise for the audiobook version of The Dutch House, which is narrated by Tom Hanks. The way he reads it is — as you might expect — absolutely perfect. Both comforting and authentic; he just lives in the character’s universe and his inflections are pitch-perfect. It’s hard to imagine anything enhancing a Patchett novel, but his narration does. It adds something to the text. It’s my top rec for an audiobook for a road trip whether you’re alone or with your spouse/significant other. If you’re foodies, Stanley Tucci’s memoir is fantastic car company, too. Light, effervescent, anecdotal. You will arrive at your destination hungry.
I was doing a little research for other audiobooks that might be a good fit for road trips and even air travel this summer, and I wound up picking my way across various Reddit threads on the topic. A couple of compelling titles that came up were Hail Mary by Andy Weir (I did see the movie and loved it; I know many people think the source text is even better) and Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand, which I’d never heard of. It’s the true story of a World War II pilot who was shot down and taken as a prisoner of war. I don’t typically gravitate toward historical non-fiction but there were two really compelling details in the reviews I read on this Reddit thread: “One battle scene was so terrifying I thought I might drive off the road!” and “My wife hates roadtrips, but during Covid I put this on and drove from Southern California to Monterey and we listened to Unbroken. She asked for us to drive the Big Sur drive (3ish hours each way) TWICE just so she could keep listening to this book. I honestly think it’s the best biography every written.” Wow! Stirring reviews, aren’t they? I think both of these reads (generalizing wildly) will likely appeal to both men and women, too.
In turn, I wanted to come to the team: what are the best audiobooks you’ve listened to lately? And if I can be more specific, which would be best-suited to a summer road trip setting? For example, I love to listen to Alcott and Austen when I’m in the dentist’s chair (comfort listens) but might need something a bit more gripping while at the wheel.
Please share!
Post-Scripts.
+I need to update this list at some point, but my favorite audiobooks from years past are here. Candidly, I don’t listen to many audiobooks anymore. I simply can’t find a place for them in my current routines. When I’m looking for a listen, I tend to pull up Julia Louis Dreyfus’ podcast, Wiser Than Me, and that’s about it!
+I shared my top picks for buzzy reads for the summer here. If you’ve already torn through the list, two others that are picking up steam in terms of popularity: It Girl by Allison Pataki (“A sweeping, sensational novel of America’s first “It Girl,” whose dramatic journey to center stage echoes through the decades) and The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes (the first thriller I’ve felt pulled to read in several years).
+What are the best family vacation spots?
Shopping Break.
+Two insanely good new VB arrivals: this embroidered jacket and this gingham sundress. I find the tailoring on their dresses to be NEXT LEVEL good. They just make you look your best!
+The chicest beach chairs are 30% off. Buy now for your end of summer beach trip. Bundle with this amazing wicker cooler situation.
+Magpies are living in these under-$200 pants this summer.
+Favorite seasonal kitchen update: a runner (these stripes are also fantastic; use code JEN15 for 15% off) and new dish towels (<<these are the best; really low-profile so easy to store but very absorbent! Use code JEN for 15% off).
+This set is stunning. (Use code ASHA10).
+Last-minute gift ideas for father’s day: this striped hoodie, a terry polo, or a performance polo he can match with his son! (Landon owns all of these and loves them.)
+Love the boxy fit of this striped tee.
+For beachy summer hair. I also really like their root lift spray if you have fine hair and need a little volume — I use it at the crown of my hair.
+Summer work dress, under $80.
+Cute $25 blockprint pull-on shorts.
+Extremely cool crochet cover up.
+Marketed for teens but a really clever free-standing storage solution for makeup, accessories, etc!
+Obsessed with this shell mirror.
+Great addition to your play room.
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