The Best Audiobooks to Listen to While Stuck in Holiday Traffic

Summer vacation is coming to an end. (Sigh.) You’re likely hoping to squeeze one last hoorah in before returning to school or work after the long weekend, which may mean a bit a travel as you set off on one last adventure. What happens if you encounter a bit of traffic along the way? Try audiobooks.

There are few better ways to be productive while on a long drive. Audiobooks are perfect for entertaining yourself, your friends, and your family, and the best news is: car companies are starting to catch on. More and more cars are catering to audiobook lovers, with built-in apps and connections to Wi-Fi so you can easily switch to a new read if the one you’re listening to just isn’t cutting it. On a recent road trip, Read it Forward’s editor Abbe and I headed north from Brooklyn in a loaned 2016 Buick Regal GS, which has both of the aforementioned features, as well as a signature “library-quiet interior” that tuned out the sounds of the highway and allowed us to get fully absorbed in the narrator’s voice. And though we hit traffic (miles and miles of red taillights ahead of us), being immersed in a great audiobook made the crawling traffic bearable.

If you’re heading somewhere this weekend, check out this list of great audiobooks to listen to on your trip. Happy listening!

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (Run Time: 12 hours, 30 minutes)

It’s a rare feat for a writer to produce a bildungsroman that’s brimming with confidence; yet, that is exactly what Stephanie Danler’s captivating debut novel accomplishes. Sweetbitter follows Tess as she enters and experiences New York City while developing a taste for oysters, champagne, and other (admittingly, more interesting) appetites. And it is a treat to hear. Alex McKenna’s narration exudes both the lonely confidence and self-deprecation of our heroine and commands the listener’s attention. This audio will leave you craving more.

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari (Run Time: 6 hours)

Get ready for some laughs with the audiobook of Modern Romance. Read by Aziz Ansari himself, this feels like a 6-hour comedy sketch on relationships in the age of Tinder and Facebook. Who could “swipe left” to that? This hilarious look at what technology does to help foster relationships, and hinder real intimacy, is thought-provoking and wildly entertaining. True to form, Ansari’s narration will make you cry from laughter, as you also rethink your next text to BAE.

The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis (Run Time: 10 hours)

For a different kind of climbing-to-the-top story, tune into Fiona Davis’s The Dollhouse. The Barbizon Hotel for Women, which once served as a residence for Grace Kelly and Liza Minnelli, was known for its opportunities (and secrets), when it was a boarding-house and refuge for career-driven women in New York City during the 1950s. Tavia Gilbert’s delightful narration brings all of the story’s unique characters to life.

And I Darken by Kiersten White (Run Time: 13 hours, 30 minutes)

If you’re looking for something to tide you over until the return of Games of Thrones, the royal family in And I Darken cannot be missed. Set in the Ottoman Empire, with a fierce female protagonist, Kiersten White’s debut novel will have you hitting the replay button. In a time when political unrest is everywhere, Princess Lada must use her ruthlessness to her advantage. Read by Fiona Hardingham, this audiobook is the first in what is sure to be a hit series.

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein (Run Time: 7 hours)

Progressing into a different kind of feminism, discover Carrie Brownstein’s memoir, Hunger Makes Me Modern Girl. Read by the music icon herself, this is a deeply personal account of the ups and downs of her career. With immense courage, Brownstein bares all and offers us insight into the life of a Sleater-Kinney band member. The audio is heartfelt and gripping in its candid nature. The bonus for audio listeners is some original music from the author and an additional interview with Carrie.

This article originally appeared on ReadItForward.com. Read the full list of recommendations there. 

Photo Credit: John F. Martin for Buick