Hittin' the Road? These 89 Audiobooks Are Here to Keep You Company

"I was never a fan of Jessica Simpson's and knew very little about her before picking up Open Book. But after listening to it, the story really feels like a conversation with a good friend."

— Anamika R.

In Tom O'Neill's Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties, the journalist discusses his 20-year fascination with the Charles Mason murders and the shocking revelations he uncovered along the way.

Hear the story of one of the most beloved American actresses, Sally Field, in In Pieces. The actress narrates the audiobook herself, and she gets intimate about her challenging childhood, her craft, and where she's at today.

In Travels With Charley: In Search of America, Gary Sinise does a wonderful job of telling John Steinbeck's story about his travels across America. From small towns to large cities, Steinbeck's discoveries about people, nature, and the open road will inspire you.

"Call Me by Your Name is such a beautiful book, and it's short enough to finish in one weekend trip."

— Sara T.

The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard is a touching story about Leonard's trip across the country. Full of ups, downs, hope, persistence, and valuable lessons, you'll find this book to be a heartfelt listen.

Have you ever wondered about the life of actress, producer, writer, playwright, and comedian Tina Fey? Well, now you can get the full scoop on her life in Bossypants, a hilarious autobiography.

"The audiobook has a full cast that really pulls you into the story. The first time I listened to it, I actually thought that Daisy Jones and The Six must have been a real band because the story felt so real."

— Kristen M.

"I completely forgot that Daisy Jones and The Six was a fictional book and not a real story. The cast of characters with different narrators portraying them made it feel so real. One of my favorite audiobooks of all time."

— Sherry M.

A science-fiction novel by Andy Weir, The Martian tells the story of a man named Mark Watney and his experience as the first person to walk on Mars, and quite possibly the last.

"Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is one of my all-time favorites and most-recommended audiobooks! It's the story of his growing up as a mixed-race child in apartheid South Africa. He reads the book and it's just fantastic. I love how he narrates his mother's parts. Yes, he pokes a little fun but his love for her really shines through. It's not a political book at all (if that may be stopping you). It's completely lovely and something that can be enjoyed by both men and women."

— Jill R.

"Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is the best narration I've listened to in ages. I laughed so hysterically on a walk that people were giving me the strangest looks, but I could not stop chuckling."

— Chrissi L.

"Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is my number one audiobook recommendation always and forever. His story is fascinating, sad, hilarious . . . just captivating. And listening to HIM narrate it is priceless."

— Kayla A.

"Trevor Noah narrates Born a Crime himself. It's absolutely hilarious but also informative if you don't know a lot about South Africa."

— Ashleigh A.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is about a local murder case that doesn't add up, and a girl who'll stop at nothing to find the killer. If you love a good murder mystery, you'll enjoy all the twists and turns this story throws at you.

An American Marriage, Tayari Jones's fourth novel, was an Oprah's Book Club 2018 selection. The story is about a middle-class African-American couple, Roy and Celestial, whose lives are torn apart when Roy gets convicted of a crime he did not commit.

Tara Westover tells her unforgettable story in Educated, a memoir about her struggle to get an education despite her Mormon survivalist upbringing.

In Phaedra Patrick's The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, you'll find yourself smiling from cheek to cheek. The story is about a widower who embarks on a life-changing adventure to discover more about his wife's secret past. Along his journey, he finds hope, healing, and self-discovery in places he could have never imagined.

If you need a good laugh, Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks on Gardam Street — a sequel to The Penderwicks — is it. As their father begins dating, his two daughters prepare a plan that's laugh-out-loud funny.

"If you're a true-crime podcast lover, I recommend the audiobook The Sun Down Motel. I just finished it, and it's got paranormal elements, a murder investigation, and great narration! This would be a good one to help pass the time quickly."

— Kayla A.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife, Adriana Trigiani brings us Kiss Carlo, a story of family, secrets, and pursuing your dreams.

"Listening to Amy Poehler read Yes Please feels like you got an invite to join her at the author's dinner table. She spins yarns of SNL tales of yore; drops some serious knowledge on how great it is to be a woman over 40; talks with us about her parents and their pivotal role in her life; and passionately speaks about comedy, improv, and making people laugh. As a strident fan of Parks and Rec, I've always considered Leslie Knope to be my spirit animal, and my love for the show only grew listening to her speak about it."

— Jill C.

Find out how the hip-hop group came to be in the Beastie Boys Book by surviving members Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker follows two mythic beings, a clay-made woman and a man of fire.

Brad Ricca's Mrs. Sherlock Holmes covers the 1917 missing-girl case that launched the career of Grace Humiston, the famous female detective whose talents earned her the moniker of the title.

In The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Starr Carter witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend, Khalil, by a police officer and is confronted with the responsibility and repercussions of speaking up.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine is a story about a girl named Amber Patterson who is tired of blending into the background. One day, when she meets socialist and philanthropist Daphne Parrish, Amber sees the opportunity to get the life she's always dreamed of. But after a secret arises, her new lavish life may fall apart.

Actor Cary Elwes, who played Westley in The Princess Bride, brings us As You Wish, an autobiography that depicts the making of the classic film, including some never-before-told stories.

"Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff has great narration. The story has both real and magical monsters, and the real ones are much worse. Each section involves a different character but they all intertwine. One of my favorites ever."

— Kristie G.

"On my last road trip, my family and I listened to Full Throttle by Joe Hill. We had a lot of long drives through the West Texas desert and the short stories were perfect for these stretches (and the subject matter very atmospheric for the isolated landscape we were in). Each story had a different narrator, giving them all a fresh feel and keeping the listening from getting monotonous. I loved getting to experience so many great narrators in one book; Wil Wheaton and Ashleigh Cummings were particular standouts."

— Abbie F.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah tells the story of two sisters in France who end up in different positions during World War II: one fights with the resistance and the other becomes a prisoner.

Taking place in the wilderness of Alaska in 1984, you won't want to stop for breaks listening to The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. The story follows a family in crisis who are forced to live off the grid. Each chapter is riveting.

Anne Patchett's The Dutch House is a moving story about the bond between two siblings and the grand home their father left them after WWII. Set over the course of five decades, the siblings lose their house to their stepmother, watch their inheritance be put into jeopardy, and are forced to confront the demons of their past.

In Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, he tells of his life, his struggles, his setbacks, and his renewed hope and strength.

"All Boys Aren't Blue is a beautiful and raw memoir read by the author, and is short enough to be completed in one trip."

— Morghan F.

Stephen Chbosky, the author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, brings us Imaginary Friend, a novel about a family starting over. Their son disappears for six days, only to return unharmed, but different.

If We Were Villains, M. L. Rio's debut novel, is a murder mystery surrounding the death of a former actor, Oliver Marks.

"Mark Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve as read by Mandy Patinkin as Adam and Betty Buckley as Eve brings Twain's interpretation of the oldest love story ever told to humorous but touching life. The road trip miles just disappear as you visit the Garden of Eden."

— Theresa R.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is an empowering story that touches upon the scandalous history of old Hollywood, celebrity couples, and more, while diving into the issues of race, sexuality, and what it means to be a woman in the '40s and '50s.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is about an Afro-Latina heroine who feels uncomfortable in her Harlem neighborhood as soon as her body grows curves. Instead of speaking out, she finds it best to write it all down in a leather notebook and discovers slam poetry.

"For science-fiction and adventure fans I recommend the Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. It's almost like an old time radio show with its full cast and sound effects. If it's a long trip you have the full trilogy to look forward to!"

— Tricia C.

"Illuminae: The Illuminae Files, Book 1 is by the the most immersive audiobook trilogy I have ever listened to!"

— Serena B.

Little Women gets a modern-day update in Virginia Kantra's Meg and Jo. The four March sisters have all grown up and moved out, but when their mother becomes ill, journalist-turned-food-blogger Jo and young mom Meg return home to care for her during the holidays.

"First, Wil Wheaton was the perfect narrator for Ready Player One. He did an amazing job. Second, it's fun for all ages so if you're traveling with or without kids, everyone will enjoy it."

— Samantha G.

"Ready Player One! Wil Wheaton really draws you into the world and makes you feel like you are part of the adventure."

— Leah F.

Set in Victorian London, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus tells the story of a magical traveling circus where, behind the scenes, two young magicians keep up the illusions and captivate audiences while locked in a fierce competition neither of them understands. Eventually, the two realize the only way to win the competition is to kill the other, but by that point, they've already fallen in love.

Proving that not all fantasy series are set in medieval-style worlds, Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys finds magic in a world just like our own. Blue Sargent is clairvoyant, and she discovers her gift when she meets one of the Raven Boys, a group of young men who attend a prestigious private school. Soon Blue finds herself entrenched in their circle, where she must face a dark prophecy about her life: she'll cause her true love to die.

"Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan is my favorite. It's a middle grade book, but I loved it as much as my son."

— Shana F.

"The Taking by Dean Koontz has the perfect amount of horror and suspense to keep your imagination busy for hours."

— Marieve E.

"Nevernight by Jay Kristoff is worth a listen. The audio is so immersive and the narration is perfection. The story has everything you could want out of a fantasy book: magic, love, treachery, action, and heart-pounding twists and turns. I have never gasped, cried, or laughed more at my radio more than when I was listening to this series. The only challenge is being forced to pause the book to get gas."

— Grace B.

Artemis, a science-fiction novel by Andy Weir, takes place in the year 2080 in the city of Artemis, the first city to be built on the moon. Jazz, a porter and smuggler, lives there, but she isn't satisfied with her poor life. In a desperate attempt to become rich, Jazz gets caught up in a conspiracy for control of the city and finds herself in a sticky situation.

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig centers upon an epidemic in which a flock of people across America begin sleepwalking to an unknown destination. The epidemic causes mayhem in the world around them, and even gains attention from the US military, which threatens to exterminate them. It's up to the unaffected to figure out the mystery behind it all, especially if their loved ones are a part of it.

If you're interested in plants, The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan will pull you right in. The book showcases four types of human desires that reflect in the way we grow, breed, and engineer our plants.

"Matilda by Roald Dahl, read by Kate Winslet, is the best single narrator book I've ever heard."

— Jen F.

In former First Lady Michelle Obama's dazzling memoir, Becoming, she chronicles her life from a childhood on the South Side of Chicago to becoming one of the most compelling and visible women of her time, noting all of the triumphs and disappointments she faced along the way.

Alex Michaelides's The Silent Patient is a labyrinthine tale of secrets and murder. A woman shoots her husband in the face five times and then refuses to speak, launching her into infamy and catching the attention of a psychotherapist, Theo. Soon, Theo becomes obsessed with making her speak again, but his motives may not be as pure as they initially appear.

"I adored The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. It's narrated by Edward Herrmann of Gilmore Girls fame and he's the perfect narrator. The book is about the 1936 US Olympic men's rowing team. I knew nothing about rowing before reading the book but somehow I came to care about rowing very much. At one point I spontaneously cheered. It's the perfect road trip book."

— Tara N.

A Walk in the Woods is a humorous memoir by Bill Bryson that tells the story of an Iowa-born man who returns to America after 20 years in England to walk the Appalachian Trail.

"Children of Blood and Bone read by Bahni Turpin narrates Tomi Adeyemi's story perfectly!"

— Mackenzie H.

"Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is just beautiful. It makes the hours fly by and puts a shimmery haze on the edges of the world. Plus, you just might learn a thing or two."

— Mellisa H.

Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness uncovers the never-before-told secrets of JVN's life and proves there's much more to him than the crop tops, the stilettos, and what you see on Queer Eye.

"The Unhoneymooners made a great audiobook. A laugh-out-loud rom-com set on a Hawaiian trip is perfect for a road trip!"

— Brittany S.

A wedding goes horribly awry in Lucy Foley's clever The Guest List. The Agatha Christie-style mystery is set on a remote island where a group of wedding guests quickly become murder suspects after a dead body turns up.

The Guardians by Mandy M. Roth is about a badass guardian who is a college student by day and spends her nights fighting to protect society from supernatural evils.

"The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is a wonderful story, fun for all ages, and the full-cast audio recording is phenomenal!"

— JoAnna B.

"The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni was a great listen on my drives to and from work."

— Kristen S.

"The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom is not to be missed. The audiobook has an all-star cast of cameos."

— Rebecca F.

"Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan is entertaining for a road trip and the narrator is amazing and so fun to listen to!"

— Margaret W.

"My Friend Anna by Rachel DeLoache Williams pulls you in and makes you feel like a friend she's telling a story to. The audiobook is completely compelling."

— Leslie C.

"The Idea of You by Robinne Lee will make you want to keep driving for hours."

— Elaine P.

Jenny Lawson toes the line between dark and humorous in her memoir, Furiously Happy. Lawson examines her own experiences with depression and the various other disorders she's come in contact with.

In Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, an old group of money-hungry warriors who were once the best in the land decide to get back together for one last battle.

"Save the Date by Morgan Matson is the most fun you'll have. I laughed through the whole book."

— Angela L.

In Al Capone Does My Shirts, a historical fiction novel by Gennifer Choldenko, Moose's family moves to Alcatraz Island, where his father landed a job as a guard and electrician. But as always, nothing goes according to plan, especially in Alcatraz.

"The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher should not be listened to with children in the car, and may make you pee yourself, but I highly recommend it!"

— Monica W.

Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch tells the story of a young boy who's given a home by a wealthy upper class family after his mother is killed in a bombing.

Catherine Ryan Hyde, the New York Times bestselling author of Pay It Forward, brings us Allie and Bea, a story of losing everything only to rediscover hope . . . no matter your age.

Grady Hendrix's The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, a New York Times bestseller, tells the story of a women's book club that must protect its community from a strange and handsome man who turns out to be more trouble than they thought.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid has made its way into the spotlight due to its focus on race, gender, and social media outrage. The plot is about a Black girl named Emira who gets accused of kidnapping a white toddler that she cares for at a store. Her boss, Alix, is outraged, but Emira explains herself and makes things right. That is, until a video of her at the store goes viral.

The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O'Meara delves into the mysterious life and work of Milicent Patrick, one of Disney's first female animators and the woman who created one of Hollywood's most famous movie monsters: the Gill-Man from Creature From the Black Lagoon.

Spanning decades in the lives of one family, The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett follows Black twin sisters, one who still lives in the small Southern town where they grew up and the other who is passing for white with a white husband who knows nothing about her past. Despite their lives diverging as adults, the twins find that they're still linked no matter how far apart their experiences may appear to be.

After a danger threatens their reality, Tiffany Aching teams up with the Nac Mac Feegles — aka the Wee Free Men — to defend her family. If you're ready for a drive with lots of twists and turns (and we're not talking about the road), Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men is it.

The author, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow, reads the audiobook of Catch and Kill, which focuses on abuse of power, corruption, and serial abuse in Hollywood.

In American Gods, Neil Gaiman sends two men on a road trip across the United States, but no matter where Shadow and Mr. Wednesday go, magic follows. There are gods waging a war for America, and the battle that ensues is strange and bloody, with the rare moment of beauty thrown in for good measure. By mixing mythology and technology together with a good old-fashioned story about two men trekking across the US, American Gods creates an unforgettable journey that you'll want to go on again and again.

Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl tells the story of twin sisters, Cath and Wren, who were once inseparable but outgrew one another as they got older. Now, Cath is on her own at college — but can she do it without Wren by her side?

You may think the ultimate zombie tale is The Walking Dead, but World War Z by Max Brooks is a strong contender. Centered around various characters throughout a zombie apocalypse, the book tells the history of war from all sides of the catastrophe.

If you want a lighthearted and fun listen on your next road trip, Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan is your go-to. The novel is about three superrich Chinese families and the gossip and drama that surrounds them.

An explosion. Two deaths. A high-profile murder trial. It all collides in Angie Kim's Miracle Creek, which sees its characters go to extreme lengths to protect their family and their secrets.

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal is about a Londoner who takes a job at a writing workshop only to find that all the stories the women share are about sex. The story is surprisingly delightful and even touches upon larger themes like female empowerment, societal expectations, and the immigrant experience.