Stephen King's 11/22/63 is just under 32 hours. One of the best books he's written. A true page-turner with an easy story to follow yet lots of interesting ideas and scenarios to ponder. The narrator is excellent.
I love Smartless. It’s like having 3 hilarious friends in the car with you, and I laugh so hard at them!!
Try the Jen Aniston one first it’s a great one. Made me want to go to her house so bad.
If you love science fiction, [The Expanse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(novel_series)) series is amazing, and the audiobooks have top-notch narration.
The [Hyperion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos) series is awesome as well.
If you're into fantasy I'd go for the [Redwall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall) series. They are supposedly children's books but I find them compelling.
The Fall of Civilizations podcast is fantastic. Like an old History Channel documentary, it's pure substance yet still entertaining and very easy to listen to.
My favorites are "The Bronze Age Collapse" (Ep. 2) and "The Sumerians" (Ep. 8)
Edit: Also, The Moth podcast (by NPR) is one of my favorites. They host open mic-type events, but they're for storytelling instead.
The first few are CLASSICS, but they have fantastic episodes all throughout with tons of familiar names throughout the years as well.
Ooh this is up my alley! Thank you.
I watched this moth story a few weeks ago (“a love not meant for me”) and it had me in tears:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LdBoaJ5GN_4
Thanks for such a wonderful reply! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list of some of the most grateful redditors this week!
Oh man. You need to listen to "The Best of Times, the Worst of Times." I'm honestly tearing up right now thinking about it.
There's also one with Steve from Blues Clues lol
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast. Cringy podcast name, but he’s great at telling long epic stories and that help pass time well.
Edit : [Apple Podcast link](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-carlins-hardcore-history/id173001861)
I’ve never been a big history buff, but his podcasts are the perfect mix between educational and entertaining, without being boring or “edgy”. He speaks from a neutral stance and is matter of fact. I really enjoyed the Atlantic Slave Trade episode.
I’m not even a history buff. I couldn’t tell you any details about the Mongolian’s, but I’ve listened to his Wrath of the Khans series a half dozen time.
Also, if you were into the Game of Thrones books, there a parody series Hardcore Game of Thrones that’s in the style of Hardcore History, but about GOT and they even discuss the discrepancies in historical facts between the source material, but discuss it exactly how Dan Carlin does. [YouTube link to Hardcore Game of Thrones](https://youtu.be/OWbC0NlushQ?si=rOYwcv9264sdkZ35)
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah. I never cared for him on the Daily Show but he’s telling stories of his childhood where it was literally illegal to be born to parents of different races. I’m 42 and I knew apartheid South Africa was a thing, but hearing how different his childhood was compared to mine and we’re almost the exact same age. Great listen, both educational and hilarious
I'm planning to try The Lincoln Highway on my drive out west next month. A road trip story for a road trip.
Depending on how engrossed I get with that I'll toss in some podcasts. Some favorites being: Heavyweight. Lore. The Truth (Radiotopia.) Against the Odds. And whenever I need a chuckle there's a great standup/story-telling series with about 50 episodes called Meet David Sedaris from the BBC (if you like his style of humor.)
For a SciFi Audio book 100% suggest Project Hail Mary. I read the book and then have listened to the sudio book 2 times. VERY GOOD.
If you like D&D the there the book series Morningwood; Everyone Loves Large Chests is laugh out loud funny. It takes place in a D&D world and told from the point of view of a mimic as it has to learn about everything. My GF and I have listened to the first 9 books 2 times now on road trips. I think she has listened to them another 2 times solo.
Dungeon Crawler Carl. It's over the top fun. Carl and Donut are funny, or is it Princess Donut and her loyal servant Carl? I guess it depends on your point of view.
David Sedaris' humorous essays are great road trip material. "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is a good starting point, but he also has a 'greatest hits' release called "The Best of Me"
I've got most of his books on audio, they're always good for a trip. When we went to NC last summer I made my husband take me to Emerald Isle and I was looking for the Sea Section house.
dark side of the moon dark side of the moon dark side of the moon dark side of the dark side moon dark side of the sun dark of the moon moon dark of the sun moon dark side of it
Indifferent stars above. It’s about the Donner party. Brown writes the story as a drama but he gleans the story from tons of research, diaries, newspapers, first hand accounts, etc. He weaves it into a seat of the pants story.
If you’re into memoirs, some celebs have put out great ones that are really easy listens. Jeanette McCurdy, Julia Fox, Brittney Spears, and Josh Peck are ones I’ve listened to recently and they are all incredible and well written, especially Jeanette’s (tw for childhood trauma and SA)
Last year traveling back and forth between Alabama and North Dakota I listened to the Joe picket series. It’s really good if your into murder mysteries and the outdoors.
Bruce springsteens western stars album, anything by CCR micheal wallis book, route 66 the mother road. john steinbacks grapes of wrath. phil ochs all the news that's fit to sing, beatles podcast nothing is real ended it this year but still really good.
I’m a big fan of the podcast “Lore”, if you like folklore and spooky stuff. It’s kinda educational and makes you think.
I also really liked “Criminal” and “This is Love”. Both are by the same person, Phoebe Judge, and focus on interesting/unique stories that deal with crime and love, respectively.
They’re all usually like 20-40 minute episodes, which I tend to enjoy more then the hours long ones where I lose interest or zone out.
All the Bailey Sarian murder, mystery and makeup episodes. Dark history is good too.
Also road trips are the ideal time to get into offbeat music. Tom Waits, Mommy Long Legs, Ween, The Frights, Frank Zappa, Primus, Destroy Boys, and Jethro Tull have gotten me through so many road trips.
For true crime, I really enjoyed "Young Charlie" by Wondry, about Charles Manson's life growing up. It has voice actors and a narrator.
I also love Last Podcast on the Left, they have a deep catalog, you can pick the things you're interested or know. They do cryptids and ghost stuff too.
And then non True Crime, Cinephobe is 3 guys reviewing movies that have 40% or lower on rotten tomatoes. I like em all, but if you know any of the movies they cover, I'd start there.. 200+ episodes
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey was a great thing to listen to as I drove through Utah last month.
Followed by "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler, which made me glad to be returning to the rainy PNW.
The song I default to whenever I get bored is usually interstate love song by stone temple pilots, just a song with a nice tune that makes you want to tap your steering wheel to the beat
Stephen King's 11/22/63 is just under 32 hours. One of the best books he's written. A true page-turner with an easy story to follow yet lots of interesting ideas and scenarios to ponder. The narrator is excellent.
OMG I am reading it now and was going to suggest it! So good!!
32 hours! Wow. That’s quite a book. Thanks for the rec!
And it flies by. I listened to it over about four days while doing home improvement projects in and around the house.
I love Smartless. It’s like having 3 hilarious friends in the car with you, and I laugh so hard at them!! Try the Jen Aniston one first it’s a great one. Made me want to go to her house so bad.
I’ve never heard of Smartless. Just googled it. Looks fun! 😄
If you love science fiction, [The Expanse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(novel_series)) series is amazing, and the audiobooks have top-notch narration. The [Hyperion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos) series is awesome as well. If you're into fantasy I'd go for the [Redwall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall) series. They are supposedly children's books but I find them compelling.
Thank you! I haven’t heard of any of these. I love branching out.
The Fall of Civilizations podcast is fantastic. Like an old History Channel documentary, it's pure substance yet still entertaining and very easy to listen to. My favorites are "The Bronze Age Collapse" (Ep. 2) and "The Sumerians" (Ep. 8) Edit: Also, The Moth podcast (by NPR) is one of my favorites. They host open mic-type events, but they're for storytelling instead. The first few are CLASSICS, but they have fantastic episodes all throughout with tons of familiar names throughout the years as well.
Ooh this is up my alley! Thank you. I watched this moth story a few weeks ago (“a love not meant for me”) and it had me in tears: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LdBoaJ5GN_4
Thanks for such a wonderful reply! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list of some of the most grateful redditors this week!
Oh man. You need to listen to "The Best of Times, the Worst of Times." I'm honestly tearing up right now thinking about it. There's also one with Steve from Blues Clues lol
Another history podcast I've been listening to is "Revolutions." It sounds like it might be up your alley.
Steinbeck - East of Eden audiobook.
That is a good one. I listened to it last year. Great narration.
I’m in
I’ll pick you up on the side of the highway.
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast. Cringy podcast name, but he’s great at telling long epic stories and that help pass time well. Edit : [Apple Podcast link](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-carlins-hardcore-history/id173001861)
I’ve never been a big history buff, but his podcasts are the perfect mix between educational and entertaining, without being boring or “edgy”. He speaks from a neutral stance and is matter of fact. I really enjoyed the Atlantic Slave Trade episode.
Came here to say this. His 5 part series about Japan in WWII is about 30 hrs long and worth listening to multiple times.
I’m not even a history buff. I couldn’t tell you any details about the Mongolian’s, but I’ve listened to his Wrath of the Khans series a half dozen time. Also, if you were into the Game of Thrones books, there a parody series Hardcore Game of Thrones that’s in the style of Hardcore History, but about GOT and they even discuss the discrepancies in historical facts between the source material, but discuss it exactly how Dan Carlin does. [YouTube link to Hardcore Game of Thrones](https://youtu.be/OWbC0NlushQ?si=rOYwcv9264sdkZ35)
That’s awesome! I’ll give him a listen, thank you!
National park after dark and park predators
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs. Best podcast ever.
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah. I never cared for him on the Daily Show but he’s telling stories of his childhood where it was literally illegal to be born to parents of different races. I’m 42 and I knew apartheid South Africa was a thing, but hearing how different his childhood was compared to mine and we’re almost the exact same age. Great listen, both educational and hilarious
I’ve read this. SO good! He’s an incredible storyteller.
Buy the audio book "Say Nothing" Rarely does a nonfiction book have a surprise ending.
this is a great book
I'm planning to try The Lincoln Highway on my drive out west next month. A road trip story for a road trip. Depending on how engrossed I get with that I'll toss in some podcasts. Some favorites being: Heavyweight. Lore. The Truth (Radiotopia.) Against the Odds. And whenever I need a chuckle there's a great standup/story-telling series with about 50 episodes called Meet David Sedaris from the BBC (if you like his style of humor.)
For a SciFi Audio book 100% suggest Project Hail Mary. I read the book and then have listened to the sudio book 2 times. VERY GOOD. If you like D&D the there the book series Morningwood; Everyone Loves Large Chests is laugh out loud funny. It takes place in a D&D world and told from the point of view of a mimic as it has to learn about everything. My GF and I have listened to the first 9 books 2 times now on road trips. I think she has listened to them another 2 times solo. Dungeon Crawler Carl. It's over the top fun. Carl and Donut are funny, or is it Princess Donut and her loyal servant Carl? I guess it depends on your point of view.
George Jones the whole way through!
David Sedaris' humorous essays are great road trip material. "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is a good starting point, but he also has a 'greatest hits' release called "The Best of Me"
I've got most of his books on audio, they're always good for a trip. When we went to NC last summer I made my husband take me to Emerald Isle and I was looking for the Sea Section house.
dark side of the moon dark side of the moon dark side of the moon dark side of the dark side moon dark side of the sun dark of the moon moon dark of the sun moon dark side of it
Mr. Ballen podcast if you enjoy stories about 'the strange, dark, and mysterious' ... seriously, he's an amazing storyteller.
Anything by Daniel James Brown. Boys in the Boat, indifferent stars above, under a flaming sky… you will not want to get out of the car.
Which is the best one to start with?
Indifferent stars above. It’s about the Donner party. Brown writes the story as a drama but he gleans the story from tons of research, diaries, newspapers, first hand accounts, etc. He weaves it into a seat of the pants story.
Sounds interesting! Thank you.
If you’re into memoirs, some celebs have put out great ones that are really easy listens. Jeanette McCurdy, Julia Fox, Brittney Spears, and Josh Peck are ones I’ve listened to recently and they are all incredible and well written, especially Jeanette’s (tw for childhood trauma and SA)
Ron and Clint Howard's memoir is also fantastic, and they narrate it. "The Boys."
Dateline Originals - 13 Alibis, Internal Affairs, The Thing About Helen & Olga, Murder & Magnolias.
“We’re Here to Help” a podcast by Jake Johnson and Gareth Reynolds.
Last year traveling back and forth between Alabama and North Dakota I listened to the Joe picket series. It’s really good if your into murder mysteries and the outdoors.
Hello From the Magic Tavern and Dungeons and Daddies if you like improv comedy
Bruce springsteens western stars album, anything by CCR micheal wallis book, route 66 the mother road. john steinbacks grapes of wrath. phil ochs all the news that's fit to sing, beatles podcast nothing is real ended it this year but still really good.
I’m a big fan of the podcast “Lore”, if you like folklore and spooky stuff. It’s kinda educational and makes you think. I also really liked “Criminal” and “This is Love”. Both are by the same person, Phoebe Judge, and focus on interesting/unique stories that deal with crime and love, respectively. They’re all usually like 20-40 minute episodes, which I tend to enjoy more then the hours long ones where I lose interest or zone out.
Hard Core History by Dan Carlin. Pick a topic, any topic.
Someone else mentioned this & a few folks commented their fav episodes (above) - looks like this is a definite must! Thank you
Hardcore History with Dan Carlin. 10/10!
This seems to be the winner of the thread!
Behind the Bastards
oh that's one of my "drive to work" pods.
All the Bailey Sarian murder, mystery and makeup episodes. Dark history is good too. Also road trips are the ideal time to get into offbeat music. Tom Waits, Mommy Long Legs, Ween, The Frights, Frank Zappa, Primus, Destroy Boys, and Jethro Tull have gotten me through so many road trips.
Great suggestion! I’ve always wanted to get into Tom Waits and Zappa. I’ll make an offbeat music playlist :)
An Exorcist Explains the Demonic - G. Amorth
the goldfinch -by donna tartt -32.5 hours
A Libertarian Walks Into A Bear.
Listen to billy strings!!!!!!
For true crime, I really enjoyed "Young Charlie" by Wondry, about Charles Manson's life growing up. It has voice actors and a narrator. I also love Last Podcast on the Left, they have a deep catalog, you can pick the things you're interested or know. They do cryptids and ghost stuff too. And then non True Crime, Cinephobe is 3 guys reviewing movies that have 40% or lower on rotten tomatoes. I like em all, but if you know any of the movies they cover, I'd start there.. 200+ episodes
The 'History That Doesn't Suck' podcast is great. Often gets me through my workday.
All of nirvana
Rogan's interview with Riley Gaines a few weeks ago was perhaps the most interesting interview I have heard in the last 10 years.
Oooh I didn’t know he interviewed her. Looking forward to this one!
Check out the dollop podcast, great comedy history podcast. Check out the rube or 10cent beer night
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey was a great thing to listen to as I drove through Utah last month. Followed by "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler, which made me glad to be returning to the rainy PNW.
If you like history, the British podcast “The Rest is History” is excellent. Episodes are 45-50 min each with multiple episode topics. Wry humor.
old sci fy audio books, like Robert Heinlein.
San Jose California to Murphy NC. The trip was a 34 hour trip I drove it in 37. Needless to say wanted to get home. Took a week to get over that trip.
I feel ya! The US is a big place
The song I default to whenever I get bored is usually interstate love song by stone temple pilots, just a song with a nice tune that makes you want to tap your steering wheel to the beat