Need Help Choosing an Audiobook for Long Trip - Vanity

self | 03/27/09 | self

[Yaelle]

We are going on a long car trip, with kids in the back. There will be a long stretch of desert without much radio. We adults would like to listen to something interesting on the trip.

We have already purchased the audio to Mark Levin's Liberty and Tyranny for the way there.

On the way back, we'd love a mystery or something really gripping. Here is where you come in.

Those of you who listen to audiobooks, or read mysteries, can you think of one that you loved, not too feminine please, got to please the guys, that does NOT have overt sex in it? The kids may or may not be listening at any point in time. (They have videos to watch and music players but you never know what they will be doing or whether they might be listening.)

[Yaelle]

Thanks a bunch for some tips on something really fun to follow that is without sex scenes!

[Caipirabob]

Frank Herbert’s Dune series is fun for LONG trips. Also, we enjoy listening to Michael Crichton when we can find one of his books on CD. Tom Clancey is excellent as well.

[1rudeboy]

I'm not a user of audiobooks, but I would imagine the first few books of Asimov's Foundation series would be excellent for a long trip. (And it's sorta' kinda' a mystery).

[Yaelle]

Crichton and Clancy — do they have sex scenes in their books? We do want something in that genre. Dune is more science fiction, no?

I can read a million reviews on Amazon, but the reviewers are not going to mention scenes that are in there, and I’ve read enough mysteries to know that there can be stupid things about how the detective finds himself “reacting” to the lovely blonde witness, in detail, etc...

[PilotDave]

Just finished 1776 on cd. Great.

[bboop]

We have loved Michael Medved’s series on American History. They are fascinating talks, full of information, great delivery. I think his site is Tree Farm or something.

[Yaelle]

Thanks! You are right that Asimov is decent but not gripping enough for me, the chick. LOL.

[MeanWestTexan]

I have really enjoyed several of Stephen King’s short story collections on tape.

The short stories are easier to follow, and keep my interest better, while being distracted by driving.

[Dr. Sivana]

A number of Rex Stout Nero Wolfe stories are available. Some Buried Caesar is excellent. The Doorbell Rang and Too Many Cooks Are also good

Any of the Jeeves audiobooks from PG Wodehouse are suitable for the whole family..

[Lucky9teen]

I say anything from Dean Koontz or Stephen King for the "mystery" or "gripping" perspective.

Also, anything by Frank Peretti...

Set in the apparently innocent small town of Ashton, This Present Darkness follows an intrepid born-again Christian preacher and newspaper reporter as they unearth a New Age plot to take over the local community and eventually the entire world. Nearly every page of the book describes sulfur-breathing, black-winged, slobbering demons battling with tall, handsome, angelic warriors on a level of reality that is just beyond the senses. However, Christian believers and New Age demon-worshippers are able to influence unseen clashes between good and evil by the power of prayer. Peretti's violent descriptions of exorcisms are especially vivid: "There were fifteen [demons], packed into Carmen's body like crawling, superimposed maggots, boiling, writhing, a tangle of hideous arms, legs, talons, and heads." This book is not for the squeamish. But for page-turning spiritual suspense, it's hard to beat.

[Yaelle]

1776 is an excellent book! I have it too.

We are in the market for something like an audio version of 24, that kind of thing. We will be dedicating half the trip to patriotism through Mark Levin as it stands. (Though I see that he is not the reader — shucks!)

[Queen of Excelsior]

Vince Flynn writes great political thrillers. Don’t know if he’s got audio books but worth checking into.

[Yaelle]

Aaaa! Stephen King would scare me right off the road!! I am a sissy! LOL.

[Yaelle]

Thanks — these are the kind of tips I wanted to follow up on — looking them up — thanks!

[Frogtacos]

Don't know if he has anything current but Dave Barry is quite humorous.

[Yaelle]

Oooh, political thrillers! We love that!

(But politicians are always getting entangled in sex - hopefully no boy-brothel-in-basement scenes??)

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Anything by LeCarre before he went off the deep end, which was about 10 years ago LOL.

[Yaelle]

Hmm, Dave Berry — funny is good too...

[MudPuppy]

the Screwtape letters by CS Lewis

:)

[a fool in paradise]

You can also find old time radio shows (public domain)

www.archive.org/details/oldtimeradio

Dimension X and Suspense both have some interesting programs with established actors.

Oddly enough, I heard a “modern” (post 1970s, not sure how much more recent, e.g. post 2000?) radio drama with Stacy Keach.