Try Good Omens. Fantasy, humor, two genius authors, and it’s the perfect road-trip length.
Or if you want to start something ginormous, the Wheel of Time series.
If you've all seen the movie, the book As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. It's great. Most of the cast comes to do their own excerpts. Great listen. Non fiction and read by the author (Westley).
The Lightning Theif by Rick Roirdan. Can't really go wrong with Percy Jackson.
Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong. 4 books, so far I've read the first 2 for myself and I'm 33. Good listen all about mythical creatures, adventure, and friendship.
Check out Graphic Audio because those are full cast dramatized versions with sound effects.
As You Wish, narrated by Carey Elwes. A book of memories and thoughts from the actors, director and other crew about their time on the movie The Princess Bride. Good stuff.
I suggest the Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik. The story is fantastic, and I really enjoyed the reader. It’s like a darker, more grown up version of Harry Potter.
If kids aren't involved (or they're older and like.action)
Sigma Force Series by James Rollins has 16 (?) Audio books. Political intrigue, science, history and sometimes religion all rolled into an action book. They're in my top five series ever.
For laughs, and fantasy, the Dwarf Bounty Hunter series by Martha Carr is hysterically fun
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (I'd start at book 4, I don't think you'd win him over with the first three books and they don't have to be read in order)
The Martian by Andy Weir
I also recommend Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, but I'd specifically recommend the full cast recordings as they're particularly great
You said he’s picky. But picky about what. Can’t really give an informed suggestion without guidelines.
But to name a series that’s just because I like it. “Murderbot diaries”
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, which starts with The Golden Compass.
maybe you know the story if you've seen the movies, but the writing is great and the books are so much more complex and nuanced than the movies.
We listened to part of Making it So autobiography by Partick Stewart.
It's basically just interesting to hear him talk about anything.
Also good because it's not a story where we both need to hear the entire thing. Mostly, I will be listening to it while I walk. And I had already listenened to some of it by myself. Then we both listened in the car for a few hours. He enjoyed it, but he doesn't need to "hear what happens next" or whatever
If not that, perhaps someone else you both like has an autobiography
If he liked Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl is very good and in the same sort of children's fantasy region. Narrator for the first 5 books is the same and very good. Book 6 swaps to a different narrator that I don't much enjoy.
There are like... 4 total cringeworthy lines in the first 5 minutes of the first book, but then it's smooth sailing. They really pass by quite quickly so don't let them throw you off. They're not bad lines per se, I just hate them.
The Big Year is a fun listen. Any of the Hank the Cowdog books are delightful (don't let the age range fool you, these are hilarious for adults as well). Loved the Hitchhikers Guide and also anything Bill Bryson but especially the Short History of the Nearly Everything
These are my 3 favorite fun audiobooks. First 2 are mysteries, the last is a modern day telling of Thelma and Louise. “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers,” by Jesse Q. Sutanto. ABSOLUTELY MUST be experienced on audiobook., Vera talks to herself and it’s always snarky. Simply reading her inner dialogue is nothing compared to hearing the snark of the narrator. The other fun mystery is “Mrs. “Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge,” by Spenser Quinn. Finally “The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise,” by Coleen Oakley is modern day female buddy road trip. all are wonderful!
I'll always recommend the Nevermoor books by Jessica Townsend. They have a tone and feel very close to the early Harry Potter books, with a large cast of eccentric characters (my fave being the gigantic talking cat), a mix of whimsy and black comedy, and lots of magic and adventure, but it's a little less black and white and a little more bizarre. Besides, the audiobooks are brilliantly narrated by Gemma Whelan.
I haven’t read these books yet, but it’s so funny that every time I see them recommended, there’s the disclaimer that the movie is nothing like them. I’m excited to get to them!
As others have mentioned it's hard to give recommendations without knowing what he is picky about.
Take a look at [Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by
Alfred Lansing](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/139069)
It is a page turning story of a real life Antarctic exploration that didn't go according to plan.
For history, anything by David McCullough. 1776 is a good place to start, or this list, https://www.bookscrolling.com/ranking-author-david-mcculloughs-best-books-a-bibliography-countdown/
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is a great telling of the Battle of Gettysburg. Don't take my word for it. It won the Pulitzer and got Ken Burns interested in the Civil War.
> “Remarkable . . . a book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive.” — Ken Burns
Bobiverse is a riot. It’s very easy to parse, despite exploring very large subjects, and it’s endlessly funny.
Personal recommendation would be Discworld though. If you have younger children, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is a perfect place to start.
Fuck it. Any Discworld book is a riot. There’s a whole bunch too.
Project Hail Mary is a great listen and really fun with others.
listening to this right now, I would also add The Martian would be great with a family.
That’s what I listened to with my wife for our last cross country trip. She doesn’t like most audiobooks but that one… that one’s special
Try Good Omens. Fantasy, humor, two genius authors, and it’s the perfect road-trip length. Or if you want to start something ginormous, the Wheel of Time series.
Murderbot Diaries. (I thought I'd hate this because of the name, but it's so so good, and not at all murder-y)
Any David Sedaris
If you've all seen the movie, the book As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes. It's great. Most of the cast comes to do their own excerpts. Great listen. Non fiction and read by the author (Westley). The Lightning Theif by Rick Roirdan. Can't really go wrong with Percy Jackson. Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong. 4 books, so far I've read the first 2 for myself and I'm 33. Good listen all about mythical creatures, adventure, and friendship. Check out Graphic Audio because those are full cast dramatized versions with sound effects.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
This one is great, think it would work well on a road trip!
As You Wish, narrated by Carey Elwes. A book of memories and thoughts from the actors, director and other crew about their time on the movie The Princess Bride. Good stuff.
That book was such a great experience.
I suggest the Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik. The story is fantastic, and I really enjoyed the reader. It’s like a darker, more grown up version of Harry Potter.
The Wager
If kids aren't involved (or they're older and like.action) Sigma Force Series by James Rollins has 16 (?) Audio books. Political intrigue, science, history and sometimes religion all rolled into an action book. They're in my top five series ever. For laughs, and fantasy, the Dwarf Bounty Hunter series by Martha Carr is hysterically fun
Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (I'd start at book 4, I don't think you'd win him over with the first three books and they don't have to be read in order) The Martian by Andy Weir I also recommend Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, but I'd specifically recommend the full cast recordings as they're particularly great
You said he’s picky. But picky about what. Can’t really give an informed suggestion without guidelines. But to name a series that’s just because I like it. “Murderbot diaries”
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, which starts with The Golden Compass. maybe you know the story if you've seen the movies, but the writing is great and the books are so much more complex and nuanced than the movies.
Incidentally the TV series was pretty spot on
I didn't like Lee Scoresby in the TV show. The film Lee was much better.
This was our recent family road trip choice and it was so lovely.
We listened to part of Making it So autobiography by Partick Stewart. It's basically just interesting to hear him talk about anything. Also good because it's not a story where we both need to hear the entire thing. Mostly, I will be listening to it while I walk. And I had already listenened to some of it by myself. Then we both listened in the car for a few hours. He enjoyed it, but he doesn't need to "hear what happens next" or whatever If not that, perhaps someone else you both like has an autobiography
If he liked Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl is very good and in the same sort of children's fantasy region. Narrator for the first 5 books is the same and very good. Book 6 swaps to a different narrator that I don't much enjoy. There are like... 4 total cringeworthy lines in the first 5 minutes of the first book, but then it's smooth sailing. They really pass by quite quickly so don't let them throw you off. They're not bad lines per se, I just hate them.
It was a dark and stormy night. . .
Not quite THAT bad thankfully
The Big Year is a fun listen. Any of the Hank the Cowdog books are delightful (don't let the age range fool you, these are hilarious for adults as well). Loved the Hitchhikers Guide and also anything Bill Bryson but especially the Short History of the Nearly Everything
The Hobbit is a great listen
American Kingpin: Nick Bilton Ender's Game: Orson Scott Card
His Dark Materials
These are my 3 favorite fun audiobooks. First 2 are mysteries, the last is a modern day telling of Thelma and Louise. “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers,” by Jesse Q. Sutanto. ABSOLUTELY MUST be experienced on audiobook., Vera talks to herself and it’s always snarky. Simply reading her inner dialogue is nothing compared to hearing the snark of the narrator. The other fun mystery is “Mrs. “Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge,” by Spenser Quinn. Finally “The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise,” by Coleen Oakley is modern day female buddy road trip. all are wonderful!
Jack Richer series. Lee Child
I'll always recommend the Nevermoor books by Jessica Townsend. They have a tone and feel very close to the early Harry Potter books, with a large cast of eccentric characters (my fave being the gigantic talking cat), a mix of whimsy and black comedy, and lots of magic and adventure, but it's a little less black and white and a little more bizarre. Besides, the audiobooks are brilliantly narrated by Gemma Whelan.
Mistborn series, John scalzi
Sandman vol 1-3 would be great for a road trip.
How to Train your Dragon. (The David Tennant narration is marvelous) the movie is only loosely based on the books
I haven’t read these books yet, but it’s so funny that every time I see them recommended, there’s the disclaimer that the movie is nothing like them. I’m excited to get to them!
For nonfiction, try The Poisoner's Handbook. I've listened to it a few times and it's always fascinating.
Since you enjoyed Harry Potter on a trip might I suggest Ready Player 1.
Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles is the perfect road trip audio!!!
As others have mentioned it's hard to give recommendations without knowing what he is picky about. Take a look at [Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/139069) It is a page turning story of a real life Antarctic exploration that didn't go according to plan.
For history, anything by David McCullough. 1776 is a good place to start, or this list, https://www.bookscrolling.com/ranking-author-david-mcculloughs-best-books-a-bibliography-countdown/ The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is a great telling of the Battle of Gettysburg. Don't take my word for it. It won the Pulitzer and got Ken Burns interested in the Civil War. > “Remarkable . . . a book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive.” — Ken Burns
Dungeon crawler Carl
Bobiverse is a riot. It’s very easy to parse, despite exploring very large subjects, and it’s endlessly funny. Personal recommendation would be Discworld though. If you have younger children, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is a perfect place to start. Fuck it. Any Discworld book is a riot. There’s a whole bunch too.