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Original poster

Please help find an audiobook for a long journey!

36 replies

doggybootcamp · 26/12/2025 11:44

Going on a long drive with dc aged 12 and 18 and I’m trying to find an audiobook we can all listen to. We all love Harry Potter but have read/ listened/ watched multiple times so not that- we also love stranger Things but aren’t otherwise into fantasy type plots and anything that requires too much concentration as we will inevitably doze on and off 🤣. Some kind of mystery or comedy would be perfect .
it feels like an impossible task but any suggestions that we’d all like would be very much appreciated…

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Imsixtyandiknowit · 26/12/2025 21:42

Cabin pressure/ John Finnemore's souvenir programme/ double acts.....basically anything JF has done as the man is a comedy genius!

Original poster
doggybootcamp · 26/12/2025 21:39

So many suggestions! In the end dd got in the back and plugged herself into her iPad and older dc and I chatted most of the way instead… got several more hours to drive tomorrow- I’ve just finished a Bob Mortimer book and loved it but don’t think they’d appreciate it sadly. I’m hoping Sherlock Holmes will fit the bill tomorrow and I’m bookmarking several others for my daily commute so thanks!

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onceagainforrose · 26/12/2025 21:33

Sherlock and Co Podcast might work well for you, start from the beginning and you have two years of brilliance to catch up on.

I know you said not fantasy, but we enjoyed the Wizards of Once series ready by David Tennant.

LogicVoid · 26/12/2025 20:54

Another vote for Project Hail Mary.
Not Rivers of London - great adult series, but not for a 12yo - violence, sex, swearing.

Hobbes8 · 26/12/2025 20:18

Do they like Bob Mortimer? His audio books are very good. Some swearing and mild peril, but they’re all quite similar thriller type stories.

EleanorPeck · 26/12/2025 20:09

Oh and there's nothing unsuitable for kids in my opinion, apart from one occasion of the F word (and said with humour). But I think fine for a 12 year old.

EleanorPeck · 26/12/2025 20:06

Completely agree about Project Hail Mary. Wonderful story, gripping sci Fi but with wonderful moments of humour. The narrator, Ray Porter, is a genius. I've listened to it countless times as I love it so much.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/12/2025 20:01

GingerRuby · 26/12/2025 12:26

I know it's not a book but if you want a comedy I cannot recommend Cabin Pressure highly enough. It was originally on Radio 4 and you can now get all 4 series plus the 2 specials on Audible, 26 30 minute episodes so plenty long enough. Although is a lot of credits, I listen to it regularly so well worth the investment to me.

This is what I came to sugguest.
They are brilliant. I thibk we listened to them back ti bsck about 4 times, everytime we went in the car for about 18 months. I will never tire of CP.

HedgeWitchOfTheWest · 26/12/2025 19:10

Ha! Just seen many others have also recommended Project Hail Mary - it really is that good

HedgeWitchOfTheWest · 26/12/2025 19:09

Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir

not only one of the best books I’ve ever read, but the audiobook is absolutely outstanding.

We've listens to it multiple times on journeys, it’s so good.

Zippedydodah · 26/12/2025 18:55

Anthony Horowitz murder series, absolutely riveting.

PersephoneSmith · 26/12/2025 18:30

Am I too late to add a suggestion? I recently enjoyed Skyward by Brandon Sanderson on audible. It would be perfect.

outerspacepotato · 26/12/2025 18:27

Project Hail Mary is 16 hours.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a few minutes shy of 47 hours.

The Complete Dostoyevsky Collection is 266 hours but you might have issues after 266 hours of Dostoyevsky.

Sheeppig · 26/12/2025 15:50

Terry Pratchett? We listened to Mort with kids that age and it was hilarious.
And another huge Cabin Pressure fan here- my boys were raised on it. John Finnemore's Double Acts are also worth listening to- each one is a 30 minute two hand little play with some big names taking part. Very funny.

Cando6 · 26/12/2025 14:25

Project Hail Mary. So so brilliant.

MichelleCancelled · 26/12/2025 14:23

Or Project Hail Mary or The Thursday Murder Club

MichelleCancelled · 26/12/2025 14:23

Remarkably Bright Creatures

BatOrange · 26/12/2025 14:21

A third vote for Project Hail Mary. I’ve relistened to it countless times this year.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/12/2025 13:35

Lady Killer
Uncanny

(depending on your 12 year old)

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/12/2025 13:35

PlazaAthenee · 26/12/2025 13:28

There's several series of It's a Fair Cop on BBC sounds. It would keep you going for hours.

Good shout.

23Shadows · 26/12/2025 13:28

Another vote for Project Hail Mary, I absolutely loved it.

His Dark Materials?

PlazaAthenee · 26/12/2025 13:28

There's several series of It's a Fair Cop on BBC sounds. It would keep you going for hours.

HearMeSnore · 26/12/2025 13:25

Project Hail Mary is, in my opinion, the greatest audiobook of all time. Amazingly engaging with wonderful characters and a sort of mystery as the background to the plot is slowly revealed. Flawless narration and sound effects, too. Very science-heavy which might put you off but even if you tune out the physics it’s still incredibly entertaining.

The film comes out in a few months so it’s a good time to dive in and experience the story as it was intended.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/12/2025 13:17

Round the Horne is very, very funny. Second Cabin Pressure, too.

Original poster
doggybootcamp · 26/12/2025 13:15

Thank you- so much to choose from. Sherlock Holmes might be a really good fit but I’m going to show all of them and decide together. Thanks!

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