Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Which audio book for 8 hour journey with DC (teen & pre-teen)

21 replies

falalalalalalalallama · 19/12/2023 23:26

We have an 8 hour car journey coming up to visit family for Christmas, then the same back home.

Can anyone recommend an audio book that'd suit all the family?

The DC are 16 and 10.

We like sci fi & fantasy, drama, classics, mysteries, comedy. Something Christmassy might be nice.

To give you an idea, we loved His Dark Materials on telly, and the DC have read Harry Potter a zillion times. DP, DS (16) and I love Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but I wonder if DD (10) is old enough to get it yet? DD loves murder mystery (A Murder Most Ladylike etc).

OP posts:
EconomyClassRockstar · 19/12/2023 23:33

The one audio book I can remember us all rushing to get back in the car to continue to listen to was Ready Player One. It was really well read.

JassyRadlett · 19/12/2023 23:35

My lot really love the Narnia audiobooks.

Terry Pratchett any good - Diggers, for choice?

AlbertCampion · 19/12/2023 23:38

Not exactly an audio book but I thoroughly recommend the Six Minutes podcast. It's a sci-fi/fantasy story in six minute chunks and is really engaging and captivating. There's about three hundred episodes so would last the journey!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

10 year olds 16 year olds Children's books Podcasts
AlbertCampion · 19/12/2023 23:39

Forgot to say it is a drama rather than a straight read.

SatanClaws · 19/12/2023 23:39

Neverwhere - any Neil Gaiman would do but this one is a good one to get into his books.
The Ocean at The End Of the Lane is also brilliant

Notthatcatagain · 20/12/2023 00:05

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Should pretty well fill both journeys

PandaG · 20/12/2023 00:10

Oooh! I was about to suggest Agatha Christie - you could get through several in that time - but I've just seen the 'The Dark is Rising' recommendation. That's my next listening sorted!

Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:11

JassyRadlett · 19/12/2023 23:35

My lot really love the Narnia audiobooks.

Terry Pratchett any good - Diggers, for choice?

Ooh yes, Terry Pratchett is a great idea!

We've just been enjoying Good Omens on TV and with the exception of DP, none of us have read much Terry Pratchett, which is odd as it's the kind of thing we like!

OP posts:
Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:11

EconomyClassRockstar · 19/12/2023 23:33

The one audio book I can remember us all rushing to get back in the car to continue to listen to was Ready Player One. It was really well read.

I'll chek it out, thanks :)

OP posts:
Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:12

AlbertCampion · 19/12/2023 23:38

Not exactly an audio book but I thoroughly recommend the Six Minutes podcast. It's a sci-fi/fantasy story in six minute chunks and is really engaging and captivating. There's about three hundred episodes so would last the journey!

Ooh, inteersting, thanks!

OP posts:
Wasywasydoodah · 20/12/2023 00:12

Six minutes podcast is good (though not a book…).

Ponderingwindow · 20/12/2023 00:12

We just did Third Eye from Felicia Day.

Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:13

SatanClaws · 19/12/2023 23:39

Neverwhere - any Neil Gaiman would do but this one is a good one to get into his books.
The Ocean at The End Of the Lane is also brilliant

Edited

Great suggestion, thanks! I can see my problem now is which to choose 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:15

MrsGalloway · 19/12/2023 23:41

The Dark is Rising dramatisation by Susan Cooper and adapted by Robert Macfarlane is brilliant. Highly recommend, fantasy and Christmassy. On BBC Sounds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

I absolutely LOVED the Dark is Rising as a child. one of my favourite series ever.

But on revisiting the books as an adult, they seemed not to have stood the test of time so well.

A more recent adaption for audio could be just the thing!!

OP posts:
RomeoandJomeo · 20/12/2023 00:15

Cabin Pressure box set. Radio 4 comedy. Brilliant. (written by John Finnemore, whom I believe was involved in writing Good Omens).

Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:17

Notthatcatagain · 20/12/2023 00:05

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Should pretty well fill both journeys

Great in theory but DS has read them too many times aleady I feel!

OP posts:
Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:28

RomeoandJomeo · 20/12/2023 00:15

Cabin Pressure box set. Radio 4 comedy. Brilliant. (written by John Finnemore, whom I believe was involved in writing Good Omens).

Never heard of it! I'll look it up...

OP posts:
Original poster
falalalalalalalallama · 20/12/2023 00:29

Ponderingwindow · 20/12/2023 00:12

We just did Third Eye from Felicia Day.

Another one I've never head of! Thanks :)

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 20/12/2023 00:33

Watched any Buffy the Vampire Slayer? (Poss not with 10 year old?) There’s a new audio drama on Audible that we’ve got as family listening for over Christmas.

Neil Gaiman is a great suggestion. And I loved The Dark Is Rising as a kid but the audiobook we tried was uninspiring - new one might be the thing.

notprincehamlet · 20/12/2023 00:38

Was going to suggest Cabin Pressure but RomeoandJomeo (great name!) beat me to it. There's even a Christmas special. And you get to play yellow car.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page