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Original poster

Audiobook suggestions for a family road trip?

38 replies

dontdarepokethebear · 05/02/2023 21:46

Just looking for some fresh ideas for audiobooks for a family road trip. Previously we've enjoyed Michael Morpurgo and classics like Treasure Island, The Borrowers, Stig of the Dump but open to anything - maybe something more contemporary? Especially now the DC are older.

DC are aged between 15-12 years.

Thanks

OP posts:
eish · 05/02/2023 21:57

Eragon
The rangers apprentice series
Hunger games
Or you could do a classic....eg the count of monte cristo

KingscoteStaff · 05/02/2023 21:59

Cabin Pressure

NeverWhere

Good Omens

Taytotots · 05/02/2023 22:03

We listened to 'the martian' by andy weir recently with 10 yo DT.

imayhavelostmymarbles · 05/02/2023 22:06

We listened to animal farm at 11/12 and they really enjoyed it although it was a bit of a try it and see.

farnworth · 05/02/2023 22:08

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce - as an adult I cried with laughter listening to this, can be for younger kids than yours but hopefully teenagers will also appreciate the madness / humour!

Sally Lockhart by Philip Pullman as an adventure series - good background and exciting. As are the Charlie Hinson young James Bond series

MisgenderedSwan · 05/02/2023 22:10

Hitch hikers guide to the galaxy

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 05/02/2023 22:13

12 - 15 years is that? 3 men in a boat maybe? (Go for an abridged version as there's a lot of waffle that gets boring in the original). I really got into the Jeeves stories when I was that age too. I think the Just William stories are enjoyable for all ages too. Or for something contemporary, how about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time? Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella is fantastic, The 12th Day of July is also brilliant, and not very well known - about kids of that age growing up in Belfast during the troubles, but very relatable still.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 05/02/2023 22:14

I second Cabin Pressure.
I got us to from Leeds to Orkney and back last year.

User4873628 · 05/02/2023 22:18

Can I recommend a podcast? Tunnel 21 on BBC Sounds, about people escaping East Berlin through tunnels under the wall. My kids of similar ages were fascinated. We are visiting Berlin later this year to visit. (I hope I've got the number of the tunnel right, now I'm doubting myself that it's not number 21)

Or any of the Wimpy Kids. We all love Wimpy Kid, even me.

ISaidDontLickTheBin · 05/02/2023 22:30

Terry Pratchett?

msmatcha · 05/02/2023 22:35

Arrowhead by Ruth Eastham
Ice Dogs
Interview with the robot.

Talipesmum · 05/02/2023 22:36

Ooh yes Tunnel 21 is great, listened with mine around 11/13 yrs.

Neil Gaiman Norse Myths is a great one if they like that sort of thing. Also Hitchhikers. Was thinking of trying one of the Bill Bryson books with them now they’re 12/14 and I don’t mind them hearing swearing so much!

Terry Pratchett - the wee free men is perfect for that age. If you’re going to be in the car for ages go with the unabridged one but if you need more like 3-4 hours go with the Tony Robinson abridged ones, they’re still good.

Also Swallows and Amazons if they’d like it.

Megjobethamy · 05/02/2023 22:41

I am listening to Harry Potter read by Stephen Fry. Read all the books as they came out and saw all the movies. But I love listening to the books when driving or out for walks...

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/02/2023 13:00

Stephen Fry - Mythos

Talipesmum · 06/02/2023 20:20

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/02/2023 13:00

Stephen Fry - Mythos

Been listening to that with mine after finishing the Neil Gaiman Norse Myths. It’s pretty good and they do like it, but there’s an awful lot of listing and of name and word origins. Probably one for the big fans of Greek myths in the first place rather than a great intro. They def preferred the Norse one, and in general they like Greek myths better.

WunWun · 06/02/2023 20:23

Any Terry Pratchett

MrsRosieBrew · 06/02/2023 20:25

Bill Bryson. I’d start with Neither Here Nor There, Travels in Europe. He is brilliant, so funny.

Cies · 06/02/2023 20:30

Phillip Pullman's Northern Lights trilogy read by the author himself is on Audible. My 10 and 13 year old are really into it. We need to wait until Wednesday for our next credit to get the final installment .

MrsTerryPratchett · 06/02/2023 20:31

WunWun · 06/02/2023 20:23

Any Terry Pratchett

This.

DD also liked Alice in Wonderland, which is all ages, I think.

But really Terry every time.

Cotton55 · 06/02/2023 20:33

I second Harry Potter read by Stephen Fry. He is an excellent narrator and the books are brilliant.

SummerLightning · 06/02/2023 20:39

Holes
Hunger games
Project hail mary
Ready player one
Adrian mole
Nevermoor
Bill Bryson
Good girls guide to murder
Divergent
Northern lights

NorthFaceofthelaundrypile · 06/02/2023 20:39

Mythos and then Heroes by Stephen Fry. DS listened a couple of years ago and is now obsessed with all things Ancient Greek.

SummerLightning · 06/02/2023 20:39

Oh and the girl with all the gifts

Original poster
dontdarepokethebear · 06/02/2023 20:52

Thank you for all these great suggestions. We are big fans of cabin fever too.

I've just been searching for the Berlin 21 Tunnels, I found something called Intrigue: 29 Tunnels which sounds like it might be it. Sounds fascinating, thanks.

OP posts:
User4873628 · 06/02/2023 20:57

Tunnel 29, that's the one. I knew 21 didn't sound right!