5 Road Trip Audiobook Suggestions
Q: You’ve been road tripping alone for a year?! How do you pass the time??
A: For long road trips, I highly recommend audiobooks! Here are some of my recent favorites!
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For the past year, I’ve been solo road-tripping around the U.S.! Driving is a memorable way to travel because there are experiences to be had *between* destinations! You never miss a beat! But sometimes those long drives can be exhausting or downright BORING! I’ve found that music and podcasts just don’t cut it if I’m driving for 5 hours or longer. Audiobooks are the best way to pass the time!
Pro tip? Before purchasing ANY audiobook, make sure to listen to the free sample audio! I started a few bestsellers, but couldn’t finish, because the narrator’s voice was *particularly* grating. Don’t worry; none of those audiobooks are making it on this list!
Disclaimer: I have been on a year-long journey of self-exploration, an early mid-life crisis of sorts. After blowing up my entire life in early 2020 (by quitting my job, breaking my lease, etc.), I’ve been on a quest to find my true life purpose. Heavy, I know. These audiobooks all touch on an area of my life where I’m looking to progress or gain confidence.
If you’re the type of person who remains open to personal growth, or at times, “woo-woo” teachings — read on!! If not, read on anyway! You may still find a new audiobook favorite. :)
These have ALL been on the New York Times bestsellers list!
Not sure if audiobooks are for you? Try it out with an Amazon Audible 30-day free trial!
Here are 5 road trip audiobook recommendations!
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
A Counter-intuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Author: Mark Manson
Length: ~5.5 hours
Description: “In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be "positive" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.”
My Review: While The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is an extremely popular New York Times bestseller, the title of this book threw me off at first. Not because of the profanity; I have another audiobook with f*ck in the title if you scroll further down this list! ;) But I was concerned that the book would suggest we should be more apathetic to life situations and relationships — quite the opposite.
Mark Manson suggests that happiness comes from re-framing our expectations and accepting unfavorable circumstances as they are. He disagrees with anyone who preaches positivity above all else. The book challenges its readers to prioritize our lives, such that we’re only giving a f*ck about things that *genuinely* matter.
That obnoxious coworker with snarky quips? Stop allowing them to ruin your day and steal your happiness.
Methods for Manifesting a Life Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Author: Gabby Bernstein
Length: ~6.5 hours
Description: “Gabrielle Bernstein lays out the essential steps for living in alignment with the Universe--more fully than you've ever done before.”
My Review: Looking for something a little more upbeat than The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?? Then Super Attractor is the book for you. While both books preach that gratitude is a first step on the road to happiness, they do so in VERY different ways. Warning: This book is about as woo-woo as it gets!
Gabby Bernstein believes that we are all-powerful beings, capable of curating the life we desire. To attract good things, you must first think that you are worthy of them. Fear-minded thinking holds us back. Self-limiting beliefs take us out of alignment with our true purpose and out of alignment with the universe.
To feel good and tap into our inner magic, we have to squash and re-frame our negative thoughts. Thoughts become things. Trust that the universe will have your back!
A Fable About Following Your Dream
Author: Paul Coelho
Length: ~5 hours
Description: “The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain, he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist.”
My Review: I loved how The Alchemist taught some vital life lessons through the lens of folklore. The story encourages its readers to stop trying to control life outcomes, and instead, surrender to their true desires. Our passions reveal our life purpose.
Paul Coelho tells his main character that “when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true.” Like Super Attractor, this book won’t appeal much to those with cynical natures.
The story ends with a bit of a plot twist to remind us that the journey is the real destination.
Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life
Author: Gary John Bishop
Length: ~3.5 hours
Description: “A refreshing, BS-free, self-empowerment guide that offers an honest, no-nonsense, tough-love approach to help you move past self-imposed limitations.”
My Review: Feeling stagnant? Looking for a spark? Inspiration-less? Then Unf*ck Yourself is the book for you. And this one is MUCH better for cynics!
This book motivated me to build my website and start this blog!! I intend to re-read this book time and again throughout my life whenever I need a quick and impactful PUSH.
Full disclosure, Gary John Bishop is a bit of a polarizing author and narrator. He has a thick Scottish accent and uses profanity LIBERALLY. I absolutely loved it! But make sure to listen to an audio sample before purchasing to ensure you agree!
Gary has a no-holds-barred approach to self-help. He speaks harsh truths and demands his readers take accountability for their current life situation.
Key message? No person or circumstance is standing in the way of making a life transition. Your negative thoughts are the ONLY blockade. Change your thoughts to change your future.
The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life
Author: Emily Nagoski
Length: ~11.5 hours
Description: “An essential exploration of why and how women’s sexuality works—based on groundbreaking research and brain science—that will radically transform your sex life into one filled with confidence and joy.”
My Review: I wish every woman I know would read Come as You Are!! Emily Nagoski has a Ph. D. in Health Behavior with an emphasis on human sexuality. Her book takes a scientific approach to explain the in’s and out’s of female sexuality. She gives answers to questions you never even knew you had about your body!
The book walks through how women are turned on and off, and why there will likely NEVER be a magic Viagara-type pill for women. We’re way too complex; it’s all about *context* for us! One of my favorite parts was the section where Emily explains how cultural norms, from history and from today, have so *falsely* shaped our understanding of women’s sexuality. It is now up to us to re-learn and re-educate these sexual truths.
One of the recurring messages? The scientific data shows that we are all normal, even in our distinctive “abnormalities.”
Don’t forget to snag an Audible 30-day free trial before checking out these book recommendations, and don’t miss my essential road trip tips before you head out!
