10 Great Audiobooks for Long Journeys

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Travelling the world has many great privileges: experiencing new cultures; exploring new places; making memories to last a lifetime. In between seeing amazing sights and meeting wonderful people however there are many hours of transportation. This time can be spent chatting, sleeping, watching in flight movies, reading… but why not try listening to one of these great audiobooks for long journeys!?

In order to get to amazing place A, you must travel from fabulous place B. Unfortunately that can often take a great deal of time.

I love reading, and for years books were my go to time killer. On longer trips though, the practicalities of carrying books causes complications. Books take up much needed packing space and add extra weight to bags, which when you are travelling on a budget is a major problem.

Let me ask you this: how many books can you carry in your backpack?

Two? Three? I’m guilty of cramming at least three books into my bag despite the extra weight and space they consume. I can’t count the number of books I’ve abandoned at hostels in order to create much needed room for souvenirs.

The there are the realities of the usually less than luxurious transport methods. Finding good reading light, or staving off travel sickness from spending too much time bent over on a bumpy bus ride is just too much to contend with a lot of the time.

So what is the solution?

I think the title of this post rather gives it away!

Audiobooks are a great way to get lost in another world from the comfort of any seat. You can close your eyes and rest, or watch the world go by (so much better than staring at a screen!) all whilst enjoying a wonderful narration.

Plus, there are so many different types of audiobooks to choose from! You can enjoy the storyteller vibes of straight narration, or imagine whole worlds of characters in casted dramatization. One day get lost in a familiar fantasy fiction, and the next open your mind to the newest ideas from philosophy and fact. Try spending a flight reliving your favourite classic stories. Then chill out on a beach enjoying brand new adventures from the latest releases.

But with so many options, where to start?!

Perhaps you are in need of some suggestions?

Well look no further as I have put together this list of ten great audiobooks for long journeys.

Enjoy listening and get lost in literature in a new and exciting way!

The Comfort Zone

You’re a long way from home on yet another overnight train heading towards your next destination. Travelling is exciting, eye opening, and you are doing exactly what you’ve always dreamed of.

Sounds amazing right?

And of course it is! You’re living your dream and making memories that will be with you forever.

However that doesn’t mean every day is easy, fun, or even pleasant.

The travel experience has its low points, which is why I’m starting this list with the ultimate comfort listen. This is the perfect place to start when seeking audiobooks for long journeys!

#1 Harry Potter Series

Author: JK Rowling
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
Total Listening Time: 127 hours
Number of Audible Credits: 7

Is there anyone left who hasn’t read Harry Potter?

Odds are if you wanted to embrace the Potter world you would have by now.

But have you listened to the audiobooks?

There is something wonderfully comforting and familiar about listening to Stephen Fry narrate the adventures of the Boy Who Lived. I don’t know what it is exactly, but there is something so quintessentially English about Stephen Fry, that as a Brit his voice just reminds me of home!

Then there is the added fact that I know the Harry Potter stories inside out. I can recite endless trivia and am a true Potter fan, which is why this is my top pick for your first audiobook for long journeys.

Explore the Wizarding World of JK Rowling’s Edinburgh and discover the real birthplace of Harry Potter

The day that Audible finally got the rights to sell the Harry Potter audiobooks was long awaited for many users! For years fans had to either pay inflated prices for the digital format, or put up with old cassettes and CDs!

Happily those days are behind us now.

I purchased all seven Harry Potter audiobooks from Audible for the great vaule price of £42.99! How? Well, I used my monthly credit from my subscription which costs £7.99 a month, then purchased 6 extra credits for only £6 each. Bargain!

I’ve listened to these audiobooks more times than I can count, and never get bored. They keep me company as I travel help me feel at home wherever I am.

If you want a comfortable introduction to the world of audiobooks, then starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the way to go.

Perfect Performances

Did you know that audiobooks don’t always mean pure narration?

If listening to a storyteller doesn’t appeal to you, then why not try an Audio Drama instead?

The next three titles on my list are all performed by a full cast. The captivating performances make for a truly engaging listen.

When choosing audiobooks for long journeys that will keep you engrossed these dramatizations are my top picks.

#2 His Dark Materials Trilogy

Author: Philip Pullman
Narrated by: Philip Pullman and Cast Performance (Jo Wyatt, Steven Webb, Peter England, Stephen Thorne and Douglas Blackwell)
Total Listening Time: 35 hours
Number of Credits: 3

If you have never listened to an audiobook before then this is where I recommend you start.

This series is performed by a full cast making it an exhilarating and engaging listen. The added bonus is the author (Philip Pullman) performs as the narrator, which guarantees a true to text experience.

Also, unlike many dramatizations these audiobooks remain unabridged. Therefore you get the full story in all its intended glory.

Northern Lights (or The Golden Compass as it’s also known) sets up the story of Lyra, a young orphan girl living in an alternate version of Oxford. Accompanied by her daemon Pan (an animal spirit manifestation of her soul) she embarks on a quest to rescue her friend Roger from the fabled Gobblers. Along the way she learns about her parentage, and must make choices that will effect the fate of not only her world, but all others.

Her adventures through this fantasy drama eventually lead her to meet Will Parry, a boy from our own world, in the second title The Subtle Knife. Their journey together is a beautiful tale of what is means to grow up, learn morality, and find love.

The concluding story, The Amber Spyglass, reveals truths about the essence of what it means to be human. Through religious and scientific discourses, Philip Pullman creates a complex world that strives to teach us the importance of knowledge, understanding, and hope.

#3 The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Author: Douglas Adams
Narrated by: Cast Performance (Peter Jones, Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, Susan Sheridan and Stephen Moore)
Total Listening Time: 16 hours
Number of Credits: 5

Unlike the previous dramatization this series is a radio drama, and therefore alters slightly from the book. Unusually however, in the case of Hitchhiker’s the radio drama came first.

(If you want to hear the audiobook version, then Stephen Fry provides his effortless performance for the narration.)

Originally aired on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy tells the comedic story of Arthur Dent as he wanders haphazardly across the universe. Surviving the destruction of Earth through sheer luck and fortune, Arthur is thrown into a Galaxy of oddities. With the ever helpful advice of “Don’t Panic!”, Arthur discovers there is more to the Universe than he ever dreamed possible.

Whether you are a novice Hitchhiker, or already know the answer to life the universe and everything, these audiobooks make long journeys fly by.

#4 Star Wars Trilogy

Author: Brian Daley (Original Story by George Lucas)
Narrated by: Cast Performance (Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ann Sachs, Perry King, Bernard Behrens, and Brock Peters)
Total Listening Time: 14 hours, 30 mins
Number of Credits: Currently Unavailable

I’m including these tiles even though sadly they are currently unavailable to download on Audible at the time of publishing. If you are able to get hold of them however and you are a Star Wars fan, then you’re in for a treat!

I didn’t know these dramatizations existed until I stumbled upon them on Audible, which considering my vast collection of Star Wars novels is quite unimaginable.

But what a wonderful surprise they were!

The first radio play was broadcast on National Public Radio in America in 1981. It consists of 13 episodes and tells the story of the original Star Wars film (A New Hope) with added detail and backstory.

If you enjoy the original Star Wars Trilogy then these radio plays are truly a hidden gem. Mark Hamill reprises his role as Luke Skywalker, along with Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, and later Billy Dee Williams as Lando for The Empire Strikes Back. The rest of the cast seamlessly portray the beloved film characters flawlessly.

Additionally I enjoy how these radio dramas are serialised. Each chapter lasts 30 minutes, which means you can give a dedicated amount of time to listening, which is great for travel days that have lots of changes and interruptions.

Fingers crossed they return to Audible soon!

Classics Catch Up

Have you got a list of books you’ve always meant to read, but never quite gotten around to?

Just five minutes browsing Audible’s Classics Category and I realise just how long that list is for me!

Thankfully when listening to audiobooks on long journeys you can easily start to make a dent in that list.

Here are just three of my top classics to get you started.

#5 Nineteen Eighty-Four

If you’ve never read this book then now is the time!

It’s slightly scary how much George Orwell’s dystopic novel first published in 1949 resembles the real world today.

The plot takes place in a world controlled by Big Brother where everyone is under surveillance at all times, and where you can trust no-one. Desperate to find “truth” in a world of doublethink and thought police, Winston dares to seek individuality and independent thought. But how do you know what information is real and what is propaganda, and there is literally no where to hide?

Nineteen Eighty-Four is one of my favourite books, and the audiobook does not disappoint. The narration is clear and crisp, but the tone warm and pleasant to listen to.

I don’t want to give too much away, but give this classic a try! You’ll be amazed how much of it has permeated pop culture. George Orwell was a visionary (sadly!) and Nineteen Eighty-Four will really make you think! Just pray no-one is watching…

#6 Rebecca

I first read this book at school, and it was the first assigned text that I actually couldn’t put down!

There is something mysterious and melancholy yet beautiful about the atmosphere Daphne Du Maurier creates. No other book can compare in my mind to the flawless descriptive style of Rebecca.

I loved the book so much I even named my cat after one of the characters!

The story revolves around our unnamed narrator as she becomes “The Second Mrs de Winter” upon marrying eligible and wealthy widower Maxim de Winter. Living in the shadow of Max’s first wife, the titular Rebecca, life at Manderley House is far from the idyllic wedded bliss she imagined. Delving deeper into the past, questions arise about Rebecca’s life, and more importantly, her death.

The opening line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” is one of the most well known in modern literature. The text has been adapted many times for stage, screen, and radio, making it one of the most loved and revered novels of the twentieth century.

So if you’ve never read it, what better opportunity than choosing it as your audiobook for the next long journey.

#7 To Kill a Mockingbird

This is another novel from my school days. It was assigned as the main text for my exams, and I have studied every word, paragraph, and page of To Kill a Mockingbird. Yet despite this, I still love it.

Far from a happy tale, To Kill a Mockingbird manages to take on the complex subject matter of race and rape with unapparelled warmth, openness, and morality. Through the eyes of a child the divided and tumultuous world of Alabama during the Great Depression is navigated.

Based on Harper Lee’s own experiences growing up in the Deep South in the 1930’s, To Kill a Mockingbird is renowned for it’s seamless narration. Lee somehow succeeds in injecting humour into the dark subject matter in a respectful and honest way.

If you have yet to read this book then I highly recommend trying Sissy Spacek’s wonderful narration to get you hooked. Her voice and Lee’s words will transport you immediately to Alabama no matter where in the world you are.

Book Club Bests

If you are looking for something new to entertain you why not try one of these recently published gems.

Just because being in a book club might be impractical right now doesn’t mean you have to miss out on these great new modern literature masterpieces.

Delve into these three great book club audiobooks during long journeys!

#8 The Night Circus

The Night Circus has managed to stay under the radar of most people I’ve met. I like to think of it as a special secret yet to be discovered by the masses.

The beautiful world created in Erin Morgenstern’s debut novel comes to life through her descriptive and imaginative words. Unlike any book I’ve ever read, The Night Circus came to life in my minds eye in a stunning mix of red, white, and black.

With romantical echoes of turn of the century fairgrounds and circuses (think The Greatest Showman with real magic!) the story revolves around a long standing bet between two magicians. Across the years their desire to best one another determines the course of their prodigies’ lives.

Without giving too much away, this fantasy story has elements of mystery, romance, drama, and magic. I could listen to it over and over again, and am amazed not more people have discovered this amazing book.

The audiobook is performed by Jim Dale, a seasoned narrator perhaps best known in the field for providing the narration for the US and Canadian versions of the Harry Potter audiobooks. His voice is engaging and has that elusive tone that makes listening a pleasure.

Of all the books on this list of audiobooks for long journeys, this is the one I would most like to hear your thoughts on!

#9 The Keeper of Lost Things

The Keeper of Lost Things is a true treasure.

This book is not my usual genre to pick up, but my Mum loved it so much that I had to give it a go. I was not disappointed!

The Keeper of Lost Things is a sweet tale crossing the divide of time. In the present day Laura sets herself the task of carrying out her kind employer’s odd wishes. To restore lost items with their owners. In the past we learn about the stories that accompany the lost objects.

I’m not going to pretend this book is a work of great literary significance. It is instead a simple and easy story that is heart warming, optimistic, and about the importance of kindness.

The narration is poignant and perfectly on point.Having two narrators provides the needed duality for the story.

If you want something uplifting and easy to listen to, then this is the book for you!

#10 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is on track to be the next big screen adaptation. Realistically, all this means is the book has attracted a lot of positive press even before its release.

Welcome to the world according to Eleanor Oliphant. A bit of an odd duck, I fell in love with her immediately. She is flawed, traumatised, and unwaveringly honest. Eleanor sees the world differently to others and struggles with social convention. As she begins a journey to living a fuller life, although not in the way she plans, her understanding of others grows.

As Eleanor learns about other people she learns about herself. Simple social activities such as going for a drink with a colleague are fraught with behavioural conventions that she has never understood. But through her unlikely connection with IT assistant Raymond, she begins to see the value in friendship, helping others, and facing the past.

Don’t be fooled by the seemingly monotone sound of the narration at the start. Cathleen McCarron embodies Eleanor’s voice wonderfully. Her surprisingly poised, enunciated Glaswegian accent is all Eleanor Oliphant, making this first person narration a joy to listen to.

Maybe I love this book so much because I understand Eleanor (some of her musings could be my own thoughts), but I think part of all of us relate to her in some way.

Jump on the bandwagon here and listen to the book before it becomes an on screen sensation.

Get Listening!

I hope I’ve convinced you to the joys of audiobooks and given you some inspiration where to start.

The best is yet to come however…

Because you can try your first audiobook for FREE!

A subscription to Audible is just £7.99 a month, and your first month if free! Audible is the largest online library of audiobooks meaning almost any title you can think of can be found in their collection.

You can suspend your subscription at any time, there is no minimum contract length, meaning you only pay for credits you can use. Plus your entire Audible collection is available to you online or through the handy app even when your subscription is on hold. So you never loose access to your beloved books.

Need more than one credit a month?

Not a problem, you can upgrade to a higher subscription package, or buy extra credits when you need them. Buying credits is almost always cheaper than paying the RRP on the audiobook!

If that wasn’t enough, then Audible also have their Daily Deal where active subscribers can get extra audiobooks for bargain prices. I’ve picked up some wonderful titles for as little as 99p!

So find your all you audiobooks for long journeys now, and take them wherever you go.

You’ll never be bored on transport again!

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