Four months into the pandemic, most people I know are itching to take a vacation. Even husband, a health care professional and extra cautious citizen in the time of corona, agrees that we need some time away from home. So soon we will travel to a safe place, and I’ll need good things to listen to while I drive! It’s amazing how a thought provoking podcast or an intriguing audio book can make the long hours on the interstate pass quickly.
If you are also planning for a summer road trip, here a few listening recommendations from The Word Nerd.
Artemis Fowl
Disney+ just released its movie adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s fantastic kid lit novel, Artemis Fowl, which chronicles the escapades of an teenage genius and his devious plots to preserve his family’s wealth. Do not watch the movie. The graphics are bad, the story is bad, the characters are wrong. Instead, spend your precious time listening to the audio books, read expertly by Nathaniel Parker. Colfer combines action, fairy magic, and humor to spin a story that will entertain kids and adults alike. Artemis Fowl, and the other books in the series, will make your road trip fly by.
The Most Fun We Ever Had
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo is not for kids. It is, however, a thoughtful and complicated look at marriage and family dynamics. The structure flips between one year in present lives of a Chicago couple and their four adult daughters and flashes into their past, revealing rivalries, resentments, betrayals, and joys. If you like the TV show This is Us, (which I LOVE!), you will enjoy The Most Fun We Ever Had. Emily Rankin does a nice job narrating the audio book.
Born a Crime
This month, my book club is reading Born a Crime, Trevor Noah’s fascinating autobiography about growing up in post-apartheid South Africa. Noah reads the audio book version himself and does a fantastic job of emphasizing the humor and heartbreak in the stories of his childhood. It was also nice to have him pronounce words I surely would have butchered if I read it myself. It’s also a great way to learn about the destructive influence of prejudice and hostility, which seems especially relevant at this time.
Code Switch
I have recently discovered Code Switch, a podcast from NPR that explores the influence of race on all aspects of American society, which again seems particularly relevant in the wake of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. In a recent episode, “Why now, white people?”, the hosts, both journalists of color, debate why so many white people are now involved in #BlackLivesMatter protests, even though the issues have been around for decades. The podcast offers good things for me, a middle class white woman, to consider.
The Argument
The podcast The Argument, from The New York Times, appeals to me because it features columnists from opposing points of view, often at least one conservative and one liberal, respectfully discussing issues. There’s no name calling or ridiculous generalizations, just three people thoughtfully analyzing history and current events. It’s a refreshing change from the hostile rhetoric that fills my Twitter feed.
I realize these last two recommendations come from liberal media sources. If anyone has recommendations from conservative viewpoint, I welcome the suggestions!
What do you like to listen to on a road trip? Do you have any podcasts or audio books to add to this list?
Stay safe, either at home or on the road!
Julia,
As usual, I appreciate your point of view and will tap into some of these great ideas. I happen to be reading Born a Crime right now. Yes, hearing Trevor Noah read it would have been a great idea since all that African dialect stuff is something I just read over and would much rather actually hear. Great idea.
Jane
Glad to be helpful, Jane! Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading.