School holidays might mean more family time, but that doesn’t mean parents can’t sneak in a little entertainment of their own. Whether you’re driving to the coast, hiding in the car for five peaceful minutes, walking the dog or attempting to survive another family road trip, a great audiobook or podcast can make all the difference.
From addictive page-turners and laugh-out-loud adventures to fascinating conversations and thought-provoking investigations, here are 10 listens worth adding to your holiday playlist- all available on Audible!
- Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Sam and Sadie meet as children and spend three decades creating video games together, navigating friendship, ambition, rivalry and everything in between. Long, immersive and wonderfully addictive, it’s the kind of audiobook that can make a six-hour road trip feel suspiciously short.
- Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A gentle man lives in an endless labyrinth of marble halls, mysterious statues and rising tides, gradually uncovering the secrets of the strange world around him. Dreamlike and beautifully atmospheric, Piranesi is perfect when you want to disappear somewhere completely different while everyone else is arguing over the holiday playlist.
- Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware
Singer Jessie Ware and her mum Lennie welcome celebrities, writers and musicians to their dinner table for candid conversations, plenty of laughs and, naturally, lots of talk about food. Warm, funny and wonderfully easy listening, it’s made for road trips, beach walks and cooking dinner for the family.
- Dungeon Crawler Carl
What happens when Earth is turned into a deadly dungeon-style game? Carl and his cat, Princess Donut, have to fight their way through increasingly ridiculous challenges to survive. Fast, funny and completely bonkers, this is the audiobook equivalent of binge-watching a TV series when you should probably be unpacking the suitcases.
- Unreal: When AI Becomes Us by Marc Fennell
Australian journalist Marc Fennell explores how AI is changing the way we experience relationships, grief, belief and identity. From people recreating the voices of loved ones who have died to people forming relationships with chatbots, the six-part series explores the human side of a rapidly changing technology without becoming a tech lecture. Ideal for curious parents who like their holiday entertainment with something to think about.
- Just Kids by Patti Smith
Patti Smith takes listeners back to her early years in New York with Robert Mapplethorpe, when they were young, broke and finding their way through the city’s art and music scene. Intimate, nostalgic and full of creative energy, it’s a beautiful listen for wandering unfamiliar streets or enjoying a rare moment of peace with a coffee.
- A Great Book with Barack Obama
Barack Obama sits down with guests to discuss books that have influenced their lives and shaped how they see the world. Smart, thoughtful and conversational, it’s perfect for slow mornings, long drives or those precious moments when the kids are finally asleep.
- Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Part memoir and part love letter to family, food and culture, Michelle Zauner explores grief, identity and the memories attached to the meals we share. Narrated by Zauner herself, the audiobook is intimate and deeply moving, making it the perfect choice when you’re after something a little more heartfelt.
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
This sweeping multigenerational story follows a Korean family across decades, countries and generations. Filled with love, ambition, history and questions of belonging, Pachinko is wonderfully immersive and ideal for those stretches of holiday travel when you want to completely lose yourself in another world.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A young shepherd sets off in search of treasure and discovers that the journey itself might be the real prize. Simple, uplifting and full of adventure, The Alchemist is an easy holiday listen about following your dreams, embracing the unknown and remembering that sometimes getting lost is part of the fun.
So, whether you’re buckling the kids into the car for a road trip, walking along the beach while they burn off some energy or simply hiding in the pantry for five minutes of peace, consider your headphones packed. Because school holidays are a lot more enjoyable when you’ve got a great story in your ears.
Listen to all of the above on Audible
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