TRIP RECAP!
We are back and getting in the swing of life again after our trip to Wisconsin! The ride out took about 22 hours (we stopped at Mt. Rushmore, Wall Drug and several pit stops thanks to one child with some ill-timed runs.TMI!!) The weather was great and we got super lucky! The way home however was a different story. We saw that a storm was coming and would be hovering over both our route options home (South Dakota or Nebraska.) We took Nebraska and it was a doozy. The highway got rerouted through these backwoods detours 3 different times, we were a total stop for about 30 minutes at one point, and then another time cars started slipping crossing through train tracks and getting backed up so we actually had to speed reverse off the tracks before we got hit by oncoming train + the railroad striped arm thing. EXCITING but yet not at all. It took us three days this time about 27 hours that time. Not to mention visiting family between 10-40 min away each day…
All this to say we had A LOT of time on our hands and Russ and I both love a good audiobook, yet have such different tastes. Today I am sharing options that we both enjoyed (**), some I’ve loved and think guys would to (*) and also that you all suggested if you need a common ground audiobook for your next trip! For those who asked we shared an AirPod set up front while kids had their own movies going in the back. Of course the perfect world situation would be an audiobook that two adults and 3 kids 9, 8 and 3 are all enraptured by, but LIFE JUST ISN’T THAT SIMPLE SOMETIMES, OKAY? 😉 If it was it would probably be Harry Potter though.
Kid-free listening means I am not worrying about content and language, ya feel?
WHAT WE LISTENED TO
THE STRANGER SHE LOVED – we loved this one because it was SO insane. And it happened 5 minutes from where we used to live. Somehow I missed all the news coverage on this story so it was thrilling to catch up on it, hear names of people we know from that community, and generally be blown away by an ex-Mormon Bishop slash psychopath. So sad for the family that suffered through it all, but man it’s a good story!
THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW – Soon to be a major motion picture, the trailer looks real good! We listened to this one and it takes a while to jump off, there are 100+ quick chapters and tons of description. Lots of plot twists that made for good conversation between Russ and I (we love to try and spoil them) but I’d tell you to actually read a physical book over listening to this one because you can skim through the incessant metaphors and similes.
AUDIOBOOK IDEAS FOR MEN + WOMEN
Thrillers + Page Turners: The Stranger She Loved** // I am Pilgrim* // Davinci Code Series by Dan Brown* // The Silent Patient // Dear Wife // Where the Crawdads Sing // Nothing to See Here //
I am Pilgrim – Everyone said you need to get about 9 hours into this and then it’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever read. Ratings verify that! We only got about 2 hours in and it was still super interesting, so I look forward to finishing it!
Davinci Code Series by Dan Brown – Oldie but a goodie. Dan Brown is excellent at hooking you to the next chapter. You’ll learn a lot, too!
The Silent Patient – highly recommended by Kayti who I share a lot of the same reading taste with!
Dear Wife // Where the Crawdads Sing // Nothing to See Here — All highly recommended by YOU guys!
Social Conversations — Great books that spark excellent conversations, teach you a lot, are research and fact based, but aren’t necessarily political. Being Mortal // Talking to Strangers** // David and Goliath** // Born a Crime* // Just Mercy // Hillbilly Elegy* // Educated* // Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea // Catch and Kill //
Being Mortal — If you and your partner have aged parents or grandparents, might one day die or get older, this will spark conversations you never thought you needed.
Talking to Strangers** — I’ve already reviewed this one but Russ is reading it now and loves it too. So many good chats already!
David and Goliath** — We listened to this together a few years ago and both loved it!
Born a Crime* — super funny and also eye opening about Apartheid.
Just Mercy — highly recommended and now an award nominated movie! Catch and Kill / also came highly recommended!
Hillbilly Elegy* // Educated* // Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea /– guys love these one and they’re fascinating!
Humor: The Sisters Brothers* // The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo** // Bossypants* // Dad is Fat // Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine* // David Sedaris //
The Sisters Brothers — If your man likes the Cohen Brothers movies, Tarantino or Wes Anderson he’ll probably love this!
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo – Russ and I both have super crass senses of humor so take this with a grain of salt, but we laughed a lot!
Bossypants — less crass still funny!
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – I loved this one and the narrator is super fun.
Dad is Fat // David Sedaris — two super highly recommended titles! I know I know how have I never read David Sedaris. I tried in college and it wasn’t my thing, I should probably try again.
Common Ground: Ready Player One* // The Way of Kings* // Peace Like a River* // Ender’s Game** // The Martian // Count of Monte Cristo // Tattoos on the Heart*
This grouping is me making sweeping general stereotypes that don’t factor any nuances. I apologize, I even roll my eyes at some of these statements! In my experience books with 10k or more reviews are typically a good unisex read. Also, if when you search for them they have study guides or summaries listed they’re typically a busy-man fave (think corporate guy who needs to be brushed up on water cooler talk or golf game chatter) and also this list includes what my husband and his friends deem worth
Ready Player One*— dripping with 80’s nostalgia and trivia, dudes love this. I enjoyed it, too!
The Way of Kings* — I can’t count how many real life conversations with I have had about this book with guys. The LOVE it.
Peace Like a River* — The storyline feels like it would be something a guy could resonate with! Fathers and sons, protective brothers, high school bullies. One of my all time faves.
Ender’s Game** — Russ and I listened to this on a road trip YEARS ago and we both loved it.
The Martian — highly recommended and the movie was hilarious so I can only imagine. Lots of language.
Count of Monte Cristo — This is on so many of my guys friends’ top book picks. Its like the Shawshank Redemption of books. 😉 Pretty sure it is book but you know what I mean.
Tattoos on the Heart* — a good social conversation as well as lots of funny stories about gangsters. I think guys would enjoy!
Any to add to this list?! Here’s a HUGE graphic for your pinning pleasure and the links to my makeup ;):
Foundation: Charlotte Tilbury // Contour: Dior Backstage // Highlighter: Laura // Blush: Laura Mercier “Chai” // Eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day // Lid: Urban Decay “Nooner” all over // Mascara: L’Oreal Double Extend // Lip: Prep – Laneige (I prep before I start makeup so my lips are ready for an actual lipstick) + Laura Mercier “Nude Naturel” bubble gum pink // Brushes – Foundation Brush, Highlighter Brush, Powder Contour from FLAWLESS FACE SET // fluffy shadow brush FLY EYE SET
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