You spend a lot of your life traveling, so why not make the most of your constant trips and commutes by educating yourself? Whether you’re driving to a friend’s house, dozing on a plane, or riding on the subway, these nonfiction audiobooks are a great way to learn on the go for two minutes before you decide to just play Beyoncé’s “Love On Top” on repeat instead.
This Changes Everything: Capitalism Vs. The Climate By Naomi Klein
This comprehensive book on the political and economic forces contributing to climate change makes a case for radical change that’s difficult for most people to swallow. This group includes you, who will turn on the audiobook for a couple minutes before deciding you deserve a break and listening to “Love on Top” for the 24th time in two days.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie’s famous Ted Talk isn’t even that long. But somehow, every time you try to put it on during your commute, you end up listening to “Love On Top,” an already repetitive song, five times. All those key changes are educational and a great vocal exercise for you, anyway.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
You really want to understand and have empathy for the people who elected Donald Trump. You really, really do. But, more urgently, you want to bask in Beyoncé’s joy at having secured Jay Z’s love and commitment during your bus ride home.
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
You’re pretty sure that if you could finally finish, or at least get to the second chapter of Gladwell’s book on historical successes, you would be a wealthier, more respected individual by now. Unfortunately, you’ve been trying to start it for years, during which time you have memorized every single word to Beyoncé’s 4. Whatever. Bring the beat back!
The Feminist Mystique by Betty Friedan
Get back to basics with the book that launched second-wave feminism in the 1960’s. Especially in light of the recent political climate, it’s particularly fascinating that you, you’re the one I loooooove, you’re the one I neeeeed, you’re the only one I see…
Audiobooks are a great way to gain a little bit of knowledge in the five minutes before you inevitably put “Love On Top” on repeat. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow morning, you’ll even listen to a political podcast for three minutes before turning on “Countdown.”
