Last Updated: September 7th
Here’s a secret: the best way to pass time on a road trip is listening to comedy audiobooks. Nothing gets the miles rolling faster than laughing at David Sedaris comparing the old carrots in his father’s crisper drawer to flaccid penises, or hearing the story of Tina Fey’s ill-fated honeymoon cruise right from her own mouth.
Sure, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Bossypants might be classic audio comedy gold, but they’re certainly not the only two books in the genre. And if you’re, say, taking a road trip to the top mini-golf course in every U.S. state, you’re going to need a whole lot more hours of entertainment than Tina and David can provide.
Well, you’re in luck. We’ve come up with a list of nine of the best comedy audiobooks out right now. From parody, to memoir, to political satire, with topics as diverse as annoying mothers and veteran concierges, you’re sure to find something to tickle your ear buds and get you from point A to point B.
Related: 10 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now
For The Political Junkie: Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years
From comedian D.L. Hughley comes a hilarious critique of politics, entertainment, and race in America (think Jon Stewart’s America). In Black Man, White House, Hughley examines Obama’s last eight years in office through the eyes of politicians and media pundits such as Mitt Romney, Nancy Pelosi, and Rod Blagojevich.
For The Diehard Queen Bey Fans: What Would Beyoncé Do?!
Remember that woman who decided to do every single thing Oprah recommended for a year, and came away $4,700 poorer? British comedian Luisa Omielan’s What Would Beyoncé Do?! is sort of like that, only with approximately sixteen times the hilarity. If you’re not familiar with Omielan, do yourself a favor and watch her viral rant about thigh gaps. She’s funny and this book is a great way to cross the country.
For Short Drives To Your Far-Right Relatives’ Houses: A Child’s First Book of Trump
We all remember Michael Ian Black from The State, Wet, Hot American Summer, or his stint as Phil on the early ’00s drama Ed (“Shave my poodle,” anyone?), but he’s also a well-known (and beloved) kid’s book author. Listening to Black narrate the seven minute-long audiobook of A Child’s First Book of Trump ought to power you through an awkward Sunday dinner with your very vocal uncle Bill.
For The Person Who Never Knows What To Do Or Where To Eat While On Vacation: How May We Hate You?: Notes from the Concierge Desk
You know they talk about you when you leave. But what do they say? How May We Hate You will give you an insight into how the happy folks manning the concierge desk at your favorite hotel really feel when you ask them if they can book you a boat to the Empire State Building. (Yes, this really happened.) Written by veteran concierges Anna Drezen and Todd Dakotah Briscoe, who also run a website of true concierge stories, the book is a a very funny dive into “life beyond the name tag.”
For The Person Who Is Trying To Find Humor In The Midst Of Darkness: Cheer Up, Love: Adventures in Depression with the Crab of Hate
Depression isn’t something people generally classify as funny, but comedian Susan Calman has gone and proven that it can be. After receiving positive feedback on a stand-up show she wrote on mental health, Kalman decided to expand on the topic. Her book is an intensely personal memoir about surviving when you’re “the world’s most negative person.” Audible reviewers say Calman’s memoir is “open, honest,” “told with humor and humility,” and “from the heart.” We’re here to remind you that it’s also blisteringly funny.
For The Person Who Pretends To Adult On A Daily Basis: I Know What I’m Doing — and Other Lies I Tell Myself: Dispatches from a Life Under Construction
Being an adult is difficult. If anyone knows that, it’s Jen Kirkman. And according to her, that’s okay. In fact, the fact that it’s okay to have a “life in progress” is exactly what she’s trying to tell readers of I Know What I’m Doing. The book is a hilarious romp about everything from finding your first grey pubic hair to not going home for the holidays, delivered by Kirkman herself.
For The Tig Notaro Superfan: I’m Just a Person
You know who you are. You fell in love with her as soon as you heard her famous opening at the Largo: “Good evening. Hello. I have cancer. How are you? Hi, how are you? Is everybody having a good time? I have cancer.” You followed her romance and her devastating journey to motherhood on the Netflix documentary, Tig. Now, there’s five more hours of Tig for you to enjoy. I’m Just a Person dives back into the year when Tig lost her mother, went through a breakup, was hospitalized with C. diff, and was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer.
Not something you’d consider laughable? Give it a try anyway. The book is brave, smart, and funny as hell.
For The Person Who Thinks Their Mother Is The Craziest Of Them All: Mother, Can You Not?
Guess what? You’re not the only one with a crazy mother. But if you need proof of that fact, check out Kate Siegel’s book. From the woman behind the Instagram account @CrazyJewishMom comes a book that honors a woman who could “make your mom look like Mother Teresa.”
Siegel shares actual anecdotes from her life, like the time her mother told her to decline an STD test because, in her words, “YOU WON’T BE GETTING SEXED!” or the time she actually moved across the country to be closer to Siegel while she was in college. Four hours of cringeworthy mother moments? Yes, please.
For The Person Looking For The Next Bossypants: The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo
Amy Schumer is a very different person than Tina Fey, but even still, she’s gone and blessed the world with an audiobook memoir of her journey from her awkward teenage years to today’s reign as the queen of comedy. Or, more accurately, she’s about to bless the world — the audiobook doesn’t actually come out until August 16. Still, buzz is high on Schumer’s memoir. Even Tilda Swinton has something to say about Schumer: “Amy’s got your back. She’s in your corner. She’s an honesty bomb. And she’s coming for you.”
Nine barely scratches the surface of all the comedy audiobooks out there right now. If we missed something that got you laughing, let us know! We’re always on the lookout for the next road trip binge listen!
