United States Audiobooks | Travel

The Search for the Genuine: Nonfiction, 1970–2015

The first general nonfiction title in thirty years from a giant of American letters, The Search for the Genuine is a sparkling, definitive collection of Jim Harrison’s essays and journalism—some never before published. New York Times bestselling author Jim Harrison (1937–2016) was a writer with a poet’s economy of style and trencherman’s appetites and ribald humor. In The Search for the Genuine, a collection of new and previously published essays, the giant of letters muses on everything from grouse hunting and fishing to Zen Buddhism and matters of the spirit, including reported pieces on Yellowstone and shark-tagging in the open ocean, commentary on writers from Bukowski to Neruda to Peter Matthiessen, and a heartbreaking essay on life—and, for those attempting to cross in the ever-more-dangerous gaps, death—on the US/Mexico border. Written with Harrison’s trademark humor, compassion, and full-throated zest for life, this chronicle of a modern bon vivant is a feast for fans who may think they know Harrison’s nonfiction, from a true “American original”.

Jim Harrison (Author), Traber Burns (Narrator)

Audiobook

HowExpert Guide to Mystic, Connecticut: 101 Tips on Where to Eat, Play, Stay, and Explore in Mystic,

If you want tips on where to eat, play, stay, and explore in Mystic, Connecticut, then check out HowExpert Guide to Mystic, Connecticut. The small coastal town of Mystic, Connecticut, is the quintessential New England village. From a multitude of shops and boutiques to world-famous restaurants like Mystic Pizza, Mystic has more to offer than you may think. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn about the best places to eat, shop, and explore. So whether you’re looking for tourist-centric activities or secret spots that only the locals know about, this guide, HowExpert Guide to Mystic, Connecticut, is just what you need to get to know this beautiful seaside town. From the history and settlement of Mystic to modern-day outdoor activities and nightlife, you will be able to plan your trip to Mystic to a tee after reading this guide. A detailed guide to hotels and inns in the area will ensure you find a comfortable place to stay during your trip. Once you arrive, then you can start the adventure! There are a thousand different ways you could choose to spend your time here. Learn tips from a lifelong local as you journey through this little town with a lot of character and so much to do, see, and explore. In HowExpert Guide to Mystic, Connecticut, you, too, will feel like a local after reading all about yearly festivals, the best places to eat, and more. About the Author Courtney Garrett is a lifelong local of Mystic, Connecticut. She lives there with her family and her Havanese dog, Ella. She has a passion for the written word and works as a full-time freelance writer and editor. She is currently working on a novel in her free time, and she also enjoys horseback riding and swimming. Her favorite place to be is reading and relaxing at the beach, or really anywhere near the ocean. HowExpert publishes how to guides by everyday experts.

Courtney Garrett, Howexpert (Author), Rachel Stein (Narrator)

Audiobook

The California Days of Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the spring of 1871, Ralph Waldo Emerson boarded a train in Concord, Massachusetts, bound for a month-and-a-half-long tour of California-an interlude that became one of the highlights of his life. On their journey across the American West, he and his companions would take in breathtaking vistas in the Rockies and along the Pacific Coast, speak with a young John Muir in the Yosemite Valley, stop off in Salt Lake City for a meeting with Brigham Young, and encounter a diversity of communities and cultures that would challenge their Yankee prejudices. Based on original research employing newly discovered documents, The California Days of Ralph Waldo Emerson maps the public story of this group's travels onto the private story of Emerson's final years, as aphasia set in and increasingly robbed him of his words. Engaging and compelling, this travelogue makes it clear that Emerson was still capable of wonder, surprise, and friendship, debunking the presumed darkness of his last decade.

Brian C. Wilson (Author), L.J. Ganser (Narrator)

Audiobook

Desert Oracle: Volume 1: Strange True Tales from the American Southwest

This program is read by the author, Ken Layne, host of the Desert Oracle radio show. It includes an exclusive first listen to a story from Desert Oracle: Volume 2. The cult-y field guide to the strange and intriguing secrets of the Mojave—its myths and legends, outcasts and oddballs, flora, fauna, and UFOs—becomes the definitive, oracular book of the desert. For the past five years, Desert Oracle has existed as a quasi-mythical, quarterly periodical available to the very determined only by subscription or at the odd desert-town gas station or the occasional hipster boutique, its canary-yellow-covered, forty-four-page issues handed from one curious desert zealot to the next, word spreading faster than the printers could keep up with. It became a radio show, a podcast, a live performance. Now, for the first time—and including both classic and new, never-before-seen revelations—Desert Oracle is available as an audiobook. Straight out of Joshua Tree, California, Desert Oracle is “The Voice of the Desert”: a field guide to the strange tales, singing sand dunes, sagebrush trails, artists and aliens, authors and oddballs, ghost towns and modern legends, musicians and mystics, scorpions and saguaros, out there in the sand. Desert Oracle is your companion at a roadside diner, around a campfire, in your tent or cabin (or high-rise apartment or suburban living room) as the wind and the coyotes howl outside at night. From journal entries of long-deceased adventurers to stray railroad ad copy, and musings on everything from desert flora, rumored cryptid sightings, and other paranormal phenomena, Ken Layne's Desert Oracle collects the weird and the wonderful of the American Southwest into a single, essential volume. A Macmillan Audio production from MCD Books.

Ken Layne (Author), Ken Layne (Narrator)

Audiobook

Old Glory: A Voyage Down the Mississippi

The author of Bad Land realizes a lifelong dream as he navigates the waters of the Mississippi River in a spartan sixteen-foot motorboat, producing yet another masterpiece of contemporary American travel writing. In the course of his voyage, Raban records the mercurial caprices of the river and the astonishingly varied lives of the people who live along its banks. Whether he is fishing for walleye or hunting coon, discussing theology in Prairie Du Chien or race relations in Memphis, he is an expert observer of the heartland’s estrangement from America’s capitals of power and culture, and its helpless nostalgia for its lost past. Witty, elegiac, and magnificently erudite, Old Glory is as filled with strong currents as the Mississippi itself.

Jonathan Raban (Author), James Langton (Narrator)

Audiobook

HowExpert Guide to the San Fernando Valley: 101 Tips to Learn about the History, Celebrities, Entert

There’s so much to see and do in the San Fernando Valley that you might find it hard to decide where to begin. From movie studio tours, amusement parks, cultural centers, metaphysical spots, a historic mission, hiking trails, huge parks, lovely gardens, restaurants galore, and much, much more, the Valley, as locals call it, is the place for fun. Author Susan Hartzler who grew up there shares the rich history of the area and hidden secrets and personal stories in this exhaustive guide. Did you know Lucille Ball and her husband Ricky Ricardo lived there with a cow that used to kiss them good night from their bedroom window? Or that Marilyn Monroe was discovered in the Valley working at Radioplane Munitions Factory in Van Nuys? Or how about the fact that the Jonas Brothers grew up in Toluca Lake and Bruno Mars had a place in Studio City? Those are just a few of the celebrity stories you’ll learn about when you read this book. The Valley is more than strip malls, suburbs, and Valleyspeak. The area’s diverse residents bring with them different cultures that make the Valley something extra special. There are even Longhorn cattle living there amidst some major celebrities who call the Valley home today. You’ll even find out the best places to stargaze where you can catch a glimpse of your favorite star in their real life. You’ll also learn about the best ways to get around town, the best places to stay, what to do, and where to eat. Speaking of food, the Valley is home to Sushi Row alongside some of the best Mexican restaurants you’ll find this side of the border. So, before you pack up the kids, find out all about the Valley from someone who knows. The place is spread out, so you could miss a fun adventure if you don’t do your research before going. Take it from Susan: The Valley is a wonderful place to live and the perfect vacation spot to visit. HowExpert publishes how to guides by everyday experts.

Howexpert, Susan Hartzler (Author), Tim Cicciarelli (Narrator)

Audiobook

In Scoring Position: 40 Years of a Baseball Love Affair

Bob Ryan has scored every baseball game he's attended, at every level, since the start of the 1977 season. It's a deeply personal tradition still going strong at more than 1,400 games and counting. The tattered scorebooks he's filled are worn from age, travel, and countless summer days, but their grids and scrawled symbols tell the stories of milestones, rivalries, rare historic achievements, and more. In Scoring Position captures the incomparable spirit of baseball, with its infinite possibilities and madcap anomalies. Ryan, alongside baseball historian and statistician Bill Chuck, has scoured his scorecard archives for the most singular events-a switch-hitter being hit by a pitch from both sides of the plate in the same game; a player batting for the cycle off four different pitchers; even back-to-back pinch-hit home runs with two outs in the 9th. Featuring some of the game's biggest names and wildest scenarios, this is a fascinating romp through baseball history, exuding a pure zeal for this sport that fans of all teams will recognize in themselves.

Bill Chuck, Bob Ryan (Author), Chris Lutkin, Pat Grimes, Pete Cross (Narrator)

Audiobook

HowExpert Guide to Eugene, Oregon: 101 Tips to Learn the History, Discover the Best Places to Visit,

Known as “Track Town USA,” “The Emerald Valley,” or “Nike Town,” Eugene is the second-largest city in Oregon. Home to the Summer Olympic Trials and many other exciting outdoor events, this area is a hidden gem. In this travel guide, you can learn everything you need to know for an exciting and wonderful vacation to this centrally located destination. We say ‘centrally located’ because Eugene is only an hour from the mountains to the East (the Cascade Range) or the Oregon Coast to the West (the town of Florence, Oregon)! The book offers seven chapters of expert, native perspectives in different areas such as: – Chapter 1: History of Eugene. An overview of the area, the people, and the culture that has shaped the city. – Chapter 2: All about outdoor recreation, in Eugene, the Oregon Coast, and in the Cascade Mountains! From rock-climbing to sand surfing on the dunes to soaking in the natural hot springs – there’s something for everyone! – Chapter 3: Focuses on the indoor activities available in all three of these wonderful areas. – Chapter 4 - Looks at Hotels, B&B’s, and other lodging accommodations in all three areas, from the boutique hotels of Eugene to the rustic lodges of the mountains. – Chapter 5: Dining! From casual food carts to five-star restaurants, this chapter has just the local food seen in Eugene covered! – Chapter 6: Dining outside of Eugene - Either at the coast or going up to the Mountains, this chapter is full of dining delights not located in Eugene! – Chapter 7: Beer, Wine, Drinks, and Dance Clubs in Eugene. This chapter has a comprehensive list of everywhere to go in the Eugene area to get your drink, dance, or simply enjoy some of the craft brews the area is known for! Check out HowExpert Guide to Eugene, Oregon, to learn the history, discover the best places to visit, eat great food, and have fun exploring Eugene, Oregon!

Howexpert, Kristy Johnson (Author), N.W. Edwards (Narrator)

Audiobook

Written in the Snows: Across Time on Skis in the Pacific Northwest

In Written in the Snows, renowned local skiing historian Lowell Skoog presents a definitive and visually rich history of the past century of Northwest ski culture, from stirring and colorful stories of wilderness exploration to the evolution of gear and technique. He traces the development of skiing in Washington from the late 1800s to the present, covering the beginnings of ski resorts and competitions, the importance of wild places in the Olympic and Cascade mountains (including Oregon's Mount Hood), and the friluftsliv, or open-air living spirit, of backcountry skiing. Skoog addresses how skiing has been shaped by larger social trends, including immigration, the Great Depression, war, economic growth, conservation, and the media. In turn, Northwest skiers have affected their region in ways that transcend the sport, producing local legends like Milnor Roberts, Olga Bolstad, Hans Otto Giese, Bill Maxwell, and more. While weaving his own impressions and experiences into the larger history, Skoog shows that skiing is far more than mere sport or recreation.

Lowell Skoog (Author), Danny Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans

A magical mystery tour of the extraordinary historical characters that have defined the unique spiritual landscape of New Orleans New Orleans has long been America's most magical city, inhabited by a fascinating visible and invisible world, full of mysteries, known for its decadence and haunted by its spirits. If Salem, Massachusetts is famous for its persecution of witches, New Orleans is celebrated for its embrace of the magical, mystical, and paranormal. New Orleans is acclaimed for its witches, ghosts, and vampires. Because of its unique history, New Orleans is the historical stronghold of traditional African religions and spirituality in the US. No other city worldwide is as associated with Vodou as New Orleans. In her new book, author and scholar Denise Alvarado takes us on a magical tour of New Orleans. There is a mysterious spiritual underbelly hiding in plain sight in New Orleans, and in this book Alvarado shows us where it is and who the characters are. She tells where they come from and how they persist and manifest today. Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints shines a light on notable spirits and folk saints such as Papa Legba, Annie Christmas, Black Hawk, African American culture hero Jean St. Malo, St. Expedite, plague saint Roch, and, of course, the mother and father of New Orleans Voudou, Marie Laveau and Doctor John Montenée. Witch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints serves as a secret history of New Orleans, revealing details even locals may not know.

Denise Alvarado (Author), Karen Chilton (Narrator)

Audiobook

God is Like a Geyser: 30 Day Devotional For When You Are Waiting on God or Geysers

Walk with God in Yellowstone National Park. In this 30 day devotional discover how Yellowstone National Park's natural phenomenon, geysers, reflect their creator. From the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat Geyser, to the most famous geyser, Old Faithful, the author offers thought on how they might be God speaking out to those He loves on a daily basis. This is NOT a book of theology, but more of an encouragement to sit and wait on God. It is an exploration of thoughts about geysers and their maker. Whether you are a fan of geysers and Yellowstone National Park or looking for a devotional that is fun and thought-provoking, you've found it. Geysers included in this book - Old Faithful Geyser - Grand Geyser - Artemesia Geyser - Beehive Geyser - Riverside Geyser - Lonestar Geyser - Fountain Geyser - Morning Geyser - Great Fountain Geyser - Castle Geyser - Steamboat Geyser And more!

Chris Stanley (Author), Chris Stanley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Graceland, At Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache From the American South

Winner of the 2022 Southern Book Prize Winner of the 2022 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay An Indie Next Selection for September 2021 A Book Marks Best Reviewed Essay Collection of 2021 A Literary Hub Most Anticipated Book of 2021 A Country Living Best Book of Fall 2022 A Garden & Gun Recommended Read for Fall 2021 A Book Marks Best Reviewed Book of September 2021 From the author of the bestselling #ReadWithJenna/TODAY Show book club pick Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss For the past four years, Margaret Renkl’s columns have offered readers of The New York Times a weekly dose of natural beauty, human decency, and persistent hope from her home in Nashville. Now more than sixty of those pieces have been brought together in this sparkling collection. “People have often asked me how it feels to be the ‘voice of the South,’” writes Renkl in her introduction. “But I’m not the voice of the South, and no one else is, either.” There are many Souths—red and blue, rural and urban, mountain and coast, Black and white and brown—and no one writer could possibly represent all of them. In Graceland, At Last, Renkl writes instead from her own experience about the complexities of her homeland, demonstrating along the way how much more there is to this tangled region than many people understand. In a patchwork quilt of personal and reported essays, Renkl also highlights some other voices of the South, people who are fighting for a better future for the region. A group of teenagers who organized a youth march for Black Lives Matter. An urban shepherd whose sheep remove invasive vegetation. Church parishioners sheltering the homeless. Throughout, readers will find the generosity of spirit and deep attention to the world, human and nonhuman, that keep readers returning to her columns each Monday morning. From a writer who “makes one of all the world’s beings” (NPR), Graceland, At Last is a book full of gifts for Southerners and non-Southerners alike.

Margaret Renkl (Author), Joyce Bean (Narrator)

Audiobook

United States Audiobooks in Travel