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Still, not all books make ideal companions for the long-haul drive or the preparation of dinner for 20.

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Charming for all ages, including the squirmy kids in the back of the car.

Former English teacher Miles Platting has a brainstorm that makes him a rich man.

Thackers madcap tale is voiced with suitable sincerity by British voice artist Angus Freathy.

The Little Snake, by A.L. Kennedy, narrated by the author (Bolinda Publishing, Nov. 8), 2 hrs, 57 min.

Altogether, its delightfully silly.

(The company changed its name to CoreCivic after Bauer wrote about his experiences inMother Jones.)

TheBeastie Boys Bookshows where audiobooks can go.

Twain’s Feast, narrated by Nick Offerman (Audible Studios, Nov. 1), 4 hrs, 27 min.

We get actress Crosby Fitzgerald rendering the character of Barrel-Chested Randy in a silly southern accent.

Its free-spirited and goofy and sonically unbound.

Beastie fans will feel right at home.

Lingua Franca, by William Thacker, narrated by Angus Freathy (Legend Press, Nov. 5), 5 hrs, 39 min.

This is Bricks first at-bat as Reacher since Dick Hill stepped aside after voicing Reacher for 18 novels.

(Tom Cruise can commiserate, having just been deemedtoo shortto continue as Reacher in the TV reboot.)

Childs popular protagonist may be getting older hes about 58 by my reckoning but Bricks voice will never tell.

American Prison: A Reporter’s Undercover Journey Into the Business of Punishment, by Shane Bauer, narrated by James Fouhey (Penguin Audio, Sept. 18), 10 hrs, 25 min.

Transcription, by Kate Atkinson, narrated by Fenella Woolgar (Hachette Audio, Sept. 25), 11 hrs, 9 min.

Beastie Boys Book, by Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz; narrated by the authors and 42 others, including Elvis Costello, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Spike Jonze, Rosie Perez, LL Cool J, Will Ferrell, Jon Stewart, and Rachel Maddow (Random House Audio, Oct. 30), 12 hrs, 41 min.

Past Tense, by Lee Child, narrated by Scott Brick (Random House Audio, Nov. 5), 12 hrs, 51 min.