9 Books For Your Commute

Whether you have a short or a long commute, public transportation can be a significant part of your day. Your daily ride on the train or bus, to and from work, does not have to be a complete waste of time, especially if you bring books to read on your commute. In fact, you can make this time feel both satisfying and productive. Some of us like to use this daily trip to simply relax, reflect, and reenergize, while others find it more fun to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.

Spending this time unplugged from technology can also benefit your day and your health. Reading a book during your morning or evening commute is a great way to add tech-free time to your day. The best books to choose are ones you'll find entertaining rather than ones that feel like a chore. Reading a fun novel during your commute can often take away the typical negative aspects of the commute. When you take the opportunity to slow down and enjoy a book, the commute can become one of your favorite parts of the day.

Here are nine books that will keep you completely entertained during your commute to work. They range from a collection of essays, to self-help, to fiction. Just make sure they don't make you miss your stop.

1. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is a collection of 22 autobiographical essays by humorist David Sedaris. His self-deprecating humor delves into his family, upbringing, heritage, homosexuality, jobs, education, and obsessive behaviors.

2. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

When you read the description of this book, it seems like another of version of The Fault in Our Stars. However, Andrews manages to avoid many of the typical YA stereotypes. The story is narrated by Greg Gaines, a very cynical and funny high school student. This book will potentially bring both laughter and tears to your commute.

3. The Stench of Honolulu: A Tropical Adventure by Jack Handey

Jack Handey, Emmy Award-winner and co-producer of Saturday Night Live, is best known for Deep Thoughts. The Stench of Honolulu is his first novel in which nearly every paragraph contains a joke. The story follows two men on a wild adventure in Hawaii trying to find the Golden Monkey.

4. I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley

I Was Told There'd Be Cake is a New York Times bestselling collection of 15 amusing essays ranging from childhood to present. She takes us on a journey through some of her most hilarious experiences living in New York City.

5. In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods (not to be confused with Into the Woods) is a mystery novel about Irish detectives and their investigation of a murder. This gripping story is jam-packed with romance and psychological suspense.

6. Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple

Where'd You Go Bernadette is an engaging novel made up of documents, emails, transcripts, FBI reports, and magazine articles. Its a humorous family drama with charming characters and a surprising plot twist.

7. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a best-selling mystery novel, currently a Broadway play, and soon to be a feature film. The 15-year-old narrator of the story, discovers his neighbor's dog has been killed and sets out to uncover the murderer.

8. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

Surprisingly, Modern Romance is full of actual data. Focus groups and interviews were taken into account in regards to how finding love in the modern era has changed. It is a successful hybrid of fact, advice, and comedy.

9. F*ck Feelings: One Shrink's Practical Advice for Managing All Life's Impossible Problems by Michael Bennett

This tough love self-help book values actions over emotions. The father-daughter duo created a refreshingly blunt and humorous approach to self-improvement. While this book has been branded the anti-self-help guide, it's still about understanding yourself.

Commuting can be a pain, but it doesn't have to be all bad. Use your free time to your advantage.

Image: Time Savage/Pexels