A compilation of some of the popular National Public Radio stories labeled “Driveway Moments” because listeners literally stayed in their cars after driving up in their driveways after the commute home in the evening while All Things Considered played. All of the stories are great, some better than others depending on your interests. One of my favorites was the elderly lady who told the story of her blow up bra which….well, blew up on a non-pressurized airplane enroute to Santiago, Chile. My only criticism is the “book” is too short. I wish they had added more stories. I checked out the audio version from my local library and listened to it during my daily walks and while mowing the lawn. It was perfect for both of those activities. It reminds me once again why I’m such a National Public Radio fan. ( )

National Public Radio (NPR) describes a "driveway moment" as the unwillingness to stop listening to an unfinished story on your car radio once you've reached your destination - you are compelled to hear the end of the story.  I don't think many (if not most) of the stories in this "favorites" collection were of that type for me, however.  These favorites were chosen by NPR listeners and staff in 2009.

This anthology consists of 18 segments that first aired between January 15, 1977, and June 30, 2009, with all but three airing post-9/11.  The shortest segment was just over three minutes; the longest was over thirteen.

I don't listen to NPR, so perhaps I was not the best audience for this book.  I do listen to a LOT of audiobooks on my long commute, but I chose this set because I was looking for something short to listen to before a holiday.

The funniest segment was one I'd actually heard on another NPR Driveway Moments collection, Love Stories, called "The Complexities of Modern Love in the Digital Age," on what might happen if two automated customer service voices, a male one and a female one, were to have a relationship.  I also got a kick out of a segment interviewing Cookie Monster (and his creators) of Sesame Street, and one from StoryCorps about a "wardrobe malfunction," called "Andes or Bust."  Most of the segments were more serious, addressing such topics as 9/11, Sarajevo, Afghanistan, and an earthquake in China.

All in all, this was an enjoyable collection, good for times you need something to listen to that is short and easy.

© Amanda Pape - 2018

[This audiobook was borrowed from and returned to my university library collection.] ( )