NPR Classic Driveway Moments: Radio Stories that Won't Let You Go

NPR Driveway Moments

by National Public Radio, Michele Norris (Performance)

Presented together for the first time, here are the very first, and very best, definitive listener favorites that came to be known as Driveway Moments: the classic, spellbinding stories that keep getting better with repeated listening, selected from the National Public Radio archives. These tales were first heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and other NPR programs. Like the unforgettable “Amy’s Answering Machine,” in which comedian and author Amy Borkowsky shares quirky, hilarious messages left by her mother. And “My So-Called Lungs,” an emotional audio diary by a young girl with cystic fibrosis. And “Hitching a Ride with Junior McGhee,” in which musician/storyteller Charlie Barnett takes listeners on a hitchhiking adventure across the U.S. Literate, intelligent, mirthful, and moving, these stories are worth repeating—and hearing again and again.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Essays, Humor, Journalism

Audio CD

Published March 9, 2010

Reviews

[Jay French]

Typical mix of personal essays and general interest reporting stories from NPR. I didn't really hear that many that I'd consider classic. I'll agree with reviewer Christina - I'd consider "Amy's Answering Machine" and "My So Called Lungs" the best. I would recommend many podcasts out there that are more interesting and "classic" than this collection (try a couple of random episodes of How Sound, for instance).

[Kyla]

A good blend of serious and seriously fun stories. I went from laughing (the musician who hitchhiked across Nebraska with a guy named Junior) to crying (the 2-year-old boy with Tay-Sachs who was in hospice care).

[Christina]

Amy's answering machine and my so called lungs were my favorite!

[Dale]

Published in March of 2010 by HighBridge Audio
Multicast Performance
Duration: 2 hours

This collection is comprised of 13 stories (and one intro track) culled from 31 years of NPR radio stories (1979-2010). Most of these stories have depth but not all are equal.

I was profoundly moved by a story called "My So-Called Lungs" featuring a young woman starting college while struggling with cystic fibrosis. It was engrossing on multiple levels and my high school-aged daughter and I were captivated by the woman's honesty, grace and humor in the face of inevitable death.

On the other hand, the story "Death of a Child: Losing Adam", featuring a child who was dying from a terminal illness just felt intrusive and maudlin.

The interview with George Foreman was interesting and quite enjoyable, although NPR being NPR, they found a way to bring a downer note to it by tying the George Foreman grill into it and interviewing homeless people who used it as a cooking appliance of last resort.

The collection ends with a great story, undoubtedly exaggerated, about 2 friends hitch hiking across Nebraska in the 1970s. "Hitching a Ride with Junior McGee" is a great short story told well and is a good way to finish the collection.

Note: this collection is up and down, but the strong stories are very, very strong and are worth listening to.

I rate this collection 4 stars out of 5.

Read all of my reviews of audiobooks by NPR here: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...

[Sarah]

This was a disappointment. Granted I mostly listened to this while I was down with a fever from the flu, but I couldn't find a common theme among these stories. They weren't particularly, outstandingly interesting to me, they aren't all uplifting or funny, and they don't appear to have any topic in common. Mostly this left me confused. Pass, unless you're really desperate not to drive in silence.

[Chris]

Great collection of short, heart-warming pieces.

The only piece I disliked was one using opera to describe economic concepts. I think it was meant to be humorous, but it was only strange and too long. It probably doesn't help that I hate opera... Fortunately it was only a few minutes long (felt longer).

Overall, great collection. It's kind of like a radio version of "Chicken Soup for the Soul."

[Babs]

Wonderful collection. Nice way to pass time on the bus.

[Ch J Loveall]

Must hear!

[Andreia]

A great selection.

[Kaycee]

[Sherri]

I enjoyed a few of the stories, but I was hoping for more. It's really short - 2 hours of audio.

[Mary]

This was just ok. Some of the stories were engaging and held my interest. Some didnt. Meh.

[Kellie]

2 wonderful hours spent. Check this out.

[Don]

This was a short collection of vignettes gathered through the years from NPR. It had some great stories. While some weren't as memorable as others, it's still well worth a listen.

[Nell]

Life is always more whacked out compared to anything our imaginations can cook up

[Christin]

Not a good collection. Good stories but not the driveway stay in the car kinds I’ve stayed in the car for.

[Amy]

The mom on the answering machine was the best