My Kind of Place by Susan Orlean

My Kind of Place

Offbeat travel through humanity’s weirdest corners

Written bySusan Orlean
Narrated bySusan Orlean
Length4h50m
Release dateSeptember 28, 2004
LanguageEnglish
★★★☆ 3.6 (16 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorSusan Orlean
NarratorSusan Orlean
Runtime4h50m
PublishedSeptember 28, 2004
Rating★★★☆ 3.6 / 5 (16 ratings)
CategoriesBiographies & Memoirs, Travel & Tourism, Travel Writing & Commentary
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*My Kind of Place* isn’t your typical travelogue—it’s a backstage pass to the world’s most fascinating subcultures, guided by Susan Orlean’s razor-sharp curiosity. This collection of essays whisks listeners from a taxidermy convention in Missouri to the neon-lit underbelly of Bangkok’s go-go bars, all while Orlean’s narration—dry, intimate, and occasionally wry—makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a brilliant friend’s late-night stories. What sets this apart is her knack for finding the extraordinary in the overlooked: a Moroccan donkey market, a Japanese kindergarten’s graduation ceremony, or the quiet desperation of a Midwestern animal auction. It’s travel writing as cultural anthropology, minus the pretension.

The audiobook’s strength lies in Orlean’s delivery—her pacing is unhurried but never sluggish, her tone oscillating between amused detachment and genuine warmth. At just under five hours, it’s a bite-sized global tour, perfect for listeners who crave armchair adventure without the fluff. That said, this isn’t a cozy escape; Orlean’s lens often lingers on the melancholic or absurd, making it ideal for those who prefer their travel writing with a side of existential musing. If you’ve ever wondered what connects a Bengali tiger handler to a Midwestern show-dog groomer, this is your audiobook.

Tags: unconventional travel writingcultural anthropology audiobookswitty female narratorsoffbeat subculturesshort-form essays for commutersliterary travel with edge

Why Listen to My Kind of Place?

  • Expert narration by Susan Orlean brings every character and scene to life across 4h50m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 3.6 stars by 16 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit: I approached *My Kind of Place* skeptical of yet another ‘quirky travel essays’ collection, but Orlean won me over within minutes. Her narration is the star here—conversational yet precise, like she’s recounting these adventures over a second glass of wine. The essay on Bangkok’s go-go bars, for instance, could’ve veered into exploitation, but Orlean’s nuanced delivery (and her refusal to sensationalize) makes it a poignant study of performance and survival. Similarly, her piece on a New Jersey dog show had me laughing out loud at her deadpan descriptions of primped poodles and their even more primped owners. The production is clean, with no distracting edits, though I wish the pacing varied more—some essays blur together in tone, making the midsection drag slightly. And while Orlean’s detachment works for most pieces, a few (like the taxidermy convention) left me craving deeper reflection. Still, the standouts—like her haunting portrait of a Moroccan donkey trader—are worth the price alone. This isn’t a book for armchair travelers who want postcard-perfect escapism; it’s for those who love the weird, the wistful, and the quietly human. If you’ve ever found yourself Googling niche hobbies at 2 a.m., Orlean’s your kindred spirit.

Download: My Kind of Place

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My Kind of Place by Susan Orlean is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Susan Orlean with a runtime of 4h50m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.