10 Great Books to Read on a Long Charter Bus Ride

So you’re prepping for your next group trip. Great!

But you also may have a long charter bus ride ahead of you. If you’re like many people, you may be prone to motion sickness when stuck on the road for hours. You also may find it difficult to fall asleep, and end up arriving at your destination exhausted rather than refreshed and ready to go. But there’s a simple way to cure travel fatigue, and it’s as easy as bringing a good book.

Price4Limo understands what it takes to make a group outing a comfortable and easy experience (we’ve moved over 1,000,000 passengers!). We can even help your group find a charter bus rental with power outlets to keep devices charged for ebooks, or reclining seats for a more relaxed reading experience. Call us at 1-866-265-5479 to find your bus, and once you’ve booked your rental—keep reading to see which books we recommend for a long bus ride!

10 Great Books to Read on a Long Charter Bus Ride

1. Words of Radiance

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publish Date: March 4, 2014

Rating: 4.76 out of 5 stars, 356,952 reviews

Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fantasy novels with immersive worlds and complex characters.

Words of Radiance is the second novel in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. It continues the story of Shallan Davar, a young woman with a troubled past seeking to become a scholar, Kaladin, a former slave now a soldier in a war-torn world, and Dalinar Kholin, a highprince grappling with visions and seeking to find redemption. Filled with twists and turns, epic battles, and explorations of magical forces, Sanderson builds an intricate and awe-inspiring world for his readers to get lost in.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publish Date: July 21, 2007

Rating: 4.62 out of 5 stars, 3,733,245 reviews

Perfect for: Anyone who’s grown up with the series, or those looking to dive into a fictional world full of magic and adventure.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final novel in J.K. Rowling's world-renowned children’s book series, Harry Potter. Harry, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley embark on a mission to vanquish Lord Voldemort. They must collect the Deathly Hallows, three powerful magical objects, in hopes of defeating him. But with their final year at Hogwarts canceled due to the dangers of Lord Voldemort, their journey isn’t easy. The trio will be tested as they endure loss, betrayal, and moral dilemmas, leading up to a harrowing climactic showdown with the dark wizard. If you haven’t caught up, this series will keep you entertained for hours on the road—and we can even provide a TV with a DVD player if you’d rather marathon the movies on your bus!

3. Crooked Kingdom

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Publish Date: September 27, 2016

Rating: 4.59 out of 5 stars, 647,858 reviews

Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fast-paced fantasy novels with intricate heists, magic systems, and memorable characters.

Crooked Kingdom is the conclusion to Leigh Bardugo’s duology, Six of Crows. It continues the story of Kaz Brekker and his crew, a group of young criminals who attempt to escape from Ketterdam after a challenging heist at the Ice Court. This young adult fantasy book follows the crew as they plan to get revenge on their enemies and secure their freedom. You’ll be entertained by their complex relationships, clever schemes, and explorations of loss, trust, and finding your found family.

4. Fourth Wing

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Publish Date: May 2, 2023

Rating: 4.59 out of 5 stars, 1,632,208 reviews

Perfect for: Those who love young adult fantasy books with strong romantic elements, as well as plots full of action and self-discovery.

The Empyrean is a brutal world under threat of annihilation by invading creatures called the wyverns. In Fourth Wing, young Violet Sorrengail is forced to join the Navarre dragon riders by her mother, who is the Navarre’s general. Violet, a scholar with a chronic illness, wants nothing more than to stay in the archives and study, but is thrust into a world of violent training, challenging dragon bonding, and perilous battles. With its immersive worldbuilding, a unique take on dragons, and a complex, believable romance, Fourth Wing is a great option for readers who want a break from the ordinary.

books for a charter bus ride

5. A Court of Mist and Fury

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publish Date: May 3, 2016

Rating: 4.65 out of 5 stars, 1,976,887 reviews

Perfect for: Readers who are looking for fantasy that includes romance and adventure with strong, confident female characters.

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second novel in Sarah J. Maas’s fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses. This adult fantasy follows Feyre, a young woman who journeys to Prythian after slaying a Fae. Feyre has been a prisoner of the cruel High Lord Rhysand since arriving to the magical realm. This book explores Feyre’s battle with trauma as she escapes captivity, faces off against the dangers of a new war, and discovers her true power.

6. The Return of the King

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Publish Date: October 20, 1955

Rating: 4.56 out of 5 stars, 911,771 reviews

Perfect for: This is for readers who are drawn in by rich, well-established fantasy worlds with epic battles and captivating lore.

The Return of the King is the concluding part of Tolkien’s famed Lord of the Rings trilogy. Frodo Baggins continues his perilous journey to Mordor in this book to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, a task taken on by his hobbit companions Samwise Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, and Pippin Took. With his magical realm of Middle Earth in peril, they must face off against the dark lord Sauron and his legions. The battles to save Middle Earth and the fate of the ring bearer are some of the most powerful moments in the series, making the final part of the trilogy a great option for a long-distance bus ride.

7. The House of Hades

Author: Rick Riordan

Publish Date: October 8, 2013

Rating: 4.57 out of 5 stars, 419,237 reviews

Perfect for: Those who love mythology-inspired stories with fast-paced action, humor, and relatable teenage characters.

The House of Hades is the fourth novel in Rick Riordan’s five-part series, The Heroes of Olympus. This middle-grade and young adult series blends mythology and adventure, making it perfect for readers of all ages. The story follows seven demigods—including Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Jason Grace, and Piper McLean—on their quest to prevent the resurrection of Gaea, the primordial Greek goddess of the Earth. This installment takes the demigods through the perilous underworld, where they must face trials and fight off creatures from Greek mythology, like the Keres and Empousai, to complete their mission.

8. The Nightingale

Author: Kristin Hannah

Publish Date: February 3, 2015

Rating: 4.62 out of 5 stars, 1,392,678 reviews

Perfect for: Those who love historical fiction, with characters that are ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances in world-changing events.

The Nightingale is a historical fiction novel from Kristin Hannah, set in France during World War II. It tells the stories of two sisters, Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol, who have different paths of resistance as the Nazi regime takes over their home and country. This book examines their strength, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of hardships like war and imprisonment.

9. Kingdom of Ash

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Publish Date: October 23, 2018

Rating: 4.69 out of 5 stars, 574,357 reviews

Perfect for: Readers who love adult fantasy with strong female protagonists, magic, mythical creatures, romance, and plenty of action.

Kingdom of Ash is the concluding novel in Sarah J. Maas’s seven-part series, Throne of Glass. The series follows Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, a young assassin who discovers that she is the lost queen of Terrasen. This book chronicles the harrowing journey and choices she faces as she fights to free her country from tyranny at the hands of the cruel King of Adarlan, making it the perfect option for a bus trip full of high-octane thrills.

10. The Complete Maus

Author: Art Spiegelman

Publish Date: October 15, 1991

Rating: 4.57 out of 5 stars, 222,446 reviews

Perfect for: This one is for readers who prefer graphic novels and stories with historical significance.

The Complete Maus is a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman, composed of two parts. It tells the story of the author’s father Vladek Spiegelman, a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor, from his experiences during the Holocaust to his immigration to America. This powerful and poignant story examines survival, trauma, and the importance of remembering history.

books to read on long bus rides

Take a Ride With Price 4 Limo!

Whether you want to delve into epic fantasy novels or real-life memoirs, your next long charter bus ride doesn’t have to be spent twiddling your thumbs. Price4Limo is your one-stop source for all of your transportation needs—from booking your comfortable bus rental (which we’ve been doing since 2011!) to providing inspiration for passing the time. Call our professional reservation team of over 20 members at 1-866-265-5479 to find out how to start the bus rental process with a free quote!