• Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting

  • A Novel
  • By: Clare Pooley
  • Narrated by: Clare Corbett
  • Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (743 ratings)

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Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting  By  cover art

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting

By: Clare Pooley
Narrated by: Clare Corbett
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Publisher's summary

Nobody ever talks to strangers on the train. It’s a rule. But what would happen if they did? From the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author of The Authenticity Project, a heartwarming novel about unexpected friendships and the joy of connecting.

Every day Iona, a larger-than-life magazine advice columnist, travels the ten stops from Hampton Court to Waterloo Station by train, accompanied by her dog, Lulu.

Every day she sees the same people, whom she knows only by nickname: Impossibly-Pretty-Constant-Reader and Terribly-Lonely-Teenager. Of course, they never speak. Seasoned commuters never do.

Then one morning, the man she calls Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader chokes on a grape right in front of her. He’d have died were it not for the timely intervention of Sanjay, a nurse, who gives him the Heimlich maneuver.

This single event starts a chain reaction, and an eclectic group of people with almost nothing in common except their commute discover that a chance encounter can blossom into much more. It turns out that talking to strangers can teach you about the world around you—and even more about yourself.

©2022 Clare Pooley (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A soothing story where bad things happen yet are overcome, and friendship leads the way to personal acceptance and rebirth.”
Kirkus

“Why don't I ever meet people this delightful on a train? This feel-good ensemble story will bring joy to readers who loved Anxious People and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine—not to mention fans of quirky London-set fare such as Ted Lasso. Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting is a warm, fun pick-me-up of a book.” —Mary Laura Philpott, bestselling author of I Miss You When I Blink and Bomb Shelter

“Pooley's grasp on the constraints and longings of the human condition proves immensely entertaining. Readers will be charmed by this uplifting, hopeful story rife with tender insights. Traveling with Iona Iverson is a literary journey well worth taking!” —Shelf Awareness

What listeners say about Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting

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A wonderful satisfying humorous book!

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book! Claire’s writing is witty and sharp. Her characters are well developed and you care about everyone of them. The storyline continues to unfold to encompass and connect everyone. I was sorry when the story ended.

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Loved this book!

Believe all the great reviews; this is a very good book! Well written, beautifully narrated.

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Perfect Story with Humor & Happy Ending

What a delightful feel-good story of unlikely friendships and romance, and the narrator was perfect.

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Cute Story and Wonderful Narration

I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this terrific audiobook! Highly recommend this for a good read.

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So much fun!

The language was luxuriously playful and the characters were delightful.
Although it was rom-com predictable it was a fun ride!

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Uplifting Read in a Lonely World

I most enjoyed this novel. The characters are well developed and colorful, and I truly loved the humor and the fun literary references. ( Emily Dickinson Shakespeare, etc) This work shows us that with a little effort and kindness, one can build a sense of community. This is so refreshing in a world plagued by isolation and loneliness.

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Fun and touching

Fun - great storytelling - great narrator too.

Stories - something for everyone

Life - is short, find the meaning moments & right people (and animals) & make the most.

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Delightful!

The reader is superb! The story is sweet with a happy ending. Sometimes that is exactly what you need !

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Perfect mix of a light read with twists & turns!

I absolutely loved this book. It was last months book club pick (fyi, it’s a coed book club and the men enjoyed it also) and I wasn’t sure about it but when I couldn’t get it a physical copy at the library nor through the Libby app, I knew it had to be a good read. It’s hard to pick a favorite character but Iona is definitely a person I aspire to be.

Also, the narrator was AMAZING! The differentiation between the men’s voices and women, children…whomever, she nailed it! Well done!

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Such fun!

Loved it! Fun book to listen to with really good narration! I enjoyed it very much!

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