Harriet Beamer Takes The Bus By Joyce Magnin

I received this e-book from Shelton Interactive through Zondervan Publishing for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this e-book.


Book Description:

Aging and recent widow Harriet Beamer insists she's getting along fine with her dog Humphrey in Philadelphia ... until she falls for the fourth time, injuring her ankle, and causing her son and daughter-in-law to cry foul. Insisting Harriet move in with them in California, they make a bet that her ankle is broken, and she foolishly promises to move if they're right. Four x-rays later, Harriet's ankle---and her heart---are broken. She packs up, ships her huge salt and pepper collection to California, and prepares to move away from the only life she knows. The only catch? She's doing it her way. Just wait till her daughter-in-law hears Harriet will travel cross country only by public transportation and alternate means. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming journey by train, metro bus, ferry, and motorcycle. Along the way, Harriet discovers that although her family thinks it's time for her to be put out to pasture---God has a different plan.


About The Author

Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright’s Pond series and the middle grade novel “Carrying Mason.” She is a writing instructor and frequent conference speaker. Joyce lives in Pennsylvania with her son, Adam, and their crazy cat, Mango, who likes to eat nachos.


My Thoughts:

Harriet Beamer Takes The Bus By Joyce Magnin is a really COOL book. This is the first time I have had the pleasure of reading a book by Joyce Magnin and I thoroughly loved it.  From the beginning of this book I was completely hooked on it, had a very hard time putting it down!!  The main character Harriet Beamer is a really cool older lady who is widowed and lives far away from her son. She takes a tumble, not her first one,  and Harriet and her daughter in law make a bet- if her ankle is broken she will move from Philadelphia to California to be with her son and daughter in law if it is not broken she stays were she is.  It was a bet Harriet lost. Harriet comes up with a plan that she will take public transportation and alternate way to get from Philadelphia to California. She has never seen the world really and has dreamt of seeing the the salt and pepper shaker museum. All of her shakers that she has in her collection have come from others travels. So on her trip she goes.

      I knew right from the first few pages of this book I was going to love it.  Harriet is just a fun character. who faces her fears head on, trusting God's plan.  Harriet's journey is not just a physical one but a spiritual one also. On her way to California she meets many different people from different walks of life and learns so much about them but more about herself.  Joyce Magnin writes a wonderfully funny story that is truly heart warming.  This book has so much detail in the places Harriet goes that I felt like I was riding right there with her.  Joyce Magnin obviously did a lot of research about these places and the different modes of transportation in all these areas.  As I read this book I found I could relate on many different levels, as a Mom, as a child, and as someone who hasn't seem much of the world.  Harriet Beamer is an inspiring character who faces her fears head on, finds a way to do what she set out to do no matter what the obstacle, and does not let defeat get her.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction and is looking to take the bus with Harriet Beamer. You won't be disappointed! I look forward to reading more by Joyce Magnin. Thank you Susan for giving me the opportunity to read and review this awesome book!!

Check out Harriet Journey at her blog: http://harrietbeamer.blogspot.com/